MIDI problem

[NIQ]

I just got this new-fangled computer and my main idea for it was to hook up my piano and guitar to it but i've been having some problems (this being my first time with this and all)

i have my piano set up already and it records fine but the problem is i can't get it to playback in the program (cakewalk pro audio 9). However i can still save the file and open in it Windows media player or whatever and it sounds fine. The sound card I have is a soundblaster audigy platinum ex, what could be the problem?

and i was also wondering how i can hook up my guitar to the sound card (is it at all possible?) and if so can i link it directly from the guitar to the computer or do i have to go amp to computer?

thanks a lot

 

[duck]

Check your" source" port block in cakewalk. Check your Options/Audio settings.

Yes you can Plug into the Line in on your soundcard. You will need a 1\4" to 1/8" adapter. Quality is not the best.

 

[Phil Lawton]

"Yes you can Plug into the Line in on your soundcard. You will need a 1\4" to 1/8" adapter. Quality is not the best"

I currently do this and yes, you're right, the quality leaves a lot to be desired.

But what is the alternative? To go through a straight mixer (which would then attach to the PC in exactly the same way) or some sort of device that translates guitar input to MIDI signals?

Thanks

Phil

 

[knightfly]

"some sort of device that translates guitar input to MIDI signals?" -

First, I know of no device that will do this, other than a monophonic (one note at a time) by using a Pitch-to-MIDI converter. These will NOT work with chords, only one note at a time.

Second, what you need in order to get the best sound out of a typical computer sound card (as opposed to a RECORDING quality sound card) is to get the signal as strong as you can BEFORE it gets plugged into the computer, without making the signal so strong that it causes overload (distortion) This can be done with a mixer, or a preamp.

For a guitar signal - If electric, any kind of guitar processor that puts out a line level signal could be plugged directly into the line input on your sound card. These processors now typically "model" the sound of various amps, speakers, etc - look at Johnson, Yamaha, Digitech, Sans Amp, POD, etc.

For acoustic guitar, if its an acoustic-electric you could use the same processor with different settings, or a straight preamp. Level matching is the main thing here.

If it's a straight acoustic guitar, you would need a mic (NOT the one that came with your computer, but a REAL one) and a preamp or mixer to boost the level to line level, then go into the computer's line input.

If you plan to do very much of this, it's time to ditch the soundblaster crap and get a real audio interface. These can cost anywhere from about $120 up to several thousand, but good ones can be had for $2-300 and up, depending on the number of simultaneous recording inputs they have.

HTH... Steve

 

[TexRoadkill]

i have my piano set up already and it records fine but the problem is i can't get it to playback in the program (cakewalk pro audio 9). However i can still save the file and open in it Windows media player or whatever and it sounds fine. The sound card I have is a soundblaster audigy platinum ex, what could be the problem?

Do you have the audio output of the keyboard hooked up to anything? If not you wont hear it playback. Midi simply tells a synth what to play. It does not contain any audio information and if you want to record your keyboard you will have to hook up the audio outs to the input on your soundcard and record that. You can still play the midi files through it but you ALWAYS have to monitor and record from the actual audio output.

 

[mjbee]

[BFirst, I know of no device that will do this, other than a monophonic (one note at a time) by using a Pitch-to-MIDI converter. These will NOT work with chords, only one note at a time.
[/B]

Then you've never Googled for Yamaha (G50/G1D) or Roland's split pickup systems (GR5/GR33/GK2A), which feed down a multicore cable to a "brain" that does 6 channels of pitch to midi conversion?

There's also a PC program which will do sound to midi, polyphonically, I downloaded and played with it a bit, but had trouble getting it to pick out all of the notes in chords. It either missed higher notes, or started seeing harmonics as notes in the chords

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=p.YAMG1D

http://www.megatar.com/english/Models/MidiTapper/Midi_Details/midi_details.html

That kind of stuff ...