Sound Quality oif midi problem

[Cal D]

I finally hooked my Yamaha P47 keyboard into my sound card's midi ports (I have a SB Platinum card).

I'm having a few problems:

1) When I play the keybord and let the sound card generate the sound, the sound comes out but it sounds much better when I play the virtual keyboard that soundblaster provided as software. Of course, the virtual keyboard is not as good as the Yamaha keyboard to use, but why is the sound not as good when I play the Yamaha to control the sounds?

2) I guess, in general, how do i make sure I've got it set up right to get the best sound. Mind you, the Yamaha keyboard is an older model, but it does has midi and programmed sounds in it. I thought if I simply used it as an input device to tirgger the sounds I want off the sound card, that, in effect, it acts as a "dummy" keybaord and should not influence the quality of the sound card's sounds.

am I missing something?

Thanks

 

[AlChuck]

When I play the keybord and let the sound card generate the sound, the sound comes out but it sounds much better when I play the virtual keyboard... why is the sound not as good when I play the Yamaha to control the sounds?

The only possible reason must be that you are triggering different sound patches when you use the Yamaha and when you use the virtual keyboard. The sound source is independent of the MIDI controller. The source of the sound (that is, the destination for the MIDI messages -- the thing that plays the notes in response to the MIDI data) can be one of many things -- the Sound Font player, the WaveSynth, an external device if you have one (like the sound-generating port of the Yamaha keyboard itself), or a softsynth... MIDI notes are MIDI notes, regardless of what they are generated with.

Unless... the keyboard is velocity-sensitive and you are simply playing the keyboard without hitting the keys evenly. This could make the results sound weak or wimpy. I believe the virtual keyboard simply plays any note at one preset value of velocity. So it would sound more even -- all the notes of a chord would be equally loud, for example, which might be why you might percieve the same sound device as sounding better.

I thought if I simply used it as an input device to tirgger the sounds I want off the sound card, that, in effect, it acts as a "dummy" keybaord and should not influence the quality of the sound card's sounds.

That's absolutely right, except for the differences that I described -- velocity, maybe aftertouch (which I doubt the Yamaha has) -- that might cause the MIDI data you are sending to be a little different.

 

[Cal D]

Follow Up Question

Thanks for your reply. What you said makes sense. Now, how do i discern which vehicle the Yamaha is using to generate the sound and do you have any suggestions how how to set this up optiminally?

The sounds in the SB card are good. i just want to kae sure I am using them and not anything else.

Thanks

 

[AlChuck]

...how do i discern which vehicle the Yamaha is using to generate the sound and do you have any suggestions how how to set this up optiminally?

Well, how are you playing it through the computer? What application are you using to route the MIDI signals to the sound card? There should be a simple way to pick what device is responding to incoming MIDI messages.

And while you're at it, there must be a way to select which device the Virtual Keyboard's MIDI messages are routed to as well. If you look at that and compare it to what the other application is routed to, that should clarify matters.

 

[duck]

Just to add to this.
My keyboard has 2 Analog outs which goes to my mixer along with Midi which goes to my computer. If you dont have a direct out you can use the Headphone out (If its acceptable) to your recording inputs. This lets you Blend both the Midi and Analog. You might be Playing the piano sound on the Keyboard while simultaneously playing the Violin using Midi.

 

[Cal D]

Thank-you

Thank-you for all your help folks. I think i've sorted this out now.