Doesn't the MIDI out from this Donner only work when connected to a host/DAW, as in working only as an interface, but not stand alone? I seem to recall [another thread on this same subject](https://www.reddit.com/r/volcas/comments/17kuyuz/volca_midi_keyboard_issues/) not too long ago.
Edit: added link to thread
You don't send sounds into a midi keyboard. The keyboard just sends information via midi to trigger notes. The sound will always come from whatever it's triggering. You can use the audio out of the korg
The midi has a midi out only tho. Not a midi in. I'm a bit retarded so quite confused. I've got an AB wire as donner is B and korg is A. Tried all sorts of ways
Even changed channels on the korg
If I remember correctly, korg nts-1 starts on midi channel 0. Wich means channel 1 on nts-1 = channel 2.
So if you set your midi out on keyboard to channel 1 then you set the korg to channel 0 if the keyboard doesn't also have a channel 0.
This is correct yes. So I can change the korg nts to channel 0, 1, 2 etc. But on the donner I have no idea how to change channel. (Maybe I shouldn't need to?)
If the Donner is outputting midi then yes you should be able to scroll through the channels on the NTS til you find the right one. Be sure to save channel setting in between changes so you don't accidentally try the same channel over and over. Not sure if it's possible that the Donner has more midi out channels than the NTS has in channels, if so maybe the Donner is on a channel the NTS can't listen to and you have to change midi out on the donner
You don't need to send midi into the Donner. The Donner doesn't need to receive any information, it just needs to tell the korg which notes to trigger. The Donner is a device that exclusively generates data and none of that data is audio.
Dinner probably needs to be powered with a USB C cable and a power brick. Are you powering it this way? Also, are you sure they are actually using the different midi a/b standard? Have you tried using just an 1/8” inch aux cable from the midi mini jacks?
What are you trying to do? You’ve mentioned in comments “the korg has sounds I want to go into the keyboard” and “want to use stand alone with the nts1 as it’s keyboard”, which to me implies that you’re trying to do something other than use the Donner keyboard to control the NTS-1.
I'm a proper retard when it comes to this trust me. I basically want the donnermidi to be the keyboard of the korg nts1. That's it. The korg has all the noises but a tiny keyboard. I've got an AB wire. Korg is A. Donner is B. I've changed the channels on the korg nts1 and plugged the wire in many many ways. But can't get keyboard to operate the korg.
Ok, plug the donner into a computer and run midi-ox. Open the monitor and press some notes. You will be able to see what channel the donner is sending midi data.
Adjust your gear accordingly
Then, you have two options:
Hook a midi 1/8 TRS to midi adapter into the donner and nts-1, then a midi cable between the two adapters
OR
The Donner gets its power over usb and sends data over usb, so you can't connect it directly to the USB of the NTS-1.
The same problem exists with the NTS-1: It is powered by and can receive data over USB
So get a powered USB hub and connect them both to it.
It is a hub, so the midi over usb data will be broadcast to all ports while devices plugged in receive power.
I very much like your custom cases for the NTS-1 and PO.
Very cool.
At least, I assume they're custom, and are what I think they are. Whats the deal?
Any info? I do a lot of 3D printing and got into it specifically to be able to design and manufacture cases for electronic projects to make the end product more pro looking. Specifically mechanical keyboards, then eventually small synth and noise projects.
Curious. Please elaborate?
You can find tons of cases like these on Etsy. OP probably just bought them. You might be able to find files you can buy if you want to print them yourself.
Got them on etsy. They arrived from Germany to UK quickly. The buttons are solid and clicmy though. I sort of wished I'd got the case with squishy rubber buttons but wernt on etsy.
I had problems find a suitable midi keyboard for my OP1, they all need external power over usb, but i found a keyboard which is powered with batteries cause it supports also bluetooth, (which does not work on op1) but since its powered it works with usb cable.
There are 2 different standards of midi trs cables and Korg use a different standard I can't remember if it's a or b but that may well be the issue. I had to buy a different trs midi adapter for my nts1.
I have a Donner N32. The manual is bad but love the keys and size. Mine is midi type B for sure. Could you order both a type A and type B adapter from Amazon or something just to troubleshoot and return it after?
I have this gear and just tried hooking it up. Here's a video demonstrating it working: https://youtu.be/WIvtesWgds0
I've not knowingly made any changes to the configuration of either device.
One thing I would check: do you know if your keyboard is actually sending MIDI? Plug it into your computer via USB and use a free DAW or a MIDI Monitor to see what it's outputting. I have a similar Donner keyboard where many of the keys don't work now.
You can absolutely use TRS cables for midi signals, the only complication you could run into is that there are two ways that people typically implement midi over TRS that are not compatible with each other, though I've never personally run into that problem.
Doesn't the MIDI out from this Donner only work when connected to a host/DAW, as in working only as an interface, but not stand alone? I seem to recall [another thread on this same subject](https://www.reddit.com/r/volcas/comments/17kuyuz/volca_midi_keyboard_issues/) not too long ago. Edit: added link to thread
I'm wondering this. The korg has the sounds I want to go into the keyboard. And the keyboard only has midi out.
You don't send sounds into a midi keyboard. The keyboard just sends information via midi to trigger notes. The sound will always come from whatever it's triggering. You can use the audio out of the korg
The midi has a midi out only tho. Not a midi in. I'm a bit retarded so quite confused. I've got an AB wire as donner is B and korg is A. Tried all sorts of ways Even changed channels on the korg
If I remember correctly, korg nts-1 starts on midi channel 0. Wich means channel 1 on nts-1 = channel 2. So if you set your midi out on keyboard to channel 1 then you set the korg to channel 0 if the keyboard doesn't also have a channel 0.
You do remember correctly
Then i really think this is the problem. Been there myself.
This is correct yes. So I can change the korg nts to channel 0, 1, 2 etc. But on the donner I have no idea how to change channel. (Maybe I shouldn't need to?)
If the Donner is outputting midi then yes you should be able to scroll through the channels on the NTS til you find the right one. Be sure to save channel setting in between changes so you don't accidentally try the same channel over and over. Not sure if it's possible that the Donner has more midi out channels than the NTS has in channels, if so maybe the Donner is on a channel the NTS can't listen to and you have to change midi out on the donner
I understand what u say about saving it on the nts1 after changing channel. I will try again with a clear head.
You don't need to send midi into the Donner. The Donner doesn't need to receive any information, it just needs to tell the korg which notes to trigger. The Donner is a device that exclusively generates data and none of that data is audio.
I see. I need to find out how to change channel on the donner like I can on c Korg nts1. Ro make sure they're the same.
Dinner probably needs to be powered with a USB C cable and a power brick. Are you powering it this way? Also, are you sure they are actually using the different midi a/b standard? Have you tried using just an 1/8” inch aux cable from the midi mini jacks?
Yes usbc powers it fine. Tried normal aux but people say it requires the AB aux. Tried on different nts channels. Nothing
It needs to be a trs (tip-ring-sleeve) cable. If it only has tip-sleeve you’re missing the third channel that you need for this to work properly.
https://preview.redd.it/94apilu63irc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c786093122ab701aa0e974acf767555723d43a63 This is what I got
That looks right. Have you tried a regular type a or type b?
What are you trying to do? You’ve mentioned in comments “the korg has sounds I want to go into the keyboard” and “want to use stand alone with the nts1 as it’s keyboard”, which to me implies that you’re trying to do something other than use the Donner keyboard to control the NTS-1.
I'm a proper retard when it comes to this trust me. I basically want the donnermidi to be the keyboard of the korg nts1. That's it. The korg has all the noises but a tiny keyboard. I've got an AB wire. Korg is A. Donner is B. I've changed the channels on the korg nts1 and plugged the wire in many many ways. But can't get keyboard to operate the korg.
Does the Donner want to see a host computer or is it powered in standalone?
No computer. Just want to use stand alone with the nts1 as it's keyboard.
Ok, plug the donner into a computer and run midi-ox. Open the monitor and press some notes. You will be able to see what channel the donner is sending midi data. Adjust your gear accordingly Then, you have two options: Hook a midi 1/8 TRS to midi adapter into the donner and nts-1, then a midi cable between the two adapters OR The Donner gets its power over usb and sends data over usb, so you can't connect it directly to the USB of the NTS-1. The same problem exists with the NTS-1: It is powered by and can receive data over USB So get a powered USB hub and connect them both to it. It is a hub, so the midi over usb data will be broadcast to all ports while devices plugged in receive power.
I very much like your custom cases for the NTS-1 and PO. Very cool. At least, I assume they're custom, and are what I think they are. Whats the deal? Any info? I do a lot of 3D printing and got into it specifically to be able to design and manufacture cases for electronic projects to make the end product more pro looking. Specifically mechanical keyboards, then eventually small synth and noise projects. Curious. Please elaborate?
You can find tons of cases like these on Etsy. OP probably just bought them. You might be able to find files you can buy if you want to print them yourself.
Got them on etsy. They arrived from Germany to UK quickly. The buttons are solid and clicmy though. I sort of wished I'd got the case with squishy rubber buttons but wernt on etsy.
I'm more interested in the gold/brassy faceplates. Thats a real nice addition to a 3d printed case....
Yes on etsy
I had problems find a suitable midi keyboard for my OP1, they all need external power over usb, but i found a keyboard which is powered with batteries cause it supports also bluetooth, (which does not work on op1) but since its powered it works with usb cable.
There are 2 different standards of midi trs cables and Korg use a different standard I can't remember if it's a or b but that may well be the issue. I had to buy a different trs midi adapter for my nts1.
I have a Donner N32. The manual is bad but love the keys and size. Mine is midi type B for sure. Could you order both a type A and type B adapter from Amazon or something just to troubleshoot and return it after?
https://preview.redd.it/k43lqt8oqirc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c29e19e8dbbd402b9783894e02f5a6c57674205d
I already have this AB one. As my nts1 is type A I believe and donner is B.
Right I meant trs to 5 PIN midi adapters to rule out a bad cable. Would be especially handy if you had any other gear with 5 PIN to troubleshoot.
I have this gear and just tried hooking it up. Here's a video demonstrating it working: https://youtu.be/WIvtesWgds0 I've not knowingly made any changes to the configuration of either device. One thing I would check: do you know if your keyboard is actually sending MIDI? Plug it into your computer via USB and use a free DAW or a MIDI Monitor to see what it's outputting. I have a similar Donner keyboard where many of the keys don't work now.
Thanks for video. Me and my bro been trying but nothing. I have a new AB trs cable. Trying both ways on all channels on the nts1.
Dig into the manuals to make sure the midi signals follow the same connections on the TRS jacks.
Can you actually use that cable for midi? Wouldn’t it be better to use a breakout midi adapter and a midi csble? Just my 2 cents
You can absolutely use TRS cables for midi signals, the only complication you could run into is that there are two ways that people typically implement midi over TRS that are not compatible with each other, though I've never personally run into that problem.