Watching Device Activity While Playing a Song

While the MIDI Device Configuration Window is open you can play back a song. As you watch the active notes highlighted in the score window, you can also watch the corresponding activity among the ports, devices, and channels, as displayed in the MIDI Device Configuration Window. Also, if your system is configured with a MIDI input device, such as a MIDI keyboard, then you can watch MIDI input activity.

Here is a snapshot of Composer playing notes in both the first and second staves and corresponding first and second channels of the "Creative SB Live! Synthesizer":

At a minimum, this feature of Composer is entertaining. But more importantly, it can help you diagnose problems with your MIDI device configuration.

Suppose that in the score window you observe notes in a staff highlighted as they are playing, but you do not hear them. Open the MIDI Device Configuration Window and check whether or not there is note activity for the intended device and its channels.

If you see note activity in the MIDI Device Configuration Window, this is telling you that Composer believes it is playing notes. For a list of possible reasons why you do not hear sound, see What To Do If You Do Not Hear Any Sound.

If you have a MIDI input device, such as a MIDI keyboard, then as you play on that device, the record button will light up as a bright red:

If this button does not light as you play on your input device, see What To Do If Recording Does Not Work for possible remedies.