Connecting keyboard, interface, monitors and PC

[Earl Grey]

Hi everyone, I'm completely new to recording and equipment, so I' ve got little question / problem about connecting equipment together.

These are monitors:

This is interface:

and this is keyboard:

So, I presume that interface goes to PC via USB, and keyboard goes to interface via simple MIDI cable, right? But how I connect monitors to the interface?

Sorry 'bout my stupid newbie question and thank you in advance.

P.S. I'm not yet sure 'bout monitors..my doubt is between these Kurzweil KS-40a and M-audio Studiophile AV40-s. Any opinions? Thank you.

 

[TimOBrien]

This is why you should immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:

Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470385421

(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

 

[TetraFish]

You can go into the interface with MIDI but keep in mind MIDI is only data, not audio. So to hear something you will either have to record the audio from the keyboard at the same time or use a VST instrument/virtual instrument. VST Instruments are basically a collection of samples, similar to what your keyboard has, that can be triggered with MIDI data.

I think recording MIDI is a good choice but it can be a PITA. First you record the MIDI, then fix any imperfections in the performance, then send the data back to the keyboard and record the audio output. Make sense?

 

[legionserial]

This is why you should immediately get a good beginner recording book

I hear the internet is pretty good these days. They even have forums geared at this kind of stuff!

 

[TetraFish]

I hear the internet is pretty good these days. They even have forums geared at this kind of stuff!

Link please!

 

[Earl Grey]

You can go into the interface with MIDI but keep in mind MIDI is only data, not audio. So to hear something you will either have to record the audio from the keyboard at the same time or use a VST instrument/virtual instrument. VST Instruments are basically a collection of samples, similar to what your keyboard has, that can be triggered with MIDI data.

I think recording MIDI is a good choice but it can be a PITA. First you record the MIDI, then fix any imperfections in the performance, then send the data back to the keyboard and record the audio output. Make sense?

I understand MIDI/audio differences and basic connections, don't worry.

But I just wanna know how to connect these concrete 3 things now.

And..what's better solution - connect MIDI through interface or directly to USB port?

 

[TetraFish]

I understand MIDI/audio differences and basic connections, don't worry.

But I just wanna know how to connect these concrete 3 things now.

And..what's better solution - connect MIDI through interface or directly to USB port?

I think I'd stick with Midi through the interface. Just one less thing taxing your USB.

 

[grimtraveller]

I hear the internet is pretty good these days. They even have forums geared at this kind of stuff!

Yeah, true, but it can be hazardous surfing the net while in the bath or while 'sitting on a cloud' [ie, the loo].

 

[TimOBrien]

I hear the internet is pretty good these days. They even have forums geared at this kind of stuff!

Hell of a lot easier to hold a reference book in your hand while you learn to figure out something yourself rather than wait hours or days for someone with LESS knowledge than you to give you the wrong or misleading answer (not that that would ever happen around here...)

;-)