Using the m50 as a controller/midi-keyboard with computer...

[Jacon92]

Hey everybody!

I´m new to this forum, and also quite new to keyboards, but in the short time I´ve been here, I see that there´s a lot of knowledge and helpful souls on here! Hopefully I can learn a lot and ask some guidance from you

Now my question is about the Korg M50....Its a very amateur question, but still....Is it possible to use the M50 entirely as a controller/midi-keyboard, by plugging it to a computer and a software program?
This means that I will be using the M50 ONLY as a controller-keyboard with other software sounds, I won´t be using the sounds on board at all....

And is it possible to use the software program from one laptop, while recording the sounds from that laptop to another computer? Or does it have to recorded within the same program as the software comes from?

I admit that this is a veeeeeery n00bish question, but I´m not that skilled on keyboards, so please help...Also, if you have some quick guidance to HOW i do this, where I plug the M50 and etc, then that would be nice too....haha, VERY n00bish, but I aim to learn!

Thanks again!

[Ajbbklyn]

The short answer is yes, the M50 can be used exclusively as a MIDI controller within a software host to control the sounds within that software. But this begs the question as to why you would use a full-fledged hardware workstation for this purpose. You are, in effect, cheating yourself by not taking advantage of the M50's superb repertoire of sounds.

Having said that, the best way to connect to the computer would be to install the latest Korg USB-MIDI driver which can be downloaded from the Korg site. It will, in all likelihood be a more current version of the driver than is found on your install disc. Optionally, you can install the Korg editor software, which can be used as a virtual instrument within whatever software host you're recording to. This adds the ability to use the Korg's sounds "live" in your recording session, taking some of the processing load off of your computer's CPU. Details are in the instruction manual, as are those for using the M50 as a MIDI controller. The only other piece of gear you'll need (if it wasn't included in the box the M50 came in) is a USB-MIDI cable to connect the keyboard to your computer.

You'll also want to read your recording software program's manual so as to properly configure it to communicate with the M50.

Your question regarding recording audio into a second computer seems overly complex and unnecessary. Why wouldn't you simply record the sounds on one computer?

Anyway, hope this helps. And, you should read the manual first. Try and understand things by reading and doing. Then, if you need further help, feel free to ask for help on the forum.

[mocando]

This means that I will be using the M50 ONLY as a controller-keyboard with other software sounds, I won´t be using the sounds on board at all....

Don't you think a dedicated controller is more suitable for that purpose ? Using an M50 exclusively as a dumb controller is like driving a mercedes sitting on the hood and pulled by horses

Besides, there are lots of controllers with better keybeds than the M50. If I could I would swap the entire keybed for a M1 or a Wavestation keybed.

[kanthos]

Guys, he could want an actual hardware keyboard for live performance, but prefer to use better-quality VSTs and samples in the studio. If so, the M50 is a fine choice.

And is it possible to use the software program from one laptop, while recording the sounds from that laptop to another computer? Or does it have to recorded within the same program as the software comes from?

Yes, although I'm not sure why you'd want to do it this way. You'd need two computers with two audio interfaces and connect the outputs of one to the inputs of the other. This is a pretty bad idea though. One of the HUGE advantages of recording from a MIDI keyboard is that you can record the MIDI. If you have a wrong note, you can easily edit it, you can change the instrument that's playing the MIDI down the road (or change the preset within the same instrument). You can't do that kind of stuff with audio.

I suppose you could always send the MIDI to the second computer as well, though you'd probably run into latency problems (the MIDI enters computer one where it gets passed to computer two, but it also goes to the software instruments on computer one and the audio from those goes to computer two), so unless your host software either sends the MIDI in sync with the audio it generates (i.e. delays the MIDI send to computer two) or the host software on computer two lets you delay the incoming MIDI data by a specific amount of time, stuff WILL get out of sync.

Really, it doesn't take much horsepower to record audio or MIDI. If you're running into problems with having too many instruments playing (and using up too much CPU) while you try to record, bounce some of those instruments to audio tracks (your host might call it freezing them). You can go back to the MIDI later if you like, but the playback will be audio only while the track is frozen, which takes much less processing power.

Also, if you have some quick guidance to HOW i do this, where I plug the M50 and etc, then that would be nice too....haha, VERY n00bish, but I aim to learn!

The only noobish questions, IMO, are the ones that are asked when they've already been answered. I'm pretty sure that there are some threads on the forum already about how to record from a keyboard; search for them for some tips. They might not be about the M50; the only unique thing about the M50 as compared to Korg's older keyboards like the Triton series is the editor, and I know people have talked about that as well.

[mocando]

That would make sense, but as he stated, and I quote: ..."I won´t be using the sounds on board at all.... " then my comment stands.

Using a Workstation as a simple controller makes no sense.

And I don't understand the two computer setup you are talking about. I can record audio from my M50, samples from a wav, MIDI notes from a MIDI file playing VST instruments and a miked drumset with Cubase on a single computer. Why 2 computers ?

[kanthos]

Didn't catch that.

Yes, don't go buy an M50 if you have no intention of using it as anything but a controller. For less money, you can get a top of the line MIDI controller with a ribbon, aftertouch, and/or semi-weighted or weighted keys.

[alec118]

For less money, you can get a top of the line MIDI controller with a ribbon, aftertouch, and/or semi-weighted or weighted keys.

Plus WAY more programmable knobs/sliders, and probably velocity sensitive drum pads.

[dekturrr]

considering i will be using the m50 as a controller, is it connected through a usb cable? if yes?

then can i possibly use it as a controller and an instrument at the same time?

what i meant is, can i still record sounds by connecting from audio output in to my soundcard?

[X-Trade]

considering i will be using the m50 as a controller, is it connected through a usb cable? if yes?

then can i possibly use it as a controller and an instrument at the same time?

what i meant is, can i still record sounds by connecting from audio output in to my soundcard?

Yes.

The M50 just transmits MIDI normally when playing. All the time. So as long as you're not on a program with any complicated modulation or arps going on, you can just turn down the volume and play your VST by MIDI if you want.

You will have to connect to your soundcard or audio interface to record though. the USB only provides a virtual MIDI connection.

[dekturrr]

thanks

[Jacon92]

Hey everybody!

Wow, thanks for all the helpful information, all of you!
This was all very useful!

Hah, I guess I could explain. You see, when I was working with this, my m50 had a malfunction which disabled all the buttons (not the touchscreen), and the sound would freeze after a short while, so it was basically useless (all is fixed now with a simple OS update). And I was heading for a band practice/recording session where I needed several keyboards, so I thought instead of just leaving the M50, I could use it as a midi keyboard for that time, and running the software sounds through a PA while practicing....

I didn´t do it eventually, but still, this was very helpful! No, now that the M50´s sounds are working, I will definetly use them, I love my M50! But I am also interested in exploring the world of software, and I think I might as well use the M50 as a controller instead of buying a 100 % dedicated controller keyboard.

[Jacon92]

PS. I´m sorry that I asked very basic/already asked questions, but I needed answers fast. I will definetly be reading the manual more thoroughly and do some research.

[Jacon92]

PS. I´m sorry that I asked very basic/already asked questions, but I needed answers fast. I will definetly be reading the manual more thoroughly and do some research.