midi sound modules

[rylie]

My continuing education of midi sound modules:
OK, learned I need a midi sound module between midi keyboard and TASCAM Portasound digital recorder. Learned about Roland Sound Canvas as choice for midi sound module. Also learned about many versions of Roland Sound Canvas. If I'm doing my own personal, not professional, multi-track recording, which is the best, bang-for-the-buck Sound Canvas to look for? And any other competing manufacturers (Yamaha,etc) models to consider?

 

[seamonkey]

Cakewalk and the TTS-1 64 bit (free)
BandLab: Make Music Online
It's a good basic General Midi vst
Exploring Sonar 4's TTS1 Synth

 

[Tosh]

Yes the TTS-1 software synth is really a Roland Soundcanvas.

If you're looking for a hardware solution, there are many choices. Yamaha, Korg, etc. I think what you'd be looking for is a tone module that supports General MIDI (GM2 at least). One example is the Roland VX-2020. Modules made since 2000 will be your best bet. AFAIK those types of tone modules are no longer manufactured.

If you want the king-of-the-hill in tone modules, get the Roland Integra-7. It's essentially every Roland module ever made, in a single box.

A workstation keyboard from the same era would also do the job.