How to Use Your Computer Keyboard as Midi Controller in Tracktion Waveform Free & Pro Tutorial

[@AudioTechTV]

Check out even more Tracktion Waveform tutorials here kzbin.info/aero/PL1YDn3d3UkT5m3xa7Diks8Veq3zplVxdR

[@RM-vr4cd]

Hey folks. So I'm just learning Waveform through these videos and after fiddling around I found that you can change the Octave of your keys by clicking "View" in the bottom left menu and selecting "Show Midi Typing". You can then just press X and Z to shift up and down Octaves. The view button doesn't seem to appear in this video, so its possible its a newer feature.

[@AudioTechTV]

That feature was just launched with the 11.5 update. I did do a video covering the new features but haven’t done a specific update for this video. It’s on the to do list. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@HeyItsKora]

doesn't work for me. if I bring up the "Show midi typing" window, i have to take focus off of the keyboard at the bottom of the screen and onto the pop out keyboard window, so when I press keys on my keyboard they register on the popout keyboard window but not on the keyboard at the bottom, and for some reason I get no output when using the popout keyboard window, I only get output from the bottom keyboard. If i change the octave with Z/X on the popout keyboard window and then shift focus back to the keyboard at the bottom, it's still in the same octave as it originally was (like C5 or something...)

[@Arjuntn895]

Thanks for the comment

[@briancleary6751]

@@HeyItsKora Did you ever figure out how to get the MIDI typing to work? I'm in the same no-output situation.

[@shankarsaud1718]

Thanks man

[@donpdonp]

what makes this vid great is the little gotchas are explained - arm the keyboard, expand the bottom menu, how easy it is to loose focus from the keyboard. awesome stuff!

[@epiphoney]

11.5 has a keyboard icon in the bottom toolbar. It launches a little MIDI Typing window that lets you change the octave with Z/X and the velocity with C/V.

[@kalana3141]

Nice vid Zane👍.I think the audience response to this will increase, because this is the first question that comes to a beginner.

[@unorganizedstuffs6992]

hey sir can you do tutorial on how to assign each midi drum pads on waveform?

[@KAT_Editor]

Attention! This video is about a old version. Now if the bottom panel are reduced, click "Show or hide MIDI typing window", and you can change controls, octaves and velocity.

[@nishantjadhav6282]

You can use MIDI modifier effect plugin which is in waveform free also to change the pitch of midi

[@irpacynot]

Is there a way to select the plugin virtual interface as the MIDI device? For instance, I have a taiko-drum plugin that shows little pads you can hit in order to play the sounds. I can hear them, but the sound isn't recorded. It records fine with the virtual keyboard, but not when pressing the plugin pads. The plugin pads feel more natural, and I can see them better than the small qwerty keys. Thanks

[@sandysmusicchannel6609]

Hi ,I have selected keyboard as Input but once I select new MIDI clip, i don’t get any sound output I get an error; this track may be inaudible, ask to change the track destination . Can you pls help me.

[@AudioTechTV]

Have you put an instrument plugin on that track? The instrument plugin should be furthest to the left.

[@GraziTheMan]

I like your videos Zane, thanks for the content. Do you know if there's any way to use the keyboard to control other MIDI functions? I want to be able to use the number pad and the MIDI learn function to switch between and arm different tracks so I can explore live looping. Haven't been able to figure out how to do this with macros

[@TerenceKearns]

That octave thing is what keeps Waveform in the amateur zone. Now you can't use your QWERTY keyboard to jam with the drum pad using their own default settings. Dumb. Anyway, you did a great job with this video.

[@dalecampbell9259]

Thanks for another great video - do you think the 'transpose' function could be used to go down or up an octave?

[@idunnoman1342]

Can you do same but with cakewalk by bandlab?

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes you can. I'll have to do a video on that very soon.

[@adityasrivastava3098]

Definitely want to see that

[@michaelslaven9162]

@@AudioTechTV That would be much appreciated!

[@AudioTechTV]

@@michaelslaven9162 here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWbMomOOhNNjq7s

[@eat-study]

2:25 i like this

[@chandrikaprasadc.p.7629]

Can you make some other tutorials like this for another DAWS

[@daddysensei6209]

I’m using arcade with waveform free. The A key controls the LAST note on the arcade keyboard. How do you get it so the laptop keyboard on waveform corresponds with arcades?

[@CatSmiles]

thank you so much for this, super super new to all this computer music and programs. you are wonderful with these videos! one question I did all this but I do not know how to add sounds to the keys?

[@AudioTechTV]

You need to put an instrument plugin on a track. The instrument is what makes the sound. I’m the free version of waveform you get the 4osc synth free with it. You can try that.

[@TerriTemple]

can i play my digital keyboard thruogh wave form theres no video on how to hook yhis up

[@HorizoneMeNol]

Hi Im new to this I've follow to 2:18 and I can see the signal is in but the sound didn't come out . I current use only the keyboard down at the bottom menu how to make sound come out ? please help

[@AudioTechTV]

Do you have an instrument on the track? And if so is it the first plugin (furthest to the left)

[@DimaQxt]

Hey! First of all thank you for this good tutorial. But I have a problem. I am very new to DAWs and very overwhelmed with everything of course. So, there is the problem that this virtual instrument doesn't play any audio. Even though I created a virtual MIDI device, selected it as inpunt in a track and also dragged a virtual instrument plugin (from Waveform 12 itself) into it, it doesn't output anything. Even though the track shows that every time I press a key that it gives an output. Which I can not hear. The problem also doesn't lie within my audio device selection. I can hear everything else I've tried yet in Waveform, for example recording my voice. Worked fine. But I can't hear the MIDI device

[@AudioTechTV]

Is the virtual instrument the first plugin on the track (furthest to the left)? If it isn’t make sure it is. If that doesn’t work, make sure that you have a preset loaded. Some virtual instruments require you to have a preset loaded. Another issue could be that the notes that you’re playing are out of range for that particular instrument. Some instruments will only make sound if the notes are within a certain range. You could open up the piano roll and test this out by using your mouse to click through notes.

[@TROGULAR10000]

But could you map every key on your PC keyboard to MIDI notes as well as other parameters using an external program?

[@themaleficChannel09]

Hi you never mentioned how to added an instrument to track 1. Also no matter what i did there were no sounds coming out.

[@quandary9883]

Do you know how to add construction kits?

[@RockySmithsen]

This man is my hero fr

[@Kamran1025]

For some reason I can't get any sound from the keyboard. At 2:10 , you click on the keyboard and it makes sound, but mine doesn't. I followed all the previous steps so I don't know what's the problem. You got any tips for me? I appreciate it!

[@AudioTechTV]

Make sure the instrument plugin that you’re using is the first plugin in the list (furthest to the left). Also try changing the preset or settings of the instrument in case the current settings don’t make sounds for some reason.

[@Kamran1025]

@@AudioTechTV So I got it fixed, but idk if it was the proper way. I watched another video and they dragged the red box with a plus from the top right (next to the plugin generator), to a blank track, then added a synthesizer plug in, then it made sound. Yesterday, I downloaded waveform free because making music looks fun so I have no idea what i’m doing, but i’m learning more and more every day. Thanks again! 🙏

[@Kamran1025]

Hey, one more question. For some reason my chords are a super thin green line. How can I change it back to the thicker yellow squares? I pressed a button on accident and it must've changed something.@@AudioTechTV

[@AudioTechTV]

@Kamran1025 use the zoom button

[@dragunmotion2608]

How do I use the deeper notes

[@buzzandjim4265]

Very useful.. thanks. I changed the octave on the synth seems to do the trick

[@malcolmbotting]

I've a strange infuriating problem. I cannot get any sounds from my speakers from my computer keyboard. The indicators show it working and speakers show ok on the test button. I've followed as far as I can but have hit a wall.

[@laurarico4094]

same, did you figure it out? im so bummed i cant hear the notes im trying to play

[@redstonerosh12]

HI how do i enable seeing the keyboard in the bottom at 1:59 ? My waveform free looks quite different I don't have that many options to tinker with. i have the BPM control but the bottom bar is much smaller for me

[@Ayalacubing]

I can not hear the swofower what I nied to do ?

[@om4gaa]

hey man is there a way to bind instruments that are in the drum sampler to a key on my keyboard like fl studio fpc?

[@mark12375]

I can't hear anything because there's a message that says "this track contains midi-generating clips it may be inaudible" what I have to do?

[@AudioTechTV]

If you have a midi clip on a track and you don’t have an instrument plugin on that track, you will see that message. Add an instrument plugin to the track and you will hear that instrument. The instrument must be the first plugin on the track (furthest to the left).

[@mark12375]

@@AudioTechTV Thank you!

[@mark12375]

@@AudioTechTV Could you explain me how to add a plug-in?

[@029deep6]

This is not working for thirdparty vst plugins. what to do?

[@AudioTechTV]

It’s worked with all the third party plugins I’ve tried. But they have changed things up to make it even easier. Check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHqcpqWugrV-mKM at about 6:08 I show the new method.

[@zicioman]

Hi, So I did the first step to setting up the keyboard, but it isn't making any sound, even when the track has a connected instrument. What am I missing?

[@laurarico4094]

same here did you figure it out?

[@joolz666]

Ha! I wish this had been released earlier yesterday...I spent an hour fiddling about wondering why I couldn't get any sound from my QWERTY midi "controller". :-D All part of the learning process. Great tutorial. I've bookmarked it for future reference. Cheers.

[@brucedarilay7202]

i cant see why i cant hear mine tho saying some tip would help!

[@laurarico4094]

@@brucedarilay7202 did you figure it out i cant hear mine either

[@Shaikat4U]

hey how can i do these one screen i mean i want to do it by clicking with mouse

[@tribulatlionsaints7054]

Yo I need help with this ASAP so when I click on the midi header it goes to the piano roll. I then go to Biotek 2 and connect that plugin to waveform but whenever I try to play a sound on the keyboard aka the midi header I clicked it doesn't make a sound and I need it to . If you could send me an in depth video explanation as to why it's happening that would be awesome cuz I need to see things visually and hear things

[@Dennis-fn4uj]

How do i even put a sample on piano roll

[@div_yam2304]

there is a sampler tool when you click the plugin feature

[@spellerlittlewing]

Can this be used on all software

[@Lovecrank333]

I don't have the QWERTY option when i click on the track

[@laurarico4094]

i tried this but i cant hear the sound of the music notes i click on the keyboard in the software. i see the sound supposedly playing on the software but i dont hear it. is there some other settings i need to have for it to work? I'm using waveform 13 (the newest version)

[@AudioTechTV]

Make sure the instrument plugin is the first plugin on the track. So it needs to be the furthest to the left. Also make sure that you don’t have the track muted. If it’s not muted then make sure no other tracks are soloed. Make sure your audio setup is correct and it’s setup to use your audio interface instead of your built in sound card. Make sure the level fader on the instrument track isn’t pulled all the way down. Make sure the level fader for the master track or master section isn’t pulled all the way down. Try a different instrument plugin. Maybe there’s an issue with the one you are trying.

[@MastaPastaBlasta]

My sound is setup and plays a noise when I test it. I did everything you said in the beginning but when I click the piano at the bottom no noises comes out. Why? How? Please help me

[@MastaPastaBlasta]

Please help me

[@zmarasigan9788]

I have a very old keyboard (korg x3) some buttons are not working anymore. It does have a midi port. Can I somehow control it through my computer, like selecting sound? If so, how? Thank you very much.

[@AudioTechTV]

If it has midi input on it you can connect it to a midi interface and then in your daw software create a midi clip on a track and have that track set to output midi to your midi interfaces midi output. It’s easier than what this might sound like. If you want to record the audio that you create, you would connect the line outputs from the keyboard to line inputs on your audio interface.

[@LiquidLetti]

Hi Zane, I've been relying on your videos for learning how to get started making music and so far you've been the best help I could ask for. Hopefully you or a random stranger wouldn't mind lending me a hand with a quick problem? I've managed to get my MIDI working and have an instrument VST loaded up (the Atmos 2 piano) but I seem to be having some volume issues. When I use the piano in the plugin or using the piano roll/keyboard in Waveform Free the volume is fine, but during playback and when testing notes on the piano roll itself the volume is very low. I've looked all over for volume controls but they all affect both the playback AND the keyboards/plugin volume. Is there a way to raise the volume of my playback without affecting other aspects of the program?

[@AudioTechTV]

I’m not familiar with that particular plugin but it might have an output volume control on it. You could try turning that up. Also make sure the volume fader on the track you are using isn’t lowered. Another thing to check is the velocity of each note. If the velocity is low it will sound quiet. In the piano roll you will see some vertical lines in a section under the notes. Those are the velocity settings for each note. If they look low, click and drag the node so they are higher. I’ve noticed some virtual instruments are quieter than others. This could be the case with Atmos 2.

[@a_storia8263]

Hi Zane, could you help? I'm a beginner. Trying to use the virtual Midi with my keyboard, and no sound. I checked the settings, and I hear sound. Can you help, please? Thank you!

[@AudioTechTV]

In the latest versions of Waveform you can try pressing caps lock on your keyboard and that should put it into a mode where you can use your computer keyboard as a midi keyboard.

[@a_storia8263]

@@AudioTechTV I can use the keyboard, no problem. The problem is I can't hear the sound after I draw notes, even though I checked the settings and sound is good. Thank you.

[@laurarico4094]

@@a_storia8263 hey man were you able to figure it out? i have the same problem

[@azisgenturperwita6629]

thk for your tutorial, but my midi keyboard no sound came out?! 😁

[@Itsshaunbewarned]

Hi there im completely new to all this, can you please help me with this problem? I have a preloaded midi file that i imported, Track 1's instrument is distortion guitar When i use qwerty as my input in track 1 and play, instead of distortion guitar i get some garbage piano sound and the program automatically plays distortion guitar in the background almost as if its making fun of me Is there anyway i can override the program playing distortion guitar and make qwerty play distortion guitar?

[@danhymer]

I'm struggling with midi copy/paste. For whatever reason, the editing information doesnt seem to copy over when copy pasting. Say I shorten a midi note or snap it to a different line.. when copying, that information doesnt go with it. The midi rewrites itself however it wants, not even on par with how it was originally penciled in or recorded, not quantized to any particular signature or anything. Any idea why this is happening?

[@deccapod8957]

I've done everything in the video you've told me but when I clicked on the piano in the bottom tab, it didn't play any sound through my speakers, please help :l

[@AudioTechTV]

Is your instrument plugin the first one on the track? (Furthest to the left)

[@deccapod8957]

@@AudioTechTV Oh I got everything fixed, I just had to install a synth in order for it to output any audio, thanks for the video you made on installing vst plugins btw, cheers.

[@fekir9730]

thank you again ; )

[@AlexandreToledoPerez]

Is this feature works for you in Waveform 13 free version? I just installed it but it does not work at all. Installing the previous version Waveform Free 2021, it works fine.

[@AudioTechTV]

They’ve changed it a bit. Try to turn shift lock on and see if that works.

[@sebastiannorgren5749]

Didn't work for me, it says "Track deosn't output to a MIDI device or contain any soft synthesisers"

[@AudioTechTV]

Does the track have an instrument on it?

[@sebastiannorgren5749]

@@AudioTechTV nope

[@sebastiannorgren5749]

don't know if it's because I have the free version. It doesnt look the same on my screen

[@sebastiannorgren5749]

@@AudioTechTV don't know if it's because I have the free version. It doesnt look the same on my screen

[@AudioTechTV]

@@sebastiannorgren5749 this works with the free version. I think they might have updated the looks of this since I made the video so it may look a little different. But you need to have an instrument loaded onto the track in order for it to work.

[@isopodpodpodpod]

The noes don't play for me because it says the track doesnt output to an midi device no idea what that is

[@AudioTechTV]

Do you have an instrument plugin on the track? If so is it the first plugin? (The furthest to the left.) if no to either of these, you must have an instrument plugin on the same track and it should be the first plugin on the list.

[@isopodpodpodpod]

@@AudioTechTV thanks for helping!

[@beluumu]

Thanks a ton!

[@cCBeatZ-i5x]

Can u use waveform free on Windows

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes. I’m a Windows user and it works perfectly fine on Windows.

[@Memes.fun.shorts]

Guys does anybody know why I can't hear my keyboard?

[@AudioTechTV]

Your keyboard doesn’t make sound. You need to put an instrument plugin onto the track that you are trying to control with your keyboard.

[@Memes.fun.shorts]

@@AudioTechTV Never once before has a creator responded to my comment, let alone in 3 minutes! That's the reason I'm subbed, and thanks for the help.

[@br0nto894]

i cant hear the keyboard on the app

[@Oliv3r2014]

why cant i hear any audio?

[@JDVVV378]

Cool!

[@AudioTechTV]

Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@twistedphantom6572]

I dont have the sound, its not coming through

[@AudioTechTV]

Make sure you have the instrument plugin as the first one (all the way to the left). If it is all the way to the left, make sure it’s making noise by going into the piano roll and testing it.

[@bigman7856]

I dont get the keyboard when I use the same button.

[@AudioTechTV]

Try using the shift lock/Caps Lock key to open the keyboard.

[@bigman7856]

@@AudioTechTV thanks - that was fast!

[@soundtrackproduction4164]

Good video

[@j7rge]

problem is i cant hear anything

[@AudioTechTV]

Make sure your instrument plugin is the first one (furthest to the left). If you have another plugin in front of it then you may not be able to hear it.

[@birdb0i327]

When you cant get over the fact that you discovered him when his name was simple green tech

[@AudioTechTV]

Haha. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@gamingmemento1195]

uhh it isn't making any noise for me

[@AudioTechTV]

Do you have your instrument plugin as the first one on the track? It should be furthest to the left with no other plugins in front of it.

[@gamingmemento1195]

no but i just fixed it thanks @@AudioTechTV

[@transforminggravity15626]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@AudioTechTV]

As alaways thank you so much. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@transforminggravity15626]

💯💯🙏💯💯

[@mastrofpuppets]

i cant hear anything

[@HeyItsKora]

"You're probably wondering, can you change the octave? The answer is... **dramatic pause** no" Great... Midi drum plugins can just suck a fat one then I guess... It's not like you can do what you did and record a couple octaves higher and then drop them, not unless you can manage to memorise where each drum key is and play a totally different set of drums/cymbals and then drop them down into place perfectly... Guess it's all gonna have to be manually input by mouse...

[@epiphoney]

In 11.5 you can bring up this little midi typing window that lets you change the octave. Click the keyboard icon in the toolbar across the bottom.

[@QuadBacon]

first!

[@AudioTechTV]

Haha. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@funkymonkey529]

I don't know what happened. But I've watched this video twice now and had luck and got it to work. But now I can't get it to work at all It doesn't make any noise when I type it on the keys. Doesn't matter if I use the virtual keys with the mouse or the keyboard.