NEWBIE QUESTION ABOUT MIDI/LOGIC

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Level 1

24 points

NEWBIE QUESTION ABOUT MIDI/LOGIC

Hey everyone,

I've been using various recording programs over the past few years and have ONLY recorded real audio/instruments with mics. I have never done anything with MIDI. I'm am, however, interested in Logic and its MIDI capabilities.
I know what MIDI is, but how exactly do you access the all the synths/software instruments in Logic? Do you need an external MIDI contoller, or can you do everything (or the majority of things) from your computers keyboard?
I apologize if this is an obvious question, but it all still seems a little unclear. I just want to make sure I have all the equipment I need in order to utilize everything Logic has to offer in the MIDI department. Thanks for the help.

Mac book Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.5), 1.83 GHz

Posted on May 9, 2006 9:26 PM

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Answer 1

xs4is

Level 4

2,800 points

May 9, 2006 9:31 PM in response to Jack Q

Hey Jack,

You CAN use your computer keyboard...but that *****. If money is an issue, go out and get yourself a $100 M-Audio keystation 49e. I have one and it is awesome (for the price).

X

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Answer 2

May 9, 2006 10:16 PM in response to Jack Q

Hi Jack

As X said, you can use the musical keyboard. you access it by pressing the tab key on you computer keyboard. it will do in a pinch, but that is not the best way to go. Again as X said check out the m-audio controllers, they work real good for not a whole lot of money.

http://www.midiman.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=midikeyboardcontrollers

Don

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Answer 3

May 17, 2006 3:35 AM in response to Jack Q

Yes, M-Audio stuff is great! It uses USB so you dont need to buy a MIDI interface, plus it powers from USB, so you dont even need a power cable. It turns on and off along with your computer and it requires no driver for Mac. Buy it, plug it in and power up! I would reccomend an active USB port expander because these things can be addictive. I use a Keystation 88 Pro with weigthed keys for piano and some orchestration, but quick keys (light electronic keyboard style)are better for some applications. Now they have Trigger Finger which is a trigger pad designed like a drum machine and this seems like a better option than a keyboard for percussion programming.

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Answer 4

jord

Level 5

5,230 points

May 17, 2006 5:19 AM in response to The Incredible D

Now they have Trigger Finger which is a trigger pad designed like a drum machine and this seems like a better option than a keyboard for percussion programming.

Trigger Finger has been out for a year now. It arrived in Canada right on my birthday and I picked it up the same day (what a great present 🙂 ). It is fantastic for drum programming, as well as various types of synth control (as well as manipulating articulations on packages such as Jam Packs).

jord

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Answer 5

May 17, 2006 3:12 PM in response to Jack Q

I would, to a person that planning on buying Logic for the first time, recommend waiting until the next update is out, since 7.2.1 is the most buggy version this far... (and we've been using Logic since version 2)

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Answer 6

May 17, 2006 3:40 PM in response to jord

Do people actually write their drum parts in by hand?

How archaic.

The Trigger Finger is one of the best midi controller I have purchased. I am really suprised that more people don't own one.

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