Hi guys, Thank you for all your help & suggestions; I think I've found an HP laptop that fits the bill. It's within my price range, and the specs meet the recommendations as suggested by the forum. Just one problem - it doesn't have a line in. I currently have my keyboard connected to the Ketron, which has stereo RCA output, through a lead to a 3.5mm (?) jack that goes into the line in of the laptop.
Without a line-in, is there another way to connect the Ketron to the HP - perhaps some sort of adaptor? TIA
Maybe the line in and line out are combined? Seems strange. You can always use a USB output for sound. As mentioned a good audio interface will be most suitable if the budget stretches. I use the the UA-2 by Zoom as it's USB 3. There are others by Zoom. Personally I love Zoom products but a lot of people on the site like Focusrite, and there are loads of others. Even some of these fancy mixers..... if live is going to be your thing. :-)
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
Hi Ed, I'm not sure. I believe the signal that comes from the Ketron SD2 is MIDI. Currently I connect a regular RCA/3.5mm lead from the Ketron output to the line in of the laptop. I hoping someone who uses a Ketron & a laptop without line in will jump in.
Like Matt said, you're going to need an external interface that has line-in capability to get the audio from the Ketron back to your computer.
I've got a Ketron SD-2 (and unfortunately, it is failing, so I can use it much anymore, however....).
The Ketron accepts MIDI input from either a computer or a keyboard. It generates the audio from that input and sends it out via a stereo audio connection. That's why you need the "line-in" on your computer to be able to record the Ketron's output in real time (you have to records it; you can't render it like you can with a DXi or a VSTi).
So, something like Matt's suggestion should work for you. Here is how I had my system set up (I have an M-Audio Fast Track Pro, which has audio in, audio out, MIDI in and MIDI out capability).
My Fast Track pro is connected to my computer via USB and is seen by the computer as an available sound card. The USB is a bi-direction connetion that supports audio and MIDI data across the connection. I then have the MIDI out of the FastTrack connected to the MIDI in of the Ketron (which allows MIDI data from the computer to drive the Ketron; however, you could just have the MIDI out of your electronic keyboard connected to the MIDI in of the Ketron, which allows the keyboard to drive the Ketron). Then the output from my Ketron goes to a stereo audio input on my hardware mixer unit and then the mixer unit is connected to the audio in on my Fast Track pro (via balanced cables for clean sound) so that the audio data from the Ketron can be recorded back into the computer. You don't need the intermediary mixer (the Ketron audio out could go directly to the audio in of your external sound card); however, this allows me to also use the mixer for microphone records and other instrument recordings.
Below is a rough picture of how I do it with my laptop:
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Now that Band in a Box comes on its own hard drive, has that changed anything, as far as what computer to use?
No, that has nothing to do with it. The PGM hard drive is just another external storage device, it's not processing anything. The processing is done by your CPU in your computer.
Keith, you said you're not very technical and I can certainly see that's true. I sympathize because about 15 years ago I was right there with you. I decided to get into digital audio and knew absolutely squat about any of it. I could barely spell MIDI much less understand what it was.
First, Bob's Mantra: "Midi is not audio, audio is not MIDI, ommmm."
Once you understand that, the first question is what exactly are you recording? Are you using the Ketron as a sound source for Biab? If so that's for Biab's MIDI tracks, the Real Tracks/Drums are all audio, not MIDI so the Ketron is not doing anything with the RT/RD's
Next is do you sing, are you wanting to record your vocals?
Next do you want to record anyone else like a singer, a guitarist, whatever?
Right now you have a laptop and a Ketron. The Ketron is a synth that accepts a MIDI signal and converts that to audio. Go back to Bob's mantra and understand that. It converts MIDI to audio. How do you hear or record the audio? To simply hear it you take the RCA audio jacks out of the Ketron and plug them into your amp or studio monitors. To record that audio you have to run those RCA's into your laptop and then the audio FROM the laptop goes to your sound system unless you want to listen to everything on the little crappy laptop speakers. The headphone out's from the laptop can sound pretty good, you could use an audio adapter to run the audio from the headphone out to your sound system.
If your laptop has a line out but no line in then you need something to get the audio into the laptop. The only way is to use a USB interface. That interface plugs into your laptop using it's USB port, it's the USB that carries the audio from your Ketron. The interface has inputs for your mic or any instruments (which are audio inputs). That means you need an interface with two audio inputs for L and R stereo. Those come from the Ketron. You could use something as simple as this:
ALL this does is run the audio out from the Ketron to a USB line into your laptop. Personally I think it's a waste of money because you'll realize you want some other inputs too like a mic for example. But if all you want is a way to get the audio from the Ketron to your laptop then this is all you need plus a couple of 1/4" to RCA adapters. Then use the headphone out of your laptop to your sound system.
This is enough of a lesson for the moment. Let us know exactly what you're trying to do.
Now that Band in a Box comes on its own hard drive, has that changed anything, as far as what computer to use?
I do not disagree with anything Bob jazzmammal said. I'll just point out that I think there is something to consider if you are really trying hard to squeeze out the best performance. BIAB runs fine from the supplied USB drive. But it will run better if the program is loaded onto an internal hard drive, and much better if loaded onto an internal SSD drive.
Most laptops you can buy have a SSD boot drive (the only drive) as standard or an option, but it isn't large enough capacity for all of BIAB, and maybe not even for just the program without the RealTracks. In a desktop, you can easily pop in a SSD just for the BIAB program; this is what I did. Then save the RealTracks on an internal fast hard drive that will always be faster than an external USB drive (again, this is what I did). Extreme and more expensive? Yes. But for me as a composer it is worth it.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-8, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Hi again, Thank you all for your assistance. John - thank for going to the trouble of showing me your set up - very impressive.
Matt - as always your knowledge & advice is always first class - thank you.
Bob -
Originally Posted By: jazzmammal Keith, you said you're not very technical and I can certainly see that's true. I sympathize because about 15 years ago I was right there with you. I decided to get into digital audio and knew absolutely squat about any of it. I could barely spell MIDI much less understand what it was.
I still can't spell MDII
Next is do you sing, are you wanting to record your vocals?
No ... my singing is cr*p
Next do you want to record anyone else like a singer, a guitarist, whatever?
No, just me and my keyboard.
This is enough of a lesson for the moment. Let us know exactly what you're trying to do.
Bob
Bob , thank you. I was of the (mis)understanding that the signal coming out of the Ketron was MIDI, but now I understand that its not. I can now look at finding a suitable connection as per your recommendation.
OK, I see in your other thread you were asking about a MIDI to USB converter cable. In this thread I assumed you already had one of those because you said here you needed to get the audio out of your Ketron since the new laptop doesn't have a line in like the old one did. Since the Ketron can only produce audio from an incoming midi signal that begs the question, how have you been using the Ketron up to now if you don't already have a midi connection cable?
This is why I asked you exactly what are you planning to do with your equipment in this case a keyboard and the Ketron. To be specific:
1. What make and model of keyboard do you have and what kind of midi connections does it have?
2. How do want to use your keyboard? Is it to play along with Biab and you want to record the audio only? If you connect the midi from your keyboard to the Ketron you can use the Ketron for better/different sounds than what the keyboard produces internally.
3. When you use Biab do you use some midi styles or do you use all Real Tracks? Your Ketron can really make the midi styles come to life.
Answers to these questions will help us to figure out just what you need. it's possible you can get away with a couple of cheap midi to USB cables but lets find out.
Hi Bob, Thanks for your continuing interest & help. The previous thread you referred to relates to a replacement cable, rather than a new item. My current setup (which works fine) is as follows:
Casio WK1800 keyboard -> Edirol UM1X interface - 1 DIN into Casio & the other into -> Ketron SD2. The USB from the interface into the Toshiba laptop. Ketron via RCAs to 3.5mm lead into line in of laptop. Laptop headphone out via graphic equalizer into amp.
I've had the Ketron for a number of years now, and I absolutely love it. The sounds it produces, particularly the higher bank patches are great, and combined with Real Tracks, they make a simple piano player like me sound half good
I'm hoping that the solution will be simply a lead with RCA stereo jacks (from the Ketron) and a USB (to the new laptop).
We need to know, you are not likely to run into the highest end studios and see a MacBook Pro running Garage Band, although I am told Willie's Austin studio has good ol' Pro Tools at the core. You might see a rack of something like these: http://tascam.com/product/da-3000/
Scroll down to the schematic and note the components include transformer (no 12v converter in the wall) DAC and ADC modules, and a few other things. run the And, the clock to snyc them. The channel faders are in another room.
I only point this out to advise you as to what you are hoping to duplicate with the system you are putting together. Don't spend too much time reinventing the wheel.
It doesn't take long to get up to $1,299 putting components together. They have to balance. If it runs cakewalk, it probably will run BIAB. If not, run the BIAB on a laptop.
Risking being rude by replying to my own post, one other general knowlege topic we should all be familiar with are is the processors. Questions one: AMD or Intel? Question two: Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7? Compare Intel processors. Four core, eight thread, recomended for audio visual media work.
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XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 for Mac or for Windows are on special for only $29 each (reg. $49 ea), or get all 11 PAKs for only $149 (reg. $299)!
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with ANY version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-11 includes 1,100 styles!
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
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!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
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