midi keyboard question?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nathan1984
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Nathan1984

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I am thinking about getting a midi keyboard for playing around with. I am mostly into metal but I do have that odd creative drive to do something different every now and again, I was wondering how midi keyboards get hooked up. Say to use them on vsti programs that I have already? Do I just run the midi out on the keyboard into the midi in on my interface? I wasn't really sure how they work.
 
You can either run them from the MIDI out on your keyboard to MIDI in on your interface or (as most current day MIDI keyboards allow) by connecting a USB cable from the MIDI controller to the computer.
You don't necessarily need to plug the MIDI in from your keyboard to the MIDI out on your interface unless your controller has audio playback capabilities, but regardless, a USB cable or a single MIDI to MIDI cable running to your interface works just fine.
Just make sure to plug it in before you boot up your DAW, otherwise it may not recognize the device right away. If that happens, you're going to have to go into your preferences or MIDI tab or wherever the heck your MIDI information is in your DAW (I suggest checking the help integrated in your DAW... Saved me a lot of searching more than once) and refresh the list of MIDI devices connected to your computer.
 
Another option is to get a keyboard that is USB only & connect directly to your computer so no need for an interface. Should play well with your VST's also.
 
I knew you could use a usb for many keyboards, but I was wondering about the midi in and outs on my interface.
 
musicmachine said:
Another option is to get a keyboard that is USB only & connect directly to your computer so no need for an interface.
Click to expand...

Haha, that's what I mentioned. ;)
If you get a decent one (I use the Axiom 49 2nd gen), it has a sweet function called "DirectLink" that links all the knobs and faders and pads to whatever VST you have open. Very convenient. It makes doing things live very simple.
 
Cool, yeah i am a guitarist by trade, i just like to experiment with alittle of this and alittle of that. I have been working on my bands ep, and I want to throw alittle keys in there for good measure lol.
 
Nathan1984 said:
Cool, yeah i am a guitarist by trade, i just like to experiment with alittle of this and alittle of that. I have been working on my bands ep, and I want to throw alittle keys in there for good measure lol.
Click to expand...

That's actually exactly how I started...
I've been on guitar in different bands for 6 years, and I've been practicing piano... Our synth player decided to focus on college, and voila, I'm working with MIDI/Keys now. xD
 
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