Midi Controller

[Storm20]

Probably should be in Computers G/T. BUT, i would thinks muso's would be ablt to asnwer this question better.

Now I am looking at buying a keyboard which I hopefully can use as a MIDI controller, but able to use it for live performances. A bit of a N00b question but this is the model im looking at :
ROLAND ED PC 160A

Now how would I go about using this at a live gig. So im basically using it as a keyboard,...................if possible.

Cheers
S20

 

[Conan Troutman]

Sorry man, can't really help with midi stuff or playing live, but I have a ROLAND ED PC 160A keyboard, and I'm not sure if the same model name is used for versions with more or less keys than mine, but if it is the same as what you are looking at, I have 32 keys on mine, and the one thing I do regret is not getting a version with more keys. I guess it depends what you want to use it for though.

In my case, I didn't really know what I was doing when I bought it, and probably don't know much more now , but I do now know that trying to play two hands like a piano just doesn't really work with 32 keys . Other than that though I'm very happy with it, especially for the price. I'm not really good enough with it for it to matter a great deal anyway But I guess if you were just using to play a different sample on each key, it wouldn't be a problem though.

 

[gPhonque]

What do you want to use it for? (what will you be playing on it? Triggering single samples? Playing keyboard parts? What style of music?)

What are you hooking it up to? (sampler? Computer? etc...)

Personally, I'd get one with more keys (obviously much better if you're playing keyboard parts) and some knobs/dials. (assigning filter cutoffs and things to knobs makes like much easier if you're doing that kind of thing....)

But really, it's impossible to help you unless I know what you're hooking it up to and what you're using it to play!

 

[Truck Rutten]

Probably should be in Computers G/T. BUT, i would thinks muso's would be ablt to asnwer this question better.

Now I am looking at buying a keyboard which I hopefully can use as a MIDI controller, but able to use it for live performances. A bit of a N00b question but this is the model im looking at :
ROLAND ED PC 160A

Now how would I go about using this at a live gig. So im basically using it as a keyboard,...................if possible.

Cheers
S20

Are you after a keyboard with sounds built in, or just a midi controller? The Roland model you mention is just a controller, so it won't do anything without being hooked up to a computer running vitual instruments, sound module etc.

gPhonque posted some other questions that you need to consider before you're able to get the advice you really need.

 

[Storm20]

What do you want to use it for? (what will you be playing on it? Triggering single samples? Playing keyboard parts? What style of music?)

What are you hooking it up to? (sampler? Computer? etc...)

Personally, I'd get one with more keys (obviously much better if you're playing keyboard parts) and some knobs/dials. (assigning filter cutoffs and things to knobs makes like much easier if you're doing that kind of thing....)

But really, it's impossible to help you unless I know what you're hooking it up to and what you're using it to play!

Ok, as you have probably guessed, im really not sure about what im talking about. Well for some part I would like to hook it up to my computer. Im also hoping to use it to play keyboard parts with. I have looked at some with more keys/knobs/dials, but I'm really not sure. I was wondering if maybe you could fill me in about how it actually works.

Cheers

 

[bfff]

That keyboard has no onboard sounds. It seems that you want to play keyboard without using your computer. The midi controller has no audio output of it's own. It only sends MIDI to a computer or sound modules, allowing you to play their sounds with the keyboard. MIDI is data. It works by sending off and on events, as well as timing information and controller information (Pitch Wheels, Sliders, Knobs).

 

[Storm20]

That keyboard has no onboard sounds. It seems that you want to play keyboard without using your computer. The midi controller has no audio output of it's own. It only sends MIDI to a computer or sound modules, allowing you to play their sounds with the keyboard. MIDI is data. It works by sending off and on events, as well as timing information and controller information (Pitch Wheels, Sliders, Knobs).

Righto, is there a model that you reccoment that I could use for live performances.

 

[bfff]

It is really hard to recommend something without knowing your budget or what kind of music you want to play. Bear in mind that keyboards with onboard sound are usually more expensive than midi controllers, especially those with quality onboard sounds. The best idea is to go to some music shops and try some keyboards out. Thats really the only way to find one you like.