midi/synth questions
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Posted on Mar 31, 2003 12:40 pm
coolo
Frisco's Most Underrated
Member Since: Jan 28, 2003
For those of you who use synths, both hardware and software, I am curious how you control them. For soft synths, where does the midi input to the computer come from? Does it go through the soundcard normally? And what if your soundcard does not have a midi input?
For outboard synths, do you send the MIDI events from a controller, to the synth, and record in audio, the sounds that come from the synths? Or does the information come as MIDI from the synths to your DAW (assuming you're recording on a computer)?
thanks in advance
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juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Mar 31, 2003 05:18 pm Hey dude.
Well, I have a fairly basic MIDI setup comprising of 3 machines, (Akai MPC2000XL, Roland JP8000 and a Novation Supernova).
My soundcards do not have a MIDI input, as a result I had to buy a Midi Interface - there are loads avaliable but I went for the MidiSport 2x2 which gives you 2 MIDI inputs and 2 MIDI outputs.
If your soundcard has a Joystick Input then you can buy a simple MPU401 MIDI interface cable which will provide you with a single 1x1 (1 in, 1 out) MIDI interface, which is fine if you only have a small MIDI setup.
When using a Softsynth, I will plug on of my keyboards' (usually the JP-8000) MIDI outputs into the INPUT of my Computer's MIDI Interface. I will then turn the Local Control setting on the JP-8000 to OFF. (Local Control is the switch that makes the keyboard either generate it's own sounds (ON) or simply transmit MIDI information (OFF) - when you are not using the keyboard in a MIDI Rig you will want to have Local Control set to ON). Once this is set up it means I can play the keys on the JP-8000, and that in turn will control the soft-synth on the computer - the same goes with all the sliders and knobs, which makes programming them a doddle (and much more enjoyable).
When working with the outboard synth you will still want Local Control set to OFF so that you don't get a MIDI echo (When the same data is sent twice). Make sure the MIDI Out from the keyboard is going into the MIDI In of the Interface and the MIDI IN from the keyboard is coming from the MIDI Out of the Interface. Then, when you have played the Sequence into your Sequencer (eg: Cubase), you can simply record the Audio that comes out of the Synth into your soundcard.
Let me know if anything else is troubling you MIDI wise.
jues.
Appendix:
o M-Audio MIDIsport 2x2 :: www.musiciansfriend.com/s...l/base_id/44269 :: $70
o M-Audio MIDIsport 4x4 :: www.musiciansfriend.com/s...l/base_id/44337 :: $150
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Mar 31, 2003 06:43 pm Thanks Jues, that is very helpful (as usual). One last question though, to clarify. In your setup, when you are using an outboard synthesizer, the last connection goes from your synth to the soundcard, or your keyboard controller to your soundcard (assuming you are using a seperate synth from your keyboard).
Let me know if this post is not making sense.
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Mar 31, 2003 08:20 pm Okay, took me a couple of reads, but I think I know what you're after :)
Okay, say you have a MIDI Controller Keyobard, your Sequencing Program (Cubase), a MIDI Interface (like the MIDIsport 2x2) and a 'Rack Mount' (outboard) Synthesiser (something like a Roland JV1080) - this is how you would have the MIDI Wired...
Have the MIDI Out from the Controller Keyboard going into the MIDI in on the PC.
Have the MIDI Out from the PC going to the MIDI In on the Rack Synth (outboard synth).
This setup will allow you to add more Rack Synths to your setup at a later date and still have full control over all of them via the controller keyboard.
Is that what you were looking for? If you want specific help then tell me what gear you are trying to hook up and what MIDI In/Out/Thru options it has.
jues.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Mar 31, 2003 11:37 pm Hmmm, I don't have any specific gear questions here, I guess I'm thinking more theoretically.
After reading your last post, I'm wondering how the sounds from your outboard synth get recorded to the computer. Is there normally a line out of some sort on your synth that you would connect to one of your line ins on the sound card? Or does it go back through your keyboard controller, and then into your soundcard?
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Apr 01, 2003 04:48 am Okay,
In the example I gave above, the audio output from the Rack Synth would be hooked up to either a mixing desk or a patchbay (preferably a mixing desk).
Then, in order to record the audio into the computer, you would simply route the signal out of the mixing desk and into your soundcard as you would with any other sound source.
Just to clear you up on a point you raise - Controller keyboards / devices do not handle audio signals (they don't generate any nor do they have inputs for any signals) - they just deal with MIDI, as a result it wold not be possible for the audio to 'go back through your keyboard controller, and then into your soundcard.'
If you are still not clear then I can draw you up a little diagram if that would help.
jues.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Apr 01, 2003 11:38 am Ok, that makes sense now. The confusion of sending the audio through the keyboard controller came about when I read that you said to make sure the midi out of the rack mount synth was connected to the midi in on the controller.
But I got it now. Thanks much.
Apr 01, 2003 12:31 pm the other option would be to pick up a controller with usb and midi abilities. the mk-361 and mk-249 by evolution work wonderfully and give you plenty of options.
i love mine. will never part with them.
