INTRODUCTION TO SYNTHESIZERS - hol.gr

Software-based sequencers are probably the best composition tools ever made. You can record your musical
parts either in real time or by programming the individual MIDI events by hand. Once you are happy with a
part, you can keep on adding other parts until you are satisfied with your composition.
You can cut, paste, copy and edit the parts in any way you like. You can correct bum notes, change the velocity
for individual notes and move them around as you please. You can at any time change the tempo and the tuning
of the whole composition, or just some parts of it.
The possibilities are nearly endless: you can for instance record a number of alternative solos, riffs or
arrangements in separate tracks, and then keep the one you are most happy with. Most modern sequencers can
also implement some slight imperfections and timing inaccuracies for the recorded material to sound more
"human". There are semi-intelligent composition algorithms that will create musical sequences or phrases of a
simple chord to suit a selected musical mood and style.
You can even invite a guest musician on the other side of the world to record his own parts and send it over to
you to be imported in your compositions.
Audio
With today's most sophisticated MIDI-recording software (such as Steinberg Cubase VST and Cakewalk Audio),
the border between MIDI and audio (sounds) are starting to get more blurred than ever. You can for instance
set some of the sequencer tracks to contain regular MIDI data, while other tracks can contain digitally recorded
sonic material, such as singing or acoustic instruments.
Cubase VST Arrange Window
With such programs you can in fact turn your personal computer into a full-fledged digital recording studio.
Features such as direct-to-disk recording that only a decade ago were only available in the most advanced
music studios in the world, are suddenly within the reach of most of us.
Running a complex sound processing software is probably the most demanding task your computer will ever
face. You can never have enough memory, processor capacity or hard disk space. But a decent home computer
(minimum 450 MHz Pentium II or G3, 128 MB RAM, a fast hard-disk and a good 16-bit soundcard) can be used
to record audio data, play back multiple channels of digital audio, and apply effects or equalization in real-time -
a similar concept to that of traditional analog recording studio technology in fact!
As an example, the new version of Steinberg Cubase VST 5.0 can record and play back up to 128 separate CDquality
digital audio tracks in 32-bit resolution stereo within a virtual studio equipment, complete with digital
equalizers and effect processor modules, such as echo or reverb.
21