Rock Band Keytar acting strangely

[DeeJay]

hello all, new to midi, been recording forever though. guitar/bassist mostly
so i get a rockband keytar at a yardsale for 2 bucks, and a cheap victsing midi usb adapter for all of 3 dollars.
using windows 7, seems to recognize the keybaord, but it doesnt respond at all, whats more, when the "out" of the midi/usb cable, the keytar shows red LED lights as if it was working. anyone else experience this issue.
any help would be appreciated

 

[happyrat1]

First of all, are you certain you have it hooked up correctly? MIDI IN always connects to MIDI OUT and vice versa.

Secondly, what software are you trying to control with it? It won't make any sound unless you are using it to control a computer Virtual Studio Instrument. (VSTi)

Here's a simple freeware virtual synth you can use to test it.

http://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/virtualmidisynth

Follow the directions for use on that page and get back to us if it still doesn't work for you.

Gary

 

[DeeJay]

thanks fort he quick response
theres only one port on the keyboard, an out.
plugging "In" into it causes the "in" led on the usb adapter to flicker, but the keytar's "guide" button just flashes.
plugging "out" causes the keyboard's LEDs to respond to buttons, as if it was connected properly.
i'm gonna check your site andh ope for the best


thanks again

 

[happyrat1]

Here's a blog entry with a step by step Howto on setting up your game controller to play MIDI on your computer.

Saves me having to reinvent the wheel.

http://anex-unnecessaryblogage.blogspot.ca/2010/12/noobs-guide-to-using-rock-band-3.html

One thing to note is that MIDI standard is always IN to OUT and OUT to IN but some cheap Chinese USB MIDI interfaces have this reversed.

Gary

 

[DeeJay]

yeah, looks like an issue of being a cheap piece, i've had some crappy casios that worked easily with any random midi interface.
i'm only as bummed as 6 bucks will allow
thanks again, i'll mess with it till i get a new cable