I've recently purchased a Master Roland PC-160A midi-keyboard that I intend to use with Propellerheads great software Reason.

I have a few (newbie) questions for starters.

1. I have no midi-interface and no midi-in (that I know of) on my soundcard. Is a midi-cabel enough to connect my midi-keyboard to my PC (gameport?) or do I need some additional hardware?

2. I bought the midi-keyboard from a guy and no drivers cd or manual came with the packaged. Do I need drivers? I have searched Rolands page but can't seem to find any for the PC-160A. Is there a PDF manual available somewhere?

Thanks in advance!

By the way, my computer specs. are a P4 2000 MHz with a Soundblaster Live 5.1.

Yes you will need a midi interface such as a midiman midisport 2X2. Connect the out of your keyboard to the in of the interface. then it connects to your computer by USB. The midi interface will have the drivers needed for you PC.

quote:

Originally posted by D South Yes you will need a midi interface such as a midiman midisport 2X2. Connect the out of your keyboard to the in of the interface. then it connects to your computer by USB. The midi interface will have the drivers needed for you PC.

Okey thanks for the quick reply. But I read somewhere that it's possible to connect a midi-keyboard to the gameport? Does that mean midi-keyboard-> interface -> gameport?

As I check on creatives homepage I can read this about my soundcard:

MIDI Interface/Joystick Port
Supports Sound Blaster® MIDI and MPU-401 modes
IBM® compatible 15-pin joystick port with analog support
Support for digital and DirectInput™ game devices

In Reason under Edit -> Preferences -> MIDI I can choose No MIDI, MPU-401 & and SB Live! MIDI UART.

What is MPU-401 (currently chosen) and what is SB Live! MIDI UART?

This is confusing to me!

Last edited by OscarP on Apr-23-2003 at 01:50

I was under the impression that the pc-160a has a built in midi-interface. It should then, connect to your computer via a USB cable. You will need the USB-midi drivers for it to work though, as well as the usb cable that connects to your midi controller

Did you buy this from a shop or from some guy?

___________________
1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

quote:

Originally posted by hey cheggy I was under the impression that the pc-160a has a built in midi-interface. It should then, connect to your computer via a USB cable. You will need the USB-midi drivers for it to work though, as well as the usb cable that connects to your midi controller Did you buy this from a shop or from some guy?

Thanks for your help cheggy!

I bought it from a guy and he gave me no cable. Although the box says that a cable is included. I asked him and he said that he had lost it...

If it has a bulit in midi-interface it is of cource very nice! I would then only have to buy a midi cabel that connects my midi keyboard with my computer. Right?

Where can I find midi-drivers and info about wether or not it has a bulit in midi-interface? I've checked Roland's homepage but I can't find it there...

I also have a Roland PC-160A and I'm using it with Reason.

I purchased a Roland UM-1 USB MIDI interface and I'm having no problems!

quote:

Originally posted by S2K I also have a Roland PC-160A and I'm using it with Reason. I purchased a Roland UM-1 USB MIDI interface and I'm having no problems!

Ok but then there isn't a built in midi-interface in the controller. I guess I'll have to buy one... Correct me if I'm wrong?

But S2K did you try the cabel that came with the PC-160A package at all?

Please help me out...

I bought a "XP Midi Mate" midi interface today, After installing and connecting my midi controller from midi out to the usb on my computer I tried it out.

I got a signal and a sound from my software synth but the problem was that I could only play one note at the time. After playing a note I had to wait for about 3 seconds before I could play another note, otherwise I didn't get any sound! Why was it this way?

Could somebody please help me out, I don't have the Roland PC-160a manual so I can't check if there are any settings to be made but I guess there shouldn't be...

Pretty strange!

Okay, if you have purchased a midi-interface, this should go into one of your usb ports on your computer. You then need to buy a midi cable. This will run out of the keyboard and into the midi interface.

You need to install the midi drivers for your computer. These should come with the midi interface you purchased. If you are unable to play the notes properly, perhaps your midi drivers have not been installed properly. Remove them in the add/remove hardware window and reinstall them.

___________________
1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

Okey, the midi-interface looks like this:



I have connected it to one of my USB ports and to the MIDI-out on my midi-controller.

I reinstalled the XP midi mate drivers but it didn't solve the problem? I still can't play more than one note every 3 seconds...

I just can't see what I'm doing wrong? Could it be some kind of setting on my midi-controller?

Well it appears that you have everything connected properly. Maybe there is a problem with the keyboard. Did you try it out before you bought it to make sure that it works. Maybe the problem lies here. Before you go yelling at him though, which soft synth are you using.

Go into the preferences tab/window. Find the midi preferences and make sure that your midi interface is selected as the midi in device for that program. While your at it, check the audio settings and make sure your soundblaster is your audio out port, just incase its a latency/audio issue.

___________________
1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

Naah, I didn't try it out befor I bought it...

I've tried with the two soft synths and the two samplers that come with Reason 2.0, same problem with em' all...

The USB midi interface is selected as midi-in and my soundblaster card is set as audio out port.

The buffert size 4096 samples and latency 92ms.

I guess there wont be any yelling on that guy anyway because he has moved to France!

Maybe I should try with another synth or midi keyboard, think my cousin has one that I can borrow. I'll send a mail to Roland aswell and ask them about my problem.

Thanks for the help anyway "hey cheggy"!