Wow! I feel like I hit the jackpot when I found your article! It's great and covers so much. I would like to ask a question, though.
Thank you, PianoNana! I am glad you like it!
I've been recording with my Yamaha Clavinova to a floppy disk and then using my computer to convert the MIDI files to WAV files and then burn to an audio CD. However, the sound quality on the CD is not the best; it's "thin" and has a "tinny" sound. What do I need to do in order to produce a finished product that sounds good enough to sell?
Are you happy with the way the WAV files sound after being converted from the midi? If not, that is where you have to start. Your computer is only as good as what you put in it.
You say the sounds are thin - are they just piano sounds, or trying to represent a whole band (bass, drums, etc.)? I ask because the other instruments require much more frequency response.
You can
add frequencies with plug-ins. Check out
Sonic Maximizer and other related plug-ins, that add tone and frequency. This will add some frequencies that are not in the original source.
A lot of recording engineers use EQs and other plug-ins in the mastering process to fatten up their sound.
The
Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 DAI bundled with the
Cubase LE4 DAW, and the mastering program
Wavelab 7 Elements, are linked to the bottom of my article because they work well together and are being offered at a great price.
I hope this helps, and I hope you will let us know when your project is complete, and where we can hear it!
Cheers!