I've had PowerTracks ProAudio 9 for a long time but never really played with it.

I recently picked up an M-Audio KeyStudio 25 off Craigslist and hooked its usb to the PC running XP Pro.

With PowerTracks 9 open I can play the keyboard and change the Program sounds assigned to any of the 8 buttons on the M-Audio keyboard... and I hear the sounds on the PC.

PowerTracks MIDI Driver Setup is:

Input Drivers(s)
- USB 02 in(1) = SELECTED -- I think the "O2" is the M-Audio KeyStudio 25 driver

Output Driver(s) Options include:
- SoundMax Wavetable Synth = SELECTED
- Microsoft MIDI Mapper -- gives 'out of range for your system' message if selected
- Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth
- USB O2 Out(1)

The Questions:

1 - When I click record on PowerTracks 9 it records the keyboard but when I play it back I hear a different sound than was played... how to fix this?

2 - When I look at the recorded tracks information I can not see where it tells me what General MIDI Program sound (1 to 127) was recorded on the track. Am I just not seeing it or what? How to see what General MIDI Program was recorded on the track?

3 - Didn't PowerTracks 9 come with a software emulation of the Roland Sound Canvas sound module? (and others?) If so shouldn't it (or they) appear in the MIDI Driver Setup under Options?

Even though I understand the MIDI concept of the MIDI Controller device sending bytes of data to a hardware or software Sound Module I'm really a newbie and am working my way through the terminology all the manuals and tutorials use smile

4 - For instance - is a software or hardware implementation of a Sound Module considered a synthesizer aka synth?

In fact I have a Roland SoundCanvas Model SC 55 Sound Generator unit and a Korg NX5R which I acquired a couple of years back when I wanted to create some BIAB tracks... but am just now finding time.

5 - I call these devices Sound Modules is that the correct term? or should I call them synth modules or what?)

6 - Finally, are the software versions of these ound/synth modules as good as using the real hardware device?

I'll be posting a number of newbie questions as I go along so thanks to anyone for help with educating me :-)

thanks for any help.

PS - I'm going to upgrade to PowerTracks v12 after I'm a little more comfortable with MIDI, the software, the keyboard, terminology, etc.