My own devices
So. I've been tasked with some music to write, and I'm looking forward to it. It employs a stylistic direction that I enjoy, and I want to capture it effectively. Guess I'm feeling a little anxious about being able to express something recognizable in the genre and yet not a complete duplication, and a little picky with myself (wanting to do better than what I've finished so far).
I'm sure some close listening, thought and experimentation will yield something; we'll see. Sorry for being vague.
Additionally, a while back I received a few extra dollars that I've promised myself I'd spend on something useful rather than mundane. I've nearly settled on the something I going to purchase, but I'm indecisive as ever.
I already own a piano keyboard (a Roland XP-80) which, for the few years before I bought it, I was dead set upon acquiring once I had the cash for it. I've used it for a few things but mostly it sits on my desk and gathers dust while I make music via softsynths. I know it has MIDI capabilities, but I've never really used it for that.
I'd like to get a purpose-built MIDI controller so I can input more data than my QWERTY keyboard could. Sure, the typing-type keyboard is probably fine for Impulse Tracker, but new programs would benefit from greater flexibility. Also, it'd help not to be stuck in C as often. So I'm thinking about getting the M-Audio Axiom 49 or Oxygen 49. Keys, dials, sliders, wheels, number-pads, drum-pads... the inputs would satisfy even Number 5.
But indecision is a foul creature. Wouldn't it be more frugal (frugaler?) to just buy a simple MIDI interface for my existing keyboard? Sure, it doesn't have a mod-wheel... but it has 76 keys! Hmm.
And if I went for a MIDI controller, which model would make more sense? The Axiom is spendier, but it looks like that's because it's better. I'd probably kick myself for getting something pretty cool but not cool enough... just about as much as I'd kick myself for spending extra money on features that may not be applicable. There's probably a ton of other models out there from different brands that I'm simply going to ignore so I won't become even more indecisive.
I'm also tempted to get a new music player (iPodish thing). Technically, it qualifies as being useful as I could "study" music while commuting.
Hmm.
Well, okay, that's not very convincing. Even so, my current player is cheap-assed and is starting to wear out. Too much longer and I'll have to dust off the old discman. And those new iPods have some snazzy features...
So yeah, indecision. I'll figure it out before too long. <3 and family and I are going outta town this weekend, so I'll have plenty of time to think while in the wilderness and away from all of these gadgets.
I'm sure some close listening, thought and experimentation will yield something; we'll see. Sorry for being vague.
Additionally, a while back I received a few extra dollars that I've promised myself I'd spend on something useful rather than mundane. I've nearly settled on the something I going to purchase, but I'm indecisive as ever.
I already own a piano keyboard (a Roland XP-80) which, for the few years before I bought it, I was dead set upon acquiring once I had the cash for it. I've used it for a few things but mostly it sits on my desk and gathers dust while I make music via softsynths. I know it has MIDI capabilities, but I've never really used it for that.
I'd like to get a purpose-built MIDI controller so I can input more data than my QWERTY keyboard could. Sure, the typing-type keyboard is probably fine for Impulse Tracker, but new programs would benefit from greater flexibility. Also, it'd help not to be stuck in C as often. So I'm thinking about getting the M-Audio Axiom 49 or Oxygen 49. Keys, dials, sliders, wheels, number-pads, drum-pads... the inputs would satisfy even Number 5.
But indecision is a foul creature. Wouldn't it be more frugal (frugaler?) to just buy a simple MIDI interface for my existing keyboard? Sure, it doesn't have a mod-wheel... but it has 76 keys! Hmm.
And if I went for a MIDI controller, which model would make more sense? The Axiom is spendier, but it looks like that's because it's better. I'd probably kick myself for getting something pretty cool but not cool enough... just about as much as I'd kick myself for spending extra money on features that may not be applicable. There's probably a ton of other models out there from different brands that I'm simply going to ignore so I won't become even more indecisive.
I'm also tempted to get a new music player (iPodish thing). Technically, it qualifies as being useful as I could "study" music while commuting.
Hmm.
Well, okay, that's not very convincing. Even so, my current player is cheap-assed and is starting to wear out. Too much longer and I'll have to dust off the old discman. And those new iPods have some snazzy features...
So yeah, indecision. I'll figure it out before too long. <3 and family and I are going outta town this weekend, so I'll have plenty of time to think while in the wilderness and away from all of these gadgets.