middle C erroneously identified as C3 instead of the industry standard C4 for an 88-key keyboard

Raveh · 2024-01-09T17:41:03+00:00

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The compatibility between my MIDI controller, the Komplete Kontrol S88 K2, and Ableton 11 Live Suite has been less than ideal. One glaring issue I've encountered is a misalignment in the piano roll, creating an inconvenience during my music production sessions. Moreover, there seems to be a persistent discrepancy in the MIDI note labeling, with middle C erroneously identified as C3 instead of the industry standard C4 for an 88-key keyboard. This has caused frustration, as various plugins consistently report the incorrect note designation. Despite my efforts to seek assistance, the absence of accessible technical support compounds my disappointment. I am actively exploring solutions and would appreciate any guidance or insights to rectify these perplexing issues in my setup.

any suggestions to amend the issue will be much appreciated.

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Uwe303

Hello,

this is an often mixed between midi nomenclature, and musical notes, it is the way it is, but frequency wise it is correct. You also can read about it on wikipedia for example. Under the table here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_(musical_note)#:~:text=For%20a%20classical%20piano%20and,cause%20confusion%2C%20especially%20for%20beginners..

Raveh

Hi ,

Is still does not make any sense! , a musician friend of mine his midi controller Oxygen M-audio work correctly with Logic pro, C4 is Middle C of an 88Key

Many Thanks,

Raveh

BIF

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/124081#Comment_124081

Holy CARP! I knew that "Middle C" was sometimes notated as C3 or C4, but I never knew all of that! Thank you for the historical Middle C lesson.

Middle C history at the speed of c. 😉

Uwe303

If you open up komplete kontrol stand alone, like shown here, can you go to the keys tab and try to transpose the keys by 12 semitones, this should work

https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005165985-I-Cannot-Edit-MIDI-Assignments-for-my-KOMPLETE-KONTROL-Keyboard-in-Controller-Editor

Raveh

Hi Uwe,

Unfortunately tried by going into that settings but couldn't find the transpose the keys by 12 semitones

Many Thanks,

Raveh

Uwe303

ok i don´t own a s88 myself, i thought those bigger keyboards have that function there, but you can use the octave up/down keys over the 2 wheels for sure, but then you would maybe have to do it every time you start the keyboard

found out you only can transpose if you add a keyzone, what kind of makes sense

Kymeia

Maybe someone was thinking of this keyboard :)

red_nick

Blame the MIDI specification. It doesn't say which octave note 60 should be, just that it should be C. Most MIDI calls it C3, FL studio actually calls it C5! (I think they wanted to avoid C-1/-2)

Raveh

Hi Red_nick,

Thanks for the info, perhaps there is someone out there who owns Komplete Kontrol S88 K2, and can confirm that they experiencing the same issue!

Raveh

Hi,

If i knew this issue, i would not have invested on Komplete Kontrol S88 K2, as it seems a well known settings!

Raveh

Uwe303

there is nothing wrong with that keyboard, i tried with cubase and if i play note number 60; midi note c3 it plays musically a c4 if i insert a piano for example and use an analyser, same for ableton live, it shows c3 in the editor even kontakt shows it that way on the piano but it plays a musical c4. In some daws you can change that but not in live as far as I know - but the sound would be the same if you press middle c, only the piano roll in the DAW would show c4.

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