I started composing in the late 1990s. At the
beginning, I used my simple keyboard sequencer to set up MIDI
files, which I then recorded to my analogue tape recorder. Next step was to
use computer-based sequencers such as MicroLogic AV or Logic Audio.
This helped me to compose more complex and elaborated songs. As I was not satisfied with the sound of my keyboard,
I started to use external sound modules, the so called "sound
canvas" expanders, such as SC-88VL and SC-D70 by Roland/Edirol. To play in the notes, I used a MIDI control keyboard (PC-180A by Roland/Edirol). I generally avoid writing notes with a mouse. The music sounds too artificial and dry. Playing in notes live,makes the music sound more natural and, above all, it spares
time speeding up the whole composing process.
The final stage is to record the composed and instrumented mix as a wav file and master it in an audio editing program. For this purpose I use WaveLab.
I have become recently more and more interested in audio/midi sequencers applying various software synthesisers such as Reason by Propellerhead or FL Studio (Fruity Loops)
by Image-Line and of course my favorite - Logic Audio. For a musician they are really very powerful tools with
magnificent capabilities (limited only by a processor capacity and RAM memory of your computer). I have been
using FL Studio very often lately and every time I listen to the final result, I am struck by the quality and professional sound of songs made with that tool.
To give you an idea of how my equipment set looks like, here is the hardware connection diagram of my home studio.
