I would like to know what other people are using to connect their musical keyboard via the MIDI interface to their PC to do music lessons, recordings, etc...

chrismr, others here at the forum can point you in the right direction for software, etc. You didn't say if you were just learning the piano, or simply wanted more advanced instruction. As a professional musician, teacher (and, yep, computer geek), I'm responding for another reason. If you're just starting out to learn piano, one of the best investments you'll ever make is a private instructor. Most teachers are very affordable (check your local listings in the phone book). Most other methods (software and printed books) are also affordable - but very general. In other words, if you're interested in a particular musical style or genre, they may not focus you in the direction you want to go. All musical theory is valuable to learn! But knowing that you're focused in the direction of your musical preference keeps the learning process fresh and more rewarding. Example: If you want to play Rock, learning classical composers isn't necessary. But if you want to play Jazz, it is fundamental. If straight Blues is your thing, you can probably teach yourself the basic 12-bar chord structure out of any book. But if you want to play modern Jazz-flavored Blues, you'll need to know all of the above. The permutations are endless, because musical forms always cross-pollinate. A good piano teacher can point you where you need to start, and can probably do it in just a few lessons. With that knowledge, you learn a lot on your own. :) Good luck! IronMan

"I would like to know what other people are using to connect their musical keyboard via the MIDI interface to their PC to do music lessons, recordings, etc..." You will need a MIDI capable soundcard or optionally a joystick port on your computer. You also need a MIDI cable, and software. Check here: http://www.musiconmypc.co.uk/art_ke... http://www.musicmasterworks.com/mid... http://www.soniccontrol.com/tech/mi... http://www.carolrpt.com/connectingc... http://www.catherineduc.com/linkmid... http://www.google.com/search?source... When I do my recordings, I connect an AUX cable to the keyboard and the other end to the Line IN jack on my sound card. Then I use Audacity to do my recordings. You can get AUX cables from Radioshack for about $5. The jacks at the ends look like the jack on a pair of headphones. To connect the keyboard, you may need a converter (forget what they're called now) that converts the standard 3.5mm plug to the 5mm plug. They were about $8 when I checked there about 5 months ago. Every nation needs to realize that there's a God in Heaven that's one day going to have them give an account for their actions, regardless of religion.

IronMan, Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it! I have taken piano lessons when I was in my teens, I am now 35. I would like to get back into it, but not so much with an instructor. something I can do at home when I want...

RWD1996, thanks for posting your reply to chrismr, and the helpful information provided therein. It will help me as well. When my band rehearses and records, we use our own studio, containing all of our regular stage equipment. It serves us well. Recently, however, I decided to set up something more convenient at home; a private space where I can noodle around with new ideas and woodshed (musician-speak for exercising the chops). I've got a couple of worthy PC's for the task and a highly portable piano keyboard to interface with them. Although I can compose and arrange at the studio when it's not in use, having my own isolated spot is what I really want. And, of course, anything I write there, I can burn to disk then take back to the studio for more production. Just wanted to say thanks for the tips in your email. It's going to save me time! IronMan

You are very welcome. I'm glad I could help. I love to play the piano/keyboard. It's probably the instrument out of the very few I play that I like playing the most. Sometimes I'll mix up a southern gospel soundtrack on the computer. Since my keyboard is not very high-end, it doesn't record multiple tracks very well. That's where my computer comes in. Since my keyboard is limited to 16 tracks, I can add even more with my computer. I even burn them to CD with my computer. It's not too far behind a commercial production. I get stereo sound, and the tracks/instruments sound strikingly close to the commercial tracks. It's free too! I do all of this with the AUX cable method listed in my last post. It's fun to mess around with once in awhile. Since you told me about your private space and your studio, I decided to tell you a little about my little space :). Best regards! Every nation needs to realize that there's a God in Heaven that's one day going to have them give an account for their actions, regardless of religion.