RABid Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 At last, I get to take two weeks off and head south to get away from the job and the co-workers. I would like to take something with me for composing songs but I need some suggestions. Things I have considered. Reason on my laptop I would need a small keyboard to get the most out of it and I prefer one small device. The problem I have with Reason is trying to export songs back to midi so I can use Sonar and my other music instruments once the song is composed. Reason does not seem to run well on my laptop anyway. Not well at all. Probably the generic built in sound card. Sonar on the laptop Again, I would need a little keyboard. Also, it seems that Sonar is getting a bit bloated to work well on a laptop designed for business use. Especially when you also have to use software on the same computer as the sound source. E-mu XL-7 One major fault, no disk rive or smart media card. I want better storage and easier movement of songs to my computer. I like the Xl-7 as a sound module and midi control panel, but not as a sequencer. Otherwise, this is close. Anyone have a suggestion? What do people here use when on the road and traveling light? This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squids Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 Rabid, I think you know what my suggestion would be so I'll spare you the whole long-winded explanation. (ie. I work for Sonic Reality who makes sample libraries and now VST instrument plug-ins) In short, it sounds to me like you can use an instrument plug-in that is a jack of all trades sound-wise...like a virtual workstation synth to use with your Sonar. I know of a few that are like this. Aka: Dave from Sonic Reality http://www.sonicreality.com http://www.esoundz.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusker Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 Rabid: I have enjoyed taking Acid on a laptop and a wallet of cd-roms. It is not a complete music creation process, but I can typically make some fresh drum loops with a wave editor, set up the skeleton for a song, etc. I do feel frustrated at not having an instrument, but in my case the songwriting is better with some constraints. Sometimes I take a cd of my own riffs, so I can test drive them in arrangements. Cheers, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP3 Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 I use a Roland PC-300 keyboard when I travel. I have Logic and ACID on my laptop with the EVP88, EXS24, B4 and Pro 52. This gives me enough stuff to capture ideas and produce demos of stuff. I also use the RME Multiface with the laptop. If I need, I'll bring a small mic pre and mic to capture vocals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted January 5, 2002 Author Share Posted January 5, 2002 Are you adding a PCMCIA sound card to make laptops perform well with music? If so, which one? I have a low end Toshiba P-III 733 with about 300 meg of memory and DVD. It just does not do well with sound. Edit - "PCIMIA"? Where did I get that? [ 01-04-2002: Message edited by: Rabid ] This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod S Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 Yes. I have a EgoSys Wami Box. It's my main recording axe right now since I don't have an assembled PC for the time being. PCMCIA into breakout box. 4 out/2 in/ spdif/ midi/ 16mb of internal memory to load samples works pretty well so far Korg Kronos X73 / ARP Odyssey / Motif ES Rack / Roland D-05 / JP-08 / SE-05 / Jupiter Xm / Novation Mininova / NL2X / Waldorf Pulse II MBP-LOGIC American Deluxe P-Bass, Yamaha RBX760 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cg1155 Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 The RME multiface is a PCMCIA interface for laptops. Those I know who use it are big fans. My laptop is also crappy for music. -Casey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudeep Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 a guitar and casette recorder works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 I take my laptop with Logic, Pro 52, ES1, EXS24, and Reason. I'll be adding Battery before my next trip. I dump my digital photos onto the HD once a day. I just picked up a Korg Pandora PXR4, which is great for practicing or recording quick ideas. I LOVE that thing! The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpel Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Perhaps what you need is a vacation from the compulsive desire to create... No, of course I relate to this. My wife and I are considering a work-exchange year in Scotland, and my mind immediately moves to the "studio situation" as a problem of the utmost importance. A laptop with an array of softsynths and a small controller is a good start (expensive if you don't already have the laptop!) If audio is a necessity, I suppose something along the lines of a USB audio/Midi interface like Tascam's would do the trick. As I'm still principally a guitarist, my little Fernandez "electric travel" guitar does the trick for shorter vacations. It even sounds pretty decent through an amp, so I can go to open mics and blues jams and sound okay--though it looks a little strange, like an alto guitar or something. I bought it while on extended stay in San Diego, and it's been a lifesaver. But where do you stop? If you're a songwriter, you'd best have an SM57 tucked away too. Check out the Sweet Clementines CD at bandcamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mats Olsson. Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Casio Rapman /Mats http://www.lexam.net/peter/carnut/man.gif What do we want? Procrastination! When do we want it? Later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Smedberg Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 All your unread manuals. And a walkman for the music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted January 10, 2002 Author Share Posted January 10, 2002 Laptop - check E-mu XL-7 - check Midiman USB 2 channel Midi port - check Rio 800 - check Iomega Hip Zip - check Digital Camera - check Enough CD for driving 12 hours each way - check Manuals for the Emu and Sonar - check Recent issues of Keyboard Magazine and other mags - check Install CD's for Sonar and Reason - check Short Midi cable - check Headphones - check Sunglasses - check Maps - check Cellphone - check Palm Pilot - check Shaving Kit - check OK. I have just a little bit of space left. Do I take the Roland Handsonic, clothing, or shoes? This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Smedberg Posted January 10, 2002 Share Posted January 10, 2002 Since you have Reason you might be interested in this new ReMote. [ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: Robert Smedberg ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted January 10, 2002 Author Share Posted January 10, 2002 I saw that mentioned in an article somewhere. When I tried to find it for purchase I finally gave up and assumed it was vapor ware. Has it been released? This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Smedberg Posted January 10, 2002 Share Posted January 10, 2002 Originally posted by Rabid: I saw that mentioned in an article somewhere. When I tried to find it for purchase I finally gave up and assumed it was vapor ware. Has it been released? No, it has not been released yet. They showed a prototype during the show in Frankfurt. More can be read here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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