KVR Audio

Reverend Rhythm · Post by **Reverend Rhythm** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 12:25 am

I teach elementary school music, and I've been thinking about incorporating some simple midi sequencing into my upper elementary classes (ages 10-12). Do you have any suggestions for a free sequecing program that I could use in a computer lab. I'm even thinking of using the build-in sounds (I know, but it would be simple). Any ideas?

shamann · Post by **shamann** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:01 am

I assume for Windows.

For simple, Jazz++ might do the trick. It's a bit long in the tooth by today's standards, and no VST, but it's fairly easy to work with.

You could try MusicStudio Producer/Independence. Not as easy to use, but free.

Or there's always Buzz (which can be taught easily enough, just requires some patience), or something like Freebase (not sure how stable it is), but you'd have to know how to use a tracker.

tjvigil66 · Post by **tjvigil66** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:11 am

This one is free...

http://www.kvr-vst.com/get/1021.html

You could also use FL Studio in demo mode! You can't save projects, but I think you can save & load MIDI sequences. I know you can definitely save loops as audio files though!

SaviorNeeded · Post by **SaviorNeeded** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:20 am

I don't know all the sequencers mentioned but I do know kids. I've worked a lot with buzz and Fruity Loops. I wouldn't try buzz with kids--way too hard. FL, though, I think graphically works the way a kid would work. Probably a good bet. Also (I don't know if this still happens) when I used to buy cheap scanners and stuff, they'd come with a stripped down Calkwalk or some such (why I don't know). Those were pretty simple. You might even try Musy on the Computer Magazine cover CD.

Tom

NicFit · Post by **NicFit** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:35 am

Gotta agree about fruity loops...very non intimidating for kids. I gave my copy to my 11 yr old and she annoyed the hell out her mother for months....worked out great!!

Reverend Rhythm · Post by **Reverend Rhythm** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:35 am

Yes it's windows 2000 or XP. There are some of each.

I have used FL a little. That is a possibility. They could save their projects as wavs. I will say that FL and I didn't hit it off to well (no offence to FL lovers). Maybe I should give it another listen. BTW, can it use the microsoft sounds? I know, "why would I want to?"

I haven't used VstSeq. Does it have a shallow learning curve. Musy is another option. I always look for computer music when I go to borders or media play, but they are always out. I guess it would also have helped if I had said that I'm in the us.

NicFit · Post by **NicFit** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:47 am

I don't know why I didn't think to mention it first, but I would think Tracktion is very easy to get to grips with...I think it would help them to visualise the signal flow of the DAW environment. ...And the demo is very usable, has a soft his every once in a while and you can save projects.

nF

Reverend Rhythm · Post by **Reverend Rhythm** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:51 am

What are the limitations of the traction demo?

NicFit · Post by **NicFit** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:58 am

What are the limitations of the traction demo?

sorry I meant to type "soft hiss" every once in a while

Also it has really helpful popup windows to help get them up and running.

Reverend Rhythm · Post by **Reverend Rhythm** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:04 am

I'm afraid the school wouldn't even think of spending $80 X 25 computers. I wonder if the "soft hiss" would be too un-nerving?

Sicklecell666 · Post by **Sicklecell666** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:15 am

I seriously doubt the Developer is gonna nail you full price per copy, especially for educational purposes. He has a company support forum here.

It's worth your time to post your inquiry in his forum area or private message him.

If he is a forward thinker, he'll consider all the soon-to-be VST junkies!

PS: his name is Jules

SaviorNeeded · Post by **SaviorNeeded** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:21 am

$80 x 25 computers!?! Yipes! (Say, you might be a good candidate for the next KvR Group Buy

)

In that case, you need something free! I would go with--come on, what's it called....midiHost? Someone help me here. It's new and I don't use it, it may still be in development--in fact, the final release might not even be free. But that and a couple of free VSTs--in my opinion, VSTs like MDA piano would suprise you with their simplicity--would get you going. I think it would also be OK to use the Chainer stand alone demo forever, tho I may be wrong about that too.

Yes, the Tracktion demo (I bought it, I love it) would drive you completely nuts.

Sickle666 is right, and that applies to others as well, me thinks.

Tom

Reverend Rhythm · Post by **Reverend Rhythm** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:31 am

I think I'm gonna have to go with a freebee. Also, I'm gonna try to avoid vstis, at least at first. These kids won't care if the sounds are low quality, at least at first.

This would be a simple introduction. There is not time to develop things much. There will be some that want to go on, but for the majority of the kids, it will be just a 4 or 5 session thing.

jzero · Post by **jzero** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:05 am

FL has a general MIDI synth built in. Oddly enough, it's called Fruity LSD. Not sure if that's a good idea for an educational environment. From the help file...

"Fruity LSD wraps the functionality of the DirectMusic software synthesizer to FL Studio and provides 16 MIDI instruments with an option to import DLS level 1 banks."

It has some great standard keyboard sounds, though it's a little wierd to set up. You have to have a MIDI Out generator set to a MIDI channel. And the Fruity LSD sits in an FX bus listening for MIDI input.

I think kids would like FL Studio. Especially if you hooked up the vocoder for them!

Sicklecell666 · Post by **Sicklecell666** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:22 am

You can contact Steinberg & see if they'll allow you to access the free download they used to have for Cubasis.

Sequencer for elementary school