No Sound!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Yiggoto
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The midi notes aren't "sound". They are just pointers that say "play this note at this velocity". You must have some type of sound generating program loaded that is then triggered by the midi note. You need a virtual instrument.

Try downloading a free Piano VST such as the ones found here: https://output.com/blog/best-free-piano-vsts,

Add the plugin to the channel where you have your keyboard routed and see if it starts to play notes.
I am signing-up to the free places only to find charges down the road or limited access. Just spent another hour downloading god knows what to no avail; the most recent being 'noiiz'. There should be plug-ins with Ableton but the folders just show up empty. I found some midi files in an app called Cakewalk and have selected them but have no idea how to process them. I have switched to my Keystation 49e now. That does have a din socket! I can see the notes I am playing on screen but still no sound. It shouldn't be this difficult!
 
I have just tried 'Coolsoft' as a recommended alternative to Microsoft Synth that isn't on this computer and that wants me to drop in 'soundfonts' before I can progress; from where I have no idea.
 
If you are seeing ""notes" on the screen, the all you are missing is plugins for the sound. Ableton is supposed to have instruments included, but since I don't use it, I don't know where they put them or how you get them.
 
Try downloading this. No signups, just a quick and easy synth that will let you know if you set up and getting sound.


If you put it in your /common/VST3 folder and Ableton looks there, you should be able to hear something. This took me about 2 minutes in Reaper.

Dexed playing midi file.webp


BTW, Soundfonts are just like fonts for letters, except they are for sound. Google will show you where to find hundreds of them.
 
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A breakthrough! I went in to a programme called Komplete Kontrol and was able to assign sounds from a library to the 49e.
 
Congrats. Like I said, sometimes you just need to find that one setting to get over the hump.
 
You have a NI package? Then get some of their sound stuff - it's excellent.
 
Two years later and I am still struggling. I can't remember how I got sounds before as I keep coming back to this every few weeks or even months. I have pretty much given-up. I got a Qmini keyboard and the MPC Beats software but am still unable to get a sound out of anything. I also have a Fostex VF-160 that is gathering dust. Dexed gives me sounds when I click on the virtual keyboard but how do I get a sound out of the 'real' keyboard?
 
I started this thread some time ago. have now got an Alesis Qmini and an old Keystation 49e. I have installed MPC Beats that came with the Alesis, Cakewalk and Musicmaker. No matter how I try, I cannot get a sound from either keyboard or 'see' them in any of the apps. It is driving me to despair to the point where I think I need to build a desktop computer with a proper soundcard and not use this i3 laptop. I even paid for a lesson on Cubase but my machine won't run the latest version and I don't see how to buy an older version. I must have spent the best part of a hundred hours trying to figure this out. Many years ago, I had 'Reason' and a keyboard and it was easy. I have also tried Traction, Midi Editor and Audacity to no avail. I have an Alesis electric kit and a Yamaha organ, both with Midi out but I have no idea where to go from here. I just want to make some music.
 

Go there and download their demo. It will run on its own but has just about the simplest to use MIDI interface. The Keys49 is I am sure the same box as my Ekey49 by Evolution and I still have the driver and software disc for it somewhere. You can try Avid who now own M-Audio and use their 49 key controller driver although Windows should install the keyboard with a "generic" USB driver.

Once Pianoteq is making noises for you download the freebie of Cakewalk from Bandlab. You also really need a USB Audio Interface. I can strongly recommend the MOTU M2 or M4. You might find their free DAW useful as well.


Dave.
 

Go there and download their demo. It will run on its own but has just about the simplest to use MIDI interface. The Keys49 is I am sure the same box as my Ekey49 by Evolution and I still have the driver and software disc for it somewhere. You can try Avid who now own M-Audio and use their 49 key controller driver although Windows should install the keyboard with a "generic" USB driver.

Once Pianoteq is making noises for you download the freebie of Cakewalk from Bandlab. You also really need a USB Audio Interface. I can strongly recommend the MOTU M2 or M4. You might find their free DAW useful as well.


Dave.
Hi Dave

I have a working keyboard! There is hope yet! I already have Cakewalk. I was playing the demo and trying to set it up for midi yesterday evening. Thank you so much.
 
I watched a Cakewalk Midi set-up video here and it showed me the light! I can now assign specific instruments to my Qmini keyboard at last! I even managed to record some sounds. I am a happy person tonight. Bring on the wine and chocolate.
 
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