Recording a piano composition using M-Audio keystation and Samplitude 2015

mik-t56 wrote on 11/28/2014, 10:11 AM

For Christmas, my son is hoping to record a few of his piano compositions. We have the option of going to a recording studio, but exploring the option of recording at home. I bought Samplitude Music Studio 2015.

(1) Next step - will the M-Audio Midi 88-keystation (2014) connected via USB be sufficient as a way to record?

(2) Will SMS 2015 convert the midi into grand piano sound and create an mp3 file?

I only have the SMS 2015 for now.

(3) What else do I need to get to be able to record piano compositions?

By the way, I have read nihon's tutorial (good one) but my question is specific to the use of a midi keyboard, to be converted into grand piano version via SMS 2015, and exported as mp3.

Comments

browj2 wrote on 11/29/2014, 12:02 AM

Hi and welcome to the Community,

Congratulations on your purchase. SMS2015 is a good program. Make sure that you downloaded and installed all of the free Add-on package. There is a button for this on the startup screen.

Your M-Audio keyboard should have an Asio driver with it. You should install it and set it up in the Program settings.

Unfortunately, there is no grand piano instrument that comes with the program. There is an add-on called Independence that contains one. I have the mid version so I don't know if there is more than one in the full version, but it is quite expensive.

There are VST plugins available on the internet, some free, most not, that can be used with SMS2015. In fact, I am downloading a couple right now to see what they do.

The first is here.

The second is here. Usually the free ones are limited in their features.

I suggest that you first get the keyboard connected and try out the various instruments, and just recording with the Vita acoustic piano that comes with SMS2015. There is a lot to learn and the program can be quite daunting at first, and then fun to use.

Let us know how you make out and if you need help. There have been many queries in this part of the forum and under Forum.......Samplitude.. that you can refer to, as well as the help manual.

Good luck!

mik-t56 wrote on 12/3/2014, 4:47 PM

Thank you browj2. I have it all set up now. I can use the keystation without a prob using the Ableton live software it came with. But for Samplitude, I can see that the keystation sends signals, but I don't hear audio... will tinker around. Just got the keystation today, hence the late response but I do appreciate your quick input!!

browj2 wrote on 12/3/2014, 5:20 PM

Good!

Make sure Asio is loaded in settings. Try loading an instrument, play the keys on screen then on keyboard. If you see your keyboard input moving the keys on the instrument, arm the track to record and press record. This is often the case for me.

Please let me know how you make out.

mik-t56 wrote on 12/4/2014, 5:33 PM

I am still figuring out all the other features of Samplitude. But for those following this thread because you may have similar questions, let me write a recap and mark this question as answered. You can thank me later! :)

(1) Will the M-Audio Midi 88-keystation (2014) connected via USB be sufficient as a way to record? Answer: Yes

(2) Will SMS 2015 convert the midi into grand piano sound and create an mp3 file? Answer: Yes, if you import a grand piano VST and map it out at as part of preferences.

(3) What else do I need to get to be able to record piano compositions? Answer: Nothing else at this point! Cool, huh?