Over the last month I have been putting together a sound studio in our basement. It follows the basic pattern of midi controllers, synthesizers, sequencer, beatbox/drum machine, effects box, mixer and amp/speakers. Of course I have a pentium IV computer in the middle of the set up, which is capable of performing any or all of the functions the separate hardware provides, in addition to the hard drive recording capability.
Having no formal musical training, my initial interest has been making sound collages which include both musical and "noise" components. As I work and develop pieces, I realize I have a certain approach and sense of composition which requires that I develop more mastery over the musical end of things.
One of the happiest purchases I made was a Roland MC-505 beatbox. It contains the song elements of some 270 patterns drawn from a whole syllabus of modern dance music styles, with a little jazz and latin thrown in. I can switch it on and fill the basement with trance, hip hop, industrial, ambient, or hard rock loops, and move through a rhythmic sound scape with ease.
The key feature of my system is that all the hardware and software communicates with each other, and can be coordinated, through a technology called MIDI. It is a primitive but effective networking protocol for musical instruments which was devised in the early 80s by a consortium of electronic instrument manufacturers, and it hasn't evolved too much since then.
In essence, it allows someone like me with limited time and deep personal interest the ability to turn into a "one man band" with advanced electronic support and create compositions that satisfy some deep itch in my psyche.
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