Need advice: recording soft synth track by playing soundcenter piano with mouse

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
cptwinky
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 2
  • Joined: 2012/02/17 21:29:15
  • Status: offline
2012/02/17 21:46:02 (permalink)

Need advice: recording soft synth track by playing soundcenter piano with mouse


Hello,

I'm trying to play music using my mouse on the instrument keys of the soft synth (cakewalk sound center) and record what I play. I'm not using any interface or external instrument.

I can hear the music fine and the volume indicators move up and down.

I hit record on the soundcenter track which highlights the track, then I hit record at the top of the window. The time begins to move and I can hear the metronome.

While mousing the keyboard, however, I see no indication of clips or notes being recorded.

Thank you
#1

5 Replies Related Threads
    RobertB
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 11256
    • Joined: 2005/11/19 23:40:50
    • Location: Fort Worth, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re:Need advice: recording soft synth track by playing soundcenter piano with mouse 2012/02/17 22:59:29 (permalink)
    That's a pretty common question for new users. The bottom line is it doesn't work that way.
    With softsynths, you don't record the output (the sound you are hearing).
    You record the input (the MIDI notes that trigger the synth to produce sound).
    Disclaimer: There is a way to record the output, but it is a bad practice, and invites way too many problems, so I am not going to tell you how to do it. It's better to learn the right way.
    The keyboard in the Sound Center GUI is for auditioning notes. You can hear it because you are triggering the synth directly. But you are bypassing the part where the information is actually recorded.
    If you don't have a keyboard/controller, you can enter your notes in the Piano Roll View or the Staff View. This isa very effective method, but it is not real time.
    I would strongly encourage you to get a keyboard/controller if you wish to play/ record your synths real time. It's well worth the money.
    Which version of MC do you have?
    Have you done the tutorials?
    post edited by RobertB - 2012/02/17 23:04:14

    My Soundclick Page
    SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp

    Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
    #2
    Beagle
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 50621
    • Joined: 2006/03/29 11:03:12
    • Location: Fort Worth, TX
    • Status: offline
    Re:Need advice: recording soft synth track by playing soundcenter piano with mouse 2012/02/18 07:23:54 (permalink)
    exactly what he said! 

    http://soundcloud.com/beaglesound/sets/featured-songs-1
    i7, 16G DDR3, Win10x64, MOTU Ultralite Hybrid MK3
    Yamaha MOXF6, Hammond XK3c, other stuff.
    #3
    cptwinky
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2
    • Joined: 2012/02/17 21:29:15
    • Status: offline
    Re:Need advice: recording soft synth track by playing soundcenter piano with mouse 2012/02/18 08:30:48 (permalink)
    Thank you very much for your reply and the information. It is clear that I misunderstand how the software works. I should watch all the tutorials, which I will do this weekend.

    I am new to this program and to music in general. I'm basically using this to teach myself music and composition.

    I am unable to use a music keyboard in a traditional way. I'm physically disabled and everything I do on the computer (including typing this message) I do with the mouse. 

    So if I understand you correctly you're saying that I can play something in soft synth and have the musical notes recorded to be played back in a track later? That would be fine.
    #4
    RobertB
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 11256
    • Joined: 2005/11/19 23:40:50
    • Location: Fort Worth, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re:Need advice: recording soft synth track by playing soundcenter piano with mouse 2012/02/18 10:08:13 (permalink)

    Yes, you understand correctly.
    The Piano Roll and Staff View both allow you to insert notes using your mouse.
    I prefer the piano roll, because I think it is easier, more flexible, and more powerful for editing MIDI.
    The grid represents beats, and you can accurately place you notes where you want them.
    It takes a bit of visualizing, but once you get a feel for it, it's easy to use.

    The tutorials on working with softsynths and editing MIDI will be of particular interest to you.

    btw, welcome. If you have more questions, don't be afraid to ask.
    Do let us know which version you have, because some answers may be version specific.

    My Soundclick Page
    SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp

    Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
    #5
    Guitarhacker
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 24398
    • Joined: 2007/12/07 12:51:18
    • Location: NC
    • Status: offline
    Re:Need advice: recording soft synth track by playing soundcenter piano with mouse 2012/02/18 11:10:44 (permalink)
    You did not mention which version of MC you have.

    If it's MC6, you have a bunch of clips and loops that you can drag in to a project and build a song... kinda like playing with legos and building something. 

    Watch the videos and work through them. They will explain a lot.

    My website & music: www.herbhartley.com

    MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW   
    Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface


    BMI/NSAI

    "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer " 
    #6
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1