Alvin,
There are several ways of connecting your keyboard to the PC.
1. As you said, some keyboards come with a USB interface and this is easy.
2. If you don't have a USB interface on your keyboard, then you can do one
of two things:
a. You can use a midi cable to connect your keyboard to a midi input on
your computer.
b. Of course, not all computers will have a midi interface, in this case
you can purchase a midi to USB adapter which will convert the midi inputs
and outputs of your keyboard to a signal that can be interfaced with your
PC's USB I/O
One such USB to midi adapter (which I still use) is made by Cakewalk.
Actually, what I bought several years ago was the Cakewalk Music Creator
Music Pack (or some such name). Basically it comes with the midi to USB
adapter as well as the Music Creator software. Music Creator is a scaled
down version of the sonar music production software package (which is used
by many professionals). When I bought this Music Creator pack several years
ago, it was only about $50 or $60 - Well worth the price for the combination
of hardware interface and Music Creator software which can be used to record
directly from your keyboard, edit the music in many ways, etc. A great
package for the beginner.
I now use the full fledged Sonar Producer package and have lots of other
audio devices, but that is how I got started.
Also, if you are interested in doing these things, you should be aware of
two other distribution lists for blind musicians.
1. www.sonar.org - Is a web site for users and developers of Sonar and JAWS
scripts for using sonar. Scripts have also been developed to use various
versions of Cakewalk's Music Creator (in fact I worked on some of these
myself).
2. www.midimag.or - Is another site for blind musicians. You can get lots
of questions answered about using midi devices, working with audio, running
these various programs, etc.
Both sites have a mailing list that you should sign up for. I have found
both very useful over the years. Plus, if you get the Music Creator pack,
you should definitely download the JAWS scripts for using Music Creator (if
you are using JAWS).
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask me any questions off list if you like.
--Pete
Check out ViewPoints
A weekly, half hour radio program for people living with low vision
Find out more about the show and links to the podcasts at:
www.ViewPoints.torpey.info
Send suggestions or comments to:
[email protected]
---- begin included message
From: [email protected]
Subject: [Blind-Computing] connecting musical keyboards to a computer
and what software is accessible?
Hi list,
It's AC. I bought a Casio WK 200 keyboard about a year ago. I thought it
had a USB cable to connect it to my computer, but it doesn't. However, I
hear that there are USB audio interface devices that you can use to
connect musical keyboards and other audio devices to your computer. Does
anyone have any suggestions of ones that are user-friendly/accessible?
Also I was doing some searching on the Internet for software that I can
use to enhance my musical sounds and experience. I found Sound Forge
audio 10, Cakewalk Sonar, Cakewalk Creator 5, and M-Audio software
bundles as well.
Any guidance or recommendations will be greatly appreciated for USB audio
interface devices and software and any other things you find work for you
if you are involved in this type of activity. :)
Be blessed and enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day weekend!
Keep it memorable! Lol
Alvin
----- end included message
For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit:
http://www.jaws-users.com/help/
