Keyboard rig using MIDI keyboard, laptop or tablet - how to set it up ??

[pfschim]

Non bass question for all of you who may also play keys.

I'd like to set up a live rig using a MIDI keyboard and a Laptop or Tablet. What are you all doing for this kind of setup.

What I have right now:
M-Audio Oxygen Pro61
Macbook Air M4 with Logic, MainStage and Garage Band
iPad mini 6 with Garage Band

What else should I need, and how do I connect everything ?

 

[DonaldR]

You would need an audio interface for analog output.
I have an IK Multimedia Axe-IO One that I really like (specially for guitar and passive basses). It's USB-C bus-powered and it also works with my iPhone (even if I get the error message saying that it's not supported). Only cons are TRS balanced outputs instead of XLR and only one input.

 

[fokof]

MIDI kbd to laptop via USB
Audio interface to laptop or use Headphone out of laptop
Fire up MainStage , assign Oxygen as MDI input , assign Audio interface as audio In/Out or headphone

If you have more specific question , just ask

Have fun

 

[pfschim]

MIDI kbd to laptop via USB
Audio interface to laptop or use Headphone out of laptop
Fire up MainStage , assign Oxygen as MDI input , assign Audio interface as audio In/Out or headphone

If you have more specific question , just ask

Have fun

do you have a recommendation on a small interface to use in this set up ? I have a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 v3 but that seems kind of large-ish.
Someone else pointed me at the Mackie MDB-USB Stereo USB Direct Box, and that looks about right, but I'm open to suggestions from experienced folks.

thanks!

 

[fokof]

MOTU M2 , M4 or M6

M-Series | MOTU.com

motu.com

 

[DonaldR]

IK Multimedia Axe IO One is not that big. Have a look at Hotone Jogg for a pedalstyle interface.

 

[pfschim]

MIDI kbd to laptop via USB
Audio interface to laptop or use Headphone out of laptop
Fire up MainStage , assign Oxygen as MDI input , assign Audio interface as audio In/Out or headphone

If you have more specific question , just ask

Have fun

hey there @fokof , the keys situation took a back seat for a bit, but now I'd like to really figure it out.

This time, I'm focused on using an iPad with a KORG Module as the sound bank. But I'm hung up on what pieces I need beyond the MIDI keyboard and the iPad. I kind of understood the setup with a laptop, but I'd like to keep this as small as possible and I am not keen on using my primary laptop on gigs. I'd like whatever the audio interface is to DC powered so I can power the MIDI keyboard as well as the iPad so I don't need to worry about charging on a gig between sets.

Is all I'm missing is the Audio Interface ?

 

[fokof]

If there is a headphone out on the iPad , no need for an audio interface if simplicity is key

If your keyboard has USB , maybe a hub of some sort power up keyboard + iPad ?
I'm not Uber familiar with iPad stuff.....

 

[4Mal]

I'm not using this live. For me it is composition.

Behringer Flow 8 USB to hub.
iPad Pro 13" M5 also to hub running Loopy Pro and Pop Drummer and hosting a few soft synths including Mariana and Juno. Considering Logic...

Bass to Future Impact V4 USB to hub sending midi note data to soft synths. I also send to a couple of hadware synths.

AKAI MPK-225 USB to hub. Primarily for sound development. It's simple easier to tweak a synth without a bass in my lap...

The hardware setup is seemingly reliable. The Flow 8 is suprisingly good. I'll dump it soon though as I have an Allen&Heath CQ that I like a lot and it speaks USB.

I'm looking into a more capable hub that may let me integrate my M4 Mac Mini running Studio One Pro 7, Been crazy busy - as a retired guy I have no idea how I ever had time to work also a little slowed with a partially torn ham string and associated treatments, PT and recovery stuff...

 

[pfschim]

thanks for the replies.

I found a web site that laid out an iPad/MIDI controller live rig setup with all the elements very well defined.

It looks like it's built around an Anker USB-C hub with power. MIDI Keyboard, iPad and PreSonus AudioBox 96 Interface all go to the Anker USB Hub.
For sound I'm going to start with the KORG Module Pro as I don't have huge keyboard needs ... just a good piano, good electric piano, and a piano + strings pad. I may add AUM at some point too, but I want to keep it as simple as possible.

I will have all the parts by Fri and will report back on how well it works.

 

[bass player 53]

Non bass question for all of you who may also play keys.

I'd like to set up a live rig using a MIDI keyboard and a Laptop or Tablet. What are you all doing for this kind of setup.

What I have right now:
M-Audio Oxygen Pro61
Macbook Air M4 with Logic, MainStage and Garage Band
iPad mini 6 with Garage Band

What else should I need, and how do I connect everything ?

I have mentioned this elsewhere in TB; there is a site called Keyboard Corner. You have to joint to post, but you can lurk, and there is a useful Search function. There are a lot of knowledgeable members giving advice on what you’re asking about.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[pfschim]

I have mentioned this elsewhere in TB; there is a site called Keyboard Corner. You have to joint to post, but you can lurk, and there is a useful Search function. There are a lot of knowledgeable members giving advice on what you’re asking about.

Invalid Link Removed

thanks, I took a shot at reading through Keyboard Corner, but searching for specifics was a challenge (not unlike TB ). There was plenty of discussion, but nothing specific to what I'm trying to set up.

I think I'm sorted for the moment ... I'll know better after my iPad/MIDI stuff comes in later this week. I've already checked out KORG Module and the sounds are good. I am also already comfortable with MIDI keyboard controller (M-Audio Oxygen 61pro), so hopefully I'll be able to use this rig for gigs where I double on bass and keys.

 

[el jeffe bass]

There’s so much that you can do with a simple midi keyboard and iPad. The amount of VST’s that are available for little to no money boggles the mind.

 

[pfschim]

Wanted to report back on my progress. After I got a few parts sorted out, the MIDI rig seems to work like a charm.

Parts:
iPad mini 6
Anker Power Expand+ USB Hub with power delivery
M-Audio Oxygen 61Pro
Presonus AudioBox USB96
spare Apple USB-C power brick from an old macbook
KORG Module

Ultimately this was pretty easy once I had the right parts. Everything gets plugged into the Anker USB Hub. The Apple charger powers/charges everything. KORG Module (the free one) worked right on power up and it sounded great and there was zero detectable latency. The free Korg Module only provides a grand piano with some fx (but a very nice sounding one), so I'm looking at other paid apps like the KORG Module Pro so I can get a few more keys options. But really, for my current needs, I really only need a piano, piano with a pad (strings or synth), and a decent e-piano.

Very pleased with the results so far. While all the parts work, I do need to figure out how to put it together so I can use it on a gig ... like how to combine the parts (maybe velcro the Anker to the Presonus ??), how to mount it to my stand, where to mount it etc. I'm using a basic X type foldable keyboard stand for the M-Audio, so there are not a ton of options as far as mounting the parts. So, a bit more to figure out.

Thanks to all who offered suggestions!