Beginner question

[funkmasterjo_d]

I'm sorry if I sound like an idiot, but I assume this should be relatively easy to answer. I currently have one of the Rock Band 3 pro guitar controllers, which can be used as a MIDI controller. The music shop by my house has a Yamaha PSS-480 for sale for pretty cheap. I cannot play keys, but I do play guitar. Here's my question - can I plug the Rock Band controller in MIDI mode into the Yamaha and create sounds through the onboard speakers? Or are there other pieces of gear that I would need to get first. Seems like it should be controller, MIDI cable, Yamaha, sound. But since I know next to nothing about MIDI/synths/etc., I'm kind of lost. Please help.

[commodorejohn]

It looks like it should be as simple as that, yes. The only tricky issue might be if it sends the individual string notes on different channels, as some MIDI guitar controllers do, but as long as it doesn't you should be good.

[synthroom]

Walk in the shop with your controller and tell them you're interested in the PSS and you want to see if it works with your controller. There's no way they are not going to let you try it out.

[funkmasterjo_d]

In doing some internet searching, I learned that the controller assigns each string its own channel, 1-6. Hat does that mean as far as functionality?

[commodorejohn]

It looks from the PSS-480 manual like the keyboard defaults to receiving on all channels (although channel 16 is reserved for percussion,) so it should work perfectly fine. As has been said, I'd just take your controller into the shop and give it a shot to see how it works.

[Z]

In doing some internet searching, I learned that the controller assigns each string its own channel, 1-6. Hat does that mean as far as functionality?

Guitar synths assign each string to its own MIDI channel so that each string can have its own pitch bending and such. Whatever synth (keyboard or module) you decide to purchase, make sure that it is at least 6 part multi-timbral. That way you can assign a sound (either the same sound or unique sounds for each string: bass guitar for Low E, cello for A, horn for D, etc.) on 6 different MIDI channels (1-6 in your case) to correspond to the same MIDI channels as the controller.

The Roland U-20 keyboard and U-220 module are fairly inexpensive multi-timbral instruments that can be used as your sound source. Even the JV series (replaced the U series) can be found cheap, too.

[funkmasterjo_d]

Thanks for all your help, everyone. I'm curious to learn how to assign certain sounds to each channel, Z. That's exactly what I'm looking for. I will just have to try my stuff out like you guys have said, but thanks for getting me this far and explaining it all. If I grab the Yamaha, I'm sure I'll have some additional questions for you all too!

[Z]

According to page 34 of the PSS-480, it is indeed multi-timbral. You probably want to search YouTube for demos on using the Rock Band Pro controller with other MIDI gear.

That's about all I know about guitar synths. Best of luck!