Paul Ashton talking sound: September 2011

There are 3 stages to this article. Each of these have multiple ways of achieving similar results

Creating your sound

There are 3 ways. In this we will take the example of a simple piano.

Use a plugin virtual instrument with your DAW software (Logic, Cubase, Protools, Ableton etc). If you have a windows computer this will be a VST, if you using an iMac then this could be an AU or VST depending on your DAW. Eg: Piano which conveniently has both a Mac and Windows version
Alternatively you can use a stand-alone virtual instrument software. This would run as a stand alone software. Eg: midipiano_chung. Run the software, plug in midi and all is done
Lastly there is the hybrid solution, using what is known as a VST wrap-around. Here you install the VST in your computer and install the wraparound software. This takes the place of the DAW and has very much more simplified controls

Window VSTHost
iMac VST Lord actually designed as a test program.
Mac users can also use Mainstage but this only hosts the instruments that come with Logic and Garageband - however if they are what you need on stage then Mainstage is definitely the way to go

MIDI input

Next you need to connect a keyboard to your computer. Again there are choices.

Use a MIDI interface that connects to your computer with a USB or Firewire connection
Plug in a keyboard that has a USB connection
Use a keyboard that provides a wireless MIDI signal together with a USB wireless receiver. Eg: CME UF series of keyboards

Connect Audio

Very simply you can connect your computer headphone socket via a cable to the amplifier/mixer (mini stereo jack to twin mono jack cable)
Or allegedly better quality sound (depending on your laptop) you can connect an external sound card via USB and connect that as out to your amplifier/mixer

Working example

Paul Ashton talking sound