Hi! I'm a complete newbie to the world of MIDI. I know it's been around for a while but I just want to ask a few questions regarding MIDI. I know that it can help me write because I think there are some programs out there that notate whatever I play on the MIDI keyboard and save it as a printable file that shows standard notation. (There is one, isn't there?)
Here are my questions:
I've found Sibelius to be very good for notating real time but it can be difficult to edit. I find it easier to record and edit midi into a standard sequencer like Sonar, then import the midi file into Sibelius and then concentrate on editing only the score itself, not the midi performance, although it can be done within Sibelius.
1. I want a VERY basic MIDI setup. By basic, I mean I want to be able to control software synths such as Minimoog V, etc. What do I need, hardware and software wise?
Definitely a keyboard with midi I/O. Your definition of basic seems to conflict with your requirement in question 4 since the addition of realtime controllers add to the cost of the controller.
2. Do I need a special soundcard? I read some where that I just need a sondcard with a game port and that's all. Is this true?
You actually need a good soundcard to hear the nuances of most software synths. The gameport midi is already a bygone technology and the cables for it are very hard to find locally. Most Audigy soundcards have a midi port on midi-din but I think only the mid to high end cards supply the mini-din midi cable/s. The M-Audio 2496 has a midi breakout cable, the TASCAM US-122 (and similar) usb interfaces already have midi ports included so the only thing you need are midi cables. I'm not a fan of usb audio, though.
3. Do I still need to buy a MIDI interface aside from the soundcard?
See above.
4. What's a good MIDI controller keyboard for a beginner? I really am shooting for those Moog simulators so I want a controller that has those knobs that will allow me to modify stuff.
Thanks. I hope I didn't offend anyone by being so stupid.
Most controllers are from 25 to 49 keys so if you're coming from a piano background, go easy on those octave jumps. Be prepared also to spend extra for those knobs and additional controllers. Seriously, for a beginner, you have to know about various midi cc# controllers and how to set the hardware controller to transmit certain cc commands. FYI, there are no locally available midi controllers other than the usual keyboards with midi ports. I don't don't recommend those cheap chinese keyboards you see in mall lobbies. The short key travel will give you carpal tunnel syndrome in no time. Ideally, you would want something like the M-Audio Oxygen/Ozone, Korg MicroKontrol, Alesis PhotonX25, or even the Emu Xboard 25 - I saw someone selling an Ozone a while back here. FYI, I use my Korg Prophecy for knob duties.