Newbie with a Motif ES8 - optimum setup with a minimalistic approach?

Question

hi,
I'm trying to decide on the optimum setup with a minimalistic approach!
I a newbie with the Motif ES8 and am at cross roads deciding on the type of computer setup for my VST.
PC + Cubase vs. MAC + Logic Pro or Logic Pro Express?
With MAC, how far do I need to go;i.e. MACBook Pro a must?
how many USB ports (types 400 vs 800), etc?
With Logic Pro, is Express going to be sufficient for a full soup to nuts recording and mastering given that this is for a home studio setup though with an idealist running it?
I'm a one woman show and so don't need too many inputs/outputs. I'd be recording a track at a time and my songs take up less than 16 tracks.
I would really appreciate any and all responses.
Roya
macbook pro   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

Answer 1

thanks for the detailed response PK
so, the extra USB port on the HD would facilitate a
hub type interface i.e. once you hook up another\
device to the HD via USB, you're really hooked up to
the computer.. right? and so, if I get a powered USB
Hub, this wouldn't really matter.. correct?
For the most part, you have to be careful hooking
too many devices up to a computer WHEN you are trying
to do some sound work. When they say a computer
can do ABC we sometimes think that should include D.
As for the sound interface, I already have an
Audiophile that has midi in/out, firewire to
computer, RCA jack for i/o. I know its not the high
end stuff but I hope to do a stepwise upgrade here if
at all possible..
That actually might work, if it supports at least
16 bit 44.1 khz that is the lowest you want to go.
Ideally it should be 24 bit to take advantage of Logics
24bit environment. You might be able to run the ES8
straight into those RCA jacks if they are SPDIF and your
keyboard has the same on the back.
There are a bunch of people on Motifator discussion
groups that warn against Apple's lack of support for
Logic. Not sure if the concern is only regarding the
combination of Yamaha (Motif) and Apple (Logic).
I went and read that thread, here are some of my thoughts
on some of this.
Can't comment on MAC, but a dear friend of mine who is an audio engineer said >he had walked away from Logic after Apple bought them out. "Straight downhill" >I think is how he put it.
Many windows users just hate Apple and their products.
I think much of it is ignorance. They will say
Macs are junk but when I ask them why
they never have an answer or say something
that is false. It sounds like this "professional"
did not even wait to see that Logic did get better.
Apple charges 200.00 for support of it's Professional
applications. You really do not need it since there are
so many experienced Logic users here that I never had
a question go unanswered. I've noticed on those forums
the same small group of people do most of the problem
solving. I am not overly impressed with Yamaha's support.
I had my questions about my keyboard answered quicker
by those forums. So I guess both companies need work
in this area. Frankly, for recording, I think the Motif
and Logic are a Killer combination. Both have steep
learning curves but once you get up to speed I think
the results speak for themselves. The main difference
in my opinion is that the Motif is the ultimate
performance tool and Logic is the ultimate studio toolshop.
After having a Motif for over a month, I am convinced
it has a steeper learning curve than Logic take for instance
that thread on getting your keyboard to record it's own
audio output. The list of things to do each time is as long
as my arm. In case you did not read it here it is.
First thing – STORE your MIX setup and SAVE the Song to SmartMedia (or USB mass storage device) before resampling it so you have a backup. You would create a mix to balance the instruments the way you like them.
* Select a target track, then press the [INTEGRATED SAMPLING] button.
Setup the parameters for resampling:
* Press [F1] DEST
* Select a TRACK and [KEYBANK] (note) into which you will record the resampled data. You can target either an empty track or the track on which you are going to play (if you are going to play along). If all tracks are full, don't worry, you can still resample anyway.
* Press [F2] SOURCE. Set the source parameters as follows:
- Type = Sample - with this type the Integrated Sampling Sequencer will not create any NOTE-ON data in your sequencer, it will just simply add a new sample waveform to the waveform list
- Source = Resample
- Mono/Stereo = Stereo
- Next = OFF
- Frequency = 44.1k
* Press [F6] REC This will place the sampling sequencer in Standby mode. Set the TrggrMode paramter to Manual
* Press Start on the sequencer and check your levels. If too low set the REC GAIN higher +6bB or +12dB, if the level is to high (clipping- you will see a lightning bolt) lower the GAIN to -6dB or -12dB. When you have checked the levels, press STOP and return to the top of the SONG.
* Press F6 REC to start the Resample, Press [>] (play) to begin recording the resample. The Motif ES will draw the wave as it samples.
* When the song is over press [F6] STOP. The Motif ES will take a few moments to gather the data.
To create the .wav file:
* Press [FILE]
* Press [F1] CONFIG
* Press [SF1] CURRENT
* If you will be saving the resampled song to a SmartMedia Card set the Current parameter to CARD. To save to a USB device, set this parameter to USB
* Press [F2] SAVE
* Set the data TYPE field to WAV
* Cursor down and Name the wave
* (If desired, navigate to the subdirectory where you want to save the *.wav file.)
* Press [ENTER]
* The ES will ask you which TRACK and NOTE to save as a wave file. Enter the values you selected as the sample destination in the procedure above.
* Press and hold the AUDITION button to make sure your sample is there.
* Press [ENTER] and the Motif ES will export the sample as a .wav to your SmartMedia card or USB device.
Once you have configured Logic which are takes about
3 minutes (and only has to be done once)
and set up the keyboard which takes 30 seconds.
(this has to be done once for each session)
you plug your keyboard into your audio interface then
Hit Record
that is the whole list, two words.
Once it is in Logic, you have many way to edit it
and process if needed. The midi is much
easier to manipulate and there are more
ways than the ES has keys. Plus you can add to the
sounds with the internal instruments which are
as sophisticated and as high quality as the ES.
Then if your happy with it you can create MP3's
and burn Red book compliant CD's for
commercial duplication.
It really is a complete setup.
But at any rate I'm going to do some more research on
another scenario, i.e. what about MAC and Cubase? As
you may know Yamaha just acquired Cubase..
I dont think I would be the best to comment on that.
Maybe ask one of the Gurus on the unofficial
website for Cubase, The Cubinator.
Sorry, I just couldn't resist.
you've been very helpful - thanks again
cheers,
Roya
Cheers!
P.S. I agree with Dave, If you have a Macbook
Pro you dont need another computer. If you
wanta desktop whatever reasons I understand
Oh and btw, what's QWERTY?
They are the first 6 keys (top row/left to right)
on your computer keyboard