Keyboard for composing? (bass, Piano, Computer, cheap)

dmackey2 · 12-20-2007, 02:01 AM

So I am starting to want to do composing. I hate using Finale or other programs, I don't have the patience to sit at a desk and click every stupid note into the right chord and where I want it. And I don't even have the patience just to write it by hand after I play it on piano. Any ideas? I was thinking of maybe just getting some keyboard workstation that I can record stuff with. I particularily have fun just improving, able to record loops and stuff like that.

What's a decent workstation a college kid can afford? Or any other ideas?..

UrbanAncients · 12-20-2007, 01:16 PM

If you get Sibelius 5 you can plug your keyboard into the computer, play, and it will record it, and it will come down as notation.

Åke Sjöström · 12-23-2007, 06:19 PM

Didn't know that about Sibelius.
And yes you do really need a keyboard to compose and transposition. The pieces i've writen, well lets say they haven't quite come out exactly as i had intended. hehe. So i got a keyboard and learned more theory-that helped a lot.

Halfa · 01-25-2008, 12:10 AM

well....i know you hate finale
but
what you can do with any of those programs is plug ur keyboard into a MIDI setup and plug it into Finale (or another top program) and then hit record.
what will end up happening is you play what you want in time and it notates it for you.

Seltzer · 01-25-2008, 12:20 AM

I would definitely look into MIDI recording. My brother has a gadget for that but I've never used it. I play bass but do a bit of composition as well, and it can take ages to figure out the rhythm of what I'm writing and get it right.

Halfa · 01-25-2008, 12:24 AM

if ur using a PC then u can just get a MIDI cable for really cheap...its like 50 bucks.

if ur using a mac i think u have to get a whole system...but i'm not sure...even tho i should have a mac for this stuff....

its very very useful with a good notation program because it makes everything so much easier

12-20-2007, 02:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
dmackey2 Groupie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5	Keyboard for composing? So I am starting to want to do composing. I hate using Finale or other programs, I don't have the patience to sit at a desk and click every stupid note into the right chord and where I want it. And I don't even have the patience just to write it by hand after I play it on piano. Any ideas? I was thinking of maybe just getting some keyboard workstation that I can record stuff with. I particularily have fun just improving, able to record loops and stuff like that. What's a decent workstation a college kid can afford? Or any other ideas?..

12-23-2007, 06:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Åke Sjöström Groupie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 10	Didn't know that about Sibelius. And yes you do really need a keyboard to compose and transposition. The pieces i've writen, well lets say they haven't quite come out exactly as i had intended. hehe. So i got a keyboard and learned more theory-that helped a lot. __________________ Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away. ~Thomas Beecham To sing a wrong note is insignificant, but to sing without passion is unforgivable. ~Beethoven

01-25-2008, 12:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
Seltzer Fish in the percolator! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hobbit Land NZ Posts: 2,870	I would definitely look into MIDI recording. My brother has a gadget for that but I've never used it. I play bass but do a bit of composition as well, and it can take ages to figure out the rhythm of what I'm writing and get it right. __________________ In the Court of King Crimson \| Last.fm \| RYM

12-20-2007, 01:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
UrbanAncients Groupie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: England (And so proud) Posts: 27	If you get Sibelius 5 you can plug your keyboard into the computer, play, and it will record it, and it will come down as notation.

01-25-2008, 12:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Halfa Allman Brothers Obsessor Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Whipping Post Posts: 260	well....i know you hate finale but what you can do with any of those programs is plug ur keyboard into a MIDI setup and plug it into Finale (or another top program) and then hit record. what will end up happening is you play what you want in time and it notates it for you.

01-25-2008, 12:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Halfa Allman Brothers Obsessor Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Whipping Post Posts: 260	if ur using a PC then u can just get a MIDI cable for really cheap...its like 50 bucks. if ur using a mac i think u have to get a whole system...but i'm not sure...even tho i should have a mac for this stuff.... its very very useful with a good notation program because it makes everything so much easier