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Making an Audio CD

Making an Audio CD

2003-01-09 by dfamcory <dfamcory@yahoo.com>

I have several patterns as well as songs and I would like to create 
an Audio CD.  I used e-loader to upload both my patterns and songs to 
my PC and played the midi file with Windows Media Player.  The 
patterns played fine but the songs did not.  Is there a reason for 
this?

Also, the quality of the patterns seemed poor on playback.  I am 
assuming this is due to the size of the file (only a few kb).  Is 
there any specifice Recording software I should use (Cakewalk, Sound 
forge, Protools)?  Once I use this software and convert the files to 
MP3 or WAV, will it sound professional?

Please advise.

Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated!!

Novice

Re: [xl7] Making an Audio CD

2003-01-09 by erik_magrini@Baxter.com

I have several patterns as well as songs and I would like to create 
an Audio CD.  I used e-loader to upload both my patterns and songs to 
my PC and played the midi file with Windows Media Player.  The 
patterns played fine but the songs did not.  Is there a reason for 
this?

>>>Yes, teh Song data only references the Patterns, and which order they 
will be played in (and of course any data you have recorded on the song 
track too).  So if you try and play the song data in Media Player, it has 
no idea what patterns that song references.  You'd need to play it int he 
XX-7, and record the audio outputs. <<<

Also, the quality of the patterns seemed poor on playback.  I am assuming 
this is due to the size of the file (only a few kb). 

>>>Hmm, what do you mean by the quality seemed bad? <<<

Is there any specifice Recording software I should use (Cakewalk, Sound 
forge, Protools)? 

>>>This is such a general and broad question, and more than anything it 
depends on your preferences.  If you're just recording the audio from your 
XX-7, any of your examples will work (as will Cubase SX, Sonar, Wavelab, 
Cool Edit, etc).  If you want to record the MIDI data, then you need to 
make sure the software supports that type of information (which soundforge 
and Wavelab will not, as they are audio editors). <<< 

Once I use this software and convert the files to MP3 or WAV, will it 
sound professional?

>>>To be honest...probably not. :)  I'm not trying to be jerk, so please 
don't take it that way.  But if you're not sure about the questions that 
you asked above, then I'm guessing you're not too familiar with things 
like mastering and proper mixing, as those are the things that (by and 
large) give a song that nice polished, professional quality you're looking 
for.  MP3's are nowhere near pro-quality either in my opinion (why do I 
picture drK furiously typing a rebuttal to that statement?).  :)

That's not to say you won't get some really good sounding music recorded, 
but making it sound on a level equal with commercial music takes years of 
practice and trial and error, not to mention some specialized tools as 
well (brick-wall/peak limiters, multiband compression, good EQ, etc). 
That's why it can cost millions to make a good commercial CD, they pay 
people who have years of experience and the gear to take care of those 
things.

You can get a lot of good advice on all of this online though, and if 
you're willing to put in the time to learn it all, you CAN do it after 
some practice.  I'd say your best bet is to start here:

http://www.studiocovers.com/

There's a ton of articles there on all aspects of making, producing and 
mastering music.  You will certainly learn a great deal you need to know 
by reading on that site, though it still takes lots of practice to get 
right.  As always feel free to ask any questions, many of us here are more 
than happy to help (and there's some incredible resources here too)!

rEalm


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Making an Audio CD

2003-01-09 by jesse_medway <medway808@hotmail.com>

> I have several patterns as well as songs and I would like to create 
> an Audio CD.  I used e-loader to upload both my patterns and songs 
to 
> my PC and played the midi file with Windows Media Player.  The 
> patterns played fine but the songs did not.  Is there a reason for 
> this?
> 
> Also, the quality of the patterns seemed poor on playback.  I am 
> assuming this is due to the size of the file (only a few kb).  Is 
> there any specifice Recording software I should use (Cakewalk, 
Sound 
> forge, Protools)?  Once I use this software and convert the files 
to 
> MP3 or WAV, will it sound professional?


You need to record your song as audio.  the midi files contain no 
audio information, just the notes that a midi device would then play.
If you are hearing anything at all it must be you computers soundcard 
midi sounds which of course should sound nothing like the xx-7 
quality.

Search the net and try to find a shareware audio recorder and then 
either use your built in soundcard or spent aq few hundred on a nice 
one (something like m-audio).

As far as sounding professional, if you are just recording straight 
out then probably no.  You need to separate the tracks and do some 
real eqing, compression, effects etc...  But you will at least be 
able to hear your songs on a cd player.

Jesse

Re: [xl7] Making an Audio CD

2003-01-09 by drK

On 1/9/03 2:12 PM, "erik_magrini@..." <erik_magrini@...>
wrote:

>>>> To be honest...probably not. :)  I'm not trying to be jerk, so please
> don't take it that way.  But if you're not sure about the questions that
> you asked above, then I'm guessing you're not too familiar with things
> like mastering and proper mixing, as those are the things that (by and
> large) give a song that nice polished, professional quality you're looking
> for.  MP3's are nowhere near pro-quality either in my opinion (why do I
> picture drK furiously typing a rebuttal to that statement?).  :)
> 

No disagreement here :-)

MP3s below 192kb/sec are strictly a consumer medium.  Most listeners in most
listening environments will not notice the difference. (shoot most think
64kb/sec is fine)  But once the bit-compression gets enough room to pack
things (like over 200kb/sec) it gets a bit murky as to what the benefits are
for using more data for delivery.  Remember most people today think 5.1 off
a DVD in a good home theatre is pretty hot audio.  It is also pretty
bit-crunched using a close relative of MP3.

Mastering for a high quality MP3 or other bit-compressed (compression as a
term is dual meaning so I am trying not to confuse) is an art onto itself I
believe and one does need to have good mixing and master skills before they
can take that beast on.

In fairness though mastering for a club sound system, a vinyl release for in
home listening, for a CD in a car, and even for a radio broadcast all
require some pretty well developed skills.  Media forces choices and
compromise.  Bit-compression is just another media (but one we all had
better come to terms with).

Anyway the bottom line is YMMV, and the variable is not necessarily that it
is bit-compressed but the skills of the final mixing and mastering.


drk

www.delora.com/music
www.mp3.com/zdrk
drk.iuma.com