Usb Midi Keyboard Connection

[amplefied]

Ok so I've been trying to get this Casio CTK-700 to to record via a cheap MIDI to USB cable but can't seem to get it to work properly.

I was hoping someone here has any clue how these things work, so far I've been recording wav samples with the keyboard and warping them later, but really want to use the keyboard as a dumb input for notes.

I'm using Ableton by the way, but any resource is appreciated.

[Rampant]

At 12/13/11 01:34 AM, amplefied wrote: Ok so I've been trying to get this Casio CTK-700 to to record via a cheap MIDI to USB cable but can't seem to get it to work properly.

I was hoping someone here has any clue how these things work, so far I've been recording wav samples with the keyboard and warping them later, but really want to use the keyboard as a dumb input for notes.

I'm using Ableton by the way, but any resource is appreciated.

First things first, and to get the obvious out of the way, is your cable plugged into your keyboard's MIDI OUT? Some people plug into MIDI IN for some reason. I am not one of those people, and you shouldn't be, either.

Second - and it's the other obvious question - is your keyboard plugged in to a power outlet? Unfortunately, you cannot power a keyboard via MIDI cable.

Third: are you recording into a DAW (Logic, Pro Tools, Fruity Loops, Garage Band, Acid, etc.)? If not, then I honestly don't know what you're trying to record midi into, but it probably won't work. If you ARE, then look under the Options/Settings menu to set your DAW'S MIDI input.

Fourth: have you tried updating the drivers? I'm not sure how old you mean by "old" but usually MIDI keyboards come with a CD/DVD to install drivers. If not, check the manufacturer's website. If the product's so old they no longer support it, try a quick Google search for "Casio CTK-700 midi drivers".

If you're positive everything's set up correctly, and you're using a really old USB/MIDI cable, it could be that the cable's knackered.

[amplefied]

At 12/13/11 01:51 AM, RampantMusik wrote: If you're positive everything's set up correctly, and you're using a really old USB/MIDI cable, it could be that the cable's knackered.

Yeah, everything is connected and Ableton recognizes the cable, the drivers are some generic windows so they should be recent. The cable is brand new as well. After fiddling with preferences I can get it to the output led light to blink, but still no sound. It's pretty weird because this guy has almost the exact same setup http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRq7JQTJ0 zQ&feature=related besides using a mac. It should be plug and play on Win 7 as well.

Here's what I'm looking at now.

[Rampant]

At 12/13/11 02:05 AM, amplefied wrote:

At 12/13/11 01:51 AM, RampantMusik wrote: If you're positive everything's set up correctly, and you're using a really old USB/MIDI cable, it could be that the cable's knackered.

Yeah, everything is connected and Ableton recognizes the cable, the drivers are some generic windows so they should be recent. The cable is brand new as well. After fiddling with preferences I can get it to the output led light to blink, but still no sound. It's pretty weird because this guy has almost the exact same setup http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRq7JQTJ0 zQ&feature=related besides using a mac. It should be plug and play on Win 7 as well.

Here's what I'm looking at now.

That's very odd. I had to borrow a Casio keyboard just like that for a project when my M-Audio Axiom crapped out on me.

It really should be plug and play, though. At least it is on Mac (see how Steve Jobs liked everything to be simple! :P )

Are there any other options for MIDI in? BCF2000 sounds like a bit of an odd control surface name for a Casio keyboard.

Also, another obvious question, are you recording specifically on a midi channel / midi track? Do you have to record-enable an individual track to start? Can you hear notes that you're playing, or does the trouble lie solely in recording?

I'm sorry if/that I can't really help you all that much beyond the obvious; it's 2:20AM and my brain's a bit groggy, and since I've never actually worked in/with Ableton before.

[midimachine]

Make sure Local is set to OFF on the CTK-700, and that whatever instrument you're trying to play is set to receive input from the same channel and port.

[amplefied]

At 12/13/11 02:19 AM, RampantMusik wrote: That's very odd. I had to borrow a Casio keyboard just like that for a project when my M-Audio Axiom crapped out on me.

It really should be plug and play, though. At least it is on Mac (see how Steve Jobs liked everything to be simple! :P )

Are there any other options for MIDI in? BCF2000 sounds like a bit of an odd control surface name for a Casio keyboard.

I'm not really an expert on anything midi, google tells me that BCF2000 is the name of a Behringer B-CONTROL FADER , it looks like my cheap-o usb cabel to midi converter is using the same internal something, be it drivers or whatever to be recognized as such. It seems like the problem lies either with settings in my Daw or settings in the keyboard although I doubt the latter.

Also, another obvious question, are you recording specifically on a midi channel / midi track? Do you have to record-enable an individual track to start? Can you hear notes that you're playing, or does the trouble lie solely in recording?

Yeah, i tried to specify to midi tracks even though it shouldn't make a difference. So far I'm not hearing anything from the computer even though my keyboard makes sounds.

I'm thinking of trying with another daw and see if that helps to troubleshoot the problem.

I'm sorry if/that I can't really help you all that much beyond the obvious; it's 2:20AM and my brain's a bit groggy, and since I've never actually worked in/with Ableton before.

nah it's cool, it gives me food for thought

PS, what I'm trying to do is to get the keystrokes into arrangement view, so that I can play a melody on the keyboard and have those keystrokes/notes and timing recorded, I don't really care if it makes sound directly through the speakers, even though it should.

[amplefied]

for the love of god why am I so stupid

why don't they tell that OUT goes into IN and not vica versa where IN goes into to IN.

it's working now you can lock thead

thanks for your time guys!