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Old 08-16-2011, 06:13 AM   #1
mikka
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Default Musical Instrument Digital Idiot!

Hi guys,

Well ... as the title suggests I'm a complete technical idiot when it comes to today's technology. I have a Roland Fantom S88 Musical Workstation which I currently connect to my PC via a Tascam US-144 MKII. I'm a fairly accomplished pianist/keyboard/singer/songwariter and want to develop a complete home recording studio/setup but have not got very far.

I want to be able to control the mixer in Reason with some sort of hardware so I can use physical knobs and sliders etc rather than a mouse.

My question is what other gear do I need and how do I connect everything up? If someone can just point me in the right direction and explain the concept of what connects to what, then I can go and get the gear I need tailored to my budget.

In addition to my Fantom S88, I'm presuming I need some sort of midi controller keyboard plus some form of hardware mixer (?). Is this right? If so, how do I connect everything together and what do I need? For example, is my thinking right that I can have my Fantom S88 plus a midi controller keyboard plus a hardware mixer all linked up and connected to my PC?

I'd be very grateful for any help and advice!

Regards,
Mikka
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Old 08-16-2011, 06:50 AM   #2
G-Sun
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Hi Mikka!
From Finland are you? Welcome!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikka View Post
I want to be able to control the mixer in Reason
Reaper?
Quote:
with some sort of hardware so I can use physical knobs and sliders etc rather than a mouse.
Ok, you need a controller for that. Motorized with touch preferably. http://www.tweakheadz.com/control_surfaces.htm
Quote:
My question is what other gear do I need and how do I connect everything up? If someone can just point me in the right direction and explain the concept of what connects to what, then I can go and get the gear I need tailored to my budget.

In addition to my Fantom S88, I'm presuming I need some sort of midi controller keyboard plus
Use the Fantom S88, midi out/in
Quote:
some form of hardware mixer
No, you can mix it all in Reaper. Though it might be convenient to have a small hardware mixer for monitoring the s88 together with playback from the DAW
Quote:
how do I connect everything together and what do I need?
S88 midi out to Tascam US-144 MKII midi in
Tascam US-144 MKII out to S88 midi in
S88 stereo out to Tascam US-144 MKII line ins (for monitoring)
Mic (buy one) to xlr1 on Tascam US-144 MKII
Tascam US-144 MKII line out to speakers

Happy recording!
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Old 08-16-2011, 09:29 AM   #3
mikka
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Many, many, many thanks for the prompt reply (UK born & bred I'm afraid)! You spotted the deliberate mistake and I of course meant Reaper (not Reason) but my brain is over-loaded currently!!!

Two further questions if I may:

1. Where would the midi controller slot into this set-up? I still need to use my S88 for piano work (and other things) but I would welcome a smaller keyboard/midi controller to sit in front of my monitor. How would I chain that into the set-up?

2. Similarly, how would I chain a small hardware mixer into the set-up?

I'm sure I come across as a complete techno thicko but I can play pretty good - just not very technically minded!

Humbly eternally grateful for any further help please.
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Old 08-16-2011, 10:42 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikka View Post
Many, many, many thanks for the prompt reply (UK born & bred I'm afraid)!
You're welcome. Mikko, was just so Finland name
Quote:

1. Where would the midi controller slot into this set-up? I still need to use my S88 for piano work (and other things) but I would welcome a smaller keyboard/midi controller to sit in front of my monitor. How would I chain that into the set-up?
Ok, then plug the midi-controller into your audio-interface.
Then the s88 into the midi-controllers midi-through (or the other way around). Then as above.
Quote:

2. Similarly, how would I chain a small hardware mixer into the set-up?
s88 line out to mixer inn ch1/2
Tascam US-144 MKII to mixers ch3/4
Mix to taste
Mixer main out to speakers

Quote:

I'm sure I come across as a complete techno thicko but I can play pretty good - just not very technically minded!
Well, that's a much better start-position than the other way around

Have fun!
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Old 08-16-2011, 11:33 AM   #5
mikka
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It's easy when you know how huh G-Sun?
I'm very grateful for your help, thank you!
Regards,
Mikka
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Old 08-16-2011, 12:11 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikka View Post
It's easy when you know how huh G-Sun?
I'm very grateful for your help, thank you!
Regards,
Mikka
Happy to help
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Old 08-17-2011, 03:53 AM   #7
mikka
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G-Sun View Post
Happy to help
That's good to hear! I hope you're still feeling happy to help as I have another "idiot question" for you:

How would I link/chain in a 3rd keyboard (if I wanted to - I may well do) to the set-up?
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