Current Events > How to record MIDI from my keyboard piano to a PC? What program do I use?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Topic. Trying to find a good program to hook up my keyboard piano to PC
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probably frooty loops
edit: (FL studio)
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I use FL
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SSJCAT posted...

probably frooty loops
edit: (FL studio)

YES. This is the one I had in the past. Another question, do I have to download a file to simulate piano keys? Because I remember when I used it in the past, recordings were done in drum noise things. I'm pretty new at this.
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I use FL Studio but I'm not sure if I would recommend it to a beginner. Interfacing a MIDI device and assigning instruments to it was one of the least intuitive things I've ever had to deal with in music.

But this is what I assume to be the basic process in most DAWs:

1. Connect the keyboard via a USB interface
2. Install the driver
3. Enable the MIDI device in your DAW
4. Load up an instrument/VST in the DAQ
5. Assign the MIDI device to that instrument
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ChainedRedone posted...

SSJCAT posted...

probably frooty loops
edit: (FL studio)

YES. This is the one I had in the past. Another question, do I have to download a file to simulate piano keys? Because I remember when I used it in the past, recordings were done in drum noise things. I'm pretty new at this.

If you're doing this in FL you would:

1. Download a VST file, which can be any kind of instrument with its own unique sounds and settings.
2. If the VST doesn't have its own installer, manually copy the files to "C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugins"
3. In FL, go to Channels > Add one > More... > Refresh > Fast scan > (select the new VST)
4. Channels > Add one > (add the one you just installed)
5. In the settings box for that channel, set the FX slot to the slot you assigned to the MIDI device

Sytrus is a good one to start with. Once you have it all loaded up just click the little menu arrow icon on the Sytrus window and go to Presets to change the sounds.
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So I downloaded a VST and it had an installer. There's a shortcut on desktop. Opening it crashes it, though I'm guessing it's supposed to. How do I get FL Studio to find it once I've installed it?
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Just play your keyboard in front of a microphone plugged into your computer and use the default audio recorder.
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billcom6 posted...

Just play your keyboard in front of a microphone plugged into your computer and use the default audio recorder.

But I like midi data...
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ChainedRedone posted...

So I downloaded a VST and it had an installer. There's a shortcut on desktop. Opening it crashes it, though I'm guessing it's supposed to. How do I get FL Studio to find it once I've installed it?

You have to go to settings and have FL search for it. it located the vst then you'll be able to find it on the soundbank on the left. There's YouTube videos that will help you.
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I had no idea it was this complicated. Thought you just plug USB into piano and bam, beautiful midi recordings.
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Music production is overly complicated and a pain in the ass
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ChainedRedone posted...

I had no idea it was this complicated. Thought you just plug USB into piano and bam, beautiful midi recordings.

garage band is that easy since they have a bunch of midi sounds built into the program and its all really beginner-friendly but thats apple only
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SpiralDrift posted...

I use FL Studio but I'm not sure if I would recommend it to a beginner.

FL Studio is probably the best DAW for beginners tbh.
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Forlorn is right

Once you get your controller synced w fl, you can use it on any instrument or vst plug ins, its a pain but worth it

Have a small 25 key midi doodad myself
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ChainedRedone posted...

So I downloaded a VST and it had an installer. There's a shortcut on desktop. Opening it crashes it, though I'm guessing it's supposed to. How do I get FL Studio to find it once I've installed it?

Follow the instruction in my last post. Even if it had an installer you still need to manually enable the VST in the Add Channel > More... thing.

smoke_break posted...

SpiralDrift posted...

I use FL Studio but I'm not sure if I would recommend it to a beginner.

FL Studio is probably the best DAW for beginners tbh.

Maybe overall, but setting up a MIDI device is still a pain, and installing and enabling VSTs isn't very noob friendly.
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TC I recommend reading the FL guide on Image Lines website. It's gonna teach you most of what you need to know.
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