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So my son is learning the piano and for that purpose we have an electric piano (Roland FP-30).
And when we bought this piano the sole purpose was to properly learn to play a piano, so it has 88 fully weighted keys, an earphone connector (that was on my personal list of demands) and very little else.
But it apparently has Midi. So now my son wants a soundbox of some kind to play around with. It could be a nice Christmas present I suppose, if not overly expensive.
This isn't the type of Midi with a five pin DIN-connector that existed when I was younger. No it's USB type B or even Bluetooth.
I don't have a clue where to start looking, but I know we have some musicians on the forum, so I though I can pop some questions here and at least get a few pointers in the right direction.
What would a reasonable setup be?
Is Bluetooth really useful for this purpose?
Is it possible to route the sound back to the piano so I don't have to buy an amplifier or connect it to the stereo?
Maybe I should look for some software and connect a laptop instead?
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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Jörgen Andersson wrote: What would a reasonable setup be?
I asked my son and he recommended this setup[^].  Jörgen Andersson wrote: Is Bluetooth really useful for this purpose?
No, not reliable enough.Jörgen Andersson wrote: Is it possible to route the sound back to the piano so I don't have to buy an amplifier or connect it to the stereo?
Probably, but it will sound sh*tty.Jörgen Andersson wrote: Maybe I should look for some software and connect a laptop instead?
Yes, cakewalk comes to mind (probably $$$$). But I think that would be the best compromise.
Alternatively, you can use a tracker SW like renoise, which is a bit different in the handling but much, much easier and quicker to learn and get results with.
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Rage wrote: I asked my son and he recommended this setup
Ok, there goes my plans for a house in Provence. 
Rage wrote: cakewalk comes to mind (probably $$$$)
I'm probably finding the wrong cakewalk, because it's free. 
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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Looks like Cakewalk is high on that list.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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Yes, but carefully read the cons, I have never used a DAW so I can't say if these are correct or outdated cons.
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I will, when a program of that level (having serious support and all) is for free I get suspicious.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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Jörgen Andersson wrote: wrong cakewalk
No, it is this cakewalk, but I had somehow in mind that it was expensive.
Garageband may be an alternative as well.
(As for the studio, it is the one from Armin van Buuren, so laptop + decent speakers or headset is plenty sufficient).
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Rage wrote: No, it is this cakewalk, but I had somehow in mind that it was expensive.
It looks expensive. And there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Gotta find the catch. 
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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Like as if I didn't lack time already.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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For extra sounds, you could always try this program. https://www.uvi.net/uvi-workstation.html[^] It was free when I downloaded a few years ago. It works pretty well with the exception of a slight delay (even using ASIAO drivers) that I just couldn't stand. For a beginner it should work just fine.
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
"Hope is contagious"
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I'll have a look. 
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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I think honeythecodewitch has experience with MIDI development, etc.
I would include an inline notification for her, but I am a simple man, and don't know how to perform such things. 
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You look up the profile, and immediately below "honey the codewitch - Professional Profile" you see the link @code-witch
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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*poof*
I've been summoned
Real programmers use butterflies
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Cool, didn't need to draw a circle or any scented candles at all.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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They speed the process along. I answered you upthread. Again I recommend visiting flstudio.com for all of your MIDI sound making needs. You can make producer edition sound like just about anything, plus you can play around and do a lot more with it too. I don't know if it's overkill or not, but it's what i use.
Real programmers use butterflies
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It's also really amazing for automation. and you can make custom synths with it. so it's not limited to beginners. in some areas it just beats the snot out of other daws.
Real programmers use butterflies
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I just went through the features list, and if this is for beginners, I don't want the pro stuff. 
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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Personally, I use a modest PC or laptop running FL Studio (great product!) and that way I can make those keys sound like whatever I'm feeling that day.
I'm sure there are MIDI synthesizers these days that take USB in but they're too newschool for me. I'm used to 5 pin dins on real hardware.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Well, that sounds like something to check.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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+1 on FL Studio.
One cool thing about FL Studio is that all the updates are free once you buy it.
(I didn't update/check recently, is is still the case ? )
I'd rather be phishing!
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Yes indeed.
Real programmers use butterflies
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