Tech: Software for USB keyboard?

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: IvanB
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 01:02 PM

Mark, I know nothing about Macs so the advice I can give you is minimal. On PC's, the main problem with MIDI sound is that you have to go into MIDI setup and choose your external device as an input device, then choose a playback device, usually your software synthesizer. Your MIDI options might be something you can set up in Logic, or they might have to be set up in the system sound settings. Look for commands with the word MIDI and open them to see what options are available. Other than that, I'm in the dark what to tell you.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: GUEST,Mark Crozer
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 07:08 AM

Hello! I am also having trouble with the same keyboard (ION DISCOVER USB.) It's supposed to be plug and play. Plugged into my MacBook Pro and hooked up to Logic 8. Nothing happening. No information on Ion website about driver updates or anything. grrr. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Mark

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 19 May 11 - 04:41 PM

Well, I can hear the notes, which is my main concrn. It doesn't seem to enter notes into Noteworthy files, but tht's a lesser consideration to me.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: IvanB
Date: 19 May 11 - 03:53 PM

Dick, does your last post mean that you got the KB playing in NoteWorthy? If so, you'll be fine. Just takes a little time to learn the ins and outs of input into NWC.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 18 May 11 - 08:22 PM

IvanB-
many thanx. at least I can gt it to paly notes. I'll experiment from there.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: IvanB
Date: 18 May 11 - 08:03 PM

Well, you posted while I was writing, Dick. According to the Ion literature, no driver is needed. Indeed, if you can play the KB with the software that came with it, it should play in NWC or other audio programs that accept MIDI input. The trick is usually just setting up the MIDI options for proper input device.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: IvanB
Date: 18 May 11 - 07:56 PM

In NoteWorthy click on Tools/Options. At the far right of the dialogue box that comes up are two tabs named Midi and Record. In the Record tab, there's a box near the top labeled "Input Device." You should see your keyboard listed there. Check the box labeled "Echo MIDI input." This should at least allow you to hear the KB's sounds on your computer's speakers.

To actually record into NWC, create a new staff of the sort desired (File/New), Click Tools/MIDI Input Active, then Tools/Record (or just press F4). Now keys played on your keyboard should appear on the staff.

Just one heads up: you can't play a tune with different note values and expect it to appear on the staff as played. NWC enters the note you played as soon as you lift your finger to quit the note, but at whatever input value is currently set, i.e., quarter note, eighth note, dotted half, etc. What IS handy is that you can play chords and all the notes will show, without having to go through the Ctrl/Enter machinations required by NWC for entering chords via the alpha-numeric KB.

One handy trick is to pick up an inexpensive USB number pad and connect it to your computer along with your music KB. That way, you can press a number for note value on the number pad (1 for whole note, 2 for half, 3 for quarter, etc.) then play whatever number of notes in your tune are of that value. When the note value changes in the tune, just press the proper number on the number pad to change the note value accordingly and play on. This method can really speed up the input into NWC.

My number pad cost about ten bucks on eBay and it has much bigger keys than the pad on my regular KB, a boon for clumsy old fingers. Also, the number pad also contains most of the "extra" keys necessary to affect note play, such as slash for ties and the period to produce a dotted note. It's missing the semicolon for producing a slur, however.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 18 May 11 - 07:54 PM

The programs supplied with the keyboard are teaching programs. While they allow me to play the keyboard, they also fill up the screen, and don't have a "minimize" button. I don't really understand why it doesn'tjust work when I plug it in. What kind of driver is usually required?

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: Gurney
Date: 18 May 11 - 06:52 PM

Or a bloody .dll problem, like me.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 18 May 11 - 06:35 PM

If nothing happens at all, try to install one of the programes shipped with the keyboard. If it works, you have a Noteworthy problem, otherwise a USB problem.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 18 May 11 - 06:31 PM

Dick, what happens when you plug in your keyboard, then start Noteworthy, switch it to record, and start playing?

I do not know Noteworthy; it may let you choose from which input device to receive MIDI input.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 May 11 - 02:12 PM

Looks like it OUGHT to be Plug and Play Dick

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 18 May 11 - 01:35 PM

Ion Discover Keyboard USB

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 18 May 11 - 03:50 AM

Dick, if you need any further advice, please tell us the model name of the keyboard.

Subject: RE: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 May 11 - 01:48 AM

Hmmm. I think you should just be able to plug it in, Dick. Windows 7 should recognize the keyboard and install the necessary drivers. If not, go to the keyboard manufacturer's Website and download the latest drivers for that keyboard. Noteworthy composer should recognize the keyboard as long as it has drivers installed.
I haven't used a keyboard on Windows 7, but that's how it's worked for me on previous versions of Windows.
-Joe-

Subject: Tech: Software for USB keyboard?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 May 11 - 06:26 PM

i just pick up a cheap piano keyboard with USB output. I'm looking for softtware that will allow me to play it through my computer (Windows 7 64 bit) Any suggestions? Possibly as an input device for something like Noteworthy?