completely new to midi recording...

[stix_clgi]

Good Evening,
I need a LOT of help with this midi stuff. First of all, here is the equipment I use(don't laugh, I'm on a really tight budget..):

RadioShack Keyboard MD-1700(also badged as a Casio WK-3000)
Used Gateway comp. Creative SoundBlaster card(?)
Cakewalk Music Creator 2 w/ multiple midi plugins
MidiSport Uno

Okay, I kinda figured how to record midi data from the keyboard to the software, but I was wondering If I could use the plugins from the software. Cakewalk has many demo songs with midi data, the problem is, if I don't have my keyboard connected through the Uno, I won't hear any midi data at all on my computer. The user's manual for the keyboard didn't help me at all, I figured my computer needs some kind of midi player or sound card. Any help would be appreciated.
God bless,
Chris

[Hugo H]

I'm a bit confused by your description. You are able to record MIDI data from your keyboard but you are unable to send MIDI data back to the keyboard? Or are you trying to hear the MIDI data played by your computer rather than the keyboard?

You already have a good soundcard - the SoundBlaster's fine for what you are doing. So you don't need a different one. It can play MIDI quite well, especially if you use it's ability to load soundfonts. (That's another topic).

If you could restate your problem maybe I can give some solid help.

[TimOBrien]

Originally Posted by stix_clgi

Good Evening,
I was wondering If I could use the plugins from the software.

If you mean audio plugins, you can only use those AFTER you have rendered down the midi tracks to audio tracks (which you'll have to do at some point if you're going to burn to a CD...)

Best bet is to start here:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/how_to_get...with_midi.html

and

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

[Agent47]

It sounds like your MIDI sounds are coming from the keyboard itself at the moment.

For each track's output in Cakewalk you need to select something along the lines of 'MIDI OUT' or 'Midisport OUT'. That will send the note data to your keyboard, so the notes play the instruments on it.

If you have softsynths in Cakewalk, then select their outputs.