Midi Keyboard Auto Record 4+

FINALLY a FREE MIDI Writer! (sorta...)

1. It has not crashed yet, but I'm still dissatisfied.
2. This uses the quirkiest saving system I've ever witnessed.
From what I can tell, the 'Panic' button is how you... record? Nope. Not even that.

Here's my compilation of highlights and drawbacks:
YES! It's a FREE Midi-writing software that works!
NO! This is anti-capitalism; it's practically giving a lifetime supply of paint to a painter, for free. (Highly recommended for socialism, though.)
YES! It writes Midi files... just not the way you expect them to be written...
NO! You cannot tell it where to record the Midi files; it defaults to a new folder in the active user's Music folder. The new folder is called "Live Performer." More later.
YES! You may save anywhere you like!
NO! It's not what you think it is! You are saving SETTINGS... that appear to Finder as FOLDERS (not quite files)... which leaves a bitter aftertaste the flavor of Avid Media Composer's storage method.
YES! It's highly customizable. You can use soundfonts and Audio Units and whatnot.
NO! It's just as iffy as GarageBand in terms of whether the AU or SF2 will produce sounds (probably because it draws from the same source in the System Library).
YES! It will make your wildest dreams come true!
NO! I was not joking. HOWEVER: It will not explain what anything does (no user's guide or manual), particularly the Panic button.
YES! You can access recorded MIDI files.
NO! Not through this application. I recommend MIDITrail for playback. Unfortunately, Live Performer can only open Live Performer folders as projects. Otherwise, WYSIWYG.
YES! The keys on the keyboard are mapped like those default on the Keyboard Keyboard application (which is better than GarageBand's computer keyboard mapping). I'll try to blend them later.
NO! I don't know whether the external MIDI In/Out stuff works. I'll update this when I get an external keyboard. For now, playing the computer keyboard suits me.
YES! I'm running out of positive attributes.
NO! You cannot edit MIDI files. This application serves as pretty much a panic button for your best moments during a live performance, not so much for production.
YES! It's hard to find an alternative to GarageBand.
NO! Every time you open the application, it automatically starts recording a NEW Midi file in the 'Live Performance' folder inside the active user's Music folder (this cannot be redirected). There, it grows as you continue to play, but somehow also shrinks sometimes. My session kept switching between 53 bytes and any other number of bytes.
YES! You can view what is being recorded. There is a button called "Records." It serves as an inventory of the many times you have started a session (which is done by opening the project, not by hitting the panic button, from what I can tell).
NO! You cannot review what has been recorded at your liesure. You may do it during your liesure time, but as long as this program is running, it's recording to a single MIDI file.
YES! MIDI files are very small, and are recorded as such.
NO! I forgot to mention that the limitations of this application deem it perfect for being the only FREE Midi-writing application, at least that I've yet found.
YES! It tops GarageBand's Midi-writing, because it actually writes .midi FILES! albeit within a convoluted file-saving system.
NO! The buttons are not comprehensive, even though it's English. AND there is no 'Record,' 'Stop,' 'Play,' 'Pause,' 'Metronome,' 'Loop,' etc. buttons to give it a satisfactory touch.
YES! That is all. Again, WYSIWYG. Simple, free, unique, but too user-unfriendly for the given level of simplicity.
NO! There is no more. This application is a good start to a brilliant concept. If its abilities grow too much, though, it will need to become monetized. See my earlier economic and business comments.

Changes I would like to see: Addition of what is lacking as listed in my penultimate 'NO!' point (antepenultimate point).
I will revise this with the next appdate. Yes, pun, deal with it. For now, I recommend this to amateur DJs who are considering doing live performances. I look forward to answers!

Simple and Easy

This is a very simple app allowing one to plug a MIDI keyboard into their Mac and play it through their Mac without having to open a more com[plex program like a DAW. Love It!

Developer Response ,

Thanks

LOVE THE IDEA!!!!

I love the idea, but it crashes almost everytime!

I really havent found a pattern, it seems to crashes with almost any plugin manufacture.