MIDI Basics Explained: DAWless Connections, Routing, Convert USB to Din MIDI, Merging, Splitting
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- MIDI Basics Explained. In this video I explain how I use different MIDI connections to connect all of the pieces of my DAWless live setup. I connect together analog, digital, DIN MIDI and USB MIDI between Elektron Octatrack, Analog Rytm, Digitakt, Digitone, Analog Four, Faderfox PC12, and Novation Launch Control XL using MIDI Through Boxes, MIDI Mergers, and USB MIDI Hosts. I hope this will help you create your own unique MIDI setup. There are links below to all of the gear discussed in the video.
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The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks.
Live Gear:
Digitakt: bit.ly/3518hyW
Digitone: bit.ly/3LSmnUm
Octatrack: bit.ly/3HYWAY1
Analog Rytm: bit.ly/3rVW0EN
Toraiz Squid: bit.ly/3gWIPNU
Roland SH01a: bit.ly/3gZsdVq
Audio Cables: bit.ly/3sOpL9V
USB MIDI Host: bit.ly/357UXcc
Quad Through 4X Multiplier: bit.ly/3sMigAp
MIDI Merger: bit.ly/3H0Fwjb
MIDI Cables: bit.ly/3gUFM8P
Faderfox PC12: bit.ly/3sRahSu
Novation Launch Control XL: bit.ly/3I6HAaU
Studio Gear:
Arturia Polybrute: bit.ly/3BvV0dP
Moog Subsequent 37: bit.ly/3GYxR4M
Analog Four: bit.ly/3gWJhLQ
Roland TR-8s: bit.ly/3sRWb3c
Korg Minilogue XD: bit.ly/3v2LGwO
Moog Minitaur: bit.ly/3JCqjXa
Arturia Keylab 61 MK II: bit.ly/34HHt7f
TASCAM Model 24 Mixer: bit.ly/3JBKu7H
Beyer Dynamic DT 770 Pro Studio Headphones: bit.ly/3H2QggW
Adam Audio T7V Studio Monitors: bit.ly/3oYxEbH
My Studio Computer:
Mac mini: amzn.to/2Z4kkFS
Home DJ Gear:
Pioneer XDJ RX2: bit.ly/3HUOpMq
Pioneer PLX 1000: bit.ly/3JFvjul
Pioneer HDJ X10: amzn.to/3bthYp8
JBL EON615: amzn.to/2Dv9hxW
Would you mind turning on the closed captioning (CC), for accessibility reasons? Thanks in advance!
Thanks for explaining this so well! Took my MC-505 out the other day which I had not used for almost 20 years. Totally forgot how to connect and couldn't find any info about this.
never have I gotten such a straight forward explanation of midi. I am a beginner and this was SUPER helpful. I would love to see a video of you connecting 2 or three Roland boutique synths together!
Glad you liked it. The trouble with the Boutiques is that they don't have thru ports, so you would need a MIDI through box to multiply the signal to send to multiple units. Thanks so much for watching!
Yes please!!!!
and darkness becomes light!!! well done thanks so much
Hi Eric, never ever found a video better than this on MIDI and I"ve watched quite a few. Others lack allways something But yours is so complete, so clear! Exellent!
You should have 1M views instead of 18k man.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much for watching. I’m glad you got something out of it
loved this video. I'm sure you know you dont need all those boxes one MarK of the Unicorn (MOTU) and. done:). great video. thank you
Thanks Eric. Very interesting. Now time to check out your other videos.
Good stuff dude. MIDI should be taken out back and put down - vintage gear is dope but even with new gear having USB… USB to USB A… thank goodness was for symmetrical USB-C!
Helpful video for the uninitiated, however! Thank you
I wish I had watched this video when published. Would have saved me a lot of headaches. Thank you for the outstanding explanation.
Glad it was helpful! THanks for watching!
My U-20 kybd/controller recently died. It served me well for many years in my midi studio.
I bought a new MK3 Maudio 61 to replace it. (usb powered)
I placed it into where the u-20 had been, and connected the usb to my pc.
I use windows/logic audio gold(last version before Mac bought Logic)/Motu Micro Lite/4-5 external sound modules.
It worked........until when really sending/receiving a lot of midi data, notes started hanging up/sticking.
The midi mapping that Logic does + the drivers of the Motu, could not handle the additional data being entered via the usb powered MK3 into the pc.
I never had this problem with the u-20.
I found a 9v 500mA wall wart to power the MK3 and removed the usb going to the pc.
The MK3 powered up, lights on, but the Motu would not acknowledge it/a signal.
I then bypassed everything attempting to send a signal from the MK3 directly to a module.....nothing, no signal.
I have a replacement MK3 coming in 2 days, since the first I rec'd had been opened and the things that were supposed to be included were gone. Amazon said they'd send me a whole new MK3, and hope this time nobody opens it, or damages it.
So it could be the next one will/can act as a stand alone controller for a sound module. I'll know in 2 days. And, perhaps the sticking notes were in the MK3, not conflicts with drivers.
Interesting? When I asked amazon, "so you'll pickup this one when you deliver the next one",
he said, "no. you can keep that one too".
Even more curious, why did the UPS man deliver/set an opened box at my doorstep? Anyone could easily see it had been ripped open?
Well, that's my rant for today.
Thanks for a very good midi presentation.
BTW, it seems as tho the new daw world folks pay little attention to ports/channels like we all did in the past.
That Merger isn't cheap,I hope I get this routing correct,I also ordered a midi y splitter I only have one controller(M-Audio 61 keystation),ferrofish B4000+,and Yamaha reface CP.Trying to get them all to work together hope it works!🗽📼
very clear and helpful- Thank you; Cheers🎉
seen many people talk about midi, but never heard a better explanation than this.
Hi Eric, and thank you for the MIIDI functionality explanation!!! It help me a great deal. I have this situation, I want to connect via MIDI a Edirol SD-90 Sound Canvas to a Behringer X32 Board which is connected a DAW. I've been searching the net on the subject with no luck!. Both hardware have MIDI in and out. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
What are you hoping to control via midi?
Very informative! This is THE video I needed! Sub'd!! Thank you! 🎹🔊🎶
Happy to help!
Liked and subbed. Me and friends have all this equipment and instruments and MIDI is road block. Thanks for this. big help
Glad I could help!
hello, i have an axis 49, it has no power cable, only midi 2.0 and is powered via bus power. Is there anyway to use this dawless? thanks for this video and i appreciate your time if you have a moment to spare :) thanks
I just looked it up and it seems that it would just require a USB midi host box. One thing I noticed is that it can only transmit on midi channel 1, so you could only control one device, and it would need to be set to receive on channel one. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
Through could be my lights if I want to have a light show 🤣 so that's what I'm trying to do now
Wow! You broke midi all the way down in a very simple way. It couldn't be done any other way. Awesome brother!
Thanks for an excellent explanation of MIDI. Still a bit unsure about setting up midi channel numbers. I am using a Jupiter x as master but not sure about how to set up channel numbers from to all other synths and drum machine. Also do i need to send midi to and from Focusrite audio interface.
Set each synth to receive on a certain channel (check each manual for how to set this). You don’t need midi to and from your audio interface but it is possible. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your reply Surco. Multi timbral Jupiter x seems to send five parts for each first five midi channels. So lets see what happens . Cheers.
HELLO ! About 10 years ago I used to play MIDI files almost perfectly from my laptop ( Mac Power book ) to our church pipe organ (MIDI empowered) . But now, with new, faster and better computers, but THE SAME organ, entire staves will be muted, only some staves will play, giving me a very poor performance. I use the organ as an accompaniment of my solo instrument playing. No bad or wrong messages, warnings or anything of the sorts, just... muted staves... Any idea what I might be doing wrong ? I tried just about every MIDI interface that there are, with no avail. I would greatly appreciate your comments !!!
That’s a tough one. I don’t have any experience with organs at all. Maybe reach out to ‘Look ma no computer’ UA-cam channel. I know he’s been restoring a church organ and getting it to play with other gear. Thanks so much for watching!
I have a guitar amplifier but it doesn’t have MIDI. I want to control the channels of the amplifier by of the Ampero Control MIDI controller, but i don’t know how to do this connection.
I need to change the channels of the amplifier and mix with analog guitar pedals.
Unfortunately MIDI only works with MIDI. A MIDI controller can only control a device (or devices) with the capability (and inputs) of being controlled by MIDI. There are MIDI guitar amps and amp heads as well as MIDI compatible pedals that can be easily set up to be controlled by any midi controller. Thanks for watching.
do you know of any cheap solution to connect my USB midi out drumpad to a drum synth with only DIN midi in? Because if that Kenton USB host is the cheapest way, I shall just spend 20 bucks more and finally get the midihub by blokas.
USB MIDI Host is the only solution I know. There are a few brands, but they are all similar in price. I'm not too familiar with the Blokas, but it seems that it only has a USB 'B' port to come from a computer before sending the signal over DIN MIDI to devices. If you are using a USB drum pad that also has a USB 'B' connector, the Blokas would not act as the 'host' for the USB. You would still need a MIDI host, or plug the drumpad's USB into the computer using the computer as the 'host', then use the Blokas to send the DIN midi to other devices. If you are not using a DAW, the USB MIDI host is still the answer, but if you are using a DAW, any USB MIDI Hub (Blokes, Mio, Motu, or even many audio interfaces have midi connectivity as well). I hope this helps. Thanks so much for watching!
Excellent explanation, I have questions, how would you connect 2,3 synths and drum machine the simplest way
It depends. If it is for clock only, they can be chained if they have the right out or through ports. If it is to control them, a midi through box would be easiest. I hope this helps. THanks for watching!
I want to get a midi controller keyboard that uses USB to connect to computer also phone and iPad. I want to use it to practice at workplace using my android phone using some digital library. I think I understood everything owing to your clear explanation. Thanks for making this all seem possible.❤❤❤❤
Check out the CME Xkey usb keyboard. A friend of mine had one and it was cross compatible between iOS and android (and Mac and pc). He seemed to like it for the price.
I was just looking for a non-nonsense, simple and straight-forward explanation about MIDI basics for a (still) beginner at MIDI like me. Thanks a lot, sir!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching!
Hey man I’d like to use my Maschine MK1 controller to control the transport functions of my Tascam DP-24 multi track recorder. I should go midi out from the Maschine to the midi in on the Tascam right? Then set the Tascam as the slave? Sync should be clock or MTC?
Hey! Not familiar with that Tascam model, but cabling should go from the unit that is controlling to the unit being controlled. Then each will need to have their midi config settings aligned so they are 'speaking' and 'listening' on the hcannels and to the message types desired. Thanks for watching!
Excellent, thank you for making such a comprehensive video. I'm using an SL mk3 (new to me) so figuring out how to control everything has been a challenge.
This video along with the simple task of setting the midi channels on each device has been brilliant. The breakout box (midi 1 in 6 out) was also the missing piece in the whole jigsaw.
Thru is no longer a mystery to me so thank you again for that, merge is new to me so I'll revisit when I add more gear to my setup.
So happy you got something from the video. Thank you so much for watching!
I'm trying to wrap my head around midi as well.
I have 2 drum modules I'm trying to gain trigger input expansion basically.
However I've seen plenty of videos on the fact that it is stressed that midi isnt audio its instructional chaining.(equipment etc.)
I grasp that but on the other hand I hear drummers say to expand your pad access or triggering surfaces you either go aux in (which I feel is limiting usefulness say I record on my main module a beat ,it wont be recording all pads likely only half of what I hear audio wise it's not incorporated or recognized all surfaces)
Or midi
I hear things like the slave tells the main module what to voice . Well instantaneously would be nice truthfully but I'm not having much luck .
The settings for the slave and the main module would be of great use to get instantaneously cause the further I go into midi the more foreign the language gets .
There's midi mapping there's drum maps I cant after getting so frustrated at times figure out if they are talking a map like a drum library I can pick and store to build kits from like a glossary of voices .
It's totally overwhelming
it can be a lot. just keep in mind that midi tells a sound source what to do (what note to play, how hard, for how long). it is just instructions to whatever your sound source is. you can have all the drum pads in the world but if they are not each mapped to a sound source, their midi out will do nothing. that sound source can be a synth, a sample player, a computer with virtual instruments, or whatever. midi is the language the cables transmit from a controller (keyboard or drum pad, or whatever) to the sound source. I hope this helps a little. thanks so much for watching.
Do you know if the midi interfaces from Arturia, MidiFuses, can act as an USB host, without computer?
Generally a midi interface is for connecting to a computer. I’m not familiar with all of their devices, but I don’t think so. There are devices like the iConnectivity MioXL that are made specifically to be both a computer connected interface and a stand alone midi hub/switch/USB host. Thanks for watching!
I have a very old keyboard (korg x3) some buttons are not working anymore. It does have a midi port. Can I somehow control it through my computer, like selecting sound? If so, how? Thank you very much.
Hi. It should be able to be controlled from your computer via midi if everything is still working. You will need some sort of midi interface to connect via usb to your computer that will have midi out ports. Connect a midi cable to the midi in port on the x3. Make sure the daw in your computer is sending midi on the same channel the x3 is set to receive on (check the manual to see how to find this). The manual should have a list of cc numbers for each function you want to control. This is over simplified but it is possible.
Hey champion love watching some of your videos, they've been very helpful over the past 3 months, so thsnkyou🙏
I want to control my syntakt using midi but not using my syntakt as the controller, I want to use my theremin eatherwaves cv pitch out to control some of my syntakts parameters. Any chance of you being able to explain in some detail on how i can do this because the syntakt doesn't have cv inputs ?
I'm very new to all this still, I know what I want to achieve but there doesn't seem to be anyone on UA-cam with a tutorial on this, it's all geared the other way using din midi and keyboard controllers.
Need heed help 🙏🏻 hope to hear from you cheers Bruce in Australia 🇦🇺
Also I don't use DAW only hardware
I daisy changed my Elektron boxes using MIDI IN and MIDI trough. That way the fist box sends the clock and program changes
Then I wanted to connect a keyboard that kan play all boxes. So that needs to go in front of the chain. That ment that the first box needed to use midi trough, and that the keyboard needs to send the clock.
If I use midi out on the first box, the keyboard notes don’t get past the first box
You need a merger. Send the clock signal as it is. Plug the keyboard in to the ‘in’ on the first box. Merge the out and through from the first box into the second. Then you carry both signals together ‘through’ the second box. I hope this helps. Cheers!
perfect video, thank you very much for straightening out so many questions in my head!! liked and subscribed! one question please, if i have two midi devices with usb, since you said midi usb is bi directional, if the usb cable connecting them in a DAW less scenario has the correct usb ends (type B?) can they talk back and forth to each other? thank you!
They need to communicate through a USB Modi Host. It would depend if one is or not. That would allow communication into that host from another one. Thanks for watching!
All of these separate boxes could probably be replaced by a single MRCC from Conductive Labs…
That’s what I use in my studio. :)
3.5 midi I have one of them on my Microfreak
Great video and information my friend. No wish-wosh, just straight up talk. Immensely thankful!
thanks for taking time to make this. im a newbie getting into DAWless live performance setup.. this helped a lot. knowledge is power
Glad you got something useful from it! Thanks so much for watching.
Important to also know that daisy chaining using thru ports can add latency and other funkiness depending on the device. Not a ton in the best of situations but definitely noticeable especially at higher bpm.
Man the conductive labs MrCC pretty much eliminates a lot of those boxes.
Yes it does! I love mine.
i have a shadow midi pickup triggering a proteus module. can i trigger a din midi keyboard, midi out to midi to usb adapter cord?. no daw, for live performance
Not familiar with that, sorry.
Any issues with power for that merger box? I have a weighted midi controller that sends notes and velocities as input into my workstation via midi and am planning on sending program changes to that same workstation via another midi device and needed to merge both midi signals.Great video!!
I haven’t had any issues with power but my use isn’t quite the same as yours. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching!
Hi great video, I want to connect a volca with my controller midi that have a 3.5 midi out , how can i connect them? I only require the cable with the midi 5 pin with the 3.5 mm on the other side? Thanks
Glad you liked the video. Yes, just make sure you have the right one. Now sure if the Volca takes TRSa or TRSb. Thanks for watching!
I also have bought multiple of these boxes, but kind of wish that I would have bought a single solution, like the mioxl
Multiple are way more convenient as you can move them around in your chain. The only single solution I’ve really loved is the MRCC
Very useful video. I'm fairly new to Midi although I have used in past. But every thing changes with time. I have a "Casio MIDI guitar" and a "Ketron SD-2" sound module with (1) in port (1) thru port and the only out is a RCA connection. I can select and instrument with buttons on the guitar. I would like to connect the sound module to my computer in order to see a list of virtual instruments or pads. Is there a way to do this using GARAGE BAND ?
Thanks for any help, Donnie
I wish I could help. I haven’t used Garage band. Ultimately it would depend if the individual pieces were set up to do that in their software. thanks for watching!
breaking bad 😂
Thanks dude. Do you have a preferred repair shop in Denver for drum machines?
Glad you liked it. I don't have anyone in Denver yet. Let me know who you end up finding. Thanks so much for watching!
Love it. Thank you, Jeff
Brilliant. I’m only 2 years too late but very helpful explanation with practical examples. Going to find your audio path video now too. I pretty much have my midi paths sorted but that doesn’t change the fact that this video is super helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make it and share it.
Hi Eric, I have a bunch of sequencers and synths along with a handful of controllers, I also have some analog modular synths. Most of my gear has DIN connections, some are Class Compliant USB only. I use Ableton as my daw, but I want to be able to use most of my gear without relying on my PC. I was thinking about getting a through box, merge box and USB to din box like you are discussing; however, I came across the iConnectivity mioXL 8x12 unit and as far as I can tell, it will accomplish all of what you're explaining, is this true? If so, can you see any reason NOT to use it? A couple of features I'm interested in at the profiles and RTP midi over Ethernet. Also, what considerations are there for a master clock, I'm thinking about using my beatstep pro, or drumbrute, since they're almost always in use , any suggestions? Thanks!
I have the mioXL, and I have not been using it since I get the Connective Labs MRCC. The biggest difference for me is that the setup of the mio is very complicated and you need to do it in your computer before you can use it without. The MRCC is very intuitive and everything is done in the box itself without the need for a computer. You can also link two MRCC's together via ethernet, or they make outboard extenders for different parts of your studio. I love mine and would recommend it highly. Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlive Excellent! Thanks!
really helpful, thanks
I'm at a point where my setup needs a merge box and probably a through box as well... And usb to DIN eould be nice. I'm really tempted to get something like the iconnectivity MioXL. Any thoughts on that or similar devices?
I have a mio XL I'm selling. Never got the use out of it. I prefer the flexibility of the smaller boxes without having to set up presets in the computer. Check out the MRCC from Conductive labs. THat's what I'm using now and its AMAZING!
@@SURCOlive thanks so much for the response!
How do you then record the midi driven (by the daw) audio into the DAW?
The audio path is separate and goes back into your audio interface (or over USB if your synth can do that). It is recorded in the same way it would be if it was being played manually rather than by midi. Thanks for watching!
Im in Denver
This is an amazing video. Thank you sir. Also, Where did you get your stand that the octatrack is on? I could use some!
Thanks! I got the stand from Reverb. Here is a link: reverb.com/item/17157401-desktop-synth-stand-medium-2-tier-expandable-adjustable?gclid=Cj0KCQiA9OiPBhCOARIsAI0y71BXT6w1esgd8XdrR-mcGCJimFx0GBpZTz81KTRUbn5-BBeu5Ka_FmwaAgLjEALw_wcB
Thanks for watching!
Could I ask for your advice again please re my MIdi setup. I have a midi control KB running into the IN of my Digitakt and connections from THRU and OUT running to a Merge box and then OUT to a Midi Router and onto several hardware synths including an Analog 4. I want to use the Digitakt as the master clock for my setup but not sure whether this will work without buying more Merge or THRU boxes and whether it has to be somehow configured to act as master and everything else configured to be slaves. Many thanks.
Not sure. It depends on what else you want to control other things. The answer on the config is yes. It needs to be configured to send clock and anything else you want via midi, and the other devices need to be set up to receive clock and anything else. The channel for sending and receiving need to be configured as well so the sending device is sending on the same channel the receiving devise is 'listening' on. This is for notes, cc, and program change only. Clock will send and receive generally (not by channel) once the machines are set up to do that. Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlive Many thanks for your reply, much appreciated. All synths are set to receive notes etc on dedicated midi chanels and work just fine, it was the clock I was bothered about so that all drums/arp's etc are sync'd. I can set the Digitakt to send clock but it looks like I'll have to see how to set everything else to receive clock. Cheers.
This is amazing! I never embraced midi till recently. It is really fun, but damn confusing. This explanation made it click! i get it. Thanks Man!! Behringer RD-8>Roland JX3P>(thru-mikro korg)> Moog > Mikro korg> Korg Sv1> Vestax Controller 1 turntable !! its all working thanks a million.
Awesome! I’m glad it helped. Thank you so much for watching!!!
You have a Controller One? That's amazing!
Great tutorial.
This may be a dumb question but is there a cheaper alternative to the octatrack ?
There are a lot of cheaper options for individual features but I haven’t found anything that compares to the feature set for less OR more. It is a truly unique combination of capabilities in one machine. Thanks so much for watching!
Superbly done 👏👏👏 thank you 🙏
So, basically, to make life 10000% easier for everyone dawless wanting to integrate into the daw. Elektron need to create an octatrack mk3 with full featured overbridge function..AND an elektron mixer !! Come on elektron, save us all a headache, and create a mixer already that integrates into ableton! Please and thank you.
Overbridge Octatrack would be a dream!
Awesome ! I've been following your videos and didn't know you were in Denver also! Maybe I'll see you live somewhere sometime!!
Yes! Glad to have more Colorado people on here! Next gigs are 15th and 22nd of February. 15th at Milk, and 22nd at Temple. Hope to see you there. Thanks so much for watching!
@@SURCOlive Hey I'll definitely come say hi! Thanks for the videos!
Excellent. Very clearly explained l. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
May I ask you a question? I’m new to recording equipment. I’m trying to determine, for my initial purchases of equipment, if I should get a midi controller that has midi plugs, instead of usb. Is there a difference in quality or latency? Why would I get a usb controller rather than a midi?
This of course would depend on whether my audio interface has midi, I understand that. I guess I’m trying to decide what kind of controller to get. Probably just need a good basic one since it’s my first one. Thanks for your time!
A lot of it depends on what you will be controlling. USB is convenient for controlling a DAW, but most equipment can’t be controlled directly via usb midi. Most synths would require a usb midi host box to convert the usb midi signal to a din midi signal. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlive thanks for replying! It would be for basic, general control within a daw.
You should be great with a usb device then !
@@SURCOlive thank you! Keep up the good work on your channel.
In my case i just like to have 4 midi in box, because i want to use 4 midi controllers , i have yourock midi guitar as guitar tone, and other midi guitar as bass, 2 midi keys for drums and piano tone and 1 midi out going to my Roland sd50 midi input. And i use 4 channel that sets in different voices. Its posible Sir?
Thank you, needed your explanation 😎
thanks bro !
hello! bonjour salut à toi thanks for the video!
I have a question for the choice of the midi thru box:
in fact I hesitate between the Kenton MIDI Thru 5 model (which has a separate power supply) and MIDI Solutions Quadra Thru V2 (which is powered by the midi)
I think take the midi solution because it is to get out of an Elektron sequencer so which I think will feed the midi thru box ...
but the question is in relation to the quality of the amplification of the midi signal do you have any information?
for the Kenton model I read in the manual: "The THRU-5 has an opto-coupled MIDI Input and separate drive circuits"
do you know the explanation of these technical data? (opto-coupled? noise problems with earth ground etc ... ???)
sorry for this somewhat technical question ... and thank you merci!
Bonjour! From what I understand the powered Kenton boosts each of the output copies if there has been any degradation in the signal. This may be from an extra long cable run from the input source. It acts very much like a powered USB hub vs a bus powered hub. I use the MIDI Solutions without any issues because I’m generally using only 1 meter MIDI cables on my table. If you have a longer run, or if signal degradation is an issue, you might need the powered box. J'espérais que cela était utile. Merci beaucoup d'avoir regardé et s'il vous plaît laissez-moi savoir s'il y a autre chose que je peux faire pour aider. A+ Eric
@@SURCOlive
hey! :) yes indeed I understood that it was especially necessary to use short cables (to enter the box thru especially)
the midi solution v2 seems to work well and to be reliable enough for what I want to do: send sequences to 2 modern machines and maybe an older one which has thru output if necessary and also send a clock to a delay for my guitar. .. haha here is the story of my life for now ^^
I don't want to ask too much it's mainly for the fun of questions that can be asked with the hardware automation:
another (last)-question which has no relation to the midi box:
I am thinking of buying a second master keyboard
I will try to connect 2 midi master keyboard before entering the Elektron sequencer to be able either to have a large keyboard with 2 small ones (same midi channel) or then play 2 different midi tracks (control 2 differant synths): ... keybord1> > keyboard 2 >> sequencer >> box thru >> synthesizers ... logically this must be possible by assigning a channel to the master keyboards and by using the midi menus of the sequencer ... ???
thank you! and thank you for the French text! ;)
Hello from Paris!
If you send the MIDI from any keyboard to a group of synths, you can 'select' the synth from the midi keyboard by selecting to send on the channel that synth is set up to 'listen' on. Making sure these numbers correspond is key to flexibility. I use an Arturia Keylab 61 MKii to control all the hardware and software synths in my studio. You can select the midi channel live without any menu diving, so it is really flexible. Most (novation, Arturia, Akai) will do the same. De rein. ;) Heureux de parler français. C'est ma deuxième langue. J'ai travaillé pour le Club Med pendant 11 ans et j'y ai appris à le parler. J'étais à Paris en juin. C'était super d'être de retour là-bas. Merci encore d'avoir regardé. Merci de me dire comment fonctionne votre solution.
my hero!
Años tratando de entender esto. Gracias.
Thank you so much for watching!
Awesome
Thanks that was very informative , I have a question ! i have an electribe (brains) midi out to a drumbrute and then out to a microkorg, however the microkorg doesn't start or change bpm (arpeg) when its set like this. If i connect the electribe out to the midi in on the microkorg this does work but the out of the microkorg doesn't start the drumbrute - now listening to this i think I need to set this to the thru channel ? I also want to connect my ipad to the electribe to play samples sounds to me that i need this directly connected to the electribe so that i can trigger samples from the pads , and then use the thru from that back to the other two or one of those midi duplicators ?
Yes it will need to be thru in order to get the signal from the master box.
@@SURCOlive thanks I get this to work one problem though the ipaD GarageBand plays all the tracks at the same teams !
Thanks for this! It's exactly what I was looking for. The Kenton midi host mk3 can now also merge USB midi and 5-din in then send it to the MIDI Out socket.
awesome!
Thank you for this information. I have been struggling with a purchase decision, and you may have saved me a few hundred pounds! Seems like what I need for my DAW-Less setup is a merge box with 5 in and 2 out. Thanks again.
Seems like the DAW-less production line is becoming a popular movement. 😊
very helpful routing examples - in/out/thru - thank you
You're very welcome! Thanks so much for watching!
GREAT "LESSON" mate!!!
What is the name and kind of midi usb host do you use. I can't see it on your video. Or if you use a different brand what would you recommend. I need to to Is connect launch control to a boss RC-600 looper.. thank you
Actually what I am wanting to do is connect the launch key, Launch pad, launch control, to the rc-600.
The brand of USB MIDI Host I use is the Kenton. There are others though.
@@SURCOlive oo ok ok.. thank you
Currently watching this trying to figure out to hook up the digitone keys with the Syntakt and digitakt so I can use the keyboard to enter notes into the other boxes sequencers 🤦♂️
Don't use more than one thru connection in a chain if you can help it. Every step in the chain creates latency, so if you thru three or more devices, the device at the end will be getting the signal on a delay and you won't have a tight sync.
Shorter chains are always the best option for sure!
Thank you so much for clear explanation! I understood everything very well! Perfect!
Very useful, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this! Made it simple to understand!
Really great video explaining midi in fine detail, really glad I came across this. Can I ask please about midi merge. In the video you outlined that the Octatrak is providing the clock for all of your synths so if you also wanted to send a sequence from the Digitakt into one of those synths would you use a merger box or is midi clock sent together with other channel specific data? Thanks
Hey! The clock and midi are sent from the same source. You would need a merger to send notes, start/stop, CC, or program change from a machine other than the source. You could send all of those with the clock from the Octatrack if it is the clock source though. Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlive Many thanks for your super-quick response, really helpful.
Midi might be the hardest part of dawless haha. Thanks for the video, see you at the kitchen club live :)
You shouldn't need a multiplier if your intermediate slave devices all have MIDI THRU, unless there's a latency issue
This is true if every device has Thru. I prefer to not daisy chain my devices unless necessary to avoid potential latency and midi conflict issues. But daisy chaining is absolutely and option. Thanks for watching.
@@SURCOlive ok. I'd be interested to know what conflict issues there can be.
Depending how long the distance, how many connections in the chain, and the quality of the connectors and cables, potential issues get greater and greater. Each meter of cable and each 'In/Thru' connection can slightly distort the signal and add to signal degradation which can cause hung notes, lost commands, . This is in addition to added latency of up to couple of milliseconds per link in the chain depending on the quality of the connections in each piece of gear in the chain. Some never experience any of this, but I prefer not to take the risk for live performances.
@@SURCOlive That makes sense. I'm also interested in live performance.
Thank you for that exceptional video. Lots of information and very well presented. Liked and subscribed instantly. I have a question if you may find time. I play the handpan mostly and using an RC 505 looper . I use a mixer and from fx send i control my pedals and the looper . I got the amazing Roland mc101 lately and i am creating some sets on it while adding the handpan at times and configuring the tempo at 101 cause 505 doesnt always match exactly. I read that you can synch them with midi and Rc 505 must be the Master they say, i will check that soon. Yesterday though i ordered the Microfreak. From your video i understand that if you daisy chain them the midi signal is one direction. My set up i imagined it like ' Play the set from 101 , loops some parts with the handpan and adding some synth sounds from the microfreak. I guess i can loop the microfreak also from fx send of my mixer. Is it best advisable to do it like that? Daisy chain them with midi or using a midi box?? I guess practise will tell, thank you for your time making that video and hugs from Greece!!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for subscribing! All three of the pieces of gear you mentioned (RC505, MC101, and Microfreak) all have MIDI in and out, so you co go with any one of them as the 'master clock'. I would probably recommend the MC101 for stability. MIDI 'Out' from that to either of the others, then MIDI 'Out' from that to the third one. Since you are only controlling sync and start stop in you setup, you shouldn't need to worry about the order. Keep in mind that MIDI is only the control signal, and is not an audio signal. That is the second signal flow you will need. Because of this you will still need a mixer/FX/audio signal flow that is separate. Check out my video on Connecting Your Hardware Live Setup. It discusses the two signal flows. I hope this helps, and I'd love to check out some of your music. Thanks so much for watching!
@@SURCOlive You just made my day after 1.5 hours of headache..i was so afraid to use the rc 505 as a slave cause they say it might get damaged. I had it as a master and some things were not right, i was stopping the loop and the 101 was stopping..i read your comment, changed the configuration and boom it worked....!!I hope it will not explode in the future though :)) Here is a video that i feel i still like ua-cam.com/video/Eh6MBnVJNLM/v-deo.html Hugs from Greece :)))))
Awesome!!! So glad it worked!! Happy creating!!! Hugs from Colorado!
very interesting thanks!
Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!
My VoodooLab Ground Control Pro Foot Controller stops responding, sending MIDI messages after 5 minutes of use, i don't know why this happens every time ! Do you think this MIDI Thru Box could solve this problem of MIDI messages errors, weak signals and latency ?
Not sure if it would help but it could. If daisy chaining is causing it, the thru signal would help there for sure.
great video man, ive been trying to figure this stuff out, the video helped a lot, you explain things really well
SO helpful. Thank you. I just subscribed. Question if you have time...If all devices have USB as well as 5pin, can all of the merging/splitting be done with an app like MIDIflow (haven’t been successful there yet, maybe just don’t understand the app) or am I better off getting splitters and/or mergers and using the 5pin connectors?? Here’s my situation, as a performer for live shows: Just THREE devices but not a simple chain, more like a love triangle, LOL: Ipad (app I’m using is OnSong), MODX synth, and VoiceLive 3 vocal processor. Ipad (OnSong) needs to be able to send respective program changes to BOTH of the other two (MODX and VoiceLive 3). MODX also needs to send note data to VoiceLive3 (for generating harmonies), so VoiceLive 3 needs to receive from BOTH of the other two (note data from MODX, and program changes from iPad). Put another way, the MODX is the easiest since it only needs one “in” (from ipad) and one “out” (to VoiceLive 3 for note data), but the iPad would seem to need 2 “outs” and the VoiceLive would seem to need two “ins” by my logic. Can all this be done using USB MIDI (with a powered hub) if I configured it correctly, or do I consider a merger and a splitter as you have discussed in this fine video? (FYI I currently have a setup that works but is not ideal in that I have stored the PCs for the VLs within in the synth for each song patch, so that I can connect linearly with 5pin from the ipad to synth to VL3, but prefer not to be tied to using just THAT keyboard...Would like to be able to send from iPad directly to VL3.)
I’m not sure about midi flow. I’ve never used it. Please let me know what you find out. I’d love to learn! Thanks so much for watching!
@@SURCOlive What I have found out thus far....USB MIDI won’t work for me anyway because apparently the VoiceLive 3 will only receive note data via the 5pin connector. (I was able to get it to receive a program change from iPad when I had everything connected via a USB hub, but no note data was being sent from the keyboard, so I researched that issue....seems I need to use 5pin for MIDI to transmit notes.) So I guess if I want to work on this further I’d need a splitter (to split from iPad to both keyboard and VL3) and a merger on VL3 end (to receive from both iPad and keyboard) if I understand correctly.
Hi Eric, how are you? Great video, thanks so much
I have a Behringer XTouch compact and I want to output the midi input and output signals to two behringher UMC404 boards. What device allows me to take the in and out output of the Xtouch and transform it into 2 in and out?
Excellent your video, thank you very much!
Not sure what you mean. There is no ‘input signal’ from a device. That is a signal coming into it from another device. The output can be split using a midi thru box as mentioned in the video. The multiple signals the output becomes can be sent to multiple devices keeping in mind there is only 16 total channels to be sent. The same signal can however be sent to multiple devices if they are set to receive the same midi channel. Remember that midi goes one direction from out on one device to input on another. And of those signals can be multiplied with a midi thru box going from out to in. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlivethanks for such fast answer.
I use voicemeeter potatos. When i map an action, with midi in y recive the status (FF) so if i move a fader in the xtouch affects the fader in the app, and if i move it into the app, it affect on the fader of the console. So i want to replicate that on 2 computers using behringers 404.
@@gabrielantrilli3322 Sounds good. I would use a midi thru box in each direction. Once coming from the console, and one coming from the computer. You should be all set if you do it that way. Just know that the two signals that come out of the midi thru box are duplicates and not 'split'. They both have the same information. There will only be one of each midi channel even though there are two destinations. That means midi channel one will send the same information to both destinations, midi channel 2 will as well, and so on.
@@SURCOlive thanks so much Eric! Greetings from Argentina!
@gabrielantrilli3322 thanks for watching and reaching out!
14:20 Explanation of Novation Launch Control controlling Digitakt
any suggestions for connecting MC707, Deepmind 12d an Korg volca?
Lots of possibilities there! The MC707 and Deepmind 12 both have 'In', 'Out', and 'Thru' DIN MIDI, so they can be anywhere. It comes down to what you'd like controlling everything. I might suggest the MC707 control the setup. MIDI 'Out' from that to the Deepmind 'IN', then depending which Volca you have and whether you want the keyboard on the Deepmind controlling the synth you would want to go 'Out' from the Deepmind to the Volca. If you want the MC707 to control the volca, then 'Thru' from the Deepmind to the Volca. If neither will control it and you just need tempo and start/stop, then it matters less. Then make sure your channel settings are correct for anything sending note or CC data to another synth. I hope this helps. Thanks so much for watching!
@@SURCOlive Thank you much for your reply. I do want the MC 707 to be the brain. I have the Deepmind 12D (w/out the keyboard).
@@SURCOlive I'm just an old guy trying to live a life long dream of learning all of this.
@@SURCOlive I made the connections you suggested I just am not able to get it to work. Not sure if my setting are off. I was hoping to use the MC707 as both the midi controller and mixer. Just not getting it.
Very useful! Thanks a lot for sharing!
Very good explanation of Midi. I appreciate it.
You shed light on some very dark spots in my brain! Thank you!
Wonderful! Thanks so much for watching!
Best video ever. Lol. First time I'm actually able to understand what the f is going on. Appreciate it.
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!!
thank you for walking through each scenario. really helpful to see actual use cases. would a Motu midi hub negate the need for all the small boxes? they seem to have a lot of ins and outs and be able to route in many ways? I've been looking at them but not sure if they'd solve my issues, thanks!
Glad you liked it. Those midi routers can be great but many require a computer to route things. The advantage of the boxes is they can be used live without a computer. There are options of larger routers (iconnect, MRCC) that can be used with or without computer. Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlive thank you for the quick reply. Very helpful as I’m putting together my studio!
@@fugue6904 I hope it helps! I'm building a new studio at the moment too and I've opted for the MRCC because of its flexibility and connectivity. Good luck with your studio!
@@SURCOlive oh, well I was just looking at the Iconnect based on your recommendation, I'll check out the MRCC now. I'd like to get it right the first time. all I really need is for my TR8s to run the tempo when I'm not on my computer, and then my computer to run things when its on. I'm not always plugged in to my computer. thanks for the help.
Great video, thanks for taking the time to make it. I've recently been trying to sync my minilogue xd to my circuit rhythm but the sync mini jack connection is not reliable enough. unfortunately though, when I use 5 pin midi, my kick drum on track one (of the circuit) triggers a C note to be played on the minilogue along with any other notes I've sequenced in... I haven't given up though! ✊🏻 thanks again man
Glad I could help! You can set your Circuit to not send note data, or set your Minilogue to only receive clock and transport. That will prevent them from triggering. Thanks so much for watching!