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I might need a simpler instrument

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Gabi
 Gabi
Posts: 0
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

For those who have several synths, what synthesizer would you recommend to someone who just cannot make the Montage and Cubase work in a stable way, even after years of struggling? I am now considering giving up. I probably need a simpler instrument, but it needs to really work with Cubase because I cannot learn another DAW at this point. Any suggestions?

 
Posted : 15/08/2021 3:36 pm
Posts: 799
Prominent Member
 

this could be of interest...

http://blog.ultimateoutsider.com/2015/08/using-roland-fa-06-and-fa-08-as-daw.html

 
Posted : 15/08/2021 4:27 pm
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

Lovely, many thanks, but...after all that huge serious article you (the author) say...you say...you say... you...you are listening....listening to your music thanks to the built-in speakers in that pc/monitor (S2415H)...?

 
Posted : 15/08/2021 5:27 pm
Dragos
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

because I cannot learn another DAW at this point. Any suggestions?

You might actually need to learn Cubase properly, and your chosen instrument as well, otherwise you'll end up in the exact same situation.

I don't think Yamaha's official forum for the Montage is the appropriate place to ask what synth you should buy.

 
Posted : 15/08/2021 5:55 pm
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

Anyway, the forum is not very active lately, and bearing in mind he is thinking Montage is "too much a device after lots of hard work", it is perfectly understandable a question asking for help...

A pity myself not being able to provide any help,,,

 
Posted : 15/08/2021 6:36 pm
Gabi
 Gabi
Posts: 0
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

because I cannot learn another DAW at this point. Any suggestions?

You might actually need to learn Cubase properly, and your chosen instrument as well, otherwise you'll end up in the exact same situation.

I don't think Yamaha's official forum for the Montage is the appropriate place to ask what synth you should buy.

it´s hard to learn the DAW when things constantly don´t work between the synth and the DAW and I get stuck all the time.

you´re right, since this is a Yamaha forum, I am asking for suggestions for a simpler Yamaha Synth where the integration into Cubase is simpler.

 
Posted : 15/08/2021 8:21 pm
Michael Trigoboff
Posts: 0
Honorable Member
 

Maybe something is wrong with your computer?

If you described a specific problem you’re having, you might get enough help that you could make things work.

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 6:26 am
Gabi
 Gabi
Posts: 0
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

Maybe something is wrong with your computer?

If you described a specific problem you’re having, you might get enough help that you could make things work.

I´ve asked around 80 questions here over the years. Most of them got resolved, but a lot of it is so complicated that I just forget it. and so unfortunately, every time I am in a musical mood and want to record something real quick, something doesn´t work, and I end up struggling with the synth and software instead of making music.

it might be that those problems come with every synth and DAW thow....

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 6:36 am
Bad Mister
Posts: 0
 

it might be that those problems come with every synth and DAW

If you are computer-challenged, then try working with just the on board Sequencer. It is ready to go as soon as you are… no setup or configuration, no driver, no port setup, no MIDI channel mess, just YOU and your MUSIC. Give it a try. No one says you have to use a computer, particularly when you say you “…want to record something real quick”… I can’t think of a quicker way than the built-in Performance Recorder!

Call up your Performance
Press [RECORD]
If you want to record yourself just playing, select “MIDI” (linear Song record)
If you want to build a composition by sections, select “Pattern” (loop-based record).

You original Record session will capture everything you do
When you wish to add to your original record, set “Rec Type” = Overdub

Then, later, if you wish you can easily move your Sequence data from the MONTAGE to your computer.

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 6:43 am
Dragos
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

it´s hard to learn the DAW when things constantly don´t work between the synth and the DAW and I get stuck all the time.

I´ve asked around 80 questions here over the years. Most of them got resolved, but a lot of it is so complicated that I just forget it. and so unfortunately, every time I am in a musical mood and want to record something real quick, something doesn´t work, and I end up struggling with the synth and software instead of making music.

it might be that those problems come with every synth and DAW thow....

There's nothing wrong with the Montage or Cubase, and the combo works for tons of people.
They are top-of-the-line, complex and big products and you do need to take your time to learn both properly (outside of the times you're in a musical mood, so when the time comes, you are prepared).

Also general audio production topics like MIDI and audio routing.

There's no way around it, if you want to work with a synth and a DAW.
Any top of the line synth combined with a top of the line DAW will present a complex environment with lots of options.

That being said, even simpler software like Garage Band with a simple synth like a Reface would still make you deal with some MIDI and audio routing stuff.

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 7:30 am
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

On board sequencers are great mostly everywhere to the point I am still to try a DAW since am still yet wondering why should I...

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 9:17 am
Gabi
 Gabi
Posts: 0
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

it might be that those problems come with every synth and DAW

If you are computer-challenged, then try working with just the on board Sequencer. It is ready to go as soon as you are…
You original Record session will capture everything you do
When you wish to add to your original record, set “Rec Type” = Overdub

Then, later, if you wish you can easily move your Sequence data from the MONTAGE to your computer.

Yes, I do use the on board sequencer. It´s easy. I can import songs into Cubase, no problem, except that I am having trouble extracting the automation curves from these songs. should that work or not? I don´t know if it even can be done. It´s all guesswork. (Cubase elements) I think I understand Cubase and the Montage well enough to record midi and bounce to audio, but as far as automation curves...not quite there yet. I´m kind of into electronic music right now and only starting out turning cutoff and resonance knobs all over the place while playing. It´s new to me, so...I´m still learning...and struggling with this new challenge. There´s very little, or nothing, about that in the tutorials I have found so far.

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 9:21 am
Gabi
 Gabi
Posts: 0
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

There's no way around it, if you want to work with a synth and a DAW.
Any top of the line synth combined with a top of the line DAW will present a complex environment with lots of options.

That being said, even simpler software like Garage Band with a simple synth like a Reface would still make you deal with some MIDI and audio routing stuff.

right, true, but I also have this really cheap nektar midi keyboard. it´s not difficult to assign knobs to softsynths and record automation curves. I haven´t figured out how to consistently record automation curves with my precious Montage. It works sometimes, most of the time it doesn´t. And I don´t know why. Oh well....

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 9:26 am
Jason
Posts: 7897
Illustrious Member
 

Are you sure the "W" button is turned on when you're trying to record automation?

https://steinberg.help/cubase_elements_le_ai/v9.5/en/cubase_nuendo/topics/automation/automation_writeread_automation_c.html

w/pictures

https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/210313425-How-to-Record-Automation-in-Cubase

... and the "R" button is selected when you want to play back the automation?

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 10:33 am
Dragos
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

right, true, but I also have this really cheap nektar midi keyboard. it´s not difficult to assign knobs to softsynths and record automation curves. I haven´t figured out how to consistently record automation curves with my precious Montage. It works sometimes, most of the time it doesn´t. And I don´t know why. Oh well....

That's why I said "if you want to work with a synth and a DAW".
A MIDI controller is a basic thing, whose only purpose is to work with the DAW, there's simply no comparison with a synth/workstation which is basically a DAW in itself.

But if MIDI controller + VSTi works for you, why not use that? Certainly cheaper than a Montage...

 
Posted : 16/08/2021 11:04 am
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