MIDI RECORDING

SOFTWAREINSTRUMENTS

Add a software instrument and record MIDIand quantize in your DAW. Includingpreparing the track(s), adding theinstrument, setting the click and countoff,and recording efficiently. Hi, my name is Thiago Pospichil Marques. Iam from Porto Alegre, Brazil. This is a guidefor MIDI recording and softwareinstruments. Made for week 2 ofIntroduction to Music Production onCoursera.org.

For this example, I'm using "Ableton Live 8" and "Behringer UMX610 (U-control)" 61-Key USB/MIDI Controller Keyboard connected to a laptop with a standard “A/B” USB cable.

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Do you know what MIDI is?

MIDI is a protocol to connect musical instruments and electronic devices to send and receive information between each other, creating a standard language to this type of digital equipment systems.

Previously connect your keyboard controller to the computer and make sure both are properly powered on and communicating with each other.

Create a new MIDI track on your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and name this channel according to the type of instrument or element you want to record on your music.

For this example, I am using an acoustic piano.

MIDI

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Selecting an acoustic piano

New MIDItrack

Check the notes by playing the keys, verifying knobs, faders and pedal (if you are using it).

Select a virtual instrument in your DAW, or a plug-in that was installed in your software and play your controller to test if all signals are communicating correctly.

Adjust the “tempo” and time signature (if necessary). Now you can activate the metronome to a better recording session and efficient editing later.

The primary information that MIDI signal provides to the DAW are: Note number (which note is being played). Note ON (When this note was played). Velocity (How fast the key was pressed). Note OFF (When this note stops to be played).

Press “REC” button and start your recording in selected track. Remember that the MIDI recording does not capture audio signal, but the music data information being performed in real time, as an active and editable sheet music. In this specific process, the audio signal starts in the computer, digitally generated with binary information by a virtual instrument, plug-in or using some sound sample software.

After recording this particular part, you can edit the performance using the quantize tool if necessary.Selecting this new “clip”, you access the “piano roll” and “midi grid”. At this point you can edit the notes (moving UP and DOWN to change the pitch, one semitone at time). (Left and right to move note’s time position). It’s also possible to shorten and stretch the note to change the relative duration (Value).

Recording.

You can edit using the quantization settings, selecting the correction parameter

Also choose if notes will be quantized by start or end. The parameter "amount", controls how much the note will be aligned to the grid, giving more flexibility to the type of correction you want to do.

Quantize settings...

(Current grid, 1/4, 1/8, 1/8T, 1/8 + 1/8T, 1/16, 1/16T, 1/16 + 1/16T, 1/32).

This example compares the original record to a "100% amount" align to the grid quantization.

Another characteristic of recording and editing MIDI is the possibility of changing instruments, sound and various timbre parameters later.Following these steps you can make a good recording session with MIDI tracks and software instruments, using well the capabilities of your equipment and digital audio workstation to record, edit and quantize your music projects. I hope this guide has been helpful and has presented clear information to improve your learning and musical work.

Thiago Pospichil Marques

thiagomrqs@gmail.comhttps://www.facebook.com/thiagomrqshttps://twitter.com/thiagomrqs