Music Keyboard and MIDI inputs on Sound Blaster, worth using???

[deadken]

My daughter wanted (and got) a 61-key Casio Keyboard for X-Mas. While I was checking it out I remembered that I have MIDI inputs on the front of my Audigy 2 ZS Platinum (as well as a 1/4" Jack). I asked around to determine if I should hook the keyboard up to my PC and no one at work has any information. But, a buddy at work did offer me his old Soundblaster with the front panel and remote. I am considering taking it and putting it in her PC.

1) What would this allow?

2) Would it just us her PC speakers as the Amp/Speakers?

3) Would it allow mixing or something?

4) Would it allow her to use her PC as the the hardware for the keyboard and just use the 61-keys on the keyboard as an input?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to go through the hassle of getting the card and a cable to only have my daughter play this thing 'Cranked' through her Logitech 5.1 setup. She keeps the volume too loud for my tastes as it is.

-Thanks, Ken

 

[Fraggert]

1) It allows you to use digital sampling if you have the software (cakewalk, etc), you can use "soundfonts" and change music samples, which you either buy or download

2) Not sure, I haven't used midi directly, only indirectly.

3) Yes it would allow mixing with the right software, the whole point of midi is for music composition, recording what you play, and being able to ADJUST the notes, so that if you performed a song incorrectly you can fix it in the software.

4) Your question here makes little sense... are you asking will MIDI allow her to use the KEYBOARD to play Digital samples (of musical instruments) with her keypresses on the casio? Yes with the right software...

Get a copy of cakewalk home studio... not sure if they still have trials. It will allow her to record and visually play with notes in realtime... you can "See" the lengths of notes and also record your own performances.... it depends on what kind of learner she is and whether she is really serious about music or not. You're best bet would be to hang around forums with music enthusiasts or musicians and ask them their thoughts as well.

Is she a beginner? You could have probably saved yourself a tonne and got a Creative Prodikeys, I have one and it's excellent for people just starting out. I mean when you invest in an instrument you should already be well practiced on and serious about learning music.

 

[Markbnj]

I'm not a MIDI expert, and I don't know that keyboard, but speaking in general having the keyboard patched in through the Sound Blaster might allow these sorts of general activities: uploading/downloading sample patches to/from the keyboard; using the keyboard to drive the SB's onboard synth; recording keys from the keyboard in MIDI composing software; playing compositions back through the keyboard as well as the SB. I'm sure there are other possibilities, too. Perhaps someone here has more recent knowlege.

 

[sswingle]

I used a program by Voyetra back in the day. They dont have the same thing now, but this is close: http://www.voyetra.com/site/products/rp/rpmidi.asp

Rather cheap, and it lets you record what you play and then edit it.

 

[willtriv]

there may be open source alternatives as well, this setup is fairly rare among non musician home users. If you can find the cable for cheap it would be a really neat project to mess around with, things like fruityloops, sonar and cakewalk are just a blast to mess around with 🙂 if shes into computer geek stuf and enjoys playing with the free trial of fruity loops, then this paired with some cool software may be a blast to play around with.

 

[deadken]

Wow! Great! Thanks for all of the information. I had assumed it would only replace the internal amplifier and just make me hear her practicing 'louder'.

She is 'only' 13, but she is a very smart kid and she loves her PC. This should let her still use it with her new 'toy'.

She had picked out this Casio CTK-496. I don't know how much a cable costs, but I assume it will be reasonable ($20-$25). I will look for one (online) when I get home.

-Thanks for all the GREAT info!