USB to Midi cable or Midi controller keyboard?

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hope in hell
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2006/05/23 10:25:35 (permalink)

USB to Midi cable or Midi controller keyboard?

Sorry to be asking a noob question like this but i really need some good advice:

So i've been making music for a while by using just the sounds from my Korg XD5 in to Cubase etc. But now i want to start exploring the world of soft synths. Now i've got to admit that i know nowt about Midi apart from the basic premise of what it does. So the first thing i look for on my laptop is a Midi port - well it hasn't got one, so i need to connect my keyboard via USB. But then i got to reading about Midi controller keyboards and i started to wonder whether it would be better to go this route instead?

So my question is: do i purchase a USB/MIDI cable and connect my Korg to my laptop? Or do i purchase a Midi controller keyboard? Please consider the fact that i'm a broke student and only have a budget of about £150.

Will they both produce the same results? What are the pros and cons of either option? Obviously i don't want to spend more money than i have to, so naturally the cable route appeals to me but then again i don't want to waste money on a cable if it wont let me do what i want.

Any advice would be helpful.
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    scook
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    RE: USB to Midi cable or Midi controller keyboard? 2006/05/23 10:51:34 (permalink)
    If the Korg already works for you, save your money, buy a cable.
    post edited by scook - 2006/05/23 11:00:53
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    OffAnAirplane
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    RE: USB to Midi cable or Midi controller keyboard? 2006/05/23 11:32:45 (permalink)
    I'd go with a cable.

    Here's a good one.

    M-Audio Uno
    post edited by OffAnAirplane - 2006/05/23 11:43:56

    Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
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    hope in hell
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    RE: USB to Midi cable or Midi controller keyboard? 2006/05/24 18:05:37 (permalink)
    Thanks for the replies.

    So let me get this straight before i go out and part with me money - if i buy the cable you suggest, this will allow me to connect my Korg to the laptop and access the various soft synth sounds, and record like a midi controller keyboard such as the Edirol PCR-M30?

    Gotta admit the Edirol PCR-M30 looks really tempting based on the various stuff i've read about it on here and other places, and it's far more portable than my heavy Korg.

    Oh yeah, one last thing - does the Edirol use USB 2 or 1.1? And what difference does this make when recording?

    Sorry about this but i'm really excited by this whole new world of possibilities.

    post edited by hope in hell - 2006/05/24 18:18:27
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    scook
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    RE: USB to Midi cable or Midi controller keyboard? 2006/05/25 11:00:15 (permalink)
    With a MIDI to USB cable you will be able to send and receive MIDI information between your Korg XD5 and your laptop. You will be able access to soft synths.

    A MIDI controller may give you more options that your Korg.

    I am unsure which USB standard the Edirol uses but 1.1 should be able to keep up with a MIDI data stream.

    good luck and have fun
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