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MOTHERWELL · Jan 29, 2004, 04:03 PM

I just got a Midi-USB adapter to use my keyboard in GarageBand. The problem is the sounds the keyboard makes are so quiet compared to the loops. I have turned the volume all of the way up but its not helping...

Spheric Harlot · Jan 29, 2004, 06:44 PM

A synth keyboard?

what kind?

How are you hooking it up to the Mac?

MOTHERWELL · Jan 29, 2004, 06:52 PM

yamaha psr-292 via midi to USB adapter (MIDISport Uno)

Spheric Harlot · Jan 29, 2004, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by MOTHERWELL:
yamaha psr-292 via midi to USB adapter (MIDISport Uno)

You said "Real" instruments are too quiet, so I assume you're talking about recording the Yamaha's sounds into GarageBand?

Or are you just using it as a MIDI controller for GarageBand's built-in virtual instruments (and are using the term "real" to differentiate from "looped", even though they're most decidedly virtual)?

-s*

Troll · Jan 30, 2004, 07:40 AM

I posted in the peripherals forum but had very few responses, so I'm going to pull a naughty one and post here. I'm a guitarist and although I spent a few years sitting in front of a piano, have very little keyboard playing ability. (self-diagnosis - trauma of being clipped on the ear made me forget!). I bought an M-Audio Oxygen8 so I could get more hands-on with recording.

GarageBand is still not out in France so I haven't had a chance to try it, but I have been dabbling a bit more heavily in Reason which to date I used via the PowerBook's keyboard. I was wondering what other software you guys use with your keyboards and what you can recommend.

dwishbone · Jan 30, 2004, 07:49 AM

post wasnt 100% clear. are you just trying to record your kb's sound? if so check your input settings in system preferences. you might have your settings to low.
some of the midi instruments are a bit subdued i agree...but not overly so. if they are too quiet for you...that is what level adjustment is for. raise and lower the levels of other tracks until it sounds
GB-licious�

Spheric Harlot · Jan 30, 2004, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by Troll:
GarageBand is still not out in France so I haven't had a chance to try it, but I have been dabbling a bit more heavily in Reason which to date I used via the PowerBook's keyboard. I was wondering what other software you guys use with your keyboards and what you can recommend.

What do you mean, "what other software"?

I have Reason installed though I really don't like it (but friends use it, so I keep it around to be able to add tracks to their stuff).

Other than that, it's just Logic Platinum 6 + plug-ins.

-s*

Troll · Jan 30, 2004, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
What do you mean, "what other software"?

I have Reason installed though I really don't like it (but friends use it, so I keep it around to be able to add tracks to their stuff).

Other than that, it's just Logic Platinum 6 + plug-ins.

-s*

The Oxygen8 is just a midi controller, so it's not really useful on its own. I'm not a huge fan of Reason either, but it does have some nice virtual instruments. Haven't got Logic ($$$). I did think of investing in Digital Performer though. I guess some of the VST plugins you're using would work in DP4 as well? I believe Live3 can be triggered from a midi controller too. That might help for our live performances. Hit the keyboard to get a set of loops going... I can see this keyboard is going to wind up costing me money!!

Spheric Harlot · Jan 30, 2004, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by Troll:
The Oxygen8 is just a midi controller, so it's not really useful on its own. I'm not a huge fan of Reason either, but it does have some nice virtual instruments.

I don't like the basic sound of Reason.
Also, you do know that there are plenty of "virtual" instruments built into GarageBand, right? I believe they're just samples and not actual virtual instruments, so they may be limited, but they're there.

Originally posted by Troll:
Haven't got Logic ($$$).

Note that Logic Express is coming out in March for $/�299.

-s*