In all the gear you mentioned I did not see where you mentioned  having, or are using any sort of EXTERNAL sound card or interface. If you are using the internal soundcard, I would recommend the purchase of something like the M-Audio, Presonus or Focusrite line of USB interfaces. 

Cakewalk also sells some interfaces like the UA-101 or the UA-25EX...depending on what you want. 

The sound card you use really does matter and the factory cards are normally deficient when it comes to recording with cake products. 

Other than that, everything you have INCLUDING MC5 is perfectly fine for recording.

I fear if you took the advice of the sales-dude in the store, you would have spent money and still not resolved the volume issue.

An interface will run between $100 to $250 depending on the features you need. Get one that runs native ASIO drivers.... that IS the driver you need to be using. Make sure the interface comes with that driver.  Follow the install instructions, select the new interface and run the wave profiler and you should see a big difference.  You will need to either use headphones plugged into the interface OR run the interface output to some powered speakers or to a stereo as a last resort. You will NOT be using the speakers in the computer from that point on.

With my interface, I have the volume on the interface software control panel at about 50%, and the volume on my studio speakers at 50% and it is plenty loud for all my studio work. I actually use my master faders (linked) pulled down about 10db while tracking and mixing..... volume is not an issue with the proper sound card. 

Hope this helps.

 Sent you a message, and since I don't see it anywhere am wondering if you received it?
Am pretty sure you could solve the problem as you did years ago getting me started with MC3.  My e-mail is windrow@localnet.com, as I'm not sure how to follow our thread.  Sister Maria

Just reply here in this thread.... we'll see it and many can respond... not just one person. 

Got it.  Hadn't signed in, so Reply did not appear.  Thank you.  I had tried the ASIO driver on MC5 which puts m-audio on both Playback and Rec.  With that, the cable from keyboard to receiver (Sony STR-DH100)) has to be used.  I have 4 speakers out from that.  One can turn the receiver volume up, which would turn the recorded audio track up way out of balance.
You said that with the soundcard, one could not use the computer speakers.  What about the mic?  As mentioned in a previous e-mail I bought this computer (Dell Precision) as it was recommended by Cakewalk, and they were right.  I use a grand piano for most of my work.  The computer is on a table at right angles.  Not connected to piano in any way.  Connected to receiver at headphone outlet, etc.  The piano sound is recorded perfectly (about 30 on the receiver).  This would no longer be possible?
I can ask Sweetwater, but do you happen to know which soundcard of those you mentioned would be best and least expensive?
I very much appreciate your time and advice.  I hope this is it.  Have been trying to find out for over 2 years, but would like to know if I have to give up the simple efficiency of the computer mic.
Sister
 
 

Are you working at all with synths and midi or is everything audio with a microphone?

If it's audio only..... you need the external soundcard/interface with phantom power, a decent condenser microphone to record the grand piano, and at least a set of headphones to monitor. Headphones can be inexpensive ...I even use ear buds at times. 

The signal path is : Mic to interface. Interface connected to PC with USB cable.  Headphones plugged into interface to monitor OR.... interface outputs to powered speaker system or stereo. 

You can only monitor through the speakers with the mic turned off. Headphones let you monitor to sync other tracks. 

SrMaria


Years ago you helped me get started with MC3.  I am still grateful!  So kind and patient.
 Now I have a computer with Windows 7, 64 bit, MC5.  I bought an M-Audio KeyStudio 49i keyboard and have never been able to get it to work properly.  It does respond to TTSI and the Cakewalk Soundcenter - but very softly.  Can't get the volume to adjust.  I've taken the computer and keyboard to a Music Center and was told I'd have to get a different program.  The keyboard is fine.  M-audio said the same thing: that the keyboard is Windows 7, 64 bit compatible.  I looked at the reviews of MC6 online, and they weren't good.
My needs are extremely simple.  I do transcriptions, etc. on a grand piano, and sometimes need to include a simple obligato (such as flute, harp ) or some bells, for example.  I don't need anything complicated.
Do you know of any way to get the keyboard to work with MC5 - or do you know of another simple program that will work with this computer and keyboard?  I'm so used to Cakewalk that I hate to leave it, but the MC 6 reviews said it was all changed and difficult to figure out and get working.   I'd really appreciate your advice, as I'm just stuck, it seems.   Any hope that you could answer this to my e-mail - as I really don't know what to do.    windrow@localnet.com 
Sister Maria

I just helped another person with a problem using Cakewalk Sound Center where the volume would go to -INF when using a SIMPLE INSTRUMENT TRACK.  we had to change to using the MIDI/OUTPUT tracks instead.
 
are you using a SIMPLE INSTRUMENT TRACK or MIDI/OUTPUT tracks?

I apologize for not being clear.  It's like this:
I record an audio track.  Very easy.  Mics are inside the computer.  They are excellent.  Much better than the previous computer when I had a mic on the piano.  There is only  a connection to the Sony receiver via headphones output.  Recorded at receiver's +/- 30.
 
Now I want to add an obligato, shall we say.  Here I turn to a MIDI track.  Tracks>Instruments>either Cakewalk Soundcenter or TTS1.  The keyboard is connected to the computer USB.  At the 30 of the receiver I can barely hear instruments such as flutes, strings, etc.  I will be recording on the MIDI track while hearing the audio track.  I cannot turn the receiver way up to hear the instruments, for the audio track will also increase proportionately.  You see?  It is such a very simple thing I want to do. 
Ten years ago now I got my first Cakewalk, MC 3.  I had an HP computer, Windows XP.  As I mentioned, it was Rob who got me started.  I had the same grand piano and a Panasonic keyboard.  I had to put a mic on the piano when I played, and on the keyboard when I used it.  Had to put it on a towel so it wouldn't rattle!  The keyboard was large and clumsy and one could hear the key action, but the whole thing worked in the sense that I could play an audio piano track and add a MIDI one.  Equal volumes.
Then a family who couldn't afford one, wanted a keyboard for a child, and I gave it away.  After a while the first computer gave up, I had to replace it, and Cakewalk suggested this with Windows 7, 64 bit, with the excellent microphones.  Then I had to get MC 5 also.  As time went on I thought I could get a smaller keyboard that would just plug into the computer, and did so about 2 years ago.  Haven't been able to use it.  It does connect to the MC5 instruments, responding correctly, but they are too faint at 30, and the receiver tends to drop out protectively if I turn it way up.  Too, I can' t put the 2 tracks together that way.  It does seem as tho there should be a simple way to do this, don't you think?  The old way wasn't very good, admittedly, soundwise, but it did work.
Thank you for your kindness.
Sister

I was wondering about your signal chain and how you recorded. I see now how you do it, a little bit.
Personally, I would use MIDI for all of the piano recording and not record the piano audio at all. Then everything will be at closer volumes.
Also check your MIDI keyboard if the velocity (volume) of the notes is fixed or can be set to a different level, or if the keys are touch sesitive (velocity sensitive).
What is the make and model of the MIDI keyboard?

Sorry to be dense, but I still don't understand some of your terms.

what exactly is the "Sony receiver" and what do you mean by "Recorded at receiver's +/- 30%?

assuming you're recording this in MC6, have you tried decreasing the piano playback volume and/or increasing the volume of the cakewalk soundcenter's track?  or increasing the output volume of the master track?  or a combination of those?  - in other words "mixing" the volumes for your output?

Hi Rob and all,
Good to know that you all are still with us. I haven't been here in quite a while. With the loss of my Job at AMD, I finally found a solid position in Massachusetts. I've been so busy with work, looking for a home in New Hampshire and fixing up the home in Pennsylvania in prep for the move that I have been quite scarce here. 

I feel equally blessed by the bunch here and especially thankful for Beagle (Reese) for checking up on me... 
Thanks for all of your support in the past. I hope to get back into music once I have a place to work on it.

BTW I believe I still have an account at Music Town ... Is that site still up and running????