Kurzweil PC2X Keyboard won't work in Garageband

Question

Kurzweil PC2X Keyboard won't work in Garageband

I'm using a MIDIsport Uno, a 1-in/1-out USB-to-MIDI Interface, manufactured by M-Audio. I'm trying to connect my Mac to my Kurzweil PC2X keyboard to record piano in Garageband.

I have the MIDI out from the interface plugged into the IN port on my keyboard, and the MIDI out from the interface plugged into the OUT port on my keyboard. Audio MIDI Setup recognizes the interface, and says that it is working properly. When I Test Setup the interface, I hear little thunks when I press the keys. I can't hear any output from the computer when I play, and Garageband doesn't record anything when I try to play on the keyboard.

I've read all the help manuals, and made sure all the plugs are in the right place. Please help! I've wasted 7 hours already on this project, and can't afford not to make this work.

Mac Desktop, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Nov 9, 2008 6:43 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Christoph Drösser

Level 6

11,326 points

Nov 9, 2008 11:21 PM in response to forthegreatergood25

I have the MIDI out from the interface plugged into the IN port on my keyboard, and the MIDI out from the interface plugged into the OUT port on my keyboard.

There's something wrong with this sentence, but I think you have connected the plugs correctly. By the way: You need only one of these connections to work with GB, since the program doesn't send any midi out.

Audio MIDI Setup recognizes the interface, and says that it is working properly. When I Test Setup the interface, I hear little thunks when I press the keys.

Sounds good.

I can't hear any output from the computer when I play, and Garageband doesn't record anything when I try to play on the keyboard.

Make sure you go to GB's prefs, Audio/Midi tab, and see if it says "1 Midi device recognized".

And to hear music and record, you must create a software instrument track and select it. Did you do that?

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Answer 2

Nov 10, 2008 12:21 AM in response to Christoph Drösser

Sorry, I had to clarify what was happening. So I only need the MIDI out cable plugged into the INPUT port on my keyboard?

I looked at the GB's preferences, and yes, it says that there is 1 Midi device recognized. However, it's strange that this happens before I even plug the Midi cables into the keyboard. I only have to plug in the USB for GB to say that it detects a Midi device.

I created a Software Instrument, Grand Piano, and selected the track to record. Still nothing but piano rests.

Thanks for trying to help. It's really appreciated.

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Answer 3

Nov 10, 2008 12:25 AM in response to Christoph Drösser

Oh, and by the way, the thunks I hear when I test the Midi connection in Audio Midi aren't distinguished between different keys. It's one constant note for all of the keys.

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Answer 4

Nov 10, 2008 2:26 AM in response to forthegreatergood25

So I only need the MIDI out cable plugged into the INPUT port on my keyboard?

No, the other way round: From the keyboard's OUT to the interface's IN.

I looked at the GB's preferences, and yes, it says that there is 1 Midi device recognized. However, it's strange that this happens before I even plug the Midi cables into the keyboard.

That's perfectly o.k. The midi device is the interface - the computer can't know whether there's something plugged into the device's input.

Oh, and by the way, the thunks I hear when I test the Midi connection in Audio Midi aren't distinguished between different keys. It's one constant note for all of the keys.

I think that's how it's supposed to work - it should just indicate that there's midi data coming in.

Here's another test: If you switch the LED display that normally shows the position of the playhead to the tuning fork symbol, it should display the notes and chords that you play on your keyboard - does that work?

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Answer 5

Nov 10, 2008 2:23 PM in response to Christoph Drösser

Okay, so I switched my cables so that the cord goes from the keyboard's out input to the interface.

When I switch the LED to chord mode, it doesn't register any notes or chords. However, the little blue light at the bottom right of the LED display lights up whenever I play a key.

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Answer 6

Nov 11, 2008 5:48 AM in response to forthegreatergood25

Hm. So it looks like there is something wrong with the settings of your keyboard - it seems to transmit some kind of data, but not the correct midi notes. But that's just a shot in the dark ...

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Answer 7

Nov 11, 2008 10:59 PM in response to forthegreatergood25

My problem isn't solved. How do I adjust the settings on my keyboard to make it work? The connection is good, the cords are good, the information is good. Thanks for the help.

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Answer 8

John_NYC

Level 1

8 points

Nov 14, 2008 9:50 AM in response to forthegreatergood25

I am experiencing your exact situation with my Yamaha DJX keyboard. I have been troubleshooting for 4 days, even took the keyboard to a keyboard store to get them to see if they were getting a signal from the MIDI output, which they were.

I get the little dot that registers in the LCD when I press keys on the keyboard as well. I inspected the documentation that came with the keyboard and it is properly setup to be transmitting via the MIDI out.

I hope we can figure this out.

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Answer 9

Nov 14, 2008 5:30 PM in response to John_NYC

Isn't it frustrating? I feel like I've poured hours into trying to figure this out, and it doesn't seem to work. I read something about M-Audio equipment. Apparently, one needs OS X 10.28+, but then needs OS 9 to actually run driver and for it to work. I found it under driver installation, in the first set of instructions/information.

I hope that helps. Unfortunately, my computer can't reboot in OS 9. Maybe yours can. Can you recommend any other MIDI cables to me? I'm at a loss to find a MIDI to FireWire or USB.

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Answer 10

Nov 15, 2008 2:18 AM in response to forthegreatergood25

No, all M-Audio drivers are OS X compatible. I am pretty sure your problem is not the interface, but what comes out of your keyboard.

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Answer 11

Nov 15, 2008 11:17 AM in response to Christoph Drösser

That's what I thought, as the box said that. Would this mean anything (it's from the M-Audio Driver Install program)

Note: Classic MIDI and audio applications should not be expected to work under OS X. You must boot into OS 8/9 to use audio and MIDI devices.

How do I change/program what comes out of my keyboard, to make it work?

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Answer 12

jfisenne

Level 1

0 points

Nov 15, 2008 5:02 PM in response to forthegreatergood25

I have the same problem trying to get my Kurzweil Mark 110 to work with garageband using a Macbook Pro with 10.5.5 Way too many hours just trying to get garageband to recognize midi. I first tried the M-Audio Fastrack Pro as the interface. I thought maybe that was broken so I purchased the M-Audio midisport uno (midi to usb) cable. Hooked it up. The midi activity light comes on on the midisport uno cable when I play the keys. Garageband shows a single blue light come on in the bottom screen every time I play a note, but I can't get garageband to play a single instrument.

I switched to Macs a while ago because they are supposed to be so user friendly, but frankly, I see them as almost as frustrating as PCs. Any suggestions?

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Answer 13

Nov 15, 2008 6:54 PM in response to jfisenne

Maybe the Kurzweil keyboards are either too outdated, or too over our heads to comprehend. I've visited their website, read the manuals, and everything Mac Help recommended. Nothing works.

I have the MInisport Uno, and have the same symptoms: connects correctly, computer identifies the driver, Garageband shows a blue light the keys are played, but not the individual note, Audio Midi test says that the keyboard is transfering information...

Everything works except note recognition, and recording. Frustrating, ey? I think Macs are still better than PCs, but I'd like the keyboard manufacturers/designers to step it up. I'm sorry I have no insights. Tell me if you figure it out!

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Answer 14

Nov 16, 2008 6:01 AM in response to forthegreatergood25

I'm sure it's not a problem of the computer, but of the keyboard. Not having a manual, I can't help you with that. But the description says that the Kurzweil keyboards can assign midi channels in very fanciful ways, or even switch off the midi output completely ... so try to find some setting where you can specify the midi channel that the keyboard is sending notes on!

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Answer 15

jfisenne

Level 1

0 points

Nov 16, 2008 11:35 AM in response to Christoph Drösser

I gave up on the midisport uno (too many online posts about it not working with Leopard) and went back to the m-audio fast track pro. Tried a back-up midi cable and my kurzweil is now working with garageband as a midi controller. I did play around with the "add new device" function in the mac's audio Midi Setup and with my mouse connected the "new device" icon to the icon for the M-Audio fast track pro. I don't know if that was necessary or not. It wasn't very intuitive and it was only with research on the net that I learned that it might be necessary.

I hope this helps the other Kurzweil Mac user.

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