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Messages - PianoDad

1
General Discussion / Can't Seem to Record
Hello friends, and Happy New Year to all of you!

I can't record anything off of my keyboard into NWC, so I am wondering if there is a way to verify my Casio CTK-551 is putting out a MIDI signal?  The Long Story version follows...

I've installed 1.75c.  I have a Casio CTK-551 keyboard connected with a USB MIDI Interface running Windows XP.  When I plug in the interface, the computer recognizes a USB Audio Device.  I have record input set to 'new window' for the resulting staff.  When I go to file 'new' and select a rhythm track, it pops right up.  When I hit 'record', the timer starts running at the bottom of the screen and the notes on the click track turn red in order. (Not getting any sound at this point)  I assume NWC is doing its thing. 

Then I start playing my keyboard (set to channel 1 output) and then I select stop.  No new window pops up, and when I hit play, the click track starts turning red in order again, but nothing comes out of the speakers.  When I alter the record settings to direct input into the buffer, record some more, then try to import the result, I get an error stating there is nothing in the buffer to import.

A sample nwc file plays nicely, so I know I've got good sound coming from the program.

The CTK-551 manual says "Though the sound source of this keyboard is not General MIDI compatible, you can still connect the keyboard to a computer or other MIDI equipment to playback General MIDI data that is widely available in stores..."  Later on, the manual tells me it does send a NOTE ON and NOTE OFF signal as keys are pressed and released.  The keyboard also allows me to manully select the MIDI send channel and a tone map setting of G (general) and N (normal).  Same negative results trying either of these settings.

The manual sure reads like the CTK-551 can send MIDI signals to the computer, but that "not General MIDI compatible" bit has me wondering if I am all alone in Left Field, without hope and my son wondering what Daddy has done...

Thanks for whatever help you can provide!
2
General Discussion / Is this for me?
First off, what a wonderful community!  Reading posts for the last 45 minutes has taken me back 30 years to band, orchestra, jazz band, drum and bugle corps....  Thanks for the memories!

My son (12) is enjoying composing as he plays our piano.  We have a keyboard with a standard MIDI output and I am hoping to find software that will record what he is playing and allow him to print out a score.  I can't find a detailed list of features for NWC, and reading the online documentation about recording did not clarify if a score was one of the available outputs after recording (I assume it is, but we know what assuming will do!).  I'm sorry in advance if it clearly says that somewhere and I missed it.

If NWC will do that, my second concern was the list of possible difficulties and workarounds I have read about when trying to record from MIDI, including the background timing needed and echo settings, among others.  While I recognize that EXTENSIVE handholding is available right here, I'm not currently in a position to spend hours experimenting in the week after Christmas. 

Now (finally) my question:  Assuming complete comfort with software install, menu useage and the like, what kind of time investment am I looking at before keyboard press leads to file which will ultimately print as score?

Thanks in advance,
PianoDad

P.S.  Grew up in Raleigh (a suburb of Fuquay-Varina), sister-in-law lives in Sydney (where everyone is as friendly as Lawrie).  I feel like I just might fit in!