Alesis 88-Key Keyboard

The Alesis Recital Play is an all‑in‑one beginner‑friendly digital keyboard/piano that has 88 full‑sized non‑weighted keys, built‑in speakers, hundreds of sounds and accompaniment styles, and learning features to help you practice and compose.

What you're working with

Power On

• Press the Power button (#1 in top panel image)

Volume

• Use the Volume knob to increase or decrease sound.

Understanding the Keyboard Layout:

• The Recital has 88 full‑size keys (same range as a real piano).
• White keys = natural notes (A, B, C, etc.)
• Black keys = sharps/flats (e.g., C# / Db)

Basic Music Theory

• C Major Scale: C–D–E–F–G–A–B–C
• The middle C is a good reference point (near the center of the keyboard).

Using Voices (Sounds)

The Recital has multiple built‑in voices (piano, organ, synth, etc.).

Change Voice

1. Press the Voice/Voice Select button (#7).
2. Use the arrow buttons to scroll through sounds.
3. Press the button again to confirm.

TIP: Try starting with Acoustic Piano — it’s the most “traditional” sound.

Playing Basics

Simple First Exercise

• Play the C major scale with your right hand:
  • C–D–E–F–G–A–B–C
• Use the thumb (1) on C, then follow this finger pattern: 1‑2‑3‑1‑2‑3‑4‑5.

Reading Notes

• Treble clef = right hand
• Bass clef = left hand

Try simple beginner songs using just white notes

• Mary Had a Little Lamb
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Practice Techniques

Play Slowly

• Start slow so your fingers learn patterns.

Hands Separately First

• Practice right hand alone.
• Practice left hand alone.
• Then try both together.

Repetition

• Repetition builds muscle memory. The more you play scales and simple songs, the quicker you improve.

Built‑In Features

Demo Songs

• The Recital usually has demo songs.
  • Press Demo to listen.
  • Good for inspiration and learning timing.

Layer & Split (Some Models)

• Layer: Play two sounds at once (e.g., piano + strings).
• Split: Lower half plays one sound; upper half another.
  • This helps create more advanced arrangements.

Headphones & External Gear

Headphones

• Use headphones to practice quietly.

USB Connection

• You can connect to a computer for:
  • Recording your playing
  • Using piano learning software

Next Steps for Progress

Learn Chords

• Major and minor triads:
  • C major: C–E–G
  • A minor: A–C–E

Timing & Rhythm

• Use a metronome (there are apps) to keep steady time.

Simple Songs with Chords

• Play chord progression & melody together as you get comfortable.

Quick Cheat Sheet

Now that you have the Alesis Recital connected via USB, your Surface Pro, a Scarlett 4i4 Gen3 interface and speakers/monitors, and you have Ableton, Audacity and Adobe Audition, here’s a step-by-step beginner-friendly tutorial to get you playing, recording and hearing your keyboard.

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

Quick Troubleshooting

User Manual PDF , opens a new window