Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

Okay, so basically I am VERY new to synthesizers and everything. I use a program called Fruity Loops online for all of my music. I have a ton of VST and VSTI's and they all sound great for songs and what not. The problem that I have is that I want to use these presets on a keyboard/synth to play them live for my band. Is there a type of synth/keyboard that I can get which I can program from my computer with my custom sounds? The closest thing that I can think of is running a Keyboard to the PC then PC to the Amp, however that seems like MUCH of a hastle and it might not even be possible.

So pretty much, are there any programmable keyboards like that for me? If so what are some good/cheap ones for a beginner? Thanks a lot guys...

I believe this may be what you're after. It's a portable VST host, that you plug your MIDI keyboard into:

http://www.museresearch.com/

Is there a particular reason why you can't use a laptop and soundcard, with the former having your VSTs and whatnot loaded onto it?

Thanks

the main reason why not is because I don't have a laptop. I don't have an amp or a keyboard yet. I didnt want to invest in a keyboard until im sure this is possible. A laptop would be pretty expensive for some addons and itd take a while switching betweens when on stage.. we have our first gig on halloween...

What's your budget? The Receptor isn't cheap by a long shot, in fact nothing that does what you want to do is.

As you're just starting out you might be better off getting a cheap synth that has a few patches that sound similar to the ones you want to use and playing that for your live show. What's the lineup of your band? Getting music that starts off on the computer to work in a live band setting can be tricky and take a bit of work, but it depends on exactly what you're trying to do.

well I checked out the receptor you sent me the link in and that was some like $2100. Way out of my budget.
I am just a teenager hah...
Well I'm selling my drumset for $500 or best offer, its worth $1,000 easily but I am desperate right now.. Also christmas is coming up so I can put forward another $500, but thats not mention a keyboard first before a receptor or modulator or anything like that... Any suggestions?

Okay, you didn't mention a budget so I just mentioned what I thought was 'closest' to what you were after - obviously the Receptor incorporates MIDI and converters, which are reflected in the price. With that $500 I reckon you'd be able to buy a laptop capable of running your VSTs as well as a cheap MIDI keyboard, but do you have a decent soundcard (I'm guessing yes)? And if you do, you need to make sure it's compatible with the laptop motherboard - finding this out is harder than it sounds! And if the (presumably desktop) computer that you're using is yours, you could sell that to generate extra cash and just go with the laptop for both live and studio.

If you don't want to go this route, though, let us know what sort of sounds you're after and perhaps we can start suggesting some synths. 8)

I don't think you're going to be able to find anything remotely close to your budget that will allow you to use your soft synths live, short of performing with a cheap laptop--which of course has its own set of considerations.

Depending on what types of soft synths you're using, you might well be able to replace a lot of your software with hardware synths. For example, for about $500-$600 you could get a h**l of a lot of mileage out of a Micron or Microkorg, a DX7, and maybe a sampler.