How do I record from my music keyboard?

Factual Questions
1

I was just given a Casio CTK-491 keyboard and I have it connected to my soundcard via the midi out connection on the keyboard to the gameport/midi port on the soundcard (Soundblaster Audigy 2)

Now what?

I’d like to record to multitrack and build up some drum and bass loops but I don’t know how to start. I have Cool Edit Pro, but the help section only talks about recording from CDs. Can I use it to record my live playing on the keyboard?

What applications do you use/recommend for this sort of thing? Can you point me to some tutorials to get me started?

Thanks!

2

You’re making a common mistake of many first time synthesizer users- MIDI is not something that you can hear; it’s not audio. MIDI is simply note and controller data that you can use to program a synthesizer, be it a keyboard or your soundcard’s internal general midi synthesizer.

You need to run an audio line out from the keyboard into the audio input of your soundcard. Cooledit should then record the audio that you play.

If you want to first program (using MIDI) some loops and parts that you then record the audio of, you may want to check out a multiracking/sequencing program like Cakewalk or Cubasis.

3

It’s been a long time since I looked at CoolEdit Pro in light of MIDI (but then again, it’s one of those rare programs that’s hardly changed in 5 years), but IIRC, it really didn’t support MIDI much, if at all.

Cakewalk was one of the more popular “hobby/pro” MIDI programs when I was into MIDI, and though you could start a nice religious war by recommending or dissing it, it was capable enough to get the job done. It had a bit more of a learning curve than many “beginner” programs, but it offered plenty of room for you to grow into. I don’t know how popular it is today, but I can’t imagine that it’s self-destructed to the point where you’ll outgrow it in a year or two.

Of course, that’s partly because it can take that long to fully master its interface (which isn’t bad – but isn’t like playing an instrument either)

4

Thanks for the help.

Is there a way I can use the keyboard to trigger the midi voices of my soundcard or do I need a sequencer for this?

I have applications that will record anything my soundcard plays.

5

There may be, but you really want some midi-recording capable software such as Cakewalk (my preferred). Then, yes, you can record midi on your computer and play it through your sound card.

6

I would recommend Fruity Loops. You can even use your computer keyboard for sequencing the notes.