Configuring Keyboards, ver. 0.8

[Jim Henry]

Take a look at this topic, particularly Rick's "Simple Guide to MIDI", for information about using MIDI-OX:
http://site.virtualorgan.com/community/ ... iox#p14837

[Jim Henry]

What you want to do next is use MIDI-OX to see what the Korg is sending as MIDI Messages when you move the expression pedal.

[Kurzweil]

The great thing about a Japanese organ is that you often can indeed be up and running on two keyboards and pedals with very little effort. Anything manufactured after 1985 will probably be MIDI and often can be bought for $50 to $200. I went to check out a 1986 MC600 Yamaha by taking a Casio multitimbral keyboard and a MIDI cable with me. I set a different sound on each of the first three channels (it was already set up with piano, strings, and bass) and simply played the Yamaha's keyboards and then pedals and each sound played when told to. I changed it's piston style presets and the Casio changed patches on channel 1 - close enough. The expression pedal did NOT control the Casio, leading me to believe that what Jim said was true, it was an amplifier volume control rather than a MIDI controller. However, the later the organ model, the more MIDI features you will get. I didn't buy the Yamaha but later DID get a 1994 Technics that had velocity and channel aftertouch. I haven't checked the volume pedal but suspect that it sends legit CC #11 values. So just check Craig's List every day or so and you'll probably find one for less than you paid for the Korg in a month or three. You may can use the Korg to check out the potential organ candidate. Don't buy anything without presets. They're essential for smooth registration changes on MidiTzer.

[dennisd]

Thanks again JimHenry. I have downloaded 'Simple MIDI for Miditzer' I guess it will take me somewhile to read and hopefully understand some of it.
Thanks to Kurzweil for your comments on Yamaha Organs I think I will try to track down an old one
I doubt that Craig will supply me as I take it he is situated in the U.S.while I reside in U.K.
Thanks for your interest

[Ormly]

I am using Win XP that auto loads drivers for the USB devices. When plugging in Midi-usb cable the computer verified it was ready to perform. That was good news. However, after making all the connections to my Keybd )Yamaha PSR 8000) and after double-tripple checking input-output midi cable assignments, I then booted up Miditzer only to receive the message, "There are no Midi devices connected and I would only be able to play Miditzer from mouse or comp kybd."

Question: How do I inform Miditzer than it is in error?

Thanks, Ken

[bdalton]

Ken.
Read the very first post in this topic.

Barry

[Jim Henry]

Question: How do I inform Miditzer than it is in error?

The short answer is, "You can't."

The slightly longer answer is, "You can't because it isn't."

To peel past the two flip answers we have to dig a bit deeper into what is happening inside the Miditzer. When the Miditzer starts, it asks Windows what MIDI devices are available for the Miditzer to use. If Windows tells the Miditzer that there are no MIDI devices connected, then you get the message you did. To get past that message, you are going to have to figure out why Windows isn't making the MIDI to USB device available to the Miditzer. Here the road turns steep and my crystal ball goes dark. From what you described, it sounds like you are on the right track. There is probably some little tiny thing that is derailing you. If you could see it, you'd be in business. Since you can't see it so far, you are unlikely to say anything in describing the problem that will really tip us off as to the oversight.

What kind of MIDI to USB cable do you have. Some are just known to have problems. Maybe yours is one of them. If it is, nothing to be done but replace it with something better. The cheap, US$10 or less, no name MIDI to USB cables create a lot of problems and you shouldn't bother with them at all. The MidiSport UNO seems to create a lot of problems and it isn't any less expensive than a better cable. I've also heard reports that the Yamaha keyboards can be hard to connect although that seems dubious to me. In any event, the Miditzer will find a correctly connected and configured MIDI to USB cable whether or not a keyboard is connected to the MIDI end of the cable.

[greenfox]

Are you able to see your MIDI device with a different MIDI program like Midi-Ox?

[spinkle1]

please can anyone tell me as i have a cheapo U|SB to midi device which i cant get to work the device manager shows its working fine as i press the keys on the keyboard the light on the USB midi device responds yet no midi software i have picks it up i am using a medion 8800 with a built in realtek sound card the only to devices i can choose are the ms wavetable synth and my oxygen 8 usb key station do i need a sound card or a proper usb midi interface such as the midi sport ?

[Jim Henry]

Based on posts I would say those El Cheapo MIDI interfaces are hit and miss. They work fine for some people and never work for others. On top of that, the amount of data that can be generated by an organ console can cause errors with them. I'd recommend a name brand interface. If you will be using multiple keyboards that each have a MIDI Out, then get an interface that can handle at least the number of keyboards you will eventually use. It costs more but it will make life easier in the long run.