Does anyone use a pc to playback midi? I'm using an SD2 with Vanbasco for playback, but sometimes I need to edit quickly like mute, sounds, effects. Vanbasco does the mute but that's it.

I love the speed, ease of use, lyric display, anything else have those abilities?

Thanks

I use both Cakewalk and Ableton on my PC. I haven't used the Ableton much at all yet because I got the lower end version and doesn't really have a lot of useful features. Cakewalk is fairly easy to edit MIDI files.

Just my opinion.

Jeff

KaraWin Pro

I'll second the Powertrack recommendation. I've used it exclusively for midi manipulation of all sorts... very straight forward and easy to use.

Glenn

I have used my pc for midi for over ten years and have tried most software, including BIAB,Powertracks, and VanBasco. They all do the job, but Notation Musician or Composer has the most tools and best GUI for the money IMO. http://www.notation.com/Products.htm

I play midi tunes for singing and playing the actual score with muted parts.

I use Master Tracks Pro from GVox. I've used it for years (originally by Passport). However, since GVox bought it they introduced a bug in the external sync so I flip flop between the last Passport version and the current GVox version.

The thing I like about MTPro over Power Tracks is that it supports 16 different synths. So I can mix and match the sounds from my Sound Canvas, MT32, Studio Canvas, TX81z, VL70-m (2), i3, DS8, and samplers/sample players (3) choosing the best sounds of each for any particular instrument.

Here is how I make and use my backing tracks http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html

Notes

------------------
Bob "Notes" Norton
Owner Norton Music http://www.nortonmusic.com
The Sophisticats http://www.s-cats.com

[This message has been edited by Notes_Norton (edited 08-13-2008).]

[This message has been edited by Notes_Norton (edited 08-13-2008).]

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I kept the first version of Cakewalk I ever owned version 3.1. I still find it useful for basic MIDI playback. The features you asked for are easy to get at. In later versions, as they get more complex, I find that the basic features are more diffcult to find and use.

I also highly recommend Band in a Box. It is something anyone interested in MIDI music needs.

.

Flatfoot is somewhat on target - older versions of Cakewalk are easier to use if you are wanting to simply play and adjust SMFs live.

I use Cakewalk Pro Audio 10 and muting tracks and adjusting volumes or changing patches is very simple. I also have Power Tracks Pro 10, but it is easier for me to load a file while another is playing and then quickly move to the next song on Cakewalk.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 08-19-2008).]

Have to agree with Cassp.. Even Cakewalk 6.0 was rock solid on MIDI and then add in the CAL tools (freely available) and you can do pretty much anything you like, MIDI wise.

Dennis

I've had a bunch of them over the years. I still like MT Pro, but my version goes back to the days of Atari, which I can and occasionally do still use, only now on Windows XP via Steem, the Atari emulation program.
+1 for Cakewalk version 3 also.

Today though, for fast midi editing, I like FL Studio best. Although it's known best as a pattern sequencer, it's easy to use as a linear sequencer as well. What I like best is that when editing a right click deletes notes without having to change tools ( pen to eraser..etc ) from a menu like Sonar, Cubase, etc has.

Also, note stretching, velocity edits, panning, etc.. are a breeze in it by comparison, and although it doesn't have the cal script functions that Cw / Sonar have, it has many similar tools imbedded in the sequencer.

The other app that I really like is Sonic Bytes Phrazor. It's midi edit functions work in a similar fashion, but I prefer running my vst plugs through it vs FL, because it is also a true chainer, meaning I can run the vst equivalents of midi plug ins with soft instruments and effects ( or midi outs ) seamlessly. Of course, this will be of no use for those who don't run vst plugs.

Unfortunately, it is out of production, as it's creator, Argu, moved to NI, which was developing competing software. Even more unfortunately, he passed away last year in a tragic accident. The .99 beta freeware version, which is stable and has most of the functionality of it's commercial cousin, is still available though, at sites like Gersic.com

AJ



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 08-18-2008).]

AJ
I have Phrazor, and I remember the updates were coming on a regular basis, when suddenly, he dropped out of sight. I now see the reason. Everyone on the Phrazor forum was blaming him from everything from inattention to going on a drunk.

Bernie

Well, I'm rereading my post and I suddenly realized I gave ya bad info there, must have been sleepy last night... lol.

Holger was the dev on Phrazor, not Argu.. and he is alive and well and still working for Native Instruments last I knew. Argu worked with Gol and the folks at FL. Unfortunately, the one part I was right about is that he did pass away. Just prior to his passing, he had already planned to release his primary software ( Aodix I think ? ) as open source. After he passed it was released.

As for Phrazor, it's a great app for my uses, but it certainly would have benefited from further development. This is sometimes a consequence of the circumstances when very talented small scale developers are snatched up by larger outfits, ala the Virtual Guitarist ( both versions ) and Virt Bassist scenario. Production on those also ceased when Sven Bonemark, who created the the interfaces for these, and who is also the primary developer of Broomstick Bass, went to work for a competitor of Steinberg. Suddenly all three disappeared from the shelves. I'm a pretty active lurker ( and occasionally poster ) at KVR and remember reading in depth about both scenarios.

Sorry to have hijacked the thread a bit. I have an SE version of Ableton that came with my M Audio Fast Track Ultra. Nice software but pretty limited in midi editing, ( as I understand the full version is as well ).

I reread Frank's post and see that you need to display lyrics.. I've never seen that feature on FL, nor have I ever tried, but I'm guessing with all the automation functions it has it can be done ..

To me, if you want the fastest plug and play, and don't mind an extra step for detailed midi editing, the Cakewalk series ( or probably Cubase ) are going to be among the best choices. Previously, I used an SE version of Cubase that came bundled with an older soundcared, along with an old Atari version.

XG works, if you can find it ( I believe there are still SE versions floating around the net ) was also very intuitive to work with, nice lyric display and excellent midi tools, although it had limited audio functions.

AJ




[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 08-19-2008).]