Any MIDI players out there? Any recommendations, tips?

[motorcobra]

Hi all,

Alright, long story short: I'm the Bernard Sumner in a Joy Division tribute band. Got the guitar side of things no sweat with my SG and Traynor YBA-2a. Really nails the Unknown Pleasures sound!

Needless to say, their biggest song is Love Will Tear Us Apart. To flex to this need, I have been bringing my laptop, a Line 6 KB37 (a MIDI/audio interface; it's a keyboard, but you can plug 1/4, XLR into it for recording), and running it through a Roland KC-550. Mainstage, sounds great.

Here's the problem: the KB 37---while very functional, as it's a fully-realized audio interface (can run 1/4 out to the amp, to a PA, etc)---it's also a cheaply made piece of you know what. The keys seem to go out and they're not cheap to repair.

The ask: are there any other interface/keyboard combos out there? Or am I going to have to get something like an Akai and hook things up to my Duet. Yeah, I could go the 1/4 inch out of my computer, but that seems pretty ghetto to me. Also a more "compressed" sound.

Thanks for hearing me out. Realize this is an odd forum for this, but this is the only music forum I frequent, haha.

 

[KP11520]

You could always buy a separate Audio Interface that has the usual ins and outs and also a MIDI port. If you go Firewire, your latency will me minimized.

Hopefully, your keyboard also has a Midi out port.

I use an old CME UF8 88 Keyboard via a Midi Cable through my MBox 2 Pro (Firewire) into my PC for Pro Tools and also SampleTank. SampleTank can also run "Stand Alone". Sounds great! I use my Active Monitors from my MBox 2 Pro..

Skip the Roland KC-550 and buy a PA Head and two (stereo ) PA Speakers with tilted Guitar Combo Amp stands and revel in a true stereo setup on stage. I helped a friend build his rig with a Nord Stage keyboard (also Midi out) and a Casio. He doesn't need the PA at all and the stereo image sounds GREAT. He uses a Tascam US1800 (usb into his laptop and NI Komplete) for his interface and pre into the Keyboard dedicated PA amp and speakers. Talk about options between both keyboards and Komplete.

You can use any dedicated MIDI keyboard this way and/or a fully voiced keyboard with Midi outs as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[motorcobra]

Thanks for this detailed reply! I knew someone would have some experience with this kind of thing.

I just bought the KC-550 so it's here to stay, haha. I'm really digging it actually. Because the KB-37 is the midi controller and also the "sound card", the two are a pretty burly, but self-contained little rig (not light, though it does have casters). Takes several different ins, kind of like a "PA in a box". If you have two of 'em, it does support stereo (thought you'd want a roadie at that point, heh).

So... taking your two examples and applying 'em to the gear I have... To ditch the KB-37 I'd probably have to either use my Apogee One or Duet for my output. As the Duet would provide both firewire and higher quality outs, I'd be better off with the Duet.

Pretty surprised that I'm unable to find a MIDI keyboard/audio interface option out there, that the KB37 is unique. If it wasn't such a plastic piece of poop, it would be a pretty balls-out swiss army knife of live performance and recording. XLR ins, ¼ inch ins, supports line 6 modeling, effects... It's a decent piece of kit when buttons aren't failing.

One Last Thing: I've owned some sturdy, well-made Line 6 gear (I used to have the red rackmount pod pro). Makes this even more of a miss. Such a shame.

Thanks for the advice, KP!

 

[KP11520]

The Duet has Firewire yes, And takes Analog Inputs. But has nothing that supports Midi, so if you plug it into your Mac (Mac only BTW), it will only pass analog instruments, Mics and so on. Your Virtual Instruments software engine won't be able to connect with or even see a Midi Keyboard.

I'm seeing a forklift upgrade in your future!

As far as your all in one keyboard, it's really geared for low end home use. Pro's and even Semi Pro's won't let one component in a package take out a whole system, They prefer separates so they can get the best performance/reliability/value for each component in the chain. And only replace a link when it breaks rather than the whole chain.

So if you just want a Midi Keyboard to plug directly into your Mac, Most have a USB/Midi interface built in and many also offer the traditional Midi Din-5 Ports. So you'd have to plug into your USB port and also install Drivers to get full use of the keyboard's customizable features. Then you'd pass the analog out through your Duet to your KC550 for best results.

Your Virtual Instrument Engine/Library would have to be pointed at the keyboard for keystroke input and pointed at the Duet for audio output.

If you have a Windows PC or Laptop. The Duet won't play. Then back to the drawing board for other options.

 

[pickerrr]

Nowadays most MIDI keyboards use USB connection. Just plug them into a USB slot on your PC/Mac, and your interface into another.

 

[KP11520]

Nowadays most MIDI keyboards use USB connection. Just plug them into a USB slot on your PC/Mac, and your interface into another.

As long as the manufacturer keeps updating the drivers to work on the ever evolving OS platforms. Fortunately, the MIDI language stays constant so you can work it longer. And yes, it is more work!

 

[madmusicltd]

I use a Roland SD-50, it is a sound module midi player, and it also plays mp3's. you can also change the pithc and tempo of the mp3 files (as well as the midi files). basic sound canvas sound module, uses usb port. It has been reliable for me so far.

 

[pickerrr]

As long as the manufacturer keeps updating the drivers to work on the ever evolving OS platforms. Fortunately, the MIDI language stays constant so you can work it longer. And yes, it is more work!

True,so true...