Midi help - Cubase LE4

[killawalla]

Hi guys,

I want to record come MIDI drums into Cubase LE4 on my laptop. Then I want to be able to edit that track (add in fills, busier hi-hat parts, etc,) and sent it back through my keyboard to trigger the keyboard's sounds and record that into my hard disk recording unit as straight audio. Basically I want to record my keyboard's drums sounds!

I have connected my keyboard to my laptop through a MIDI USB cable, have recorded MIDI, but it playsback though the laptop's soundcard.

My two issues are:
1. Getting it to playback through the keyboard, using the keyboard's sounds.
2. Getting rid of latency when recording MIDI. It's not recording the notes as fast as I'm playing them on the keyboard, and is dropping some notes, and adding drones.

Gear:
- Laptop: HP G61-110sa, Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor T4300 (2.1Ghz, 800Mhz, 1MB Cache), Windows 7, 4GB DDR2 memory, 320GB hard drive.
- Hard Disk Recording Unit: ZOOM HD-16CD UK
- DAW: Cubase LE 4 (came with Zoom HD-16CD)
- Keyboard: Casio WK-3200
- MIDI Cable: Digiflex USB Midi Cable Lead Adaptor

Help! Any guidance on how to get MIDI recordings on Cubase LE4 to play though a keyboard so I can record THAT sound would be great!

 

[TetraFish]

In cubase on the individual MIDI tracks your recording you can set the input and output. The default input is probably "All MIDI Inputs" or something like that. And I think the output defaults to microsoft wavetable, or possibly something that indicates it's using your soundcard. Change the output to be your keyboard. If the keyboard isn't on the list try selecting it in the MIDI set up window.

 

[killawalla]

Hi Tetrafish,

Thanks for that. I've gotten that far, but in the device setup window can't activate my keyboard as a I/O out option. It lists its state as 'inactive' (but listed as 'active' for inputting of course). Can't see how to change this. There must be some button you click to make it active SOMEWHERE! Have really tried! Any help you can gave with would be great. It's proving a real headache!

 

[TetraFish]

On mine it shows inactive until you select it as the output on an individual track. (the bottom box on the pic).

 

[killawalla]

And that's the bit I'm having trouble with. When I right click on the output on an individual track - like you show in your picture - it only lists 'VST instruments'. I'm trying to get my keyboard in that list as an option to pick for output. Any suggestions? Sorry for continually picking your brains on this - I'm stuck!

 

[TetraFish]

This may be a stupid question but do you have an instrument track or a MIDI track?

 

[killawalla]

No questions about recording is too silly or basic for me! I have an instrument track (Project>New Track>Instrument). Should I have a MIDI track? Is that where I'm going wrong?

 

[TetraFish]

No questions about recording is too silly or basic for me! I have an instrument track (Project>New Track>Instrument). Should I have a MIDI track? Is that where I'm going wrong?

Yup, I think that's the problem. Create a MIDI track and then you should be able to set your MIDI ins and outs.

 

[killawalla]

I had a quick look and I think you've nailed it! Thanks a million for this - very useful. If I encounter any problems on this one I'll let you know!

Thanks again.