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RealBand
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 26
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OP
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I want to add some parts from my Midi keyboard. It doesn't have a USB out. I have seen cables the have a Midi connector on one end and a USB connector on the other. Has anyone tried these? Do they work well? Does it hurt anything to buy a less expensive one?
As far as analog parts, such as guitar, how are you folks connecting?
Thanks for your help.
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RealBand
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Quote:
I want to add some parts from my Midi keyboard. It doesn't have a USB out. I have seen cables the have a Midi connector on one end and a USB connector on the other. Has anyone tried these? Do they work well? Does it hurt anything to buy a less expensive one?
As far as analog parts, such as guitar, how are you folks connecting?
Thanks for your help.
No USB here, all MIDI and instrument input in via an:
Audiophile 192
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RealBand
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A USB-to-MIDI device can work well, too.
Just do your homework before purchase, find out if the device you are looking at will indeed work with your particular OS and machine. This can often be done by using the websearch engines and lurking a few forums to find out the general level of satisfaction. Or dissatisfaction. -- And make sure that you find a trend, not one or two complaints, which are statistically meaningless.
--Mac
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RealBand
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I have one of these for 6US and it works fine.
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RealBand
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RealBand
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Thanks to both of you. For $6, it's not much of a gamble.
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RealBand
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Quote:
I want to add some parts from my Midi keyboard. It doesn't have a USB out. I have seen cables the have a Midi connector on one end and a USB connector on the other. Has anyone tried these? Do they work well? Does it hurt anything to buy a less expensive one?
As far as analog parts, such as guitar, how are you folks connecting?
Thanks for your help.
You need a proper audio/midi interface like that M_Audio one or something similar. There's ton's of external ones available too. With one of those, no need for a midi/USB cable bacause the interface has your midi in/out's already along with full size 1/4' plugs and a lot of them will have a proper XLR input for a mic. And take it one step further, if you are doing any vocal recording at all, you should get phantom power for a condenser mic. A step up to the $2-300 range gets you a good semi-pro interface with all of that plus high quality preamps as well. If you really must go very cheap then yeah, that $6 cable could work and for audio you can plug your guitar into the 1/8" line in plug on your built in soundcard but that's very clunky plus using a 1/8" adapter on the end of a already fairly heavy 1/4" guitar plug and cord puts a lot of strain on that tiny soundcard plug.
Step up if you can afford it and get something designed for this. You won't regret it in the long run. M-Audio, Focusrite, EMU all make good high quality units. Here's an example of a nice $200 one Focusrite It has everything I described plus a headphone out.
I understand if you're new at this and are not sure how far you want to go you may not want to spend this right now but trust me, if you wind up doing even a little bit of recording, you will wind up with something like this anyway. Might as get it now and start off right. If it doesn't work out you would have no problem selling it on Craigslist or even on this forum.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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RealBand
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I'm wondering if the whole MIDI vs audio thing is getting missed here. The OP asked two questions..
The MIDI/USB adapters work fine (usually) for MIDI. Just understand it is only MIDI.
For recording an external instrumet (audio such as guitar, which was the second question) you'll need something more. Some USB devices handle both MIDI and audio. Some do only MIDI (like the cable flatfoot mentioned earlier for $6) and some do audio (but not MIDI).
Know what you want before purchasing.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Thanks to all of you. If this thing works out and I start making money with it, then I can see buying a better unit. And I have a feeling I will be recording a lot using computers. I have been recording since 1984. Started out with a Fostex 4 track cassette, then moved to a Tascam 8 track cassette, then a Roland DAW. It gets better all the time.
Anyway, thanks.
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RealBand
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Hello there. Just to add a few specifics:
1. MAudio's midisport 2x2, 4x4, etc. all work with reliable drivers. Operating systems--most any version of Windows--cost is anywhere from 59 USD to 100+ USD. This also works well with Linux. (I use it with opensuse 11.3,(64 bit and actually faster than running the same machine and software under windows...some things.) and about 90% funcionality, and more working every day.)
2. Roland's UA-4fx, etc. All work with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7...the drivers might have to be searched for under windows, but they are there and will work well. Most of them work with Linux out of the box. There is built-in support for the UA-4fx right in the kernel. But DO read the advice about setting the switches on the box before it will work. Got a problem with Linux? You can email me, or Facebook, or right here and I'll do what I can to help you. This Roland box does a lot of good things for you--midi, audio (with effects), and can be set as both the midi and audio interfaces under options...Biab and realband both recognize it, and Power Tracks if you need it. It is as faithful as old dog trey on my crappy old homebuilt. It has all the appropriate connectors for both midi in and out, and includes an XLR connector for high-quality mics, and can provide 45v phantom power if you have a condeser mic. Did I mention that it connects through USB, and is designed for USB-2.0, and can also use USB -1 if that's all you have. Cost is about 129 USD.
3. The Tascam USB 122 can be made to work, but can be tricky if you aren't a geek, It's a nice box, but wouldn't recommend it. Having said that, It actually works better under Linux than Windows, and also does MIDI and Audio. I think it's about 100 and change for price. Some of these will work under Mac, I'm told, but haven't used them on one, so I can't say much. I've used all of the above mentioned, and will help you if I can.
Ciao.
Hope this helps somebody.
Joey45
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RealBand
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Joined: Feb 2010
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OP
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Joey, the UA-4x sounds like a great piece of equipment. Even looks like you could hook your guitar up to a Midi synth module. I will look at that.
Thanks.
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