A way of using my midi/usb keyboard controller without having it plugged into pc?

[stealingsilver]

What I want is to be able to plug my controler keyboard into a "sound box" so that I can use it away from my pc to practice. Do they make such a box?

 

[altitude909]

Couple of options. You can go with a hardware sound source (there are hundreds) i.e. a rack or desktop module of a synth or if you can afford it, some thing like a http://rekkerd.org/sm-pro-audio-now-shipping-v-machine-vst-player/ which is essential a hardware host for VSTs. In either case, you will need to power your controller from a wall wart, not usb

 

[TimOBrien]

Midi only sends out a stream of numbers (Note 27 on, volume 125, Note127off, etc.)
So you've GOT to have something that will interpret that and make some sound.

Otherwise it makes a good doorstop

 

[stealingsilver]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input. Can you recommend anything cheap. as I will only be using it for practising not performance?

Thanks in advance

 

[audiodef]

I don't know if you found a suitable answer, but why not get a cheap synth, or maybe one of those cheap-o keyboards from Radio Smack? That way you have one piece of equipment to lug around instead of 2 or more.

If you want something inexpensive but with real synth capabilities, you can get something like a used Alesis Ion, or any of a large selection of good but not-too-pricey synths out there.

I'm not crazy about E-Bay, but people sell a lot of this stuff there, so that might be one place to check out.

 

[TeyshaBlue]

You just need a cheapo synth module....midi your keyboard controller into it. Get a AC/USB voltage convertor ($12 Wal-Mart) to power your controller....unless it's got it's own power supply...I don't think you specified.

You can find old Roland JV series modules for next to nothing these days. I just picked up a JV2080 for $200 at a local pawn shop. God knows what you could find on ebay or craigslist.