MIDI / Audio

Sorry to beat this to death, but I'm trying to set my mind straight. When I play MIDI files on my computer (including in Reaper) I hear audio. So something (presumably my sound card) is making audio from the MIDI data. So why can't I record that audio in Reaper and then modify it? One answer came to my mind: because the audio I'm hearing is one stereo track, not the multiple MIDI tracks/channels which I'd need in order to work with the material. Is this correct? So the reason I need some kind of sound module/synth is to create multi-channel audio from the MIDI data? Have I got that right? Thanks again.

Thanks to both of you. I think I finally understand what's going on and what I should do. One more question: What are the comparative pro's and con's of a sound module versus plugins?

There are hundreds of free or reasonably priced, excellent virtual instruments. As far as I know there are no free, excellent hardware sound modules :)

Thanks all, I think I see what the next few steps should be.

Thanks, StratMan. I'll check out Proteus and shop around for some VSTi's.

I agree ProteusVX is great for a freebee but hell, it takes a while to load into the project and it is a bit confusing to use. Be prepared to spend a few hours going through the many many presets they have. I still haven't figured out how to modify the sample synth sounds (other than adding effects) but the stock samples are pretty cool.

Not a bad place to start. Guy that runs this site has been seen on this very forum too:)

some people still like external midi modules. check the ketron sd2 n roland sonic cell for example. the advantage over real time softsynths , particularly for people with a pc that isnt a power monster is less pc resources are used. so you can load up lots of midi traks n use little pc resources. but with external modules to convet to audio you need to route the audio from line out of the external midi device to your sound cards audio line in. some midi users , what they do is set up a bank of external midi modules feeding a outboard mixer feeding the sound card line in. pc on board wavetables are pretty bad n cheesy. check out forte softsynth sometime. some midi users like it. if i remember it can host giga files too.

Thanks, Manning1. Can I use an external module if I'm working with MIDI files I've already created in my computer? I don't use a MIDI keyboard, I create MIDI files with a sequencer (Sibelius or similar) and then want to record them as audio in Reaper.

Thanks again. I guess I was having trouble imagining my sound card playing MIDI files and simultaneously receiving and recording audio. I just got Nicholas' book Home Recording for Beginners, so I'll go study.