Need help on software to connect USB electronic keyboard

[questchen]

I just bought M-audio USB electronic keyboard to practice...
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...n49e-main.html
the software given by M-audio is "Propellerheads Reason", it's amazing software which have many functions but it is demo version and expire after 20 mins!! For a beginner to learn electronic keyboard, I also think this is not suitable to use those complex functions.

I will be very grateful if any of you can recommend me a software to connect my MIDI electronic keyboard to my speaker?

Thank you very much.

[Budley007]

If you want good piano sound on a budget, pick up some sampler software. These software packages can get very expensive so don't go overboard. Just find something in your price range that comes with decent recommendations. A good salesman at a keyboard store can get you started.

My setup is a Roland keyboard patched in/out midi to an Aardvark breakout box on my computer. I run Gigastudio (sampler software) through Sonar (sequencer software) and use my computer speakers for monitoring.

The best advice I can give you for research is to try some of the forums dedicated to home recording and midi technology. There are several. With a little work you can get a pretty good idea which way you want to go with your keyboard. Best wishes.

[questchen]

Thank you very much for your help. Could please recommend me some forum so that I can check it?

Thanks.

[Budley007]

A pretty good guide for getting started.

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

A few forums that I seem to like

http://www.recording.org/modules.php?name=Forums
http://homerecording.com/bbs/index.php
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/index.php

Use the search function liberally. Some forums specifically address midi keyboard setups, as well as studio information and specialized FAQ forums for "newbies".

There are also some books on the market if you want to go that route, but as of yet I haven't seen anything in a book that can't be found in discussion forums. You just gotta keep digging.

My list is not exhaustive, so feel free to continue searching the web for other resources. Most likely you'll find references to other valuable sites from within those I listed above. Other Headfiers here may have better recommendations so keep checking back with this thread.

Goodluck in your endeavors and enjoy your new keyboard.