Keyboard Amps

[xxpatrickxx]

Hey, I was recently given a keyboard. MIDI controller, actually, as it only has a USB out. It works just fine on my computer, but I was wondering if there's such a thing as a keyboard amp with a USB input.

I realize this is probably a stupid question for all you seasoned vets, but I gotta start somewhere.

Thanks in advance! :chug:

[clairvoyant]

I might be wrong, but I believe with a MIDI controller you have to run it through another keyboard/synthesizer/computer which then runs into a amp.

[mutant!]

the midi controller is just that - a controller. it doesn't make sounds, it just tells something else what notes to play. that "something else" can either be a keyboard, a rackmount synth, or a computer. you plug the "something else" into an amp, not the midi controller. the reason yours only has a usb out is because it's intended for use with a computer. so downl-- er, legally acquire some synth software, hook up your midi controller to your pc, and hook up your pc to your amp. solved.

sweet.

[xxpatrickxx]

Well, yeah, I mean... I know that it has no sounds stored, but I was wondering if there was an amp out there that had sounds stored in it. One that would let me skip the PC in the middle part. But I guess not, or you guys would have mentioned it. Thanks for the help!

...er, by the way, what synth software might you recommend?

[wartree]

there should be some kind of processors, to put between midi controller and amp

[mutant!]

Well, yeah, I mean... I know that it has no sounds stored, but I was wondering if there was an amp out there that had sounds stored in it. One that would let me skip the PC in the middle part. But I guess not, or you guys would have mentioned it. Thanks for the help!

...er, by the way, what synth software might you recommend?
there's loads of software you can try out. if you can find a free DAW software package (something similar to cubase or sonar or nuendo or live), then there are brazillions of free VST plugins available online that you can use as synths (by the way: we call these "soft synths" because they're PC-based).

if you don't mind spending money, though, propellerhead's reason (version 4 is the latest) has pretty fricken sweet virtual instruments that have great built-in sounds and offer a ton of customization options. plus, it's easy to figure out as it looks like physical hardware, including little virtual cables that you plug into ****. pretty cool.

i vote go reason. good VSTs can be hard to find if you're not sure what to look for.

[Shadows Within]

I might be wrong, but I believe with a MIDI controller you have to run it through another keyboard/synthesizer/computer which then runs into a amp.

and or synth module, i always recommend the JV series by roland, as for an amp i just got in the mail today a Behringer ultratone k3000fx and it sounds great.

[xxpatrickxx]

Thanks fellas. I appreciate it.

[Akira]

and or synth module, i always recommend the JV series by roland, as for an amp i just got in the mail today a Behringer ultratone k3000fx and it sounds great.

Does it have a USB in though?

The kind of controller you got is convenient for computer use, but pretty useless live.