I use a mindburner midi Medusa that lets me switch 3 inputs to any of 10 outputs. I have 1 input connected to my code 61, one input and 1 output connected to my iPad via Bluetooth leaving the third input for a keystep 37, or any of my myriad of other controllers. Even with this setup I still don’t have enough outputs so eventually I’m going to purchase another Medusa as they work really well. I feed audio from my synths into an 8 channel Behringer audio interface and from there into my iPad. Although I’m looking to buy an adat and expand the behringer to 16 channels.
That's a neat and cheap solution for sending midi data to synths from flexible sources. But in my case I wanted all the midi out from the synths to be connected (for patches dump purposes) so I went for a mioXL.
Does the merge box handle simultaneous inputs -- playing two keyboards at once and merging their output to control other things? I have a merge box, the "MIDI Funnel", I bought around 1995 that adds four inputs into 1 output, but it's more a switcher. Multiple simultaneous inputs confuse it. It does all I need and still works! I don't use any MIDI gear live, so I can always layer separate keyboards in my DAW.
I have an Digitech RP-12 as the main controller, controlling a (on Channel A) Digitech RP-1, Decibel Eleven Loop Expander, a Behringer 1124P Feedback Destroyer Pro as a 12 band parametric Eq and a Digitech 2112 SGS. With an older Ensoniq KMX 2 input x 8 output MIDI Merger. The KMX let's me allow the RP-12 to control the RP-1, while on input Channel B, the RP-1 controls an Eventide 3000 and a Carvin Quad X preamp that I have in the effects loop of the 2112 SGS.
Yep, the midi merge box helps add extra flexibility (if needed) especially when combined with the midi thru box. As in the video originally I had my Keystep 37 running to a midi thru box so that I could control any of my hardware synths from the keystep on my desk. Now I have the keystep, the keylab61 and the MODx plus also (not shown in the video) an FCB1010 pedal board running into the merge box and then onto the Thru box. This now means the Keystep and Keylab midi keyboards can control any of the 4 hardware synths I choose, the MODX can control the other 3 hardware synths (taking advantage of its 88 keys) and I can use the pedal board to control any one of the hardware synths as well. And can do all of that without having to move cables around as everything is ‘plumbed in’ so to speak 🙂
Great video, i have 4 of the DoreMIDI devices, MIDI MERGER, THROUGH, MIDI HOST, they all require external DC power, i dont understand how Midi Solution devices are passive and dont require any additional power for them to work ? Cheers PeaceFromOZ
Thanks for sharing Graham. I’m tempted to get one of those mergers, but I’d like to make sure it makes sense for my set up. How does that sound : Roland V-drums + NI Kontrol-s (+Roli s board 2 if I’m ever 1200€ richer) all three to the merger. Merger goes to audio interface and then straight to the computer… sounds too easy to be ok…
Tbh you don't need a merger as NI Kontrol and Seaboard are really just USB MIDI keyboards controlling VSTs and I'd just plug them both via USB to a USB hub and into the PC (or direct to the PC if you have enough ports). As far as aware the V drums also has USB ? so I'd just connect that to the hub as well. The merger is really for 'merging' signals and passing them on to other gear, for example I've got 3 controllers a Keystep 37, a Keylab 61 and an FCB1010 pedal board that I want to use to control a variety of hardware synths. They go into the merge box and then a single output containing all their signals goes into a Thru box and then out to all my synths. The other things to remember is a Merger doesn't allow '2 way communication' it just 'passes the signal along'. If you want to connect hardware synths to a computer you need 2 way communication so that MIDI data can be recorded from the synth to the computer and also sent back out from the computer to the synth; this is either done by USB (which allows 2 way communication over a single cable) or via a MIDI interface with both the ins and outs of the synth connected to the midi interface to allow the two way comms (remember, MIDI cables can only send the signal in one direction, so you need 2 for 2 way comms). Hope that helps and all made sense. Cheers :-)
@@splootyvision thanks ! I thought I had read somewhere that USB hubs didn’t really work too well with midi setups. I guess I just need to give it a shot… keep up the good work and thanks again.
The Deepmind and MatrixBrute are hooked to the PC via USB and so can effectively be used as MIDI keyboards mapping their controls to VSTs. In fact the Deepmind is ‘auto’ mapped to Omnisphere (with its Hardware integration) and I can control many Omnisphere parameters using the Deepmind 🙂. The merge box only has 4 ‘ins’ and these are taken up by the keystep, Keylab, MODX and my FCB1010 which gives me the flexibility I needed - I’d need some more little magic black boxes if I wanted to also route the DM and the MB.
Hi - in reality with the right gear yes you can and in fact as well as everything interconnected with good old MIDI cables, each synth is also connected to my PC with usb cables through some usb hubs. I can route everything in my DAW via USB, but this means I have to have DAW open, MIDI tracks loaded etc and if I want to change what's controlling what I have to go in and change the routings in the DAW. With my 5 pin MIDI set up everything is just ready to go with everything routed how I want it and I can jam/play live without the PC on, having to load up the DAW etc. Tbh there are solutions, like i think the MioXL, that could do it all via usb, but they are quite pricey 🙂 and for the moment everything does what I want it to with the current set up. I think for live use/stage set up, most people use old fashioned midi as its more robust. Cheers.
Thanks - hadn't come across the CME products before, but looks like a flexible little box. It wouldn't quite do what I needed in my set up on its own and would still have to pair with a midi thru box I think, but looking at the specs and price it's killer value, even if did need multiple boxes . The only downside is it's usb powered, whereas the MIDI solutions boxes are self powered through the MIDI cables themselves. There's so many different options out there and so many different ways to solve the same issue, this is just how my set up sort of evolved 🙂
@@splootyvision yes my thoughts exactly. I wanted to go with a merger that is powered by midi but somehow got seduced by the versatility and price even though it means having to connect to a power bank. I might still get a 2in 2out merger for small novation circuit tracks set up and use the U6 as a splitter thru in the studio .
Thank you. Just the video I was looking for. Do you need the MIDI Splitter box if you only had 2 synths to trigger? I saw 2 outputs on the MIDI merge but you have it going straight to the MIDI Splitter.
If you've only got say 3 synths (1 as master and two as slaves for example) you should be able to just daisy chain them if they have midi thru ports. If you connect the first synth to the midi in of the next synth and then run from the midi thru of that to the midi in of the third synth. Then set them all to different midi channels (say 1,2 and 3). The you should be able to use the first synth to trigger the second one if you set its midi send channel to 2 and use it to trigger the 3rd synth if you set its midi send channel to channel 3. If you set them all to the same midi channel, all 3 will sound at the same time when you press a key on the first in the chain. Hope that made sense/helps. 🙂
Hey man, thanks for helping me get my mind through what equipment I might need to allow me more flexibility. I was looking at other options before I saw the quadra boxes you suggest and it got me thinking: For my set up, I want my DAW (Pro Tools) to be the master, so that it sends Midi to my 3 hardware synths and also each of my 3 synths send their Midi out to Pro Tools. The problem, obviously, is that my audio interface has 1 Midi In & 1 Midi Out. The Quadra Thru + Quadra Merge would solve this issue. But what about midi interfaces like the mio XL or Miditech’s MIDIface 8x8? The problem I see with these interfaces is that, is it even possible to configure each port individually? ‘Cause for example, my 3 synths would go to Midi In 1, 2 and 3 of such midi interfaces, which I would then want the info of these 3 to route (merge) through the Midi Out 1 of the midi interface and go to my audio interface’s Midi In. And then I would like the Midi Out of my audio interface to go to the Midi In port 4 (or 5, 6 7 or 8, whichever) of this midi interface and then the Midi Out of ports 2, 3 and 4 go respectively to each of my three synths. Hahah do you know if that would be possible? I almost bought one of these for the advantage of expanding with more synths in the future, but thinking about it, I might have had this problem. Love to hear your thoughts on this! Thanks for the videos
Hi there. Tbh in simple terms if you're using a DAW and want that to be the master I would just connect your synths direct to the pc using USB (assuming they have USB). Your DAW will recognise the devices and you can then route anything to anywhere in your DAW. This obviously means multiple usb cables running to your PC and if you don't have enough ports, just run them into a powered usb hub and then a single usb to the PC. The other option would be something like a midi interface that you mention. Here, you don't need to connect the midi interface to your audio interface as you were suggesting. You plug the MIDI in and MIDI out from each synth into the midi interface and then just connect the midi interface to the PC via a single USB cable and the PC will recognise them as separate devices same as the straight forward USB option above. The USB allows two way communication with the interface and because you have the MIDI ins and outs connected to the midi interface this also allows the necessary 2 way communication. You can then configure the routing on the interface for what you want to control what using the software that comes with it, but once programmed it will work standalone without a computer. The computer will also recognise the synths via the usb connection and again you can change routing in there as well. Tbh though I would say this would be overkill for your current set up given the cost of these interfaces. NB. The problem with your initial suggestion above is that if you connect everything via MIDI to your audio interface, the PC will not recognise them as individual midi devices when you set up MIDI tracks in your DAW it will only recognise the Audi interface as the MIDI input/output...so not the way to go. Personally I have the following set up. All my gear is connected by MIDI so it can talk to one another, each individual synth is also connected via USB to the PC via USB hubs, all the audio from the Synths is connected to a mixer that runs into the audio interface. Basically its a sort of 'hybrid' set up, where I can leave the computer off and play 'DAWless' with everything connected and synced via midi cables, or I can turn on the PC/DAW and set up MIDI tracks in the DAW where I can record all the midi data and send it back out to the synths over USB. I've done some videos recently on MIDI, USB and Audio connections and one on Home Studio Set ups, that might help a bit further. ua-cam.com/video/N39VZT6Dx9U/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/YrBo3KuUsbg/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/4I-S4xZKkEw/v-deo.html Hope that all helps :-)
@@splootyvision thanks for the time man! I totally missed the usbs 😂 might just go for a high quality usb hub and plug my synths that way, and the Prophet 8 which has no usb, just directly to the interface. Thanks for the videos!
Pretty sure it can, depends really on what your trying to do. Effectively if you connected both drum modules to the merger then their midi signals would both pass through and come out both of the outs on the midi merger. Or other way round you could connect each drum module to the 2 outs on the back of the merger and they would receive signals from anything connected to any of the 4 inputs on the quadra merge. Hope that helps 🙂
I have E drums Roland TD4 and a drum trigger. With this box, can I plug both into this box the into the midi in on my presonus firebox. Separate, they work fine but I need the controller for extra pads(triggers). It is all used by Addictive Drums 2.
As informative as this is, I have to admit that I'm QUITE the dummy when it comes to mixing old & new school MIDI... Seen A LOT of complaints online citing the Keylab Essential 61 ONLY exports MIDI data on channel 1; any chance this can be bypassed from running 5-pin MIDI out on a UA Volt to the Quadra Through & then onto two dinosaur Roland synths? I apologize if this is the dumbest question in history, but I've gotten spoiled by running USB MIDI straight into my DAW for too long. Thanks in advance.
Hi - you can actually set the Keylab Essential 61 to output on whatever MIDI Channel you want :-). There should be a button that says 'MIDI Ch' and also some of the keys have numbers above them (1-16) which refer to MIDI channels. All you need to do is hold down the 'MIDI Ch' button and at the same time press they key that corresponds to the channel you want. In terms of connecting it, I'm assuming the two roland synths have MIDI In, out and Thru. If they do just run a midi cable from the out of the Keylab to the 'in' of the first synth, then from the 'thru' of that synth to the 'in' on the second one. If they don't have thru ports then a MIDI Thru box would be needed - connect the Keylab to the MIDI thru box and then out to the 'in' ports on each of the synths. Then set each roland synth to a separate MIDI Channel, say channels 1+2. Now if you press MIDI Ch and the key numbered 1, the Keylab will play the roland synth that is set to Channel 1 and.......if you press MIDI Ch and then the key numbered 2, the keylab will play the other roland synth that is set to Channel 2. If you set both roland synths to the same channel you can get them to both sound at the same time when playing the Keylab (effectively layering both synths together). Hope that helps. Cheers :-)
Hiya graham thank for the great video, just a question though, when you have two or more devices plugged into the midi merger, which device becomes the master for clock so say if you where using the sequencer on the arturia keystep 37 etc ? if you could shed some light on this i think it would be a great help to myself and others !! many thanks and keep up the good work my friend !! thanks brett
Hi there, great question and something I hadn't even considered when I plugged it all in. You need to configure which one you want to be the master. I've got 3 devices connected to the midi merge box but only 2 of them send out midi clock (the Keystep37 and the MODX). If I want the Keystep37 to be the master I just go into the MODX and turn the MIDI sync setting from 'Internal' to MIDI (the MODX then responds to the clock at the MIDI in which is coming from the Keystep and doesn't send any clock out of its own). The Deepmind, Matrixbrute, Neutron and MODX then all respond to the tempo changes I make on the Keystep. If I wanted the MODX to the be the master I would run another midi cable back into the MIDI in of the Keystep, set it's clock source to MIDI using the dip switches on the back and then go into the MODX set the MIDI sync to internal and the clock source to ON). Interestingly if I have both the Keystep and the MODX with their midi sync set to internal and they are both sending out midi clock, then it does confuse things, basically the Deepmind, Matrixbrute and Neutron get both clock signals and add them together e.g. if the keystep is set at 90 and the MODX at 100, the analog synths will show their tempos as 190 ! Hope that helps 🙂
@@splootyvision Thank you graham that clears a few things up and explains what i now have to do ! i will now put this in to action and hopefully get it all to work as i want to using this method you have explained!! thank you for your time and effort very much appreciated !! take care my friend!! brett
It's all pretty simple if your devices all fit into the category of either 'controller' or 'synth getting data from controller' and you sort out the topology so that you don't need to turn on Midi Thru on anything. But as soon as you use Midi Thru on a device which isn't the Master Clock ... You better hope the merger prioritizes the first port it gets a clock signal from, or things will get crazy. 😂
@@RaquelFoster The Kenton merger does this. If I understand the workflow correctly, the first input to receive a Start message or a Song Position Pointer message with a value of zero becomes the master clock. After that the merger ignores clock from everyone else until another device sends either of those messages, therefore establishing itself as the boss. I don't own one, so I'm not clear how well this all works in practice.
I want to edit my Matrix 1000 with a laptop and at the same time play it with my keyboard to hear what I am editing. Does this merger do the job I described? Thanks in advance.
Should be what you are looking for: My assumption is that you have a midi keyboard, the matrix 1000 and a midi interface to connect the matrix to the pc. With a midi merge box you should be able to do the following. Midi OUT from Matrix to Midi IN on Midi interface Midi OUT from Midi Interace to Midi IN on Midi Merge box. Midi OUT from keyboard to Midi IN on Midi Merge box. Midi OUT from Midi Merge box to Midi IN on Matrix. This would mean that both the Keyboard Midi and the midi data from the PC (via the Midi interface) are merged and both sent to the single Midi IN on the back of the Matrix, allowing you to both edit the Matrix and play it with your keyboard at the same time. Given that you only need two inputs on the midi merger box you could get away with the MIDI Solutions ‘Merger’ which has 2 ins and 2 outs, rather than the ‘Quadra Merge’ which has 4 ins and 2 outs. As far as I can tell that would all work, but may be worth checking with the guys at MIDI solutions, you can email them at info@midisolutions.com. Hope that all helps 🙂
I'm guessing the answer is probably no, but is there a way to merge the inputs from 2 different midi channels to a single, completely different output channel? I have a few synths that only have the ability to have 1 channel for both input and output, so merging signals then going into a keystep pro and back into those synths makes the setup pretty much un-usable due to horrible midi loops. Toggling off local mode on the synths is too tedious, and dealing with arturia software on the fly isn't feasible either. Thinking this device wouldn't be the solution...maybe a midi event processor or router would be better
Yeah, I don’t think a midi merge box on it’s own would do the trick. Tbh my advice would be to maybe message the guys at MIDI solutions as they may be able to help with a solution. For example they have a ‘midi router’ which allows you to ‘rechannel’ midi signals but again don’t think one of those on it’s own would fit the bill, probably a combination of gear. Sorry couldn’t help more.
I have a Arturia Keystep pro, Kawai mp7se, Dsi 6, Trigon 6, OBX8, two voice pro, Moog, mic live and two voice pro! I want to use my Arturia, mp7se, Mlc or DSI to control the other synths while still having the ability to swap master keyboards! Would I purchase a midi merger?
Hi - yep a midi merger will do what you want. There's various options you could use. One way would be similar to my set up in this video I did, where I have 3 keyboards that I can effectively swap between as masters. ua-cam.com/video/kFf61UcaYt4/v-deo.htmlsi=Du7CjpTtTKdmo8_Y For yours I'd say you need a midi merge box and an 8 port midi through box if I've counted correctly 🙂. Connect the 4 'master' synths to the merger, then connect the merger to the 8 x thru box, then connect the thru box to the midi ins on the other 4 synths and also back into the midi ins on the 4 'master' synths. Then set all synths to separate midi channels e.g. 1-8. With this the Arturia, MP7, Mpc and DSI should be able to play any synth you have just by changing there midi transmit channel. The advantage also is that there's no daisy chaining so if you don't want to, you don't have to turn everything on in order for signals to reach synths at the end of the chain. There are other possibly more complete 'all in one' options like the Conductive Labs MRCC or the iConnectivity MiOXL, which although more expensive may work out more economical in the long run if your studio expands 🙂
I suppose it depends on what your trying to do, and how many synths you have. If I wanted I could forego the thru box and just daisy chain everything after the merge box i.e. Everything into the midi merge box as in the diagram, then in to the TR8S, out of the Thru into MODX, out it's thru into the next synth and so on. Too long a daisy chain though can cause sync issues and glitches, so using a thru box is a bit more reliable. Cheers.
Thanks so much for your reply. I went ahead and purchased the thru box & will use the set up from your vid's. That said, I do have 1 remaining issue to solve. I have 4 Din midi devices & 1 USB midi controller which I'd like to use while at computer to control all of the Midi devices. Also have "midi merge & midi thru box". (Din midi devices, Korg Sv1, Roland Jx-3P, Moog Little Phatty & Behringer RD-8 drum Machine) (USB Midi controller is Novation Launchkey 37). Is it possible to use your diagram/setup if my main midi controller is USB? Thanks again. -B
@@MugpushFunk Hi, having a quick look, the Novation has one 5 pin MIDI OUT on the back of it as far as can see, so should be able to connect it to everything ok. Tbh it does very similar stuff to the Keystep 37 I have on my desk with an arpeggiator, chord mode, strum mode etc and the ability to change midi channels 'on the fly' to trigger different instruments 🙂
@@splootyvision I really appreciate your help! do you do 1 on 1 consult? if so I would love to set up a paid session. I'm guessing it would take under 30 min. I ready to pay for a full hour of your expertise. Thanks again -B
@@MugpushFunk Hi - sorry don’t do 121 consults, however here’s a quick breakdown of how it all could work: Novation connected to computer by usb Novation MIDI out to Rd-8 Midi in Rd-8 Midi thru to in on Thru box Thru box out to midi in on each of the sv1, sub37 and Jx3p Press the sync button on the Rd -8 and set it to MIDI. Set the clock on all the other synths to either Auto/external or MIDI (manuals will tell you how), just make sure NOT set to Internal. Set the sv1, sub37 and jx3p to different midi channels, say 1, 2 and 3 respectively (again manuals will show how) Now you should be able to play each of the other 3 synths by changing the midi channel on the Novation; Channel 1 will play the sv1, channel 2 the sub37 and channel 3 the Jx3p (the midi signal will pass thru the rd8 and trigger the respective synths, same as my set up) For tempo:syncing everything - you should have the choice, like me, to either have the rd8 act as the master clock, or for it be overridden by the Novation. The tempo from the rd-8 should control the tempo of the 3 synths and when you press start/stop on it, any sequences you have armed on the others (believe they all have inbuilt sequencers) should trigger and play in time. If the sequencer or arpeggiator on the Novation is then armed/started it should override the rd-8 and become the master clock sending its tempo to everything else. Also when you start/stop the Novation it should start/stop the drum machine and the other sequencers, again with everything at the same tempo. This should all work and hopefully achieve what you were looking for. PS another thing that might work as well if you bring in the midi merge box (assuming a quadra merge like mine). Run the midi out from the Novation, the sv1 the sub37 and the Jx3p into the midi merge box and then merge box to rd8, and then same as above - rd8 to thru box and thru box back out to the 3 midi ins on the synths. This should mean that you could effectively play the sub37 using the keys on the sv1 if you wanted, just by changing the midi channel on the sv1 to the same as the sub37, or use the Jx3p etc etc. Hope that all helps, Cheers.
Hi - sorry only just came across this comment and realised hadn't replied, couldn't remember exactly how I did this patch - but have managed to pretty much recreate it. Roughly speaking it's; Both oscillators set to saw wave with osc mix in the middle / Osc1 range set at 32 and OSc2 range set at 16 / Osc Sync button turned on / Freq at 6 / Resonance at 4 / mod dept 5 / env depth 6 / noise 6 / vca bias 0 / LFO shape sin with rate 3 and key sync on / Envelope 1 everything at 5 / Envelope 2 ADSR dials at 7, 3,5 and 0 / Overdrive dials at 1,6 and 8 / Volume at 7 / Delay, Sample&Hold, Slew rate limiter and Attenuators - all dials at 0. Turn all the knobs etc to these setting and you should get a similar sound 🙂
For that you really need a THRU box rather than a MERGE. There's another video on my channel that goes into more detail on the THRU box. ua-cam.com/video/13QpdOtLE3o/v-deo.htmlsi=tc60bMEoFNpbA3Lc The MERGE box comes in handy if you've got multiple synths that you want to use to control other synths. For example with a THRU box you can have one master keyboard controlling say 4 other synths. But by adding a MERGE box as I did you can have more that one masterkeyboard as such; as in the video I can control all my hardware from either the small keystep on my desk, my larger keylab61 or from my MODX. But it's the THRU box that keeps everything in sync. Also bear in mind whether you're synths have THRU ports or not. If they do and you've only got a few then you could just 'daisy chain' them with the master at the start of the chain sending it's clock to all the others to keep them in sync.
After that explanation I've finally got my head round a MIDI merge. Splootyliciously done!
I use a mindburner midi Medusa that lets me switch 3 inputs to any of 10 outputs. I have 1 input connected to my code 61, one input and 1 output connected to my iPad via Bluetooth leaving the third input for a keystep 37, or any of my myriad of other controllers. Even with this setup I still don’t have enough outputs so eventually I’m going to purchase another Medusa as they work really well. I feed audio from my synths into an 8 channel Behringer audio interface and from there into my iPad. Although I’m looking to buy an adat and expand the behringer to 16 channels.
Best explanation on the tube, Thank you, Graham!
I learned a lot!
Excellent video !
I’m going to watch your other video for more in depth look. Thank you so much.
Thank you for the video,
An excellent explanation on the midi merger!! 🙏🙏
the best at explaning midi
That's a neat and cheap solution for sending midi data to synths from flexible sources. But in my case I wanted all the midi out from the synths to be connected (for patches dump purposes) so I went for a mioXL.
The mioXL does look like a great bit of kit, might have to consider one of those for the future 🙂
Thank you! Perfect videos on these boxes.
Does the merge box handle simultaneous inputs -- playing two keyboards at once and merging their output to control other things? I have a merge box, the "MIDI Funnel", I bought around 1995 that adds four inputs into 1 output, but it's more a switcher. Multiple simultaneous inputs confuse it. It does all I need and still works! I don't use any MIDI gear live, so I can always layer separate keyboards in my DAW.
Yep, it handles simultaneous inputs 🙂
Great explanation, thankyou
I have an Digitech RP-12 as the main controller, controlling a (on Channel A) Digitech RP-1, Decibel Eleven Loop Expander, a Behringer 1124P Feedback Destroyer Pro as a 12 band parametric Eq and a Digitech 2112 SGS.
With an older Ensoniq KMX 2 input x 8 output MIDI Merger.
The KMX let's me allow the RP-12 to control the RP-1, while on input Channel B, the RP-1 controls an Eventide 3000 and a Carvin Quad X preamp that I have in the effects loop of the 2112 SGS.
That sounds like a nice set up 🙂
@@splootyvision
Blows me away, how many guitarists are afraid of the MIDI Domain.
I love it !!!!
Well explained! I guess it could be useful if you have a hardware sequencer and a midi keyboard you want to send to various synths and drum machines?
Yep, the midi merge box helps add extra flexibility (if needed) especially when combined with the midi thru box. As in the video originally I had my Keystep 37 running to a midi thru box so that I could control any of my hardware synths from the keystep on my desk. Now I have the keystep, the keylab61 and the MODx plus also (not shown in the video) an FCB1010 pedal board running into the merge box and then onto the Thru box. This now means the Keystep and Keylab midi keyboards can control any of the 4 hardware synths I choose, the MODX can control the other 3 hardware synths (taking advantage of its 88 keys) and I can use the pedal board to control any one of the hardware synths as well. And can do all of that without having to move cables around as everything is ‘plumbed in’ so to speak 🙂
Great video, i have 4 of the DoreMIDI devices, MIDI MERGER, THROUGH, MIDI HOST, they all require external DC power, i dont understand how Midi Solution devices are passive and dont require any additional power for them to work ?
Cheers
PeaceFromOZ
Thanks for sharing Graham. I’m tempted to get one of those mergers, but I’d like to make sure it makes sense for my set up. How does that sound : Roland V-drums + NI Kontrol-s (+Roli s board 2 if I’m ever 1200€ richer) all three to the merger. Merger goes to audio interface and then straight to the computer… sounds too easy to be ok…
Tbh you don't need a merger as NI Kontrol and Seaboard are really just USB MIDI keyboards controlling VSTs and I'd just plug them both via USB to a USB hub and into the PC (or direct to the PC if you have enough ports). As far as aware the V drums also has USB ? so I'd just connect that to the hub as well.
The merger is really for 'merging' signals and passing them on to other gear, for example I've got 3 controllers a Keystep 37, a Keylab 61 and an FCB1010 pedal board that I want to use to control a variety of hardware synths. They go into the merge box and then a single output containing all their signals goes into a Thru box and then out to all my synths.
The other things to remember is a Merger doesn't allow '2 way communication' it just 'passes the signal along'. If you want to connect hardware synths to a computer you need 2 way communication so that MIDI data can be recorded from the synth to the computer and also sent back out from the computer to the synth; this is either done by USB (which allows 2 way communication over a single cable) or via a MIDI interface with both the ins and outs of the synth connected to the midi interface to allow the two way comms (remember, MIDI cables can only send the signal in one direction, so you need 2 for 2 way comms). Hope that helps and all made sense. Cheers :-)
@@splootyvision thanks ! I thought I had read somewhere that USB hubs didn’t really work too well with midi setups. I guess I just need to give it a shot…
keep up the good work and thanks again.
@@raphaeltirintino2482 Just make sure it’s a powered hub (I use RSHTECH hubs) 🙂
at 4:08, why not also hook up the deepmind and brute? Especially since they have all those nice controllers
The Deepmind and MatrixBrute are hooked to the PC via USB and so can effectively be used as MIDI keyboards mapping their controls to VSTs. In fact the Deepmind is ‘auto’ mapped to Omnisphere (with its Hardware integration) and I can control many Omnisphere parameters using the Deepmind 🙂. The merge box only has 4 ‘ins’ and these are taken up by the keystep, Keylab, MODX and my FCB1010 which gives me the flexibility I needed - I’d need some more little magic black boxes if I wanted to also route the DM and the MB.
Maybe a dumb question, but on modern synths, can't you do all of this on USB? or do you find that glitch-y or something?
Hi - in reality with the right gear yes you can and in fact as well as everything interconnected with good old MIDI cables, each synth is also connected to my PC with usb cables through some usb hubs. I can route everything in my DAW via USB, but this means I have to have DAW open, MIDI tracks loaded etc and if I want to change what's controlling what I have to go in and change the routings in the DAW. With my 5 pin MIDI set up everything is just ready to go with everything routed how I want it and I can jam/play live without the PC on, having to load up the DAW etc. Tbh there are solutions, like i think the MioXL, that could do it all via usb, but they are quite pricey 🙂 and for the moment everything does what I want it to with the current set up. I think for live use/stage set up, most people use old fashioned midi as its more robust. Cheers.
They never show the pluging stuff in details
I feel the U6 midi pro could do it all in one box no? Great explanation of the process, very helpful!
Thanks - hadn't come across the CME products before, but looks like a flexible little box. It wouldn't quite do what I needed in my set up on its own and would still have to pair with a midi thru box I think, but looking at the specs and price it's killer value, even if did need multiple boxes . The only downside is it's usb powered, whereas the MIDI solutions boxes are self powered through the MIDI cables themselves. There's so many different options out there and so many different ways to solve the same issue, this is just how my set up sort of evolved 🙂
@@splootyvision yes my thoughts exactly. I wanted to go with a merger that is powered by midi but somehow got seduced by the versatility and price even though it means having to connect to a power bank. I might still get a 2in 2out merger for small novation circuit tracks set up and use the U6 as a splitter thru in the studio .
Thank you. Just the video I was looking for. Do you need the MIDI Splitter box if you only had 2 synths to trigger? I saw 2 outputs on the MIDI merge but you have it going straight to the MIDI Splitter.
If you've only got say 3 synths (1 as master and two as slaves for example) you should be able to just daisy chain them if they have midi thru ports. If you connect the first synth to the midi in of the next synth and then run from the midi thru of that to the midi in of the third synth. Then set them all to different midi channels (say 1,2 and 3). The you should be able to use the first synth to trigger the second one if you set its midi send channel to 2 and use it to trigger the 3rd synth if you set its midi send channel to channel 3. If you set them all to the same midi channel, all 3 will sound at the same time when you press a key on the first in the chain. Hope that made sense/helps. 🙂
Hey man, thanks for helping me get my mind through what equipment I might need to allow me more flexibility.
I was looking at other options before I saw the quadra boxes you suggest and it got me thinking: For my set up, I want my DAW (Pro Tools) to be the master, so that it sends Midi to my 3 hardware synths and also each of my 3 synths send their Midi out to Pro Tools. The problem, obviously, is that my audio interface has 1 Midi In & 1 Midi Out. The Quadra Thru + Quadra Merge would solve this issue.
But what about midi interfaces like the mio XL or Miditech’s MIDIface 8x8? The problem I see with these interfaces is that, is it even possible to configure each port individually? ‘Cause for example, my 3 synths would go to Midi In 1, 2 and 3 of such midi interfaces, which I would then want the info of these 3 to route (merge) through the Midi Out 1 of the midi interface and go to my audio interface’s Midi In. And then I would like the Midi Out of my audio interface to go to the Midi In port 4 (or 5, 6 7 or 8, whichever) of this midi interface and then the Midi Out of ports 2, 3 and 4 go respectively to each of my three synths. Hahah do you know if that would be possible? I almost bought one of these for the advantage of expanding with more synths in the future, but thinking about it, I might have had this problem. Love to hear your thoughts on this! Thanks for the videos
Hi there. Tbh in simple terms if you're using a DAW and want that to be the master I would just connect your synths direct to the pc using USB (assuming they have USB). Your DAW will recognise the devices and you can then route anything to anywhere in your DAW. This obviously means multiple usb cables running to your PC and if you don't have enough ports, just run them into a powered usb hub and then a single usb to the PC.
The other option would be something like a midi interface that you mention. Here, you don't need to connect the midi interface to your audio interface as you were suggesting. You plug the MIDI in and MIDI out from each synth into the midi interface and then just connect the midi interface to the PC via a single USB cable and the PC will recognise them as separate devices same as the straight forward USB option above. The USB allows two way communication with the interface and because you have the MIDI ins and outs connected to the midi interface this also allows the necessary 2 way communication. You can then configure the routing on the interface for what you want to control what using the software that comes with it, but once programmed it will work standalone without a computer. The computer will also recognise the synths via the usb connection and again you can change routing in there as well.
Tbh though I would say this would be overkill for your current set up given the cost of these interfaces.
NB. The problem with your initial suggestion above is that if you connect everything via MIDI to your audio interface, the PC will not recognise them as individual midi devices when you set up MIDI tracks in your DAW it will only recognise the Audi interface as the MIDI input/output...so not the way to go.
Personally I have the following set up. All my gear is connected by MIDI so it can talk to one another, each individual synth is also connected via USB to the PC via USB hubs, all the audio from the Synths is connected to a mixer that runs into the audio interface. Basically its a sort of 'hybrid' set up, where I can leave the computer off and play 'DAWless' with everything connected and synced via midi cables, or I can turn on the PC/DAW and set up MIDI tracks in the DAW where I can record all the midi data and send it back out to the synths over USB.
I've done some videos recently on MIDI, USB and Audio connections and one on Home Studio Set ups, that might help a bit further.
ua-cam.com/video/N39VZT6Dx9U/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/YrBo3KuUsbg/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/4I-S4xZKkEw/v-deo.html
Hope that all helps :-)
@@splootyvision thanks for the time man! I totally missed the usbs 😂 might just go for a high quality usb hub and plug my synths that way, and the Prophet 8 which has no usb, just directly to the interface. Thanks for the videos!
I have
Can this be used with 2 drum modules with only 1 midi out in each drum module?
Pretty sure it can, depends really on what your trying to do. Effectively if you connected both drum modules to the merger then their midi signals would both pass through and come out both of the outs on the midi merger. Or other way round you could connect each drum module to the 2 outs on the back of the merger and they would receive signals from anything connected to any of the 4 inputs on the quadra merge. Hope that helps 🙂
I have E drums Roland TD4 and a drum trigger. With this box, can I plug both into this box the into the midi in on my presonus firebox. Separate, they work fine but I need the controller for extra pads(triggers). It is all used by Addictive Drums 2.
As informative as this is, I have to admit that I'm QUITE the dummy when it comes to mixing old & new school MIDI... Seen A LOT of complaints online citing the Keylab Essential 61 ONLY exports MIDI data on channel 1; any chance this can be bypassed from running 5-pin MIDI out on a UA Volt to the Quadra Through & then onto two dinosaur Roland synths? I apologize if this is the dumbest question in history, but I've gotten spoiled by running USB MIDI straight into my DAW for too long. Thanks in advance.
Hi - you can actually set the Keylab Essential 61 to output on whatever MIDI Channel you want :-). There should be a button that says 'MIDI Ch' and also some of the keys have numbers above them (1-16) which refer to MIDI channels. All you need to do is hold down the 'MIDI Ch' button and at the same time press they key that corresponds to the channel you want.
In terms of connecting it, I'm assuming the two roland synths have MIDI In, out and Thru. If they do just run a midi cable from the out of the Keylab to the 'in' of the first synth, then from the 'thru' of that synth to the 'in' on the second one. If they don't have thru ports then a MIDI Thru box would be needed - connect the Keylab to the MIDI thru box and then out to the 'in' ports on each of the synths.
Then set each roland synth to a separate MIDI Channel, say channels 1+2.
Now if you press MIDI Ch and the key numbered 1, the Keylab will play the roland synth that is set to Channel 1 and.......if you press MIDI Ch and then the key numbered 2, the keylab will play the other roland synth that is set to Channel 2. If you set both roland synths to the same channel you can get them to both sound at the same time when playing the Keylab (effectively layering both synths together). Hope that helps. Cheers :-)
Hiya graham thank for the great video, just a question though, when you have two or more devices plugged into the midi merger, which device becomes the master for clock so say if you where using the sequencer on the arturia keystep 37 etc ? if you could shed some light on this i think it would be a great help to myself and others !! many thanks and keep up the good work my friend !! thanks brett
Hi there, great question and something I hadn't even considered when I plugged it all in. You need to configure which one you want to be the master. I've got 3 devices connected to the midi merge box but only 2 of them send out midi clock (the Keystep37 and the MODX). If I want the Keystep37 to be the master I just go into the MODX and turn the MIDI sync setting from 'Internal' to MIDI (the MODX then responds to the clock at the MIDI in which is coming from the Keystep and doesn't send any clock out of its own). The Deepmind, Matrixbrute, Neutron and MODX then all respond to the tempo changes I make on the Keystep. If I wanted the MODX to the be the master I would run another midi cable back into the MIDI in of the Keystep, set it's clock source to MIDI using the dip switches on the back and then go into the MODX set the MIDI sync to internal and the clock source to ON). Interestingly if I have both the Keystep and the MODX with their midi sync set to internal and they are both sending out midi clock, then it does confuse things, basically the Deepmind, Matrixbrute and Neutron get both clock signals and add them together e.g. if the keystep is set at 90 and the MODX at 100, the analog synths will show their tempos as 190 ! Hope that helps 🙂
@@splootyvision Thank you graham that clears a few things up and explains what i now have to do ! i will now put this in to action and hopefully get it all to work as i want to using this method you have explained!! thank you for your time and effort very much appreciated !! take care my friend!! brett
It's all pretty simple if your devices all fit into the category of either 'controller' or 'synth getting data from controller' and you sort out the topology so that you don't need to turn on Midi Thru on anything. But as soon as you use Midi Thru on a device which isn't the Master Clock ... You better hope the merger prioritizes the first port it gets a clock signal from, or things will get crazy. 😂
@@RaquelFoster The Kenton merger does this. If I understand the workflow correctly, the first input to receive a Start message or a Song Position Pointer message with a value of zero becomes the master clock. After that the merger ignores clock from everyone else until another device sends either of those messages, therefore establishing itself as the boss. I don't own one, so I'm not clear how well this all works in practice.
I want to edit my Matrix 1000 with a laptop and at the same time play it with my keyboard to hear what I am editing. Does this merger do the job I described? Thanks in advance.
Should be what you are looking for:
My assumption is that you have a midi keyboard, the matrix 1000 and a midi interface to connect the matrix to the pc. With a midi merge box you should be able to do the following.
Midi OUT from Matrix to Midi IN on Midi interface
Midi OUT from Midi Interace to Midi IN on Midi Merge box.
Midi OUT from keyboard to Midi IN on Midi Merge box.
Midi OUT from Midi Merge box to Midi IN on Matrix.
This would mean that both the Keyboard Midi and the midi data from the PC (via the Midi interface) are merged and both sent to the single Midi IN on the back of the Matrix, allowing you to both edit the Matrix and play it with your keyboard at the same time.
Given that you only need two inputs on the midi merger box you could get away with the MIDI Solutions ‘Merger’ which has 2 ins and 2 outs, rather than the ‘Quadra Merge’ which has 4 ins and 2 outs.
As far as I can tell that would all work, but may be worth checking with the guys at MIDI solutions, you can email them at info@midisolutions.com.
Hope that all helps 🙂
Thanks for the detailed explanation! I will also email these guys for further clarification. Many thanks!
I'm guessing the answer is probably no, but is there a way to merge the inputs from 2 different midi channels to a single, completely different output channel? I have a few synths that only have the ability to have 1 channel for both input and output, so merging signals then going into a keystep pro and back into those synths makes the setup pretty much un-usable due to horrible midi loops. Toggling off local mode on the synths is too tedious, and dealing with arturia software on the fly isn't feasible either. Thinking this device wouldn't be the solution...maybe a midi event processor or router would be better
Yeah, I don’t think a midi merge box on it’s own would do the trick. Tbh my advice would be to maybe message the guys at MIDI solutions as they may be able to help with a solution. For example they have a ‘midi router’ which allows you to ‘rechannel’ midi signals but again don’t think one of those on it’s own would fit the bill, probably a combination of gear. Sorry couldn’t help more.
@@splootyvision thanks! Yeah I actually have one of the routers on the way, hopefully that solves it
I have a Arturia Keystep pro, Kawai mp7se, Dsi 6, Trigon 6, OBX8, two voice pro, Moog, mic live and two voice pro! I want to use my Arturia, mp7se, Mlc or DSI to control the other synths while still having the ability to swap master keyboards! Would I purchase a midi merger?
Hi - yep a midi merger will do what you want. There's various options you could use. One way would be similar to my set up in this video I did, where I have 3 keyboards that I can effectively swap between as masters. ua-cam.com/video/kFf61UcaYt4/v-deo.htmlsi=Du7CjpTtTKdmo8_Y
For yours I'd say you need a midi merge box and an 8 port midi through box if I've counted correctly 🙂. Connect the 4 'master' synths to the merger, then connect the merger to the 8 x thru box, then connect the thru box to the midi ins on the other 4 synths and also back into the midi ins on the 4 'master' synths. Then set all synths to separate midi channels e.g. 1-8. With this the Arturia, MP7, Mpc and DSI should be able to play any synth you have just by changing there midi transmit channel. The advantage also is that there's no daisy chaining so if you don't want to, you don't have to turn everything on in order for signals to reach synths at the end of the chain.
There are other possibly more complete 'all in one' options like the Conductive Labs MRCC or the iConnectivity MiOXL, which although more expensive may work out more economical in the long run if your studio expands 🙂
@@splootyvision thank you so much
what if you have the merge box but not thu box?
I suppose it depends on what your trying to do, and how many synths you have. If I wanted I could forego the thru box and just daisy chain everything after the merge box i.e. Everything into the midi merge box as in the diagram, then in to the TR8S, out of the Thru into MODX, out it's thru into the next synth and so on. Too long a daisy chain though can cause sync issues and glitches, so using a thru box is a bit more reliable. Cheers.
Thanks so much for your reply. I went ahead and purchased the thru box & will use the set up from your vid's. That said, I do have 1 remaining issue to solve.
I have 4 Din midi devices & 1 USB midi controller which I'd like to use while at computer to control all of the Midi devices. Also have "midi merge & midi thru box".
(Din midi devices, Korg Sv1, Roland Jx-3P, Moog Little Phatty & Behringer RD-8 drum Machine) (USB Midi controller is Novation Launchkey 37). Is it possible to use your diagram/setup if my main midi controller is USB? Thanks again. -B
@@MugpushFunk Hi, having a quick look, the Novation has one 5 pin MIDI OUT on the back of it as far as can see, so should be able to connect it to everything ok. Tbh it does very similar stuff to the Keystep 37 I have on my desk with an arpeggiator, chord mode, strum mode etc and the ability to change midi channels 'on the fly' to trigger different instruments 🙂
@@splootyvision I really appreciate your help! do you do 1 on 1 consult? if so I would love to set up a paid session. I'm guessing it would take under 30 min. I ready to pay for a full hour of your expertise. Thanks again -B
@@MugpushFunk Hi - sorry don’t do 121 consults, however here’s a quick breakdown of how it all could work:
Novation connected to computer by usb
Novation MIDI out to Rd-8 Midi in
Rd-8 Midi thru to in on Thru box
Thru box out to midi in on each of the sv1, sub37 and Jx3p
Press the sync button on the Rd -8 and set it to MIDI.
Set the clock on all the other synths to either Auto/external or MIDI (manuals will tell you how), just make sure NOT set to Internal.
Set the sv1, sub37 and jx3p to different midi channels, say 1, 2 and 3 respectively (again manuals will show how)
Now you should be able to play each of the other 3 synths by changing the midi channel on the Novation; Channel 1 will play the sv1, channel 2 the sub37 and channel 3 the Jx3p (the midi signal will pass thru the rd8 and trigger the respective synths, same as my set up)
For tempo:syncing everything - you should have the choice, like me, to either have the rd8 act as the master clock, or for it be overridden by the Novation.
The tempo from the rd-8 should control the tempo of the 3 synths and when you press start/stop on it, any sequences you have armed on the others (believe they all have inbuilt sequencers) should trigger and play in time.
If the sequencer or arpeggiator on the Novation is then armed/started it should override the rd-8 and become the master clock sending its tempo to everything else. Also when you start/stop the Novation it should start/stop the drum machine and the other sequencers, again with everything at the same tempo.
This should all work and hopefully achieve what you were looking for.
PS another thing that might work as well if you bring in the midi merge box (assuming a quadra merge like mine).
Run the midi out from the Novation, the sv1 the sub37 and the Jx3p into the midi merge box and then merge box to rd8, and then same as above - rd8 to thru box and thru box back out to the 3 midi ins on the synths. This should mean that you could effectively play the sub37 using the keys on the sv1 if you wanted, just by changing the midi channel on the sv1 to the same as the sub37, or use the Jx3p etc etc.
Hope that all helps, Cheers.
How do you get that sound in The neutron?
Hi - sorry only just came across this comment and realised hadn't replied, couldn't remember exactly how I did this patch - but have managed to pretty much recreate it. Roughly speaking it's; Both oscillators set to saw wave with osc mix in the middle / Osc1 range set at 32 and OSc2 range set at 16 / Osc Sync button turned on / Freq at 6 / Resonance at 4 / mod dept 5 / env depth 6 / noise 6 / vca bias 0 / LFO shape sin with rate 3 and key sync on / Envelope 1 everything at 5 / Envelope 2 ADSR dials at 7, 3,5 and 0 / Overdrive dials at 1,6 and 8 / Volume at 7 / Delay, Sample&Hold, Slew rate limiter and Attenuators - all dials at 0. Turn all the knobs etc to these setting and you should get a similar sound 🙂
Would this work if want all machines to play in sync
For that you really need a THRU box rather than a MERGE. There's another video on my channel that goes into more detail on the THRU box.
ua-cam.com/video/13QpdOtLE3o/v-deo.htmlsi=tc60bMEoFNpbA3Lc
The MERGE box comes in handy if you've got multiple synths that you want to use to control other synths. For example with a THRU box you can have one master keyboard controlling say 4 other synths. But by adding a MERGE box as I did you can have more that one masterkeyboard as such; as in the video I can control all my hardware from either the small keystep on my desk, my larger keylab61 or from my MODX. But it's the THRU box that keeps everything in sync.
Also bear in mind whether you're synths have THRU ports or not. If they do and you've only got a few then you could just 'daisy chain' them with the master at the start of the chain sending it's clock to all the others to keep them in sync.
what about latency issues with the thru and merger?
None that I’ve experienced 🙂