‪Can the X800 or X3000 be a slave to a master MIDI controller. Also can it be a MIDI controller for Logic Pro. ‬

[talcum]

 

 

Hello

 

I’ve very recently posted something very similar on the user forum for the other make mentioned, no replies as yet so wanted to get your input as I’m also strongly considering the Casios as well as the Y’s. I had a chance to test the Casios in person the other day and found them, especially the X3000 and X5000, outstanding for the price, but I can’t use the X5000 as I need battery capability hence have focussed on the X800 for its light weight, and the X3000 for its sound quality, too.

 

So the question is just as per title really. I’m after the most lightweight keyboard that will be a slave. As many keys as possible and I don’t mind at all whether they’re full-size or not.

 

My MIDI controller has, at the back of it, one USB B port, and also the standard 5 pin MIDI in and out ports.

 

I’d like to use my MIDI controller, which has no sounds or speakers on board, to control the Casio’s sound bank, and play the output through the Casio’s speakers.

 

Is this possible with the X800, and/or with the X3000; and if so, how would I access the sounds and switch between sounds.

 

If not, can I do this with the Yamaha E363 or E463. 

 

For the above scenario, no computer will be involved at any point. 

 

That said, may I additionally check whether  I may use both Casio keyboards as MIDI controllers for Logic Pro; if so is there a difference re amount of midi data being sent per keypress depending on whether I selected the X800 or X3000 (eg aftertouch MIDI data etc)

 

I did ring Casio and ask. The associate was polite but didn’t really know beyond what was written in the manual.

 

I also rang Yamaha to ask about the Yamahas. The associate said it would not be possible. He said the first keyboard in the range that could do it is the PSR S670, due to it having midi in and out ports, and some software called the ‘MIDI keyboard template’. But having read the MIDI data sheets for the E363 and E463 I feel it would be theoretically possible to ‘slave’ them though I’m not sure how I’d go about it. The associate also said the USB B port on the back of the E363 and E463 would not receive MIDI data; I don’t know whether this is accurate.

[mirka]

I am not a midi specialist, but the general idea is that to choose and play a sound from your midi keyboard,  you have to send  the corresponding "program change"  and "msb" messages (these numbers are listed in the "apendix" in the manuals section under columns 4 and 5).

Either your midi keyboard can send these messages and  you don't need your computer, or it can't and you have to send these messages through Logic Pro.

Anyway, the fact that these 2 messages are listed in the manuals should mean that a CT-X can be used just as a midi sound module.

 

[Brad Saucier]

To clarify, slave is a term that usually refers to MIDI clock sync.  It doesn't sound like that's the question here.  It sounds like you simply want a keyboard that's a sound module for your controller.  The CT-X series only has a USB MIDI to host (computer) connection.  To use a MIDI controller with it, you would have to use a computer or add a third party USB MIDI host box that can adapt to standard MIDI in/out.   

[Casiofun]

The Casios you are looking have USB Midi and are meant to connect to a computer. There are USB Midi adapters that convert USB Midi to five pin standard midi which would enable you to control the Casio from another keyboard with standard midi jacks. The USB port is for attaching a USB thumb drive that allows you to record audio on a keyboard with an audio recorder or to load sounds and rhythms depending on the keyboard you have.

[talcum]

Thank you for these excellent replies. That’s exactly right, I want the Casio to act as a sound module (and a speaker) for my controller. Is it quite straightforward to connect one of these USB midi host boxes; and, once done, will it be a simple matter to select sounds from within the Casio? Is there any compromise in terms of midi data when using a USB midi box: what I mean is, if I have a velocity sensitive controller which is sending more than one type or stream (forgive my lack of understanding in this area) of midi data, will anything get ‘lost in translation’ vs say the below scenario with a keyboard with a direct port. 

 

Are there any thoughts on this option of the Yamaha s670 being more suited in terms of speed of access to its parameters (not only Sound bank but I suppose DSPs etc) and general workflow, WHEN in use as a sound module, if I could forgo the need for batteries. Would you say the advantages, if there are any, are significant. If so, is there a Casio equivalent I can also investigate, or any alternatives one might suggest.

 

(to add: I just noticed the back of the s670, attached below, has no midi connections either, only USB in and out - is this a compromise or will it connect with my midi controller’s USB B port without any loss of midi data. Does it even provide any advantage over the X3000. Once again apologies if I have misunderstood some basics and this might be reflected in my posing the wrong question).

[Casiofun]

Not sure the Casio would work quite the way you are envisioning. Don't think you would be able to control the Casio or Yahama the way you would control software from your midi controller. Midi controllers are mainly used with  Ableton on a computer or Garageband on a Mac or ipad. Software sounds are way better than hardware now a days. The Casio and Yahama you mention are actually workstations that have midi recorders where you mainly would compose or sketch out your ideas, record them, and possibly refine them further on a computer.

[sslyutov]

No