Originally Posted By: amynelson
It is my understanding that newer workstation and arranger keyboards and some stage pianos can use the midi in and out to "grab" a VSTi sound and uses the keyboard as the thru, so as to accomplish sound replacement....not that you are downloading, but you are using the intrument software to play a VSTi, and then because midi can go back to the keyboard, and some keyboards are actual interfaces themselves..that it can play out it's own RCA or 1/4 inch outs as if the keyboard is the "thru". Is that not right?


Amy, your understanding is kinda, sorta almost there. A keyboard doesn't "grab" anything and I have to go back to Bob's basic mantra: "Midi is not audio, audio is not midi, oommmm".

Midi is computer commands telling a synthesizer what to play. It's the synth that is generating the audio so therefore where do you plug in your audio cables to go to your PA? The audio cables go from the synth. The next question then is where is the synth? It could be the internal synth inside your keyboard, it could be a hardware synth module or it could be a software synth inside a computer. If it's software inside your computer then where do you plug in your audio cables? Obviously the audio has to come from your computer. Do you want to use those stupid little mini plugs coming from your motherboard on the back? No you don't, you use a separate audio/midi interface that has proper 1/4' audio output jacks just like any other piece of stage equipment. Yes, some keyboards do act as interfaces but most of those are not appropriate for what you need.

You need a standard audio/midi interface that plugs into the computer using USB. So that means the Casio plugs into a USB port and the interface plugs into another USB port. The computer sees the Casio as a midi device (controller) and it also sees the interface. You play the Casio's keys only NOT it's internal synth, the computer generates the sound using a software VSTi through the interface and the audio cables go from the interface to your PA. Simple. Forget these words "grabbing", "thru", "downloading". They're confusing the issue. The Casio's internal sounds or lack of audio output plugs are completely irrelevant.

If the computer you're talking about is 300 feet from the stage then no, that is not going to work. IF you want to use VSTi's for your sound then you need a laptop right there on stage with you next to the keyboard. If using a laptop on stage is not possible then your only option is to use a hardware synth module that you control from the Casio and the audio output goes from that to your PA or you need another keyboard that has the sounds you like.

Bob

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