Midi controller ----> need an interface?

[LukeGilmour]

currently i am looking for a midi interface to play some vsts trough my laptop.

in the event that i would play live, do i need a separate audio interface? or i can just use the onboard audio interface that comes with the computer?



im asking because i might get a novation xiosynth (included interface, and hard synth). it has a bit of everything, but it doesnt excel at anything.

if i dont have to spend money in an interface i can just buy a better standalone controller.

thanks!

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Midi controller ----> need an interface?

Haven't ventured into that much myself as far as external MIDI controllers other than using an Alesis SR-16 to trigger drum software.

What exactly are you looking to do? To play Virtual Instruments through your laptop, you'll need an external interface/trigger (MIDI keyboard, drum machine, etc), which connects via whatever method yoru laptop provides - USB, FireWire, etc, and of course you'll need a library of quality sound samples on your laptop for the interface to call up.

However, the better samples are memory and processor hogs, so you'll need a good laptop that is dedicated to that purpose (not the family/all-purpose laptop with Internet Explorer, Email, Quicktime+iTunes (which seems to run all the **** time) and all the other little pocket lint apps Windows can clog your system with).

If you're planning to control an external synth unit via the laptop which is itself being controlled by an external MIDI controller, you're asking for serious lag issues.

Best bet would probably be to create your accompanyment as a mixed file and simply play along with that, rather than risk trusting the comp to play back 12-tracks at once plus run the display which is constantly updating/refreshing itself plus do all the other things Windose likes to do when you're busy, like download non-critical critical updates and the latest gee-whiz spyware to make sure the mp3s you're listening to have their proper licenses.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Midi controller ----> need an interface?

^ What do you really think about Windows? :wink:

 

[LukeGilmour]

Re: Midi controller ----> need an interface?

stuff works great with the midi controller and home pc speakers.

im wondering if i need an audio interface to use the same rig in a live situation

 

[infrared72]

Re: Midi controller ----> need an interface?

My experience with onboard sound cards is that they usually pretty much suck. If you're short on cash, you can get by using the free Asio4all drivers to sorta kinda make your onboard sound work, but at some point you should pickup something decent that can handle 24 bit audio.

Most (but not all) aftermarket sound cards designed for PC based recording with a DAW have a midi interface included. I use an Echo Audio Gina 3g, and I've been really happy with that. I get really low latency playback with my Vst's, and the multiple outputs allow you to monitor through a different sets of speakers. Probably check out Edirol, M-audio, and any other sound cards in the sub $500 range. Most of those should allow you to accomplish what you described.

-Peter

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Midi controller ----> need an interface?

For an interface, I use an MOTU Ultralite mk3 with my MacBook into Logic Pro 9. This handles audio and MIDI and, for that matter, low latency monitoring duties.

As for the controller, I have used keys, Roland hexaphonic MIDI Guitar and a Chapman Stick/Grid.

 

[LukeGilmour]

Re: Midi controller ----> need an interface?

is latency the only problem? because i dont have much... if any.

i thought higher volumes would be a problem, as the onboard soundcard doesnt have a decent pre.