Can not create simple 4 quarter notes when recording MIDI

Dorico
1

I’m working with the following setup:

  • Lenovo Yoga PC running Windows 11

  • Dorico 6 Pro

  • Casio WK‑1630 keyboard

  • Focusrite USB ASIO (Sample Rate: 44,100 Hz, Buffer Size: 160)

My goal is very simple: record one measure of four quarter‑note middle C’s at 72 BPM.

However, the notation Dorico produces is consistently incorrect. It looks like this:

Dorico MIDI Recording
Dorico MIDI Recording1310×626 36.2 KB

I get the same result regardless of the quantization setting—whether I choose eighth notes or quarter notes. I also experimented with MIDI latency compensation (both +30 ms and –30 ms), but it made no difference.

During recording, I’m holding the key down for the full duration of each quarter note until the next metronome click. Playback sounds correct, but the notation is not what I’m expecting.

I’m hoping someone has run into this issue before and can point me toward a solution.

Thank you!

2

Hi @STEVEN_HARRIS, and welcome to the Forum.

That can be caused by different things:

  • a “faulty” midi keyboard that sends the note-off command too early when you lift your finger.

  • Not accurate playing:
    actually it is quite impossible to hold the same note without any gap before lifting the finger to play the same note again. The rests you are seeing seem to mirror this. Did you try recording C-D-C-D instead?

  • Wrong quantisation or requantize settings:
    how did you change the quantisation settings? In Preferences>Play>Quantization?
    Did you also try to do Requantize… (from menu Edit, and after selecting the passage)? Activating Fill gaps and choosing quarter note value, should give you the desired result. (*)

  • With my little Korg MicroKEY I need to set the latency compensation to -50ms to have an accurate live MIDI recording, so possibly you can experiment more with bigger/smaller values

(*) Another fast way to correct it, would be to select the whole bar (clicking in an empty space into the 5 lines) and press 6 (quarter note value).

If this doesn’t help, can you please post the Dorico project file that shows the unwanted result?

(Possibly someone else have other suggestions)

3

Is there anything before the shown music? I’ve had issues with time signature changes, pickup bars (in the middle of the music) and repeats prior to where I wanted to record at. No matter what changes I made to the quantization settings I got results similar to what you did. As an experiment, create a new flow or project and try it again. The suggestions @Christian_R made, particularly the Requantize function in the edit menu can really help.

4

Honestly this is easily overcome. Select the entire range, and use the function “Extend to Next Note.” I use it so often I have it assigned to a key command.