Will a Vs 1880 and a pc be friends?

Hello all.

First of all let me say I know nothing. That said- I have a new fast pc, a lovely screen, an old trinity workstation (keyboard) that outputs midi, an old Vs 1880, an acoustic guitar and mic etc. I would like to start recording track by track but, as I said I know nothing so- will the Vs 1880 plug into the pc (hoping to use the vs1880 as an interface?) via a midi to usb lead and then use Tracktion on the pc to mix it? This is my first foray into all of this so please excuse my almost embarrassing level of knowledge (that’s me bowing in respect).

 

MIDI cables don't carry audio. To record and mix on your PC it's going to be a lot easier to get a USB recording interface and skip the VS1880. Figure out the maximum number of live audio inputs you'll need at a time, consider adding two or more just to be safe, and shop around for something that covers your needs. Something with built-in MIDI connection via traditional DIN connectors might be the way to go.

 

Sooo much to learn.

Boulder- would my korg trinity workstation be able to play sound that I have in my DAW on the pc or would I need a midi keyboard (M Audio Keystation for instance) for that?

 

Hi,

Welcome to the forums. You actually have all you need to make an album without a PC. In fact I recorded Eric Haydock Ex hollies on a vs1880. Also Savage Garden did an album on on a VS880 .

Anyway, what you need if your going to go PC DAW is a very clean windows install. You’ll then as advised above want a reasonable interface I’m personally not a fan of USB, however if you’re keeping to a low input count, it’ll be fine. Anything from focusrite or personus, or rme (more expensive), will do you in good steed. Motu also make great interfaces.

To connect your Korg you’ll need midi input. That is usually possible also on a decent interface. That will allow you to use virtual instruments within the DAW, or conversely third party virtual instruments.

Cheers,

Tony

 

Cheers Tony.

I really wanna go down the DAW route so I don’t have to lean over the little screen all day.

If not USB connection of the interface, is there another way you advise?

 

As I said, for your purposes USB will be fine, it's a personal thing. I definitely would not run any multiple interfaces such as USB for midi along with a audio interface separately. This is particularly an issue with most PCs if their not purpose built or made from high quality personally sourced parts . I personally won't give up my big old Mac Pro . Just worry about getting a half decent USB audio interface with midi connections on it to get you started. If you have a big budget, then we have a different conversation

Tony

 

I'm sure the trinity has a midi output port.
Make sure your future audio interface has midi input and you'll be ok

 

Yep, if the Trinity has the conventional 5-pin DIN MIDI port and the interface has the same then you should be able to use it to control sounds in the computer. Some people have issues with MIDI latency so you'll have to research that stuff to learn how to get the best performance. MIDI isn't really my specialty so I can't help you beyond generalities.

Besides USB there are interfaces that use Thunderbolt connection or have a PCI host card. At one studio I use an old MOTU setup with a PCI host card that allows up to four connected interface modules for as many as 96 inputs and outputs. At another studio I use an Apollo 16 that connects by Thunderbolt. But USB 2.0 can accommodate 16 inputs well enough so that's a practical option.

 

Where it gets off course is when looking at latencies and how drivers and realtime mixers are made.
I worked focusrite interfaces and was able to do everything needed up to 18 channels. But when I switched to RME FF800 (an old unit) I was blown away by how better the drivers was and Totalmix is a blast (route any input to and output is very nice...)
If I didn't want to do full bands and need that many channels. I'd be tempted by Audient products. The included preamps are very nice.
If not antelope and RME remains on my top list !