[onemanband]

I'm not 100% sure what I am looking for here, but I'll describe it as best I can and hopefully someone will tell me to be quite if it doesn't make sense, or exist.

Is there any free online software, where I would be able to play a sequence of notes into it, and then it gives me an option to hear what these notes sound like with different instruments. Then be able to import it into audacity.

Thanks in advance.

[Boydie]

What you are looking for is a "soft synth"

To do what you describe you want to be looking for a "stand alone" soft synth that can export audio files

However...


I would suggest biting the bullet and go for a DAW (digital audio workstation) that can handle audio (therefore replacing audacity), is a sequencer and has built in soft synths triggered by MIDI you can record and then manipulate later

This may sound gobbledegook now, and there is a learning curve ahead of you, but the sooner you start with a proper DAW the better if you are serious about writing and recording music

 I would suggest REAPER as an excellent starting point

If you can get hold of a copy of Computer Music magazine they have a free DAW and lots of plugins, softsynths etc.

The other ones to check out (which have cheaper alternatives) are Sonar (my favourite), Cubase, Pro Tools, Studio One etc.

It may all look a bit daunting but there plenty of people around here that will help you get up and running

Good luck!

[onemanband]

Thanks Boydie,

      I guess I'm going to have leave audacity behind, this week is the first time I have really tried editing and mixing a song and it really has showed me audacitys limitations.

I'll have a look into some of the software you suggested and start dropping some christmas hints asap.

and I'm sure I will be opening many more threads in the "recording forum" over the next few months so your help and patience are appreciated in equal measure.

[tokenangmoh]

Yup, I'm with Boydie - REAPER's the way to go.

I know a lot of people here use audacity, but it's like using a hammer when you need a screwdriver: you can probably get the screw in, but only just - and it'll take a lot more effort.

The problem is that the learning curve on a DAW can be almost vertical at first. But it's worst in the first week or so, then after that the slopes are gentle and the view sublime. And the REAPER manual's good, the community's helpful, and there's quite a lot on YouTube. Also, I'm a REAPER guy, so if you get stuck, I'm happy to help.

What kind of instruments are you looking for? Boydie's shout on Computer Music magazine is absolutely on the money, as it contains a lot of synths for almost no cash. But if you're after traditional rather than synthesised instruments, you'll quickly want to move on to something else.

If you are interested in traditional instruments, it can get expensive fast. You will probably want Kontakt 5, the industry-standard sampler made by Native Instruments. It comes with 43GB of sample packs covering guitars, pianos, orchestral, etc. The sounds it comes with are not bad, but are by no means the best. But there are literally thousands of instruments available for purchase, and many of them are unbelievably good. There are also quite a lot of free instruments for Kontakt, many of which are also very good - but you need to pay for Kontakt to use them.

(One thing that confuses a lot of beginners is that there's a free version of Kontakt. But it will only play most instruments for 15 minutes before you need to restart it.)

There's another option for free traditional instruments called soundfonts, but I find they sound bad and setting up a soundfont player is more trouble than it's worth.

If you are interested, Native Instruments is currently having their annual cyber Monday sale - until the 9th. Many other companies are doing the same, so it's a really good time to buy. For example, Kontakt is currently reduced from $399.00 to $199.50. They also have a weird "crossgrade" pricing system where buying certain instruments entitles you to further discounts...

Native instruments sell two bundles which include Kontakt along with synths and sample packs. They have Komplete 9 and its big brother, Komplete 9 Ultimate. They're expensive, but they may be a worthwhile investment... Of course, it depends what you need, and you may be better buying a small number of instruments that are exactly right for you rather than a shitload that are not quite right.

I know you asked for free and online, and I have veered a long way from that - but while there are some interesting developments in free online DAWs, they are not properly useful yet and will not be for some time.

[onemanband]

Hello tokenangmoh,

   At the moment I am only after some handbells. But I am sure that I will have use for alot more instruments once I start experimenting. I play solo acoustic guitar (I only have a classical guitar at the moment) so I would say my use will probably be for traditional instruments.

I did see Kontakt before I opened this thread, and saw it had a little keyboard on the interface (which Input your sequence of notes into) but quickly backed away at the price.

Thanks for the heads up on the deals. I did think that my initial question would lead to me having to shake the cob webs off the wallet.

[tokenangmoh]

Bells are something that synths do quite well, so go with Boydie's suggestions and the cobwebs may be able to remain unmolested!

[Boydie]

Another (cheaper) option for you at this time would be to consider "Sample CDs" - although they pretty much all downloads now but the name has stuck!

This is basically a collection of AUDIO samples that have been recorded in a studio either as single shots (that can be loaded in to a sampler and played on the notes) or as "loops" that are ready to go - often both

These can sometimes be a pain for tuned instruments (guitars, piano etc.) as you are stuck with the performance that has been recorded - although it can be "sliced and diced" to suit

However for percussion and drums they can be perfect for beginners (and pros) to get something sounding pretty awesome with minimal effort (and some would say cheating but I think anything is fair game if the end result is good)

There are also plenty of free loops and samples online

Finally, if you are stuck you could record a MIDI file of the part you want (this is where you would need a DAW that can handle MIDI) and find a friendly forumite (hello  ) who will run the MIDI file through their soft synths and send you the audio file back for you to process and mix with your song

There are a few options for you but I think your future development will depend on getting to grips with a proper DAW

I have never used Reaper but have heard enough to know it is fantastic value and is a VERY capable and well respected  DAW

The upside about the learning curve is that all DAWs are pretty much the same on one level so skills learnt in Reaper will be transferable if you were to change DAWs in the future

[hardtwistmusic]

Allow me to suggest an alternative suggestion. 

IF (and only if) you can record midi files, you can get a software called "notation composer" (or any of a dozen other slightly more expensive softwares) that will break the music down into tracks and notes on a staff, then play them in real time, allowing you to listen to over 120 different musical instruments to play each line of music with. 

I use it all the time to modify songs, and it's fast, easy, and quite painless.  I suspect you could try it out on a free sample basis, then decide.  Don't know if that's still the reality, but it was when I bought it. 

If you decide to do that, let me know and I'll share some things that will drastically reduce your learning curve.

[onemanband]

I have downloaded Reaper on a 60 day trial and finally cast off the shackles of audacity. Now to start understanding how to use it.

Thanks for the nudges in the right directions.

I will probably start a new thread about Reaper quite soon. Or maybe a broader thread about using DAW's.


Oh and thanks for the offer of running a file through your soft synths Boydie, but it is only an embellishment and expermental at that, so probably not worth the hassle.

Although that doesn't mean that I won't be hassling you very soon when the interface of Reaper makes my brain fry.

[Boydie]

No worries

Just give me a shout on here or via PM

However, I am not a REAPER user but there are plenty around here who are so a post in this forum would be your best bet on anything specific