Keyboard and computer - what do I need (interface/mixer)?

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okram

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Hi, I'm new to this and I have a basic question:

I have a synth keyboard with USB port and would like to connect it to computer to get most out of it -playing at home for fun. Here is what I would like to do (hope it makes sense):

- play VST instruments (this works already but I guess a quality can be improved),
- play keyboard sounds (backing tracks) together with VST main sound,
- play keyboard and sing into microphone (keyboard has no mic input) and listen both on headphones. Computer needs to be switched on?
- watch YouTube tutorials and practice playing, listen both video sound and keyboard sound on headphones.

What kind of entry level equipment do I need? Someone recommended Focusrite 2i2 or 2i4 to me but I'm not sure if this covers all my needs. Then I saw a cheap Behringer Q502USB mixer but again I'm not sure if this is the right thing.

Any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
You need an audio interface that has at least one line level input (but preferably two for keyboard's stereo sounds) and at least one (but more is always handy) mike level input for a microphone.

This interface takes over from the onboard soundcard of your computer, so you plug headphones (and speakers) into it.

A program such as Reaper will allow you to load virtual instruments and play them with your keyboard (via USB).

You can listen to your keyboards internal sound, record them and play them back via the interface.

Likewise for using the microphone.

Because the interface replaces the internal sound, you can listen to Youtube through the interface, and play along.
 
You haven't told us what keyboard you are using so we don't know if the USB on it is just MIDI or also contains audio signal, but Gecko is correct in that you need an audio interface.
The Behr mixer is NOT what you want - it would be a compromise, at best. Read this thread about using a USB mixer for recording.
So you need a minimum of 3 inputs - 2 line inputs for the left and right audio signal form your keyboard and 1 mic input. And you need a headphone output (this eliminates the Apogee Duet interface). One choice is the Behringer U-PHORIA UMC404 , however this is a new product, so there are no long-term reports on it. The Tascam US-1800 is a tried-and-true interface with way more inputs than you're ever likely to need.
Because your keyboard uses USB for its MIDI connection (presumably), you're always going to have to plug the keyboard USB directly into the computer for MIDI recording/implementation - I don't think there are any interfaces that have USB MIDI input.
You'll plug the two audio outputs (L + R) from your keyboard into two line inputs on the interface. Microphone into a mic preamp on the interface, headphones and monitor speakers into the interface - it becomes your soundcard, youdisable the internal soundcard on your computer.
 
^^^^ and then when you play youtube vids, it comes through the interface to your speakers or headphones (or both) so you will be hearing both the vids and your piano/mike. These guys have got your sorted! :D
 
Thanks to all for your kind feedback.

From the keyboard manual: port is USB Type B (Slave/Device) connector, USB 1.1 compliant (Full Speed). MIDI Over USB is supported, so you can use this connector
instead of the MIDI ports. Also has MIDI in/out.

Few more questions:
- will I be able to hear my keyboard internal sounds, together with VST sounds?
- will I need always to turn computer on if I just want to hear my keyboard and singing on headphones (no computer sounds etc)?
- any more interface recommendations? Something smaller, max $200? Is Focusrite 2i4 a right choice?

Thanks again.
 
The 2i4 is 2x4 meaning 2 in 4 out. You need at least three in. In that price range, you are pretty much looking at Behringer or Lexicon. Have heard little about either brands' units. The Native Instruments KA6 will supply all your needs at $230. Keep an eye open for US1800 (Tascam) as they sometimes run down in the $180 range and are solid, but run about $250 normally.
 
okram said:
Thanks to all for your kind feedback.

From the keyboard manual: port is USB Type B (Slave/Device) connector, USB 1.1 compliant (Full Speed). MIDI Over USB is supported, so you can use this connector
instead of the MIDI ports. Also has MIDI in/out.
[/QUOTE

Ok, that means you can use MIDI cable to the audio interface if it it has MIDI input, then the interface becomes both yoru audio and MIDI device in your DAW.

[QUOTEFew more questions:
- will I be able to hear my keyboard internal sounds, together with VST sounds?
- will I need always to turn computer on if I just want to hear my keyboard and singing on headphones (no computer sounds etc)?
- any more interface recommendations? Something smaller, max $200? Is Focusrite 2i4 a right choice?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Yes, if you have the audio from your keyboard routed to a track in your DAW as well as the MIDI from yoru keyboard routed to a track with a VSTi on it.
Some audio interfaces are USB-powered, obviously you would need the computer on for one of these. If the interface has a wallwart for power, the computer may still need to be on for the drivers/software mixer.
You could go with a 2-input interface and just use the Left/mono audio output of your keyboard.
 
Thanks.

- what about a best buy within a $300 range? Tascam us1800 looks like overkill for me (much too many inputs I will never need).
- out of curiosity, what exactly is wrong with a mixer like Xenyx502usb? Sound quality, latency?
 
okram said:
Thanks.

- what about a best buy within a $300 range? Tascam us1800 looks like overkill for me (much too many inputs I will never need).
- out of curiosity, what exactly is wrong with a mixer like Xenyx502usb? Sound quality, latency?
Click to expand...

Sound and latency are not issues.

The issue is that it only delivers two channels to the computer via USB. For your purposes, that my not matter. But it would matter if you wanted to record your singing and the stereo output of your keyboard at the same time.
 
arcaxis said:
Gotta be one in the crowd to go against the grain :D
Keep it simple, all we want do is mix a few sounds together, listen to them, and maybe not have a computer turned on :)

There have been a few assumptions that the OP was going to record what he/she plays. I did not see any reference to recording by the OP, but simply wants to be able to hear the playing of the keyboard sounds, the VST, and perhaps a microphone. If the OP can confirm that he/she has minimal intention of recording, what's the problem with a small mixer and taking the VST sound out of the line output of the computers soundcard into a pair of mixer channels? If he/she did want to record, as gecko zzed stated it can deliver two channels to the computer which might be fine. The mixer would allow play of the keyboard sounds and using mic without having the computer on as the OP stated they might wish to do.
The Behringer Q502USB would probably work and be adequate, but I would suggest bumping up to a mixer that has effects so reverb or similar that could be put on the singing and keyboard sounds if needed.
Click to expand...

The other thing OP wanted to do was to listen to youtube stuff. The usb connection would be handy for that.
 
Thanks all,

yes, recording is not my first priority.

I understand that I cannot go wrong with a small cheap mixer... what kind of cable would I need to connect computer soundcard line output with a mixer channels?

On the other hand I was also looking at Focusrite 6i6, it has line inputs too and has own power supply and can probably be used without turning computer on.

Any further ideas? Thanks.
 
Okram, you sure as H CAN go wrong with a small mixer!

Many USB mixers are noisy and produce twitters and whines on monitor (tho' they might record fine) . Their analogue side can be very good these days but many have not got USB sorted very well.

You mentioned using a mic? Surely you will want to record the songs? Then "VST"? Instruments? Unless we are on a different hymn book them's in the computer? The basic requirement for VSTi reproduction is very low latency. I don't know how good the US 1800 or the 6i6 are in this respect but I DO know that the NI KA6 is properly brilliant.

To me it is a no-brainer. Mic into KA6. Keyboard analogue signals to KA6 inputs 3/4. Keyboard (still don't know make or model!) MIDI in/out of the KA6's MIDI ports.

KA6 feeds monitors and you have a nice big knob on top for control.

Sorted.
Dave.
 
Hi Mark,There are quite few AIs with built in effects. The line 6 units are more guitar oriented but I should be very surprised if they don't have a reverb of some sort in them?

Using a low latency AI (KA6 e.g!) reverb could easily be added to the vocals using any of many DAW softwares.

Shoot! The ID Core series amps would give playback and reverb, recording to a PC and even a practice backing track facility (but no MIDI but if the Keybd has usb that could still be recorded.).

Dave.
 
KA-6 was my initial recommendation as well. I'll back Dave's play there 100% Great unit.
 
arcaxis said:
Can the KA-6 be used to "mix" the mic and the keyboard and monitor via headphones without having the computer powered up as the OP would like to be able to do?


I've got Reaper. I know I can easily add reverb to a track I've recorded. I don't know if it has the ability to do this "live". Does the OP want to get embedded in DAW software to accomplish something relatively simple to do otherwise with a different piece of gear than an interface?
Click to expand...

The KA6 cannot run "stand alone" but then I don't think the 6i6 or 1800 can either?

I agree Mark that an AI is a bit of a complication but I don't see much alternative that can do mic, lines in, FX ? With a good AI the OP can do it all and improve, jam, edit. Not to mention the vast amount of free plugins and VSTis he can access? Drum tracks etc.

There is a bit of a fall back situation if the OP has a desktop PC with a spare PCI slot. A mixer, one with onboard FX and feed that to a really low latency soundcard such as the M-A 2496.
Gives him all the benefits of the mixer, stand alone operation but also recording, MIDI and a wealth of downloadable goodies.

OR! IF you can find one, an M-Audio Fast track pro (the old USB 1.1 jobbie) that WILL work stand alone if you put 9 volts up its jaxy! No verb but it DOES have inserts so,.. To Ebay for an old pedal?

But please, FCS avoid cheap USB mixers IF you want to listen to them! Err? A second hand A&H ZED10 FX is ok.

Dave
 
Don't forget he also wants to play along with VSTi's - he's going to need the computer for that, even if he doesn't use an interface.
 
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