Thanks for your response Gordon
Rich
----- Original Message -----From: distortion@...Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 12:06 AMSubject: Re: [DTXpress] Re: Computer setupHi Rich..
You may not realize that to hear the actual sound of the DTX, you do need to have the audio out jacks hooked up to something.. like the line in on the SB card... MIDI does not transmit audio signals, it's just for controller and data transmission/reception.
Gordon C.
rph171167 wrote:
I seem to be missing something. I am using midi in\out going to SB Live! games (yellow) port. All I want to do is play the DTXpress through the soundcard/speakers. My MIDI volume is not mute. I have used the dtxpressions guide and have successfully transmitted patch data from the dtxpress using SysEx which implies that things are properly connected. I am managing to play midi files using quartz audiomaster freeware but I am using a speaker-out to DTX line-in method which I hoped I could bypass using the midi cable. I have been unable to determine if a DTX II driver is necessary...and it certainly doesn't seem to be available. The manual is unhelpful as is the Yamaha website. I tried upgrading the SB Live driver from Creative but it wasn't successful (Creative Audio HQ wouldn't start) so I rolled back to the previous version. Computer is new and otherwise fine. I can't help feeling that I must be missing something basic.Please helpRich----- Original Message -----From: Rich and SaSent: Monday, September 29, 2003 9:09 PMSubject: Re: [DTXpress] Re: Computer setupThanks so much for your reply. I do have a SB live! card and the correct cable and I think the first step is to get sequencer software. I shall report backRich----- Original Message -----From: liberatusvirusSent: Sunday, September 28, 2003 8:44 PMSubject: [DTXpress] Re: Computer setup--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "rich171167" <rph171167@n...> wrote:
> I am new to this machine and would be grateful if someone could
take
> the time to answer a very basic question. I am trying to connect to
> my PC so that I can play thr drums through the PC speakers and also
> play songs through the DTxpress 2 and headphones. I could not
obtain
> a to-host wire and was advised at Maplins to use MIDI In/Out at the
> back of the drums going to the games port (Yellow) on either sound
> card or Motherboard. I am using XP. I have no clue how to achieve
> these simple goals to get me going.
Hi Rich,
Welcome to the group. I'd recommend the Xpress MIDI connection rather
than "To Host" as well, unless you don't have joystick/MIDI
capability on your computer now and don't want to get it. But be
forewarned that MIDI is easier to use. A MIDI, or To Host, connection
would allow you to record your DTXpress on recording studio software
(a sequencer) or send MIDI information from your computer into the
DTXpress module so that you can record/play along with it. Using
software that you can download from dtxpressions.com, MIDI will also
allow you to store and access kits from our PC, either your own or
those of other DTXpress users. But remember that MIDI and audio
capability are two different balls of wax. To play your DTXpress
through your computer speakers, you only need an audio input (not
MIDI) and enough amplification to get some sound. But this strategy
will not pay dividends. The DTXpress is much too powerful for such an
arrangement. If you check the group's archive under "amp" etc.,
you'll get an idea of what is needed. In the absence of separate
amplification, you will be much better served listening to yourself
through headphones and mixing a CD/MP3 source through the aux input
on the front of the module. I'll assume that you might still be
interested in MIDI, however, and give you a primer.
Your computer may not have a dedicated sound card--an optional flat
device that slides and locks into place inside the computer to be
accessed on the back. If not, the sound capability for your speakers
was built into the computer's main electronic guts; this technique is
usually limited, especially when it comes to MIDI. Take a look at the
back of your computer to see where the speakers are hooked up. If
that area also has a fifteen-pin connector nearby on the same plane,
then you've got a usable card, with the software--called a driver--
already installed, which should allow you to connect a MIDI device
like the DTXpress module. What you'd need next is a MIDI adaptor for
that joystick port, which consists of a complementary connection for
the fifteen-pins and two extensions with five-pin connectors at the
other end, corresponding to MIDI in and MIDI out on the DTXpress.
If this is all still confusing, check the documentation that came
with your computer. It may say something like "onboard sound," which
means no detachable card, or "Soundblaster," "SB Live," or
Soundblaster-compatible card. You can also check under "audio" in
the "Audio and Sound Devices" section of the XP control panel for
similar evidence of a card.
If you have no card, you'll have to buy one. The SB, or Soundblaster,
series of cards are the popular industry standard. They're not
necessarily the best cards for serious home studios, but they'll get
you in the door for MIDI applications and may be all that you'll ever
need. You can get one for $50 or less--driver and other software
included--in any computer or office supply store; you should also get
the adaptor for it that I mentioned above. OEM versions of SB Live
are available at web stores for $20 or so, but you'll have to
download the driver from the Soundblaster site, and you won't get any
instructions/documentation.
Let's start there. You can return with any further questions.
Unfortunately, computer technology is not my strong suit. Other
members are much more conversant about the hardware and software
issues. But hopefully what I've said will give you enough information
to ask questions that other members may be able to answer better.
Welcome to the group,
Ed
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