How to use my keyboard as midi controller

Discussion in 'Soundgear' started by demberto, Jan 2, 2020.

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  1. Polomo

    Polomo Guest

    99,999% sure (if it will not work it's a higher chance that your hardware got some issues than it's a problem with software compability

    FL Studio MIDI
    Swissonic MIDI :winker:
    It's just a bit of configuration needed emphasizes of bit)

    (Step one plug in
    Step two open your config
    Step three active/Enable the device
    Step for play with it
    Step five map it like you needed for your synths and effects.)

    https://www.image-line.com/support/flstudio_online_manual/html/envsettings_midi.htm
     
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  2. demberto

    demberto Rock Star

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    This is all the software I get with Swissonic
    IMG_20200108_021157.jpg

    I can even get the Alesis V Mini 25. Anybody used that?
     
  3. demberto

    demberto Rock Star

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    M audio mini 32 got cheaper. Now its these:
    1. Alesis V Mini 25 (+Xpand2, PT First)
    2. M Audio keystation mini 32
    3. Swissonic EasyKey 25
    4. Akai LPK25
     
  4. Polomo

    Polomo Guest

    I own the M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 and can say I would not buy it again.
    The keys are very small.
    And stroke on the keys feel a bit unpleasant. (The travel of the keys is also short) (when the complete case it only 20 mm high )
    This can great if you want to record drums. But for Piano like playing it's not that good.
    AIR Music Tech Xpand!2 is great (but you can buy it separate for 1-10 $ on sales )

    418 x 105 x 20 mm

    The Akai is similar to the Keystation
    340,4 x96,5 x 27,9 mm

    The Swissonic EasyKey 25 is exact the opposite great for piano like playing, the only one in this list with modulation, pitch and sustain pedalbus. The Keys are more " Pianosized" and also the travel of the keys feels more like a piano. (More realistic to a real piano is only a high price hammer action MIDI controller, starting at 400$ so totally out of the budget)
    But for recordings drums because of the travel of the keys it's very exhausting (in compare to the Keystation or akai.)
    The bundled software is more a nice to have thing . (Synthmaster even BE is great,Xils is an interesting synth .pretty unique with its matrix like build) but they more or less lite editions of the real stuff.
    495 x 210 x 50 mm

    Alesis V mini is the something in between thing .
    I think it's the most versatile and for most people the best if the can't decide between a more piano or more drum style playing.

    317 x 140 x 38 mm
     
  5. demberto

    demberto Rock Star

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    Ok thanks @Polomo for helping me out. You have effectively reduced my list to two options.
    Alesis and Swissonic. This is where I will buy either on from.
    Can those 4 knobs on v mini be used for modwheel and pitchwheel? Or for the macros in Serum, Massive? If that is yes, I will definitely go for the V Mini. Otherwise, you know which.
     
  6. demberto

    demberto Rock Star

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    Buy? Xpand comes free with literally every hardware. I was just thinking of saving my download time, incase I got a DVD or something.
     
  7. Polomo

    Polomo Guest

    Macros 100%
    on mod and pitch I think yes but I'm not 100% sure. Specially since I'm not a FL Studio user .



    Mod is MIDI CC 1
    So this is possible .
    But Pitch bend is a not possible this way (in Massive or Serum you could map it to the transpose which is similar ) but on some Plugs that’s not possible. (Maybe with some external tools and some trick I don't know.)

    It's always Download with AIR Music Tech. Just a Code on a Paper
     
  8. Kuuhaku

    Kuuhaku Platinum Record

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    Hey guys, I have a Yamaha F-50 keyboard and I want to turn it to midi, can you guys give me a guide on how to do this? The youtube tutorials are so hard because I don't have much knowledge of eletronics
     
  9. Polomo

    Polomo Guest

    There is no easy way that’s the first point. You'll have at least basic understanding of electronics and basic understanding of microcontrollers

    Without that it's not possible.

    This video is the easiest out there.
    If you can't follow this,sad to say, there is no way to modify your Yamaha F 50 to MIDI .(You don't have to understand everything )
    Only alternative is a new (used or cheap) MIDI Controller.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 9, 2020
  10. Kuuhaku

    Kuuhaku Platinum Record

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    I have no budget to buy one :(
     
  11. Polomo

    Polomo Guest

    @Kuuhaku
    Ok let´s check your options.
    Draw Notes in the DAW of your Choice.
    Use your writing keyboard (some DAW support this )
    Use your Yamaha to play songs and record it with your smarphone and convert it https://www.bearaudiotool.com/de/mp3-to-midi (never tried it so not sure how good this can be )
    Save some money till you can buy a propper MIDI controller.
    Build one your own (will be cheaper than buy a new one but needs lots of time and hard work and learning.)(If you salvage everything you get and this will cost near to nothing.)
    Wish it for your next birthday

    Ok now got no ideas anymore :winker:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 9, 2020
  12. demberto

    demberto Rock Star

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    @Polomo I ordered the V Mini. It will arrive within a week. I will tell how it is.
     
  13. Kuuhaku

    Kuuhaku Platinum Record

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    I am expecting that some nice guy comes to me and teach me step by step how to properly plug components and create a circuit board to use my yamaha as a midi keyboard
     
  14. Polomo

    Polomo Guest

    Did you watch the linked Video ?

    It's 100% the stuff you'll have to do if you'll make it this way .

    He uses a slightly other Yamaha Keyboard . But since it is also a 61 Keys device they are the same here.
     
  15. Daskeladden

    Daskeladden Rock Star

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    I recommend Korg microKEY Air

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Kuuhaku

    Kuuhaku Platinum Record

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    Yeah, but I didn't understood most parts of the video, I am a bit confuse, how many you think I would spent buying all these components?
     
  17. Polomo

    Polomo Guest

    I don't think about such stuff ... I'll calculate it :rofl:

    https://www.ebay.de/itm/UNO-R3-ATme...hash=item5d84a1dfc1:m:mhL8GKzkjIv3u3zCzunIPlg
    EUR 3,78/Stk.(UNO R3 CH340G)


    https://www.ebay.de/itm/10PCS-2-0-6...922640?hash=item5d8c4ea450:g:wbcAAOSwsWddA0pj

    EUR 1,00/Stk.


    https://www.ebay.de/itm/NEW-400-600...hash=item3d932cf996:m:manlWhX5B-QW3EUM2vvfZfw

    (can be salvaged from some old devices like old PC’s ,Radios , really old Handy's etc
    transistors can be danger a device should at least 1 week without a plugged in power source. )

    EUR 2,05

    https://www.ebay.de/itm/5PCS-DIY-Pr...572898?hash=item46a23c5222:g:0zMAAOSw~7Bal8DO



    EUR 1,00/Stk.

    https://www.ebay.de/itm/10PCS-Male-...hash=item3d55d1ff10:m:mQuHCzLc5lpKCHaLlya4BVw


    EUR 1,00 (Male)

    https://www.ebay.de/itm/5PIN-DIN-Ch...491927?hash=item48d9aac1d7:g:vigAAOSwXeJawuwd

    (If you'll really lucky salvageable from old devices )

    EUR 1,00

    https://www.ebay.de/itm/Tin-lead-ro...342993?hash=item3fd4d00811:g:~iMAAOSwvGFc0UVt

    EUR 1,00/Stk.

    https://www.ebay.de/itm/Flexible-St...hash=item3f73bed4ce:m:mu1ms5Q7Y1Av2aiTKxVB49g

    (salvageable from PC Powersupplys (danger) and some other devices )


    EUR 1,14/Stk. (color you like)

    11,97€ Sub total


    And someone who can lend you a multimeter a breadboard a solder iron (Maybe a Teacher in school, I learned my stuff in physics long time ago great Teacher)

    Because this stuff is low quality and you could save the money if you lend it

    But if you'll know none who can help:


    https://www.ebay.de/itm/Universal-D...672065?hash=item4d9f095a41:g:qzIAAOSwW1NdtB8s


    EUR 1,88/Stk.

    https://www.ebay.de/itm/MB-102-Sold...hash=item3d5ca8368e:m:muetd6_7NruxfwX5jsNTWoA (x2)


    EUR 3,69*2=7,38€

    https://www.ebay.de/itm/DIY-220V-40...843853?hash=item4b3a405d0d:g:~mgAAOSwf81akt1V



    EUR 2,39

    (11,65€)

    So total 23,62€ if you can't lend stuff and live in Germany
    Maybe some stuff is in the country you live in cheaper



    Look at this Video and you'll understand what salvage in electronics mean :rofl:
    Around 2:30 he´ll start with it




    This is the basics you'll need for sure


    And don't forget there are some dangers with solder like high temps
    and electrics can be dangerous starting around 12 Volt (Adruino MIDI Stuff is around 5V so)
    only real hazard is salvaging stuff with more power than that
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 10, 2020
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