MIDI help

[starman65]

I just bought a MIDI Contoller 25 keys, and am since I've nevr used MIDI or worked with it before have a couple of questions I need help with.
1: How do I now what key is the right note, for example where is middle C on the MIDI keyboard? I don't have any numbers nor do I have the note names.
2: I noticed when I playing the MIDI for example it is not in synch with the music I'm recording (Cubase LE4), there seems to be a slight delay, its frustrating, how do i fix it?

 

[smithers138]

I just bought a MIDI Contoller 25 keys, and am since I've nevr used MIDI or worked with it before have a couple of questions I need help with.
1: How do I now what key is the right note, for example where is middle C on the MIDI keyboard? I don't have any numbers nor do I have the note names.
2: I noticed when I playing the MIDI for example it is not in synch with the music I'm recording (Cubase LE4), there seems to be a slight delay, its frustrating, how do i fix it?

1: It would be the C in the middle of the keyboard, you can determine this by taking note of the black keys.. they are sharps and flats so there are no black keys between B and C also no black key between E and F so..
A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# or.. W=white B = Black
W B W W B W B W W B W B

Since I am a guitar player who adds midi synths to my music I didn't know my way around a keyboard so I used masking tape to label my keys until I ddint need them anymore lol.

2: What hardware are you using to interface with your computer?? Are you recording the actual midi notes or the analog sound?? If its the sound you have to use a sound card or audio interface thats uses an ASIO driver. Sorry for the silly answer if your recording the midi info, but more information is needed to answer this.

 

[starman65]

Thanks Smithers,

Not a silly answer at all.

I'm using Cubase LE4 with Lexican Lambda. The Cubase has VST instruments HALion which I'm using to trigger drum beats and sythn parts. Does that help?

Also my MIDI controller is a ESI KeyControl 25, in order of the keys it goes:

WBWBWWBWBWBWWBWBWWBWBWBWW

So does that mean the first key is C?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

WBWBWWBWBWBWWBWBWWBWBWBWW

So does that mean the first key is C?

It looks to me like the first, last and middle keys are C.

 

[smithers138]

Thanks Smithers,

Not a silly answer at all.

I'm using Cubase LE4 with Lexican Lambda. The Cubase has VST instruments HALion which I'm using to trigger drum beats and sythn parts. Does that help?

Also my MIDI controller is a ESI KeyControl 25, in order of the keys it goes:

WBWBWWBWBWBWWBWBWWBWBWBWW

So does that mean the first key is C?

Okay so you should be connecting to your lexican with a midi cable from your midi device and then connecting the lexican to your computer with a USB Cable. In cubase you should be selecting your midi input for the track your trying to record?? (not exactly sure in cubase). Here is a link with a lot of info for setting up your specific device, hope theres soemthing in there to help you.

http://www.lexiconpro.com/knowledgebase.php?product=8

 

[starman65]

Smithers, thanks for this, but I actually connect the Lexicon to my computer via USB and also the MIDI controller is connected to my computer directly via USB port as well. It doesn't need to be connect to Lexicon since having it connected to my computer it is automatically connected to Lexicon.

Another thing, I'm not understanding about the MIDI control is this. If the keys are as has been explained, ie: middle C, then why is that when I'm playing the note on an instrument it doesn't seem to match, my ears are telling me the note on the MIDI keyboard is not the same note I am playing on my guitar...

 

[smithers138]

Hey,

Sorry i did not realize your MIDO keyboard had a USB port on it... the old Casio I am using just has MIDI ports so I have to use a USB MIDI interface.

1: Okay, Your middle C is the 13th key from the left(counting blacks). Again if you do not know ther layout of the keyboard do yourself a favor and label all of your white keys with the correct note(use maskign tape). If what you said above is the correct key layout label them like this (not with the number, this is white keys only)

01 02 03 04 05 06 06 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 16
C--D--E--F--G--A--B--C--D--E--F--G--A--B--C

2: Use these notes and see if they are correct, what instrument and you playing? If your recording music and Midi notes at the same time what seems to be lagging the midi notes or the music? Or.. are you recording the music then the midi notes? If you are I think I know what the problem is.

 

[grimtraveller]

Is your MIDI keyboard controller one that is able to transpose or go up and down in octaves ? Very useful if you only have 25 notes.

 

[starman65]

Smithers:
I am playing guitar. I'm trying to record MIDI after I have already recorded some audio tracks. BUT, I'm actually not recording any MIDI as yet, I have been trying to play the MIDI sounds along with the recorded track and since they're not in sync and delayed, no use in recording! I have tried playing along with click track and the MIDi is always out of synch. I have clicked the timestamp thing in MIDI port as I read that seems to help the latency yet that has no affected the syncronixation at all.
I'm more confused than ever now. Thinking that maybe I should just get some drum beat samples and import them into my project..
Grimtraveller; Yes it has Oct/Trans button though I have no idea how the damn thing works. I think the frustration is getting to me...LOL

 

[grimtraveller]

Grimtraveller; Yes it has Oct/Trans button though I have no idea how the damn thing works. I think the frustration is getting to me...LOL

If the manual you have is anything like mine, frustration may be set to increase....it took me ages to work out a few simple functions {I mean, like months !} because the way it's written doesn't appear to make sense. I think it was Japanese translated to one of the languages of Lithuania translated to Swahili translated to French then to English. I would encourage you to persevere though. Fortunately some of my important VSTis have octaves, transpose and pitch adjustment as well.

 

[smithers138]

Smithers:
I am playing guitar. I'm trying to record MIDI after I have already recorded some audio tracks. BUT, I'm actually not recording any MIDI as yet, I have been trying to play the MIDI sounds along with the recorded track and since they're not in sync and delayed, no use in recording! I have tried playing along with click track and the MIDi is always out of synch. I have clicked the timestamp thing in MIDI port as I read that seems to help the latency yet that has no affected the syncronixation at all.
I'm more confused than ever now. Thinking that maybe I should just get some drum beat samples and import them into my project..
Grimtraveller; Yes it has Oct/Trans button though I have no idea how the damn thing works. I think the frustration is getting to me...LOL

Check and ensure the interface you are using to record the guitar is using the ASIO Drivers. What is more then likely happening is your software has detected latency in the device your recording your guitar with and it is compensating when you are playing your midi. The best thing you can do is to reduce the latency by using an ASIO driver which is likely installed automatically, but for some reason your software is using the WDM or whatever drivers they are called. Check your software and hardware setup manuals on adjusting the driver within your program. Once you are sure your using the asio driver try recording your guitar again in a new project then playign your midi. Once you are using the ASIO driver you can mess with the buffer size and stuff until you get the lowest possible latency while retaining good sound quality. Sorry for the delayed reply been busy gluck.

 

[Simcii]

Newbie in need of set up help!

Hi Peeps,

I've just picked up a Korg SP100 keyboard along with a Midi Converter with the intention of using it as a controller. Can someone offer me any advice on how I get the damn thing to go?! It's all plugged in but I can't work out how to install it - no discs came with the keys. I'm using a Mac.

Help!