Survey: Does anybody record MIDI anymore?

[mrmulti]

In reference to the MIDI recording problems I've been having, I'd like to take a little survey and see if and how many people are actually recording using MIDI.

My problem is that I can't seem to record midi using the sound card's external midi/joystick port because of the real time delay between keypress and sound.

I'm not sure if it is a windows xp bug or a software synth problem.

What is the best way to record from a midi controller to say - cakewalk or protools?

So - who records midi and how are they doing it?

I record MIDI using windows 98 and a pinnacle - fuji sc from project studio ISA card with two built-in GM synths, you can add sample ram, and load patches. There is no discernable delay when recording midi.

Stuff I've done is at http://www.mp3.com/michaelwells

[TeeCee]

I record MIDI from keyboards, drum pads, and drum machines into Cakewalk and/or SONAR, no sweat. I have a dedicated MIDI interface, a MOTU MIDI Express XT, that I used to use with my Pinnacle and now use with my Delta 66.

[AcousticPro]

Are you recording using the built in synth on the sound card? It sounds like you're issue is not with MIDI, but with latency as it pertains to the MIDI being processed and heard as audio.

[mrmulti]

That's what I think as well...the sound being created by the software synth is creating the delay.

Does this happen on playback as well? If so - Why? The demos that come with mixed audio and midi sound okay, so I think it only happens during record...why?

If this is true, this would also be true:

If I record using the external device's sounds (GM), the notes should be on the beat or wherever I play them or close., providing I turn off the software synth port. I need to experiment with that.

I am using a terratec 24/96, which has no built in synth. Are there synth cards out there?

[NukleoN]

Are there WDM drivers for your Terratec? This is most likely the problem, you need WDM drivers for lowest softsynth latency.

As for MIDI, yep I use MIDI all the time through a dedicated Emagic AMT 8 under Windows XP. Works great. Hopefully Apple will still support this hardware for the PC. :lick:

[gonzotr]

I record about 3/4 of what I am doing in midi, Cubase rocks with midi and all instruments are virtual. will go towards more live sound as I progress though.:banana:

[SteveC]

I do "live" MIDI all the time in Sonar, using a variety of softsynths in XP. If you're getting excessive latency, it's probably your soundcard drivers, CPU speed, or both. You say you get latency with XP, but then you say you record MIDI using Win98...?

If you've used 98 to record MIDI, but not thru a softsynth, which you're now trying to do using XP it very well may be the drivers. You're probably using either WDM or ASIO in which case it may different than 98 where you're probably using MME...?

Either way, try adjusting the latency in whatever sequencing app you're using, and make sure you have recent/stable drivers for your sound card. Without either/both, you may just be reaching the limits of what your CPU can handle.

[guitarjoe]

In order to avoid latency you should monitor via speaker or headphones rather than take the sound of the computer unless you don't mind a sllight delay.