Maybe I didn't look hard enough, but I think I've searched all the related topics on this yet still haven't found the answer to my problem. I'm trying to input notes into Finale 2008 with VDL 2 at school on my band director's computer but do not have a MIDI keyboard here. The computer I'm using is Windows XP, if that means anything. I downloaded Bome's Mouse Keyboard and this is how I have everything set up:

Bome's Mouse Keyboard: MIDI In > none, MIDI Out > Maple MIDI Out: Port 1, Options > MIDI Thru, Options > Stay on Top

Finale 2008: MIDI Setup > MIDI In > Maple MIDI In: Port 1, MIDI Out > Maple MIDI Out: Port 2, MIDI Thru > Smart

After all this, I can hear VDL 2 sounds when I press keys on Bome's, but nothing happens on Finale. Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance.

It sounds like you're close. Good job getting this far...this is a pretty confusing way to set things up, but it works.

Sounds like all you need to do is go into VDL2 and set it to receive its INPUT on Maple MIDI port 2. My guess is that right now it's probably set to port 1. Change that, and then Finale's MIDI output (which is set to port 2) should make its way to VDL2.

Let us know if that's the ticket.

Still no luck. You know how in Finale you can use Speedy Entry by holding down a note on your MIDI keyboard and pressing a number on your computer keyboard to get a note onto the screen? Well I'm trying to do that with Bome's but something still isn't right. Does Bome's need to have a MIDI input device?

I'm not sure. It's possible that if you're holding down the mouse for Bomes, it's not allowing the rhythmic keyclick (in Finale) to register. It's a pretty convoluted way to work...

In Speedy Entry, try turning on your caps lock key. This way, you only have to click the keypad (rhythms) when you want to switch to a new rhythmic value. Doing this, perhaps the messages from Bome's will have an easier time reaching Finale.

The obvious solution would be to avoid using these on-screen keyboards as they're not very efficient, and (as we can see here) confusing to work with.

Sorry for the delayed reply, I haven't had a chance to get on this computer in a while. But I'm still having problems. Even when I set Bome's to stay on top, Finale doesn't want to recognize it as a MIDI input device. And I know that MIDI keyboards are better (I use one with Sibelius 4 and VDL2 at home), but I am just waiting for the booster club here at my school to (hopefully) buy one for the directors. If anyone knows anything more to help me in the meantime it would be appreciated. And even though I'm still having problems, thanks for the help Jim. (Or is it Mr. Casella?)

I tried to set up Sibelius with Bome's Mouse Keyboard and had the exact same problem, although I am using Sibelius. The problem is with the virtual keyboard software; it has to be the active application in order for it to trigger MIDI signals. But Sibelius (and apparently Finale) need to be the active application in order to receive MIDI signals. Obviously having both at once is an impossibility, so MIDI input to Sibelius/Finale won't work with Bome's Mouse Keyboard. Strange, considering Tapspace lists this software as an alternative to a hardware MIDI keyboard.

The Bome's developer says MIDI control while the application is inactive is a planned feature, but it's been a while:
http://www.bome.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2147

I'm not speaking from experience, but I seem to recall this program allowed you to enable it in ";float mode."; Doing so would allow Finale or Sibelius to be the app in the forefront while still being able to activate keys within the onscreen keyboard. Maybe I'm confusing this with the Granucon keyboard though
http://www.granucon.com/vmk.html

Perhaps this information wasn't accurate. If this is indeed impossible, we can remove the information which suggests these on-screen keyboards as an alternative. They do seem a clumsier way of working.

Technically on screen keyboards are not really supported in Finale either.  I know a lot of people have hit or miss results with them.  Unfortunately the best results are always with hardware based input devices.

[quote author=Jim Casella link=topic=2819.msg15109#msg15109 date=1228787024]
I'm not speaking from experience, but I seem to recall this program allowed you to enable it in ";float mode."; Doing so would allow Finale or Sibelius to be the app in the forefront while still being able to activate keys within the onscreen keyboard. Maybe I'm confusing this with the Granucon keyboard though
http://www.granucon.com/vmk.html

Perhaps this information wasn't accurate. If this is indeed impossible, we can remove the information which suggests these on-screen keyboards as an alternative. They do seem a clumsier way of working.
[/quote]Jim,

Don't take it down yet. I'll play around with it a little more.

Thanks for offering to dig a little deeper Joe. Please let us know what you find out and we'll adjust recommendations accordingly.