MIDI connection advice

[rylie]

Rcently acquired a TASCAM DP-32SD Portasound multitrack recorder. This is my entry level into digital recording. Zero digital recording experience. The goal is to record my personal music musings. My unapologetic, indulgence in sound recording. To record, I have basses/guitars/drum machine and a Alesis QX49 MIDI keyboard. Recording bass/guitar/drum is basically understood. What's missing is the MIDI keyboard into the Portasound recorder. I need education/information on the "connector" gear that's between the MIDI and the Portasound. I've used the MIDI keyboard with Apple Garage Band and really enjoyed the virtual instruments. Looking to do the same without a computer. What am I missing?

 

[Bonafide]

Rcently acquired a TASCAM DP-32SD Portasound multitrack recorder. This is my entry level into digital recording. Zero digital recording experience. The goal is to record my personal music musings. My unapologetic, indulgence in sound recording. To record, I have basses/guitars/drum machine and a Alesis QX49 MIDI keyboard. Recording bass/guitar/drum is basically understood. What's missing is the MIDI keyboard into the Portasound recorder. I need education/information on the "connector" gear that's between the MIDI and the Portasound. I've used the MIDI keyboard with Apple Garage Band and really enjoyed the virtual instruments. Looking to do the same without a computer. What am I missing?

You are missing a sound source.

The QX49 is just a controller, no sounds.
The Tascam is just a recorder with effects, no sounds.

You'll need a sound source - (hardware or virtual instruments)

a) computer with virtual sounds (to use the QX to trigger/control) and a sound card or interface to plug into the Tascam to send those sounds (usually 1/4" line level)

b) a sound source such as rack or table top synth engine/sound module/drum machine etc (to use the QX to trigger/control) and use the 1/4" line level outputs to send to the Tascam

c) actual keyboard/synth with sounds built in - which is simply a controller and synth engine on board (and use the 1/4" line level outputs to send to the Tascam)