Billy86
Hi. OP here. I only know enough about what digital information can travel over what kind of connection to get myself in trouble. The basic question was can a USB keyboard be a MIDI controller. I've learned the answer is yes, but doing so introduces other connectivity complications with finite ports (MIDI or otherwise) available. Didn't think of that originally. Great point.
Seems clear to me that the best thing to do for all the reasons discussed is go the extra $50 and get an interface with MIDI. Trying to keep it simple, with out hubs and driver worries and cables/adapter, etc. Thanks to everyone who weighed in! Now all this newbie needs to do is figure out how to get MIDI working in Sonar! :)
Billy86
I just want to let you know that it was not my intention to bring bad vibes to your thread …
In another day or two the solid two months of construction that I have had to put-up with every day will end at my residence ….please accept my apologies for beating a war drum …
The biggest reason why a person needs a decent sound card is because it will determine what type of sample rates and buffer sizes you will be able to record and render your music at ….
This is important when you are using midi because it will determine what type or the amount of latency you will have to contend with ….
the better the drivers and the lower you can set the buffer size = the less latency you will experience when you are playing and recording your midi keyboard …
Early on in a song or a project it is very likely that you can set the buffer very low and not have any drop puts or audio artifacts …once your CPU starts exhibiting any signs of strain w very low buffer sizes it becomes a fact of life that you will have to increase the buffer size to accommodate the VST synths, the audio tracks the plugs , or "the whole enchilada"
A dirty little fact or observation … the truth of the matter is a person does not have to buy an audio card w Midi if they don't want to or if they can't afford it ….it is perfectly acceptable to record and use a Midi controller VIA the USB route ….all this still hinges on what I have said before …the better the drivers and the lower you can set the buffer size = the less latency you will experience when you are playing and recording your midi keyboard …
A simple fact of life is a midi keyboard connected VIA USB will benefit greatly from the quality of the drivers of the audio interface
In SONAR you will be able to set your preferences and find what works best for you ….
As you have surmised already from some of the comments in your thread , a peripheral issue is gonna be about dealing with the availability of resourses for current needs and possible future needs ….routing, ports cables ect ect …
FWIW…I personally I grew tired of having to use a 49 Key Midi controller that was Midi and USB …
I wanted a full size keyboard so I wound up scoring dirt cheap an older 76 key synth workstation that was Midi out only w no USB ….
Having the Midi ports available on my sound card because I thought ahead for what my needs may be means I don't have to BS around …
This may not mean that much to most people now a days, but Old Synths are always in
look at how many VST plugs that are out that emulate them ….
Trust me man ,
if you happen to be walking by a garage sale and somebody lets you score a DX 7 or any number of old synths that don't have USB conectivity and they are Midi only for 40 bucks , you are still gonna want to plug that bad boy into your rig the second you get home
Kenny