Replacing a Roland music workstation/synth with a MID Contro

I seriously do not know where to ask this but I was recommended to come here.... so if you guys could guide me to right places, that would be more than enough anyway here goes...


Background info: My Roland Juno G music workstation/synth broke the other day and I dont have a working keyboard to jam around. However, I happen to have CME VX 88 Midi controller laying around and a some Roland Edirol MIDI Controller. I also have a laptop with lots of space and an audio interface.

What I want to do: So, as you can probably imagine, the thing to do here is to connect my CME to my computer and use that to jam instead:

Problem: Sooo, I really dont know how to explain this... ive tried explaining to other people in different forums but quite never get what I need. What I want do so is turn that CME into a working keyboard with banks and sounds and to pretty much replace my Roland keyboard. I know that the MIDI controller is JUST a controller that sends signals to the computer and the program to record notes or date but its not really an instrument. I get that. However, is there anyway to turn into a working keyboard using a software/laptop? I have already experiment around with it with Cubase and Ableton Live and I just change the VSTs to change different sounds. How would be I able to program or map my CME with sounds?


So, in my Roland Keyboard, I would just press a button and my bank sounds would change. I guess what I want to do is to imitate what my Roland did with my CME and laptop.

What I want to know is, is there a way to do this? or is the concept just stupid and probably wouldn't work.


I know this is probably not the right place to ask this silly questions as this forum is for MPCS and that sort of things. But I quite dont know whats the name of this concept or process. I have tried going into some DAW forums but its all about making music. I dont want to make music or record just imitate my broken Roland keyboard.

Anyway, thanks for your time. I appreciate it


update: AH okay, so I could use a sound module, is there anyway I could use my laptop as a sound module?

I think if you use a VST with presets, then whenever you hit the button to change sounds on your keyboard, the preset would change in the vst.

In this case, all you do is hook your controller up to your pc, load up your daw, load in a vst instrument, and play.

That will only work on instruments that have preset banks and allow you to send what are called 'program change' messages via the keybd. I'm sure a big guy like FM8 would allow this.

The other option is to set up 16 tracks of different instruments in your DAW, and assign each a unique midi channel number (1-16). Then you can switch channels on your controller to choose which instrument you are playing.

I link this thread a lot but it really a good source of info for using a controller with something like Logic.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=97274
Obviously, you are using the CME instead of the MPC as the controller, and you are using cubase instead of logic, but the concept is all the same. It might help you.

And yes, your laptop is basically one of the most advanced 'sound modules' ever made.

The CME is a controller keyboard as you already know.

It will send various types of midi controller messages including note on/ off, program change, bank change and transport controls.

To do what you ask will require some setting up or involve the use of 'templates' designed for specific DAW's or plug-ins.

So first you will need to decide which DAW, platform (Mac or PC) and plug-ins you intend to use, so that you can then establish what you need to know in order to map the CME controls to the software. Some DAW's have a 'learn mode' to make this easier.

Whatever happens, don't expect everything to work as you'd like 'out of the box'. Tweaking may be required.

To get simple key splits as you illustrated, a sampler/ rompler type plug-in may be your best bet.

Thanks alot guys!!

I also found this nice guide the other day


http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct05/a ... enotes.htm

TrueYears wrote:Thanks alot guys!!

I also found this nice guide the other day


http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct05/a ... enotes.htm

Steinberg daws have always been at the forefront when it comes to midi.