Controller Limitations

[FranklinD]

I have a CHEAP keyboard controller with only a MIDI out and a 1/4" jack labeled 'HOLD'. It does have pitch bend and mod wheels. Actually, here: http://www.autosoft.com.hk/product/4902.htm
I don't have a joystick/MIDI port so I will be purchasing a USB MIDI interface.

Ok, so this is what I'm doing:
I'm hooking up a Spirit Folio SX mixer into a 2-in, 8-out Echo breakout box connected to a Gina 20 PCI card. And, like I said, I'll use a USB MIDI interface coming from the controller. I would like to be able to monitor everything from well.. the monitors.

How can I hear my MIDI(or the audio created from MIDI data) from my monitors with the set up I have? Do I assign MIDI to an out on my box or what? What exactly is the 'HOLD' jack capable of?

I'm a little confused since I only have a MIDI out on the keyboard. And I'm not really sure what possibilities I'll be lacking without a MIDI in. All I'm wanting to do is have something for somewhat realistic basslines and drums for now. Yes, I will want to move up eventually but for now I'd like to make this work and know what's possible with this MIDI set up.
I hope this makes sense. I'm a little confused still. Thanks!

 

[DonF]

That keyboard doesn't look to shabby, actually.

First, you need a tone generator that is capable of responding to MIDI data. This could be a softsynth or a hardware device.

If it's a softsynth, you will indeed need a MIDI interface to connect the keyboard to your computer. Then you would assign the audio outputs of the softsynth to one or more Gina outputs, which you would then connect to your mixer.

If you decide to go the hardware route, connect the keyboard's MIDI output to the hardware box's MIDI input; then connect the box's audio output(s) to the mixer.

You can connect a standard footswitch to the HOLD jack, and the footswitch will function as a sustain pedal. This is useful if you're playing piano-like sounds. If you don't know what a sustain pedal is, you probably don't need one.

Don

 

[FranklinD]

Thanks for the reply. That clears up a bit.

So, does this make sense:

I can get a USB MIDI interface and hook my keyboard controller up for softsynths and then take it out from my box and into a L and R on my mixer. Or would I go mono?

If I wanted to go towards more of a hardware route, I could get something like this: http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--YAMMU15 and go OUT from my controller and into the Palm-top MIDI module and then go out to the mixer inputs.

Or I can mix it up, right? Like I can go out from my controller and then into the Palm-top MIDI module and then into a USB MIDI interface and then come out from my card/box into the mixer inputs. That way I can utilize both. Is this correct?

Hate to beat a dead horse but I want to make sure I'm getting it.
Thanks.

 

[DonF]

... out from my box and into a L and R on my mixer. Or would I go mono?

Entirely your choice.

... I could get something like this: http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--YAMMU15 and go OUT from my controller and into the Palm-top MIDI module and then go out to the mixer inputs.

Yes.

Or I can mix it up, right? Like I can go out from my controller and then into the Palm-top MIDI module and then into a USB MIDI interface and then come out from my card/box into the mixer inputs. That way I can utilize both. Is this correct?

Only if one of your boxes (the module or the MIDI interface) has a MIDI THRU port, or if its OUT port can be made to function as a THRU. Otherwise your keyboard will only be able to control one device at a time -- the device it's plugged into. If you have a THRU port, you can create a daisy chain. Here's a lame attempt at representing this concept graphically:

(controller) OUT -> IN (device1) THRU -> IN (device2)​

The controller's OUT is connected to device1's IN, and device1's THRU is connected to device2's IN. The THRU port just echoes whatever comes into the IN port.

There are controllers with multiple MIDI outputs, and computer MIDI interfaces with multiple inputs and outputs are fairly common. This avoids the need for daisy chaining devices, and is likely why THRU ports are not as common as they once were.

For some general information about MIDI and what it can do, go to http://www.midi.org.

Don

 

[FranklinD]

Awesome. Thanks for your help.