recording music from a midi keyboard into GarageBand

Question

recording music from a midi keyboard into GarageBand

I am trying to record music played on my Yamaha PSR 740 keyboard in GarageBand 3 on my G4 imac with OSX 10.4.7 and am not able to get any sound on the computer from the yamaha keyboard.

I have installed the MidiSport 1x1 USB Midi interface with the latest driver available (for OSX 3.2.2) so that I can connect the yamaha keyboard to the computer. In Utilites, Audio Midi Setup, the computer is recognizing the 1x1 and when I "test setup" there is a beeping noise.

However, when I play the keys on the keyboard- whether I'm in Audio Midi Setup, GarageBand, or MIDIMonitor- no sound comes through. The Midi cable is brand new and is in the Midi Out of the keyboard and in the Midi In of the 1x1. In Garageband Preferences, 1 Midi device is detected.

iMac G4, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Sep 29, 2006 6:18 PM

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Answer 1

fossicker

Level 2

325 points

Sep 29, 2006 9:37 PM in response to recordingmusic

The following is straight from Garageband Help:

Make sure your music keyboard is connected to your computer, is turned on, and is working.
If you are using a MIDI interface, make sure it is connected, and that all cables are fully connected.
Make sure the correct Software Instrument track is selected.
Make sure that the track is not muted, and that no other tracks are soloed.
Watch the time display as you play. The MIDI status light to the left of the tempo should light up each time you play a note.
Open the Audio/MIDI pane of GarageBand Preferences, and see if the MIDI status item shows that a MIDI device is connected.
Open the Track Info window and make sure an instrument, generator, and preset are selected for the Software Instrument.
Make sure the volume slider for the track is not all the way to the left.
Make sure the output volume for your computer's speaker, or the external speakers you are using, is set high enough to hear sound output.
If you still don't hear sound, you can try reinstalling the driver software for your MIDI keyboard or MIDI interface.

G4 iMac 17" 1GHZ, G4 iBook 12" 1.33GHZ Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 2

Sep 30, 2006 9:56 PM in response to fossicker

I have gone through GarageBand help and have gone through all of these steps...
The only thing that I didn't check because I don't understand what it means is:
Watch the time display as you play. The MIDI status light to the left of the tempo should light up each time you play a note.
Where is the MIDI status light?

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Answer 3

fossicker

Level 2

325 points

Oct 1, 2006 4:27 AM in response to recordingmusic

Look for a digital display, it has blue LEDs.
On the left are three small symbols, a tuning folk, a clock and a musical note, which you can select for different modes.
On the right is the tempo, which you can click on to change the tempo.
If you use the onscreen keyboard, and play a few notes, you will see a small blue dot blink on and off with the note. That is the status light.

G4 iMac 17" 1GHZ, G4 iBook 12" 1.33GHZ Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 4

Oct 2, 2006 10:53 AM in response to fossicker

Thanks for explaining that:)

The status light is NOT lighting up when I play from the MIDI keyboard.

In GarageBand Prefs, 1 MIDI input is detected. How do I get the status light to work when I play from here?

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Answer 5

Oct 3, 2006 2:20 PM in response to recordingmusic

does the sound card/ device have anything to do with this problem?

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Answer 6

fossicker

Level 2

325 points

Oct 6, 2006 12:21 AM in response to recordingmusic

When you create a track to play your keyboard on, have you selected "Real Instrument"? Is the "Monitor" selection turned on?
In GarageBand > Preferences, have you selected the correct audio input?
I don't think the sound card is the problem.

G4 iMac 17" 1GHZ, G4 iBook 12" 1.33GHZ Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 7

fossicker

Level 2

325 points

Oct 6, 2006 12:45 AM in response to recordingmusic

Evidently, when you use a Midi keyboard, you have to create a "Software Instrument" Track. I don't have a Midi device, I just plug my guitar into the audio input, and use a "Real Instrument" Track.
It may be that the driver you have for OSX 10.3, won't work with OSX 10.4.

G4 iMac 17" 1GHZ, G4 iBook 12" 1.33GHZ Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 8

Oct 6, 2006 3:55 PM in response to fossicker

As above, you must select a software instrument.

The keyboard will trigger a sound *in Garageband* and that sound will come out your computer speaker.

It appears that you know this, but, do not expect the sound to come out of the audio outs of your keyboard. Garageband does not send midi commands back to your keyboard.

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