Basic Midi Setup Help Please

[TonyChicago]

Hi,

As some of you know, I'm selling my accordions because of my stroke. I would still like to try some music for therapy. I have my modules from years ago when I tried my MIDI Excelsior MIDIVOX III which I sold last week. Here's what I have to work with:

E-MU Proteus 2000
E-MU Vintage Keys Plus
E-MU B3
Roland M-E1 String Ensemble
Alesis MIDIVerb
MRCC 880 MIDI Router and USB MIDI Interface

Straight up, I can't afford a Roland Digital.

I do not want drums or an arranger. I just want to try to play along to jazz recordings and Abersold stuff. Could I get by with an basic MIDI'd accordion (no reeds), or would I need a MIDIVOX or it's equivalent to control the sounds? I would like to separate the right/left hand so I can get organ and walking bass, or strings and bass, and still be able to play chords on the left hand stradella.

I really have no recollection of how I had my MIDI set up 15 years ago. My memory has taken a beating from the stroke and seizures.

So could anyone please advise me on what type of MIDI box setup I would need? I have been messaging someone who has a reedless accordion, but the MIDI unit does not have any controls on the accordion. It is run through a Ketron XD3 and I don't want to use anymore modules/arrangers/whatever.

Thanks so much,

Tony

 

[Ventura]

hey Tony

yeah many of the reedless accordions are really lacking
in easy ways to control other modules and stuff

most any simple MIDI unit, like your old MIDIvox,
has a numerical pad that lets you matrix simple
patch (sound) change messages to the different channels

to reemind you, that MIDIvox transmitted treble = channel 1
stradela chords channel 2 bass channel 3 and (solo/layered)
second treble voice on channel 4

this is typical of many other simple MIDI accordions,
though some have Bass on channel 2 chords channel 3
a used reedless would be lighter weight, but if you are not
gonna squeeze at all, have the reeds removed from whatever
you end up with to lighten it up

Many less expensive 911 midivox were imported, and you may
find one under $1000.. i picked one up as an emergency spare for my 960
40 years ago.. they were selling new back then for $1900 retail

you could look into that stick thing that Alan and Cory were talkin about too

most older MIDI acc. do not have a bellows sensor, nor touch sensitive keys

there was a slab keyboard ORLA controller, keys and stradella bass layout,
occasionally one pops up on Craigslist

there is a musitech reedless in toronto ohio on C-List for a Grand but
it might be a scam

good luck putting together something useful

so to remind you of the stuff you still have, that USB interface
is only for use with a computer

then for any simple MIDI chain, you really should not need your MRCC router,
as there will be MIDI IN, OUT, and THROUGH on most of these units

for instance, plug in the accordion MIDI out to the MIDI in on your
E-Mu B3, send that units MIDI through to the Roland Strings, send that
MIDI through to the Vintage Keys

set the recieve channels of each, do that from each unit's control panel..
B3 channel 1, the Strings channel 2, the Vintage channel 3
you would have Organ treble, Chords strings, and pick a bass sound
on the vintage keys

hope that helps ya' and don't forget some volume pedals to balance
them easily (even if you have them sittin on the table naxt to you)

ciao

 

[Giovanni]

Hello Tony , Sorry to read of your health problems ........A good friend and musician has suffered the same as you ...please be patient take your time .my friend has turned the corner ...he also joined a local stroke therapy group and that has really helped . can you play a yamaha arranger type
keyboard ? just to sort of play around and get the feel for playing again .
Do not give up take one small step at a time !!

 

[TonyChicago]

so to remind you of the stuff you still have, that USB interface
is only for use with a computer

then for any simple MIDI chain, you really should not need your MRCC router,
as there will be MIDI IN, OUT, and THROUGH on most of these units

for instance, plug in the accordion MIDI out to the MIDI in on your
E-Mu B3, send that units MIDI through to the Roland Strings, send that
MIDI through to the Vintage Keys

set the recieve channels of each, do that from each unit's control panel..
B3 channel 1, the Strings channel 2, the Vintage channel 3
you would have Organ treble, Chords strings, and pick a bass sound
on the vintage keys

hope that helps ya' and don't forget some volume pedals to balance
them easily (even if you have them sittin on the table naxt to you)

ciao

This is so wonderful. That is important information for me. It means a lot coming from you to spell it out like that for me. I am really grateful.

Would any volume pedal work?

I also have a mixer I forgot to mention that I used for some audio microphone stuff.

The person I was messaging has this unit. It's a stripped out Accorgan, no reeds and a basic midi. Another guy is selling a reedless CIAO (no relation to you...lol), but he's asking too much in my opinion. I also found a reedless Monarch Midivox III on eBay, but no power supply/cables for cheap. But who knows if it works? What are your thoughts on that?

Tony

 

[oldbayan]

Sorry to hear about your health issues, I myself went through similar stuff a few years back. It's no fun. Luckily, I have very mild sequels and nothing has affected my abilities to play musical instruments.

Lots of people seem to go for playing harp as a therapy! I know, nothing to do with accordions, but music being music, some instruments seem to work better than others for recovery and therapy. I myself bought a second-hand 33-string lever harp last summer, just for fun, these instruments come in many shapes and sizes. One advantage of this instrument is that you do not have to wear it. I haven't yet met anyone who does not like the sound of a harp, even when you practice it! Just a thought.

 

[TonyChicago]

Hello Tony , Sorry to read of your health problems ........A good friend and musician has suffered the same as you ...please be patient take your time .my friend has turned the corner ...he also joined a local stroke therapy group and that has really helped . can you play a yamaha arranger type
keyboard ? just to sort of play around and get the feel for playing again .
Do not give up take one small step at a time !!

I appreciate your words of support, believe me. I'm all alone through this. My mom that I took care of for years, died in May. My best friend died 3 weeks ago yesterday. No family for me. Can't even get outside. It's a tough ride right now.

I'm not sure what the Yamaha is to be honest. I will Google it.

Again, thank you and I wish your friend all the best.

 

[TonyChicago]

Sorry to hear about your health issues, I myself went through similar stuff a few years back. It's no fun. Luckily, I have very mild sequels and nothing has affected my abilities to play musical instruments.

Lots of people seem to go for playing harp as a therapy! I know, nothing to do with accordions, but music being music, some instruments seem to work better than others for recovery and therapy. I myself bought a second-hand 36-string lever harp last summer, just for fun, these instruments come in many shapes and sizes. One advantage of this instrument is that you do not have to wear it. I haven't yet met anyone who does not like the sound of a harp, even when you practice it! Just a thought.

Thanks very much. The support means a lot to me.

I'm a fan of Harpo Marx, does that count?

My right side is what got REALLY affected, and my speech. I try to do finger exercises on a lucite board, but it's a struggle...more mentally than even physically I think. I wouldn't mind as much if my left hand got hit, but there's no use in dwelling.

Thank you again.

 

[Ventura]

I also have a mixer I forgot to mention that I used for some audio microphone stuff.

if the mixer is small enough to sit on the table and be handy, sure use
that instead of pedals.. reaching over and sliding faders up or down
to balance things will be intuitive

The person I was messaging has this unit. It's a stripped out Accorgan, no reeds and a basic midi.

the magnet and hall effect sensor transistor looking things are more modern, and
once set-up and adjusted usually very reliable.. if he guarantees it is working
perfectly, sounds like a winner.. their problem during shipping is getting bounced
hard enough to loosen and pop off the glued on magnets

a reedless Monarch Midivox III on eBay, but no power supply/cables for cheap. But who knows if it works? What are your thoughts on that?

Tony

aftermarket powersupplies have been hard to find for the midivox,
and expensive.. can be made from scratch from the schematics
if you are handy like Caps with a soldering iron and loose parts,
but not all long-dormant midivox boards are going to "wake up"
even with a jump-starter

 

[TonyChicago]

if the mixer is small enough to sit on the table and be handy, sure use
that instead of pedals.. reaching over and sliding faders up or down
to balance things will be intuitive

the magnet and hall effect sensor transistor looking things are more modern, and
once set-up and adjusted usually very reliable.. if he guarantees it is working
perfectly, sounds like a winner.. their problem during shipping is getting bounced
hard enough to loosen and pop off the glued on magnets

aftermarket powersupplies have been hard to find for the midivox,
and expensive.. can be made from scratch from the schematics
if you are handy like Caps with a soldering iron and loose parts,
but not all long-dormant midivox boards are going to "wake up"
even with a jump-starter

On the Accorgan, I would still be able to split my right and left hand sounds and get chords from the bass without the control box on the grille?

The Midivox III....$387 for the power supply and cable...yikes....from Scotland

 

[Giovanni]

I appreciate your words of support, believe me. I'm all alone through this. My mom that I took care of for years, died in May. My best friend died 3 weeks ago yesterday. No family for me. Can't even get outside. It's a tough ride right now.

I'm not sure what the Yamaha is to be honest. I will Google it.

Again, thank you and I wish your friend all the best.

Tony yamaha are a leading musical company they make arranger keyboards and much more and sell world wide .
I would not bother to chase that accordion from scotland .........I think it will disappoint with stuff missing ...
you must be able to find a second hand accordion some where near you !!
With the Risk of repeating myself you are in need of help for your condition .........ask your doctors / community help groups to locate a stroke group near you !! visit the local library they may be able to advise ..they certainly do in the UK !!!
You do need help you cannot do it all on your own .........I've witnessed this situation first hand .
please seek help !!!!!!!

 

[Squeezeplay]

I have a Midivox three power supply in good working condition it was a midi vox 2 one that was modified for me by Accordeons Excellence in Montreal. It was tested when I got it back, works perfectly, but since has never been used, because my original power supply has never failed.. I might be persuaded to part with it.

 

[Squeezeplay]

Stroke is not the end of the world…I had one at 73… my doctor told me my playing days were over…..I said oh yeah? Watch this…eighteen months later, I was playing gigs again. You CAN do it. Takes a lot of re training your fingers, but it’s still in there, you just have to find it again.