Hey, I'm new to the forums, and I'm not sure how many of you guys do music recording, but I'm having a couple of issues with my setup.

I've got a Kurzweil synth that is running MIDI to a USB midi interface. I can select various MIDI sounds or VST instruments via Cubase SX 3.1. The midi is played out of my old SB Live card (bought <2001), and the audio, e.g., via VST instruments, plays out of an on-board nvidia nforce sound processor.

If I'm using MIDI, the sound is right on when I strike keys, but the volume is really low. I put an effect on it to transpose the velocity up to 127 to get an acceptable volume, but obviously I lose all reaction to the strength at which I hit the keys, and I get an ugly attack sound whenever I play.

If I'm using VST, I get a delay from striking the keys to hearing it, although I have no volume problems. The latency delay testing in Cubase said I was at 17ms.

Any ideas for solving either of these problems? (I don't mind getting a better sound card for recording anyway if this will solve the problem, but I'd prefer not spending money when I'm not sure)

Thanks a bunch!

You need to get a Hi-End Soundcard that supports ASIO (Audio Stream Input Output) low-latency driver. M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 is one card that you could get that would be good for your setup it supports ASIO and has a 1 x 1 MIDI I/O, etc. I don't think you will need a new interface, but consider 1 x 1 MIDI Unosport from M-Audio as well. What type of Synthesizer is your Kurzweil? is it just a regular Wavetable Synthesizer or is it a special Virtual Substractive and FM Synthesizer? just curious.

I suspected as much, and I'm glad you suggested that card as it was the one I was thinking of getting. I think its just a normal wave synth, but I just got it from my girlfriend's dad as a present, so I haven't messed with it too much.

Thanks for the input!

Synthesizers are a blast to play around with fun and serious composition work. . Okedoke glad I could help. Ask any other questions if you have a problem again.

any thoughts on the quiet midi, or will the new sound card take care of that too? I'll probably just use the vst instruments anyway though =p.

VST instruments benefit the most from using ASIO drivers with your hi-end card. ASIO is basically a API (programming language) that interfaces with the hardware that's extremely fast. It was Steinberg that devised, but when they got taken over by Pinnacle system they stopped developing it. They released it to hardware developers under a special SDK and hi-end manufacturers have been using it ever since basically one of the best. The problem you are having concerning the velocity or volume control on your Synthesizers should be corrected with the hi-end soundcard and the drivers. Make sure your program change setup is ok too. Sometimes patch bay in the sequencer isn't reacting with the hardware and vice versa. TIP: you can only record percussion on MIDI Channel 10 for future reference. .