Hi.
I haven't posted here in a while, but have been reading the posts almost daily..

Question: Is it possible to connect my keyboard (psr s710) via usb/midi to a, say, laptop with let's say NI Komplete vst library and play it live from the keyboard?

In other words:
Can I play live with the laptop and vst's as the sound source?
Has anybody here done it (successfully)?

Another question: Can anyone with personal experience say if the arranger software out there is reliable enough to play an entire ONE MAN BAND gig? for example the ControlBlade from music computing.

I love the ability to be able to work with software and high quality voices, and it will be great if one can take advantage of that power for a LIVE performance.

Would appreciate it if anyone can give input on this, preferably from experience.

Shim

Shim

I have been down this road with limited success, however, I am an old guy that isn't very proficient with midi software.

I bought a Muse Receptor and loaded it with B42, Collossus, and Kontakt. I use an Axiom 61 controller,but a keyboard with good midi implementation will work.

The sounds were pristine for sure, but had no facility for rhythms. The only other thing was trying to get the proper modulations or articulations with CC control.

I just got a fast i7 laptop and will try again.

My best success is the vArranger, which is a hybrid in that I use a Ketron SD2 module, but it plays Yamaha styles as well. The sound source doesn't have to be the SD2 if you have a fast enough laptop, but is was written originally with the SD2 in mind.

This program is rock solid, sounds great, and even I have no problem taking it to a gig by itself.

Bernie

Thanks for the response.
Regarding the sounds sounding pristine etc... Can you use the software sounds for lead/melody and use the keyboards arranger for backing? I.e. only using the software for the lead sounds?

I make custom beats. Can you assign software sounds for the "parts" of the beat?

Thanks, and if anyone else can chip in.. Thanks to you!

If you use an arranger as a controller for your software, you can assign like lead #1 or any other and have the arranger play it's part providing you have the midi set up right.

As far as the beat being derived from your software, an arranger, many times, has this capability but I have never done it.

Another way is triggering rhythm tracks in the computer from the keyboard if you don't use full accomp.

Many know much more than I however.

Bernie

Hi Shim

You need to understand the basics of Midi before going any further, there is a good beginners guide here have a good read and you will then be able to understand the Midi implementation chart at the back of your keyboard manual. (This will determine what you can & cannot do with your keyboard)

NOTE: While Yamaha make great sounding arrangers, as a Midi controller they are not that brilliant, so you will be limited in what you can achieve.

Hope this helps

Bill

Thanks Bill. You are right about understanding how MIDI works. Though I don't necessarily need to use the PSR for midi control.
I can buy a cheap midi controller or get the ControlBlade (or iKeydock, for that matter) from MusicComputing.com

Check em out by the way, they make awesome keyboard 'station's..
MusicComputing.com

Hello,

Lately I've been using Sony ACID Pro 7 with an Oxygen 61 midi controller. Any midi keyboard should work. Acid Pro lets me load all the VST's I have on my computer if you tell it where the files are. This is way cool for me as it allows me to use the best sounds from several programs in one VST host. I haven't tried it with my Tyros 4 yet, but plan too. -charley

Hi Shim,
One Man Band may work for you.( there's a downloadable demo)

It loads psr styles.

You should be able to assign melody voices to soft synth, style part voices to the psr itself.

You possibly could use the psr itself to control soft synth melody voices & play it's own style parts, but I think it would be more limited.

In OMB you can assign tracks individually.

http://www.1manband.nl/

thanks rikki, i'm still pondering 1manband....

Hi Shim,
I've got mine up & running with my Korg.

Did ecounter a couple of problems , though.

Combination of Korg for sounds for the style tracks, OMB as Arranger, Garriton (stand alone) for melody voices works ok.
When I tried the same combination with Kontakt I ran into problems.

I use midi yoke for virtual midi cables. Garriton recognized it in 32 bit mode, Kontakt doesn't recognize it so I'm guessing it's 64 bit??

There is the option of maybe loading it into OMB as a vsti?? I didn't have a great deal of luck.

I ended up reloading my Brainspawn Forte software that I used to use for my softsynth /software arranger setup.
It's now working perfectly.


As for possibly midiing a keyboard to play styles parts
& softsynth for melody, no hassles with my korg, I may even be able to get it to do bank & program changes for melody & save as a performance.

With the yamaha , you may have a few more hassles, you may need to have to choose them on the pc.
I remember I ran into problems a few years back, when I was trying to use an sd2 midied to my psr1500. I couldn't access all the sd2's sounds.