Easy Harpsichord Without a Big Library

The basic MIDI instruments provided in a program are sometimes adequate "until".  These are often both affordable and enough for doing initial tracks in a home studio.  Still.... maybe you're ready for some new sounds...

If you don't want to invest in more MIDI instruments to import into your library,  you can always edit the simple instruments already there... which you most likely know.  Here's a hint for an instrument often overlooked in our repertoire as we develop new songs:  The old-fashioned harpsichord.  You know, Bach and all.

To get a twangy harpsichord sound,

Logic would indicate that you should play around with the sounds of one of the piano midi instruments  that GarageBand and other smaller programs may have.  After all,  it's a keyboard instrument.  

But this is easier:  Use "Clean Electric" or some similar one-string-plucking guitar MIDI instrument.   Play simple, somewhat slow arpeggios of chords.  The final sound does sound much like an old harpsichord.  

Much joy to you creating new sounds for new songs for The World!

©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved

How to Add the Piano's Sustain Pedal Later

You do NOT have to re-do all your piano work if you recorded a "draft" track by reaching across your computer to the controller keyboard--  not using the "piano" pedal--  and decided you really like what you played.

  1.  Quantize your piano track.  (See earlier blogs for hints; 

                                              I suggest a fast quantize to 1/8th notes if you're in a rush.)

  2.  Go  to another keyboard track ("piano track")-- even one in
       another project -- where the pedal was used.
  3. At Count 1 in any measure, COPY  what looks like a fancy L
      with some dots after it under the SCORE on that track.

            (If the dots extend past the next measure line, find a different Pedal Mark to copy.)

  4. Ensuring that "Snap to Grid" is on,  go to the track you want to
      change, place the playhead (red line) on measure's Count 1,
      and paste.
  5. REPEAT  at the beginning of each measure where you want
      to add the sustain sound.

That's all there is to it! 

A hint I surely wished someone had shared with *me* before I re-played all those draft tracks over the years.... !

Much joy to you finding SHORTCUT  HINTS  for creating new music!

©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved