Computers in Studio/Practice Room

[Mark]

I'm curious how many of you have a computer in your studio or practice room and what tuba/euphonium-related uses you have for the computer.

[Dean E]

I run Slow Gold, sometimes through my Silent Brass setup.
http://www.worldwidewoodshed.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank
Even without a CD, I have found recordings on the web to use with the software for tricky entrances and licks.

[The Jackson]

I use my computer to play whatever music I'm working on through my headphones. I might listen to part of the piece, then play it or I'll play along with the recording. I also use it for sight reading. I'll quickly pull up a little tune from a video game or something and sight read it.

[musicalcunnings]

I use a computer/laptop (and if I can use a band hall sound system) for tuba with tape (CD) pieces. I try to program one of those on every other recital. Another use is playing the orchestral excerpts with a live recording to feel how your part goes with the piece. Silly ideas that seem to help me

[rocksanddirt]

nada at this time.

computer in breakfast nook, practice in the garage (mostly).

[Sean Greene]

I have several uses for my laptop when I practice/teach.

1. Finale.
2. Band in a Box. This is a much more enjoyable alternative to practicing with a metronome.
3. Transkriber. Share-ware transcription software that slows music without changing the pitch. It includes a mini-keyboard in the interface.
4. GoldWave. Share-ware recording software that's pretty powerful, good for quick recording.
5. Digidesign ProTools LE. Pretty involved for quick rehearsals, but it has many more editing features than the GoldWave.
6. SmartMusic. This is a great practice tool. They now have hundreds of solos, orchestra parts and band parts in their database. Many more features than its predecessor Vivace, including error detection....

But for performing, there is no substitute for pianists who play wrong notes or string sections that are always behind the beat. Live music is still best!

[timdicarlo]

I don't have the luxury of a personal practice room (heck, there's barely room for a tuba in my dorm room), but a few of the practice rooms in the music building are equipped with SmartMusic and a connection to an online database of recordings, both of which come in handy. It's nice to be able to hear how the pros play your solo, and it's a whole lot cheaper to use SmartMusic than to pay an accompanist for rehearsal time.

However, if I did have my own practice room, it would have mics for at least three instruments, a small mixer to accomodate said mics, and recording software. I tend to do a lot of impromptu jamming with other instrumentalists, and it would be nice to have recordings of those sessions, since more often than not we come up with some pretty cool stuff. I'd also have a copy of Finale in there to put ideas into notation.