| What needs to be done prior to recording?
First you need to create a song and add one or more tracks to it. A track's "content" property value determines whether the track is a MIDI track or a waveform audio track. This property may be set from the track properties window only when a track is first created. The track properties "Input/record device" and "channel" determine the device that will be used. The device corresponds to the MIDI-In "Numbered Devices" list as configured with the Setup/MIDI ports command. The channel number may be a specific MIDI channel number (1-16), or "All channels." Unless you have an exotic configuration with multiple MIDI devices sharing one port, you'll want to leave this set at "All channels." For waveform audio tracks, the channel box will contain a list of possible recording formats (samples per second, mono/stereo, and sample size) that default to the settings on the Setup/Waveform Audio page.
On your MIDI synthesizer, you should also enable "record mode" and disable the "local switch" prior to recording. If you don't do this, notes that you play will be sounded twice, because by default MIDI Maestro "echoes" notes that it receives back to the keyboard.
How do I record onto a MIDI track?
Place the track view cursor into any cell on the track on which you wish to record. If the plumbing is OK, notes that you play now should be "echoed" by MIDI Maestro--everything received on the track's "Input/Record" device and channel will be sent right back out to the "Output/Playback" device and channel. If you have a MIDI interface box that has LEDs to show activity, you should see the "in" light flash in synchronization with the "out" light.
Use the Transport/Record command (Ctrl+R) to begin recording. If you've configured the click track on the Setup/Options/Playback page, and enabled it during recording on the Setup/Options/Record page, you should hear the click. By default, there is one "count-in" measure, and then playback begins. When you have finished playing, press the Esc key. If something was recorded, you will get a "Keep this take?" prompt. If you answer "No" to this prompt, your recording will be discarded, and the song's position will revert to the position it was at when you used the Record command.
Is there an easy way to "retake"?
Yes. If you're like me, it takes several "takes" to many licks just the way you want them, and it becomes tiring having to hit Esc, No, Ctrl+R over and over again. Instead of Esc, hit Shift+Esc and the current recording will be discarded and then immediately begin again.
Can I record one note at a time?
Yes. This is called "step" recording, and is enabled on the Setup/Options/Record page.
Can I record onto several tracks at the same time?
Yes. Instead of placing the cursor into a track's cell, select multiple tracks. If you simply have each track's input channel set to "all channels," all of the notes that you record will be placed onto each of the selected tracks.
Advanced setups with multiple keyboards, each on a separate port and/or channel, are possible. If tracks' input ports and channels are configured accordingly, you then may simultaneously record each keyboard to its own track.
Can I record onto certain tracks while viewing others?
Yes. First select tracks for solo recording. Then select other tracks. Views will be updated to reflect your new track selection while red letter "R's" appear in the Track View to remind you where you are recording. Remember to un-solo the tracks selected for recording when you are done.
There is actually now another way to accomplish this same task (as long as you're recording to a single track). First, select the track or tracks that you want to display in the staff or other view. Then, instead of selecting another track, just place the cursor into any cell on the track that you want to record onto. Recording will occur on this track, will the view will continue to display the previously selected track or tracks.
Can I slow down the tempo while recording?
Yes. Any easy way to slow the tempo down temporarily while you record is to grab the tempo multiplier slider (the vertical blue bar in the transport area) and pull it down. When you're done recording, re-center it, or use the Normal Tempo command (default is Ctrl+0 on the keyboard).
You can also suspend tempo changes that occur in the song by un-checking the "follow tempo map" box on the Setup/Options/Record page.
How do I record onto a waveform audio track?
As with a MIDI track, position the track view cursor into any cell on the track onto which you want to record a clip. Use the Transport/Record (Ctrl+R) command to begin recording. Press Esc to stop. If you answer Yes to "Keep this take?" you should immediately see a new waveform clip in the Clips View or Time View.
Waveform audio recording in this manner occurs from the device that's configured by your sound card's "mixer." If you are expecting to record from the microphone or line-in, insure that this source is selected. To do this, double-click on the "speaker" icon that should b in your "system tray":
Select Options/Properties from the menu, and switch to Recording and click Ok. You should then see a panel of your possible input devices. Make your selection and insure that the recording level slider is set to a high enough position:
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