Lets see some studio pics

[skipscada]

It just seems like a difficult way to produce...

...but an easy way to play.

[annode]

Thank you K-Bee.
I did expect English was a secondary language and you write it well. Thank you.
This is what I was hoping for. You have an interesting amount of connection possibilities showing in the picture so I wanted you to tell us how you go about that.

I'm shocked to hear about that Akai Advance. I only read enough to know somewhat what it is, and that seemed...well...advanced. I'll go back to it and read more. Very interesting, and sorry to hear your stuck with this piece of crap.

I'm not very up to date with synths that carry midi and audio over USB but I suspected you were also doing this.
Are you using any synth 'editor/librarian' programs which import into your DAW ? If so, how does that operate with the DAW ? Can you describe it? I have an older Steinberg Nuendo and at that time they started offering 'device' editors you could import into the DAW and select for (some) parameter control and program changes.
Wondering if Yamaha or an individual had written one for the wonderful DX7. I have a 'standalone' editor written by an individual which takes me very deep into my Yam CS6R module. I wish there was the same that could run within my DAW...that would be incredible for me!

Thanks again K-Bee, good to speak with you.

[annode]

It just seems like a difficult way to produce...

...but an easy way to play.

That was the possible bare-bones configuration it might have been, yes.
That config can work ok if you have a simple wireless qwerty numeric keypad that sells for a few dollars. You can assign your DAW to use the keypad as a controller/transport.
So, you can do a performance at a synth while controlling the DAW with the wireless keypad. Otherwise you'd need to go back and forth and go crazy.
EDIT- of coarse you can just use your wireless qwerty keyboard, but the keypad is small and sits on the synth surface no problem.

[skipscada]

It just seems like a difficult way to produce...

...but an easy way to play.

That was the possible bare-bones configuration it might have been, yes.
That config can work ok if you have a simple wireless qwerty numeric keypad that sells for a few dollars. You can assign your DAW to use the keypad as a controller/transport.
So, you can do a performance at a synth while controlling the DAW with the wireless keypad. Otherwise you'd need to go back and forth and go crazy.
EDIT- of coarse you can just use your wireless qwerty keyboard, but the keypad is small and sits on the synth surface no problem.

For those of us who do vocals, guitar, bass, it's completely normal to arm recording, set a count-in time (a couple of seconds is enough to swivel around and get ready) and move over to the singing/playing position to do the take. Or do loop recording. Or use a remote controller as you suggest. There are a number of products that fill exactly that function. My point is that the setup in the picture is completely normal and logical.

[annode]

My point is that the setup in the picture is completely normal and logical.

Would you expand on that? I don't follow.

[K-Bee]

Are you using any synth 'editor/librarian' programs which import into your DAW ? If so, how does that operate with the DAW ? Can you describe it?

Editing apps are really something I need to get more into. There are editors included with the Mininova and The Waldorf Blofeld also have one. I haven't tried any of them out yet though. I found an old XV5080 editor but it didn't work with Windows 10 so I deleted it. I used to own an M-Audio Venom and the editor was terrible. Suppose I was kinda scared away from using editors in a long time
There's no doubt that I have way too many keys as it is, and I possibly could cut down and make it a more tight setup, but the thing is, some synths only come in keyboard versions and when buying 2nd hand you often need to jump on the offer at hand.

For those of us who do vocals, guitar, bass, it's completely normal to arm recording, set a count-in time (a couple of seconds is enough to swivel around and get ready) and move over to the singing/playing position to do the take

It doesn't pose a problem for me. I do instrumental music only and , in fact, remote controlling the recording button is pretty much the only thing I use the advance for!

With my current equipment and room size, I can't see how else I should set things up. My way of doing things suits my workflow well.

[thecontrolcentre]

Looks pretty ergonomic to me.

[annode]

I understand you. Shame about the 'Advance', but you get a transport controller from it, as you said. I can use my Akai pad controller, the wireless qwerty keyboard or the numeric keypad as transport controllers.
If I record drum kit pads on the far side of my setup, I'll use the little numeric keypad;
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Ele ... 2998471011

I love hardware, and HW synths, but they do take up a lot of space and unless midi interfaced, one needs to be at the keyboard to do something. I own a Prophet5. I bought a midi interface board for it years ago but never installed it inside the Prophet so the Prophet sits in my closet getting older.

My system is such;
- 8x8 USB midi controller - that allows me to send and receive midi from HW as well as from one to another.
- 8 channels of audio in/out (ADAT)
- 2 patch bay/panels for HW (keys/effects)routing from/to 12 channel analog mixer.( I also use this Roland mixer for analog 'summing' at times.
- 8 channel analog mixer out to monitors carrying 12 CH mixer monitor out and RME stereo out.
If I wanted to double my tracking power I could print to my TEAC 4 track but I never do so many tracks.
Since HW synths interface as USB now, I don't think it's common anymore to see 8x8 midi controllers...and older ones with older drivers don't work with newer OS. This sucks for those who have or want old HW synths.
Maybe 4x4 cntrls can be daisy chained.

My setup is old school but I can do just about anything with it and do it easily, so I remain in the past. haha

[thecontrolcentre]

I found some pictures of my setup during 1999 ... please forgive the hideous carpet

[thecontrolcentre]

[double-something]

[annode]

Never mind the carpet it's those monitors that stick out.
I had the same thing and when I see them in pix I cringe. It hasn't really been that long ago we were all using CRT monitors.

You have a lot going on there. Do you actually play keys? I would expect the ones who collect them are actual keyboard players as there first instrument.
Except for the one pull-out qwerty keyboard, this setup has no place for your knees to go. But that's why the studio designers get the big bucks.

[nordickvr]

And this fabulous Atari!
Was that 1040ST or something?
Seems to be an affair with the cat.

[thecontrolcentre]

I had an Atari 1040 STe & 520 ST. Not all the synths belonged to me. I was in two gigging bands at the time, so gear would come and go for rehearsals and recording sessions. I was more into sampling back then (still am). I recorded everything I possibly could. We made 2 albums and a couple of singles with that setup. Most of it came out to gigs too.

[annode]

Not all the synths belonged to me. I was in two gigging bands at the time, so gear would come and go for rehearsals and recording sessions. I was more into sampling back then (still am). I recorded everything I possibly could. We made 2 albums and a couple of singles with that setup. Most of it came out to gigs too.

Thanks for the personal history, we were all wondering.

[thecontrolcentre]

Not all the synths belonged to me. I was in two gigging bands at the time, so gear would come and go for rehearsals and recording sessions. I was more into sampling back then (still am). I recorded everything I possibly could. We made 2 albums and a couple of singles with that setup. Most of it came out to gigs too.

Thanks for the personal history, we were all wondering.

Funny guy.