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Rock Band 3 Keytar - Cheap DIN MIDI Controller?!
Had to post here about nerdy discovery I made regarding the Keytar/Keyboard that was packed in with the Rock Band 3 video game (the article above is actually 6 years old, so this was a known thing even predating the whole "AudioBus era" on iOS). If you frequent eBay or a used video game shop, it's not uncommon to see floods of unwanted Rock Band/Guitar Hero instruments for very little money. Most of them look like plastic pieces of garbage.
Except it turns out that Mad Catz made a pretty nice little MIDI controller and had the foresight to add a 5-pin DIN MIDI Out connection to it, along with fully map-able buttons for other MIDI commands (the controller actually connects wirelessly to a XBox 360 or PS3 for the game, but that's irrelevant to my needs).
Yes, there are tons of cheap MIDI controllers out there, but virtually all of them are USB-only. This velocity-sensitive keyboard works great with my Korg Volcas, which only accept DIN MIDI, and I got it for $19.99!!! Even better, it's powered by 3 AA batteries, so it's ideal for a fully mobile setup. The keys are full sized, and I have to say, while they aren't weighted like a professional piece of equipment, they're superior to my Akai MPK Mini and several other cheap controllers I've tried.
Worth a look if you need a cheap DIN MIDI keyboard that runs on batteries and can probably be had for $20 to $40 on eBay.
Comments
I have it, and love it. I don't use it a lot, because I like to use the ipad screen most of the time, and usually play the guitar as my main instrument. But.............The price was great, and it isn't a cheap plastic keyboard. It's plastic, but it works really well, I dig it!
I got that one, too.
And the Guitar Hero drum kit (which i still have trouble connecting to my Air 2). Does anyone know of some resources online how to connect and map those things.
The keytar kinda works already when connected.
I use a Rock band 3 guitar, which also has MIDI DIN socket
with yer ipad? cool..... What can you do with it?
Haha, love this. I want two of each
Yeah I use it on ipad by connecting to CCK using one of these
EDIT 22 Aug: This only works when using powered hub or powered cck
I was originally using it for recording midi that corresponds to real recorded guitar parts (not using any sound, just used the midi for reference, to remind what I played months later
)
It does work very well as a controller, giving a different style of play, much more, well, guitar like LOL. The accelerometer also works and can be used for expression, modulation and pitch bend. You can also connect either a switch for damper or expression pedal for , well, expression or volume.
It has 2 modes, Strum and Synth, when in strum mode you only hear notes when you hit the string (there is no hammer on/off with this though), in synth mode you only have to press the buttions on the fretboard, which effectively turns it into a 102 keyboard.
Other buttons are mapped to Program change and Octave select.
It works best with at least 6 voice polyphonic synths as each string has it's own MIDI channel, giving not only 6 notes, but also the possibility to play 6 different AU's/IAA's with it at the same time. (one on each channel 1-6)
the possibilities are endless.
I have not had it out for a little while, but being as I re-installed Gadget and bought the new Bass Gadget, I will be mainly laying down heavy reggae basslines this evening
Very cool @AndyPlankton I had the exact same midi cord/cable, couldn't get it to do a damn thing lol. so, I got a different name branded one, paid more for it than the Keyboard. Now it works wonders
I must have been lucky, bought unbranded for about £3 I think, and it has worked fine for that last couple of years
That's cool! I noticed that the guitar was a real MIDI device while reading up on the keyboard! I actually used to be a pretty big video gamer, and bought several of the RB/GH games, but not any of these more recent ones with the MIDI devices. Also, I had literally no frigging clue what MIDI was or how I could use that until at least late 2013 when I started posting here.
The crazy thing about how nice the instruments are is that they're made by Mad Catz - in the gaming industry, Mad Catz was synonymous with "cheap knock-off controllers that frequently broke or proved incompatible". The keyboard just happens to be a real gem - finding it used for prices like $20 is insanely good value. Most people here wouldn't use it as a primary MIDI keyboard, but I find use in having several - different sizes, powering, and connectivity options.
I also have a drum kit made from a rockband kit, but I cheated with that and used an Alesis Midi trigger IO and some piezo pickups. Still get better results that trying to play on finger pads, but it is a lot more effort LOL.
I still have the keytar too, but use it very rarely. I've been doing this stuff for years, so knew what MIDI was when these came out, I bought the guitar instantly, I previously spent years trying to find an affordable midi guitar solution.
I just found this
@StormJH1 how is the velocity sensitivity on the keyboard?
I have nothing to compare it to, but it works. I press light, it plays light, I press hard it plays loud.
Got one for $3 from a GameStop. Then the midi to usb cable was $40. Pretty good keys though. And the expression pad can do pitch bend and mod wheel. Kinda fun.
That's what I thought, it is really quite fun.
Sorry I missed this question earlier. I would say that it's at least on par with the sub $150 MIDI controllers with plastic non-weighted keys you'd find on the market, which is basically all of them. It looks and feels similar to a Casio keyboard, but I would actually argue that it responds better than some of my mini-key controllers because the larger key just gives you more control (and surface area).
For comparison, I have a microKORG XL+ (originally a $500 synth with 37 mini keys), and I can't say that the Korg's keys are clearly "better" than the Rock Band Keytar! Some keyboards/controllers have really springy action with high resistance (I'm thinking of the Arturia MicroBrute). The keytar is probably the opposite - easy to press the keys, which helps with sensitivity, but hurts if you need to play drum parts or hit the same key quickly (or percussively) in succession. And it's battery-powered, which makes it a great grab-and-go mobile solution.
There are three major CON's that I've come across in the weeks that I've had it, though I certainly don't regret the purchase at $19.99...these simply limit the types of devices I might use it with:
(1) No real pitch bend/mod wheel. I think there's touch pad or something at the top of the button, but it's not practical, and while several of my controllers lack wheels, it's definitely something a lot of people will want.
(2) Does not supply MIDI power. I didn't even know MIDI power was a thing, but I have two 5-pin MIDI devices that now rely on it to some degree (Ploytec PL2 synth and RetroKits Midiator Cable). It's kind of a bummer in the case of the Midiator cable because I bought the keytar thinking it would be a great feel to have those 80''s style synth keys on my Volca FM (and the cable supplies velocity control). But the Rock Band 3 keytar does not supply MIDI power - you'd need a MIDI thru box or something to that effect to get it to work.
(3) No off switch? So, unless I just can't figure it out, you have to turn ON the keyboard with the XBox/Playstation button, which then starts flashing to look for a game system to pair to. Or you can plug in a MIDI cable and use it as a controller. But when you unplug the MIDI cable, it flashes again. I assume this stops after a set period of time, but I would prefer there were some other way to just turn the thing off rather than popping a battery out each time (let me know if you figure it out please!).
@StormJH1
I don't have mine in front of me ATM, but I am sure it has an on/off switch on the bottom. Opposite side of the Keys. I haven't had to turn it on through XBOX or PS. I don't have either of those lol.
I agree on 1) the expression pad is hit or miss with certain synths. As well as using the arrows to toggle patches or banks. I have yet to find what some of the other buttons do on it. ????
2).......I don't know what I would do with midi power, so, I guess it isn't a con for me. Maybe I do nee it and I just don't know
.
@High5denied - Haha, that would be typical of me to miss that. If I did, I know it's because I have a bunch of 360 controllers around my house, and virtually all of them have only the XBox button as a power switch. I'll have to take a look later, as well. More of a nuisance than a real problem.
Regarding the MIDI mapping - some of it seems to work, but others do not. I'm sure you could use a simple MIDI app on iOS to detect what commands the thing is sending and then chart those out.
http://anex-unnecessaryblogage.blogspot.com/2010/12/noobs-guide-to-using-rock-band-3.html
I definitely have to hit the switch at the bottom for power. I paid $17 for my RB3 keytar and it's still my go-to mobile midi controller even though I have other options. It's pretty basic (a plus for me) but it just feels right for the size/price.
Thanks @StormJH1
I've now visited a few Game Stops awkwardly asking about old RB3 keyboards, lol. Haven't found one yet.
In the process I stumbled across the "fender mustang" controller which is a guitar but also has 5pin MIDI. Now if I could track down one of those (for cheap) I would be very happy.
@AndyPlankton, speaking of a whammy bar:
http://www.yourockguitar.com
Haha, yeah. Video game stores are awkward enough for a grown man wearing business casual (I actually played video games quite a bit into my mid-20's, that's not at all rare), but going into said video game store and asking about a KEYTAR for some obscure video game 6 years ago...I'm not sure what that screams. Luckily, I just happened to notice the one I bought in good shape and it had been there for months (stunning, I know).
The guitar looks kinda awesome! http://cdm.link/2010/10/rock-band-3-fender-mustang-pro-midi/
Note that the plastic MadCatz one is still apparently on Amazon Prime. Oh, as is the Keytar apparently, whoops! (and only about $25 - $35 for the keytar right now). $90 for the guitar seems a bit risky for what it is. If I came across a used one someone I would definitely check it out. At the end of the day, I am trying to learn how to become a better guitarist and keyboard player, each, so as neat/weird as it is that I could use this plastic toy as a real MIDI guitar, my energy is probably better spent elsewhere.
also awkward... when I realize the guitar I was all excited to mention was actually discussed in this very thread a month ago. with a youtube demo. oops. I guess good conversations are worth having more than once.
For me the appeal of the guitar is being able to use a familiar fretboard for synthy stuuuuuf. It just seems a fun alternative to messing with audio>MIDI conversion on my real guitar.
I have the mustang version.
It tracks very well for a midi controller.
A lot better tracking than some of the older Roland pro gear I have used.
It's kinda weird to get into at first and I never remember which button does what.
Cost me about $85 Australian ..most of which was postage from US about three years ago. So they have gone back up in price a lot. $286 on Amazon !!
To get into iOS I have to midi it thru my X station keyboard.
None of my 4 or so midi to usb cables work on iOS ...
It's fun to use onstage occasionally and is the only "Fender" I possess...
I would say that it is probably a good way to learn the notes of the fretboard e.g. Playing whilst watching an onscreen synth keys...
There is a mode for a midi channel per string or one for one channel only...which is fun with a multitimbral synth or module...
this is what I would like to see
are you on youtube ?
Nah man I wouldn't film it..I probably look like a dickhead ..lol
..> @Hmtx said:
Yeah, I had my eye on one of those for ages too, but I stuck with the Mustang as I already had it.....With the yourock, you get a more natural neck (no buttons) and you can do vibrato too. It also comes with some great internal sounds.