My MIDI Resource Page

First of all, be warned that this is not a detailed, step-by-step tutorial on sequencing. I’m just trying to relate my experiences in using the Casio CTK-800 as a MIDI controller with Anvil Studio as my sequencer software. In the course of my discussion, I was able to cover some of the very basic processes in sequencing, which you may find useful.

Connecting the CTK-800 to a PC is a very simple process. All you need is a USB A/B cable(shown below) which is, by the way, is not included in the package. You need to buy it at your nearest computer store.

Once connected, you need to install the driver. Luckily, the CD is provided. Just insert it, follow the on-screen instructions, and in a matter of seconds your instrument should be ready to be used as a controller. But wait. You need a sequencer software. For beginners, I recommend Anvil Studio. You can download it for free at this site. (Similarly, you can read my article about Anvil Studio here and here.) Just run the installer and follow the instructions. You should be ready in a minute.

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Tags: anvil studio, cable, casio, controller, CTK 800, MIDI, sequencer, sequencing, tutorial, usb

This is the continuation of my article about Anvil Studio (Seen here)

One of the features it promises to provide is its ability to use sound fonts. Until now I am not able to confirm this since I didn’t find time to explore its features thoroughly. Besides, I had problem with latency when I tried using software wavetables, and I figured that I would encounter the same problem with sound fonts. Maybe if I had a very powerful computer or a sound font compatible sound card, I may be able to explore this feature.

I am compelled to compare Anvil to MIDISoft and I found some important features lacking. One of this is the ability to add dynamics such as crescendo (sounds becoming louder) and decrescendo (becoming softer). I don’t know if Anvil has this feature (I kept on searching for it with no avail), but for now the only way to accomplish a gradual change in instrument volume (aside from playing it yourself) is to specify a gradually decreasing velocity values for the range of notes you want affected, which is quite a task. With MIDISoft this is simply done by putting a crescendo or decrescendo symbols to the range of notes you want to affect, then simply specify the beginning and ending velocity values. Anvil also lacks the accent symbols, which in MIDISoft, simply putting these symbols on top of notes changes their velocities.

When I was using MIDISoft, I found a way to to make my music sound less mechanical by applying some discreet variations in tempo. This is done by selecting group of notes you want affected then specifying the starting and ending tempo for this range of notes. Anvil studio does not accommodate this kind of event.

I am a piano person (as I constantly emphasize on my other blogs) and I consider pedal operations (particularly on my piano tracks) very important. I didn’t quite master how to do this task in the step recording part of Anvil Studio. I think it involves opening the event list of your MIDI arrangement and putting the Pedal events on the place where you want them to appear. This is simply very difficult. I opened the event list and immediately bombarded by the immense number of MIDI events, its difficult for me to find the exact place to put the Pedal event. How I missed MIDISoft studio, where you can simply put the Pedal In and out symbol on the musical staff and it does the operation for you.

I figured that Anvil is good for those who are new to MIDI. But if you want to create professional sounding music, try considering other alternatives.

Tags: anvil studio, crescendo, decrescendo, MIDISoft studio, pedal, piano, sound font, tempo, velocity, wavetables

I don’t quite remember the exact version of MIDISoft I’ve used. I found out that it was not compatible with Windows XP because when I upgraded to XP, I simply could not install MIDISoft. An upgrade means additional expense for me. Then I found out about Anvil Studio. Its most important difference with MIDISoft is that it is a freeware. It won’t hurt if I give it a try.

When I opened Anvil for the first time, I noticed several similarities with MIDISoft. It also lets users make music just by putting notes on a virtual musical staff. A skill that I came to master. It also had a virtual keyboard which you can opt to use, instead of entering notes directly. This is one major advantage over MIDISoft. With the latter, it takes a lot of imagination, if you don’t have a controller attached to your computer (at times I found myself trying out several notes before I came out with the right one.) With Anvil’s virtual keyboard, you can input notes just by pressing the corresponding keys. Those of you who are into guitars, it also has a virtual fret board which you can use to input tablature. Pretty cool, eh. You can also input audio tracks to go along with your MIDI tracks.

What’s the catch? Well the basic sequencer function are there, but if you want additional functionalities, you have to but them. One function I missed the most was the ability to print your sheet music. If you want this functionality, but must but the add-on. With the basic setup, you can only record one audio track, with a limited length. You need add-ons in order to have the ability to record several audio tracks. Again, with a corresponding price.

In all, I still enjoyed using the software. By the time I got the software, I already have a controller (a CASIO with USB interface, but that’s another story) which made my experience in creating music more enjoyable.

Tags: anvil studio, MIDI controller, tablature, USB interface, Windows XP