Bought keyboard controller to beef up my piano skills, hooked it up to PC, now what?

phxlbrmpf · #1 01-19-2005, 12:34 PM

I've always been wanting to improve my keyboard skills without having to spend a lot of cash. I was told "get one of those keyboard controller things, you'll have to hook them up to your PC for them to play sound but you'll be able to get a decent claviature without having to spend too much cash.

Well, so I did. I bought a keyboard controller off ebay and hooked the thing up to the Midi out my SB Live. I was hoping to be able to use the programs that came with the SB to jam with this thing, but nada. What program do I need to use my PC as an amplifier for this thing? It didn't come with any software as I got it from the 'bay. Could you guys recommend me a program or two, preferrably not too expensive? I have an oldish copy of Cubase, which I don't have installed right now as I'm really terrible at it. Will that work? Thanks a lot in advance.

superbassman2000 · #2 01-19-2005, 01:33 PM

i do believe that you need a software synth (i've got reason) i think thats what you need...

Passinwind · #3 01-19-2005, 04:03 PM

Google on "General MIDI Synth" and "soundfonts" for some info on how do do what you need to. I don't do MIDI with my 'puter, so I can't help much beyond that. It'd probably help to start by plugging into your MIDI input on the SB though, no?

BTW, Cubase will work for a softsynth application, although I think Creative has a simpler app that should've come with your card.

Edit: did you enable the SB MIDI in the Windows volume control app, and turn it up?