Midi doesn't come out!!!

[mazah]

I got a steinberg VSL 2020 soundcard a while back and i've been having trouble with midi since. When using N-track, midi just doesn't come out. The vu-meters on every single track is pumping like it's supposed to but the output vu-meter doesn't do anything and no sound comes out. I don't understand, please help!

[AlChuck]

More information. What did you have before the Steinberg card?

However, I will hazard a guess from reading between the lines. I'm guessing you formerly had a generic sound card that had a MIDI synth on it. Typically, good recording soundcards do not have MIDI synths on them, so switching to the Steinberg would eliminate that device from your system. There is nothing to respond to MIDI messages and therefore no output.

You need either a softsynth (I don't know which types n-Track might support) or an external synth with the MIDI messages routed to it via a MIDI interface to get any sound.

You do know that MIDI messages contain no audio information -- no inherent sound -- don't you? That is, that they merely tell a MIDI synth what to play and when?

[mazah]

Originally posted by AlChuck
More information. What did you have before the Steinberg card?

However, I will hazard a guess from reading between the lines. I'm guessing you formerly had a generic sound card that had a MIDI synth on it. Typically, good recording soundcards do not have MIDI synths on them, so switching to the Steinberg would eliminate that device from your system. There is nothing to respond to MIDI messages and therefore no output.

You need either a softsynth (I don't know which types n-Track might support) or an external synth with the MIDI messages routed to it via a MIDI interface to get any sound.

You do know that MIDI messages contain no audio information -- no inherent sound -- don't you? That is, that they merely tell a MIDI synth what to play and when?

You must be right. Thanks for enlightening my stupidity. I'm really just starting out with these things. So, how am i gonna get out of this basicly? I have to buy a midi synth thingy? Can you give an example or something? I guess i'm looking for pretty much the cheapest way...

Btw, i only use midi for a base to record on top of. As basic structures of songs and such...

[AlChuck]

Look in your n-Track docs and see if it supports VST or DX instruments. There are some decent free ones and inexpensive ones that might serve your purpose. A GM-compatible one that can use Sound Fonts would be a good choice, 'cause you can get additional sound sets off the web for free.

[dachay2tnr]

What happened to your original sound card? Perhaps you can use that in conjunction with your current card just for midi.

I'm agree with AlChuck about looking into software synths. They are alot easier to work with and have a lot more flexibility. However, in the interim, your old sound card will at least get you back running.

[mazah]

So, i've got this vst instrument figured out except that how can i get them to play existing midi files? with N-track that is. I do my midi's with guitarpro so is it possible to import midi files to play vst instruments in another program?