If the app isn't recognizing the notes you're playing - or everything sounds slightly off - your keyboard's transpose setting might have been accidentally turned on. This is one of the most common causes of note recognition issues with electric keyboards, and it's a quick fix! đč
What is the transpose function?
The transpose function on a keyboard lets you shift all the keys up or down in pitch. It works in semitone steps, so if it's set to 1, every key sounds one semitone higher than normal (for example, C sounds like C#). If it's set to 2, every key sounds two semitones higher (C sounds like D), and so on. It can also go in the other direction: set to -1, every key sounds one semitone lower.
When transpose is turned on, the app hears the transposed note, not the one you actually pressed. That's why it can seem like note recognition is broken, even when it's working perfectly!
How to tell if this is the issue
It's likely a transpose issue if:
The app consistently recognizes the wrong note (e.g. you play C and the app shows C# or D)
Note recognition suddenly stopped working after everything was fine before
Your keyboard sounds slightly "off" or out of tune compared to normal
How to fix it
Look for a button labeled "Transpose" or "Transposition" on your keyboard. It might also be found in your keyboard's settings menu. Set it back to 0, which resets all keys to their standard pitch.
Not sure where to find it? A quick search for your keyboard model + "transpose" should help. If you can't locate the setting, try performing a factory reset on your keyboard, which will restore all settings to their defaults. Check your keyboard's manual or manufacturer's website for instructions on how to do this.
đĄ Tip: The offset can go in either direction - some learners find they need to set transpose to a negative number (e.g. -1 or -2) rather than 0 if their keyboard is slightly out of its default pitch. If 0 doesn't fix it, try adjusting up or down by 1 or 2 steps to find the setting where the app recognises your notes correctly.
A note on MIDI connections đ§
If your keyboard works fine when connected via MIDI cable but has issues when using the microphonem this is actually a strong sign that the transpose setting is the cause! MIDI sends the digital note signal directly to the app, so it isn't affected by transpose. The microphone, however, picks up the audio output of your keyboard, which is affected by the transpose setting. So if MIDI works and the mic doesn't - go check that transpose setting! đ
Still not working?
If you've checked the transpose setting, reset it to 0 (or done a factory reset) and you're still having trouble, reach out to our team and we'll figure it out together đȘ.
Have more questions?
Chat: In the app, tap on Menu â° > Help & Support
Email: piano@hellosimply.com