N00b Blues

I just installed MC4 and am trieing to figure this thing out. I can not seem to get the midi groove files to play back nor does it seem that I am able to use the soft synth. the help info is kind of vague at this point...do I need to get a different sound card ie other then mme and or a midi controler keyboard to use the soft synth and groove clips?
I am going to eventualy get theall the above but at the moment I just wanted to use my guitar and the loops for back ground ...doesnt seem to be going to happen that way tho.
Can any one shed some light on my N00bness?

well thanks for the welcome...it is good to not be flamed for my N00bness
my system is pretty ok is as follows:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 10/3/2008, 16:38:23
Machine name: TPHATTPRO5000
Operating System: Windows Vistaâ„¢ Enterprise (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+ (2 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
Memory: 8190MB RAM
Page File: 2323MB used, 14257MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
------------
---------------
Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
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Sound Capture Devices
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Description: Microphone (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0002.6110 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 1/16/2007 11:36:20, 411648 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x1
Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

Description: Line In (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0002.6110 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 1/16/2007 11:36:20, 411648 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x1
Format Flags: 0xFFFFF


soundcard is in need of update tho...but I thought that I could here the sounds of preset instruments tho...guess I misunderstood what I was reading.

If you have a MIDI track or a MIDI groove clip, and the soft synth inserted okay, you have to go to each MIDI track and change the output (O) to the soft synth. The usual outputs are something like none, MS GS Wavetable Synth, TTS-1 or other soft synth. Change the output to TTS-1. You might need to use channel 10 on the MIDI drum track for the TTS-1 to recognize the data as drums. In the 'bank' drop-down in the MIDI track, select the preset rhythm bank. I think.
You don't need a MIDI keyboard or controller to work with MIDI. Being data, any way you get the data in the track is good. Load a MIDI file directly or enter the data in the Piano Roll View (PRV) or notes in the Staff View with your mouse.

Thanks for all the help guys, erum but I must be dumber then I thought. when I push the play button nothing happens, so I can not even tell if there will be sound or not. I hav e tried your directions several times but I am just not getting it to work...oh well lol
when I use regular loop files it works ok but when I use the midi groove clips the program does not even start up so I dont know what it is that I am , or am not doing right.

Welcome Jerilee. There's quite a learning curve. It all falls into place pretty quickly if you want it to. Ive been around here a very short while and things are now clicking into place. They are a good bunch here always willing to help.

Alan

Second the guitar hacker's thoughts...start with the simple things, do one step at a time. One audio track, check if all of your settings are right, then the midi, then the groove clips, and check in here if there are any problems at each step.
Later
Albert

Slow down and do this. Go to options Audio and chose MME driver mode, then close and reopen the program.

Go back to options/audio, and make sure that the systems sound card is listed as the record and playcak timing masters, and as the drivers.

Then try again

TTS is a software synth, and has nothing to do with audio clips, or recorded audio. It is only to be used to playback a midi track.