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I'm not sure what section this should go in so I'm posting here.

I have a Roland RD700SX digital piano and a Ketron SD1000 sound module.I need to have software and the hardware to run it.I want to connect them up together via USB.At the moment the piano and module are connected by Midi cable from Piano Out to Midi In (module),with dual RCA's L-R to Tascam digital recorder.

I would need a user friendly software and a ipad or similar to activate sounds by playing the piano,which is just how I'm doing it with the piano and module now.

What software would be idea to use? And what hardware product would I need? I'd like to connect up via USB between say ipad-module and piano.

I dont have any experience with DAW software so this is all new to me.I've had the piano since new in 2005 and I play at home.

I love the sounds on the module so I want to get the most out of it.You can see demo videos on youtube for the Ketron SD1000 sound module.

Comments

Boswell Fri, 04/25/2014 - 07:39

I'm sorry to say that I can't work out from your equipment description what it is that you want to do. What do you mean when you say you "would need a user friendly software and a ipad or similar to activate sounds by playing the piano"? Will you be playing the piano or do you want the computer to play the piano? Do you want to send a MIDI file from the computer into the SD1000 and record the audio output?

I've not used an SD1000, but by all accounts they are good units. As I understand it, you can have it play from a USB MIDI source and a standard MIDI source at the same time, so it would seem that you could leave both the MIDI from the piano and the computer USB lead permanently connected and start the MIDI from one or both sources according to what you need at any one time.

What you may additionally be asking about is a good way of recording the audio output of the sound module. For this, you need an audio interface. I would recommend that you do not try to use the sound card in your computer, as the quality of those is invariably compromised simply by being part of the computer motherboard. If this is what you require, come back to us with a budget and we can make some recommendations.

Denv12 Fri, 04/25/2014 - 13:47

Boswell, post: 414171, member: 29034 wrote: I'm sorry to say that I can't work out from your equipment description what it is that you want to do. What do you mean when you say you "would need a user friendly software and a ipad or similar to activate sounds by playing the piano"? Will you be playing the piano or do you want the computer to play the piano? Do you want to send a MIDI file from the computer into the SD1000 and record the audio output?

I've not used an SD1000, but by all accounts they are good units. As I understand it, you can have it play from a USB MIDI source and a standard MIDI source at the same time, so it would seem that you could leave both the MIDI from the piano and the computer USB lead permanently connected and start the MIDI from one or both sources according to what you need at any one time.

What you may additionally be asking about is a good way of recording the audio output of the sound module. For this, you need an audio interface. I would recommend that you do not try to use the sound card in your computer, as the quality of those is invariably compromised simply by being part of the computer motherboard. If this is what you require, come back to us with a budget and we can make some recommendations.

I want to play the piano using the sounds from the module with piano,module and an ipad/ connected via USB bit not via Midi cable.I'm not ready to use this gear as an arranger,etc.Thats all new to me.

As for user friendly,thats referring to an easy to use software.

As for recording,I've got the Tascam DP03 digital recorder connected so I can always record anything at any time.

Boswell Fri, 04/25/2014 - 15:34

Assuming I'm understanding you correctly, does it mean that you would like the connection between the piano MIDI output and the sound module MIDI input to be via the computer? If so, I'm interested to know your motivation for wanting to do it this way rather than sending the MIDI conventionally between the piano and the sound module using standard MIDI cables but retaining the option of recording the MIDI stream on the computer via USB.

Denv12 Fri, 04/25/2014 - 16:01

Boswell, post: 414181, member: 29034 wrote: Assuming I'm understanding you correctly, does it mean that you would like the connection between the piano MIDI output and the sound module MIDI input to be via the computer? If so, I'm interested to know your motivation for wanting to do it this way rather than sending the MIDI conventionally between the piano and the sound module using standard MIDI cables but retaining the option of recording the MIDI stream on the computer via USB.

What I would like to do is connect the module,piano and ipad/tablet just like in this set up:

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I have got it set up with Midi cable between the piano and the module.The Ketron SD1000 has a fault that can be eliminated by connecting up via USB between module,piano and ipad/tablet.
Ketron in Italy are aware of this problem with the SD1000,all of them have it thats why connecting via USB is the best way to go about it.

I already have the piano and module connected so that I can record any of my music straight onto the Tascam.As the Tascam is also a mixer its set at the best levels at all times.

As for computer,I prefer to buy an ipad/tablet then install DAW software on to it so I can then use it like the set up in the above video.

The problem with the Ketron when I first bought it was after connecting up via Midi cable,I couldnt access all the 128 sounds on each bank.I then added a Midi filter by buying a "Midi Solutions" product with built in midi fiolter.This then gave me almost all of the 512 sounds.I was told that there is a midi port bugging issue with the SD1000 and connecting via USB between piano,module and ipad with DAW software is the best way to solve the problem.

What I need now is to find a DAW software and a suitable tablet.

anonymous Sat, 04/26/2014 - 03:57

Well, you have many options when it comes to DAW software.
What you do, or what you want to do, along with your experience level with computer based audio or midi production up to this point, will play a huge factor in what you should be looking at.

What is your ultimate goal? Are you looking at releasing professional grade product, or are you just looking at having fun with this?

Are you looking at sticking strictly with the sounds you now have? Or, is there a possibility that you would like the option to tap into more sounds via a library of sounds that is resident within your computer?
(these are referred to as "VSTi's" or "soft synths") which could include everything from orchestral sections to rock drums to reproductions of classic synth sounds, like the Yamaha DX7, Roland Jupiter, SC Prophet and even Hammond B3...
If you would like to be able to use VSTi's", you will need a computer that is efficient and powerful enough to handle it, because while very nice to have, they can be pretty hungry with memory and processors.

Are you thinking at some point of integrating midi tracks with audio recording? (voice, acoustic guitar, etc)

Do you want to be able to collaborate with other performers and composers via internet?

What is your current experience level with computer based music production?

What is your level of computer experience?

You will get different answers here on which computer and platform to use depending on whom you talk to. None of the choices will necessarily be wrong, they will just be different, based on personal preferences.

I'm not a Mac guy anymore, so I can only really speak of PC's and PC based progs.
For a PC, you will want at least a dual core processor with a minimum of 4 gig of ram. These are minimum requirements for a minimum production level.

But, you need to tell us a bit more about some of the things I've mentioned above.

If this is a hobby for you, then you don't need a full blown Pro Tools rig on a powerhouse computer. Something as simple as a decent PC with Reaper would probably be just fine.
However, if you are looking at doing this in a more professional manner, then you have many more parameters to consider.

FWIW

d/

Denv12 Sat, 04/26/2014 - 14:01

DonnyThompson, post: 414191, member: 46114 wrote: Well, you have many options when it comes to DAW software.
What you do, or what you want to do, along with your experience level with computer based audio or midi production up to this point, will play a huge factor in what you should be looking at.

What is your ultimate goal? Are you looking at releasing professional grade product, or are you just looking at having fun with this?

Are you looking at sticking strictly with the sounds you now have? Or, is there a possibility that you would like the option to tap into more sounds via a library of sounds that is resident within your computer?
(these are referred to as "VSTi's" or "soft synths") which could include everything from orchestral sections to rock drums to reproductions of classic synth sounds, like the Yamaha DX7, Roland Jupiter, SC Prophet and even Hammond B3...
If you would like to be able to use VSTi's", you will need a computer that is efficient and powerful enough to handle it, because while very nice to have, they can be pretty hungry with memory and processors.

Are you thinking at some point of integrating midi tracks with audio recording? (voice, acoustic guitar, etc)

Do you want to be able to collaborate with other performers and composers via internet?

What is your current experience level with computer based music production?

What is your level of computer experience?

You will get different answers here on which computer and platform to use depending on whom you talk to. None of the choices will necessarily be wrong, they will just be different, based on personal preferences.

I'm not a Mac guy anymore, so I can only really speak of PC's and PC based progs.
For a PC, you will want at least a dual core processor with a minimum of 4 gig of ram. These are minimum requirements for a minimum production level.

But, you need to tell us a bit more about some of the things I've mentioned above.

If this is a hobby for you, then you don't need a full blown Pro Tools rig on a powerhouse computer. Something as simple as a decent PC with Reaper would probably be just fine.
However, if you are looking at doing this in a more professional manner, then you have many more parameters to consider.

FWIW

d/

All I want to do is connect my Roland RD700SX piano to my Ketron SD1000 via USB and DAW software and an appropriate tablet or ipad.This way I can activate the module from there and play any sounds on my piano.

When I bought this module I connected up via Midi cable from Piano Out(RD) to Midi In(module).Switch on external zone.
For MSB LSB PC
These become bank 0,1,10,11. --- 1 to 128 sounds/tones.
The sounds are supposed to be added to
UP1,UP2,1w1,2w1.
I only get 1 sound on UP1.

The fault doing it this way is there is a midi port bugging issue.Connecting up via USB like in this video solves that problem:

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Thats how I need to set mine up.I just need to buy DAW software and an ipad/table then connect piano,module and tablet.

To answer your questions:
I havent had any DAW experience at all.
I want to use the module as is on the piano.
I play at home not professional.Just on my own.
I use windows 7.
I am computer savy with computers for doing just computer stuff but nothing with connecting musical instruments,etc.
I have a Tascam DP03 digital recorder/mixer.I record any time onto that,upload WAV files to pc,import to Audacity,export to pc files and save them.I burn them on to cd if I need to.
I bought the Ketron SD1000 sound module about 6 weeks ago to upgrade from the Ketron SD2 sound module I bought in January.The SD1000 is the better of the 2.