# Record

{% hint style="info" %}
Before recording, please set up the input hardware, sample rate, buffer size.

For more information, please refer to [Preferences](/account-and-settings/preferences.md).
{% endhint %}

To start recording, click the **Record** button on the transport or press the shortcut key <kbd>R</kbd>.

## Arm Record

In ACE Studio, you don't need to manually arm a track for recording. The track will automatically arm for recording when you select it or place the marker line on it.

## Record from An Empty Track

<figure><img src="/files/XQozgk7Nf9U0KWLt1uN5" alt="" width="336"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When selecting an empty track and starting recording, a dialog will appear asking you to choose whether to record Audio or MIDI.

## Record Audio

### Select a Target Track

The selected (focused) track is automatically armed for recording. A red dot will appear next to the channel name in the [mixer](/project/mixing/mixer.md) or on the track header to indicate it's ready.

### Set Input and Monitoring

Choose the correct input channel in [mixer](/project/mixing/mixer.md). By default, monitoring is turned off for audio tracks to prevent feedback. You can manually enable the **Monitor Switch** (headphone icon) in [mixer](/project/mixing/mixer.md) if you need to hear the live input signal.

### Start and Stop Recording

Place the playhead where you want to start and press the **Record** button <kbd>R</kbd> in the transport. Press <kbd>R</kbd> again or press the <kbd>Space</kbd> to stop both recording and playback.

## Record MIDI

### Select a Singer or Instrument Track

Select a singer or instrument track. The selected track is automatically armed for recording, indicated by a red dot.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
Note: If you select multiple tracks, only the first selected track will be armed for recording.
{% endhint %}

### Set Input and Monitoring

Choose the correct MIDI input in [mixer](/project/mixing/mixer.md). For MIDI tracks, monitoring is enabled by default, allowing you to hear the sound as you play on your MIDI device. A headphone icon will be displayed to indicate that monitoring is active. You can turn off the Monitor Switch (headphone icon) in the [mixer](/project/mixing/mixer.md).

### Using the Virtual MIDI Keyboard

<figure><img src="/files/KHpuUQL4vSt48hqMHMHz" alt="ACE Studio&#x27;s virtual MIDI keyboard."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you don't have a MIDI controller, you can use your computer keyboard as a virtual MIDI input device. Activate it from the menu Edit > Virtual MIDI Keyboard(Shortcut key <kbd>/</kbd>).

* Keys <kbd>A</kbd> to <kbd>L</kbd> correspond to white keys. Keys <kbd>W</kbd> <kbd>E</kbd> <kbd>T</kbd> <kbd>Y</kbd> <kbd>U</kbd> correspond to black keys.
* Press <kbd>Z</kbd> / <kbd>X</kbd> to switch octaves down / up.
* Press <kbd>C</kbd> / <kbd>V</kbd> to decrease / increase velocity.
* When the virtual keyboard is active, some application shortcuts will be temporarily disabled.

### Start and Stop Recording

Place the playhead where you want to start and press the **Record** button <kbd>R</kbd> in the transport. Press <kbd>R</kbd> again or press the <kbd>Space</kbd> to stop both recording and playback.


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