Please help! How to connect a midi keyboard to logic?

[gaund]

Hello. I'm new here and I just bought Logic Express 7.

I have a few newbie questions:

-How do you connect a midi keyboard to logic? (I have an M-Audio KeyRig 49 keyboard which I'm trying to use to create songs)

-How do you start to compose a song?

-Is there any way for me to make music with out having any input device, such as my keyboard? If so, how?

 

I've already searched through the user manual and did not find any clear answers.

 

Thanks.

[David Nahmani]

The keyboard: just connect it, that's it.

 

To start composing, either go Audio > Loop Browser and find a cool Apple Loop such as a drum loop, or go Track > Create Multiple and create a couple of instrument tracks. Then click on the label "Inserts" on the channel strip, and choose an instrument Channel Strip setting. Press record and play your keyboard, or use the pencil to create a region, and double-click it to program something new.

 

If you don't have a physical keyboard, press the Caps Lock key.

[gaund]

Awesome! That was much easier than I thought it would be. Thanks!!!

 

But I have a few more questions, I'm really new at this program.

 

-How do I get the drum kits that are on logic express to work through my keyboard? (I can use the drum kits and sounds from Garage Band, however I don't know how to use the "GM Devices" that come with logic).

[David Nahmani]

Don't use the GM devices.. they're for controlling external hardware tone modules (hardware synths, hardware samplers...). Instead, use the Channel Strip settings I was talking about, or insert the sampler (EXS24) or Ultrabeat in the rectangle right below where it says 'I/O' on the channel strip.