How do I get started?

First you should use the Setup/MIDI Ports command to make sure that MIDI Maestro knows which ports or devices to use for playback.  Your default playback port should be at the top of the "numbered devices" list.  After doing this, you should be able to use the File/Open command to open any standard MIDI file, then use buttons in the transport area to start and stop playback.

It's not necessary to do this right away, but if you're using anything other than General MIDI sounds (that is, patches unique to your synthesizer), you'll need to use the Setup/Synth Patch Names command at some point.  Once your synthesizer has been added to the database, you can return to the Setup/MIDI Ports window to tell MIDI Maestro which ports use which synthesizers.  Once this is done, the correct patch names for your synthesizer should appear in the Track View.

MIDI Maestro's window is divided into sections called Views.  The default set of views were chosen for use during live performance.  However, there are a number of editing views (such as the Staff View) and additional performance views (such as Karaoke and the Lead-Sheet View) available.

Perhaps MIDI Maestro's most unique feature are its Cues.  Cues allow you to insert actions such as pauses, stops, repeats, and jumps.

Instead of working with an individual song, you may create a set.  A set is a type of "play list" that can be organized in many different ways.  To create a new set, use the File/New command.  You may then import songs into the set by using the File/Import/Songs command.  When files are imported into a set, a copy is made in the set's folder.  If you'd rather work with links instead, that option exists.

To begin working with a "blank" song, use  the File/New command again to add a new song to the set.  Insert a new track by double-clicking on the "New track" label in the Track View.  Then you are ready to record.

MIDI Maestro has a number of Performance Mode features to explore, including several ways to "follow" singers and action on stage, and to "ad-lib" a performance.

MIDI Maestro now incorporates real-time audio processing in order to support VSTi soft-synths. It's easy to add waveform audio tracks to a song as well.  By doing so, you can combine MIDI and waveform audio into your performance.

First, I play in a rock band and was looking for a nice Midi
sequencer that can be use to play live jam/gig and also have FULL
control over the midi. Having a Start button, with TAP for tempo, and
also playing the introduction until I decide to start the song was a
most. Other sequencer I found did'nt give you the control like
MidiMaestro does.--Steve Hollingsworth