Best way to mointor MIDI

[andrewkstone]

HI,

I just figured out one problem which has resulted in a question!

I'm using PTLE 7.1 with a PC and Mbox 2, on a PC (XP). I've just gotten into MIDI, using an Alesis QS8 keyboard and have successfully laid down some MIDI tracks. I'm a little confused on the mixing and monitoring process. I've tried monitoring by connecting the out of the keyboard to the in of the Mbox, but results in signal noise (I'm assuming b/c it's going to an input, the Mbox wants to record something).
IS their a better way to monitor, esp when I mix? Even if I use this method, how do I know that I'm getting a true level? Should I use an AUX channel and route the MIDI there? If so, it would stand to reason that I'd need an AUX channel for each MIDI channel. Or, when it's time to mix (all editing is done) should I/can I route the MIDI tracks to audio tracks?

Any info would be appreciated - maybe there's an easy-to-undersatnd tutorial on this somewhere?

Many thanks,

Andy

[albee1952]

while recording midi, use an aux track to monitor the sound from the keyboard. once you have a final midi track, i would let the midi "play" the keyboard and record the output of the keyboard to an audio track. I always like to commit keyboard sounds as I can always replace them later with the midi track.