I'm looking for software that will do something along the lines of the following.
I play a pitch on a keyboard that is connected to my computer via and audio in port.
The piece of software takes the pitch and recreates the pitch through a utility like simple synth or garage band or Ableton.
Basically I need it to do the job of an Midi keyboard but instead of using the keys of the Midi keyboard to input the notes I use the pitch to input the notes.
I have all these great synth plugins for Ableton but unfortunately the only way to use them is with the keyboard on my computer (which isn't fun to do).
I don't know if something like this exists or what it would be called. I have looked around on the internet for something of the sort but I can't seem to find anything. Or would I just be better off buying a midi keyboard?
Comments
Search for "Pitch-to-MIDI software". It'll still need to be co
Search for "Pitch-to-MIDI software".
It'll still need to be converted to MIDI, because that's what triggers all those software synth sound-generators/samples.
And then, it'll need to be able to have that software work within whatever other program your software synth is in.
Do some research on the inherent problems of real-time live input. Be aware that pitch-to-midi software (and even hardware) is notoriously glitchy with real-time pitch detection, though some of the guitar controllers (Roland, etc) have gotten a bit better. They need a clean sound, played cleanly, to trigger them properly. Having software that may convert existing audio notes in a sequenced track, though, may work a bit less frustratingly. But then, you won't be playing the sound you want to hear into the thing in real time, so that'll frustrate you and crush your creativity. (Imagine a track intended to be a saxophone or sawtooth wave...whatever...trying to be played into it with a clean keyboard sound module patch that has a sharp attack and short duration so it doesn't confuse the pitch-to-MIDI software.)
It's a tall order.
Better off just buying a MIDI keyboard. Even if it's just a serviceable inexpensive MIDI keyboard controller (with no internal sound), you'll likely get better results than pitch-to-MIDI.
You don't have a MIDI keyboard, now?
And now, for a mini-rant on USB and MIDI:
Bouldersound said:
And now most of them have USB so you don't need a USB-MIDI interface.
Yeah...and I have a beef with manufacturers who make MIDI gear with ONLY a USB port! It's good to have one these days, but they should also include good ol' regular MIDI ports to interface more easily with 30 years worth of thousands and thousands of good, still-working, still-desireable-to-use MIDI gear!
USB may even eventually offer a bit more possible expandability in the MIDI world, and that's all good...but backwards compatibility is also good. Plus, it's been reported that USB...while it seemingly should be faster...actually has a bit more latency than standard MIDI, because of the way the data is recognized and handled (currently). (In other words, it may be able to shoot it through faster...once it finds it.)
Kapt.Krunch
Buy a MIDI keyboard. They are made to do what you are trying to
Buy a MIDI keyboard. They are made to do what you are trying to do. And now most of them have USB so you don't need a USB-MIDI interface.