[El Jefe]

My daughter plays her keyboard along with me when I play my guitar, and it sounds ok, but I would like to pump it up a bit.
Her keyboard has MIDI in and out, and I know that I can get an adapter to hook it up to my pc ( I also have the free version of Pro Tools) but I don't know how to get the different "voice" or whatever onto the keyboard. I would like to know where I could get that "voice" also.
Are there any "electric tusk ticklers" out there who can shed some light on this for me, or tell me where I can find something with that blues/rock sound that she could play on a poorman's budget?

[Nate]

Well, first of all... it would help to know approximately what a "poor man's budget" is.

Ok, first thing you need to know is that no matter what you do, there's really no way to get more sounds (voices) "onto" the keyboard itself (unless you have a more expensive keyboard that has slots for expansion boards, but that's another story). What you can do, however, is buy a sound module that you can control via the MIDI out port on your keyboard. Sound modules range in price from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars.... and there are modules suited for just about every application and genre of music you can imagine. I would suggest looking at the Roland JV-1010 module. It's only about $400, and has well over 1000 sounds.... including many great B-3 sounds. Also, it has one expansion board slot with which you gain access to Roland's massive expansion library. (one of the expansion boards you can choose from has over 100 B-3 sounds, BTW)

Another thing to consider is amplification. If you're only using the Yamaha's onboard speaker system right now.... you'll have to buy an external amp to hook up the sound module to. There's no way to plug it into an onboard system.

I know this isn't much info, but I don't have time right now to type more. I'll come back in sometime tomorrow and see what else I can come up with. In the meantime, the more info you can give me and the more questions you ask, the more I'll be able to help you.

Hope this helps.

[Nate]

In that last post, I was assuming your daughter's keyboard was one of the many PSR models that Yamaha makes.... was I right in assuming this?? If so (or even if not), what is the exact model number?

[El Jefe]

Hey thanks for the info.
It is a PSR, but I don't know the model. ( I'll look at it when I get home)
A poorman's budget is very near to free : ) Iwouldn't mind getting her a new one, but I can't right now.
If I hook the keyboard up to my computer, isn't there some way of using my pc to be the expansion board? Do these sounds have an extension ie: .doc, .wav, .etc..? I sa a website in my search that would let me but some B3 sounds, but I don't have any knowledge base to use them on the keyboard.
Sorry if I am too vague with my Q's, I guess that shows my learning base. I would love any suggestions about a new keyboard that would be better etc, or another way to get that sound.
Thanks again for all your help, your a font of info.

[Nate]

Originally posted by El Jefe
If I hook the keyboard up to my computer, isn't there some way of using my pc to be the expansion board?

Ok, it is possible (in fact, it's becoming quite common) to use your computer as a sound module of sorts. Usually, this is done by a software sampler; which allows you to buy sample CDs (CDs with a bunch of sounds on them), upload and edit the samples with your computer, and then play them with your keyboard. However, most good software samplers cost at least a couple hundred dollars. Another option that is widely used are programs called software synthesizers (or softsynths, for short). Softsynths do pretty much the same thing as a sound module, except they are usually a lot more specialized in their application. For example: While the sound module I mentioned has a huge variety of sounds, most softsynths focus on one kind of sound (B-3's, electric pianos, acoustic pianos, vintage synth leads, etc). There is a program out now called Native Instruments B-4, which is rumored to be the best B-3 simulator available (software or hardware). It costs a little under $200.

There are probably some free softsynths and software samplers online, but I really doubt they would have much better sound than the Yamaha does. (Does the Yamaha have any B-3 sounds at all?)

Also, another thing to remember is that you would still need some way to amplify these sounds. Your computer's speakers most likely aren't suited for this kind of application, and (as far as I know) there is no way to play anything besides the Yamaha's internal soundset through the built-in speakers.

I would love any suggestions about a new keyboard that would be better etc, or another way to get that sound.

Honestly, it all depends on how much you're willing to spend. I think the JV-1010 is probably the most cost effective way to expand your sonic palette. You really won't find anything even comparable anywhere near its price. That would be my first suggestion. Of course, even with that, you'd still need some sort of amplification. (do you have a home stereo with some auxilliary inputs, maybe?)

Gotta go, hopefully I'll be back in a little bit with some more info.

Hope this has helped. Keep asking questions!

[Nate]

Originally posted by KeyboardFreak
Gotta go, hopefully I'll be back in a little bit with some more info.

Actually, I'm not gonna be able to get back on tonight after all. I think I pretty much touched on everything that needed answering anyway.... so it'll be alright.

Again, feel free to ask as many questions as you can think of!

You can use some Soundblaster soundcards as rudimentary samplers. Use a search engine and look up soundfonts. There are certian cards that allow you to set up custom banks of sounds on your soundcard that can be triggered from your MIDI keyboard.

[Nate]

Originally posted by Unregistered
You can use some Soundblaster soundcards as rudimentary samplers..

"Rudimentary" is the keyword here. I've seen a few different soundfont pages, and it seems to me like the main role they serve is to improve your computer's playback sounds for MIDI files from the cruddy bloops and bleeps that most computer's MIDI soundsets seem to be comprised of. I am finding it very hard to imagine that a soundfont will sound any better than the presets on the PSR keyboard.

Just some thoughts.

[cathode]

I would agree that buying a sound module would be a great way to go. I would reccommend the Kord X5D-R, the organ sounds are amazingly real. I've heard several people say they can't believe those sounds are found in a synth. I believe it sells for under $400 too!


Peace!

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