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Greetings fellow music makers one and all!!!
Well... after almost 19 years I’m thinking about retiring my Roland PC-200 MIDI keyboard controller. For the most part because of how the technology has changed since all those years ago. This controller is a real workhorse and did me well for all these years. It’s very bare bones. The only things that can be programed are sixteen channels.
I’ve been looking at the Alesis V49 | 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller which has the drum pads. I’ve been watching reviews on it and for the most part it’s getting a high rating due to its price. That’s pretty important to me because I don’t want to break the bank, especially at this time of year.
My main question is: The unit is USB powered. I use a MIDI sound module (Ketron SD 2) Would I still be able to use it with this keyboard? I’m kinda thinking not because it doesn’t have a MIDI out plug in the back. But I could be wrong seeing as I’m a complete newb when it comes to more modern gear.
Comments would be very much appreciated!
/Bobby
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It would work the same way your Roland PC-200 did. I have two USB powered keyboards and one USB powered drum pads running all of my MIDI, both software and USB connected hardware synths. If your computer has enough USB inputs then all is well. However if it doesn't be sure to get a powered USB hub: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sabrent-4-Port-USB-3-0-Hub-with-Individual-LED-Lit-Power-Switches-Included-5V-2-5A-Power-Adapter-HB-UMP3/45074514A non powered USB hub may not work properly. Good luck.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Hi Mario... thanks so much for the comeback...
The thing that I'm having trouble with is the fact that the keyboard has no 5 pin MIDI out port. I'm just wondering how that will work with the Ketron?
Like I said, I really haven't given much thought or have much knowledge about this newer technology.
/Bobby
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Bobby,
I briefly owned Ketron.
If I remember correctly it does not have a USB port only 5 pin Midi in / out
There are "workarounds". For example a 5 pin to USB cable. So in this scenario, you would plug both Keyboard and SD2 to computer. Telling computer that your Keyboard is input and SD2 is output.
However, if you are planning to stick to that module, perhaps it is a good idea to find a keyboard controller that has both, USB and 5 pin connectors. And usually these can be powered with external power supply. So, if you decide just to play, you would be able to do so without connecting to a computer.
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Hi ya... I guess I'm making things hard on myself by not listing my gear... sorry I'm using a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 (second gen) interface. The way I'm understanding it, the 5 pin midi to usb cable you speak of is actually a midi interface, is it not? If I am right, and there's a very great chance that I'm not, wouldn't using 2 interfaces at the same time send my computer into a tizzy? As you can tell, I can start to become a royal pain when trying to understand anything at all about cables... sorry  Thanks for the comeback... much appreciated!!! /Bobby
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Well,
Then you are all set, and would be able to use Ketron with Alesis controller.
But it will be "computer only" setup if you are ok with that. My understanding is that SD2 was specifically made as a standalone unit.
If your computer has 2 available usb ports than it should fairly straight forward.
You will be connecting single 5 pin cable from Focusrite output to Ketron 5 pin input, and setting Alesis as input and Focusrite as your output for midi. To hear the sounds from Ketron you will connect headphones or speakers directly to SD unit.
Or
To record the audio (not midi) from SD to computer you will need cables: RCA to 1/4 plugs and those will go to your Focusrite inputs from outputs of SD.
--------------------
Try reading about Halion Sonic. It is a software synth that supports GM program changes if you are in this sort of a game. I believe there is a free version of Sonic too., but do not hold me to it. In any case, I would say it is a very (!) reasonable software alternative to SD2 unit some sounds are great, it has a decent choice of standard instruments, Pianos, guitars,strings etc.
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I have a Ketron SD2 that I plug into a MOTU USB to 8 MIDI in/out 5 pin DIN interface.
The SD2 has one of the best General MIDI banks of the modules I've heard and it is an excellent one to listen to BiaB MIDI tracks with.
I have a small Alesis keyboard controller that I use as well.
Both the MOTU and Alesis are plugged into a USB3 MIDI hub which is plugged into a ThinkPad laptop computer.
That works fine for me.
The only problem is that to just play the keyboard I have to open an app that has a MIDI thru channel as it won't access the SD2 without that.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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"The SD2 has one of the best General MIDI banks of the modules I've heard" I would pick Halion any day (or night) over SD2. I had SD2 for a few weeks, I guess it is ok if you are Gigging-and-do-not-want-to-drag-laptop-around sort of thing. SD2 has horrible software to adjust sounds (through MIDI ports!), no USB, needs AC to operate... I can go on. But to give it some credit, it has "ok" sounds for basic use. The biggest problem I see that it is very "outgoing" technology. Once it goes bye-bye, there is no good reason to replace it with same unit. --- Bobby, regardless of your setup, Sonic 3 SE (light version) is free. And I am pretty sure SE has GM sound bank. Free is a good price to pay. If you feel like trying it, here is Steinberg page: https://www.steinberg.net/en/support/downloads/downloads_halion_sonic_se_3.htmlMy guess, most of the sound "modules" will go software very soon. So this is a good opportunity to take it for a test drive.
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I'm more of a hardware than software synth user. There is more than one right way to make music.
I can mix and match sounds from over a half dozen sound modules, two MIDI keyboards and two hardware samplers in my duo's backing tracks, picking the best sounds for the tune from each source.
Because they all have a latency of about 5ms and have no CPU load they are easy to mix and match in the same MIDI sequence.
My oldest synth module is a Yamaha TX81z. Many of the sounds are dated, but some are stellar and not found on newer modules. Same for the Roland MT-32.
My Yamaha VL70m Physical Modeling synth module can make more expressive emulations of physical instruments than any sample-based sound module I've ever heard.
My XV5050 and SD90 each have thousands of sounds built in. My i3 has an acoustic bass so good you can almost hear the wood.
Plus as computers come and go, my 5pin DIN synths from the 1980s still work. I bought my TX when my Mac had a Motorola CPU, my PC was DOS5, and I used an Atari ST. None of the computers or software of those days still work, my synth modules do.
But if I'm going to just listen to Band-in-a-Box, I'll use the Ketron because as I said, it has a very good General MIDI sound bank.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Notes,
Yes, SD2 is a OK unit. I suggested Sonic as a flexible software alternative and because it is free. Not sure about Sonic SE, but Sonic 3 that I have has many Yamaha patches.
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eddie1261
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It is MIDI powered but does it have a MIDI out on it? I may have missed you saying it did or didn't. I have an M-Audio Keystation3 and it can run on either USB or external power adapter. It will also output on both USB or MIDI, but not at t eh same time. It's a simple switch accomplished with 2 of the keys. I would also suggest a MIDI thru box if you don't already have one. A 1 in 4 out will allow you to connect 4 sound sources on different channels and just change channel on the controller. Probably much like what you do now.
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Well... after all this I decided not to get the keyboard. I came to the conclusion that this keyboard really doesn't do much more than my old one, aside from the drum pads which I probably not use very much anyway. Most of my drum tracks are done via software.
So, with the money that I didn't spend getting the keyboard, I put in the difference and I treated myself to a Focusrite 8i6 (3rd gen) audio/midi interface instead. My two old synth modules hooked up to it flawlessly, and so I've got to say that I'm loving it.
/Bobby
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Congrats! You'll love the interface.
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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