Mellotronists

Steve,
  I had a similarly frustrating session with Kontakt, which is a sampling program.  I 
bought it so that I wouldn't have to shell out for a real Mellotron.  Who would have 
thought that the cantankerousness of an instrument like a tron could be so easily 
dwarfed by a harmless little computer program.  It now sits very quietly at the bottom 
of a drawer, and my computer thanks me for it, now that I'm not abusing it anymore.  
I don't think that the return/resale prospects on software are great, but I do know 
this:  I know I'm thick about digital/computer stuff, and I know that this bassist I work 
with is just thick in general (I mean, he's a bassist.), and he was easily able to show 
me the basics and even some intermediate level stuff in a single afternoon just weeks 
after he bought his digital recorder, which is the Boss BR864 for $500 at 
musiciansfriend.  They're closing out the old model step up for the same price, which 
I've also heard good things about.  
    However, I've also watched my roommate play around with protools and cubase, on 
both of which I figure I could learn the basics in a few days. I think its just a 
preference, primarily, based in the physicality of it.  I like to play with faders and 
knobs, so the computer route isn't as appealing (although you can get desktop mixing 
boards for the computer) to me.

Max


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "stephen davis" <wilkus@b...> wrote:
> Ok boys ( and girl)
> Here's one for you to debate.
> I have been monitoring the list for a while now and I hope that you can give me a 
bit of advise.
> My musical background is that of a seriously gigged out guitarist who has done 
nothing all his musical life but gig after gig without much studio work or time for 
home recording.
> I have now retired from gigging and am trying to set up a small home studio to 
record the masters within me!!
> However,having not much experience with recording technology I took the advise of 
the local music store (always fatal) and shelled out for a software recording package - 
Sonar 2.0 to be precise and also a new sound card - Audiowerk.
> The thing is that after opening it all up I haven't the faintest idea how to use it - It 
looks like the bridge on Enterprise to me and I'm beginning to wonder whether I 
should have bought a digital recorder with lots of buttons I can press instead.
> The manual is as thick as War and Peace and just as boring - I want a quick "this is 
how it works" lesson.
> Does any of you guys use Sonar and can any of you suggest how I can start without 
throwing my pc in the bin.Are there any links I can read for thicko guitarists.
> Keep up the good work
> Steve Davis
> #120 - always out of tune
> #921 - completely f****d
> 
> 
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.547 / Virus Database: 340 - Release Date: 12/2/03