maurodog
Level 1 (4 points)
Audio

Q: Very Important Question! Why does my Apple wireless keyboard sound better and much louder than my midi keyboards?

I have a Yamaha psr-330 midi keyboard

I have an Akai mpk261midi keyboard

I have an Alesis v61 midi keyboard

 

they all sound the same in Logic Pro X, I can barely hear the sound of the piano, the pressure sensitivity is out of whack, I basically just plug and play the midi keyboards and use the software instruments without altering anything in Logic Pro X.......why does my little Apple wireless (bluetooth, mind you) keyboard sound clearer, better, more responsive, and much louder than any midi keyboards in general? its embarrassing to say the least!

 

I maxed out the volume once and even raised the gain on the software instrument "Steinway Grand Piano" and I could still barely hear a sound...

 

please help I have no alternative.....Iv'e tasted better sound through a dang computer keyboard, how can this be????

Posted on Sep 2, 2016 7:17 AM

by gen_,Solvedanswer
gen_ gen_
Level 2 (362 points)
Audio
A:

Basically, as you play your midi piano, it sends the note you play, along with how hard you play it so you can play softly and then hard and it will sound as a real instrument does. If you play with your apple keyboard, the keys have no idea how hard they were pressed because that functionality would be wasted on 99% of users, so Logic plays every note at the same (rather high by default) "velocity" or hardness of pressing.

 

As a Logic X user, I find it easier to open the Velocity Processor (from the MIDI FX box above the Software instrument/Piano channel) and adjust the Make Up knob to taste if I need more velocity from my midi piano. This allows it to stay somewhat expressive whilst the quietest sounds are never lost. As well as that it's completely non-destructive, meaning I can go back and adjust or remove it all the way to the end of the record.

Posted on Sep 4, 2016 2:16 PM

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maurodog

Q: Very Important Question! Why does my Apple wireless keyboard sound better and much louder than my midi keyboards?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by maurodog,Helpful

    maurodog maurodog Sep 4, 2016 2:17 PM in response to maurodog
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Audio
    Sep 4, 2016 2:17 PM in response to maurodog

    How can I get my midi keyboards to sound as good as my wireless computer keyboard?

  • by Pancenter,

    Pancenter Pancenter Sep 2, 2016 12:55 PM in response to maurodog
    Level 6 (9,903 points)
    Audio
    Sep 2, 2016 12:55 PM in response to maurodog

    You keyboards are velocity/touch sensitive, an imitation of what a piano plays like, most people consider this an advantage as dynamics are altered depending on the player's style. The Bluetooth keyboard sends out a static signal that Logic responds to with a "fixed" velocity response. Have you tried striking the keys harder?

     

    In Logic's Inspector there are velocity adjustments available. By raising the lower "velocity limit"  you can bring the overall volume up on the MIDI keyboards. Also, your keyboards may have volume sliders that are affecting the volume of the software instrument. What's embarrassing is NOT the hardware or software

     

    InSpec.jpg  

  • by gen_,Solvedanswer

    gen_ gen_ Sep 4, 2016 2:16 PM in response to maurodog
    Level 2 (362 points)
    Audio
    Sep 4, 2016 2:16 PM in response to maurodog

    Basically, as you play your midi piano, it sends the note you play, along with how hard you play it so you can play softly and then hard and it will sound as a real instrument does. If you play with your apple keyboard, the keys have no idea how hard they were pressed because that functionality would be wasted on 99% of users, so Logic plays every note at the same (rather high by default) "velocity" or hardness of pressing.

     

    As a Logic X user, I find it easier to open the Velocity Processor (from the MIDI FX box above the Software instrument/Piano channel) and adjust the Make Up knob to taste if I need more velocity from my midi piano. This allows it to stay somewhat expressive whilst the quietest sounds are never lost. As well as that it's completely non-destructive, meaning I can go back and adjust or remove it all the way to the end of the record.

  • by maurodog,

    maurodog maurodog Sep 4, 2016 2:16 PM in response to gen_
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Audio
    Sep 4, 2016 2:16 PM in response to gen_

    Thank you so much, you have made my day and now I can hear the actual piano

    I was about to return my MIDI keyboard because I was out of options, I just wanted to be able to play and hear the notes.....This is exactly the solution I was hoping for!