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Posted by rafale on Apr-11-2005 11:42:

Can I do this?

Can I use a normal keyboard as a controller ?

As in a normal keyboard with sounds when u press the key. Can I use it as a midi controller and use softsynths to generate the sound?

Just wondering.

Posted by Nick Mimas on Apr-11-2005 12:11:

As in a computer keyboard?

I'm goin' to assume that's what you meant and that you're using FL Studio. For that just press Ctrl+T whilst in FL or go to 'Options' and then to 'Typing keyboard to piano'.

Posted by BOOsTER on Apr-11-2005 12:13:

Re: Can I do this?

quote:
Originally posted by rafale
Can I use a normal keyboard as a controller ?

I believe he means a keyboard with audio only out...(like those cheap yamahas for kids...)

rafale: I think you could try to get yourself a copy of some audio 2 midi software but it's not really worth it...buy yourself a cheap midi keyboard that's better

Posted by Nick Mimas on Apr-11-2005 12:26:

Ah ok sorry I didn't understand what the cat meant. Yeah in that case do what Booster said get your hands on some software that can convert audio data to MIDI.

Posted by rafale on Apr-11-2005 13:11:

so a normal keyboard as mentioned, won't be able to be used as a controller with fruity/reason as a midi controller would?

Posted by BOOsTER on Apr-11-2005 13:13:

if you get some kind of Audio2midi software than yea prolly...but results aren't that great...

and one more thing...audio is what triggers it...so don't expect knobs on your "normal" keyboard to work

Posted by rafale on Apr-11-2005 13:16:

what about a 'normal' keyboard, with midi outs.

thats exactly what i'm talking about. a keyboard with built in synths n all.. if i dont want the sounds from the keyboard synths, but want to run it through a softsynth instead.

will i be able to do that? if i connect the keyboard (midi out) to my soundcard (midi in), are there any settings in reason/fruity to disable the sound coming out of the keyboard?

Posted by Nick Mimas on Apr-11-2005 13:19:

Yeah in Fruity and in Reason you can use it as a controller just make sure all your settings are correct so that your keyboard is your default MIDI device and all. We're kind of confused as to what you're definition of a 'normal keyboard' is bro'.

Posted by BOOsTER on Apr-11-2005 13:22:

this is gettin' funny...

if you have a midi out you're pretty much safe lol

Posted by Nick Mimas on Apr-11-2005 13:25:

I wanna know what a 'normal' keyboard is?

Posted by rafale on Apr-11-2005 13:29:

my definition here:

normal keyboard = keyboard. doesnt need to be plugged to softsynths. standalone.

midi controller = not standalone. needs softsynths to produce sounds.

am i right ?

Posted by Nick Mimas on Apr-11-2005 13:41:

A MIDI controller is any sort of device used to send MIDI info. to something else. Your 'normal' keyboard becomes a MIDI controller as soon as it starts dealing with MIDI data. Just plug your cables in to all he right spots (Your IN's in your OUT's and your OUT's in your IN's) and set it up on the computer your usings and your good to go.

Posted by rafale on Apr-11-2005 14:14:

oh so meaning when i plug the midi outs of my "Normal" keyboard into my soundcard midi-ins, the "normal-ness" of the keyboard should disappear?? i.e. the keyboard will stop producing its normal sound and start sending midi DATA to the pc instead?

Posted by Nick Mimas on Apr-11-2005 14:26:

Yeah if the keyboard is set to send MIDI commands it should.

Posted by rafale on Apr-11-2005 18:37:

So.. its actually better to have a full fledged "normal" keyboard with built in synths and all... which also has MIDI outputs. that way u have both a Keyboard, and a MIDI controller in ONE.

A MIDI controller will need to be plugged in to softynths to be utilised. Can a MIDI controller work with hardware synths?

just for the record.. a MIDI controller here means stuff like the Oxygen 8 which does not produce sounds when it stands alone.

A full fleged keyboard, or "normal" (as I put it) keyboard is like the Roland keyboards and what not which u can plug in to a power point and turn on, and play like a piano would.

cheerSs..
thanks for clearing things!

Posted by RIPassion on Apr-11-2005 23:18:

I use a casio keyboard I got for 15$ at an estate sale... lol. A CTK-451, or Cock Tickling Keyboard - 451. Still sends midi data flawlessly

Posted by Nick Mimas on Apr-12-2005 02:16:

quote:
Originally posted by rafale
So.. its actually better to have a full fledged "normal" keyboard with built in synths and all... which also has MIDI outputs. that way u have both a Keyboard, and a MIDI controller in ONE.

Well when it comes to that it's a matter of preference. If you need something to play and something to use MIDI with then a "normal" keyboard will be good but if you just need to use MIDI then get something like an Oxygen8 or an Ozonic or whatever.

quote:
Originally posted by rafale
A MIDI controller will need to be plugged in to softynths to be utilised. Can a MIDI controller work with hardware synths?

Yeah that's why you see keyboards stacked up on each other with thick cables coming out of them. They'll control anything that can receive and use MIDI data.

Posted by DJMaytag on Apr-12-2005 23:13:

quote:
Originally posted by rafale
oh so meaning when i plug the midi outs of my "Normal" keyboard into my soundcard midi-ins, the "normal-ness" of the keyboard should disappear?? i.e. the keyboard will stop producing its normal sound and start sending midi DATA to the pc instead?

Your keyboard will NOT stop producing sound when you start hooking up MIDI cables to your computer.

Simply turn the volume on your keyboard to zero or unplug the audio cables.

Posted by rafale on Apr-13-2005 12:04:

but midi controllers like the Oxygen-8 won't have sound when i don't plug it into anything right?

like theres no soundboard or sound-generator built in or anything rite?

so for the 'normal' keyboards.. the sound which gets transmitted to the computer via the soundcard can either be:

a) adjusted via the synths ON the keyboard itself
b) adjusted via the softsynths on your PC
c) adjusted using BOTH the on board synths and the softsynths

am I getting warmer??

ehhe thanks all of you for all the info.

Posted by rafale on Apr-13-2005 13:23:

So to sum it up...

a $50 casio keyboard with MIDI outs performs the same function as a KORG microcontrol or EDIROL or Oxygen etc...

then the only diff is that the latter few were MADE especially for that purpose so the knobs and all will be assignable ? whereas on the cheap casio it can't ?

Posted by DJMaytag on Apr-14-2005 20:50:

quote:
Originally posted by rafale
So to sum it up...

a $50 casio keyboard with MIDI outs performs the same function as a KORG microcontrol or EDIROL or Oxygen etc...

then the only diff is that the latter few were MADE especially for that purpose so the knobs and all will be assignable ? whereas on the cheap casio it can't ?

You just hit the nail on the head there.

Posted by TranceReality on Apr-14-2005 22:09:

If your after the cheapest way to send MIDI information to your sequencer then yeah, the 'Ol casio will do just that as long as it has MIDI out (but expect problems), but if your serious about your music then I would honastly invest in a good "up-to-date" MIDI keyboard, as they are made specificly for "up-to-date" software.

Posted by retrobyte on Apr-15-2005 17:09:

if you're looking for an easier (but not necissarily cheaper) option, you can pick up a USB keyboard from M-Audio for around $100. I use mine as a midi-controller with a VST in Ableton and it works like a dream. You can also use your computer keyboard by default in Ableton if you don't want to drop the $100, but it's REALLY nice to have the keyboard.