Canany keyboard with midi out control software synths?

[downtheway]

I was thinking of buying a cheap Casio or Yamaha keyboard because some have midi in and out, but I 'm not sure if I can also use it to control software based synths and VST synth plug-ins (in a host) on my pc (Win xp).

Can anyone tell me for sure if I can use a keyboard like this one http://dynamixcomputers.com/casio_wk_1630.html to also control software based synths on my pc? And if I can, does it connect it to my pc via usb port? Basically making it into a usb midi keyboard controller?

Thanks very much for any assistance.

[Akira]

My cheap Casio can control soft synths, but you will need a MIDI interface.

[Mother]

wow I came here to post a similar thread about my Casio wk 1200.

so whats a decedntly priced good Midi interface?Also Doesn't it need drivers for reason?

[downtheway]

Thanks Akira. That's just what I needed to know and along with a google search, I found a lot of other very useful info such as products, prices etc.. :thumb:

[Mother]

Hey downtheway .. does your casio have a local "on"/"off"



Akira what casio do you have and what software synths do you contol with it, Reason? Cubase? Ableton etc ?

[Akira]

I have the CTK-491. While you can't shut local control off, all you have to do is turn the volume all the way down - it still works as a controller.

I record in Cubase LE, and I am looking to purchase Steinberg Halion Symphonic Orchestra. Right now I am stuck with crappy free stuff.

[Thanks]

If you're going to spring for the interface (and then a midi cable, as well) it might be worth your while to just get a nice devoted controller with USB. The casios won't have assignable knobs, and most don't even have bend and mod wheels, making them greatly inferior to even the cheapest USB controllers.

[Akira]

That would be good, but if he is on a tight budget then a $40 M-Audio MIDIsport Uno is a lot cheaper than a new controller.

[downtheway]

Thanks again guys, but what I ended up doing was getting a used M-Audio midi controller (w/ pitch shift and mod controls) for cheap. It came with a usb cable and now I can control some of my software synths, like the ones in FruityLoops, but I can't seem to figure out how to control the vst plug-ins in the free program VSTHost. Funny, because I can use my regular computer keyboard to control them, with a delay though. :( Anyone here use VSTHost and know how to use a usb midi keyboard to control them? Thanks if anyone can help.

[Akira]

While I haven't used VSTHost, my guess is that there is some sort of MIDI options menu where you can select what you are using as your input, and it could be set to something besides the keyboard you are using.

[Thanks]

I think back in my PC days I tried VSTHost with very limited success. In the case of hosts for plugins, it seems you get what you pay for...

[downtheway]

Ok, I figured it out. If you don't have the keyboard turned on before you start VSTHost it won't see it. I guess the first couple of times I must have had the keyboard turned off, my bad. :o

I did get VSTHost working with the keyboard, but noticed there is a slight delay with it, especially when your playing fast stuff. I don't get this delay with FLStudio 6, so I guess your right Thanks, you get what you pay for.

Now if I can just figure out where to put the VST plug-ins in FLS. I can use them there instead and dump VSTHost.

It seems when you go to FLS folder, and then the 'Plugins' folder, there are a few different choices where to put the synth plug-ins. The 'VST' folder looks like it might be the one, but there aren't any other synth plug-ins in there. Also a couple folders in the 'Fruity' folder called 'Effects' and 'Generators' and I'm not sure if some of the VST synth plug-ins might go in there or somewhere else. Can anyone confirm if it's the VST folder that I should put the VST Synth plug-ins in or somewhere else? Because based on what's in there now, it doesn't look that way.

Sorry for all the somewhat newb questions, but I am just starting out with this stuff. Thanks again.

[Akira]

It's strange that you only get latency in VSTHost. I would expect to see it in everything.

[downtheway]

Yeah I guess there is a tiny bit of latency with FLS too, but it's almost nill compared to VSTHost. Not only do I get delay with VSTHost, but it skips some of the notes your trying to play as well if your going even moderately fast!