Advice on composing music

[mooncloud]

Hi.

I had an Amiga back in the glory days and just acquired another A500 from Ebay with a 1mb upgrade.

The question is, now I am wanting to get back into composing and want to compose using the computer solely (I don't play an instrument I can hook up) and would like to know: WHAT DO I NEED? I am thinking of getting an A1200 also - should I really bother? What's the best piece of software I need and where can I get it?

Thanks in advance to anybody who can help!

[mooncloud]

Hi Karlos - and Ali,

Thanks for replying.

I would prefer the OctaMED for sure as I've done some digging and it sounds great. I guess this is based around synthesised sounds rather than samples (which it can use) - right? If I go for this, any ideas where I can get it from with manuals etc? I would prefer to get a hardcopy - am I right in guessing it's better than trying to download from PC to Amiga?

Once I get OctaMED - is there anything else I need, or can I just crack on? Is an A500 good enough to get some decent stuff done?

Good gosh - the questions..............!!!

Thanks for your time.

[mooncloud]

Nice 1, Karlos.

OctaMED is the one, I reckon.

If you know where I can get it.............

I'm hoping the A500 is good enough, eh?

Cheers.

[mooncloud]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your time, Karlos.

I'll be on my way, hunting down the software!!

Regards.

[mooncloud]

Thanks, everybody. This is great!

Zero: awesome link! Cheers.

From your point of view, what memory do I require on an Amiga? I only have an A500 with 1mb upgrade at the moment.

[mooncloud]

Hi Tomas.

This sampler business.........what exactly does a sampler allow you to do? - bearing in mind I don't play any instruments. I'm thinking that you hook up a keyboard, for example, to your Amiga...??

[mooncloud]

Thanks, Zero.

Are there external hard drives you can hook up to the A500 to increase memory size etc? I'm new to this and the jargon goes over my head a little.

[mooncloud]

Thanks. Is TRILOGIC MK2 STEREO SAMPLER and good, or TECHNOSOUND TURBO 2??

[mooncloud]

These replies are awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks everybody.

Okay, I'm getting there! How about, in terms of memory, if I whack in an 'Amiga A600/A1200 2.5’’ IDE Hard Drive - 2160MB (2.16GB)' - as I've heard about. Only about £10. Of course I then need an A600 or A1200 - but as they are cheap, I don't mind as much. I can always sell the A500, even thought I just got it! Should have thought about this a little more......

[mooncloud]

Oh yeah, just realised about the hard drive thing....I'll go back and read what you said.

[mooncloud]

I checked Aminet out - sure seems to have a lot of stuff there. I'm mailing Ali at the mo, asking if he can explain in laymans terms how to transfer such files etc. from the PC I'm using now, to the Amiga - I haven't a clue apart from a few links which are too in depth for me really. All suggestions greatly appreciated!

Thanks again.

[mooncloud]

Any ideas how I could get:

'an A500 with a GVP A500-HD8+, which provides extra RAM, a SCSI interface (internal and external) plus an internal SCSI drive.'???

[mooncloud]

Hi Zero.

How does Amiga Explorer work? How can I get it?

This is like being in college! Very educational.

Ali's helping me out a lot, too.

Cheers. :-D

[mooncloud]

Absolutley brilliant!!!!!!!

I have learnt so much in the past hour or so. It would have taken me ages otherwise.

I conclude that an A1200 would be best, with a possible upgrade - OctiMed for music composing and samples downloaded off the Aminet site (for example) using a PC/Amiga emulating program.

I'm on my way!!

And all I wanted to do originally was play games!  :lol:

[mooncloud]

Thanks, Karlos. I'm on it!!!!!!!!