Hey there:)
it may sound strange but could I run the miniLab3 (temporarily) without a computer? To be specific: could I power it via USB from a power supply in a wall socket? if so, what are the specs/voltage I’d need, since I can’t find anything on the minilab’s power needs.
Also, in that same scenario, could I connect it to speakers via jack connection, i.e. jack to jack (via “control” out), or midi to jack? or would I need midi speakers, thus midi to midi?
Hope I could make mayself clear^^
Thanks so much in advance:)
Yes, you can use the MiniLab 3 without a computer, powered by USB. The manual doesn’t say much about the power specs, just “highly efficient; can even be powered from an iPad”, so I suspect that any ordinary USB charger will do. I just tested mine with a 5V 3A max multi-port USB wall charger, with the MIDI connected to a Volca Bass. Everything worked fine.
To be clear, the MiniLab is only a MIDI controller and does not produce audio on its own. It needs to be connected with a MIDI cable to a desktop synth, sampler, or something else that produces audio. The control port is an input for a pedal, not an audio output. MIDI speakers don’t exist—MIDI is a control protocol, not an audio format. It just sends messages such as that a particular key has been pressed or released, or that a knob is turning. It’s up to the receiving device how to interpret those messages and produce audio.
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wow, thanks so much for the fast and comprehensive reply @tmoore :))
so did I get you correctly, there’s no use in only connecting speakers to the minilab3, since it only controlls, not produces sound? so without any additional hardware (i.e. pc, synth, sampler, etc) there will be no sound coming out of that speaker?
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No problem!
Exactly right. Even though the control jack is the same type of jack that you might find on a speaker or a synth, it isn’t meant for audio and shouldn’t be connected to a speaker. It’s for use with things like sustain pedals, foot switches, and expression pedals such as the Yamaha FC5 or many other similar ones.
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For even more clarity, literally all the ‘Lab’ keyboards are midi controllers which need to be plugged into a computer or tablet. They have no audio capability of their own.
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appreciate the answers, thank you guys very much:)
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i need even MORE clarification… iu completely understand the controller aspect. I am considering buying one of these to use in a COMPLETELY portable sense, with completely portable minisynths, like Roland AIRA S-1, P-6, and the Teenage Engineering ep-133 as a very portable midi controller…
TOO QUESTIONS:
Can the minilab 3 be used COMPLETELY without a computer? Meaning, if i never connect it to ANY computer, get a midi or usb adapter to plug it into my portable batter operated synths, will i be able to program the functions of the knobs, pads, faders, one by one, to sent the CC# midi data i want them to send, on the midi channel i want, and SAVE that setup? Or am i FORCED to only be able to do this through computer software? Can the minilab 3 LEARN thru midi messages? i.e. can i tweak a knob or setting on my midi device, and have the minilab 3 LEARN what i want each knob to do? If not, can this be added in a firmware update? SO, for example, say i want the minilab 3 KNOB #1 to control the grain size on the roland aira p-6 on midi channel 6, can i just set the P-6 to midi channel 6 in and out, and tweak that grain size knob, and the minilab 3 will see the midi messages and LEARN it and allow me to save that, and likewise for other knobs and midiparameters?
the other question, what’s the current draw on the usb power? will it just crush the battery on my portable devices? is the total power draw under 100ma? what’s the actual?