MIDI Keyboard -> USB Laptop problem

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Silenti1972

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I am attempting to help my stepfather hook his Roland EM-10 keyboard up to his laptop. He purchased a MIDI to USB converter. It is an inexpensive Chinese built unit with the power provided by the USB or the MIDI link. So far we have been unable to do anything with this link. Until he can get this to work, all other potential problems are moot.

Info - Out to In and In to Out. We have reversed this as well in case there was a problem. The link does show up in the hardware device manager and it states it is installed correctly and working. We have tried FL Studio, Anvil and the Windows 7 OS built in recorder. The MIDI does not show up as a "recording" device in the OS sound options. It does show up as a game and audio device in the device manager. I have little to no music knowledge of any kind, I do have a fairly solid background in PC hardware/software/networking. In Anvil, under MIDI the MIDI does show up twice. I assume this is normal and one is in and one is out. When I hit "test" and it takes me to the test page, there is no indication that the information from the keyboard (whether he plays something recorded or we simply bang keys) is coming in to anvil and no indication that when we test the out that any information is going from the laptop to the keyboard.

I am quite confused and have no experience with MIDI and little to no experience with musical instruments. I have looked around the web, tweaker, a few tutorials here and there, but nothing speaks to this very basic problem. Any help, troubleshooting, people can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance!
 
Not familiar with your DAWs, but in Reaper you select the keyboard as your MIDI input device (and ouput device, if that is what you are doing). Then arm your recording track to record the MIDI data.
 
I assume that DAW is Digital Audio Workstation and Reaper is another DAW program. Sadly, I did not see any setting that allowed this. There was a dropbox selection on the Test screen, but it listed as MIDI and MIDI2 and not as the specific keyboard.
 
Well, first of all, the power to the MIDI adapter must come from the USB port on the laptop. MIDI connections are optically isolated and don't carry power. It has to be connected either to a USB port on the laptop, or to a powered USB hub that is connected to a USB port on the laptop.

Second, MIDI doesn't transfer sound, it transfers key press and other data; it won't show up as a recording device in the Control Panel (I'm assuming the laptop is a PC and not a Mac). It will show up in Device Manager under Sound, Video and Gamer Controllers if it installed correctly.

Third, all MIDI interfaces need drivers. If the laptop is running Vista, Win7 or Win8, the operating system should install the driver automatically when it is connected for the first time. If it is running XP, you will almost certainly have to install the driver yourself. The MIDI interface should have come with a CD or 3-1/2" disk with the driver software on it. If it didn't you'll have to download it.

Next, you'll need a program on the laptop that works with MIDI, either a sequencer or a DAW. You can't just plug in a MIDI controller, play it and expect sound to come out of the computer, or be recorded in the computer. The sequencer or DAW will direct the recorded sequence to a MIDI sound producing device that you specify -- either the laptop's internals that support General MIDI, or back out the MIDI interface to the keyboard.

This is a link to a text file that I wrote some 25 years ago that explains MIDI. Though some parts are dated, the explanation of what MIDI is and how it works is still accurate. You may find it helpful: http://www.midium.org/compmidi.txt
 
These devices are of very cheap quality and thus subject to failure. There is a good chance that the device is broken. I used to have such a device myself and suddenly it stopped working. I got a new one since I had 1 year guaranty and it worked again. Later I invested in a solid solution and havent had any problem since then.
 
The device has power and the driver is installed and device manager lists it as functioning correctly. The DAW programs installed are Anvil and FL Studio. I was trying to get the MIDI to work in anvil. It identified as MIDI and MIDI2. It did not register any input when we played the keyboard and the output listed did not transfer to the keyboard.

As near as can be told the converter is on and functioning, the drivers are installed and the DAW (anvil) sees the MIDI connection.
 
You stated that you have FL Studio you will have to complete the link below because I still cant post links but this video shows how to configure FL to capture from a USB signal/input. I hope that the FL versions are the same video and yours but this might help.

youtube dot com/watch?v=5I3j7LC9IHY
 
Yaoo! What annoying timing but that has been my day so far. =)
 
AaronCissel: We followed those instructions, already had done so previously as well. The INPUT shows as USB2.0 MIDI (generic), it is enabled. How do I know when it is working? He plays keys and replays something he recorded on the KB but I see no way to tell if the info is actually showing up in FL studio. All he is trying to do is move recorded MIDI from the keyboard over to a DAW so he can play it back as accompaniment.
 
When he is recording with FL do the level indicators register anything? Is it showing signal in? What speakers or audio out are you using and did you configure it? If not I believe it is F10 click audio and select the out you want. I do not know your keyboard but it may not be able to playback from the computer. Also I am just learning DAWs and I was showed this on a system and got to play some so I hope this is actually healping.
 
Thank you. I knew that but am too inexperienced to think of it in that way =)
 
AaronCissell said:
When he is recording with FL do the level indicators register anything? Is it showing signal in? What speakers or audio out are you using and did you configure it? If not I believe it is F10 click audio and select the out you want. I do not know your keyboard but it may not be able to playback from the computer. Also I am just learning DAWs and I was showed this on a system and got to play some so I hope this is actually healping.
Click to expand...
We hit record, brought up something that showed the different channels (the same channels pop up and display different levels when playing back samples that came with the program) but nothing changes on the channels. We record nothing. When playing the sample the levels do display and the sound output was the laptop speakers. I will take any help I can get. MIDI and musical instruments are well out of my wheelhouse.

arcaxis said:
Just to make sure there is no confusion....

To repeat what was said previously stated... the MIDI > USB > DAW does not record any audio from the keyboard. The DAW can record digital MIDI data of what notes and controls were used via MIDI. If there is a software VST sound device such as a synth or piano loaded in the computer, the MIDI can play that VST sound device and create audio. The recorded MIDI data can also be sent back to the external keyboard to play what was recorded.
Click to expand...

I understand. I believe it sends note start, note stop, volume and something else? Neither FL studio nor Anvil seems to actually see what should be coming across. For example, Anvil has a test window. The right hand side displays the channels it is sending on and I think what note is sent as well. When it is set to output to the speakers we actually hear the notes (I think it is called a scale? the bit where the notes climb through the pitch and then back down?) The left hand window displays what is being received from the MIDI. It remains blank when we hit keys or try to play something he has recorded on the Keyboard.

It is as if the hardware is all recognized, but no signal is coming through in either direction.
 
Well that covers everything that I had issues with when I was being given a once over on a DAW and kinda rules out the software settings. It could be the converter. I suggest that you siad it is a laptop bring it to a store that has used equipment (I don't know where you are) and try a midi interface like M-Audio USB MIDIsport 1x1 MIDI Interface they are about $30 new and can find them used for about $10 USD. Most stores will let you hook it up and try it quicly to see if it works and will give a quick help to see if what your doing is incorrect.
 
From me getting a tour on Fruity Loops which the church member showed me because he wants to donate it to the church. He said it came with everything. I asked about midi controls because our director want to put in some scratch tracks he said it comes with the VST I think he said the name was "Cares?".

If FL does not come with the VST then I am sorry for using up some time.
 
Silenti1972 said:
All he is trying to do is move recorded MIDI from the keyboard over to a DAW so he can play it back as accompaniment.
Click to expand...

Ah, I just saw this. Okay, so he's not trying to get sounds out of his laptop speakers, correct?? He just wants to bring the midi data back to his keyboard so his keyboard will play it as he is playing along.

It's probably time for screenshots. Can you attach a screenshot so we can see your settings?? Particularly the midi track you created. You can attach screenshots by clicking on Go Advanced at the bottom of the reply dialog box, then look for the little paper clip icon.
 
I have been reading of problems with cheap usb MIDI interfaces for years.
Far better IMHO to buy a modest, even second hand Audio Interface. You also get the benefit of decent record and playback converters and "growed up" connectors.
Good s/h AIs are...M-audio fats track pro. Tascam US 122/144. Emu 0404usb.

Dave.
 
Sorry guys, have not had a chance to try it out yet. Hope to spare a little time later today. Thanks for the help so far and I will report back later today!
 
Ok. MIDIOX helped. The Input (from Keyboard to Laptop) now works. We didn't really change anything, but... The Output Window (from Laptop to Keyboard) shows a continuous timing(?) signal, but nothing else. The good news is that the keyboard midi to laptop works in FL Studio now. Technically he doesn't have any interest in sending info from the laptop to the keyboard, so the fact this doesn't work is practically irrelevant. I may continue working on it just because it bugs me but he doesn't care.

Thank You all! I really struggled with this and still don't understand what happened to make it work, but it does appear to work!
 
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