keyboard-laptop interface

[angelacavan]

Hello out there.
I'm fairly new to the piano and completely new to the technology around keyboards.  Could someone tell me the name of some software that will let me:
1  plug my Yamaha keyboard into my laptop (its using MIDI in/out and USB at the laptop)
2  play the notes on the Yamaha
3  have the notation appear on staff on my laptop screen
I think you can do it on iPad Air with Symphony? But I've got a Windows XP machine.
I've been researching different music software but it's a nightmare trying to disentangle all the information/hype(?)  Maybe someone can help?
Thanks a lot

AngelaCavan

[stevensk]

There are lots of software for this. Even free "try-out" and beta and light versions.
Have a look at "Cubase", "Sonar"  and the more score oriented: Finale, Sibelius, Encore.
I think there are a free one called "musicscore" or something. -I use "Encore". Its easy and gives very nice results. -Dont know if its still in production

[timothy42b]

My Yamaha does not have USB but it does have MIDI.

I connect it to my Toshiba XP laptop one of two ways:  a M-Audio MIDI Midisport interface, see here, scroll down a bit:
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=midi+cord+usb&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=3484381167&ref=pd_sl_6pslndh6qy_b

or a Fastrack Audio interface like this one:
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/products/m-audio-fast-track-duo-usb-interface-w-pro-tools-express?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=productads

Cords alone won't do it.

Then, software.  I can input notation using Noteworthy Composer or any other notation program but it's slow and requires correction.  I'm faster with the mouse and arrow keys.  But if your keyboard skills are really god this can work.

If I just want to see the notes I play, I use Anvil Studio
https://anvilstudio.com/

I don't have a sequencer or digital editor like Cakewalk, I'm sure they're much better but I don't know how they work.  I can't even get Synthfont to do what I want.

[quantum]

Are you more interested in multitracking / MIDI sequencing, or using your keyboard as an input device to create a music score?

[angelacavan]

Thanks a million for your help Stevensk and timothy24b.  I'm going to check out your suggestions over the next few days.  Yes, Quantum.  I was hoping to use it to do a littlecomposing but I'm very slow writing it by hand and I don't really trust my music theory knowledge. I hope I'm using the board properly to answer you.  Thanks again.  AngelaCavan

[quantum]

For score engraving Finale and Sibelius are the leaders when it comes to commercial software.  Their packages are not cheap, but the will get you professional results.  You can get Barenreiter / Henle quality output if you develop your skill.  They also have more affordable packages available for those that don't need all the features of the full program.  Keep in mind there is also academic / church pricing available that carries a significant discount.  One of the advantages of such commercial software is the wide user base and help available online.  

https://www.finalemusic.com
https://www.sibelius.com

If you are considering purchasing Sibelius, I would suggest closely following what is happening with their business.  Recent corporate activities have led to some speculating on the future of Sibelius.  Just google "sibelius going out of business" or similar terms.


There are also some very good open source solutions available:
LilyPond - the focus is on quality of the engraved score.  It uses text based entry (however GUI frontends have been developed).  
https://www.lilypond.org/

MuseScore - more along the lines of Finale / Sibelius, although not as feature rich - yet!  IMO if they ramp up their development, they have the potential to be a serious alternative to the commercial options.  
https://musescore.org/