• SONAR
  • Virtual MIDI keyboard..How to USE?
2013/12/15 08:17:40
laiho11
Hello, I have been trying to connect my pc keyboard to sonar so that I can use it as a keyboard for using softsynths like true piano etc. I have windows 7 64bit so Midiyoke and maple virtual midi cable wont install on it as they are only for 32 bit..i am totally knew to virtual midi controller subject,,all I know is that you knew a virtual midi keyboard like Bome's mouse and keyboard or Pc37 virtual midi keyboard((I have both installed)) and a vitual midi cable software like above mentioned or loopmidi. I have loopmidi installed but I cannot get pc keyboard to play the softsynths when I open them.Here's what I do::Open loopmidi and add a port then press play,,Then open sonar and select that port as input midi device::open virtual midi keyboard like bomes and set its output to the same port..open sonar again and select the same port as output and deselect gswavetable synth..nothing happens..I must be doing something wrong.Please help if you know step by step direction or some other way..
2013/12/15 11:34:23
brundlefly
I would not bother. Even the cheapest, used MIDI keyboard from eBay that sends velocity would be preferable to anything based on using your PC keyboard.
2013/12/15 12:51:59
Paul P
 
I use the Chirp virtual keyboard which comes with LoopBe.
 
I don't understand why you're opening Sonar twice.  What I think you should be doing is to first start up your virtual midi cable/patchbay, fire up you virtual keyboard and set its output to a channel in the cable/patchbay  _then_  start up Sonar and select the same channel in Sonar -> Preferences -> Midi -> Devices.
 
Then set the input of your synth to the same device.
 
Turn on input echo on the track and things should work.
 
As brundlefly mentions, a virtual midi keyboards is of limited usefulness, especially since it will constantly lose focus everytime you click on sonar.  It's ok for situations where you just want to putter around auditionning sounds while sitting on a plane or something.
 
Many softsynths already accept some limited pc keyboard note entry, so you may not even need a virtual midi keyboard.
 
2013/12/15 14:48:15
SuperG
eBay is your friend - gajillions of keyboards and controllers there - and inexpensive too!
2013/12/16 15:38:19
mettelus
+1 to all of the above!
 
What you are describing just comes across as "painful" to me... What you want is a "MIDI controller" that connects via USB, and sends "velocity" info as brundlefly suggested (this sends "how loud" data via MIDI).
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