Will the TonePort KB37 keyboard part be supported?

[justcrash]

I just bought the Riffworks V2.0 last night, and this morning I saw that it does not support the TonePort KB37. Then I find out it does, but the Line 6 version doesn't (which is fine, I have the regular version).

I was going to buy the TonePort KB37 w/ the keyboard, but I see now that the keys aren't supported/recognized. I don't mind spending the money on the TonePort KB37 if at some point it WILL be supported by Riffworks, but if it is a no go I would be better off saving the $100 and getting the step down, as it does vocals and bass as well, if I am not mistaken. Of course I don't think I can get a decent keyboard for the $100 I would be saving, but I don't know a lot about keyboard purchasing.

Anyway, any input would be welcomed!

[justcrash]

And my friend epauly over at the line 6 forum asked me to ask this question:

I own RiffWorks Standard and want to purchase a Line 6 KB37. However, the Keyboard midi function isn’t compatible with RiffWorks Standard. So, is there a way of integrating the keyboard function using the Ableton Live Lite - Line 6 Edition software (which comes with the Line 6 KB37) with RiffWorks Standard.


Maybe he makes more sense than I do, so I figured I better use his words.

[michelle]

We're working on an update that will make the KB37 work as an audio interface, but it still won't do midi.

[justcrash]

We're working on an update that will make the KB37 work as an audio interface, but it still won't do midi.

Ok, pretend I am 5 (it's easeir on me ego this way than you pretending I am retarded, which is also apt on this subject... ) and explain it to me again please.

Will I/we be able to use the keys as a way to get piano/organ on our tracks but not as a midi interface? Or did I just come completely off like the home recording n00b I am?

[epauley]

Justcrash,

TerryR is a member who also participates on both on the Line6 and the Sonoma Wire Works forums. I have found him to be a reliable source if he knows the answer.

I notice that he has posted the following link to Line6 regarding part of your issue (unfortunately not the keyboard matter).

http://line6.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=25&t=002289

Not much but at least it indicates that Line 6 realizes there some problems with the KB37 and RiffWorks.

[epauley]

justcrash ,

I see you’re not getting much action here and so I offer one final suggestion.

At times, when a tech/moderator responds, they won’t revisit the post assuming they have addressed the issue. By the way, I assuming this – I don’t know this for sure. Nonetheless, this seems to be the pattern.

So, to get to a solution, you must give the matter new life. How? I recommend moving this question and particularly your follow-up question to Michelle to the “Customer Service” forum.

One more thing, there is a post which discusses using Reason 3.0 with RiffWorks. Perhaps that suggests Ableton Live Lite (which comes with the TonePort KB37) can work RiffWorks Standard.

Of course, I only speculating and you need solid answers before investing further funds.

If any moderators are reading this post – please give justcrash help - he needs a complete response if possible.

[hbursk]

I'll take a stab at this question.

1) The Toneport KB37 currently does not support RiffWorks Line 6 Edition. This is a problem that was overlooked, and is currently being fixed with great haste.

2) The Toneport KB37 does support RiffWorks Standard edition, which is the version you have, so all is well.

Now, to elaborate on what Michelle was saying, RiffWorks is an audio recording program. Meaning that an analog signal, like a microphone, or an electric guitar, is plugged into an audio interface, like a Toneport, and recorded as a digital audio file onto the computer. You can then record more and more of this audio files and play them back together to make your song.

Now, there's another way to record musical information called MIDI or musical instrument digital interface. MIDI is not audio information, it is note information. What I mean by note information is what key on a piano was pressed, how hard it was pressed, and how long before it was released. The computer can record this information. In order to record this information, you need two things - a device that can send it, and a program that can record it.

The Toneport KB37 is an audio interface plus midi controller, so it will send midi information. But RiffWorks does not record midi information, it only records digital audio.

However, there are programs that exist that can run simultaneously with RiffWorks using a protocol called Rewire, something built into RiffWorks and those other programs. Those programs are but are not limited to - Reason and Ableton Live.

Now, Reason is a perfect compliment to RiffWorks because it only records MIDI and does not record digital audio. And Reason will provide you with all the organ, piano, synth sounds you may ever need. Ableton Live Lite does have some midi sounds built into it, but you're limited to four tracks of midi in the lite version. So you'll only be able to record four piano parts or such things. And to be honest, I'm not sure if Ableton Lite has a piano or an organ sound.

[hbursk]

So, to make the best use out of your money, this is what I would do. Instead of buying the KB37 for $299, buy a Toneport UX2 for $199. It's essentially the same thing but without a midi controller. Take that $100 you saved, and buy a $99 midi controller from m-audio that includes a version of Reason Adapted. This is the lite version of Reason, and will get you more keyboard sounds than Ableton Live lite would have.

Now, you'll be using a 25 key controller instead of 37 key controller, but there's an octave button to move through all 88 possible keys, and let's be honest, you're a guitar player like the rest of us. You won't be using much more than one or two fingers at a time.

[justcrash]

So, to make the best use out of your money, this is what I would do. Instead of buying the KB37 for $299, buy a Toneport UX2 for $199. It's essentially the same thing but without a midi controller. Take that $100 you saved, and buy a $99 midi controller from m-audio that includes a version of Reason Adapted. This is the lite version of Reason, and will get you more keyboard sounds than Ableton Live lite would have.

Now, you'll be using a 25 key controller instead of 37 key controller, but there's an octave button to move through all 88 possible keys, and let's be honest, you're a guitar player like the rest of us. You won't be using much more than one or two fingers at a time.

lol very true on the 2 finger thing.

Too bad I have already bought the KB37.

[hbursk]

That's ok justcrash. If you have any friends who have bought any m-audio or digidesign products, they have Reason adapted, and probably haven't even used it yet. So, you could get it from them. You could also play around with the sounds in Ableton Live Lite. Maybe there's more there than I realize.

The KB37 is a good purchase though. The convience of having everything in one package will serve your creativity well in the long run.

[justcrash]

That's ok justcrash. If you have any friends who have bought any m-audio or digidesign products, they have Reason adapted, and probably haven't even used it yet. So, you could get it from them. You could also play around with the sounds in Ableton Live Lite. Maybe there's more there than I realize.

The KB37 is a good purchase though. The convience of having everything in one package will serve your creativity well in the long run.

Thank you! Can you tell me, can the riffworks drumming (instant drummer) parts be recorded into Ableton Live lite?

[hbursk]

They can't be recorded directly into Ableton Live lite, but you can mix down riffs that don't have any layers recorded into them, just the backing drummers. Then, take those mixed down wave files and load them into Ableton Live lite from the file browser. Just drag and drop onto a track in Ableton. You may need to readjust the loop points and tempo for the drums because when RiffWorks mixes down, it leaves a few seconds at the end for reverb trails.

[justcrash]

They can't be recorded directly into Ableton Live lite, but you can mix down riffs that don't have any layers recorded into them, just the backing drummers. Then, take those mixed down wave files and load them into Ableton Live lite from the file browser. Just drag and drop onto a track in Ableton. You may need to readjust the loop points and tempo for the drums because when RiffWorks mixes down, it leaves a few seconds at the end for reverb trails.

Interesting. I will play with it, thank youso much for all of your help. I hate to sound lieka half wit but I know ZILCH about home recording. Which is odd, I have been in and out of studios my entire life from 15 on (I am 33 now) and I work in IT. I just never put the two together.

"Hey! You got PC on my recording!"

"NO! You got recording on my PC!"

"HEY! TWO GREAT TASTES!"

Sorry, I joke when I am nervous...

*searches for exit*


:p

[hbursk]

No problem at all. There's so much information to learn with this stuff.