You can enter musical events into Songtrix in two ways.

Firstly, you can create new segment events by editing within the workspace using the keyboard and mouse.  This gives you very precise control over the event types and properties you are creating.

Alternatively, it's often quicker to record musical passages in real time, using an attached Midi keyboard, particularly if you already play the piano or a similar instrument.

If you don't have a Midi keyboard available, Songtrix can still offer a makeshift version of one, using the keys on your normal computer keyboard.  To activate this feature, you need to select the Qwerty Keyboard device in the Midi Setup page.

This is a special Midi input device, provided by Songtrix, and is always available, regardless of which other Midi input devices are present.

When the Qwerty Keyboard is selected, the Record Segment, Record Chord and Record Scale windows show extra labels on the piano display to help you remember which keys are used for each note.

The Qwerty Keyboard device spans a fixed range of two and a half octaves, from C4 to E6, and is laid out across two rows on the computer keyboard to make the most of the available keys.

While the Qwerty Keyboard is useful, there are several limitations that you should be aware of when using it, compared to a real Midi keyboard attached to the Midi input.

• Since the range is split into two rows on the keyboard, this can be awkward to navigate, although you will get better at negotiating the discontinuity in the middle of the range.

• It is not touch-sensitive.  All notes recorded will have a velocity of 75%, so you may wish to use the Velocitize function to provide some variation after recording.

• It is available only when recording, and cannot be used for interactive Midi Thru while in the general workspace, or to accompany your song during playback.

• The transport keys are not enabled for recording, since you are obviously already at the computer and can use the mouse or regular shortcut key for controlling transport.

• Most computer keyboards have a limit to the number of simultaneous keys which can be recognized at once, which may vary with the keys being pressed, depending on the internal wiring configuration of your keyboard.  In short, you should have no trouble playing a single melody line, but chords of four or more notes may not register properly.