MIDI Recorder Software

[shingo]

Hey,
I'm looking to record some of my pieces and I figured the easiest way to go about this (as I own a MIDI keyboard) woud be to just plug it into my laptop and record it. However I am finding it difficult to obtain free, real time recording software. I am only looking for something simple, I would use the windows recorder, but does that record MIDI input? If anoyone has any suggestions they will be greatley appreciated as I was hoping to get them underway this weekend. I will continue searching though and post here what I find for anyone else who is interedted.

[timothy42b]

I do record MIDI from my digital piano to my laptop.

I use free software I downloaded.  I'm not in front of that computer now, but I think it is called Anvil.  I'll check for sure but don't know when I'll be able to comment again, might be a couple of days.

[counterpoint]

That's the program I would recommend too

You can download it here:

https://www.anvilstudio.com/

It's a bit strange, that there doesn't exist a simple program, that only has a RECORD and a PLAY button (+ START, STOP, LOAD and SAVE of course). All programs have hundreds of options, you never need. It's like a competition "who's program has the most options?"   

[shingo]

Many thanks to the both of you, I will try it out.

All programs have hundreds of options, you never need. It's like a competition "who's program has the most options?"   

It is unfortunately the way of things these days, nothing can be done simply 

[andreperez]

I like using midi locator  https://www.midilocator.com/ to record my practice sessions to midi.  I record a bunch of tracks for each practice session or performance, and only turn on the track I want to hear.  It works for me. 

Also, if you're just recording your pieces, I find it better to record the rendered sound coming from the digital piano, since it sounds best coming out of the keyboard, than your laptop midi software.  If you have a headphone jack, just get a mini to mini cord, and plug one end in your headphone jack, and the other to your line in, i.e. where you mic would go.  That way you can save it as a wave file, and burn your music to cd.  Then you can share your music with your friends, and not have it sound digitized, like the midi version.

[shingo]

Thank you very much andreperez, I hadn't though about the sound rendering. I am sure I have a cable lying around somewhere, but yes my intention was to burn to CD eventually to share with grandparents. 

[stephen.hazel]

I'm working on a freeware midi sequencer.
https://shazware.com/ditty

It's fairly simple to use.  But you can do a lot with midi.  Which implies lots of options, I'm afraid.  There are some docs on my site.  I'll have to come up with some more bare bones ones, though.

...Steve