Skip to main content

Hi :)

I am new member, so first I'd like to say hello to everybody, and to thank you for taking time to read this (and maybe help me )

At the momment I'am using M-Audio USB midi-keyboard.

It's connected to PC via USB.

It has an instrument and mic input (dynamic, so it has no phantom power)

It also works as an audio-interface (sound card built-in)

I'am using it for some guitar-voice recordings. Reaper, Mixcraft, Audacity with Asio drivers, and it all works fine. (no latency)

And that's a good part of the story.

The bad part is: I have some noise with electric guitar, and I can't connect condenser microphone to that.

In short it's an 16-Bit, 44.1 kHz, 2-in, 2-out outdated audio interface :) So I was thinking to buy the new one (any advice would be appreciated)

but I'd like to keep the old one too.

Because it's a great midi-keyboard and it works fine with many vst's.

Besides that, it has great built-in piano sounds, so it works as standalone unit if I want to practice (no need to turn on PC for that)

Now, as I understand it, if I get the new audio-interface, then the old one should become just a midi-keyboard, connected to the new one via midi cable? (although I've seen that some interfaces have usb hubs, so maybe I could go that way – connect my keyboards into new interface via usb, as it is connected to PC right now?)

OR it can stay connected to PC via USB, as it is now so I cun run two audio-interface at the same time? (hopefully with no drivers conflict)

I'd like to get some audio-interface that has right connectors/inputs for this situation, but not sure what to look for.

Thank you for your answers and suggestions.

Cheers !

*here's my usb midi-keyboard

Comments

DonnyThompson Thu, 09/28/2017 - 16:12

Srdjan, post: 453122, member: 50842 wrote: I understand that Donny, the thing is that I'm planning to renovate my room in near future, and have to do both: sound-proof isolation for the others, and acoustic treatment for sounds reflections (some acoustic pannels, speakers positioning etc) so it should be nice quiet home-studio.

Then consider getting a good condenser with several patterns - cardioid, Omni, Fig 8. That way you have options. I think you'll find that for lead vocals, your best bet is gonna be with the cardioid pattern. That's not to say you can't use Omni or Bi Directional, there's no "rule"
Or anything, there's just what sounds good to you. I'd stick with a Large Diaphragm Mic (LDC) with adjustable patterns, and if possible a built in Hi Pass Filter. You also might want to consider a tube condenser, if you dig the sound of Sinatra as you've mentioned. His 2 go-to mics were both tube models, the Telefunken U47 and the Telefunken ELAM 251. You won't be able to afford those actual mics, as they would cost you a kidney, a lung and your first-born to afford, ;) ...but Rode, Audio Technica and a few others make pretty affordable, and nice sounding tube condensers that don't require a second and third mortgage to buy.

FWIW. ;)

Srdjan Thu, 10/05/2017 - 10:48

Hello again :)
Here, after some research I've hopefully understood some things:
If I want to connect my USB midi-keyboard to some other interface as a midi and still want to hear those piano sounds - I have to look at that situation as If I had to connect ordinary digital piano (because, the midi connection itself is not the problem)

So, long story short, I've founf two audio-interfaces that (I hope) have proper connections for that:
First is dead link removed
Second is: https://www.thomann.de/gb/arturia_audiofuse_space_grey.htm

here are the connections I think are appropriate

and here are connections of my usb midi - keyboard with description


So my question is, which cables should I use to connect this? :)
Thank you

pcrecord Thu, 10/05/2017 - 12:43

Srdjan, post: 453242, member: 50842 wrote: I see..so those are TS mono (unbalanced..I guess?)

Yes they are. If you were to use stereo cables on a mono connector it won't work and may cancel the signal.
A unit with TRS input connectors can receive both TS and TRS(unless we talk about inserts)
But a with a TS at one side, you can't use TRS.
So in your case buy 2 x TS cables (for left and right signals) (EDITED)

kmetal Thu, 10/05/2017 - 14:05

Srdjan, post: 453247, member: 50842 wrote: Could it be that TS cable is the same "patch" cable I use for guitar pedals (and guitars) ?

I'm asking this because if that is exactly the TS cable, then I could use some patch cables for that - and they are short (which is good)

Yes, guitar patch cables are typically TS.

Srdjan Thu, 10/05/2017 - 14:27

kmetal, post: 453248, member: 37533 wrote: Yes, guitar patch cables are typically TS.

That's good news. So it means that I can use my old keyboard (play/record and hear it trough speakers) both way, midi and audio.

It's just that I need some interface that can work in standalone mode too (that I don't have to turn on PC)