How to Make Your Keyboard a Piano

True pianos offer a sound quality that cannot be replicated by an electric keyboard. However, with today's computer technology and a few simple steps, you can turn your keyboard into a piano worthy of a concert hall.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Keyboard with MIDI capabilities
• Computer with USB 2.0
• Ableton Live (or similar audio recording program)
• Cakewalk Dimension Pro (or similar MIDI program)
• USB MIDI cable

Keyboard To Concert

1. Turn on your computer and follow the menu-driven instructions to install Ableton Live or the chosen audio recording program. Run the program to assure its compatibility with MIDI. Finish the test and quit out of the program.

2. Install the MIDI program. This program will usually be automatically installed into your computer's VST folder. Open your audio recording program and in it open your MIDI VST program.

3. Connect the USB MIDI wire to your keyboard and to one of your computer's USB ports. In the recording program, make sure that the VST MIDI track is armed.

4. Pick the type of piano (e.g., concert, grand, saloon) from the VST program. Double click on it and play your keyboard as usual. The sound will now be rendered to the piano type you chose and not merely an electronic version of a grand keyboard.

References

• MIDI
• Cakewalk Dimension Pro