Quiet Piano Effect

[Dean]

I would like to use an effect called Quiet Piano to learn how to use effects.  So I found the effect clicking on FX-Insert Virtual Instruments-Uncategorized-choosing Quiet Piano-dragging it to FX-Clicked on the blue screen that said Start.  Quiet Piano shows up but I can only play the keys with the mouse.  Is there a way to use a MIDI keyboard?

Thanks

[abacab]

17 minutes ago, Dean said:

I would like to use an effect called Quiet Piano to learn how to use effects.  So I found the effect clicking on FX-Insert Virtual Instruments-Uncategorized-choosing Quiet Piano-dragging it to FX-Clicked on the blue screen that said Start.  Quiet Piano shows up but I can only play the keys with the mouse.  Is there a way to use a MIDI keyboard?

Thanks

Quiet Piano is a VST virtual instrument.

You need to insert it as an instrument, rather than an FX. Then you should be able to play it from your MIDI keyboard.

[RBH]

It sounds like you are just starting out using MIDI and cakewalk? I would suggest that you google tutorials for Cakewalk. It's a very deep program with a long history. It was built utilizing MIDI as it's ground floor and it's probably the best program for MIDI instrumentation.

 

To answer your question - yes there is a way to play using a midi keyboard.

[abacab]

 

Edited October 12, 2021 by abacab

[Starship Krupa]

Also, while I do like the way Quiet Music's instruments sound, they do have some quirks. For what I suspect are ROMplers, they are surprisingly resource-hungry, and with a couple of them, they'll make no sound until you open the UI and click "Start," as you noted, which is unusual and unnecessary.

Not hatin', I use them for some stuff, but there are caveats.

If you want to start learning how to use 3rd-party FX and instruments, the Dead Duck collections of each are a great place to start. Really good sounding Rhodes-type piano and some straightforward bread-and-butter synths, and one each of every basic audio processor there is. All free, too. Search for "Dead duck vst."

[Dean]

Thank you for the replies!

It is a deep program as you say.  At least I know it is possible to do what I want.  Just a matter of finding tutorials on it.  I have been able to use effects built into Cakewalk but have more to learn.  Lots of advice already.  Do you think the sight "Creative Sauce" is good for learning?

[abacab]

I think the Cakewalk Reference Guide PDF is probably the best way to learn Cakewalk with 2,200 pages.

But the "Creative Sauce" videos may ease the leaning curve a bit, with practical use examples and a very entertaining host ...

 

[Starship Krupa]

Depending on what kind of music you want to make, Creative Sauce is great for general info, XEL Ohh is also great and is more hip hop/electronic oriented.

While the Reference Guide is absolutely essential, I wouldn't say that at this point it's the best for learning. The way I use it is to look up things when I get stuck. I like the YouTube and user-written tutorials more for learning. They tend to "put it all together," showing how to accomplish tasks end-to-end.

[Dean]

Thank you very much.  I'm sure I will use both.

[Dean]

Thanks to a tutorial from a person called "Jack" I figured it out.  It's always a revelation when I figure something out in Cakewalk.  Thanks for your help!