Several posts back, DonM noted that he used an Edirol PCR 80 USB Midi controller with his Midjay. I had always assumed - apparently wrongly - that controllers with USB in their description could only be used with a PC. What features, other than an external power source, are necessary to use a 'USB/Midi' controller with an arranger module? Thanks.
Ciao,
Jerry

There's no problem because in addition to a USB port, the PCR-80 also has MIDI IN/OUT ports.

It's when they try to substitute USB for MIDI IN/OUT when there's a problem.

Rickidemon
http://namm.harmony-central.com/SNAMM03/Content/Edirol/PR/PCR-80.html

Rickideemus,
Thanks for the reply. So, does that mean any controller with a midi in/out port will work with a module?
Jerry

Jerry, I've only just started studying the digital end of music the last month or so. However, I think it's safe to assume if I screw up, somebody will jump on me in about 1 ms.

If you have a controller with MIDI OUT and a module with MIDI IN, then I believe those two pieces of equipment are surely supposed to work together. However, on the forums I've read of a few cases where some manufacturer's equipment doesn't like some others, for some strange reason. I think that's rare, and believe there is a malfunction somewhere.

Once you have the MIDI straightened out, if you want the module to play out of a speaker on the kbd, you wouldn't use MIDI in the other direction. You'd use audio out/in. Make sense?

Rick

Jerry,

Rick is basically correct - if your controller has a round MIDI-out port, and the module has a round MIDI-in port, the two should work together.

I believe that for basic functionality (e.g. transmitting note on/off messages) there are are no compatibility issues. The problems arise when it comes to other types of messages, which use CC (continuous controller) and PC (program change) codes, as well as system exclusive messages - I think some of the cheaper consumer keyboards (e.g. lower range Yamaha PSRs) may not be able to send those, even though they may have bona fide looking MIDI ports.

On the other hand, any dedicated controller, or keyboard specifically designed as controller should work correctly.

If I were looking for a controller for an arranger module, I would look for one with many mappable buttons (sliders and knobs are not as important), and an easy way to map/program them, probably using a PC. You should be able to map these buttons to program/tone/style changes, and commands to start/stop/fill, etc so that you can do as many things as possible from the controller itself, rather than having to move over to the module buttons.

Regards,
Alex