Greetings from Naples, Florida

[synthlord18]

I do a solo act electrically and acoustically. For my electric act, I use midi files for backing tracks and delete tracks that make them too busy or are just wrong. I am a lead guitarist (Clapton, Santana, Gary Moore level), lead piano player (Dr John, Jerry lee Lewis, Fats Waller level), lead Hammond B3  player (Gregg Allman, Felix Cavilere, Billy Preston level), harmonica (Paul Butterfield, Junior Wells) and a lead singer, just shy of three octave range and perfect pitch. I do not read music, and do not resent those that do. I also write original tunes, many genres. My favorite genres are blues, classic rock and honky tonk, boogie and country.

My software lineup is pretty simple. I use Anvil Studio to edit midis and Audacity for recording. I have to use open source software, because my wife and I are on fixed incomes. I appreciate suggestions as to better software than I use, but have seen so many overpay and only use 20% of the softwares capabilites. My budget is split between keyboards and guitars (acoustic and electric) and amps. So those of you starting out, do not be ashamed of using opensource software. Furthermore, I don't have the time at this point in my life to learn any more than I need. I have been a computer liaison for two multi-million dollar companies (the go-between betwixt management and the propellerheads), so I am no stranger to computers, programming and dozens of softwares.

It's wonderful to be here and JohnG seems to be one magnanimous gentleman (a very cool bro) so I look forward to getting to know him and many of you. And, last but not least, I have many questions I have had a great deal of trouble finding the answers to. Hence, onward..........

Danny Jo (synthlord18)

[parametric]

Welcome Danny,

John is a great guy and has formidable knowledge of midi.

I don't get in here much, but when I need to, I know where to come . . .

Sounds like your own knowledge of midi must be considerable anyway - to do what you do - but there are always those occasions when you just have to look it up.

Never hurts to look through John's excellent tutorials, which I do from time to time when I'm between projects - of just short of inspiration . . . .

There's no shame in budget software. I use Audacity (Linux and Windows) - 'tho I do have SoundForge Pro10 if I need something extra - bought for £50 from ebay.

I use Reaper as a DAW which is cheap to license and is actively supported.

I have been mostly working with Audio in Reaper, but am keen to move towards using midi more actively, as ease of editing/correcting bum notes cannot be ignored.

Being primarily a Piano player, I use an Alesis Fusion 8HD to get stuff down, then externally record the soloed tracks to audio - for Reaper. Old school really, I suppose . .

Most of my stuff is Ballad type Songs, Piano, Strings, Bass, Drums Choir pads - though I have experimented with Sax solos, and Orchestral, tentatively . . .

Professionally, I was Music Tech Support for more than 10 years in the Music Dept of a University in London, supporting ProTools, Digital Performer and a whole host of sound-mangling peripheral softs.

I also sing (English Chamber Choir) and just finished studio sessions for Rick Wakeman's re-recording of "King Arthur" here in London. Release and promotional concert in June at the O2 Arena next month.

So, I am a reader, although a bit rusty, as I've not sung sessions since 1999 . .

Anyhow, I'm sure you'll like it here

Best Regards

parametric

[JohnG]

A very warm welcome Danny,
(from Wellingborough in the UK.)

That's a pretty impressive list of instruments you play.
And you sing too.
Makes me feel like a talentless moron!

The keyboard a little and used to play oboe and a bit of flute (many years ago).
And, yes, I read the dots.

Now the 70th looms large on the near horizon and I do a bit of MIDI stuff.

But then I could teach you how TCP/IP works, or ISDN and DSL via geostationary satellite (GAN and BGAN), or how to program in machine code.
Or IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD, or CCITT Q.921 and Q.931.
But there isn't much call for that, these days.

Anyway, welcome to the forum, I hope you'll find some info here that'll help you with your gigging.

Kind regards,
JohnG.

And now I'm off to answer your question.