I have found a free offline virtual piano, VMPK, that is useable, just a tad old fashioned looking, all the lessons on YOUTUBE have easier on the eye larger more pro looking keyboard, but i cant find one, they all seem to be online only, prob might be my search term?

FastStone Capture wont record the audio from Cubase only the image, so i tried capturing from windows player and it captures images and audio from that also from other progs, my audio goes thru a Focusrite Saffire, in FSC the option shows my Sapphire, but it doesn't record audio from Cubase?

Any ideas chaps?

 

- Download free Sforzando player (Plogue): www.plogue.com/products/sforzando.html
- Free piano samples: https://vstbuzz.com/freebies/piano-in-162 & https://rkhive.com/piano.html

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

FastStone Capture Audio Issue with Cubase
This is a classic gotcha with screen recorders like FastStone Capture (FSC) and pro DAWs like Cubase, especially when using ASIO drivers (which your Focusrite Saffire relies on for low-latency audio). FSC works great for system audio from apps like Windows Media Player because those use standard Windows audio (WDM/MME), which FSC captures easily via its "Stereo Mix" or direct device selection. But Cubase locks audio to ASIO for performance, making it "invisible" to non-ASIO-aware apps like FSC—hence no audio, just video. Your Saffire showing up in FSC is a good sign (it supports ASIO devices), but the routing isn't bridging the gap.

Why It Happens:

• ASIO is exclusive: Cubase "hijacks" the Saffire for direct hardware access, bypassing Windows' shared audio mixer. FSC can't tap into that stream without help.
• Works in other apps: Those use shared Windows audio, so FSC grabs it fine.

Solutions to Try (Step-by-Step):

1. Run FSC as Administrator (Quick Fix for Permissions):
   • Close FSC completely (check task tray).
   • Right-click FSC shortcut > "Run as administrator."
   • Start a new screen recording, select your Saffire as the audio device in FSC's recorder settings (under "Audio" tab: choose "ASIO" mode if available, or "WaveOut" with Saffire selected).
   • Test: Play audio in Cubase. If it captures now, great—admin mode often resolves driver conflicts.
2. Enable Loopback in Focusrite Control (Best for Saffire Users):
   • Download/install latest Focusrite Control (free from focusrite.com—supports Saffire series).
   • Open Focusrite Control > Go to "Routing" or "Mix" tab.
   • Enable "Loopback" (virtual mix of DAW output back to system). Route Cubase's main outs (e.g., Stereo Out) to a loopback channel.
   • In FSC: Select the Saffire's loopback output as your audio source (it'll appear as a stereo device).
   • In Cubase: Ensure output is set to Saffire ASIO (Studio Setup > Audio System > ASIO Driver: Focusrite Saffire ASIO).
   • Pro Tip: Set sample rate/buffer to match (e.g., 44.1kHz, 512 buffer) in both apps to avoid glitches.
3. Use Voicemeeter Banana (Free Audio Router—Highly Recommended):
   • Download Voicemeeter Banana (free from vb-audio.com—lightweight virtual mixer).
   • Install > Open Voicemeeter > Set Hardware Out to your Saffire (A1 dropdown: ASIO > Focusrite Saffire).
   • Set Virtual Input as default playback device in Windows (Sound Settings > Playback > Voicemeeter Input > Set Default).
   • In Cubase: Change Audio Device to "Voicemeeter Virtual ASIO" (temporarily—low latency still).
   • Route Cubase output to Voicemeeter's main bus.
   • In FSC: Select "Voicemeeter Output" as audio device (it captures the routed stream).
   • Why this works: Voicemeeter bridges ASIO to Windows audio, letting FSC grab the mix without losing Cubase performance. (Bonus: Mix in mic/system audio easily.)
4. Alternative: Switch to OBS Studio (Free, ASIO-Friendly):
   • If FSC keeps fighting, OBS is free/better for this. Install OBS > Add "Window Capture" for Cubase screen.
   • Install free "OBS ASIO Input Capture" plugin (from obsproject.com forum).
   • In OBS Sources: Add "ASIO Input Capture" > Select Focusrite Saffire ASIO > Map channels (e.g., Loop 1/2 for stereo).
   • Records video + ASIO audio perfectly. Export as MP4.

Testing & Troubleshooting:

• Play a simple Cubase track (e.g., basic synth) > Record 10s in FSC > Check playback for audio.
• If crackling: Increase FSC buffer (Settings > Audio > Buffer size) or match sample rates (Cubase: Studio Setup > VST Audio System).
• Update drivers: Grab latest Saffire ASIO from focusrite.com (even old models get occasional updates).
• If Saffire is FireWire (older model), ensure your PC's FireWire port is stable—USB adapters can cause issues.

This should get you recording Cubase audio smoothly. If you share more details (e.g., FSC version, Windows version, exact Saffire model), I can refine it further. Hit me up!

 

Last edited: Sep 27, 2025

Got Sappire 6, no focusrite control for that model, they're cheap as chips so will upgrade, hopefully sort it.


Dont want sample player just want 'dummy' keyboard like this for giving lessons?

 

Free Piano - A virtual MIDI keyboard and a piano for Windows. https://sourceforge.net/projects/freepiano

Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard v0.9.0 & LoopBe1 Package-TCD https://vmpk.sourceforge.io (Sister site)

OBS Studio [Latest Releases 32.0.1 32.0.1 32.0.0] https://obsproject.com

Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming.
Download and start streaming quickly and easily on Windows, Mac or Linux.

 

Last edited: Sep 28, 2025

https://www.chordieapp.com/

https://midi-jar.ljas.fr/

https://gospelmusicians.com/products/midiculous-4

Just plain old Scaler or any other plugin with a keyboard display.

 

Thanks guys, got OBS cant work it out not prepared to spend time learning, FastStone is simple just, hit play, sorted, can take audio out of that and back in, a clumsy fix but will also wait til i update my Saffire 6 as control may work.

Got VMPK will have to stick with that.

This looks useful https://www.chordieapp.com/ but i dont need chords etc showing, just the keys, and it needs to be online, i only work offline.

Downloaded scaler will look at that too, but like i say, just want an, offline empty dummy virtual piano.

many thanks both of yous

 

Pretty looking alternative to VMPK would be PluginGuru ShowMidi: https://www.pluginguru.com/products/showmidi/

It's Free you just need to register to download it.

Used it for quite some time until i switched to Midiculous 4 Pro.

I bought Midiculous 4 Pro last Christmas on Sale for 30€ and it's a beast. It also has extra Options showing what you play on an Guitar or Bass Fretboard or Midi Drums. It also shows you the Chords you are playing with names like in Pianoteq or Scaler.