Ok, here's what I need, and have not been able to find. I need a virtual midi controller, but one that sends the midi to another program within the computer, not to a "midi-out" like all the virtual midi controllers I've seen so far. Basically, I want to be able to record midi songs with music software (i.e. Logic, Cakewalk, DirectMusic Producer, etc), but play them using my computer's keyboard. I found a good virtual midi controller that works well with the qwerty keyboard, but it only has midi-out to a device, not to software. It is called, simply, Virtual Midi Controller 1.01, and it is a good example of what I am NOT looking for. Any help is appreciated!

So what you are saying is that you want to perform using the keyboard and have your sequencer program record?

If so, Anvil Studio does this. As do most professional programs.
http://www.anvilstudio.com/

If not, could you clairify?

This is similar to what I'm looking for, but not quite it. Unless it can import custom instruments (either in SF2 or DLS format).

I need to be able to play a custom midi instrument using my computer keyboard... So this program would work great if I could import an instrument. Or if it could export the notes I'm playing as if the notes were being imported from a physical midi controller.

Let me know if you're still confused about what I want, thanks for the help!

If your MIDI out device supports sound banks/patches or Sound Fonts then Anvil Studio can use them. In the case of Sound Fonts you'll probably need something like a SoundBlaster Live soundcard. I'm not sure if you can change the sound banks/patches for Windows's software syth or not. And as far as DLS goes, I didn't see any support for the file format at all.

If you want to spend a little money ( $40 to $100 depending on what you want), you could buy the add-ons that support VST and ASIO plug-ins. Then perhaps you can find one such plug-in (probably more money) that supports what you are looking for.

And if you are willing to shell out a few hundred, you may be interested in a more professional package altogether. One like Reason or Fruity Loops Studio

Sorry if that's not the answer you wanted. It's the best I could give =)

[edit]

Quote:
I'm not sure if you can change the sound banks/patches for Windows's software syth or not.

I guess that would be DLS wouldn't it =)
[/edit]

Come to think of it...
I've never used CakeWalk or Logic. But I would assume that if they support MIDI-In devices then they would support a PC keyboard as one such device. I've had times in the past where one PC would work fine using a keyboard and another wouldn't. It might depend on the keyboard itself(?).

current versions of cakewalk don't support this because of the way WinXP switches focus for foreground apps. So I found one that works like a stomp box for VST's.

http://www.tobybear.de/p_minihost.html

Just plug them up and have a whirl at it. If your VST supports MIDI controller generation then it will work for you, but it's mostly for trying out VST's. Handy if you have a ton and want to demo a few before implementing them in your DAW.

Having said that there are quite a few of qwerty to MIDI progs, but program compatibility varies greatly.
Here's a few:

http://www.axxeom.fsnet.co.uk/trollo.htm

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/audio/vpiano.htm

http://www.bome.com/midi/keyboard/

for the last two you need

http://www.midiox.com/index.htm?http://www.midiox.com/myoke.htm

which apparently "fixes" the windows focus problem as well.

Hope this helps!

Tony
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http://www.anthem-audio.com

MIDI-OX and MIDI Yoke are exactly what I was looking for - so far I've not gotten them to work, but I'll keep trying. At least it's what I was looking for! Thanks for the help!