Downloading samples/instrument sounds

slake wrote on 1/11/2010, 12:02 AM
Im wondering where to download  sounds for making music. Im a little confused as to what synthesizer means exactly as well. Are there different synthesziers that produce different sounds? I have magix music maker 15 and it comes with this Vita Track synthesizer but it only has certains sounds and im interesting in making more electronic sounding music. Is a synthesizer a plugin I download that would be separate a separate synthezier that produces different instruments sounds from Vita? or do i download sounds that are used in Vita? I feel like this should be really simple to do but it hasnt been so far.

Comments

Procyon wrote on 1/13/2010, 3:49 PM
You can use "sounds" (samples) from the included soundpool, additional soundpool DVD's, downloaded from CATOOH (check your Online or Tasks menu's), downloaded from any other source, or samples you've recorded yourself.  These can be imported into your arrangement.

The "synthesizers" provided in MM-15 are virtual instruments, such as Beatbox (drum machine), Robata (another drum machine), Drum & Bass (self explanatory), Atmos (ambient sounds), and Revolta 2 (assuming you have the Premium version).  Revolta 2 can probably create the sounds you're looking for.

Vita is the MIDI editor/sequencer that allows you to edit existing MIDI sequences or create your own.  Depending on whether you have the Basic or Premium version, you will have a selection of virtual instruments to choose from to play back any MIDI sequence.

If you are not satisfied with the selection you have, you can always download and install other VST instruments (synth's) to use as voices in your Vita MIDI editor.  There are many out there that should offer you the types of sounds you're looking for.

The quality of the sound of the virtual instruments will depend largely on the quality of the synth engine on your sound card.  Most of the sound cards used today can do an acceptable job.
Procyon wrote on 1/14/2010, 1:25 PM
If making music was that easy everyone would do it.  It does take some effort.
You can use Songmaker and let it do all of the work for you, but what fun would that be?

MIDI (musical instrument digital interface)  is a computer language that allows electronic instruments to communicate with each other.  MIDI is only the information needed to play an electronic instrument.  It contains no actual sound.  The electronic instrument (real or virtual) provides the "voice".

MIDI sequences can be imported into the MM arranger using the file manager.  Of course, most finished MIDI files are complete musical arrangements, so they can be very complicated.  Unwanted bits can be deleted in the Vita MIDI editor.
Procyon wrote on 1/14/2010, 3:56 PM
Lucky for you, MM froze up for me , and I had to shut and re-open everything.  I was about to give you a short history of electronic instrument evolution.

MAGIX is using the term "synthesizer" in a somewhat generic way....but, they had to call it something.

The drum machines on MMM are in fact sample based, but (except for LIVID) you are able to morph and mould the sounds, so they do qualify as synthesizers in a sense.

Revolta 2 is a virtual (software) synthesizer.  Your sound card's synth engine is the hardware part.