Computer music advice needed

I want to transcribe some music. The way I'd like to do is it by learning the tune using my Alesis Q25 midi keyboard. Once I've got the tune under my fingers well enough, I want to flip a switch on a piece of software that will "listen" to me play, and turn that into notes on the staff, as I play.

I already have Ableton Lite as software. Have no idea how to use it.

hmm, maybe this is the answer right here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKjxWdd6q08

Hey! Did you figure it out? If you need help, gimme a shout (john (at) johnkaefer.com).

I use Logic, not Ableton.  In general DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) aren't great for music notation.  For notation I use Finale.  There's also Sibelius.  Both are excellent.  Logic has a decent notation feature.  

I found a freebie called Notation Composer which I think will do the job. Programs like Ableton give me the willies - just too darn complicated for the occasional (and lazy) hobbyist.

Which is too bad actually, because I like fooling around with simple composition. Maybe this Notation Composer is the way to go for me in general. Not many bells and whistles.

Actually, once you get the hang of writing in Midi, it's not so bad. But yeah, these programs do have a steep learning curve. I used to use Acid Music before I upgraded my PC and nothing worked properly after that.

Thanks for mentioning Notation Composer. I hadn't heard of it. I don't have any of these apps, and I might want one some day. But NC is free for only a 30-day trial. They want $100, and I don't blame them.

I strongly recommend checking out Finale's products - https://store.makemusic.com/Store/default.aspx?tab=notation&_ga=1.21518207.53500497.1429020016

The full version is expensive ($600), but there's a lite version for $120 and a "songwriter" version for $50. Finale is the industry standard and is compatible with Sibelius (the other major professional notation software). For example, if you need additional help with your music, you can send me a file and I'll be able to open it.  I doubt Notation Composer could do that. 

I've been a Finale user since 1987 - almost 30 years (I started when I was 11 years old!).  Finale (or Sibelius) has everything you need and isn't too difficult to learn.  Check it out. 

RE: Ableton - Ableton is VERY different from a DAW like Logic.  I find Logic more intuitive.  It's not hard to learn.    

Good advice, cj!

ableton is sequencer/loop based, right? What's Logic's paradigm?

I've tried both Sibelius and Finale. The problem I seem to have with these programs is that I spend a bit of time and effort getting up to speed, and work at it for a while, then I leave it for a while (like weeks at least) and when I come back, I barely remember anything and I have to start from scratch.

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ridski,

what do you mean exactly by "composing with midi"?

Ableton is designed primarily for live performance and is frequently used by DJs. It's also used for composing, mixing, etc.  You're correct - it's loop based (in part). 

Logic is designed primarily for composing (MIDI production), recording, and mixing.  It's also excellent for composing to picture (video).  

For what I do, Logic is the best choice. However I know many people who love Ableton.  In general, I find Logic to be more linear (left to right - like music) than Ableton. 

drummerboy said:

I've tried both Sibelius and Finale. The problem I seem to have with these programs is that I spend a bit of time and effort getting up to speed, and work at it for a while, then I leave it for a while (like weeks at least) and when I come back, I barely remember anything and I have to start from scratch.

Both Finale and Sibelius are excellent programs.  The lite versions have less features and are easier to use. Once you do a few projects, it's like riding a bike!

what do you mean exactly by "composing with midi"?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that allows a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers and other related devices to connect and communicate with one another. For example, if you have a keyboard with a MIDI interface (USB or otherwise), you can play on the keyboard controller and trigger sounds in the computer.  Programs like Logic come with many sounds included.  So, if you use a MIDI controller (most frequently a keyboard), then you can load up a sound, press record, and play the keyboard using that sound.  Make sense?

sorry. I've known about Midi since approximately the beginning of time.  

I guess I worded my question poorly. Not a big deal.

I guess should tell people of my background, musically.

I spent many an hour composing on this monster - circa 1978. Note that there is no keyboard. Chadabe didn't want us to think in terms of notes.

drummerboy said:

sorry. I've known about Midi since approximately the beginning of time. "> 

I guess I worded my question poorly. Not a big deal.

Haha no worries.  So what was your question? 

By "composing with midi" I was referring to the fine art of making music without a midi instrument, similar to the way you did it in 78. Basically using software which allowed me to "paint" notes where I wanted them, and then listening to it play back after the fact. Then I could move things around with the mouse until they sounded how i wanted them. Not always interesting, I guess, but you've been doing it for years anyway, so you know.