Both are for sale for different instruments, but the Magix instruments are a lot more money. For example, the Catooh Drums Packs with over 100 loop files each are only $9.99 while the Magix Vita Drums are $40
How are they each used and where are they found in the program? What are the advantages of one over the other?
Thanks,
I think each are for a different media type.
Vita is a virtual instrument, so the packs for that might be MIDI or at least sound fonts for MIDI triggering. The Vita has more control capabilities over the sound because it is controlling the samples.
I put a screen shot of the Vita instrument above. I believe the other samples you are talking about are actual sound that are recorded already in a loop and would have to used with effects to change the sound characteristics.
That at least explains the price difference.
Thanks, John: So, it looks like, with the Vita interface, I could hook up my Yamahaa usb keyboard and actually play the notes in the interface below with the different effects or record it to a new loop, but with the Catooh instrument pack loops I would only be able to add different sound affects to them and alter their key, tempo, etc.?
Sorry if it's a dumb question, I'm still wadding through understanding what the different sound types are and how they can be used, etc. As an example, in the demo, under the keyboard tab when I open the instrument editor I get that interface you show and it already has a whole bunch of different sounds, so what are the Magix Vita instruments, or how are they different then what is already available?
You are correct...
The Catooh intrument files are "pre" mastered so that means they are already audio and only audio effects can be added. The Vita loops are raw materials that can be influenced or altered by the Vita tool then after that is done, can be exported out as a audio file that can then be further altered by audio effects within the audio program.
But here is the harder to explain part. Vita uses MIDI which is the Music Instrument Digital Interface. It is not sound, it is data that tells a sound card or in this case a sound synth what sound to make. These different packs that are available are merely additional sounds that can be triggered by an MIDI event or notes that you play using your keyboard or enter manually using the MIDI editor that comes with Magix. This is how many professionals create music.
For example, I play guitar, bass, and piano. I cannot play the violin, but because I can enter data using a MIDI keyboard, I have the note structure and I can make the Vita synth play that data as a violin. But here is where the real magic happens (pardon the pun). The creators of the Vita is Yellowtools, who have done an exceptional job at giving these sounds a lifelike rich and pure characteristic. MIDI for many years has been throught of as the video game sound, or the "Casio" sound. Vita is so lifelike in some instances, it has fooled the professional... okay, maybe just me.
I hope that makes sense, I have spent 11+ years trying to find a simple explination to MIDI, and it has never come to me... MIDI is something I recommend everyone who is into music creation tries out, but it requires a lot of dedication and patients. If you start to like the idea, I recommend you research MIDI and MIDI instruments before you get to deep in the out of pocket expenses.
I have a love/hate relationship with MIDI, but to be perfectly frank - Vita is the love part.
Thanks again, John, that really helps, although it is probably going to take me some time to try to understand all this and hopefully learn how to use it all. Will probably start out with just combining loops, then will try to add some of my own keyboard attempts making them emulate different instruments.. should be fun. Eventually I may go into the more complex areas if I can hang in there and get positive results.. will see.