TAXI.com

I usually write songs with vocals, and take a band into a studio and record the song, and have an engineer mix and master it. But I also have a good handle on instrumentals, and the recent TAXI TV episode with Steve got me hankering to try my hand at some instrumental cues.

The problem is, I know nothing about what I need to make it sound CD-quality/radio-ready. I use GarageBand to make demos and whatnot; obviously that won't cut it, but what if I invest in a nice library of sounds? Like Hollywood Strings or something? Unfortunately, budget is a consideration, so I can't go buy Logic or ProTools. So I guess my specific question is: Is it the library or the program that's "more important"? Would a good library sound good on GarageBand, or would the GarageBand library sound good on ProTools? Which angle should I attack it from, if I can't afford to go buy a completely new set-up?

It's not the DAW, it's the clean recording (mikes etc). I am not sure if Garageband can handle VSTs (just don't know). I use Tracktion, which is less than $100 for a download, it's user friendly, it can handle all my VSTs & eFx (make sure your computer has enough RAM to manage the use of samples and that you have enough memory for the chosen samples themselves as they take up a lot of space), and I produce broadcast quality music. Could you say a little more about where your musical goals would be heading so we can give more detailed thoughts on which VSTs you might want to get?

It's a great question! I agree, it's not necessarily the DAW but how well you use it.

Since I'm on a tiny shoestring, I use Garageband on ipad, Bismark BS-16i for soundfonts both free and inexpensive and SampleTank for additional samples. BS-16i and SampleTank both interface nicely with Garageband (so you create a track in GB, hit interactive apps, open BS-16i, play with your cool soundfonts, and it's recorded in GB as a track). All very inexpensive.

I've found some good samples (soundfonts) through 'Direct Sound Factory'. 'VST-Store' also has a free section with some Roland, Yamaha, Korg etc sound banks. Lots of free soundfonts on the web.

You can interface live tracks, midi, vocals etc. My vote: Keep with garageband, get some good samples/VSTs, get really good at writing in the style they're listing. Happy to help if you have more questions.

Thanks for the responses so far! In regards to my musical goals, I just want to be able to submit to those instrumental listings (trailers, cues, etc.) like the ones Steve did in his TAXI TV episode. If it goes well I'll probably even sign up for Dispatch.

The reason I mentioned Hollywood Strings is because GarageBand actually has decent woodwinds and percussion, but their strings are sorely lacking. So that would be what I would most urgently need, I assume. Maybe some brass too.

I don't plan on using mikes; I'm a keyboard player, not a guitarist, so everything would be input directly by my controller. I'm fairly certain, with my limited knowledge, that GarageBand can handle VSTs.

Megeath, I think I'm following what you're saying. Do you mean I can find free samples online of realistic-sounding instruments, and use them in GarageBand? So realistic it's broadcast quality?

Traktion 4 = FREE

https://www.tracktion.com/products/t4-daw

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... MoQOv81VVf

I'm not familiar with garageband, though I'm sure there are limitations, especially not when you can get a pro daw absolutely free.

Reaper is another, it has a 60 day demo period, not really, but it's about $60, and you can purchase when you are able. http://www.reaper.fm/

there are many free vsti and vst both great and crap, though most of the great free instruments are usually limited, such as this freebie violin, with only pizzicato and spiccato:
https://www.virharmonic.com/violin_freebie

In my experience it's the quality of the sample as well as the skill of the engineer that determines if a sampled string sounds real, not the DAW. Pro DAW's are great but it won't bring you much further if you don't know how to effectively use the tools they offer. I have Komplete and am pleased with their string sounds for my purposes. I know garageband has really been beefed up since i jumped ship so I'm sure you can make some good tracks with it! I would just take some tips from Matt Hirt on how to play with articulations of the strings to really make them come to life It's always better to invest in getting better at using what you have rather than buying new stuff

Do you have a decent pair of studio monitors?

Stuart

I don't, no. I guess that would be part of the new endeavor!

So yes, many free or very reasonable soundfonts, I'd start with those and work them. You can always purchase more expensive. If you're using Garageband on a mac computer (??), I'm not sure how you interface soundfonts, but it should be pretty simple.

Some free sites are
https://www.digitalsoundfactory.com/example-downloads
http://vst-store.com/free-soundfont-sf2.html
http://www.flstudiomusic.com/2010/03/36 ... fonts.html

Working Strings (Matt Hirt and Nick Murray Taxi TV episodes) - and a great suggestion Joy
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/65530803
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgT2oKurtk4

Traktion sounds great too.

And how wonderful you're inspired to try new things!

I used the DAW Mixcraft after coming from Audacity (free recorder) and noticed a drop in sound quality. Mixcraft is like the Windows of Garageband they say.

So I went to Cubase. Which was a great choice as it turns out.

I would make sure first you have a really great DAW. Then really great VST's. And if you use samples..really great samples. Then it's all up to you with the production but got to have the right ingredients first to make a great mix.