M-Audio 2496 problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter MCH
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MCH

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I just got my M-Audio 2496 card. I can record fine with my mics and mixer. But when I try to record my keyboard I'm getting no luck. The keyboard is connected midi out (keyboard) to the SPDIF In on the soundcard (5 pin jack). When in Kristal and select the SPDIF record mode nothing happens. I noticed in the Device Manager (XP) I don't have the Midiman MidiSport 8X8/S MidiInterface. Do I need to install this in order to record my keyboard?
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Your midi doesn't go through the spdif inputs, even though it's the same 'breakout wire'. You need to select the 2496 as the MIDI input in the software you're using.

Also, make sure your keyboard is setup to send midi signals (this happened to me...)
 
Keyboard-->Midi Out-->Midi In on 2496
Midi Out on 2496-->Keyboard-->Midi In
 
studiomaster said:
Keyboard-->Midi Out-->Midi In on 2496
Midi Out on 2496-->Keyboard-->Midi In
Click to expand...

Do I need 2 cords to record only? Right now I only have the keyboard out and the soundcard in.
Hopefully I'll be able to work my way through.
This soundcard is quite a bit better than SB Live. Very clean sound.
 
Okay here something else I noticed.

In Kristal, for the recording modes I don't have any Midi options. There is ASIO Analog 1, ASIO Analog2, ASIO SPDIF In L, ASIO SPDIF In R but nothing for Midi. Did I miss loading some drivers on installation?
help
 
These are all audio-inputs. I'm not familiar with your software, but you need to be sure it has midi capabilities. If it does there has to be a midi-menu or something that lets you select your input.
 
Remember, MIDI is not audio, it produces no sound. All MIDI does is provide instructions for controlling other devices, like for example telling a synthesiser what notes to play. If you are simply trying to record the audio of your keyboard (the sound your keyboard produces on it's own, not hooked up to anything) then you should not be using MIDI at all, you should run the audio out of your keyboard into the audio in of your 2496.
Hope this helps!
 
Dr Biscuits said:
Remember, MIDI is not audio, it produces no sound. All MIDI does is provide instructions for controlling other devices, like for example telling a synthesiser what notes to play. If you are simply trying to record the audio of your keyboard (the sound your keyboard produces on it's own, not hooked up to anything) then you should not be using MIDI at all, you should run the audio out of your keyboard into the audio in of your 2496.
Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Thanks I finally figured this out last night. Midi is a new ball game for me. Yes all I wanted was to record the keyboard without using mics if possible. Now I see the light.
The software I was using Kristal and Audacity doesn't support midi (found that out after internet research). MultiTrack Studio does. So when I recorded the keyboard via midi port input it showed it was recording. But when I played back the recording I heard nothing. Because of course M-Audio doesn't have midi banks on the card. So I suppose I need to have another cable that goes from the Midi out on the soundcard to the Midi in on the keyboard. All a learning experience.
To avoid all this I think I'll go from the Phones/Line-level output of the keyboard to the mixer; should have read my keyboard manual more carefully.

Thanx all for the help.

PS Will the Line-level out going to the mixer be okay? Will the mixer (pre-amp) over drive the signal and cause damage to my soundcard?
 
Hey MCH - cool, ya MIDI is a very powerful tool, I encourage experimentation! You can re-route the midi signal back to your keyboard if you like, or you can send that same signal to any number of software synths and samplers available for your PC - that way you can greatly increase the amount of sounds you can produce, not to mention editing your MIDI data to fix performance mistakes, mess around with filters, etc.... have fun!
 
Well, if u have VST instruments, u can playback those recorded notes and hear them. and yes, u need two midi cable. for in/out. The line level will work, yea. but it would be better if u use midi instead with VSTs for the large number of instruments available in softwares. the mixer will not overdrive unless its clipping.
 
You should also be able to record the keyboard as audio, without using mics.

If the keyboard has Line Out connections, you can route those to your soundcard's Line In connections. Generally for a keyboard these will Left and Right outs, which correspond to a stereo pair on your sound card (e.g., In 1/2 or 3/4).

This is simpler and requires less futzing around. The downside is it is more difficult to edit afterwards, and you are limited to using the built-in sounds of your keyboard.
 
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