What is the difference in connecting the midi into the back of the audiobox,..and going usb straight into the computer?
In theory, none. The phrase "
straight in..." can have several meanings here. If your interface features MIDI-IN/OUT sockets then that can be considered pretty 'straight'. Some people will say that there is essentially no difference, whilst others might experience the odd conflict and find proper MIDI sockets a more direct method.
As you know, MIDI is just another stream of data and it seems the USB, for most purposes, is as good a connection as any other for this, athough Firewire is now becoming the standard for connecting digital music gear to computers.
The guy I bought it from said just go into the comp,..but I would assume it goes into the "midi in" to the audiobox,.but it (the keyboard) only came with a usb cable,.and not a midi cable.
I think the main point here, is that your keyboard was designed only to work with a computer. If there is only a USB connector from the keyboard, you have no choice but to use it.
I believe the main difference is that MIDI is a standard by which all equipment can be connected, regardless of whether there is a modern (Windows/Mac) computer involved (as in your own previous set up). It means that any standard MIDI device can be connected to a computer, so long as that computer hardware supports the physical connection. With USB only gear, it can generally only connect to a computer (or any other device which features USB).
And,..will the midi keyboard controller play instruments when I get this software (Studio One) going?
I don't know much about Studio One but if the software supports MIDI-in (and most, half-decent decent audio workstations do) then it should work fine, as you want it to.
Dr. V
