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Software to Hardware - How?
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| David Adams |
Can someone point me to a place where I can research on the items I need to connect a hardware synth to my PC?
I'm all software right now, and I had a brief conversation with someone about it last week, and it seems as though I may need quite a bit outside of the actual synth e.g. mixer and good audio interface with multiple ins and outs....
Scenario 1:
Hooking up a Virus TI via USB.
Schenario 2:
Hooking up a Virus TI the old fashioned way e.g. non-USB.
Can you give me an idea how I would do this? I'm asking about the non-USB attachment because I use Cakewalk Sonar 6, and I have read there are issues right now with it and the Virus connected via USB. I believe it was latency related, but I cannot quite recall at the moment.
Thanks in advance!!!! |
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| DigiNut |
For any hardware synth that doesn't have USB connectors or proprietary means of mixing/recording, the scenario is always the same. You need:
1. A MIDI interface on your PC with a free MIDI out. This is where the note data goes out.
2. A MIDI cable to connect the PC MIDI out to the synth's MIDI in.
3. An audio interface on your PC with any of the above (listed from best to worst):
a) An S/PDIF input (only if the synth has S/PDIF out - the TI does)
b) Two mono line inputs
c) One stereo line input
Most new audio interfaces have (a).
4. Audio cables:
a) For S/PDIF (3a) then a standard male-to-male mono RCA will do. Don't buy the hype from Monster et al about special low-noise digital cables, the whole point of digital is that there is no line noise. You can get this cable for a few bucks.
b) For 3(b), you need two 1/4" mono male-to-male audio cables.
c) For 3(c), this is probably on an el cheapo sound card with a 1/8" mini-plug, so you need a 1/8" male stereo to 1/4" male mono Y-cable. They can be a little hard to find but many music stores have them. Here's a link.
That's it. (1) and (3) are generally the same piece of equipment. Also keep in mind that if you're transmitting analog (i.e. not S/PDIF) from the TI then you're going to get noise on the line ins of your sound card / audio interface. In general, the cheaper the sound card, the noisier those line ins will be. This is why you want to use S/PDIF if it's available. |
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| David Adams |
DigiNut, thanks so much for the reply!!!! Your post was very thorough and easily understood. It is greatly appreciated!
I know this is going to make many people here cringe, but since its pure digital, a S/PDIF connection on a SoundBlaster Audigy2 should work fine, correct? I know I know....... :whip: :whip:
So, in a nutshell, what does the USB cable on a Virus TI allow you to do or get rid of in this setup? |
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| mysticalninja |
| also note im pretty sure theres 2 ways to use the USB on the virus TI, you can use it just as an extra midi in/out, or you can load the Virus Controll VSTi plugin and the best advantage of that is probably Totall Recall. (when you open up a project u dont have to set up the patches again..) |
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| DigiNut |
| quote: | Originally posted by David Adams
but since its pure digital, a S/PDIF connection on a SoundBlaster Audigy2 should work fine, correct? |
Yes. S/PDIF is S/PDIF, doesn't matter what hardware it's on.
I can't speak to the specifics of the TI's USB but I'm sure others can.
P.S. No need to be ashamed, I started producing on an original Audigy. |
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| flutlicht junky |
| And if your using Cubase you can avoid using a external mixer if you have more than one hardware synth by routing audio inputs from your synths to your soundcard inputs and then to Cubase channels with the external instrument feature. |
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| Rusty O'Hara |
| @ DigiNut : Lovely concise reply there. |
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| David Adams |
Darn! Now, I'm back to thinking I want a Virus TI.
This is one expensive hobby!!!! :)
@flutlicht junky
Sonar will allow that mixing control as well I believe. |
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| David Adams |
Ok, so talk to me now about MIDI.
Assuming I get a Virus TI Desktop, how do I get my current external MIDI controller and sequencer (Sonar) to send MIDI data to the Virus? Do I need a MIDI switch for this? My current MIDI controller has one MIDI out on it - its currently connected via USB to my PC.
I really appreciate all the help guys!!! |
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| Zombie0729 |
| quote: | Originally posted by David Adams
Ok, so talk to me now about MIDI.
Assuming I get a Virus TI Desktop, how do I get my current external MIDI controller and sequencer (Sonar) to send MIDI data to the Virus? Do I need a MIDI switch for this? My current MIDI controller has one MIDI out on it - its currently connected via USB to my PC.
I really appreciate all the help guys!!! |
your midi out on your midi controller would connect to your midi in on your virus desktop :) so now your controller controls your desktop! |
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| David Adams |
| quote: | Originally posted by Zombie0729
your midi out on your midi controller would connect to your midi in on your virus desktop :) so now your controller controls your desktop! |
Thanks! Keep in mind, I still need my controller to control my software synths as well. |
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| Zombie0729 |
| quote: | Originally posted by David Adams
Thanks! Keep in mind, I still need my controller to control my software synths as well. |
well its still connected usb right?!? :) |
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