How do I connect my keyboard to my computer?

Using the supplied USB-to-MIDI adapter:

1. Make sure that the keyboard is plugged in using the power supply (the power light should be lit).
2. Make sure the supplied MIDI cable is connected from the "MIDI Out" port on the back of the keyboard to the red "MIDI In" port of the USB-to-MIDI adapter.

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My keyboard is connected and the power is on, but I can’t hear the notes. The keyboard works with other programs.

All eMedia piano-based software searches for an active MIDI instrument on launch only. If you start our program and then connect your keyboard, the software won’t acknowledge the keyboard. You need to connect your keyboard, turn it on, and then launch our program, or simply close our application and relaunch it if your keyboard is now on.

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The program doesn’t seem to hear the notes I play on my electronic keyboard.

Make sure your keyboard is connected via USB or a USB-MIDI adapter and powered-on. Make sure the appropriate drivers are installed, if they are needed. Open up the eMedia application. Go to Options > Instrument Setup and confirm that the appropriate boxes are checked (e.g., “electronic keyboard,” “YES” for MIDI/USB, “from my computer” or “from my keyboard” (if your keyboard is capable of generating sounds). Strike a key. The green circle labeled “Keyboard test” will light up. If this does not happen, recheck your connections, restart your computer and application, and try again.

If the green circle lights up, but you still don’t hear a sound, then you’ve got a configuration issue with your sound source. If you selected “from my computer” for sounds, make sure your speakers are turned on and volume is up, make sure your speakers are the selected sound source in your Windows Sound control panel. Check Options > MIDI Sound and make sure that a valid internal sound source is selected. If you selected “from my keyboard” for sounds, make sure your keyboard is set up to receive MIDI and that it is connected to speakers (or headphones) and that the volume is not all the way down. Check Options > MIDI Sound and make sure that your keyboard is the selected device.

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There is a delay between when I strike a key and when I hear sound.

The problem you’ve encountered is called “latency.” Latency is the time it takes for your computer to convert audio to digital information and back into audio (so you can hear it). The amount of latency (delay) will depend on your processor speed.

In order to combat latency, you have a few options.

1. While running our software, disable any other software that would have concurrent active processeses, such as Windows Defender and anti-virus software.
2. If your sound card has ASIO drivers, install them. ASIO drivers greatly reduce latency. (Note: motherboards with on-board sound generally do not have ASIO drivers.)
3. Try getting an external MIDI device to handle the signal processing.
4. You could update your sound card to one that has ASIO drivers and touts low latency as one of its top features. Your local computer/music store can point you in the right direction and give you a better idea of the cost.

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The audio sounds choppy or distorted.

The QuickTime™ settings need to be changed. To do this, go to Start > Settings > Control Panel and open the QuickTime™ control panel. Set the first pull-down menu to Sound Out, and the second menu to Wave Out.

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Audio/Video/MIDI playback cannot be heard.

Check the following:

• Make sure your computer speakers are plugged in and powered on and that volume knobs are adjusted.
• Open your “Sound” control panel and make sure your computer's sound output level is turned up (and not muted) in the operating system. XP users also make sure that your software synth volume slider is turned up.
• Check the volume of the software synth in your “Sound” control panel.
• Another way to accomplish the above steps is to select Run from the “Start” menu and enter “SNDVOL32.” After clicking OK, you’ll be presented with the Windows volume mixer. Raise all sliders to the top and exit out of the mixer.
• In the eMedia application, open the Set Volume window from the Options menu and make sure the sliders are set appropriately. In most cases, the sliders should be turned up. If you see a slider called “Mix,” set it half-way between keyboard and accompaniment.

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Questions about eMedia My Piano software?

Visit the eMedia My Piano software support page.