Making music and software ???

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi Guys :

Yesterday I bought a new midi/audio Yamaha/Steinberg interface.

I have the impression nowadays all music hardware cannot longer be used without computer software : a lot of app's are to be installed, registered, for all programs one needs a licence number and it takes a lot of time and patience before the device finally will work.
Then the user needs to learn all different programs before he will get what he wants. 🥺

I wonder if the next generation of arrangers will also be so complicated in use before one can play a simple song ?

Age problem, I guess ? 
Am I the only one who is struggling with this problem ? 🤪

Best regards, JH

[BogdanH]

hello Jeff,
What interface brand/model did you buy?

But yes, for an audio interface to be usable, at least two things need to be installed on PC: USB/Midi controller driver and some audio recording software. For more advanced stuff (i.e. music production) one need to dig into DAW software -which is not for everyone, though 

Wish you fun with your equipment.
Bogdan

[Franck Simplement]

Good morning,
it's the whole problem of computing, a lot of possibilities, a so-called simplicity but in fact a lot of time wasted on the side.
I think many come back to recorders like the Tascam DP24SD or Model 12.
I think, without generalizing, that when you're young you like to spend time fiddling but then, when you're older, you get to the point.
for my part, I have an old zoom mrs4 but I'm starting to discover recording with an Ipad and a small interface, and I think it's not a bad solution at all. Simplicity of garageband, no drivers, full of instruments, it does not take up space.
Even if I would like a DP24 for the 'hardware' side.

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi Bogdan :

Steinberg UR 22C
Best regards, JH

[DerekA]

Jeff

This is kind of the point of arrangers and why they still have a place. Lots of people just want to sit and play without having to set lots of things up and work through all the issues.

In my younger years I had the time and energy for all that, not so much now - and I'm only in my 50s

[mikf]

I really dont think you need software to play music., or even on the arranger for simple decent recording  But anyone seriously into recording/music production or sound creation or even style management will find some software essential. 
Mike

[DrakeM]

I use just the keyboard's style creator to make custom styles. "No problem, man".

It has just taken me about 16 years to figure out how to easily do it however. 

Drake

[Toril S]

When I had only my PSR-2100 I needed an audio interface to record my songs to the computer. I kept it simple and used Audacity. Worked fine. Now I use the internal recorder of the keyboard, and Audacity for some very light editing. But mostly I just sit and play!

[BogdanH]

@Jeff
I can see in your signature you have Tyros-4.. and I'm just curious what for did you bough this audio interface?
I ask, because you already can record audio on USB stick. So the only reason that comes to my mind would be condenser microphone (which can't be used on keyboard).
Ok, by using audio interface you can record keyboard audio directly on computer, without fiddling with USB stick.. but having additional cabling only because of that, doesn't look that appealing to me.
Do you mind to elaborate?

Bogdan

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi Bogdan :

A good question I would like to answer you gladly.

I am working with an audio/midi interface for many years now. My latest old one " died " recently.

Today these interfaces are not expensive anymore,  very small but ... a lot of software might be needed if one wants more.
For many years I am a Yamaha XGWorks ( midi ) and a Cakewalk ( audio ) DAW user but the software " fun " has been gone ...     

BTW ... I only use condenser mics ... 
Easily to connect with my Tyros4 ( by means of an external ( not expensive ! ) phantom power device/switcher ).

When I was so much younger than today ... I used to work regulary in pro recording analogue studio's ... a wonderful time but so ... different than today.

Have a nice weekend, JH


Edit 2023-02-11: Added a missing [/i] tag

[BogdanH]

Thank you Jeff -I'm sure I was not the only one being curious about that 

Bogdan