does biab have a virtual keyboard that would allow direct input of exact notes played, not corrected notes of the chord?

Hi Earl,

It's possible to use the Big Piano (found under the Window menu). It's a two-step process to enter notes.

1. Open editable notation mode

2. click on the beat or part-beat where you'd like a note to be entered (use the beat line above the notation mode staff)

3. click on the Big Piano note that you'd like to enter and it will appear on the staff


Alternatively...

The ASDF-row and ZXCV-row of keys of the computer's keyboard can be used to enter notes. These are controlled under the "Play" menu and are called "Keyboard Wizard".

When I write a song, I often use this. I record MIDI and use the notes to tap in the timing on G. That is, the melody is totally on G notes accurately timed. Then I turn on editable notation mode and drag the notes up/down to create my melody. It's pretty quick doing it this way once you get used to it.

Regards,
Noel

• a song I co-wrote with Steve Young: When I Wake Up In The Morning

Well Noel, that gets me closer but not there yet. I'm not trying to enter notation. I woulf like to play the part live.

I think I know a way to do what I want to do. Reaper has a virtual keyboard. If I load BIAB into Reaper as a vst and then play the virtual keyboard thru the thru channel, just monitoring the sound instead of recording it might work.

I have a MAudio 49 key Oxygen keyboard I could hookup but would rather not have to tear it down and set it up every time I want to do this.

Have you tried using Window-Big Piano Window (from the top menu of BiaB)?

Problem is I think it uses the System default synth when you play it, but you could record the data (MIDI) and then you should be able to reroute it to a different synth.
At least that's how it seems to work in Realband.

I see Noel referenced this but using a different method of note entry.

I had been experimenting with recording the Big Piano Window. According to the MIDI monitor it generates MIDI. Does anyone know how to record the MIDI data?

This really doesn't work. The big keyboard lets you play it with the mouse but not the computer key board.

ok! d\led and installed Reaper. It has a virtual keyboard and it does work with the installed vsts. Latency is bad and it's hard to play but it does allow me to test the sounds on vsts. A lot more experimenting nessesary for me to get this workable! BUT I am getting closer.

Hi Trev,

I haven't worked that out, either. I don't know if one could record from the Big Piano in the past or not because I have never tried it.

It looks like it should be a simple process to setup recording since data are generated. Given the use of touch screens, these days, I think it would be a really useful move.

Regards,
Noel

Earl,

In Reaper, it would be worth experimenting with using a soft synth (or your soundcard synth) on a Reaper track to play along with BIAB. Going through BIAB for external input might not be the most efficient way to do it. (I'm just thinking aloud here. It's what I'd try.)

Regards,
Noel

Hi Noel, I think I'll write to Support to see if there is a way. I tried several ideas, but nothing seemed to work. I'll provide feedback of what I learn. Trev.

Thanks, Trev!

EARL K.
please tell me the following.
1. in reaps TOP RIGHT HAND SIDE UNDER X WHAT STATS ARE REPORTED ? no of samples etc etc/latency.
2. WHAT IS YOUR SOUND DEVICE ? please dont say on board sound.
3. in reaps preferences what drivers are selected ins/outs ?
and at top asio ?
in biab to playalong with your pc kbd you need to make sure the wizard is enabled for playalong.

best.
muso.

muso,
1. 44.1kHZ 24bit WAV: 2x2 ch 1024spls ~ 43/187ms WaveOut
2. Yes it is on board sound.
3. Microsoft Sound mapper & at top is wave out.

With that being said, please understand I am not trying to sit this up as a performance setup. I know that the on board sound is bad, but I don't want to have to mess with a interface and a separate keyboard. I pretty much know how to set that up so it would work. What I'm trying to do is set it up on my desktop so I can set down and mess with it when the mood strikes me without a lot of fuss. So far, it is working the way I envisioned.

earl.
with respect , its a catch 22 situation.
follow this thread from beginning >>
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=634800#Post634800
ie an on board sound situation again.
notice your stats in reaper. underneath the X. ??
what its telling you is big latency.
thus problems.
the only solution if you dont want to buy a proper interface
is to install the free asio 4 all driver, and see if that helps with on board sound. then see what reaps reports under the X for latency.
there is lots of info on the net in setting up a pc for studio work. eg gearslutz.com and you tube.
hnyear,
muso.

muse. I really don't need to buy a new interface. I allready have a m-audio fast trak and a avid 8x8 fw interface w/proTools. I don't want to be incumbered with the additional piece of equipment if I can help it. I will try the asio4all driver and see if that helps the latency.

earl.
i doubt youll be happy. but do a test.
see what reaps under the X says for latency/samples after installing asio4all.

remember, if you want to play along useing your pc kbd in reaps, you need to do the following.
1. in reaps preferences enable asio4all driver/ins/outs.
note asio4all has its own applet. make sure its set up properly.
i havent used asio4all for donkeys ages. so cant help much on it.
2. load up some sort of synth plug in on a blank trak. eg pg coyote dxi or a vsti you might have.
3. and the next is KEY ive found. start midi trak recording , do one clik with mouse on visible reaps virtual kbd to focus then start pressing keys on pc kbd to record midi notes.
stop recording/save , then you should see midi data dashes on the trak.
(read up on various reaps trak recording settings.)
4. after recording go into reaps midi editor to fine tune.

frankly i prefer to hook up my midi korg kbd via usb. thats how i record midi traks in reaps.
ps there are midi videos at reaper.fm as well as config videos/setting up reaps.

try also midi in sonar or pro tools , unless
you dont have these installed on the particular pc you want to use.
have you tried playalong in biab useing WAS driver ?
good luck.
muso.