playing soft synths on a controller?

[Scriabin]

hi,
ive got a kurzeil stage piano and i was wondering what i would need to trigger the b4 or any software synth ie. pro-52 by my kurzeil. what type of midi cable do i need? ive got a sony viao notebook so im limited on ports... can i use the serial port or maybe a usb. basically, i want to be able to play the b4 on my keyboard. how do i go about doing this?

[AlChuck]

First you need a MIDI interface for the computer. Then you connect the MIDI cable between the keyboard and computer. A MIDI cable is a MIDI cable... well, that's not quite true, there are now some mini MIDI jacks and plugs, but most devices have standard MIDI jacks. Oh, and they come in differernt lengths, too.

[Scriabin]

whats a good midi interface? for instance i have midi in/outs on my kurzweil... do i need something like a midiman midisport? or could i use my jv1010 as my interface? my problem is i have a notebook so i cant install any normal cards so i need a usb or serial port midi interface

[DavidK]

Hi Scriabin, I have the Midisport 2x2 Usb for my PC (Desktop), nary a problem ever, works great. No, you cant use the 1010 as a midi interface.

You will need the 2x2 for the Kurzweil and JV 1010. If you think you might get another synth anytime soon, you might get a 4x4.

The midisport 2x2 is about $70,midi Cables $10-15. you will need 4.

[Scriabin]

ill need 4 midi cables? ill only be using the midisport to play the b4 plugin. so let me get this straight....

Computer------usb----->midisport<----midi in/out----->kurzweil

hope this isnt to confusing is this the set up i need to play the plugin on my keyboard? i'm MIDI retarded

[DavidK]

Well, you could get by with less, however you cant edit the JV1010 by itself. Lets see:

Midisport usb to computer.

You will need a midi cable from the Kurzweil to the midisport to play a soft synth.
You need a midi cable from the Midisport to the JV1010 to use it properly with the computer.
You need another midi cable from the JV1010 back to the Midisport if you want to edit sounds in the JV1010.

Looks like 3, 2 if you dont edit the JV1010.
Hope all is well with you, Dave.

[Scriabin]

ya it looks like ill get the 3 cables and the midisport. its the cheapest, best solution for the price. thanks for the help, i appreciate it.