Autumn Moon

Dear Michael, you may be surprised at the cost of the equipment used for this piece (and one alternative).

First off I recorded this in Sonar X1 but in this case you could use Reaper for $60 http://www.reaper.fm/ and do everything I did and you can try it fully functional for free.

Then the nanoKontrol – I purchased version 1 from Amamzon for $35 (though this shows $40) http://www.amazon.com/Korg-nanoKONTROL-USB-Controller-White/dp/B001H2P294/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

and then the software synthesizer Z3TA+ 2.1 is $99 http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=10-cwz32.00-20E – though if you look for free VSTi softsynths there are many good ones available. Start at KVR audio http://www.kvraudio.com/ or even microtonal ones http://www.xen-arts.com/2012/05/ivor-microtonal-virtual-analog.html or http://www.xen-arts.com/p/download-vsti.html

Then, lastly, my M-Audio 88es is <$200 at amazon http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Keystation-88ES-Midi-Controller/dp/B0006676A0

But you can get by with a $79 keyboard that has a couple octaves less keys new – or better yet goodwill on occasion will have used keyboards with midi in and out for <$20. Lastly a USB to midi interface can be had for <$10 (and yes I do have one of these) http://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Cable-Converter-Music-Keyboard/dp/B003KXEDVQ/ref=pd_cp_MI_2

So if you go with free softsynths, a trial of reaper and a used keyboard and cheap usb => midi you are less than $75 to get into the game.

How does that sound?

Chris