*Is officially a Keyboard player*

[Det_Nosnip]

I got my first keyboard today: an 88 key M-Audio MIDI controller. It's pretty awesome, but I'm still trying to work on getting it set up (software side of things seems to be a little complicated!). Pictures will be forthcoming, and if anyone wants to give me any advice on getting started or whatever, that'd be great! :cool:

http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=15154&stc=1

http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=15155&stc=1

[Seafroggys]

Glad to see other drummer switching to other instruments.

I was the other way myself, played classical piano for 7 years before switching to drums. For most 'classicalheads' that'd be considered de-evolution. :lol:

[Det_Nosnip]

Haha. Yeah, I figure it's pointless to limit yourself to one form of expression, especially when that expression constitutes only a limited range of the musical spectrum (IE, rhythm but no harmony or melody per se).

[Det_Nosnip]

So...does anyone know of any decent programs to use for just...well....playing? My board came with a lame *** program called "Music Planet" or something that only supports 49 keys (hence, my bottom and upper registers don't work with it), and the other two programs are a little complicated and when I play in them, the sounds are VERY quiet.

What would be a good program that I can use to just mess around on a synth'd grand piano or some strings or something?

[Speedy Fingers]

I recommend Cubase, Reason or Sibelius.

[Det_Nosnip]

Yeah, I've been fiddling with Cubase. I managed to figure out how to open a channel to the keyboard, but the sounds are VERY quiet, even with the volume turned all of the way up. Any idea what might be causing this problem? I've encountered it in every program except for Music Planet...I've looked through Musicplanet trying to figure out what the input/output settings are, but to no avail. :(

[Speedy Fingers]

Could be a faulty soundcard. Are you using monitors, or PC speakers? I recommend getting some decent monitors.

[Det_Nosnip]

Hmm....if it's the soundcard, why would it work in one program but not in others?

I have a 2 speaker+woofer setup at the moment. Soundcard is an SB Audigy 2ZS Audio 1400, if that means anything to you. :D PC is a little on the slow side (500 MHZ P3 :( ).

[Speedy Fingers]

Your soundcard is fine, better than mine anyways...

It could be a PC problem though. I would check that some levels aren't hiding away being all low.

[Knifeboy]

I use the free version of renoise.. And a couple of free vst's.. And it works and sounds great