# Disabling background MIDI input? **URL:** \ **Category:** Dorico\ **Tags:** dorico-5\ **Created:** [November 3, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/disabling-background-midi-input/947905 "2024-11-03T20:31:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![madflute](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/madflute/32/277353_2.png) [@madflute](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/madflute)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/disabling-background-midi-input/947905/1 "2024-11-03T20:31:55Z")
Hi, Ex-Finale user here. I need to disable MIDI input when Dorico is in the background. When I am writing directly to Dorico, and I am in the input mode, I frequently switch to a soft synth to play my keyboard to check harmony and stuff, only to realize that they made the Dorico input. I do not wish to hit ⇧+ N every time I switch to the soft synth. I was hoping to find the “disable MIDI input when Dorico is in the background” option, but to no avail. Any pointer would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![dspreadbury](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dspreadbury/32/328687_2.png) [@dspreadbury](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/dspreadbury)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/disabling-background-midi-input/947905/2 "2024-11-03T21:54:37Z")
There’s no such option at present, I’m afraid. The best you can do for now is to assign a key command to the **Toggle MIDI Input** command, and use that before switching away from Dorico and after switching back. ---
**Author:** ![benwiggy](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/benwiggy/32/1715_2.png) [@benwiggy](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/benwiggy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/disabling-background-midi-input/947905/3 "2024-11-03T21:59:46Z")
> [@madflute](#): > > I frequently switch to a soft synth to play my keyboard to check harmony and stuff, only to realize that they made the Dorico input. I do not wish to hit ⇧+ N every time I switch to the soft synth. A couple of things: Firstly, if you press K to use Dorico’s “pitch before duration” mode, then you can play your MIDI Keyboard as much as you like whilst in Note Entry, and you won’t enter any notes until you press a duration value. You’ll hear the instrument sample. Press K again to go back to pitch entering a note. Secondly: most soft synth apps that I know work in the background too, so you don’t need to bring them to the front to play. The standalone apps for HALion and ARIA work like that. ---
**Author:** ![madflute](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/madflute/32/277353_2.png) [@madflute](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/madflute)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/disabling-background-midi-input/947905/4 "2024-11-06T14:42:14Z")
Thank you for your response. I have to practice hitting ‘K’ 😅 Yes, my Soft Synths are set to play in the background. The problem is that I can’t mute Dorico’s loopback, and I do not wish to hear both simultaneously. ---
**Author:** ![dacronboy8](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dacronboy8/32/326571_2.png) [@dacronboy8](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/dacronboy8)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/disabling-background-midi-input/947905/5 "2025-07-17T03:06:17Z")
A direct toggle for this would be game changing. jk, yeah just tried it, works so good. ty spoke too soon. Toggle MIDI Input will also turn off being able to input from the MIDI keyboard. getting it to turn off feedback while inputing notes would be a game changer. \*ur key command is still p good tho ---
**Author:** ![asmi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@asmi](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/asmi)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/disabling-background-midi-input/947905/6 "2025-09-15T18:44:25Z")
update: Dorico 6 has this now, Preferences \> Play \> Recording \> “suspend when application is in the background” checkbox ---
**Author:** ![madflute](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/madflute/32/277353_2.png) [@madflute](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/madflute)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/disabling-background-midi-input/947905/7 "2025-09-15T20:11:57Z")
Yessssss! Thank you so much for letting me know! Feels like Christmas! I am so happy!