Use real keyboard as midi controller

BornInTheJunkyard · 03-13-2013, 09:22 PM

I have a Casiotone CT-640 and I got one of these guys the other day that go from midi in or out to USB.
(Go to ebay and look up midi keyboard usb controller to see an example)
I used to have an M-Audio USB keyboard and I wanted to use my keyboard as a USB keyboard, using the virtual instruments in Mixcraft 6 as the instruments.

I plugged the midi out into the midi out on my keyboard and set the chord/midi dial to "midi". My computer picks it up as a midi controller as soon as I plug it in but I can't get it to actually act like a USB keyboard.

Using Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit with a beast of a computer.

Any suggestions, thanks.

stevesonthebay · 03-31-2013, 08:09 AM

i want to set up the same but have to get the midi cable to connect the keyboard to my PC. i have a audio interface like an external sound card which is connected to my computer and i run cubase audio recording software. im pretty sure i can go to add device in cubase and it will add the keyboard as a midi device and then i can choose any sound/instrument/vst either in cubase library or any ive downloaded and the keyboard will play that sound. im not sure about mix-craft 6 if the same as cubase. i think you need a sequencer software which plays midi sounds like reaper or fl studio but as far as i know cubase does it. if it has a midi connection then you should be able to get midi data. im not sure but when you connect it do you have to have it keyboard out then PC in. then cubase should pick it up as midi device then you may have to set the midi device settings for your sound card as well, maybe asio something or in my case alpha asio as im am using a lexicon alpha audio interface. i also have asio4all which i downloaded like a generic sound driver. my interface is set as my default sound card and my computers on board sound card is disabled and i have set all the sounds for audio and voice to the alpha interface in computers sounds and audio devices. not sure if it works the same with PC sound card but should as long as you change the settings. not sure if there are other settings to do maybe in midi devices like setting the vst audio ins and outs to my sound card/interface in cubase or in your case mix craft as well but i haven't got that far. hope this makes sense as i said i have yet to test it but am pretty sure i am close. if you have had any luck let me know as i want to do the same.

P A N · 03-31-2013, 11:13 AM

it's usually a matter of setting up your instrument preferences in the software you are using. most of them will have a list, but at the top or bottom of that list is usually a "generic controller" option or something to that effect, so if your particular piece of hardware isn't on the list it will still pick it up.

stevesonthebay · 04-02-2013, 05:01 AM

just wondering can i connect my keyboard to pc via midi cable to usb and still pick up keyboard in my cubase software as a midi device.

gbenro · 11-12-2014, 11:14 PM

Pls somebody help with my midi connection for my casiotone ct 640 with nuendo software..i av been trying to get it record on my computer but no sound

03-13-2013, 09:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
BornInTheJunkyard Groupie Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 2	Use real keyboard as midi controller I have a Casiotone CT-640 and I got one of these guys the other day that go from midi in or out to USB. (Go to ebay and look up midi keyboard usb controller to see an example) I used to have an M-Audio USB keyboard and I wanted to use my keyboard as a USB keyboard, using the virtual instruments in Mixcraft 6 as the instruments. I plugged the midi out into the midi out on my keyboard and set the chord/midi dial to "midi". My computer picks it up as a midi controller as soon as I plug it in but I can't get it to actually act like a USB keyboard. Using Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit with a beast of a computer. Any suggestions, thanks.

03-31-2013, 08:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
stevesonthebay Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 66	i want to set up the same but have to get the midi cable to connect the keyboard to my PC. i have a audio interface like an external sound card which is connected to my computer and i run cubase audio recording software. im pretty sure i can go to add device in cubase and it will add the keyboard as a midi device and then i can choose any sound/instrument/vst either in cubase library or any ive downloaded and the keyboard will play that sound. im not sure about mix-craft 6 if the same as cubase. i think you need a sequencer software which plays midi sounds like reaper or fl studio but as far as i know cubase does it. if it has a midi connection then you should be able to get midi data. im not sure but when you connect it do you have to have it keyboard out then PC in. then cubase should pick it up as midi device then you may have to set the midi device settings for your sound card as well, maybe asio something or in my case alpha asio as im am using a lexicon alpha audio interface. i also have asio4all which i downloaded like a generic sound driver. my interface is set as my default sound card and my computers on board sound card is disabled and i have set all the sounds for audio and voice to the alpha interface in computers sounds and audio devices. not sure if it works the same with PC sound card but should as long as you change the settings. not sure if there are other settings to do maybe in midi devices like setting the vst audio ins and outs to my sound card/interface in cubase or in your case mix craft as well but i haven't got that far. hope this makes sense as i said i have yet to test it but am pretty sure i am close. if you have had any luck let me know as i want to do the same. __________________ Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us. Last edited by stevesonthebay; 03-31-2013 at 08:19 AM. Reason: add more

04-02-2013, 05:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
stevesonthebay Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 66	just wondering can i connect my keyboard to pc via midi cable to usb and still pick up keyboard in my cubase software as a midi device. __________________ Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.

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03-31-2013, 11:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
P A N DO LIKE YOU. Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 629	it's usually a matter of setting up your instrument preferences in the software you are using. most of them will have a list, but at the top or bottom of that list is usually a "generic controller" option or something to that effect, so if your particular piece of hardware isn't on the list it will still pick it up.

11-12-2014, 11:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
gbenro Groupie Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: I live in ogun state nigeria,west africa Posts: 1	Pls somebody help with my midi connection for my casiotone ct 640 with nuendo software..i av been trying to get it record on my computer but no sound