sprocketflup Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Hi, I've been lent an Alessis Q49 keyboard so I ca have a go at learning piano/keys. Id like to run it through my laptop, haven't a clue what I need though. what sort of software would I need to get these two items talking to each other please? Laptop is running Windows 10 TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 You need a DAW, digital audio workshop software. Something like Logic Pro, which is apple only, but that kind of thing. Cubase works with windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 3 hours ago, sprocketflup said: ...what I need though. what sort of software would I need to get these two items talking to each other please? Laptop is running Windows 10... As mentioned above, an easy enough starting point would be to download Reaper for Windows (free to evaluate, with no restrictions, and inexpensive if you decide to adopt it permanently...). It's easy enough to get Reaper to recognise that keyboard as a MIDI source. To hear anything, you'll want a Vst 'plug-in', which will be easily set up in Reaper. There are literally hundreds out there to choose from; to get at least a piano sound, I'd recommend one called '4 Front Piano', which is free, and ultra-simple to use. One big advantage to a set-up of the sort is that there are many on this forum able to assist with any niggles that crop up, to get it up and running smoothly and quickly. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 you also need an interface to go between the keyboard and the PC. Not all interfaces have MIDI in / outs , and I don't know if you need to use MIDI, I assume you do. Or if you just need stereo input to the PC, any 2 channel device like the Scarlett 2i2 will do. An interface with MIDI will cost a bit more than a 2 channel only interface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 I believe the Q49 supports MIDI over USB. If that's right, you don't need an interface - just connect the keyboard to the laptop with a USB cable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 34 minutes ago, Earbrass said: ...you don't need an interface - just connect the keyboard to the laptop with a USB cable. +1 ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveFry Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 Indeed, and you don’t need a full DAW , just a standalone piano VST . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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