Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Moderators: MattKingUSA, khz
Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Hi everyone.
I've joined here as I can't find this answer elsewhere. I've seen several/lots of youtube vid's that claim to show how to do this but none actually do or show conflicting info. I'm pretty new to DAW's & synth's. & not a computer wizz.
My laptop is an HP 15-notebook quad core. running Linux Lite 3.4 distro (Ubuntu based i think) . I have installed LMMS 1.2 appimage (not working well so may revert to 1.1.3, have played about with this on & off mainly off & member of that forum) ; Ardour 4 (haven't used this yet) & Audacity.
I want to connect My newly acquired Novation K-station to my laptop to record / manipulate with Ardour (pref) or audacity.
I'm sure there's much more to it once hooked up but at this point all I want to know is what hardware do I need to achieve this connection?
I've joined here as I can't find this answer elsewhere. I've seen several/lots of youtube vid's that claim to show how to do this but none actually do or show conflicting info. I'm pretty new to DAW's & synth's. & not a computer wizz.
My laptop is an HP 15-notebook quad core. running Linux Lite 3.4 distro (Ubuntu based i think) . I have installed LMMS 1.2 appimage (not working well so may revert to 1.1.3, have played about with this on & off mainly off & member of that forum) ; Ardour 4 (haven't used this yet) & Audacity.
I want to connect My newly acquired Novation K-station to my laptop to record / manipulate with Ardour (pref) or audacity.
I'm sure there's much more to it once hooked up but at this point all I want to know is what hardware do I need to achieve this connection?
- bluebell
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
You need to exchange 2 kinds of data:
1) MIDI data for note on/off. Both from the K-Station (recording MIDI clips in Ardour) and to the K-Station (play notes, controlled by Ardour)
2) Audio data (recording audio in Ardour)
The K-Station doesn't seem to have an USB connector, so you need a combined audio/MIDI-interface.
A Scarlett 2i4 (1st gen or 2nd gen) will definitely work (2 audio inputs, MIDI). Solo and 2i2 models don't have MIDI connectors. 3rd gen models may or may not work.
1) MIDI data for note on/off. Both from the K-Station (recording MIDI clips in Ardour) and to the K-Station (play notes, controlled by Ardour)
2) Audio data (recording audio in Ardour)
The K-Station doesn't seem to have an USB connector, so you need a combined audio/MIDI-interface.
A Scarlett 2i4 (1st gen or 2nd gen) will definitely work (2 audio inputs, MIDI). Solo and 2i2 models don't have MIDI connectors. 3rd gen models may or may not work.
Linux – MOTU UltraLite AVB – Qtractor – http://suedwestlicht.saar.de/
- Linuxmusician01
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
If your device does not have an Midi over USB connection you can also use this cheap device from Aliexpress (link).
- khz
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
I would take an audio/MIDI interface because of the reliability/latencies/... .
Understanding recording hardware >> http://libremusicproduction.com/article ... g-hardware
JACK – A Beginners Guide to Getting Started with JACK >> http://libremusicproduction.com/article ... arted-jack
!libremusicproduction
Understanding recording hardware >> http://libremusicproduction.com/article ... g-hardware
JACK – A Beginners Guide to Getting Started with JACK >> http://libremusicproduction.com/article ... arted-jack
!libremusicproduction
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. . GNU/LINUX@AUDIO ~ /Wiki $ Howto.Info && GNU/Linux Debian installing >> Linux Audio Workstation LAW
. . GNU/LINUX@AUDIO ~ /Wiki $ Howto.Info && GNU/Linux Debian installing >> Linux Audio Workstation LAW
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- Linuxmusician01
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Me too. But maybe @TDNE wants to try it once, very cheap.khz wrote:I would take an audio/MIDI interface because of the reliability/latencies [...]
Last edited by Linuxmusician01 on Sun Aug 18, 2019 10:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Thanks everyone for all the info & links. I was getting disheartened & wasting a lot time getting nowhere.
One brief additional Q :
Could I route through an additional MIDI keyboard instead of an audio interface ? As they cost about the same I'd get extra versatility .
One brief additional Q :
Could I route through an additional MIDI keyboard instead of an audio interface ? As they cost about the same I'd get extra versatility .
- bluebell
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
There are some USB MIDI keyboards that have MIDI connectors as well and can act as a MIDI interface.TDNE wrote:Thanks everyone for all the info & links. I was getting disheartened & wasting a lot time getting nowhere.
One brief additional Q :
Could I route through an additional MIDI keyboard instead of an audio interface ? As they cost about the same I'd get extra versatility .
https://www.thomann.de/de/alesis_q49.htm
These handle only MIDI data! You can use a sequencer program (Ardour, Qtractor ...) to play your MIDI instruments. But if you want to get that audio into your computer then you need an audio interface. Maybe you can use the builtin interface if its quality is ok for you.
Linux – MOTU UltraLite AVB – Qtractor – http://suedwestlicht.saar.de/
Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Thanks.
I'm only concerned with using my synth at the moment, which is MIDI data only right? Audio is for Mic's / guitars & the like ?
Giving this more thought with your comments & given I don't really know what I'm doing I think I'll go with an audio interface from the lists in Khz's links & see how I get on.
Didn't realise I could use the DAW to play the K-station, that'll be a real help.
Edit: just bagged me a Tascam US-122
I'm only concerned with using my synth at the moment, which is MIDI data only right? Audio is for Mic's / guitars & the like ?
Giving this more thought with your comments & given I don't really know what I'm doing I think I'll go with an audio interface from the lists in Khz's links & see how I get on.
Didn't realise I could use the DAW to play the K-station, that'll be a real help.
Edit: just bagged me a Tascam US-122
- khz
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Settings of the audio/MIDI interface are done via alsamixer https://linux.die.net/man/1/alsamixer, with "alsactl store" (as root) https://linux.die.net/man/1/alsactl you save your settings.
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- Michael Willis
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
It depends on the interface. Some have features controlled by software, others are controlled only by the hardware dials and switches.TDNE wrote:So I need to download this ?
I use Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, and have never used alsamixer.
- khz
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Alsamixer is a console software which is installed by default.
As long as you can/will configure the audio/MIDI interface or there is no extra software for the audio/MIDI interface.
As long as you can/will configure the audio/MIDI interface or there is no extra software for the audio/MIDI interface.
. . . FZ - Does humor belongs in Music?
. . GNU/LINUX@AUDIO ~ /Wiki $ Howto.Info && GNU/Linux Debian installing >> Linux Audio Workstation LAW
. . GNU/LINUX@AUDIO ~ /Wiki $ Howto.Info && GNU/Linux Debian installing >> Linux Audio Workstation LAW
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- bluebell
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Because it doesn't have a software controllable hardware mixerMichael Willis wrote:It depends on the interface. Some have features controlled by software, others are controlled only by the hardware dials and switches.TDNE wrote:So I need to download this ?
I use Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, and have never used alsamixer.
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Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Yes, that's what I meantbluebell wrote:Because it doesn't have a software controllable hardware mixerMichael Willis wrote:It depends on the interface. Some have features controlled by software, others are controlled only by the hardware dials and switches.TDNE wrote:So I need to download this ?
I use Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, and have never used alsamixer.
Re: Connecting a synth to my laptop ?
Thanks for all your help.
Tascam is on it's way today. I've downloaded the manual for it & it does have a software mixer program. This should load when I plug it in or will i get Alsamixer ? Nat sure if it does anything i can't do with the knobs.
Tascam is on it's way today. I've downloaded the manual for it & it does have a software mixer program. This should load when I plug it in or will i get Alsamixer ? Nat sure if it does anything i can't do with the knobs.