I am way over my head
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Posted on Jan 16, 2007 04:59 pm
WhiteFox
Member Since: Jan 16, 2007
I use windows XP Home
I have sound
I have a CTK-800 pluged into my computer via USB cable
I have downloaded the software for my piano, Iam using Audacity. My ultimate goal is to use Audacity to record what Iam playing on my piano. I am having no luck. can someone help me. Iam new to all of this. I have been playing piano for a long time, I just want to be able to hook it up to the computer and start recording what Iam playing. any help will be appreciated
Thank you in advance
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Jan 16, 2007 05:03 pm first off welcome ;)
ok how exatcly are you hooking it up? it sounds like your using one of those usb midi splitter cables
the easiest way ultimatly is to use an midi interface like a tascam us-122, or somting along those lines, otherwise your gonna have to root around in your program and find the recording device, which it might not even be found,
aslo what program are you using?
Jan 16, 2007 05:16 pm In Audacity, you can select the recording and playback devices in the Edit menu under Preferences.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 16, 2007 05:16 pm Chrissakes, how many times did you post this same question? I'm counting 4 so far!
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jan 16, 2007 05:22 pm the usb cable is probably sending midi signals to your computer. You have two choices. The easiest is probably to connect an audio cable from the audio out of your casio to the line in on your computers soundcard. The other choice is to trigger the sounds in "some program" via midi using your keyboard as a midi controller. But this will require you to purchase "some program". Examples are Reason, Project 5, other software sequencers...
Jan 16, 2007 05:23 pm lol ya i know tadpui, and i ddint read that he was using audacity ;) myyyyyyyyyyy bad :(
Jan 16, 2007 05:47 pm Jeezuz, are you new to forums too? Try posting your questions once, more than that and all you'll get is people pissed off.
Jan 16, 2007 06:01 pm Note: Audacity will display MIDI files, but it won't record or play them back. Best option is to record audio thru the sound card or get an application that supports MIDI.
Edit - Sorry if that seemed like an obvious repeat of coolo's post.
Jan 16, 2007 06:22 pm Sorry about he lots of post, I posted in other categories because I did not know, what post my question should be in. I don’t know if anyone is familiar with the CTK-800, It tells me that I can hook it up to my computer using USB, and that I could listen to the piano using windows media player , I only got Audacity because I thought I would be able to record my piano playing with that. Now I am at the point were I would be glad just to hear Windows Media Player play the music from my piano. I don’t know how to set that up. I have downloaded all the software that came with my CTK-800 Piano. Thanks for everyone’s help so far, I really do appreciate it.
Jan 16, 2007 06:39 pm Well if the book says it will play in WMP with just the equipment you have, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to record it, if the signal is routed correctly through the computer. Unless I'm missing something here - which is highly possible - it should work if the configuration settings on your software are all adjusted accordingly. Go to Edit > Preferences in Audacity like I mentioned earlier, and under the Audio I/O tab, see if your new software is selected there as the recording and/or playback device. Also, go back into the settings in your piano software and see if you missed anything. Those are just my ideas; maybe someone else will pop in who is more familiar with your type of equipment.
Jan 16, 2007 06:46 pm Cool I will try that with Audacity, And for settings on my computer, I have the keyboard set to channel 1. I don’t really know what that means, but I will go through the software one more time. I thought maybe there was something in windows media I needed to click in order to hear my piano on my computer. For my sound, I have a built in sound card, so I don’t have the ability to plug in an audio cable from the audio out of my Casio to the line in on my computers soundcard, That’s why I thought I could use the USB cord, I don't know why else I might have a USB port other than hooking it up to my computer. I am so confused; this was to be simple in theory
Jan 16, 2007 06:56 pm Even "built in" sound cards can have line inputs. Did you check on the back of the computer for a 1/8" jack with a blue outer ring?
Jan 16, 2007 07:15 pm I dont have anything like that at the back of my computer.
I was thinking I would pick up a external sound card, was wondering if this one would help me acheive my goal,
Creative Labs Live! 24-Bit External Sound Card - USB
This ultra-affordable upgrade allows you to start enjoying an audio experience and quality that's not possible with basic on-board audio thanks to 24-Bit ADVANCED HD and EAX ADVANCED HD technologies. Your music will never have sounded better and you'll even be able to convert your old tapes or vinyl to digital audio. Finally your games will come alive while you're also immersed in 5.1 surround sound. All this in a simple USB solution that installs in a snap!
Device Type Sound Card
Enclosure Type External
Interface Type USB
Sound Output Mode 5.1 Channel Output
DAC Data Width 16 or 24-bit
Sample Rate 48kHz in 5.1 Mode, up to 96kHz in Stereo
System Requirements Intel Pentium III or Celeron class 800Mhz or faster processor
Microsoft Windows XP (SP1) or 2000 (SP4)
128MB RAM
340 MB Hard Disk Space
Available USB port
Headphones or amplified speakers (available separately)
CD/DVD-ROM drive required for software installation
Localization Canada
Manufacturer Warranty One Year Limited Warranty
London Drugs Item Number 1035369
Shipping Weight 0.44
Jan 16, 2007 07:25 pm If I recall from one of the 3 other postings of your I deleted you said you have an eMachine. Anything is possible with those machines, it may very well not have a line in.
if you are going to upgrade sound cards for recording, do yourself a favor and don't get a soundblaster, look for a less expensive USB option that is actually meant for recording. M-Audio, Edirol or something. You already have a decent playback card for system sounds and crap with the one you have built in, go for something made to record in any upgrade.
Jan 16, 2007 07:37 pm These are the specs for my piano, just to give you an Idea with what I have to work with.
So your saying the sound card (Creative Labs Live! 24-Bit External Sound Card - USB) is not a good choice? I will google the other ones you suggested thanks.
Techncial Specifications-CTK-800
Number of Keys 61
Polyphony 32
Lighted Keys Not Available
Touch Sensitive Yes
Mic Terminal with Volume Control Yes
Preset Tones/User Tones 500 (362 panel, 128GM, 10 Drum) / -
Stereo Sampled Piano Tones Yes
Rhythms 120 (including 20 piano patterns)
Split/Layer Yes
Auto Harmonize Not Available
Digital Effects/Reverbs 8 (4 reverb, 4 chorus)
Synthesizer Function Not Available
Drawbar Organ Function Not Available
Digital Equalizer Not Available
Auto Accompaniment Yes
Registration (set-ups) Not Available
One-touch Preset 120
Tunes 100
Song Expansion Yes, (approx. 70KB memory for additional songs)
Song Controller Yes
Lesson Function Advanced 3-Step
Scoring 1/2/3
Note, Key, Fingering Guide
Do-Re-Mi Guide (Voice)
Fingering Guide (Voice)
Song Memory (tracks x songs) 2 x 2
Pitch Bender Not Available
Modulation Not Available
Tuning and Transpose Yes
Flash ROM Not Available
Metronome Yes
Mixer Function Not Available
SMF Player Not Available
SmartMedia Card Slot Not Available
Floppy Disk Drive Not Available
TV Connectivity Not Available
Display LCD (Backlight (LED/Blue)), 100 x 40mm
MIDI/General MIDI General Midi, 16-channel Multi
Internet Data Expansion System Not Available
Terminals Headphones Not Available
Phones/Output Yes
Pedals Assignable
Line In Not Available
Line Out Not Available
Mic In Yes
USB Port Yes
MIDI In/Out No
Speakers 12cm x 2, 2.5W + 2.5W stereo
Batteries 6-D Batteries
AC Adapter AD-5 (Optional)
MIDI allows the keyboard to play MIDI data files
Jan 16, 2007 07:47 pm So just looking at my own specs, it looks like I dont have Line in or a lin out available for my CTK-800, So If I did by an external sound card how would that help me? do I plug usb from my piano to the external sound card?
Jan 16, 2007 08:15 pm Quote:
So your saying the sound card (Creative Labs Live! 24-Bit External Sound Card - USB) is not a good choice?
I doubt you could find one thread on this entire forum where Creative Labs products are suggested...other than their EMU card. SoundBlasters, never. They can do the job, but often, for the same money (or close) you can get much better ones for recording purposes. SB's are made for music and DVD playback and gaming.
Jan 16, 2007 08:46 pm Last question, I hope. So If I were to get a sound card. How do I connnect my keybord to that sound card, Do I use a Cord from my phones/output terminal on my CTK-800 and then into the sound card? or will there be a usb terminal on the external sound card that is also pluged into usb into my computer.
My manual says;
Connect the keyboard to an audio equipment using a commercially available connecting cord with a standard plug on one end and two PIN plugs on the other end, Note that the standard plug you connect to the keyboard must be a stereo plug, otherwise you will be able to output only on stereo channels, In this configuration , you normally set the input selector of the audio equipment to the terminal (usually marked AUX IN or something similar) where the cord from the keyboard is connected.
Does this make sense. Is the sound card considered an audio equipment.
Iam sorry for sounding so stupid. thanks for all the help
Jan 17, 2007 06:28 am You should be able to connect it via USB, not even needing a sound card for input. However, it's 99% likely that the USB will only be sending MIDI data, not audio...therefore, you will need to assign an audio sample/patch to your keyboard to allow the computer to transform that MIDI data in to audio...I don't think Audacity will do that.
