roland mkb1000 set up

[ray young]

Hi guys, just got a roland mkb 1000 and need advice on set up. If any one could be so kind as to walk me through this I would be greatly appreciative, thanks. Ray

 

[SeaGtGruff]

Do you have the owner's manual for it? If not, I found it at the following two places, although it seems to have some blank pages in it, and I can't tell if they're supposed to be blank or if they're missing from the scan:

http://cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/MKB-1000_OM.pdf

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/680165/Roland-Mkb-1000.html

I haven't tried to read it yet. What/how are you trying to set up? Do you have a driver for it? I can't see a driver download for it at Roland's web site, but whichever one of their current drivers applies to your computer (operating system and number of bits) might work with it.

 

[SeaGtGruff]

Sorry, I should have known that this controller has MIDI DIN ports, so you might not need a specific driver for it, just a MIDI-to-USB interface-- that is, if you're wanting to connect it to your computer and use it with a DAW or virtual instruments. Or are you hoping to connect it to another MIDI instrument or sound module via MIDI cables?

 

[ray young]

Hi seagtgruff, I want to keep it simple and connect it to my computer only. What type of software do I need to make it work? Thank you for your reply, ray.

 

[SeaGtGruff]

It has no USB-to-Host port, only MIDI ports, so to connect it to your computer you'll need an interface to convert from MIDI to USB.

The least expensive option would be to get a MIDI-to-USB adapter. You might be tempted to go with "the best deal" you can find, meaning the one that costs the least, but be warned-- cheap MIDI-to-USB adapters from obscure companies often turn out to be problematic and a waste of money, so it's almost always better to pay a bit more for a higher-quality adapter from a company with a more well-known name. In fact, it's often best to buy whatever MIDI-to-USB adapter is made by the company who made the keyboard-- in this case, Roland. They make a "UM-ONE MK2 USB MIDI Interface" that costs about $40 from the online music stores.

A more expensive option would be to get a USB audio interface that includes at least one set of MIDI In/Out ports. That could be a good investment if you think you might eventually want to record vocals or acoustic instruments with a professional microphone-- plus, it will probably have a better sound card than your computer's internal sound card.

But if you aren't ready to spring for a decent audio interface with MIDI ports (and be aware that they don't always include MIDI ports), then Roland's UM-ONE MK2 USB MIDI Interface should do the trick as far as getting the MKB-1000 connected to your computer.

 

[ray young]

Thanks very much for your advice, going to order an adapter now. Will let you know how things turn out, take care.

 

[SeaGtGruff]

Yes, keep us updated. Once you've got it connected then the real fun can begin!

Do you already have a DAW or other software for virtual instruments? What sorts of sounds are you planning to use with it-- orchestral, acoustic and electric piano, organ, synth, or something else?

 

[ray young]

My plans are very basic, just using the roland as a piano, just can t beat the action of the keyboard. Its good to know I can expand to the organ. Always wanted a b3 but don t have the space.I don t have any software now, is there any you could suggest?

 

[SeaGtGruff]

There are several Hammond organ virtual instruments you could try. Following are some that I'm aware of:

http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=24
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/keys/vintage-organs/
http://syntheway.com/master_hammond_b3.htm
http://www.airmusictech.com/product/db-33
https://www.arturia.com/products/analog-classics/b-3-v/overview

 

[ray young]

Thanks for your help

 

[ray young]

Good evening seagtgruff, got my usb interface and installed software on my computer. I am having problems getting it to work. I have no sound and the in and out lights do not work in the interface box. Any ideas, any help is appreciated, thanks. Ray

 

[SeaGtGruff]

Which USB interface did you get, and what software did you install (so I can try to find any documentation for them online)?

 

[ray young]

I got the roland um1 mk2 and installed the software that came with it.

 

[SeaGtGruff]

Okay, the very first thing to do is make sure you plug the MIDI IN cable of the interface into a MIDI OUT port on the keyboard, and plug the MIDI OUT cable of the interface into the MIDI IN port on the keyboard. It looks like the MKB-1000 has four MIDI OUT ports, if I'm looking at the picture on page 6 of the manual correctly-- the page that says 6 on the bottom, which the PDF document calls page 8. If that's correct, I presume they're parallel ports, such that it doesn't matter which one you use.

EDIT: Regarding the Out-to-In and In-to-Out thing, remember that the OUTPUT of one device becomes the INPUT of the other device, hence keyboard OUT connects to interface IN, and interface OUT connects to keyboard IN.

 

[ray young]

Thanks for the help.