I’m trying this week to finish up a james, not jim track. Everytime if focus in on a task like this, I end up learning new things about the recording software that is the corner stone of my home studio.
Last weekend, I ordered an Oxygen8 MIDI controller. So I’ve been learning how to do MIDI with my current setup, something I haven’t mucked with since I first tried it out with a Mac Classic II, a copy of Opcode MusicShop, and my old SY-85.
Needless to say, a lot has changed since then, and mostly for the good–especially the rise of affordable hard-disk-based recording. Since the Oxygen8 arrived a few days ago, I’ve been tweaking my system to avoid latency problems and learning a lot about some VST synths I hadn’t been able to really “play” in any meaningful way with Acid’s piano scroll editor. And it’s a blast. This week, I hope to try out these asio drivers to overcome the weakest link in the chain right now, the Dell 5160’s crappy SigmaTel audio card. I’ve also been discovering some sites with free VST instruments and effects. I know these will be hit-and-miss, but I’m eager to try out a few new sounds.