Difficult to know where to post this. I know very little about laptop music - does anyone have any experience? What software might one use for performance? How does it all work...?
To clarify; I'm talking about using laptops as stand-alone instruments, not to run Band in a Box, or to notate music. So, not interested in Sibelius, controlling midi keyboards etc ....
At least, I think that's what I'm asking - but my ignorance is vast!
nick
Full Version: Laptop Music
I believe Ableton Live is regarded as the bee's knees for this. But that's about all I know, I'm afraid.
Somehow I misread the title and thought it was for lap ----- dancing 
QUOTE(BachPensioner @ Aug 8 2008, 11:09 PM) 
Somehow I misread the title and thought it was for lap ----- dancing
Well, if you want to take it that way! Family forum, though...
nick
my band (check us out) www.myspace.com/electroflex now use a laptop.
I think it's cubasis that we use. If you don't want to connect to keyboards you can use 'soft synths' (software versions) but as far as I know you do need some sort of sortware or keyboards to actaully make the sounds.
I'm affraid I'm not great with this stuff. I'm the singer and when I write bits I use paper LOL
I think it's cubasis that we use. If you don't want to connect to keyboards you can use 'soft synths' (software versions) but as far as I know you do need some sort of sortware or keyboards to actaully make the sounds.
I'm affraid I'm not great with this stuff. I'm the singer and when I write bits I use paper LOL
QUOTE(Lizzy violin @ Aug 9 2008, 04:57 PM)
my band (check us out) www.myspace.com/electroflex now use a laptop.
I think it's cubasis that we use. If you don't want to connect to keyboards you can use 'soft synths' (software versions) but as far as I know you do need some sort of sortware or keyboards to actaully make the sounds.
I'm affraid I'm not great with this stuff. I'm the singer and when I write bits I use paper LOL
Thanks for the responses - those in the know are in the know, but to those of us outside looking in, it's all a bt hard to grasp!
And expensive from the looks of things ... I wonder if there's any free/open source software out there? Audacity, certainly, for basic recording, but beyond that?
nick
Laptop Music can be a bit tricky. Ableton Live is good for Audio recording & midi, nice and easy to use 
Sibelius & garritans for instance are also ok.
Where you have to watch it is that if you intend to use a midi keyboard or have many audio inputs you'll probably need an external sound module that is ASIO compatible as it will be unmanageable otherwise, ( ie sound dropouts, latency issues [play a note on the keyboard that takes a second to come out on the computer] and crackling etc).
Also, i'd watch out for whether any of the software etc is compatible for VISTA if you are using it, as have been quite a few issues with some of the programs.
Sibelius & garritans for instance are also ok.
Where you have to watch it is that if you intend to use a midi keyboard or have many audio inputs you'll probably need an external sound module that is ASIO compatible as it will be unmanageable otherwise, ( ie sound dropouts, latency issues [play a note on the keyboard that takes a second to come out on the computer] and crackling etc).
Also, i'd watch out for whether any of the software etc is compatible for VISTA if you are using it, as have been quite a few issues with some of the programs.
QUOTE(Chris L @ Aug 11 2008, 02:51 PM)
Also, i'd watch out for whether any of the software etc is compatible for VISTA if you are using it, as have been quite a few issues with some of the programs.
Tell me about it!!! ARGH!
QUOTE(Chris L @ Aug 11 2008, 02:51 PM)
Also, i'd watch out for whether any of the software etc is compatible for VISTA if you are using it, as have been quite a few issues with some of the programs.
I'm thinking of upgrading from Vista to XP
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