microkorg midi controller connection problems

Dangerkat · Post by **Dangerkat** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:19 pm

Ok so I just purchased my Microkorg and i cant get my pc with windows 7 to recognize it, as i want to use it as a midi controller with FL Studio 9.

I have connected my MK to my computer using a E-MU midi1x1 tab and nothing happens.

I want to know if it is even possible to connect the original microkorg (The one that i have) to my pc using this cable?

B/c i have read that the original MK doesnt support midi-USB, but have also read that it does.

is the E-MU midi 1x1 tab my problem? or is it simply a matter of installing the correct drivers?
responses would be much appreciated.

thank you

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:14 am

The MicroKorg itself does 'not support USB-MIDI' because it does not have a USB connection.

The newer microKorg XL does 'support USB-MIDI' because it has a built in USB connection and you have to plug that in and install the KORG driver to get it to show up as a MIDI port in your software.

Both however have a MIDI In, Out, and Thru port, which you can connect to any MIDI-enabled device. That includes a USB-MIDI 'cable-type' interface e.g. the E-MU XMIDI 1x1. You have to make sure you have the drivers installed for your XMIDI as that is the device connected to the computer by USB. not the microKorg, as the microKorg is only connected by its MIDI ports which transmit standard MIDI messages that are recognisable by any MIDI device, so nothing (for example the computer) needs a 'driver' to tell it that the microKorg is 'speaking MIDI'. The computer only needs a driver to tell it that the device connected over USB is an XMIDI 1x1 which is a 1in/1out MIDI interface.

Dangerkat · Post by **Dangerkat** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:24 pm

Ok thanks so much,

ill try installing the E-MU tab drivers

Dangerkat · Post by **Dangerkat** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:03 pm

ok so im sure that the drivers for the E-MU tab are installed but im still not able to use my microkorg as a controller for FL sudios.

Do you have any other suggestions as to what I could do? or what I am doing wrong?

My thinking is that I need a more advanced Midi interface. but what do I know.

thanks.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:10 pm

All MIDI interfaces will support standard MIDI Note and controller commands, which is all you need to input into FL.

Have you checked your settings for FL, and you can't choose the E-MU as an input?

Do you have MIDI In of the interface connected to MIDI Out of the Korg, and vice versa?

Dangerkat · Post by **Dangerkat** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:33 pm

Yes to both, thats why im so confused.

FL studios recognizes the E-MU, and iv made sure the midi in and out are connected to the right place.

thanks again for your input.

iqi616 · Post by **iqi616** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 7:55 pm

Windows 7 is a pain. I've hit the problem where the microKORG SoundEditor says "ERROR: No Device Found, Check MIDI Device Setting". I've done the regedit trick to point the default MIDI out to the interface (Cakewalk UA-25EX) and the Settings > MIDI Devices... dialog shows the UA for both input and output. MIDI cables are out > in and in > out. No MIDI output from the interface. Plug a keyboard into the microKORG and it slaves beautifully

qbeckmusic · Post by **qbeckmusic** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:37 pm

I received the MicroKorg about month ago and I have the same Midi problem!
I've checked two midi-usb interfaces like Miditech and ESI! and I decided that the microKorg is not working! So I have sent it to the local distributor! they have checked midi transfering to the another synth (I mean Midi to midi connection) and it is working! I said that I can not connect MK via USB-Midi interface, and they checked many midi interfaces like EMU,Miditech,ESI etc. And told me that MicroKorg is working only with the M-Audio midi interface!
I didn't checkd that, because I already hav two midi cables which I need to sold I guess

What I want to ask! (Korg representatives)
Could you please write in the Owners Manual - what exact midi interface is correct for the MicroKorg!
Because I can found only "Some USB-MIDI interface devices may not be able to transmit/receive the microKORG's MIDI exclusive messages" %)
Thank you in advance!

Sharon Kathleen Johnson · Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:54 pm

It took time to iron out the kinks, but a HOSA 76$ midi interface (which doesn't require a driver) finally worked for me. Visuals and sounds play back but not the voice aspect of the vocoder--which is why I spent 300$ on a MICROKORG in the first place. So there's always something.

The lower knob must point to MIDI. Of the five little knobs, the first is channels 1-16, the second is LOCAL, the third is CLOCK (automatic for tempo synch-up) and the fourth is KPB.

You must have soundfonts and playback synths onboard your computer. And check the volumes of everything. I'm using PIANO ROLL COMPOSER because it was a free downlaod and I like seeing the music play out on a treble and bass staff.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:54 pm

Sharon Kathleen Johnson wrote:It took time to iron out the kinks, but a HOSA 76$ midi interface (which doesn't require a driver) finally worked for me. Visuals and sounds play back but not the voice aspect of the vocoder--which is why I spent 300$ on a MICROKORG in the first place. So there's always something.

The lower knob must point to MIDI. Of the five little knobs, the first is channels 1-16, the second is LOCAL, the third is CLOCK (automatic for tempo synch-up) and the fourth is KPB.

You must have soundfonts and playback synths onboard your computer. And check the volumes of everything. I'm using PIANO ROLL COMPOSER because it was a free downlaod and I like seeing the music play out on a treble and bass staff.

Sounds like you're not using the sounds of your microKorg at all. You should not need soundfonts for the microKorg or for proper recording with it.

Your software probably quite simply allows you to record MIDI notes into a piano roll and plays it back with its own sounds. Not the microKorg's sounds.

In a professional recording environment, you would be recording the outputs of the microKorg directly into the computer, just like a guitar. The only way you can get all those great sounds you paid for in the MK is if you connect the Main L & R audio outputs to a recording device. or at least listen with your headphones or speakers.

if you had to download soundfonts, then you're proably only hearing those sound-fonts on your computer, not the microKorg's great built-in sounds.

Additionally, the edit select knob doesn't have to be set to MIDI for MIDI to work - midi is always transmitted from the microKorg no matter what mode you are in. the 'MIDI' setting is only there for changing the MIDI settings. all of the edit select modes are there for changing parameters, the positions don't do anything in themselves, just choose which parameters of the synth the five edit knobs are controlling.

Sharon Kathleen Johnson · Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:56 pm

How do I burn my recordings from Piano Roll Composer onto a CD? I hope to use the vocoder live soon, accompanied by my original arrangements from Piano Roll Composer. The logistics of buying more equipment, let alone the right equipment, is beyond my ken right now. I have a copy of CAKEWALK 9, but there are so many files-within-files, I don't know which one contains the actual music-editor. Thanks for your comprehensive reply--but I've barely mastered the logisitics of laying down four or five accurate tracks--I'm constantly having to delete and re-write. It was almost easier to lay down the tracks manually one-by-one using the mouse. My playing in real-time registers as a complete mess!

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 2:22 am

Piano Roll Composer is a free MIDI sequencer, not professional multi-track digital audio workstation (DAW) software. You're not going to get anywhere by trying to use the MIDI sequencer to record and edit audio. If you have a legitimate copy of Cakewalk 9, then there will be an installer program that should automatically start when inserting the DVD/CD-ROM into the drive, but if it only contains the files that were copied from another system, then it probably won't work at all. You can't just copy the files and run the editor. The software has to be installed.

One reason why you're having so much trouble with recording is because you're using free software that doesn't have professional features. If you recorded the midi using professional DAW software, then there will be several features to automatically adjust the timing of the notes to match the beats/minute of the recording. That's called quantizing. Then you wouldn't have to play all the notes exactly in time, since it will fix them for you, and you can easily fix any notes that are quantized to the wrong beat. If you really want to make good recordings, get good DAW software. I would recommend Ableton Live 8. Personally, I would sell the MicroKorg or return it, and maybe some other gear too, to get Live 8. Live 8 has a vocoder built-in. But it's your money and your budget, so these are just my suggestions if you can afford it. Another good option is the Zoom R16 multitrack recorder, because it doesn't need a computer to record, edit, and playback multitrack recordings, plus it acts as an USB audio interface, and as a mixer/control surface for DAW software.

Dukeness · Post by **Dukeness** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 11:27 am

hey, just wondering if there is anyway to record midi from the microkorg (not using it as a midi controller) - like as if it waas recorded with its direct L R out but via midi so that I could still get the great sounds in the MK but with the ease of quantizing the timing

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 11:40 pm

Dukeness wrote:hey, just wondering if there is anyway to record midi from the microkorg (not using it as a midi controller) - like as if it waas recorded with its direct L R out but via midi so that I could still get the great sounds in the MK but with the ease of quantizing the timing

Generally you have to combine the two.
I often record to a MIDI track so that I can quantize and correct notes, add bits, etc. Then later 'commit' it by recording the audio to another track, and afterwards muting the MIDI track in case I want to re-do it later.

luckycaresa · Post by **luckycaresa** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:20 pm

Hi, I have a microkorg and i am using FL 10 or Nuendo 4. My laptop is Win7 operating system,

1. can i connect to the laptop using USB-MIDI cable?
2. i have USB-MIDI cable, but my laptop or software cannot recognize the device.
3. i have installed the microKORG SoundEditor and it says "ERROR: No Device Found, Check MIDI Device Setting"

need some info. thanks.

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