keyboard MIDI input to Logic Pro produces weak output to speakers

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Level 1

10 points

keyboard MIDI input to Logic Pro produces weak output to speakers

Using a MIDI Software Instrument track in Logic Pro, I can get high quality sound out of my MAC's speakers by using Logic Pro's own keyboard widget. But when I use the external keyboard of my digital piano connected by MIDI cable to my laptop, the track's sound out of my MAC's speakers is quite muted. I have tried various settings of the Velocity Processor to enhance the sound. But I have so far been unable to match the strength and quality of the track's output from the digital piano keyboard with the high strength and quality of the track's output from Logic Pro's own keyboard widget. What should I do to get strong high quality sound from a Logic Pro track by playing on a digital piano keyboard connected as a MIDI input device to Logic Pro?

Many thanks.

Azad

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.4

Posted on Jun 30, 2025 01:14 PM

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Answer 1

azadbolour Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2025 03:27 PM in response to EddieGrey

Thanks so much for the tip. I turned on MIDI activity on the display of my Logic Pro interface and indeed I do get different numbers on the right for MIDI input based on how fast I play a key on my digital piano keyboard. The highest velocity number I am getting is in the 90s. The lowest is single digit.

So I guess the issue is in how the MIDI signal is processed in Logic Pro.

Many thanks.

Azad

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Answer 2

azadbolour Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2025 08:51 PM in response to Pancenter

Thanks. Fiddling with the velocity processor, I was able to make a difference in the sound by using the mode "Value or Range". I have two tracks, one is MIDI/Software Instrument, and the other is Session Player/Keyboard Player. In the software instrument track, I get a more pronounced sound by increasing the 'value', but no change by increasing the low end of the range. In the keyboard player track, I get a more pronounced sound by increasing both, and I think I get more overall control in this case. I am not sure if one or the other track type is supposed to be better for processing MIDI input. But I guess what I am getting from the keyboard player track with the velocity processor changes may be good enough for me for the moment.

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Answer 3

EddieGrey

Level 4

2,000 points

Jun 30, 2025 01:45 PM in response to azadbolour

Hi,

Let's first determine if it is a hardware (Midi Controller) issue or if it is a software (Logic Pro) issue.

Do you have a way to monitor your Midi? I use this free program: https://github.com/gbevin/ShowMIDI/releases

It has a standalone app and also a plug-in you can use within Logic Pro.

Logic Pro also has a simplified version of this:

Can you confirm that your controller is actually sending out various velocity values or is it fixed?

This number is indicated by the number on the right (As I am using my Laptop Keyboard to play notes, I am only getting 2 values viz. 64 & 98). Please confirm and I will do my best to help you out. Many Thanks!

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Answer 4

EddieGrey

Level 4

2,000 points

Jun 30, 2025 09:52 PM in response to azadbolour

Well we know it is your keyboard as the Velocity is coming in lower on your Midi Keyboard as opposed to Logic's Musical Typing Keyboard.

Software Instruments Tracks and Session Player Tracks are identical but it is their "Region Defaults" that differ.

As you can see here, both of these Track Types are, in fact, Software Instruments (Inst 1/Inst 2). Best of Luck sir!

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Answer 5

yoyoBen

Level 4

3,329 points

Jun 30, 2025 01:47 PM in response to azadbolour

MIDI is only control data messages, no audio.

What external midi keyboard are you using?

If you like to hear your external midi keyboard in Logic, you need to connect the audio output of your keyboard with the audio input of your computer. This is why most of the users have an external sound card.

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Answer 6

EddieGrey

Level 4

2,000 points

Jun 30, 2025 03:38 PM in response to azadbolour

Ok do me a favor and make sure to connect your USB cable directly to your computer and try out a test with several software instruments like Retro Synth, Alchemy, and 3rd party plugs if applicable. I have a couple of more ideas but can you check these first?

What midi controller do you use?

Also, it’s not how fast you play but how hard you play the keyboard.

Thx mate!

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Answer 7

azadbolour Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2025 04:08 PM in response to EddieGrey

Thanks Eddie. I actually just connect my digital piano (Yamaha P-121) directly to my MAC. I am not using an intermediate controller (yet).

I have tried Retro Sparkle Synth and several other instruments, acoustic guitar, concert grand piano, etc. I do have Alchemy library installed, but I don't know which instruments it has. In any case, in all my trials with all instruments so far, the sound produced by the digital piano MIDI input to Logic Pro is weaker and duller than the sound produced by input from Logic Pro's own keyboard widget.

Thanks again.

Azad

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Answer 8

EddieGrey

Level 4

2,000 points

Jun 30, 2025 06:40 PM in response to azadbolour

On page 13 of the manual, they address “Strengthening the Overall Sound”. Can you try this out and see if it helps you?

https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/0/1326860/P-121_Owners_Manual.pdf

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Answer 9

Pancenter

Level 6

14,764 points

Jun 30, 2025 06:45 PM in response to azadbolour

Try adding +12 velocity in the inspector for each of the MIDI tracks using the keyboard as input. The duller/weaker sound is from the lower velocity levels. The subtle and nuanced shadings from using the keyboard are needed for many types of music.

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Answer 10

azadbolour Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2025 08:58 PM in response to Pancenter

Thanks so much for going through the trouble of checking my digital piano manual, Eddie. I will try strengthening the sound from the piano and hope it will help. But remember that I was getting velocities in the 90s, out of a maximum of 128. So the improvements may be somewhat modest.

Azad

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Answer 11

azadbolour Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 2, 2025 09:33 AM in response to EddieGrey

I tried strengthening the sound on my digital piano per the manual. Unfortunately to my ears, the difference on the piano itself is slight, and the sound out of the software instrument track is weak - I can't really tell a difference in the sound out of my laptop speakers.

The best I can do so far is to use a keyboard player track and manipulate the settings of the velocity processor.

Azad

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