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I have a Korg EX-8000 synth I bought at a thrift store, but no midi keyboard and would like to know how to hook up to my computer so I can test to see if it works. I just ordered a MIDI to USB cable. What else am I going to need so I can test the unit on my computer? Or can it even be done with the Korg EX-8000 w/o keyboard on a computer?

Thanks to the board so much for any help/advice.

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    There are free editor programs for the EX-8000, e.g. this one: ctrlr.org/korg-dw-8000 (you need to download the ctrlr programme itself and the "panel" for the DW-8000, which is the keyboard version of the EX-8000; see the documentation). – Your Uncle Bob Jul 21 at 20:06
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If you'd like to just check that it works and you are happy using something simpler than a sequencer, you could use a virtual MIDI keyboard - that runs on your computer and will allow you to play notes out of your MIDI interface using your computer. An example is http://vmpk.sourceforge.net/.

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    Yes, for just seeing if it works, that seems an excellent choice. – Laurence Payne Jul 21 at 23:41
  • That's what I was thinking. To hook up unit to computer via midi-usb cord and to see if, once connected, I can play sounds from the Korg on the computer and test all different sounds that unit produces using a 'virtual MIDI keyboard.' That's assuming the unit actually puts out midi signal for program to detect. Thanks to all for reply. Have to wait for midi-usb cable to arrive in a few days to attempt. – Rafael Jul 22 at 1:48
  • @Rafael Your Uncle Bob's suggestion of using an editor is also good, as is Laurence Payne's plan of using a sequencer; it's good to have a plan B in case it's the software, rather than hardware, that's the problem. Interesting purchase - hope it works! – topo morto Jul 22 at 8:47
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You need a program on your computer that outputs MIDI data (in much the same way as a keyboard would). These programs are commonly called 'sequencers'. Here's a free one

Whoops! That's an audio-only program. Try this for MIDI.

Or if you're happy working with notation try this

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  • Thanks for the quick reply. Wouldn't I need a program with a keyboard so I can test the outputs of the Korg by playing the keyboard on the computer and changing settings on Korg for different sounds? I downloaded the Audacity program per your recommendation. Just have to figure out how to use, as I am quite ignorant when it comes to this sort of thing. Thank you very much for the reply and your time and any additional help/suggestion greatly appreciated, – Rafael Jul 21 at 17:35
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    I don’t think musescore will send MIDI data out to an external sound module, it only takes it in from a keyboard. Finale and Sibelius will do it, though. – Todd Wilcox Jul 21 at 17:49
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    Also audacity doesn’t do MIDI at all, only audio. So while the answer is good, the specific recommended software won’t help. – Todd Wilcox Jul 21 at 20:20
  • Sorry, I gave you a bum steer with Audacity - thats just for audio, See amended reply - older versions of Tracktion have gone free. @Todd Wilcox, MuseScore definitely will use any available MIDI output. I've just tried and successfully routed it to both a Kurzweil PC3 keyboard and a Korg X5DR module – Laurence Payne Jul 21 at 21:49

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