New to keyboard, hoping to create 80s synth tracks

[Lloydy]

Hello there,

I'm new to keyboard, so I don't want to make big investments in equipment until I feel I'm decent at it and that it's something I want to do regularly. I've got a CASIO CKT-6200 keyboard that I can use to make tracks with the onboard song sequencer, however I've been told that there's not much point to this and that I should use a DAW on PC to create songs instead. My Casio CKT-6200 can connect to the PC via usb, but I was wondering how I could get an old drum machine from 1986 to work with a PC. It's the Roland CR-1000.

I appreciate any input! If you need any more info, please let me know!

many thanks

Jordan

 

[Mayo Vox]

For the Roland it seems to have MIDI OUT. So you just need something like this cable to hook it in PC.
I use Cubase. If you don't have one, I think that you can get one as a demo for 30 days, than choose if you like it ( the cheapest should be abut 90 euros)
Open "New Midi Track" and record from the drum machine, or vice versa

For the Casio, I use similar board WK 7500. The sequencer is excellent for capturing ideas.

But then, I also put them into Cubase ( first on the SD card). It's called "Import midi" on the Cubase

I hope I helped something.

Cheers

 

[happyrat1]

For a DAW I recommend Cakewalk By Bandlab.

BandLab - Make Music Online

The cloud platform where musicians and fans create music, collaborate, and engage with each other across the globe

www.bandlab.com

One of the most professional DAWs you can use and it's now a free download from Bandlab.

Gary

 

[Lloydy]

Ah, thank you both for the advice! Yes thank you Mayo Vox, that certainly helped. I've just ordered the cable now and I'll take a look at Cubase also, thanks for the tips!

Thanks a lot Gary, that's a massive help! Hoping to create some Italo Disco tracks soon , but a long way to go with just 1 keyboard and my father's old drum machine

 

[Becky]

Welcome to the forum

 

[happyrat1]

Lloydy >>> You have more voices at your disposal than you think.

In addition to the drum machine and the CTK you can also use them as controllers for all sorts of free VST plugins available on the web.

bpb Freeware Studio: Best Free Hardware Synthesizer Clone VSTi/AU Plugins

A selection of the best free hardware synthesizer clone VSTi/AU plugins for Windows and Mac!

bedroomproducersblog.com

300 Free VST Plugins

A large archive of free VST Plugins

vst300.blogspot.com

112 Totally Free & Legal VST Plugins

122fl-studio.blogspot.com

Gary

 

[Rayblewit]

I respect people who acknowledge the advice suggested.

Welcome to the forums Jordan @Lloydy
Ray

 

[Lloydy]

Apologies for the late reply, thanks for the welcome Becky and Ray!

Thanks a lot for those plugin links Gary, they are a great help! I'm going to wait until the cables arrive and see how things go.

Jordan

 

[happyrat1]

Let us know how it works out for you and don't be shy if you need any more help.

Gary

 

[happyrat1]

BTW, I believe the CTK has an audio in jack as well.

This means you could plug the computer's output directly into the CTK to play back on the speakers.

You'd need one of these cables.

3.5 mm to 3.5 mm audio cable 10 ft

Amazon.com: Hosa CMP-159 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, 9 Feet: Musical Instruments

Amazon.com: Hosa CMP-159 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, 9 Feet: Musical Instruments

www.amazon.com

But if you really want to hear the full mix with the drum machine as well then you'd also need a good set of monitors, a small mixer and the appropriate cables.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com: Hosa CMP-159 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, 9 Feet: Musical Instruments

Amazon.com: Hosa CMP-159 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, 9 Feet: Musical Instruments

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Hosa CPP-203 Dual 1/4" TS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Interconnect Cable, 3 Meters: Electronics

Amazon.com: Hosa CPP-203 Dual 1/4" TS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Interconnect Cable, 3 Meters: Electronics

www.amazon.com

Then you'd be able to output all the sounds to the computer, and play back the final mix from the computer directly to the monitors hooked up to the computer.

At least that's how I'd hook it up.

Gary

 

[Yukimajo]

Hi Lloydy

If you are looking for a good board for not much money that can give you what you need then go for a Roland VR-09B. It has a great Synth section and Roland have released an update for it called Cover Band. This gives you some '60s stuff and loads of '80s style synth tones pre programmed. You get:

1. In the style of "I'm a Believer" by the Monkees
2. In the style of "No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley
3. In the style of "House of the Rising Sun" by the Animals
4. In the style of "Green Onions" by Booker T & the MGs
5. In the style of "Take On Me" by a-ha
6. In the style of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" by Eurythmics
7. In the style of "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
8. In the style of "Video Killed The Radio Star" by the Buggles
9. In the style of "Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer
10. In the style of "Rockit" by Herbie Hancock
11. In the style of "1999" by Prince
12. In the style of "Don't You Want Me Baby?" by The Human League
13. In the style of "The Final Countdown" by Europe
14. In the style of "Cars" by Gary Numan
15. In the style of "New Song" by Howard Jones
16. In the style of "Sussudio" by Phil Collins
17. In the style of "Tom Sawyer" by Rush
18. In the style of "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell
19. In the style of "Runaway" by Del Shannon
20. In the style of "I Just Can't Get Enough" by The Depeche Mode
21. In the style of "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
22. In the style of "Blue Monday" by New Order
23. In the style of "West End Girls" by the Pet Shop Boys
24. In the style of "Heart of Glass" by Blondie
25. In the style of "Runaway" by Bon Jovi
26. In the style of "The Reflex" by Duran Duran
27. In the style of "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
28. In the style of "Separate Ways" by Journey
29. In the style of "Maneater" by Nelly Furtado
30. In the style of "Don't You" by Simple Minds
31. In the style of "Enjoy The Silence" by the Depeche Mode
32. In the style of "Heartbeats" by The Knife

And this patch is free!

 

[Lloydy]

BTW, I believe the CTK has an audio in jack as well.

This means you could plug the computer's output directly into the CTK to play back on the speakers.

You'd need one of these cables.

3.5 mm to 3.5 mm audio cable 10 ft

Amazon.com: Hosa CMP-159 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, 9 Feet: Musical Instruments

Amazon.com: Hosa CMP-159 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, 9 Feet: Musical Instruments

www.amazon.com

But if you really want to hear the full mix with the drum machine as well then you'd also need a good set of monitors, a small mixer and the appropriate cables.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com: Hosa CMP-159 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, 9 Feet: Musical Instruments

Amazon.com: Hosa CMP-159 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, 9 Feet: Musical Instruments

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Hosa CPP-203 Dual 1/4" TS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Interconnect Cable, 3 Meters: Electronics

Amazon.com: Hosa CPP-203 Dual 1/4" TS to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Interconnect Cable, 3 Meters: Electronics

www.amazon.com

Then you'd be able to output all the sounds to the computer, and play back the final mix from the computer directly to the monitors hooked up to the computer.

At least that's how I'd hook it up.

Gary

Thanks alot Gary, you've been more than kind with all this advice! Are the monitors essential to this working? I figured the sounds would all play through my PC with my regular pc speakers.

Jordan

 

[Lloydy]

Hi Lloydy

If you are looking for a good board for not much money that can give you what you need then go for a Roland VR-09B. It has a great Synth section and Roland have released an update for it called Cover Band. This gives you some '60s stuff and loads of '80s style synth tones pre programmed. You get:

1. In the style of "I'm a Believer" by the Monkees
2. In the style of "No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley
3. In the style of "House of the Rising Sun" by the Animals
4. In the style of "Green Onions" by Booker T & the MGs
5. In the style of "Take On Me" by a-ha
6. In the style of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" by Eurythmics
7. In the style of "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
8. In the style of "Video Killed The Radio Star" by the Buggles
9. In the style of "Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer
10. In the style of "Rockit" by Herbie Hancock
11. In the style of "1999" by Prince
12. In the style of "Don't You Want Me Baby?" by The Human League
13. In the style of "The Final Countdown" by Europe
14. In the style of "Cars" by Gary Numan
15. In the style of "New Song" by Howard Jones
16. In the style of "Sussudio" by Phil Collins
17. In the style of "Tom Sawyer" by Rush
18. In the style of "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell
19. In the style of "Runaway" by Del Shannon
20. In the style of "I Just Can't Get Enough" by The Depeche Mode
21. In the style of "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
22. In the style of "Blue Monday" by New Order
23. In the style of "West End Girls" by the Pet Shop Boys
24. In the style of "Heart of Glass" by Blondie
25. In the style of "Runaway" by Bon Jovi
26. In the style of "The Reflex" by Duran Duran
27. In the style of "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
28. In the style of "Separate Ways" by Journey
29. In the style of "Maneater" by Nelly Furtado
30. In the style of "Don't You" by Simple Minds
31. In the style of "Enjoy The Silence" by the Depeche Mode
32. In the style of "Heartbeats" by The Knife

And this patch is free!

Wow, thanks Yukimajo, that looks like a great piece of kit! It's hard to find a modern kit that has authentic 80s sounding synth. Thanks for this recommendation, but even this is a little above my current budget. However, it's very impressive so I'm going to keep some of my wages aside to save for it. Should only take a few weeks Thanks!

Jordan

 

[happyrat1]

Thanks alot Gary, you've been more than kind with all this advice! Are the monitors essential to this working? I figured the sounds would all play through my PC with my regular pc speakers.

Jordan

It really depends on how good your computer speakers are. If you are using decent 2.1 speakers those should be good enough.

Gary

 

[Yukimajo]

Hi Jordan

Silly question, but whereabouts are you based? I have my VR-09B for sale. It has never been gigged or even outside of my house! I am only selling because I am saving for a Nord Electro because the transistor organ sounds are better on the Nord.

I am in the UK (Exeter).

Thanks

Morgan

 

[Lloydy]

Hi Jordan

Silly question, but whereabouts are you based? I have my VR-09B for sale. It has never been gigged or even outside of my house! I am only selling because I am saving for a Nord Electro because the transistor organ sounds are better on the Nord.

I am in the UK (Exeter).

Thanks

Morgan

Hi Morgan

I'm in Southeast Wales, Cwmbran to be precise, so not too far!
What sort of price are you looking for on it? Yeah I saw some demos of the VR-09, it does have good organ sounds! Glad to hear you found something better though.

Thanks

Jordan

 

[Yukimajo]

Hi Jordan

I am looking for £400 for the board. I also have a Roland KC110 stereo amp for sale as well but that would add another £200!

All the best

Morgan

 

[Lloydy]

Hi Jordan

I am looking for £400 for the board. I also have a Roland KC110 stereo amp for sale as well but that would add another £200!

All the best

Morgan

Wow, that's brilliant. I am certainly interested in buying it, but just a couple of questions. Do you still have the manual for it and does it have recording features? In other words, could you make entire songs on the keyboard itself without any other inputs from drum machines or a DAW? That's all I'd be looking for it to do until I can fully invest in a decent DAW. I'll get back to you as soon as I'm able to buy the board(should be in the next week or so), but go ahead and sell it if you get another interested person, no hard feelings if it's already sold! I think delivery would be awkward for a large item like that, so I imagine you would expect it to be collected? if you'd like, we can exchange personal messages to discuss any finer details or specifications in order to stop filling up this thread.


Many thanks!

Jordan

 

[Yukimajo]

Hi Jordan

PM sent.

 

[MikeyParent]

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