Casio CT-X3000 - 17. External MIDI Controller

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

The USB connection is usually to a PC, and not to other keyboards. The only way to connect to a USB-only keyboard is with something like the Kenton USB-MIDI host device, or via a PC. For instance, you could connect your Casio into a PC, and then to another keyboard connected to the PC via USB. On older keyboards 5-PIN DIN MIDI sockets were usually included, so connected MIDI devices was relatively straight-forward. With "MIDI over USB" it's a little harder... All the best.

[@GlebFomin]

Hello, you have very good videos Thank you for your work. I have a question. Is it possible to connect keyboards via USB without using a midi-in-midi-out adapter?

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

Unfortunately, no - you will need something like the Kenton USB-MIDI host to directly connect other keyboards to the Casio, without using a PC. If you connect both keyboards to a PC then in a DAW you should be able to play one with the other. I hope that helps. All the best.

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

Unfortunately, no - you will need something like the Kenton USB-MIDI host to directly connect other keyboards to the Casio, without using a PC. If you connect both keyboards to a PC then in a DAW you should be able to play one with the other. I hope that helps. All the best.

[@mindaugasmindaugas-ou1nd]

Hello, could you help me? In short, there is a problem, I have a Casio x5000 synthesizer, I'm looking everywhere for such a program where I want to convert from an mp3 file to Ac7 format, I also tried using an excel program to convert from a midi file to Ac7 and it doesn't read the synthesizer... I don't even know where to look...

[@MrEmmzo]

Can you make a video of how to play all Casio ctx3000 tones with a DAW midi. I tried Ableton and I can only access some of them with Program change, no idea how to change banks or how to identify each one.Thank you!

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

According to the specification, the CT-X is 16 channel multi-timbre, GM Level 1 standard. That means you should be able to set up tracks in Ableton (or another DAW), with 1-16 MIDI channels, and then send a program change to select the CT-X tone you want. The CT-X can send and receive bank select messages, but I think that applies to the keyboard registration banks. I haven't tried it, so will have to investigate further. This link (www.midi.org/specifications-old/item/gm-level-1-sound-set) will give you the GM1 Level 1 list of tones. Remember, MIDI channel 10 will always be percussion tones. I hope that helps!

[@JustineAndrew]

i've bought a printer cable to connect my ctx 3000 to computer.i want to use it as a midi controller but i can't find it in my DAW.i just plugged it in my computer.is there a function that i have to turn on for me to use it as midi controller? thank you in advance

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

Which DAW are you using? I have Reason, and it shows up under Preferences and then I can use it as a basic MIDI controller.

[@joeblow593]

This is great info as the keys of the CTX get noisy after a while. Wonder how this works with the accomp features of the CTX.? Does it work at all?

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

Nope - unfortunately. It can be a bit confusing in the manual - EN-144 & EN-145 - to say the least. It says "sounds generated by messages input from MIDI IN are assigned to the parts of the SONG SOLO group." And also, "sounds generated by Auto Accompaniment are assigned to the parts of the RHYTHM part group" - there's no MIDI IN for these, only MIDI OUT (Channels 9-16) when you turn "Accomp Out" ON in the MIDI menu. It's a shame it's not possible - it would help enormously with using external MIDI controllers. I hope that helps!

[@tzodearf2596]

Beautiful!

[@instrumentalistjade8367]

Wow I didn't know I can control the CTx using another midi controller

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

Yep - it can be done, without using a DAW, but you'll need a MIDI-HOST device of some kind. Unfortunately, these can be expensive and hard to find. The Kenton MIDI-HOST is well-built though, and I expect it will be useful for many years. Casio's own MIDI Bluetooth adaptor only works on a limited range of keyboards unfortunately.

[@chriswalkeryes]

Hello can you tell me how to get the registration buttons top work when your in this set up thanks..

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

Hi Chris, I'm not sure if you're referring to saving a registration or not, but if you are then to save it you just select BANK, hold down STORE, and then the registration area (1-8). On page EN-68 there's a list of items that are saved when you store/save a registration - naturally these are related to the Casio and not to the external controller. I hope that kind of answers your question! All the best.

[@chriswalkeryes]

No what i meant was how do you play the registrations and user sounds layers splits through the midi keyboard can't seem to get it to work. i can play sounds ok like on your video but .just single sounds. thanks Chris

[@NadirTomasiniJunior]

I have a USB-MIDI host device and it works. But I just can play gm sounds of Casio. Is there a way to use the other Casio tones?

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

Yes, you will need to send MIDI CC messages to select the bank and sounds you require. I've done a video which might help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGjap4mjeraYjZI. The Casio Appendix lists all the tones with bank MSB and Program Change numbers. You should be able to find it here - support.casio.com/en/manual/manualfile.php?cid=008007005 😎

[@sanakassara]

Nice. Does the MIDI relay the clock signal as well, can you control the tempo/metronome on the Casio through MIDI with the plugged external devices? Another question is that is it possible to program the accompanying sound in an sequencer, which you might have on the external keyboard/synth you have plugged in the Casio?

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

To the first question, unfortunately not. There's no in/out MIDI clock. And I don't understand the second question! Can you give a specific example set up? Thanks.

[@sanakassara]

Huh... Forgot that I had watched this video before. Even I didn't get my question. 😆 Maybe I tried to ask that can I create sequencer patterns to an external device like Korg Electribe Sampler 2 from the Casio sounds? I see that you have typed in the description something about sequences not being able to save/store. But there wouldn't actually be any trigger data on the Casio, the pattern would be on the sequencer device and the Casio would only be the source for the audio.

[@joanneflow]

Hi Stewart, awesome video! Would you mind to answer if ctx3000 can be a midi controller using GarageBand? Thankyou!

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

Yes, it can be a basic MIDI controller. Connect the Casio to your Apple device via USB, and it should appear as a MIDI device in Garage Band. Create the tracks you need, selecting the virtual instruments in GB, and then the Casio can play them. If you want to use some of the Casio tones, then these will need to be MIDI tracks, but you can edit your playing in GB. You may also need a USB audio interface if you want to record the Casio audio back into GB.

[@joanneflow]

​@@StewartWallaceSJWMusic thankyou so much for your comprehensive answer! I'm getting one today! God Bless and success for your channel!

[@hm_techsphere]

Please how do we connect to a DAW software like the FL studio?

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

I've not used FL Studio, but I would expect it to be straight forward. I use Reason and the CT-X3000 appears as a MIDI input device when it's connected to the PC with a USB cable. If you want to record the audio from the CT-X3000 then you'll need to run a cable from the headphone/line output on the keyboard to the input of a channel on your audio device, if you have one. Then you should be able to create an audio track and set it to receive audio from this input channel, and then you will be able to record the audio (i.e. the sound) into your DAW. Check out this video showing how it works with Reason: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipTckKerZsmod7M

[@ckonemusic7743]

Good goo in chenel me, tq.

[@StewartWallaceSJWMusic]

No problem! If you get stuck, then put a question in the comments, and I'll try to answer it. All the best.