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Anyone using this? I want to run my MIDI tracks from my laptop. Is it possible to use just the USB to run my tracks? Or, do I need to get some kind of adapter like we used to have to like a 401 thingy? Sorry, it's been so long I forgot what I used to plug into the back of my desktop.

I just want to plug in a USB cable and hit play...

Thanks,
Bob
South Florida

Last edited by Boca Bob; 08/30/15 10:49 PM.
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It's USB it should just work, it should come up in your midi devices.

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Depends on what you are trying to do. If you are using the external MIDI synth to fee an external amplifier to hear the sound, then you should be able to select it as your MIDI device (or at least the MIDI interface to which it is connected - for example, I have my external device connected to my XMIDI 2, which is what I select as my MIDI output device).

However, if you are then wanting to feed that output back into your computer (to record it, perhaps), then you will need to have a audio line-in capability, either incorporated into your laptop (but most of today's laptops lack line-in), or into an external audio interface that connect via USB, for example, to your laptop.

I have the MIDI of my Ketron SD-2 connected the XMIDI2 USB connection, so select it as my output. I then have the SD-2 audio connected to the audio-in on my FastTrack Pro audio device, which is connected via USB back to the computer.


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All I want to do is connect it to my laptop via the USB cable and play MIDI files from my laptop. I don't want to hook up any MIDI cables at all. Also, I'm not recording anything into my laptop.

I downloaded the manual, but it was vague. It only talked about inserting a thumb or flash drive into the MIDI port on the Sound Canvas and playing MIDI files by selecting them on the Sound Canvas. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to play Real Band or Power Tracks on my laptop, and use the Sound Canvas as a GM sound module - no thumb drive involved. Just a USB cable from my laptop to the module :-)

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Plug the USB into to your laptop.
Open Realband > Midi Device > Output > set to Roland SD-50

http://www.pgmusic.com/rolandsd50.win.features.htm

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Just looked at the user manual. Didn't realize that the SD-50 worked as both a MIDI module and an audio interface. That means it will serve as your sound card and MIDI module.

The user manual says, in order to use the SD-50 with your software, you’ll need to select the SD-50 as the audio and MIDI input/output device. For details on how to do this, refer to the documentation for your software.

You also must have already installed the drivers for your O/S.

It also says in order to hear anything, you have to either connect your speakers to the Roland or your headphones (page 38 of the user's manual - see above).

Supposedly, your computer will provide enough power via the USB connector, but not always.

The user manual also indicates drivers up through Windows 7, so I don't know if there are drivers for Windows 8 (but it's possible the Windows 7 driver will work).

Bottom line: install the drivers (the user manual tells you how), in BIAB or RB, set the SD-50 as your audio output and input device, set your SD-50 as your MIDI output device, and make sure you have either speakers or headphones hooked up to the SD-50.


John

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Thanks everyone for your advice. I fully understand how to do all of the above. I checked the RolandUS website and they appear to have drivers for both 8.1 AND 10.

Looking good!

Thanks again,
Bob
South Florida

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PGMusic is selling the product .. I'm going to go ahead and suggest it'll work just fine with their products. I like Roland and have used a lot of their synths/interfaces, never a problem.
http://www.pgmusic.com/rolandsd50.win.packages.htm

You can buy it here and get the latest UltraPluspak along with it for $750 ..

Wherever you buy it from, come back and get the Patch List for it here to make it even more intuitive -

http://www.pgmusic.com/support_miscellaneous.htm

That way the extra MIDI patches (sounds) show in your list of available patches.




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XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

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No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

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