December 19, 2007
Time to upgrade?
Reason 4 is out, but from the looks of Propellerhead's latest statement, I should upgrade my Mac first!
Propellerhead are very much aware that the performance of Reason 4 on PowerPC Macs is currently not where we'd like it to be. This is primarily because we have migrated to Apple's latest development environment. While the new environment delivers very efficient code for Intel-based Macs, there are some areas where the PowerPC code is less efficient. We have been working hard, both on our own and together with Apple to fix this but have not found a way to improve the performance on Reason for Power PCs, over what it is today.
Posted by vantan at 10:30 PM
November 10, 2007
Another reason not to install Leopard so fast...
My M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496 MIDI and audio card now can't be detected. M-Audio did post a warning about moving to Leopard too early, but I only just discovered it.
Bah.
Posted by vantan at 10:53 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2006
Band in a Box
I succumbed and bought a real easy-to-use piece of software, Band in a Box. I used to secretly scoff at it when my piano teacher used it to generate accompaniment music for my jazz improvisations.
However, realising that I could never recreate old jazz greats on the fly using Logic Pro, it was inevitable that I switched to Band in a Box out of sheer convenience. That could have been my stumbling block for the last couple of years while learning jazz - I never bothered to produce most of the accompaniment music I needed, to practice piano properly.
Hopefully now I will have the freedom to play OUT OF THE BOX!
Posted by vantan at 11:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 24, 2006
Famous Logic users
Just found a list of famous people who use Logic.
Posted by vantan at 11:32 PM
March 27, 2006
Reason 3.0.5 beta
On one hand, it's exciting to hear that Propellerhead is seeking beta testers for its new 3.0.5 version of Reason.
On the other hand, Propellerhead is going against Apple's recommendations and NOT producing a Universal (both PowerPC and Intel-compatible) version of Reason.
That means I cannot upgrade to the latest version of 3.0.5, because I am still using my PowerMac to run Reason. It's like dangling the latest carrot in front of you, then saying you can't even get a bite out of it.
Posted by vantan at 11:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 4, 2006
Reason 3.0 updates
This will be my log of all extensions, upgrades and Refills to Reason 3.0.
I'm downloading the Electromechanical Refill 2.0, which is free for all registered users of Reason 3.0.
I'm also installing the Mackie Remote, since we have a Mackie mixer. Just for the heck of it. I don't think my old Korg D1600 hard disk recorder is able to sync with Reason 3.0.
Posted by vantan at 6:26 PM
Reason 3.0 installed
I took advantage of Propellerhead's offer in Nov 05, and bought the award-winning Reason 3.0 with Drum Kits (for the price of only the main software). It arrived a few days ago and I'm happy to report that it's all systems go.
The Reason Drum Kits sound pretty good. You should check out the video teaser. It's kinda corny but gets the message across.
With my Korg Triton Extreme, Garageband and Logic Pro 7 sound banks, and Reason Drum Kits, I think I should be able to do just about anything.
At the moment, however, any serious experimentations have to wait. I'm currently focused on fine-tuning my minus one tracks for the company dinner and dance on 18 March.
I've received a number of comments from people outside my company (ie, those who haven't heard me sing), implying that I'll be nervous as I am not used to singing. However, the comments from those in my company who have heard me on stage, are much the opposite.
I wasn't very nervous on stage during the auditions, despite our largest auditorium being packed. There's no point in being nervous. And anyway, this is all being done for our adopted charity. If we were really that good, we wouldn't be working here. Chill!
Posted by vantan at 6:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 27, 2005
Reason 3.0
If my order gets through, I'm gonna upgrade to Reason 3.0 with Drum Kits thrown in. Fingers crossed.
Posted by vantan at 2:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 1, 2005
A Reasonable performance
Reason and Garageband hanging your system? Here are tips to keep the groove going.
Posted by vantan at 2:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 27, 2005
Learning Logic Pro 7
Ahoy maties! It's been a long time since I wrote in this blog. Maybe because I know less people bother to read it, and the few who do (OK, perhaps only one guy whose name is quite similar to mine) will totally understand what I'm talking about here. This is my blog for music geeks!
I covered 2 chapters of the Apple Pro Training Series book, Logic Pro 7 and Logic Express 7. This book is a Godsend. Really. Full, five-star rating from me. Ignore the reviewer who says he didn't learn much from it, because this book is obviously written for people who are new to the software.
Even though I figured out how to produce tens of songs on my own, using the less than user-friendly Logic manual, this book has taught me multiple short cuts and explained to me what every button and panel does - more than I figured out on my own.
I've placed a request for the follow-up book, which is more for advanced users.
But for now, it's onward to Chapter 3.
Posted by vantan at 12:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 5, 2005
Logic iTunes integration
I submitted my entry to the PenguinRemixed competition a few days ago. While Bouncing my track, I thought I should highlight a minor feature of Logic Pro 7 which makes me glad Apple took over.
It integrates with iTunes, which is convenient because I'm sure most producers using Macs would use it.
Posted by vantan at 12:21 AM
April 16, 2005
Scoring with Logic
Up to Logic Pro 6 I had no problems going into Score mode (CMND+3) and printing scores into PDF files.
However, after upgrading to Logic Pro 7 my scores came out blank - save for the top left corner which looked like it had a treble clef and several notes all squished into one square centimetre.
Even the old songs I was able to convert into PDF format previously, were now appearing like this. I racked my brains since last Sunday (when I was feverishly trying to get out scores for 4 songs and ended up using a combination of Microsoft Word and print screens).
Then finally I decided to look into my printer drivers. I realised that while I set all my PDFs to print using HP Laserjet 1000 settings, I also remembered that that printer didn't have a driver for Mac. So actually I hadn't been able to install a driver at all - what was there was an empty 'shell', a printer listed in name but not in use.
I trashed that, and two other configurations (created in a vain attempt to print wirelessly through the home network).
Then I tried printing to PDF again - and voila! Everything was back to normal.
That's a relief to me because I can now print the full scores of each song out, and get to work copyrighting Restless in Rio, which will be performed on 25 June 2005.
Posted by vantan at 9:35 PM
March 7, 2005
Screen shot of Logic's Sculpture
Take a look at this baby in its full glory.
Posted by vantan at 9:05 PM
March 4, 2005
Logic behaving funny
I launched Logic Pro 7 just now on my PowerMac and was asked to enter my XSkey code. Which is strange since I registered it long ago.
No matter what I entered, it was wrong. I was unhappy. I quit, and fortunately Logic went back to normal.
I hope this doesn't happen again - especially when I had a tune in mind.
Posted by vantan at 9:12 PM
February 18, 2005
Logic Pro 7
I succumbed, and upgraded to Logic Pro 7.
It's wonderful. Somehow its acquisition by Apple has optimised the system. Audio files seem to take a shorter time to process now.
Of course there are a gazillion things I still do not know how to do with Logic (regardless of version). However with Pro 7 I am looking forward to editing voice recordings (once I figure out how to wire up my system to record voices in the first place), and trying out their new drum programming features. If it's as good as Reason then I might not upgrade to Reason 3.0.
Update: There's already a patch for Logic Pro 7 - version 7.0.1. You can install it via Software Update.
Posted by vantan at 9:24 AM
February 2, 2005
Give me one good Reason
Reason 3.0 was announced in November 2004. How silly of me not to check on the Propellerhead site regularly enough. However it appears the new version isn't quite ready yet, though the price will go down. I'm very much tempted to get it, because it is much easier to use than Logic, despite its obvious audio limitations. It would help me when I get sudden inspirations, particularly of the electronica kind.
Posted by vantan at 11:16 PM
January 26, 2005
Upgrade to Pro 7?
For the price of a 20GB iPod, I could upgrade to Logic Pro 7.
Should I?
As an existing customer I get a slight discount, as well as another 10% off any MIDI product listed here.
[Update: A detailed analysis of new features in Logic 7. Will write an opinion on this later.]
[Update: Another Logic Pro 7 review.]
More reviews:
Computer Buyer - 4/5
Posted by vantan at 10:01 PM
January 21, 2005
Logic update
Apple announces new features for Logic Pro. Maybe I'll consider an upgrade to version 7 after this is ready.
[Update: this 20/1/2005 article states that Apple has released a Logic 7.0.1 update and there will be a future update addressing this latency issue.]
Posted by vantan at 5:32 PM
October 19, 2004
Propellerhead turns 10
A slight diversion here. Propellerhead, makers of fine dance music software, have just had their 10-year anniversary. Geeze I only heard of them this year! Anyway here are nice pics from the party.
Yes, I've produced lots of interesting mixes from Reason. I think maybe I should upgrade to the full 2.5 version soon. Then again, knowing my previous luck with Logic Pro 6, maybe I should just wait for 3.0 to come out.
Posted by vantan at 11:15 PM
October 4, 2004
Logic screen shots
Here are screen shots of some Logic features. Sorry to IE users. These graphics are all in PNG format. Start off with the Space Designer plugin in my photo gallery.
Oh, it's all in PNG format, so please don't view this using IE. Get something better, like Firefox. Thank you.
Posted by vantan at 10:23 PM
September 30, 2004
Logic Pro 7 and other woes
I am rather miffed. After ordering and paying for Logic Pro 6, I just discovered that Logic Pro 7 is out.
I don't think I need to upgrade desperately but I am still a little miffed.
Anyway, some news about a problem I'm experiencing. Logic was working fine on my system on Saturday night after connecting the two audio outs from the Korg Triton Extreme (keyboard), to the M-Audio card, then two audio outs from the card to my Bose speakers. I was able to play MIDI sequencing from Logic to my Korg Triton Extreme to my M-Audio card to my speakers - in an instance! I was very happy.
On Sunday the whole setup was working fine as well. On Monday morning I whipped out Reason, touched up a dance loop, then shut down the Mac.
On Monday evening I came home, checked my emails on the Mac, then suddenly - POOM! - there was a blackout. When we did get the power back on, Logic just couldn't play the audio coming from my keyboard. However when I swapped cables, replacing the connection to the M-Audio card with my earphones, I could hear the sounds from my keyboard. So by process of elimination there was a problem sending Audio back in.
Strangely, Reason was totally unable to connect with my keyboard. Wouldn't take any MIDI commands in. That was bad. However, Garageband, which I have boycotted for not being able to export files to MIDI format, was able to take in all three MIDI IN, MIDI OUT and AUDIO IN commands. So it wasn't a cable connection problem either.
Anyway, following advice from my producer-uncle, I reset all MIDI connections and removed any possible conflicts between my built-in Apple audio card and the new M-Audio card.
The sad thing is I can no longer control my system's general volume by hitting those dinky little keys on my Apple keyboard - I have to double-click on the M-Audio control panel and go to the volume tab. Oh, well.
Logic still can't seem to do what it used to do up till Sunday night - that is, automatically play the audio sounds sent from my keyboard. To do that now, I have to click 'R' on an audio track so that that 'port' is open. Then I can hear sounds from my keyboard. Strange, is it not?
Fortunately, Reason is back to normal again. It's always only been a one-way MIDI in, audio out process with Reason anyway. Let's just say my experience with both software has not been entirely logical or reasonable!
Posted by vantan at 4:43 PM
September 21, 2004
Things I must do with Logic
Classic keyboard sounds.
The EVP88 provides the highly sought-after sounds from electric pianos such as the Fender Rhodes Mark I of the Suitcase series and Mark I and II of the Stage series, the Wurlitzer Electric Piano 200A, and the Hohner Electra Piano, as well as many tasteful variations.
The Fender Rhodes! Maybe I'll sound more like Bill Evans sooner than I thought.
The fabled Space Designer plug-in
Reverb? Is that all it does? But I guess if it's the best reverb in the music software industry, why not?
Working with Reason
I still like doing my dance loops in Reason. Maybe I'll export some Reason tracks to audio files, then import them in Logic. Yeah.
More information here.
Posted by vantan at 9:57 AM
September 14, 2004
Logic's here
My Logic Pro 6 box has arrived!!! Hooray!
Setup was a breeze. I inserted the USB key to start the program. The interface was, as expected, overwhelming, although I did figure out how to make a simple recording. And amazingly, whatever I record is played back on my Triton keyboard! Problem solved!
This is what my new toy looks like:
Posted by vantan at 8:01 PM
September 13, 2004
The dawn of Logic
I've decided to buy Logic Pro 6, and from this store.
Reason being (pun pun) that they've given me the best deal, and another discount on top of that deal (PayPal), and a contact at one of our local Apple Stores has informed me they don't have Logic to sell yet! Ironic isn't it. Or should I say, illogical?
Rest assured, music blog readers (all one of you), I will most certainly update you when Logic has arrived. And when Logic's been set up. And when Logic's been used to sequence its first MIDI arrangement. And its first recording. And ...
Logic links
- Review of Logic Pro 6. I like this review because it says you should pair Logic with the G5 2.0GZ model, which is exactly what I have ;-)
Posted by vantan at 11:53 PM | Comments (1)
July 18, 2004
Pro Tools Free
I tried installing Pro Tools Free on my OS X Mac.
The files I downloaded off the Digidesign website managed to unzip properly. However, I could not seem to fire up Pro Tools Free after the installation and reboot.
It mentioned a DAE error 28479. Anybody knows what this means, in simple English?
Update: I found the answer on a forum:
The reason is that you can't dual boot these machines. therefore you're downloading the program in the new format and then trying to run it in the classic OS 9 environment. This can't be done. The only solution is to wait for digidesign to offer a free downlaoad for mac Os X.
Posted by vantan at 12:49 AM
July 2, 2004
Soft decisions
I am going through a painful thought process on which software to get for my forthcoming G5 system.
Everybody has their own favourites. The pros prefer Pro Tools, and Cubase or Logic. Others suggest Cakewalk, which I've somehow always turned my nose up at, or Sonar, its more powerful sister software. I want to see my notes on the screen, to edit them by clicking on the area they appear in, to mix and apply effects, and to notate everything once I'm done.
The best would be a program that does everything I need, and intuitively. Since all of them do notation, I will put the excellent Sibelius on hold until I really become famous and successful.
I know hardly anything about using any of the software programs. I just read and hope my Mac arrives in the next week or two, so I can at least get cracking on connectivity and demos.
Posted by vantan at 5:05 PM
June 22, 2004
Backward incompatibility
I just discovered that the free version of Pro Tools only works on Windows 98 and ME and not any of the more recent versions of Windows. How ironic.
Posted by vantan at 3:00 AM
