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#488095 - 01/29/20 04:30 PM
Do I regret going full PC production?
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Senior Member
Registered: 10/08/00
Posts: 4715
Loc: West Virginia
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A while back I made the decision to move 99.99% of my music production to PC. I thought I’d share my current thoughts on the decision. I’ll start by saying this move was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made. Music production via PC or Mac in terms of cost really isn’t as expensive as some might think. You don’t need to spend a huge chunk of cash either. What I find so amazing is the number of free VST instruments available. There are some incredible VST’s that sound great and cost nothing to download. If you’re really tight on cash there’s even a good free DAW (Cakewalk by BandLab). How that program is free is beyond me because the developers even provide free updates.
When I break down the cost of moving my music production to PC, I just can’t justify buying another keyboard. I have a large list of VST’s.., some paid and some free. I also take advantage of PluginBotique.com for amazing deals. I have gotten so many free and majorly discounted VST’s from that site because of their deals. With the cost of my 88 key controller and paid VST’s, I’ve got just under $700 into the switch. Sure, you can go crazy and spend thousands of dollars on VST’s and studio equipment, but it’s not necessary because there are affordable ones that surpass what you’ll get in a hardware keyboard.
My main DAW is MixCraft, but I also have Cakewalk by BandLab too. My upgrade cost from MixCraft 8 Pro to 9 Pro was $29, and I don’t need to tell the members here how good that DAW is. Hell my 88 key midi controller came with free copies of AIR Mini Grand, AIR DB-33 Drawbar Organ, AIR Velvet EP, SoniVox 88 Ensemble, and Addictive Keys. Can’t beat that. If you’ve been considering moving to DAW based production or just supplementing your current arranger set up. It’s worth every penny IMO. I’ve been having a blast since the change.
Sqk
_________________________
GEAR: Yamaha MOXF-6, Casio MZX-500, Roland Juno-Di, M-Audio Venom, Roland RS-70, Yamaha PSR S700, M-Audio Axiom Pro-61 (Midi Controller). SOFTWARE: Mixcraft-7, PowerTracks Pro Audio 2013, Beat Thang Virtual, Dimension Le.
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#488101 - 01/29/20 05:55 PM
Re: Do I regret going full PC production?
[Re: Dnj]
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Member
Registered: 03/22/17
Posts: 449
Loc: Mountain Home, AR
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This is something I've been playing with for several years now and still no closer than before. I've got scads of stuff to do it with BUT never get past 1st base.
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PSR 740,PSR 3000, Mirage, tx7, mp32, Pro Tools 10,11 SONAR, Reaper, BIAB 2020 and a pile of Computer Music mags w/disks
College student was working on Doctoral, Education Now just doing courses to do courses
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#488104 - 01/29/20 06:37 PM
Re: Do I regret going full PC production?
[Re: Dnj]
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Senior Member
Registered: 10/08/00
Posts: 4715
Loc: West Virginia
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I do all my sequencing, no styles. The workflow within a DAW is much more efficient IMO. I also have a dual monitor setup as well, and that really makes a big difference. Composing and editing your work using a DAW is like a breath of fresh air if you’re used to using a hardware keyboard. Plus you get many great features that take the headache out of something that would require extensive editing using a hardware sequencer.., such as lane automation.
Sqk
_________________________
GEAR: Yamaha MOXF-6, Casio MZX-500, Roland Juno-Di, M-Audio Venom, Roland RS-70, Yamaha PSR S700, M-Audio Axiom Pro-61 (Midi Controller). SOFTWARE: Mixcraft-7, PowerTracks Pro Audio 2013, Beat Thang Virtual, Dimension Le.
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#488105 - 01/29/20 07:03 PM
Re: Do I regret going full PC production?
[Re: squeak_D]
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Senior Member
Registered: 05/26/99
Posts: 9673
Loc: Levittown, Pa, USA
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A while back I made the decision to move 99.99% of my music production to PC. I thought I’d share my current thoughts on the decision. I’ll start by saying this move was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made. Music production via PC or Mac in terms of cost really isn’t as expensive as some might think. You don’t need to spend a huge chunk of cash either. What I find so amazing is the number of free VST instruments available. There are some incredible VST’s that sound great and cost nothing to download. If you’re really tight on cash there’s even a good free DAW (Cakewalk by BandLab). How that program is free is beyond me because the developers even provide free updates.
When I break down the cost of moving my music production to PC, I just can’t justify buying another keyboard. I have a large list of VST’s.., some paid and some free. I also take advantage of PluginBotique.com for amazing deals. I have gotten so many free and majorly discounted VST’s from that site because of their deals. With the cost of my 88 key controller and paid VST’s, I’ve got just under $700 into the switch. Sure, you can go crazy and spend thousands of dollars on VST’s and studio equipment, but it’s not necessary because there are affordable ones that surpass what you’ll get in a hardware keyboard.
My main DAW is MixCraft, but I also have Cakewalk by BandLab too. My upgrade cost from MixCraft 8 Pro to 9 Pro was $29, and I don’t need to tell the members here how good that DAW is. Hell my 88 key midi controller came with free copies of AIR Mini Grand, AIR DB-33 Drawbar Organ, AIR Velvet EP, SoniVox 88 Ensemble, and Addictive Keys. Can’t beat that. If you’ve been considering moving to DAW based production or just supplementing your current arranger set up. It’s worth every penny IMO. I’ve been having a blast since the change.
Sqk Dan, I have basically the same set up as you.. but for me it is more time consuming then using as an example my G70. On the keyboard (G70) I can edit the sounds, experiment with different sounds, effects, All done easily and little time.. I then can save time with a style, edited on the G70... Do a MIDI capture, and load into my 16 track sequencer. There I can add tracks, and record in "punch in".. all with little effort and time.. quantize and micro edit (corrections).. Finally use mastering tools and record (into MixCraft).  I find it more expedient.
Edited by Fran Carango (01/29/20 07:06 PM)
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#488106 - 01/29/20 07:18 PM
Re: Do I regret going full PC production?
[Re: Fran Carango]
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Senior Member
Registered: 10/08/00
Posts: 4715
Loc: West Virginia
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A big thing for me Fran is the use of Lane Automation. Is there a keyboard on the market that’s as simple to automate a lane as in MixCraft for example? When I’m scoring with Philharmonik 2, those lane automations are incredibly easy and intuitive. I don’t feel any slower editing patches within my VST’s than using hardware. Honestly, I find the VST much easier to edit with because you get so much information on one screen. Plus don’t forget the keyboard shortcuts with DAW’s. You can accomplish things with those short cuts that require several menus, and multiple steps with hardware. Let’s also not forget the big plus, and that’s not being locked to the sounds of one manufacturer.
Sqk
Edited by squeak_D (01/29/20 07:21 PM)
_________________________
GEAR: Yamaha MOXF-6, Casio MZX-500, Roland Juno-Di, M-Audio Venom, Roland RS-70, Yamaha PSR S700, M-Audio Axiom Pro-61 (Midi Controller). SOFTWARE: Mixcraft-7, PowerTracks Pro Audio 2013, Beat Thang Virtual, Dimension Le.
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