is there a way to play/input notes via computer keyboard ?

[magickz]

Hi, I didn't find an information about this. But, possibly I overlooked something in the forum or wiki.

I am searching for an alternative way to record midi notes on the piano roll without using the mouse or an external midi keyboard.

Is there some solution integrated in Usine to do it with the computer keyboard? I used that in Reaper and Renoise, and I would love to see such a feature in Usine, too. I am almost sure that can be done in Usine as well. Otherwise I consider to get something small like a Korg Nanopad for my smaller desk.


http://en.wikiaudio.org/Reaper:Virtual_MIDI_keyboard

http://tutorials.renoise.com/wiki/Playi ... r_Keyboard


Regards, Martin

[sm_jamieson]

I am developing an SDK user module that provides a touchscreen multi-touch full sized GUI keyboard (supports 88 keys or more) with zone control, midi processing etc. When I finish it I will post it as an add-on. If you have a touchscreen that might be useful. I am thinking about adding a computer keyboard mapping - in fact that reaper one is giving me ideas.
Usine has the keyboard module that supplies key-down/up info, but it does not tell you which key has gone up, so its not much use for knowing which keys are held down. I know the keyboard module is to be improved in a later version of Usine, which will make it easier to produce a patch that does what you want.

The SDK does not currently give access to the currently pressed keys sent into Usine, apart from modifiers when the mouse callbacks. To produce an SDK user module that maps computer keys to midi, a combination of input from the keyboard module, and use off the windows GetAsyncKeyState() function should make it possible.

Do you basically want to map computer keys to midi messages, without requirement for a "piano keyboard" GUI ?

NOTE: there is also the issue that most computer keyboards have combinations of keys that cannot be pressed at the same time, so all chords might not be possible.

[magickz]

That sounds pretty cool, sm_jamieson, but I must admit last year I bought a 27" screen without touch functionality. And I saw now that the touch screens became much more affordable recently. I guess driven by Windows10 the prices will drop even more.

"Do you basically want to map computer keys to midi messages, without requirement for a "piano keyboard" GUI ?

NOTE: there is also the issue that most computer keyboards have combinations of keys that cannot be pressed at the same time, so all chords might not be possible."

Yes, the GUI is rather secondary for me at the moment. That was the idea behind my question: I only want to record some notes into some piano roll presets (without live recording), while giving my hand a moment to rest from the mouse work... I could simply use the larger M-Audio keyboard or a similar solution (get smaller keys, Touch OSC?, etc.). As the space around my PC is limited. I thought with "PC keyboard" input I would solve both challenges at the same time (no space + painful wrist).

The guys at Renoise have found a workaround: "When entering notes step by step with the computer keyboard, they will by default be placed sequentially. If you want to quickly insert chords without live recording, you can do this by holding down "Left Shift" while entering the notes. This will automatically create new note columns to the right and enter the new notes there." (quoted from Renoise website) (hint: in this software the "piano roll" is vertical, so they speak of columns)

Btw. They also have some more useful shortcuts for example for transposing patterns quickly via keyboard: http://tutorials.renoise.com/wiki/Patte ... _Shortcuts

I guess they are so PC keyboard centric, as this "tracker" technology is really oldschool, dated back in times of the C64 before someone introduced a mouse to every household.

I feel thanks to Usine I'll come back to programming languages sooner or later. Didn't do that for a long time, but why not? First I want to become more savvy in making (computer) music before I dive deeper into a new language. Still learning basics. And I consider Usine the perfect playground for that

[sm_jamieson]

Well I've tried a few approaches to this. The external / keyboard Usine module has a few problems - the key parameter is not updated for key release, and it also misses some keys when several are pressed together. I know this module is due for an update however.I have got it to work (for Windows) with a global keyboard hook, but the module then gets key input even when Usine is not in focus !
I have also suggested on the improvements forum for a keypress callback in the SDK.

[sm_jamieson]

I've now found out how to get Focus information using another Windows hook, so I could produce a user module that does what we want. But this is Windows-only. The proper way to do it involves support in the SDK.
Anyone know when the new external/keyboard module is expected ?
Simon.