Alesis 88-Key Keyboard: Connected by USB

In this tutorial we are connecting the Alesis Recital keyboard with a Surface Pro desktop computer, a Scarlett 4i4 Gen3 interface and speakers/monitors. The software options are Ableton, Audacity and Adobe Audition.

Hardware Setup Recap

Alesis Recital → Surface Pro via USB

• Sends MIDI data (key presses, velocity, etc.) to your computer.
• Audio from the keyboard will not travel via USB; you hear sound via software instruments.

Surface Pro → Scarlett 4i4 Gen3

• Handles all audio playback from software to your speakers. 
• Ensure the Scarlett is connected via USB and selected as your audio device.

Scarlett → Speakers/Monitors

• For clean, low-latency playback.

Software Setup Options

You have three main options:

Option A: Ableton Live (Best for MIDI + VST instruments) 

Ableton is the easiest for real-time keyboard playback and recording.

1. Set Audio Output
   1. Preferences → Audio → Audio Device → Scarlett 4i4
   2. Sample rate: 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz
   3. Buffer size: 128–256 samples for low latency
2. Set MIDI Input
   1. Preferences → Link/MIDI → Enable Track and Remote for Alesis Recital
3. Create a MIDI Track
   1. Insert → MIDI Track
   2. Load a piano instrument from Ableton’s built-in library (e.g., Grand Piano)
   3. Arm the track for recording → now pressing keys produces sound through your monitors
4. Record
   1. Press Record and play
   2. The DAW records MIDI notes → you can edit or change the instrument later

Option B: Audacity (Audio Recording Only)

Audacity does not handle MIDI, so it can record audio only.

To record your keyboard in Audacity:

1. Connect Recital Audio Out → Scarlett Line Input (USB alone won’t give audio)
2. Set Audacity’s input to the Scarlett channel
3. Press Record → play your keyboard

Result: audio recording of your actual keyboard sound

Option C: Adobe Audition (Audio + Multi-track)

Similar to Audacity

1. Recital Audio Out → Scarlett Input
2. Create multitrack session → choose Scarlett input for track
3. Record keyboard as audio
   * Can also import MIDI as audio after converting from Ableton

Playing Basics

Even with software, the keyboard works like a normal piano:

• Middle C: roughly center of the keyboard
• C Major Scale: C–D–E–F–G–A–B–C
• C Major Chord: C–E–G

Tips

• Play slowly first, one hand at a time
• Use piano voices in Ableton for realistic sound
• Experiment with layered sounds if Ableton instruments allow it

Suggested Workflow for Your Setup

1. 1. Use Ableton for real-time piano sounds
   2. Record MIDI → can edit notes, change instrument later
2. Audio Recording
   1. Optional: record Recital’s actual audio via Scarlett line input in Audacity or Audition
   2. Useful if you like the keyboard’s built-in piano sound
3. Monitoring
   1. All sound goes through Scarlett → monitors
   2. Use headphones for silent practice

Troubleshooting

• No sound in Ableton: Check MIDI input is Recital, make sure the track is armed, and confirm the audio output is set to Scarlett.
• Latency (delay): Lower the buffer size in Scarlett settings and use the ASIO driver if available.
• Recital not recognized: Reconnect the USB cable, restart Ableton, and update the Recital firmware/drivers.