Want to record a simple midi file
 

Sorry if this is too old-fashioned but I am trying to create a simple midi file - that I can use to trigger a bunch of solenoids. I'm doing some simple tunes that could be used to play a bunch of chimes. It's a one instrument thing. In fact the only part of the midi file that I want to use is just the single notes being played.

Here's the problem. I have a roland xp-10 which I want to hook up to my computer. I have a midi - to USB cable, but I don't know what software i can use to record the songs.

Help!! What I would like to find out is what software would take the output from a keyboard - in this case the roland xp-10 and record it. I have a guy who's writing the software to take the recordings and will translate them into what I need to play my chimes.

thanks in advance for any advice!
Milt Lee

Re: Want to record a simple midi file
 

You're looking for MIDI Sequencer Software

Here's a place to start.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compar...and_sequencers

Most musicians use Sonar, Logic, or Cubase, but these are overkill. You could meet your goals with 15-year old Cakewalk software - assuming that your computer would still run it.

You might be able to find some free-ware that does what you need these days.

Most people here record and mix audio, rather than sequence MIDI. You might check with the people at VI-CONTROL which is a forum for composers. Digital composers comtinue to use MIDI as a core part of their work.

Re: Want to record a simple midi file
 

Thanks Jon - I kind of knew that was the case, but it's not easy to find old stuff like this.

I appreciate the help very much.
Milt

Re: Want to record a simple midi file
 

Possibly this will do what you want: http://www.nch.com.au/midi/index.htm...FQovHwodM2UKJg

Although I have never used this particular software, I have bought several NCH products over the years, and have found them quite useful. And inexpensive.

This one will record from your keyboard as a MIDI file and also print out the sheet music resulting: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Sib7First-e. I have a friend who uses this, I understand it works quite well. It's not free but reasonable, and there is, as I recall it, a pro version that is significantly more expensive.

Re: Want to record a simple midi file
 

Cubase Lite comes free with a lot of audio hardware and is a great simplified version of Cubase. If you intend to use midi beyond the one project, it is probably worth getting Cubase Elements, which is a cut down but still sophisticated programme at a very affordable price.

Cubase is one of the industry standards, and I have been using it to record backing tracks and live performance since the original version 20 years ago. With just about all DAWs you can record from any midi keyboard or via a live audio input through the computer or audio interface. With a suitable interface, lights and other external equipment can be controlled by designating one or more midi channels to send note information specifically to a controller. So for example you could set a particular keyboard key to trigger a lighting colour, so different keys on the keyboard could trigger different colors. multiple keys at the same time could trigger a bank of lights or other pieces of controlled equipment. Once the key presses or note information is recorded as a midi track, it can be altered or adjusted as required.

With your single note tune, each note could trigger a remote action and you could copy the tune to different midi channels via other interfaces for different purposes. Everything of course would be in synch with the midi audio channel selected to play the audio sounds

It is very common in live concerts, where a midi click track is fed to the drummer via a headset and every song arrangement has a dedicated light show synched with the music.

Hope some of that helps,

Roger

Re: Want to record a simple midi file
 

If you're on a Mac, Garage Band might do the trick. Sonar Artist is the $99 version of Sonar and would definitely handle it.

But I'd bet that there are many good free solutions available for this task by now. But again, there is a large group of MIDI geeks at VI-Control. I'm sure somebody there has hands-on experience with a hidden gem - they might have even written it. :)