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    How To Record Audio and MIDI At The Same Time In Recording Software

    A complete step-by-step guide to record audio and midi tracks at the same time in any DAW including video tutorials

    November 12, 2020

    This is a complete step-by-step guide on how to record audio and MIDI tracks at the same time. The method will work with any DAW: Reaper; Cubase; Pro Tools; you can even do this in Garageband.

    If you are only interested in audio recording, then refer instead to our post on how to record the sound of your keyboard or digital piano.

    Although there might be a slight variation in how you change the settings, and how you create new tracks in different software, if you follow the steps below then you too can create your own multi-track recordings.

    Watch the video tutorial below, then read on for more detail on how to make your first multi-track midi and audio recordings.

    Video Tutorial

    Record Audio and MIDI Simultaneously – Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

    Essential Studio Gear

    You will need the following:

    • an audio interface
    • a MIDI controller keyboard (note if you want to record the sound of your piano or music keyboard, you obviously need a keyboard that makes sounds AND has MIDI)
    • recording software
    • headphones or studio monitors

    [This content may contain affiliate links. For more information, read our disclosure policy here.]

    Here is the exact recording gear we used for the above video:

    • Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 USB audio interface
    • Piano Keyboard: Roland Go Piano
    • Studio Headphones: Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
    • USB Mic for voiceover: Audio Technica AT2020 USB+ USB Mic
    • Recording Software: Reaper DAW recording software

    Simultaneously Record Audio and MIDI from Your Digital Piano or Keyboard – Step By Step Guide

    Time needed: 10 minutes.

    Step-by-step guide: How to record audio and MIDI from your digital piano or keyboard at the same time

    1. Audio Interface Setup

      Make sure you have correctly connected up your audio interface, and have checked in the Audio/MIDI setup on your computer that it is correctly installed. If you want to record the sound of your piano or keyboard then connect the audio output of your keyboard (either the line out, aux out or headphone out) to the line inputs of the interface. If you are not sure how, then this post on audio cable types might help.audio interface setup

    2. Make the MIDI connection

      Most keyboards have a USB MIDI output so you should be able to connect your piano or keyboard directly up to the PC or Mac. Only got MIDI ports? Then you can use a USB MIDI interface. Or if your audio interface has MIDI in and out (for example my Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 has MIDI i/o, then you can use standard MIDI leads to connect your keyboard via your interface.
      If at this point you are unsure about the difference between MIDI and Audio, then you can read all about What is MIDI here. MIDI setup

    3. Check the Preferences in your DAW

      Open up your DAW recording software (Reaper, Cubase, Garageband, Pro Tools, Ableton ….. etc) and check all the settings to make sure you have correctly enabled your audio interface for audio recording, and your keyboard for MIDI input. For example, in Reaper you navigate in the menu to Reaper -> Preferences. In Garageband, the software will detect your default audio and MIDI connections. Check your Audio/MIDI setup in the Mac settings.Check audio and MIDI preferences in DAW

    4. Create New Tracks in your Recording Software – one MIDI and one Audio

      Create a new MIDI track, and a newaudio track. Check that you have routed the audio output of your interface to the audio track, and the MIDI input to your MIDI track. Assign a virtual instrument to your MIDI track. In Reaper, you can simply double-click to create a new track, then choose the type of input. It will be a MIDI track if you choose MIDI input. It will be an audio track if you choose audio input. In Garageband, if you create a new empty project you will be asked what type of track to create. Once you have created one, you can right-click and add more tracks. Create a Software Instrument track (for MIDI) and an Audio Track (for audio!)
      Need to start with something more basic? Then check out our step-by-step guide to make your first home studio recording. Create audio and MIDI tracks

    5. Select a virtual instrument for the MIDI track

      For your MIDI track to sound, you will need to select a virtual instrument in your DAW. Then when you play the MIDI back, it will play the software instrument you have selectedChoose virtual instrument for MIDI playback

    6. Arm Both Your Tracks For Recording

      Arm (enable) both the MIDI and the Audio tracks for recording. To do this, you press the red ‘arm’ button on the track. In Garageband, you might have to right-click -> configure track header and check to display the record enable button. Also, note that in Garageband, you should enable the audio track FIRST, and the software instrument track SECOND. For some reason it does not work the other way round.arm MIDI and Audio tracks for recording

    7. Now You Can Press Record

      On the main transport bar, hit record …. if everything has been set up correctly then you should find you are will record audio and MIDI tracks simultaneously.Start recording

    What Next?

    Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can be sure to catch all our home studio tutorials as soon as they are uploaded.

    You Might Also Like …

    • Record Your Keyboard or Piano On Your Computer Step-By-Step
    • Record 2 USB Mics At Once – A Step-by-Step Guide For Mac
    • Record Multiple USB Mics in Audacity and Reaper – Windows Tutorial
    • Connect And Record Your Keyboard or Piano: Complete Step-By-Step Video Course
    • Music Making Software: Record, Edit, Create and Share Your Own Songs

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    Category: Keyboard and Piano, MIDI, Record, Recording Software, Tutorials, Video Tutorials

    [This content may contain affiliate links. For more information, read our disclosure policy here.]

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