USB/Midi keyboards

[FireJoe]

This may have been answered but I cant find a thread on it so I'm going to risk being flamed and ask this and hope o not get too razzed.

I'm looking to get a small 25 key midi board but all of the ones I see are USB/MIDI controlled. I am using an Mbox II and want to be able to connect it to the Midi "in" on the Mbox. Can I simply attach a USB to MIDI connector or will cause a latency issue or any other issues getting the keyboard to work properly? I just ned something simple so I can program drums and do some minor keyboard effects without using a 49 or 88 key board. Plus they're all rather expensive to boot. Is there any problem with using these smaller keyboards that are designed for USB/MIDI or can I still plug it straight into a USB and be able to use the BFD, DB-33, etc.

Thanks in advance.

[frantik]

Originally Posted by FireJoe

T I still plug it straight into a USB and be able to use the BFD, DB-33, etc.

yes.. you dont need to plug it into you mbox.. the driver will create a midi device

your mbox is plugged in via usb right? so obviously it's no problem to send midi via usb :)

[sunburst79]

If the device has both USB and MIDI you use one or the other. Three things I like about USB is.

A) Normally the device can be powered over USB eliminating the need for a wall wart power adapter.

B) You can have as many MIDI dives as you have USB ports. USB hubs and PCI cards are usualy cheaper than a dedicated MIDI hub

C) Normally USB controllers just show up in PT without requiring any configuration (at least on PC)

[FireJoe]

Yeah, duh, I forgot the Mbox is USB, I didn't even think about that.

Thats a awesome and thanks, now I can go get a simple keyboard.

[BlakeBeard]

Originally Posted by sunburst79

C) Normally USB controllers just show up in PT without requiring any configuration (at least on PC)

Great points sunburst, I would also tell you most midi keyboards work on macs straight out of the box in pro tools as well. It gets a little more complicated when you do mapping of your controller ie a Axiom 25. I personally recommend that keyboard because I love mine so much. The Axiom's are a bit on the pricey side but they are well worth it. If I were you I would do some research on what you think will suit your needs the best. I don't really ever use the midi ports on my mbox personally. The only use they generally serve is for my roland V-drums.