Best way to connect midi keyboard?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dack
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Dack

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Hey all,

I am fairly new at recording. I use a PC with a M-Audio mobilepre usb. Up until now I've just been doing midi tracks via mouse click/piano roll and thats no fun.

So let me see if I have this right. Instead of using the mouse, I can plug in any midi keyboard and use that to record the note locations, durations, etc?

What is the best way to connect a midi keyboard to this setup? I'm guessing it can't go into the mobilepre because I see no midi-ins. I've heard there are midi to usb adapters, but with the mobilepre and my mouse plugged in I dont have any spare usb slots on my computer anyway. Thanks for any ideas.
 
Some midi cintrollers can use the serial port. If not, get an adapter for the mouse and use the ol mouse port thingy, free up a usb port.
 
Buy one of these --- the cheapest one will do fine --- and then add one of many USB midi controllers on the market. This is just one example. You shouldn't need anything more than a passive hub - you probably won't be using the mouse and the keyboard at the same time.
 
If not, get an adapter for the mouse and use the ol mouse port thingy, free up a usb port.
Click to expand...

I never heard of a MIDI interface that uses a mouse port. The "ol thingy" you must be thinking of, my bow-endowed friend, is a game port adapter, which allows a game port to double as a MIDI interface.
 
AlChuck said:
I never heard of a MIDI interface that uses a mouse port. The "ol thingy" you must be thinking of, my bow-endowed friend, is a game port adapter, which allows a game port to double as a MIDI interface.
Click to expand...
he means to get a USB to PS2 adaptor for the mouse so he can free up the USB port. Also you can buy PC keyboard called prodikeys I think thats how you spell it, by creative. It has piano keys built right on the the keyboard. It just plugs into the mouse port and you dont have to use the sound card it comes with. It acts like a midi device. Here are some to choose from. http://www.creative.com/products/welcome.asp?category=8
of course I dont know if you want to shell out any money on this
 
AlChuck said:
I never heard of a MIDI interface that uses a mouse port. The "ol thingy" you must be thinking of, my bow-endowed friend, is a game port adapter, which allows a game port to double as a MIDI interface.
Click to expand...
What Altiris said, my guitar-strummin pal. Mouse goes back to the mouse port. See! I knew one :D
 
ssscientist said:
--- and then add one of many USB midi controllers on the market. This is just one example. You shouldn't need anything more than a passive hub - you probably won't be using the mouse and the keyboard at the same time.
Click to expand...

Ok, still a bit confused. I own this keyboard. It has a midi out. Will it function as a midi controller keyboard? If not, what is the difference?
 
Will it function as a midi controller keyboard?
Click to expand...
Yes.

It also has onboard sounds, the term "controller" often refers to keyboards without sound, but it applies to both.
 
Not so fast.

You will still need a midi to USB interface like this to plug your keyboard into...
 
Yup, I'll go with something like that and get a usb/ps2 adapter for my mouse. Should be all good. Thanks everyone.
 
I have an M-Audio Audiophile 24/96. I used an M-Audio Oxygen8 for about a month and a half (uses usb) . It was fun but then I wanted more keys and splurged and bought the PROKEYS88 also USB. The keys are little "clacky" but it is a blast to play. and works like a charm with the ASIO drivers in Cakewalk.

JT
 
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