[snoflake]

Hey everyone!
I have a question! I just got an electric piano and the guy at the music store said we can get something on our computer and play midi stuff and record... Could SOMEONE PLEASE explain that to me cause it sounds pretty interesting. He said you can play your stuff and it will come out in sheet music or something like that.... so what is it?? Any help would be way cool! Thanks.. -sr
p.s. I heard that we were getting
a keyboard/piano section
on the site... what's the truth to
that rumor??? It'd be AWESOME!

[Nate]

Hey.... your post was kinda vague... I really can't tell how much of a beginner you are with all this MIDI stuff.... but I'll do the best I can to help!

First off..... if you have NO clue what MIDI is, I'd advise you to go read these...

http://www.christianguitar.ws/boards...?threadid=3649

(That's another topic in here about what MIDI is, I explained most of the basics in there)

http://www.midi.com/

This is a pretty decent page, with a fairly good beginners guide to MIDI..... go to "About MIDI" on the left side menu.. then go to the first topic "What is MIDI?".... then move on to the next topic, etc, etc.


Ok... just in case that doesn't help..... I'll try to sum it up really quick for you.....

MIDI is an acronym that stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Basically, it allows one MIDI-equipped device to tell another MIDI-equipped device what it is doing. MIDI cables will send just about everything EXCEPT for actual sound. The sound is produced by playing back the incoming MIDI data. Here's a few things MIDI cables send: Which notes are being played, which sound is being used, how long the notes are being played for, whether the sustain pedal is being used, etc, etc..... basically all the technical stuff you could think of.... everything except for the sound itself.
To be able to record something and get the sheet music for what you played.... you'll need a few things.

1) A MIDI capable keyboard... look on the back for MIDI jacks.

2) A MIDI capable computer/sound card.... your computer does not have to have MIDI jacks... all you need is a sound card that supports MIDI and has a joystick port. You can then go to any music store and get a MIDI-to-gameport cable.

3) Some kind of sequencing program... I recommend downloading the trial version of NoteWorthy Composer... @ www.noteworthycomposer.com

Ok... now take your MIDI cable and hook it up. Then open your sequencing program. Go into the MIDI setup and check to make sure it's recognizing your keyboard being hooked up..... then, you'll probably need to find out how to use the metronome. I think on NWC, you have to make a seperate track for it... I don't remember though. Anyway, the reason you have to use the metronome is because one of the things that MIDI data stores is tempo..... it has a set tempo that it follows as you record.... if what you're playing doesn't match up with that tempo... you're not going to get readable sheet music. So, you need to use a metronome. Anyway, I'm not sure if this'll help or not.... tell me what confused you the most!!

[snoflake]

Thanks for the help... I guess I was just confused as to what MIDI actually is...... and if I would be interested in using it! ohhhh... and, what about getting a piano page here????? talk to ya later! GODBLESS! -sr-

[Nate]

Ahh yes.....the infamous piano page. I am basically the one who had the idea for it in the first place. The only problem is, it is not that easy for me to "tab" out the songs at the moment.... I'd have to either move my computer or my keyboard... they're in two completely different rooms. I'm hoping if we ever get a new computer, I can hook this one up to my keyboard permanently..... when and if that happens, look for a piano/keyboard "tab" page to open up. But until then, or until I can find a couple other people who sequence stuff..... I don't think it's going to be done anytime soon. Soo... does that answer all your questions??? Are you understanding most of this MIDI stuff?? I know it can be a little confusing for a beginner.... but stick with it!