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Equipment |
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Here's a peek at my hardware and equipment
The hardware I use:
A home-built PC with AMD Athalon XP 2400+ CPU, ABIT KT7A-RAID motherboard with 1536 MB RAM and SoundBlaster Live! sound card. I chiefly use an external Roland SoundCanvas SC-55mkII MIDI module for my sound source. The SBLive! is the interface for the external Midi module.
Because I sequence with a SoundCanvas, these sequences will sound the best on similar equipment. I occasionally choose instruments that sound very good on the SC, but may not sound so hot on your equipment. When you find a particular instrument annoying, feel free to fire up your sequencing software and change it. I know that the muted guitar patch on the SC sounds quite good, and has some sustain, where it sounds very bad on some other soundboards and MIDI modules.
I also make use of the GS capabilities of the SC family of sound modules, which includes some instrument variations and special sound effects. I include a GS reset system exclusive (sysex) commands at the beginning and end of each sequence that I do to clear the odd bank and effect controls (reverbs, chorus, etc.) that might be employed. This strays a little from General MIDI (GM), but for those who have the capability, they add a lot.
I've discovered that the "Virtual SoundCanvas" -- Roland/Edirol VSC is quite good. It is probably the closest software-based synthesizer for pc's to my outboard SoundCanvas' sound quality that I have heard. If you listen with that, you will be hearing virtually what I hear when I sequence, including the reverb, chorus, vibrato, and other effects that I use Sysex and SC - specific Non-Registered Parameter Number (NRPN) commands to implement.
I also have a Roland GI-10 Guitar MIDI Interface with a GK2a pickup mounted on my Fender Telecaster Deluxe. I am learning to use MIDI guitar, so have fewer of those sequences in my selections (check out "Green Sleeves", "Winter Wonderland", and "Over The Rainbow" in the Country page). I plan to explore guitar MIDI further as I progress in my sequencing.
I have a MIDI capable keyboard that I can use as a controller, but rarely do, mainly because I mostly use the mouse for music and control entry with my sequencing software, WinJammer Pro by Dan McKee.
Audio equipment includes a 100 watt Kenwood stereo with 2 12" Cerwin Vega Speakers
If you have any questions or comments, please email me.
DavidB7170@usa.net
