New guy here, so apologies if I sound uninformed. Simply put, I'm planning on purchasing the Casio CDP-120 which only has an USB out (no midi in/ midi out). Is it possible to use the keyboard as a midi controller as well (through Pro Tools) through a certain converter cable or such (does one exist?). I'm a guitar player, so keyboard connections to a from a computer puzzle me a bit.

My main goal is to try and get Hammond-esque sounds via Virtual Instruments or the like. Any direction would be great! KC Island #2449333 - 11/10/12 04:56 AM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller? 10k Club Registered: 10/19/09 Posts: 12979. If you're using Pro Tools or anything else on the computer, all you need is a USB cable. The lack of a MIDI connection on the CDP-120 only really becomes an issue when you want to connect it to other MIDI devices without using a computer.

However, if your goal is to trigger Hammond organ sounds, you may want to use a controller with unweighted keys instead of the weighted CDP-120. First off, thank you! Just so i'm 100% in the know, what would be an example situation of connecting the keyboard to a midi device.

(such as an Audio Interface? Or something like a Midi controlled rack synthesizer?) I've never had the chance to play on a real Hammond, so I had no idea, is the B3 a non-weighted keyboard ala synth action? If that's the case, then maybe for my purposes, a cheap midi controller like the M-Audio Oxygen 61 would do the trick, I might even be able assign drawbar position for the knobs. Edited by jasburbak ( 11/10/12 06:15 AM) #2449344 - 11/10/12 06:36 AM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller? 10k Club Registered: 10/19/09 Posts: 12979. Just so i'm 100% in the know, what would be an example situation of connecting the keyboard to a midi device. There are plenty of MIDI devices you can attach to a keyboard which do not involve a computer.

Including the possibility of directly connecting one MIDI keyboard to another MIDI keyboard. Leaving the computer out of the setup is particularly of interest to gigging players. There are lots of sound modules you can get that you can use this way. For example, most of the things you'll find at and There are also things like foot controllers and control surfaces all these things can work with computers, but also can work without them, via standard (non-USB) MIDI connections. While I like M-Audio for other stuff, their Oxygen controllers have a bad rap on this forum; I don't remember the reasons. Search using google, 'site:forums.musicplayer.com oxygen' and maybe you'll find some good info.

Folks who play hammond also don't like synth-style keyboards, because doing palm-smears with 'diving-board' keys like on synth-style keyboards can lead to scraping the palm with the edges of the keys. The same is true for piano-style keyboards, only more so, since the action is heavier. If your main thing is organ and you don't plan to do piano, consider a different controller than the CDP. However, if you're at all interested in piano, the Casio is an excellent choice, especially if you can find a bargain on a used one (including CDP-100, PX-110, PX-120, PX-130, PX-310/320/330, etc.) Either way you go, it's a compromise to use the wrong tool for the job, but nonetheless many of us do it and get. IMHO, if you want to do both hammond and piano equally, go with the piano action.

Transition from 'hammer action' to unweighted (or 'semi-weighted') is easier than the other way. Most Hammonds have what we call 'waterfall' keys, which are slightly weighted and have a slightly rounded edge rather than a lip (at the player's end). Makes those palm smears a lot more comfortable.

For your purposes, USB MIDI is best. If you find a keyboard that has 'DIN' MIDI (non-USB), those are fine too, and you can get adaptor cables on ebay for $6 that work great. However, you can't get the opposite adaptor (from USB keyboard to MIDI sound module or whatever). Those are $200, because they have to imitate a computer. Download keyboard apps for mac.

But unless you get pretty serious about keyboards, you're unlikely to need that. Meanwhile, welcome to the dark side, where we bash guitarists for playing too loud!

#2449438 - 11/10/12 05:18 PM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller? Member Registered: 11/10/12 Posts: 10. @ AnotherScott: Thank you, that cleared up things on the midi-usb issue great! @learjegg: Perfect. Pretty much everything I needed to know (with an added bonus info on Hammond vs Piano keyboard styles that I did not know:)) Per your suggestion, I've been googling for hours, and on different forums, regarding the Oxygen (more so M-Audio keyboards). I'll just add my collective data that i've gathered, so that a fellow member searching in the future might benefit from it) The Oxygen series indeed are not very well made boards, its the entry the model, and the action as well as build quality isn't all too great. I've decided to compare the Axiom 61 2nd Gen series.

The 1st Gen has very well documented 'Blue Screen Issues' and 'Sticky Keys'. With boards failing anywhere from 2 weeks to more than a year.

The Axiom 61 2nd Gen has a new motherboard chip (whatever it is), so far no common 'Blue Screen' issues and the keyboards are built a little better than the 1st gen. According to users with both. The 2nd Gen users on this forum and others seem to be happy with their keyboards. The reason to get a keyboard was to simulate as close as possible to a Hammond B3 organ. (with the occasional piano as well) But the selling point of the Axiom 61 over the CDP-120 is because of the 9 faders and tone wheel. As far as I've read, I can assign drawbars to the faders via VB3 or Native Instruments B4, and with the Casio I wouldn't have that option.

Plus, the Axiom has semi-weighted keys which would bring me a step closer than synth action. On the other hand though, it seems it's the majority's opinion that M-Audio keys have less than desirable action. But for my purposes, until I deem my playing worthy of a Nord, It'll have to do. Unless of course you (or anyone for the matter) knows of a way in which I can add draw bars to the CDP-120 I'm guessing as a guitarist, I'm to you guys, what drummers are to us Oh, and no worries, I'm sure I'll find a way to play the keyboards loud enough as well! #2449447 - 11/10/12 07:39 PM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller?

Platinum Member Registered: 10/29/07 Posts: 1849 Loc: India. The Oxygen series indeed are not very well made boards, its the entry the model, and the action as well as build quality isn't all too great.

I've decided to compare the Axiom 61 2nd Gen series. The only Axiom I've played is the Axiom Pro, I thought the action was quite poor, both for piano and organ. I didn't play an Oxygen, but it looks like the same action as an older M-Audio board I played, which I thought was much better for organ. (Pretty useless for piano though.

So it important, when you read comments about actions, to note what the person is trying to use it for.). The reason to get a keyboard was to simulate as close as possible to a Hammond B3 organ. The Axiom has semi-weighted keys which would bring me a step closer than synth action. On the other hand though, it seems it's the majority's opinion that M-Audio keys have less than desirable action.

But for my purposes, until I deem my playing worthy of a Nord, It'll have to do. Unless of course you (or anyone for the matter) knows of a way in which I can add draw bars to the CDP-120 As AG said, you can add drawbar function to the CDP-120. But it is a terrible choice for playing organ.

If your goal is 'to simulate as close as possible to a Hammond B3 organ,' forget this one, it is a completely wrong choice. (Okay choice for piano, though.) As I said, I didn't play that particular Axiom model, but maybe some can chime on on how its feel compares to the Axiom Pro. But don't get hung up on the word 'semi-weighted' which has almost no meaning. As I see it 'semi-weighted' and 'unweighted' are, for all practical purposes, basically interchangeable terms.

Either basically refers to an action that does not attempt to simulate the feel of a piano hammer. Beyond that, how suitable a particular 'semi-weighted' or 'unweighted' action is for either piano or organ cannot be determined by which word is used to describe it, you simply have to play them. AG mentioned the Novation Impulse. I think their SLII action is much better for organ (they call them both 'semi-weighted'). Unfortunately, the SLII only has 8 sliders.

Though I supposed you could use a knob for the function of the 9th slider. Another board to look at could be the Casio XW-P1.

Nine sliders (albeit short ones) and nice action. It even has sounds built in, including drawbar organ.

But the organ sound is not nearly as good as the software you've mentioned, so for organ, you'd be better off just using it as a controller like you would the others. This would also be a much better choice than the CDP-120. Much better action (for organ, not for piano), and it already has the sliders you can use as drawbars. More options to choose from It's never simple, is it? Well I checked the Arturia and the Casio XW-P1 which are not available in Istanbul (where i live), but the Novation and Roland's are available.

Researched a bit on those, and they seem to be a step up from the M-Audio, whilst being within the same price range. I do like Roland products and their build quality is pretty solid (I have a V-Drum Set that's wonderful to play on), they do have all the faders/knobs I would need, though as far as I understand, the velocity sensitive and aftertouch wouldn't be of much use for organ playing.

Any inputs on the Roland A-800 Pro's keyboard action? Maybe if I better explain my reason for buying a keyboard, it'd be easier to guide me. I'm a big fan of Benmont Tench (of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) and his style of playing. From all the videos I watched, his B3 playing is mostly chords with a few licks, pretty much the same that I will use the organ for. I'm not trying to do over the top jazz solo's or the like, or gospel playing.

I'll be using the keyboard to add color to my home studio recordings, at the same time improving my keyboard skills (why not ) If I can do the above, then a CDP-120 with the nanocontrols as mentioned could do the trick (although, just out of curiousity, being only USB, can the Casio accomodate the nanocontrols?), and use a sustain pedal as a Leslie switch. Then again, the Roland A 800 Pro seems an all in one, if the keyboards are good. Spend 15 years learning all that is to know about guitars, tonality differences between different cut wood grains, and now I'm back searching the web for endless three letter keyboard acronyms. Edited by jasburbak ( 11/11/12 09:14 AM) #2449506 - 11/11/12 09:38 AM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller? 10k Club Registered: 10/19/09 Posts: 12979.

I have used a Roland A500 quite a bit for controlling VB3. The A500 is basically the same thing as the A800, except it's only 49 keys.

It works great, though the action isn't exactly organ like. I bought it specifically because of its nine sliders and plethora of latching buttons. I have mine setup to control percussion on/off (both 2 and 3), keyclick on/off, and of course Leslie fast/slow/off.

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It also merges the incoming MIDI, so it makes a good interface to get a second keyboard into a computer. So, today I finally had the time to go to the music stores and check out each model. I really tried to like the Roland, but the action on the keys was very much synth like (felt almost a bit toy-ish), and the Novation SL had only slightly better action. I tried out the Hammond Xk1 to get a better feel of what a Hammond should feel like (though as far as I know the Xk1 isn't exactly like the original B3), but to my surprise the Axiom 61 felt very close to the Xk1's action, and better than the Roland or Novation.

Currently, i'm at the conclusion that I still want a hammer action keyboard for my home studio, so I think my best bet would be to decide between a Casio CDP-120 or a the new Yamaha P-35 (action is a little bit lighter than the P95), but still very nice. And to satisfy my Hammond clone needs, i'll just go with the no frills cheap Keystation 88 (which has the same semi-weighted action as the Axiom I believe but for much less), and use a Nanokontrol for the drawbars. Thanks to all who helped out, and if anyone still has any inputs, i'd more than happy to consider them too before I bite the bullet. #2450203 - 11/14/12 11:29 AM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller? MP Hall of Fame Member Registered: 08/09/04 Posts: 8693 Loc: Seattle, WA USA.

If it's an option to go for both, that's by far the best. Learning both styles of action at the same time is easier than learning either one and then switching later, and you won't have to compromise much on either piano or organ playing styles. I can't speak about the Keystation, but 88 seems like overkill. Was there a reason you're picking that over the 61?

We like 88 keys for piano, and for master controllers for live work where we'll often be splitting the keyboard into zones with different sounds in different zones. Another case is playing left-hand bass while comping chords with right hand (usually using zones).

The main advantages to a 61-key board is smaller/lighter for gigging, or to leave room to access controls on a keyboard below, when stacked. But if you won't miss the $50 and won't be gigging it, there's no harm in going 88.

For one thing, you can approximate two-manual playing, using a split point, and have more room for the lower manual. However, for 2-manual playing, most folks would prefer a pair of 61-key boards, stacked. #2450227 - 11/14/12 01:24 PM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller? Member Registered: 11/10/12 Posts: 10.

If it's an option to go for both, that's by far the best. Learning both styles of action at the same time is easier than learning either one and then switching later, and you won't have to compromise much on either piano or organ playing styles. That was the most logical conclusion I could end up with, by compromising from each price wise, I could end up with the best of both worlds, without really sacrificing playability. In Istanbul, the price difference between the 61 and the 88 is around $25, which I thought would be worth it, for the possibility of future uses I can perhaps come up with the extra keys on the 88. I won't be gigging with this setup, so weight or portability doesn't factor in, which is a plus. But I hadn't thought about 'leaving room to access controls on the keyboard below', which now does make quite sense too. Could you elaborate on what you meant by 'using a split point'?

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Do you mean connecting both keyboards into a dual manual via midi cable? On a side note, the interesting thing is that the CDP-120 and the PX-135 have a $250 difference in Istanbul, which I'm currently debating whether that price difference would be worth such an upgrade. I could use the advice, if you have one.

(the more I read on forum member reviews, the more I can't decide, but I'm almost there!) #2450234 - 11/14/12 01:42 PM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller? MP Hall of Fame Member Registered: 08/09/04 Posts: 8693 Loc: Seattle, WA USA. Given that price difference, you probably can't lose with the 88. Regarding split point: Hammond organs have two manuals (keyboards), one below the other.

All the good software clones allow you to pick a key on your keyboard, and notes above that are sent to the clone's upper manual emulation, and notes below that are sent to the clone's lower keyboard manual. (The manuals have separate drawbar settings, and some things like percussion only happen on the upper.) So, you just use one keyboard, split in the middle (or wherever you want), to play both manuals on the software clone.

Regarding leaving room to access controls on the keyboard below: one of the keyboards I'm considering to replace the bottom board is a Yamaha MOX8. It has the mod/pitch wheels above the keyboard. I'd want a shorter keyboard on top, to reach those (also because I like my two boards really close together). On the other hand, most of the important controls are near the center of most keyboards, so leaving room doesn't help much. For the PX-120, it probably doesn't matter: there's nothing on either end to reach. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it in this case. One of the good things about using just piano on the bottom tier is you don't need to access controls much.

Sorry but I can't compare CDP-120 and PX-135. #2450241 - 11/14/12 01:59 PM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller?

Member Registered: 11/10/12 Posts: 10. Regarding split point: Hammond organs have two manuals (keyboards), one below the other. All the good software clones allow you to pick a key on your keyboard, and notes above that are sent to the clone's upper manual emulation, and notes below that are sent to the clone's lower keyboard manual. (The manuals have separate drawbar settings, and some things like percussion only happen on the upper.) So, you just use one keyboard, split in the middle (or wherever you want), to play both manuals on the software clone. Ahh, got it, makes perfect sense! For the PX-120, it probably doesn't matter: there's nothing on either end to reach.

I probably shouldn't have mentioned it in this case. One of the good things about using just piano on the bottom tier is you don't need to access controls much. Great, so it won't be much of difference for me sticking to the 88's, still, it's good too know about practical usage like this, thank you Jeff. #2450257 - 11/14/12 03:15 PM Re: Possible to use an USB only Keyboard as a MIDI Controller?

10k Club Registered: 10/19/09 Posts: 12979. On a side note, the interesting thing is that the CDP-120 and the PX-135 have a $250 difference in Istanbul, which I'm currently debating whether that price difference would be worth such an upgrade. Especially since piano playing is not your primary concern, I can't see much benefit to the PX-135 over the 120.

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Thanks, I was thinking the CDP-120 should do me well enough, (and the saved $250 can go to the KS88 and NanoKontrols), just needed a more experienced opinion, to push me to the finish line. Well, that all wraps it up, thanks again! This is a great forum, with great people, i'll be sure to stick around.

English E-9 Connecting External Devices You can connect the Digital Piano to a computer and exchange MIDI data between them. You can send play data from the Digital Piano to music software running on your computer, or you can send MIDI data from your computer to the Digital Piano for playback. The following shows the minimum computer system requirements for sending and receiving MIDI data. Check to make sure that your computer complies with these requirements before connecting the Digital Piano to it. Operating System. USB port. Never connect to a computer that does not conform to the above requirements.

Doing so can cause problems with your computer. Make sure you follow the steps of the procedure below exactly.

Connecting incorrectly can make data send and receive impossible. Turn off the Digital Piano and then start up your computer. Do not start up the music software on your computer yet! After starting up your computer, use a commercially available USB cable to connect it to the Digital Piano. Turn on the Digital Piano.

If this is the first time you are connecting the Digital Piano to your computer, the driver software required to send and receive data will be installed on your computer automatically. Start up your computer’s music software. 3 3 Connecting a Computer Minimum Computer System Requirements Windows ® XP (SP2 or later).1 Windows Vista ®.2 Windows ® 7.3 Mac OS ® X (10.3.9, 10.4.11, 10.5.8 or later, 10.6.6 or later).1: Windows XP Home Edition Windows XP Professional (32-bit).2: Windows Vista (32-bit).3: Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit) Connecting the Digital Piano to Your Computer Computer USB port A connector B connector Digital Piano USB port USB cable (A-B type) CDP120e.book 9 ページ ２０１１年４月２０日　水曜日　午後１２時５５分.