Beginning Making Midi Music
 

Hi!

I'm fairly new here and figured I'd ask a bit of help on a subject I'm fairly new to: midi music.

I have a few colleagues who are really into midi music and produce it at an insanely high level. I've gotten inspired recently to give it a shot, but I'm unsure where to start.

I currently have:

• Line 6 UX-2 (with Pod Farm, for what it's worth...)
• Ableton Live Lite 8.2.2
• Roland U-20 (with midi out)

I have no idea what I need to effectively write midi music. I know that Live supports midi controllers, but I don't know if I need a cable that goes "midi out" to "USB," (my U-20 has that) or if I need a midi controller that plugs into USB.

What's the easiest way for me to plug a keyboard into my computer and use it as a midi controller?

Edit: for the record, I realize that my interface and DAW are crap. It was a christmas present a few years and has served me well so far. I want to upgrade, though.

All your equipment is fine. Working with MIDI does not require advanced tools. There is a tendency to get "gear lust" when reading blogs and magazines. Technique is more important than Technology ;)

So if I get a midi-to-USB cable, I should be able to use my U-20 as a controller for Live?

Certainly. If it has a midi out, then it will send midi signals out based on your key presses and knob twiddlings, which you will be able to use in Ableton to control whatever softsynths or samplers you wish to have your midi signals trigger.
Although you should probably make sure that your midi to usb is an actual converter, although I don't think it comes any other way that I'm aware of.

As an aside, your post makes me wonder when you say "write midi music" and "produce it". What is it that you're trying to ultimately accomplish with midi, if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks so much for the response, Freebase! I'll order one soon and get back to you all on my progress.

As for my goal with midi music, I'd like to use it to create recordings of tunes I've written, backing tracks, and...I guess I'm not entirely sure what else.

I remember the Roland U20, it was one of my favourite keyboards long time ago.

Line 6 UX-2 is a good piece of equipment. So you really have all what's needed to produce music.