I never thought I'd ever be buying a MIDI through box again, but after buying my Keystep Pro, I realized it was 1985 all over again and bought the same one you did. Modules everywhere and cables of all sorts that need to be de-tangled once a week...sure brings back memories! It's a great time to be a synth enthusiast!
Great explanation. Another big thing, often overlooked, is timing. MIDI is a very old format and rather slow by today's standards - for example one midi note takes about one millisecond to transmit. Many older synths do add a delay from in to thru simply because they're old and a bit slow on that. If you chain multiple devices, it can produce rather bad and unpredictable timing delays, and you might start wondering, why isn't the rhythm as tight as I want it to be? A MIDI thru box circumvents that by sending all the data to all of the connected devices at the same time, while enabling you to avoid longer chains.
Good video... I'm using the Kenton midi thru 6 and soon to expand to Midi Thru 25 because of more hardware... Great explanation for digital interfacing 😉
MIDI Solutions and miditech are two companies that has never failed me. Totally solid products, and I have several from both. Although the MIDI Solutions boxes dipswitches are the reverse way from what you expect, that confused me twice. 😀
This box is magic, we may have joked about magic boxes as a kid but this is it. I've owned mine since owning 3 Volcas and beatsteppro, which it worked wonders for. Fast forward now I have a Novation Circuit Tracks as the brain and I send Synth 1( 2nd bass) to Microfreak and synth 2 to Volca keys and Volca FM. Behringerpro1 is just for leads and drone bass since I don't even know what I'd use the 4th space for yet. That's how useful this box is.
Very helpful video! Looks like a perfect solution to streamline my setup. I started with an iConnectMidi4+ , a far more complicated midi merger/splitter/router, but it takes a lot of configuration when connecting new gear - not ideal if you want to pull out a few spare devices for a quick, hassle-free jam.
Yep, one of these and a handful of MIDI cables and you’re good to go (plus as it’s ’self powered’ over MIDI you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to plug in an external power supply for it 🙂
This was very helpful as I was trying to think of a solution for linking all my devices and wasn't 100% this box was the solution, but now I believe it is. Thank you! All drum machines, effects modules, synths, and DJ controllers shall unite! 😂
Thanks! I'm not a keyboard player, I'm a guitarist, but I found this helpful for MIDI capable guitar pedals. Some of them have outs, some of them have thrus, it was kinda confusing. The quadra thru is widely used in advanced guitar pedalboards
Yep, a lot of them go for the 'soft thru' option these days with a setting buried in the menus somewhere behind 100 button presses to get the 'out' to act as a 'thru'.
Thanks! I am using Midi since my first Atari ST and still prefer using it with my hardware (instead of USB). And I love Gizmo by the way... 🙂 Regards from Cologne, Germany.
Some peices of gear will let you switch the midi out to act as a midi thru. The behringer rd-8 has a midi in, out, and thru but it lets you switch the out to act as a midi thru essentially giving you 2 midi thru's from the rd-8.
Thanks for your video, this one and others focusing on midi that seems simple but can become pretty complicated... When I went shopping for midi thru box on amazon, I found the cme widi6bt which adds bluetooth so I can trigger my ipad synths (wirelessly) with my push2 or keystep pro. I also own the u6midipro - which has software where you can assign routing for merging midi connections and with usb midi connections. Those together cover my modest setup.
Yep, the CME boxes are fairly recent (think they came out back end of 2022) and they look to be great value. DOREMidi are another that are very competitive on price - I just got a 5 x Merge box from them which has filtering like the CME and is rock solid. The MIDI Solutions products are now looking quite pricey vs the competition, but do have the advantage that they don't need any power supply as are powered by the MIDI cables themselves 🙂.
Hi - depends what you mean by play them all at one time I suppose. With them set to different channels I can only trigger one at a time using the Keystep on my desk, however if I set all the synths themselves to the same channel then pressing a key on the Keystep would sound all the synths at the same time.
So to have them play at the same time, one on bass, one on arp, one on drums And one on a sequencer I need to start each one playing separately. So I go to each midi channel and trigger each one. Excuse my ignorance. Thank you for your response.
Good day to you Graham and thank you for your explanation on MIDI Out vs MIDI Thru . Complete novice here getting to grips with my set up. At present I haven't managed to but learning and enjoying the journey. The idea is to be able to play all instruments simultaneously to come up with some ideas to then record. I'm soon to be enjoying four glorious days off work from Monday and hoping to get enough research done via online, RUclips, user manuals etc to start playing around and make some music. I have a Roland TR-8 s , Korg Minilogue XD, Erica Synths Bassline DB-01, KRK , 2 classic 5 studio monitors, and a Behringer QX1202USB. If anyone has any advice on setting these up and to my studio speakers, I would be very grateful. Many thanks, all the best x
Hi there, thanks for the comments. To get some simple sound going, will need to to the following: Connect the main out on the Erica to input 1 on the QX mixer (its only mono so just one 1/4 inch to 1/4 inch audio jack. Connect the L+R main outs from the TR8s to the inputs 5+6 on the mixer (L+R) again using 1/4 inch jack cables. Connect the L+R main outs from the Korg to inputs 7+8 on the mixer (L+R). Run balanced TRS cables (2 rings on tip) from the main outs of the mixer (L+R) to each of your monitors (believe these are each separately powered). PS. You could run a single audio cable from the L/Mono output on the Roland and Korg to say inputs 2,3 or 4 on the mixer which will just give you a mono signal, the above set up will give stereo signals for those 2. The above will allow you to play and hear all your synths at once with all the audio running into the mixer and then on to the monitors. For recording: Then run USB cable from the mixer to your pc (or mac) to get the audio over USB for recording. Also run usb cables from each synth to your pc so you can get the midi over usb (and capture the notes your playing rather than just the audio). Finally you'll need some sort of DAW in order to record (i.e. Cubase, Ableton, Reaper, Logic Pro (if on Apple), most 'starter versions' can be had for around £50 -£75. If you just want to record the audio 'live' so to speak then you can download Audacity for free which will allow you to record and playback what you've come up with (but it will just be the plain audio). Finally you can then look at connecting the Roland, Erica and Korg together with MIDI cables, that way you will be able to trigger appeggiators and sequences on the Erica and Korg when you kick off the Roland Drum machine and also the 'clock' on the Roland will be sent to the Erica and Korg so that they all play at the same tempo and are all in synch with one another) Hopefully you'll get it all worked out and start having some fun with it all (PS some nice bits of gear there, I've got an old Roland TR8 and keep thinking of upgrading to a TR8S 🙂)
@@splootyvision Thank you so much for your help. I am very grateful and can't wait to get stuck in. I'm in my last night shift now so not long to go! I will also look forward to watching more of your videos.
@@philipsheard624 Hi i'm in a similar position as yourself - MPC1,Verselab MV-1,TR-8s,Fantom FA-06,Korg Wavestate and just about to order a b stock Roland SE-02 so hopefully that's it ! I'm also taking keyboard lessons which will help a bit but it's slow going.How is it going so far - be interesting to see how you're doing. It's so helpful having people like Splooty Vision sharing their knowledge.
@@twiglet2214 Thank you for the reply. I needed to buy 3 mini cables, and 2 audio cables which are arriving in 2 days. I'll be off 4 days so I'm hoping to get stuck in. Once I've got the setup working I will upload a video for viewing pleasure, hehe.
@@philipsheard624 Ok look forward to it ! Hopefully you'll be nice and fresh with the few days off - used to work nights and it throws the clock off sync with the rest of the world as you know so smart move.Good luck with the setup - i've also found usb powered midi thru and merge on Amazon which are worth looking at. Great stuff !
Thanks for the information - that was most hopeful AND you didn't start by saying " What's up ? " .Cheers for that ( Grahame ? ) .....and hopefully you'll never say " It is what it is " or " It does what it says on the tin " which will make you " The best thing since sliced bread ! "
Excellent explanation, but what if you have about 20 synths and you don't want to use daisy-chaining at all... ? That way I don't need to power every synth on, in order to reach the last one in the chain. I've been told each physical midi port can address 16 channels, so does that mean I can connect e.g. a 4-port midi interface to my computer, and then use two 12-port thru boxes in order to address all synths? Does multitimbral/monophonic play a role in the amount of midi channels you need to assign to a particular device? Thanks for any feedback :)
Hey there, apologies missed this comment. Yes you should be able to do that. The only issue you'll have is there are only 16 channels, so you can only assign each synth a channel from 1-16. Therefore if you have say 20 synths 4 of them will have to have the same midi channel as some of the other synths e.g. 16 synths on channels 1-16 and the remaining 4 synths on channels 1-4. This would mean that if in this example you sent a signal on channel 1 it would trigger 2 synths at the same time. But as long as you know which ones are running on the same channels you can turn one off, turn the volume down etc and work round it. In terms of multitimbral/monophonic then all depends on how things are configured. A multitimbral synth will play just fine on one midi channel, but you can configure it to play different parts on different midi channels. For example I have an MODX8+ where each patch (or performance as Yamaha call it) can have up to 16 parts. I can configure the MODX to either 'Single' or 'Multi' MIDI mode. In 'Single' the MODX sends and receives everything on one channel, however in 'Multi' mode each part of a performance is on a separate MIDI channel. There's loads of solutions out there, for example Kenton does a 25 Thru box, so you have one 'In' for say a master keyboard and can then branch out to up to 25 synths !! 🙂
Not familiar with the Doremidi usb midi host, but it should work perfectly fine. The host box will convert the usb signal from the Akai to standard midi and just run a midi cable from the midi out of the box to the midi in on your volca keys, make sure they are both set to the same midi channel and you should be good to go 🙂
Hello I have a question about midi signal splitters Thru I would like to connect 2 sound modules Yamaha MU 100, Vamaha VL 70 via the Pc midi interface which will be managed by the FL studio. In FL Studio, by selecting Midi OUT, you can additionally select the port number 1 or 2 or 3 etc .. and for each selected port we have support for 16 midi channels, thanks to which midi messages will be sent to the device that receives them on the same selected port and not to all connected midi devices. Does the offered midi device have the ability to configure and set the port number for each of the midi outputs so that the signal is directed to the selected midi port? Please reply Thank you and best regards
The midi box itself has no functionality to configure port numbers, but I believe what you are trying to do is easily possible as long as your sound modules allow you to set the midi receive channel for each, indeed you don’t probably really need a midi thru box as both of those modules I believe have midi thru ports. So you should be able to run your midi interface to the midi in of one of the modules and then another cable from the midi thru of that module to the midi in of your second module. Then set each module to a separate midi channel. For example I have a 6 hardware synths each set to different midi channels (1-6) and a drum machine on channel 10. I then have a keystep 37 connected to the midi in of the Thru box which then feeds out to all the hardware. If I set the keystep to midi channel 1 and play the keys it only sounds the hardware synth that is on channel 1. Also if I record the midi notes into Cubase I can use them to trigger whichever synth I want by setting the relevant midi channel in Cubase for whichever synth I want to sound. Hope all that made sense 🙂
Sensei, I have questions ! I have a Nektar gx61 usb mid keyboard connected to a midi host box which I connect to the in of the quadra…. I want to connect a Volca fm as the keyboard is super tiny….. but I’d like the Nektar Gx61 to also control my Microfreak + my Korg Monologue so I don’t need to keep pressed octave buttons while playing…. PROBLEM: When I connected them to the Thru ports I could only hear the Volca FM…. I am assuming it is to do with WHICH midi channel I have set the Nektar to…. I ALSO HAVE a Novation Circuit Tracks + Rhythm BOTH of which have 1x Out + 1x thru…. Can I use these to allow me to play ALL the hardware synths or do I clearly not know enough about midi routing yet ? 😢
Hi there, you should be able to connect it all together, here's a pretty lengthy reply - but, try the following (I'm assuming that the MIDI host box has a USB in for the GX61 and then MIDI IN/OUT sockets). 1. Run USB from GX61 to MIDI Host box 2. MIDI Out from Host box to MIDI In on the Quadra Thru Box. 3. Run 3 MIDI cables from the 'Thrus' on the back of the Quadra Thru to the MIDI In on each of the Microfreak, Monologue and Volca FM (assuming have adapters as the MicroFreak and Volca have 'mini' MIDI ports. 4. Set the MIDI channels for the Microfreak/Monologue and Volca to 1, 2 and 3 respectively (just make sure they're all on different channels - check your manuals on how to change MIDI channels) 5. Now if you set the midi channel on the GX61 to Channel 1 it should play the MicroFreak, set it to Channel 2 and it should play the Monologue, Channel 3 and it should play the Volca. (To change midi channels on the GX61; press setup, press d1# (the first d sharp on the keyboard that says Global Midi CH above it), enter the MIDI chanel using the white keys at the other end of the keyboard that have numbers above them and then press C5 (the last key on the keyboard) to enter and save. I believe also you can program the transpose buttons to change midi channels to do this press set up, press C2# (the second c sharp on the keyboard that says MIDI Ch above it with a heading of 'Transpose buttons' over the top of it and then press C5 again to enter and save. Now when your press the transpose up and and down buttons the GX61 should scroll up and down through the MIDI channels so you can quickly change channel on the fly without having to go into the set up mode !) 6. That should be the first 3 sorted, now for hopefully a clever bit (I don't have any of this kit, but hopefully this should work). You should have one empty 'thru port' on the back of the Quadra Thru. Run a cable from this to the MIDI In of the Circuit Tracks. 7. Now run a cable from the MIDI OUT of the Circuit tracks to the MIDI IN of the Circuit Rhythm and a cable form its MIDI THRU back into the MIDI IN of the HOST box. 8. Finally set the MIDI Channels for the Circuit Tracks to Channel 4 and the Circuit Rhythm to Channel 5 (again check the manuals on how to do this) 9. What this bit should do is mean that the GX 61 can now play any of the Hardware by choosing Channel 1,2,3,4 or 5. The MIDI Clock from the Circuit Tracks should become your master and send its tempo thru the Rhythm, into the MIDI HOST and back out to the other Keyboards meaning everything is in sync with each other when it comes to tempo. You may have to change the MIDI clock settings on everything other than the Circuit Tracks to 'External', instead of 'Internal' so they ignore their own tempo settings and take the clock from the Circuit tracks. NB. I don't own any of this kit, so don't know how to change their MIDI channels or change the MIDI clock settings, but you should be able to find it quite easily in the manuals. Hope that all works, if it does, as I say you should be able to use your Circuit tracks as the master clock for everything and you should be able to play everything using the GX61 by flicking between midi channels 🙂 Hope that all helps, let me know how you get on ! :-)
Can it do multiple channels at once though? For example Ableton is sending midi out on channels 1, 2, and 3. The MIDI goes out through your Audio Interface MIDI out and then to the Quadra Thru. You have 3 different synths one set to receive on channel 1, one listening to 2, and the other 3. Do they get their separate commands on the appropriate channels simultaneously?
@@BluesTheBestBoyIGuess Yep, it can handle that easily. A single midi cable can transmit 16 channels at the same time, so you can send 16 channels into the Quadra Thru. The 4 signals coming out of the Quadra thru are effectively all duplicates of what’s coming into it, but the synths will only ‘react’ if they receive a signal on the channel that they are ‘listening’ on. Hope that helps 🙂
@@BluesTheBestBoyIGuess Yep, it would work the same. Only difference is the Dore needs a separate power supply, where as the MIDI solutions are all ‘self-powered’ from the midi cable itself so need for any other plugs/cables.
Genious Video, genious explanation. Can this also solve my problem : I want , if i transpose e.g. 1 halftone up on my controller keyboard (first keyboard) that the other keyboards follow this, and also transpose 1 step up. Can it be done with such an midi-thru box ? Can i transpose all connected keyboards ? Thanks for answer and effort
Hi there, if you transpose your master controller and play your other synths using the master keyboard then, Yes, the other synths will play the transposed sound. Effectively they are just receiving the midi note data from your master keyboard and if you set your master keyboard up 1 semitone then all the midi notes sent to the other synths will be 1 semitone up. The other actual keyboard themselves won’t be transposed though. So if you transpose your master up 1 semitone and play a C the actual note would be C# and that’s the sound that would be triggered on the connected synths. If you however then went across and played a C on one of the other keyboards it would still be a C. Hope that all made sense and answered your question 🙂
Hey, I would love to have your opinion/advice, I'm having a problem as I need to connect a midi footswitch to change the preset on a synth module but also need to control it with a keyboard (it's only a module, it has no keys) and well... using a midi splitter in the midi in port doesn't work, it seems no synth will accept this setup in the midi in port, like some voltage issue, I have to end up unplugging one of the midi cables from the splitter to make either the controller or the footswitch work but not both, killing the purpose of the splitter, would this unit help? Or how do you solve this setup? Thank you very much
Hi there - what sort of MIDI splitter are you using ? It sounds like you need a Merge box like the MIDI Solutions Quadra Merge (other brands are available 🙂). I have a separate video on it here: ruclips.net/video/A_y8xg3znYc/видео.html This should take the midi signals from your keyboard and footswitch and merge them into one that can then be plugged into the MIDI in on your synth module and it should receive the midi signals from either the keys or the footswitch. As an example I also have another video here in which you can see I have an FCB1010 midi pedal board and various midi keyboards attached to the midi merge box in turn feeding out to other synths (via a MIDI Thru box) which I can then either trigger via the keys or the pedal board. ruclips.net/video/kFf61UcaYt4/видео.html Hope that all helps 🙂
I’ve used a Dacs midi patchbay for at least 25 years to connect various workstations or controllers to other rack synths and workstations but tried using a CME midi thru box to connect various rack synths for mixing the sounds and the notes sustain after release any ideas why ?
I've seen comments on some forums with the odd problem like this (tbh never had any problems with my MIDI Solutions boxes though). How are you powering the CME box ? if it's from a computer usb port, then worth trying direct from a usb plug as sometimes not getting enough power can cause issues. Other than that could be a bad midi cable somewhere (might work okay elsewhere but shows up when used with the midi box) or it could be one or other synth that just doesn't want to play nicely with the CME if its only affecting certain synths ?. Prob one of those issues that need to troubleshoot to try and find the culprit 😞. Cheers.
@@splootyvision Thanks for the help, tried most of these solutions except the synth modules themselves . I know the Korg TR rack and the NS5R are a problem maybe it’s because they are 30 years olds!
Can we use the midi thru as another midi input? In short, my keyboard has only 1 midi input port, I can use this box to get another input from another device/controller? Thanks in advance!
@@lanphanh Hi - for that you need a ‘Merge’ box. I’ve done another video on that which you can find here: ruclips.net/video/A_y8xg3znYc/видео.htmlsi=oJfWww27Gia61rr- The ‘Thru’ box takes the MIDI out from one synth and enables you to send the signal to multiple other synths. The ‘Merge’ box takes the MIDI Out from multiple synths and merges them into one MIDI in on another synth. Hope that helps, cheers 🙂
Maybe you can help. I want to use each of my four synths with a Mpc; Except the Mpc only has two midi ins and four midi outs. The set up I want: is for each synth to be able to be its own controller, so I can play each synth and send midi to the Mpc. The reason behind this, is I want to use each synths keybed and controller knobs. So far, I can only do it with two synths, because the Mpc only has two midi ins. But If it had four midi ins to match the four midi outs I believe it would work as I want it to. The reason behind this set up is I want to use the mpc as the sequencer to sequence each of the four synths. But I don't want a single "master controller" controlling each of the other three synths. I want to play each synth into the mpc, and have the moc play back the first synth performance, then overdub the next synth performance, and do that with each of the four synths. Is this possible? I can't find anyone or anything online with someone doing it this way. Everyone seems to use a single midi controller to control all their synths. But that's a waste to me. Why would you use a cheap midi controller to control other more awesome synths that have their own keybeds, faders, and knobs etc.
Hey there, check out my other video (link below) on MIDI merging. Looks like what you need is a MIDI merge box like the ‘Quadra Merge’ in the video. This has 4 inputs for your 4 synths and then you can just run one one midi cable out of the merge box into one of the MIDI ins on your MPC (which leaves you a midi port spare for the future 🙂). Hope this helps. ruclips.net/video/A_y8xg3znYc/видео.htmlsi=m_GoRziw1VmC9zpN
Thanks for clearing this up a bit, my question is, do I need to connect every synth to my audio interface (Focusrite 18i8) to record or is there a simpler way?? cheers
Yep, for recording that’s the simplest way. Believe the 18i8 has 4 inputs on the front, so you can either use this as 4 mono inputs, 2 pairs of stereo inputs or a pair of stereo inputs and 2 mono inputs. For example I have 7 hardware synth / drum machines so what I have is all the audio outs from the synths going into a mixer and then the stereo out from the mixer going into two of the front inputs on my interface. I then have my microphone plugged directly into the 3rd input and a guitar plugged into the 4th input. All depends how many synths you have really. You could connect 4 synths in mono to your interface or 2 synths in stereo, or one synth on stereo and 2 in mono. Either way if you want to get the audio from the synths into your pc for recording they will need to go through the interface. I also then have all synths connected to the pc via usbs and a usb hub to capture the midi data as well as the audio. Hope that helps 🙂
Hi - it's all to do with the clock settings. All hardware synths usually have a way to choose what tempo (or clock) that they use. This is is usually 'internal', MIDI/'external' or USB. So for example in the set up shown in the video I have the Keystep 37 set to 'internal' clock and then all the hardware synths are set to use MIDI/External clock. This means that they all receive the clock/tempo from the Keystep 37 and ignore there own internal tempo/clock. When I change the tempo on the Keystep all the tempos change in sync on the connected hardware synths. Hope that helps 🙂
Hello mate, Would something like this be ideal for pedalboard building? I want to control a couple of midi enabled pedals, and a midi enabled guitar amplifier from the miid out of an ES-5 footswitch.
Tbh not something I’ve got any experience with but someone did comment further down that midi thru boxes are used extensively in pedal board set ups. I’m assuming working in a similar way to my key board set up I.e one pedal as master controlling various other pedals on different midi channels. I’m sure they’ll be some more detailed info on other channels that may have covered the subject. Cheers.
I’ve not tried it, but I believe you can connect the roli to say another hardware synth and use it to control it - I’ll have to look into it and give it a go 🙂
Hi - had a quick go and can definitely use the Seaboard as a controller for other hardware. Currently I just have my seaboard connected to the pc to control software, however have discovered that if I create a midi track in my DAW (Cubase), choose the seaboard as the input and then one of my hardware synths as the output and select the midi channel that synth is on.....the seaboard does indeed control that hardware synth and can be used to glide between notes, do vibrato etc etc. The articulations from the seaboard are sent as standard midi messages so it's then a case of fiddling around to get it to do what you want e.g. if I wanted to control the cutoff filter on the hardware synth by sliding up and down notes on the seaboard, I can do that 🙂. You can also connect the seaboard direct to the hardware but would most likely need a usb/mid host box where you plug the seaboard into the little usb/midi host box and then a midi cable from there into the hardware synth. This would all also work for the smaller roli seaboard block etc. Thanks for the question, I've never used it that way, but opens up a whole new load of expressive possibilities 🙂
Hi Graham. Thanks for the videos - great stuff! I’m currently experimenting with a DAWless setup, where I use a Novation Circuit Tracks,(CT),as my “Brain”. Do you have any experience with the Circuit Tracks? If so, maybe you can help me with a midi question? I want to use my Keystep as the keys for my very small Korg NTS-1, because it has a almost useless taped flat keys wich I can’t use because of my fat fingers. I also have a Donner B1,(a 303-clone), and I connect these two synths through a Midi Solutions Quadra Thru and into the Keystep…. So far so good. Now.. the problem is that I cannot get the midi signal into the CT from the Keystep and use the pads on the CT, to sequence and program the NTS-1 and Donner B1, so I can make full songs on the CT. Does this make any sense, or is my Danish/English too bad? Maybe I could send you a diagram, showing what I mean? All the best from Denmark. Anders Jacobsen.
@@andersjacobsen5838 Hi, don’t own a circuit tracks, but was helping someone recently with advice who was using one in his set up, so have read a little about it. Think I understand what you’re trying to do, let me have a think and I’ll get back to you. Cheers
Hi Anders, If I understand correctly, you currently have the Keystep connected to a Quadra Thru box and then out from there to your NTS-1 and Bonner B1. The problem then is you can't get the signal for the Keystep to the Circuit Tracks. I believe the answer lies in a MIDI Merge box. If you have a look at my latest video you'll see I now use a Quadra Merge from MIDI Solutions in conjunction with a Quadra Thru; which creates a powerful little combination (PS There are cheaper options than the MIDI solutions, for example the CME U6 Midi Pro, which is 3 in 3 out and can be configured however you want it - the only downside is it has to be powered by USB or external power and you have to program what you want it to do with software; whereas the MIDI Solutions Quadra Merge is true plug and play and is self powered). By adding the Quadra Merge I would see the set up like this: - MIDI Out from Circuit Tracks into MIDI Thru box - MIDI Thru box out to MIDI in on each of Keystep, NTS-1 and B1 - MIDI Out from those Keystep, NTS-1 and B1 into Merge box - Merge Box out to MIDI In on Circuit tracks Then, set the MIDI channel for the NTS-1 to Channel 3 and the B1 to Channel 4 (manuals should show you how) as these will then correspond to MIDI tracks 3 and 4 on the Circuit Tracks which I believe default to channels 3 +4 (the Synth tracks 1+2 are defaulted to midi channels 1+2 and the 4 drum tracks are all defaulted to channel 10) You then need to consider what the main 'MIDI Clock' source will be. Given the Circuit tracks will be the 'brain' it would make sense for it to manage the tempo. In order for this to work the other 3 synths must have their MIDI clock set to 'AUTO' or 'MIDI' and NOT 'Internal'. Again the manuals will show how to do this. This should now enable all of the following: - The Circuit Tracks should now be able to play the NTS-1 and B1 using MIDI tracks 3+4 and you should be able to use the pads to sequence them etc. - You should also be able to play the NTS-1 or the B1 using the Keystep by setting its MIDI channel to either 3 or 4 respectively (just press shift and one of the keys, numbered 1-16, to choose the channel on the fly). Effectively what is happening is the signal is going from the Keystep through the Merge box and triggering the Circuit Tracks which in turn triggers the NTS-1 or B1) - You should also be able to use the Keystep to play the synth tracks 1 +2 on the Circuit Tracks again by changing the MIDI channel on the Keystep to MIDI channels 1+2 respectively or if you wanted the drum tracks on channel 10. Basically, and hopefully, this means you can either play everything through the Circuit Tracks i.e. the 2 inbuilt synth tracks, the 2 midi tracks (which will trigger NTs-1 or B1) and the 4 drum tracks OR You can play everything through the Keystep and use its keys to program sequences on the Circuit Tracks instead of using the pads. Hopefully this should all work and is what you envisaged. Sometimes it is a bit of trial and error getting all the signals routed to do what you want, so if this doesn't work properly let me know if any issues and I can have another look. Cheers. PS Hope was all clear, any queries let me know (as a side note I used to work with a team in Denmark a few years back and visited Copenhagen regularly :-)
@@splootyvision Thanks a lot Graham, for taking the time to answer in such a great way. I’ll be hunting for a mergebox. And I will by you a pint, if you ever come to Copenhagen. Thank you again. Anders.
I tend to have the midi signal drop at around 5 daisy chained devices. Switching the order doesn't change anything, so I assume there is some kind of signal loss via the midi cabling. All up the cabling is probably 50 ft. I am expecting a midi box will fix this.
It should do. I’ve got 4 devices running off the midi thru box (MOX6, Deepmind12, MatrixBrute and TR8) and then a Neutron daisy chained off the midi thru of the MatrixBrute and then a System-1 and TB-3 daisy chained off the TR8 with no issues 🙂
I need some help man! Really appreciate the video but there is something I’m not understanding. I have two midi ins and 4 outs on my mpc. Currently I have a keyboard that is on a midi loop so I can play from the keyboard recording midi data to my mpc that in turn plays the separate midi channels the keyboard has. My other midi in is used to sync my mpc to my daw when I’m ready to record individual tracks so both on my midi ins as filled. I am hopping to add another midi loop to add an electric drum kit so I was wondering if a midi thru box could expand the midi ins I have on my mpc?
I’m not sure a midi thru box will help you, it’s really designed to control other synths from one master without daisy chaining - I can’t see that it will expand the midi ins on your mpc. Don’t know if this helps though, not sure what firmware your running or which mpc you have, but there was a firmware update a couple of years ago introducing midi multi which allows to connect up to 32 devices with an mpc using midi over usb and a powered usb hub. Basically connect the usb from devices to a usb hub and then connect the hub to the usb of the mpc. Here’s a link that talks about it musictech.com/news/gear/akai-unveils-midi-multi-in-their-plans-for-mpc-version-2-8/ Maybe that’s the solution? in which case it could be a usb hub you want rather than a midi thru box. Hope that’s of some help 🙂
@@splootyvision first I need to thank you and let you know if it hasn’t been said that you’re a gift to humanity. Secondly although your suggestion doesn’t work in this instance because I’m an old fart using the legacy MPC 2500, I’m glad this information is here for anyone in needing it. You’ve got to be a top five human. I thank you for taking the time to answer and read this incredibly long winded thank you.
@@punchyaudio4232 Thanks, much appreciated. You got my brain going and don’t know why I didn’t think of it before - but think what you need is a midi merge box rather than a thru box (midi solutions do a merger as well as the Thru one in my video). The Thru box basically take the signal from one device and passes it on to other devices. However the merger takes the midi signals from multiple devices and merges them into one. So with a merger you should be able to connect your 4 midi outs on the mpc to the midi ins on 4 different devices, then run each of the midi outs on those devices into a midi merger and then run one midi cable from one of the outs on the merge box into one of the midi ins on your MPC. Here’s a link to the midi solutions product page - I’m pretty sure this is what your looking for (dependant on your needs they do a 2in/2out or a 4in/2out) www.midisolutions.com/prodqmr.htm
@@splootyvision this is exactly what I need. No clue anything like this existed. Between the two of these midi boxes I’ll have the room full of devices
which would work better, getting a MIDI thru box for anywhere from 2-12 outputs or daisy chaining via MIDI out to MIDI thru on each module? Is setting each module to individual channels the only difference between the MIDI thru box vs daisy chaining?
If you only have a few synths then daisy chaining is no issue. However there can be a slight delay introduced in each step of the chain and the more you have the bigger this delay gets towards the end of the chain. So for example if daisy chaining 8 synths you may find the synth at the end of the chain is slightly out of sync with say the drum machine at the start of the chain. Also not all synths have midi thru options (some that only have midi out are able to be configured to use the midi out as a thru port, but for some you just can’t do it). The other thing to consider is that if you daisy chain, then all the gear must be switched on for the chain to work from end to end, with a midi thru box you can just turn on the synths you need.
Can i use a midi thru box to get my verselab mv1 to conrol my td3mo and get it to match bpm ? Im a singer/songwriter whos getting back into synths but wanting the hardware route instead of the whole daw pc thing
Hi, depending on your total set up don’t really need a thru box. If you just run a midi cable from the out of the mv1 to the midi in on the td3 and then set the td3 clock to MIDI (you can set the td3 clock to either internal, midi, usb or trigger - by setting it to midi it will take the clock from whatever’s coming in at the ‘midi in’ I.e the mv1. The mv1 should also be able to then start stop sequences etc on the td3.
@Splooty Vision other than the verselab I've just got the two td3 units , the 1st release and the MO version, thanks 😊 for the tip I'll give it a go in the morning and see how It goes.
How to connect MidiStudio keyboard, Roland JV-1010 and Komplete Audio 6? The sound monitor (speaker) supposingly connects to the Komplete Audio 6 and via USB to computer.....Midi keyboard (OUT) to Komplete Audio (IN), and Komplete Audio (OUT) to JV-1010 (IN) Is this correct?
Hey there, I believe you’d want to do the following: Midi cable from Midi OUT of Midi Keyboard to Midi IN on JV1010. This will allow you to play the JV with your midi keyboard. Connect the L and R outputs of the JV1010 to inputs 1 and 2 on the front of the Audio 6 (L goes to 1 and R goes to 2). That will feed the audio from the JV into your audio interface. Connect the 1 and 2 out on the rear of the audio interface to the stereo inputs on your Monitors (output 1 on Audio 6 goes to L input on monitors and output 2 on Audio 6 goes to R input). Finally connect the Audio 6 to your computer with USB to allow you to record into your DAW or other software. That should get everything working correctly. The only thing you could do different is just run one audio cable from the L output on the JV1010 to Input 1 on the front of the audio interface - this will give you a mono signal and leave an input free for another instrument. Doing it the first way I described gives you a stereo signal. Hope that helps 🙂
Hello, great video and a good solution this little box midi. But I have one ask. I understand all the midi conections about midi from a midi controler keyboard to controle the rest of sintetizers. This is my ask: My midi controler keyboard is a NOVATION SL MK3, with him I can controle my rest of sintetizers, at the moment 3. And I want to buy an audio interfaze. The audio inputs and outputs I understand too. Only I have a dude in how about the midi notes can be listening by the daw for each sintetizers to can rec all music in a good way by midi notes. So, If my NOVATION is the boss of each sintetizer: What is the good way to conect the midi in-out of the AUDIO interface to the NOVATION midi keyboard? And if it is posible to the midi notes of each sintetizer can be registered in the daw and can be listened for rec in audio track. I hope you undesrtand this question. Still I haven't the audio interface (maybe the next week arrive) and I have a lot of headache about this !!! Thanks anyway for your video. Big kiss from SPain.
If I understand correctly you've got an SL MK3 controlling 3 hardware synthesisers and want to get both the audio and more importantly midi notes into your DAW. The simplest way would be: Have your controller connected via midi to the hardware synths. Connect the audio outputs of your synths to the audio inputs on the interface. Connect the usb from the audio interface to your computer. Then also connect the usb from each of your hardware synths to your computer. To record the midi notes, set up a 'MIDI' track in your DAW, set the input as your SL MK3 and the output as the relevant hardware synth and make sure the midi channels all correspond i.e. if one of your synths is set on channel 3, make sure in the DAW the midi track is set to channel 3. Now when you press a key on the SL is will trigger the hardware synth through the midi and the midi notes will be sent from the hardware synth to the DAW through it's USB connection. This is how I have it set up with each of my synths connected individually to the pc with a usb cable. The other solution which I believe works (and maybe a tidier one if you don't want all the USB cables) is to plug the midi out of the SL into the MIDI in on the audio interface (if it has one). Plug the midi out from your audio interface into the midi in of your hardware synth (or to multiple synth using a little midi box like in the video). Then both the audio and the midi notes will be sent through the usb from the audio interface into the DAW rather than from each individual synths USB. Hope that helps
@@splootyvision thanks so much. I Will test when my audio interface arrives, I am waiting for a Behringer umc404hd. And maybe I Will buy the little MIDI box😉. I Will see.... Many many thanks. Sweet kiss 😘
I could be wrong but think pretty much a different term for the same thing as I see 'thru boxes advertised as 'splitters'. The thru box takes whatever midi signal it receives at the 'in' and splits it into 4 identical copies of the signal that come out of the 'thru ports'. There are 'splitter' cables i.e. Y cables splitting one midi signal into 2 (or more), I think the difference here is that a proper thru box has individual circuitry on each thru port the signal is being split to, which is more reliable and keeps everything in sync with no delays. From what I've read a thru box is the most reliable solution, but for simple set ups a cheap splitter cable may do the job.
Hello, I am trying to connect my TD-3-M0, my Minilogue XD and my TR-8 together but I'm having issues. I'm thinking a MIDI Thru might help but as they are fairly expensive I need to confirm if this will work. Here's the problem: I've connected all 3 starting from the TR8 Drum Machine then MIDI into the Minilogue XD and out from that into the TD3 but now the Minilogue is playing the notes of the TD3 and I don't want it to play it because it sounds ridiculous. I want them all to be used separately, all I want is the external clock from the TR8 to sync with the rest of the instruments. Another issue is that when I start the tr8, all of the synths start playing their sequencers all at once. I would like to press start stop on them all individually. Likewise, if I press start on the Minilogue the TD3 starts playing but not the TR8. I hope this makes sense. It's a real head-scratcher for me as a beginner and I'd really appreciate if anyone could help with this
I think you should be able to do it without a midi thru box. One of the issues you're having is I don't believe the Minilogue has a midi thru, however I believe the TD3 does 🙂. Bear with me this might be quite long ! So....run a cable from midi out of the TR8 to Midi in on the TD3, then from the midi out of the TD3 to the midi in of the Minilogue. You'll then need to change the midi clock source on your td3 and minilogue and I believe activate the midi thru port on the td3 (as the out functions as both an out and a thru) For the TD3 go to the TD3 product page on the Behringer website and download the Synthtribe tool (which is under 'Software') to your computer which allows you to change various parameters. (when you open the tool it will recognise your td3 if its connected by usb). In the tool you can change the midi clock to 'external' which will mean it's tempo will be whatever it receives at its midi in (i.e. from the TR8). I believe in here is also where you can probably change the midi out to midi thru. For the minilogue, check your manual on how to set midi clock source and again set to external and not internal. I would also then set each bit of equipment to different midi channels. The TR8 defaults to midi channel 10, so would say set the TD3 to midi channel1 and the Minilogue to midi channel 2 (again use the synthtribe tool to change the channel on the Td3 and check the manual for the Minilogue). What you should now have is the TR8 controlling the tempo of the TD3 and Minilogue, so everything is in sync and the TD3 wont trigger the Minilogue as you are using the midi thru. Finally to stop the TR8 from triggering everything when you press start. Check the manual, go into the settings (using a sequence of button presses etc) and turn off 'Omni' in the midi settings (if this is on then all midi message including start/stop are always transmitted hence why everything starts at once, by turning it off you can then trigger your synths/sequencers individually. That should work !!!!🙂🙂🙂 The alternative to all of that is, get a midi thru box, plug the TR8 into it and run cables out to your TD3 and Minilogue's midi ins, but remember as above to turn off 'Omni' setting on the TR8 to stop everything starting when you trigger the TR8. Hope that helps, let me know how you get on 🙂
@@splootyvision Firstly, thank you so much for the reply. I can see you took some real time to help me here and it means a lot. I was about to send a message explaining that it wasn't working but now I'm very very close. The only thing still acting up is the tr8 is still activating the td3 but not the Minilogue. I've turned off omni, and I've switched some of the other midi parameters around on the tr8 but it doesn't want to play ball. The Minilogue is no longer playing notes from the td3 which is brilliant and the clocks are finally all hooked up. It now comes down to me being able to stop the tr8 from activating the td3. This is now my one step away from having my set-up perfected, so I must say a massive thank you for this.
@@lilbig3685 Great to hear, looks like you’re nearly there. Only other thing I can think of off top of my head is to go into the TR8 midi settings and turn off the midi channel. If follow the manual instructions when you turn the tempo knob it will show, C1, C2 etc through to C16. If turn it to OFF this should stop any midi messages being transmitted and hopefully stop it from sending the start/ stop messages - but the clock tempo should still be sent out and the TR8 should still act as the master clock.
@@splootyvision I'm afraid I've tried this and it's come to no conclusion, very odd as it makes perfect sense. I think it's the TD3 playing up personally but there are very limited options for midi configuration on it sadly. May be stuck on this one for a while
So the key step out to your thru of the matrix brute … how do you connect your matrix brute to the other machine ??? Plug in a midi cable into the matrix brute out to in of the module ??!
How can you change the channels through the keystep pro??? Please help having a hassle with it all my midi are connected to one channel whenever i hit a note all of my synthesizers play the same note
No problem. You need to set each of your devices to different midi channels, then on the Keystep all you do is hold shift and then one of the corresponding keys on the left half of the keystep, you'll see that they are each labelled 1 through to 16 which corresponds to the midi channels (when you hold the shift button a blue light will come up to show you which channel you are on). For example if you have two synths you want to play using the keystep, set one to midi channel 1 and the other to midi channel 2. To play the first one hold shift and the first white note on the keystep on the LH side (which is numbered one above it). To play the second keyboard hold shift and press the first black key from the left (numbered 2 above it). Hope that helps. Cheers.
@@hardwaretechno4615 Hey there apologies, missed it was a keystep pro which is different to mine so original instructions not quite correct. On the Pro each of the 4 track should by default be set to midi channels 1, 2 3 and 4 and the drum track should be set to by default to channel 10. Simple way is to just set your other synths to those corresponding midi channels and you should be able to play them. i.e. use track 1 to play the synth you have set to midi channel one, track 2 for midi channel 2 etc.
It’s a great and rock solid bit of gear if don’t have thru ports. I would check though as I believe the nords have a ‘soft’ thru implemented, whereby you can configure the midi out to act like a midi thru (a number of synths have this if they only have midi in and out ports). Not sure how you enable/set it up as don’t have any nord synths but worth checking the manual. Otherwise the midi thru mix will certainly solve any issues :-)
@@connor_flanigan Having a quick look around it appears to be something to do with the ‘Extern’ section (not sure if all Nords have that). It’s a global soft thru. The way I understand is you can set the outgoing midi channel in the extern section separate from the main midi channel. So for example you have a master keyboard and 2 nords. The master and the first nord in the chain are set to midi channel 1 (so the master triggers the Nord). You can then set the midi channel in the extern section on this first Nord to say midi channel 2 and then set the second nord also to midi channel 2. Now if you change the midi channel on the master to 2 it should play the second nord and ignore the first (passing midi signals thru like a midi thru would).
A question for the experts. *How do I connect devices with built-in sounds Directly to a control keyboard that has no sounds. *Which cables do I need? And what is the friend why? - I have: launch key 25 mk Novation control keyboard and want to connect it for example: to CIRCUIT TRACKS. Or - for the Roland device / Roland Aira S-1 and use their sounds. Many thanks to the helpers
Hi there. You’ll need 1 x standard MIDI cable (with 5 pin connectors on each end, like this www.gear4music.com/G4M/MIDI-Pro-Cable-1m/X5L AND 1 x MIDI to 35mm TRS (like this www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Boss-BMIDI-2-35-35mm-TRS-to-MIDI-Cable-2ft-60cm/432M PS dependant on your needs different lengths of cable are available. Then…Connect the standard midi cable from the MIDI out on the Novation 25 to the MIDI in on the Circuit tracks AND then run the MIDI/TRS cable from the MIDI THRU on the Circuit tracks (NOT the midi out) to the MIDI in on the Aira S1 (which has mini jacks for its midi ins and outs). Following this set each hardware device to different MIDI channels, say the Circuit tracks on Channel 1 and the Aira on Channel 2. Now, if you set the Novation launch key to channel 1 it will trigger the Circuit tracks and if you set it to Channel 2 it will trigger the Aira. If you set both bits of hardware to the same midi channel then when you play the launch key it will trigger both synths at the same time. Make your audio connections as normal to your mixer/audio interface and for recording connect all to a computer using USB in order to get the data into your DAW. Hope that helps 🙂
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in no way you should buy this particular device. It's taking power from the midi-line wich is not allowed and might result in problems like missing midi date, hum up to braking midi-ports (not very likely but possible). Buy a Kenton and you're safe.
Not sure where you get that from, but I’ve been using this thru box for over 10 years now with dozens of different pieces of equipment and never had a problem 🙂
This was the single most helpful video a beginner like me could see. I was scouting the internet for an answer and I found it here. Thanks!!
I never thought I'd ever be buying a MIDI through box again, but after buying my Keystep Pro, I realized it was 1985 all over again and bought the same one you did. Modules everywhere and cables of all sorts that need to be de-tangled once a week...sure brings back memories!
It's a great time to be a synth enthusiast!
Great explanation.
Another big thing, often overlooked, is timing. MIDI is a very old format and rather slow by today's standards - for example one midi note takes about one millisecond to transmit.
Many older synths do add a delay from in to thru simply because they're old and a bit slow on that. If you chain multiple devices, it can produce rather bad and unpredictable timing delays, and you might start wondering, why isn't the rhythm as tight as I want it to be?
A MIDI thru box circumvents that by sending all the data to all of the connected devices at the same time, while enabling you to avoid longer chains.
Thanks for that, great additional info and definitely something people need to be aware of.
My boss dr880 drum machine is too “off” from my Roland jdxi synth…could this box help?
Thank you for your helpful explanation! Love the Gary Numan-esque synths playing in the background too. Cheers!
god bless you and your easy to follow explanation you’re my hero
Good video...
I'm using the Kenton midi thru 6 and soon to expand to Midi Thru 25 because of more hardware...
Great explanation for digital interfacing 😉
Thank you for the very good explanation. Midi often confounds me. So at least i now understand what midi thru is now :)
Very useful demo, love the diagram to, most helpful. thank you
That was a great explanation of the whole "How do I connect all my hardware via MIDI"... Thank you Sir
Very helpful video with simple and to the point explanations and graphics to boot! 😊
MIDI Solutions and miditech are two companies that has never failed me. Totally solid products, and I have several from both.
Although the MIDI Solutions boxes dipswitches are the reverse way from what you expect, that confused me twice. 😀
This box is magic, we may have joked about magic boxes as a kid but this is it. I've owned mine since owning 3 Volcas and beatsteppro, which it worked wonders for.
Fast forward now I have a Novation Circuit Tracks as the brain and I send Synth 1( 2nd bass) to Microfreak and synth 2 to Volca keys and Volca FM. Behringerpro1 is just for leads and drone bass since I don't even know what I'd use the 4th space for yet. That's how useful this box is.
Very helpful…. And nice Dracula quad in the back.
Thank you for this. You answered the questions I had without me having to ask.
Very helpful video! Looks like a perfect solution to streamline my setup. I started with an iConnectMidi4+ , a far more complicated midi merger/splitter/router, but it takes a lot of configuration when connecting new gear - not ideal if you want to pull out a few spare devices for a quick, hassle-free jam.
Yep, one of these and a handful of MIDI cables and you’re good to go (plus as it’s ’self powered’ over MIDI you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to plug in an external power supply for it 🙂
This was very helpful as I was trying to think of a solution for linking all my devices and wasn't 100% this box was the solution, but now I believe it is. Thank you! All drum machines, effects modules, synths, and DJ controllers shall unite! 😂
Thanks! I'm not a keyboard player, I'm a guitarist, but I found this helpful for MIDI capable guitar pedals. Some of them have outs, some of them have thrus, it was kinda confusing. The quadra thru is widely used in advanced guitar pedalboards
Very Nice explanation.
Thank You Sir, very useful explanation.
Perfectly explained. Thank you!
Thanks for the short explanation.
Damn! That's another thing I need. At least it's not something expensive for a change.
😂😂😂
Thank you for a crystal clear explanation!
Everything is clear in my mind now, thank you.
Very thorough explanation.. liked and subscribed.
great vid thanks mate ..helpful seems most manufacturers dont seem keen on installing midi thru on their hardware these days ..which is a shame
Yep, a lot of them go for the 'soft thru' option these days with a setting buried in the menus somewhere behind 100 button presses to get the 'out' to act as a 'thru'.
Thanks! I am using Midi since my first Atari ST and still prefer using it with my hardware (instead of USB). And I love Gizmo by the way... 🙂 Regards from Cologne, Germany.
Very helpful. Thank you!
Thanks =) I was confused on midi thru
Some peices of gear will let you switch the midi out to act as a midi thru. The behringer rd-8 has a midi in, out, and thru but it lets you switch the out to act as a midi thru essentially giving you 2 midi thru's from the rd-8.
Super 👌 very perfect information, Thanks Sir.
Thanks for your video, this one and others focusing on midi that seems simple but can become pretty complicated... When I went shopping for midi thru box on amazon, I found the cme widi6bt which adds bluetooth so I can trigger my ipad synths (wirelessly) with my push2 or keystep pro. I also own the u6midipro - which has software where you can assign routing for merging midi connections and with usb midi connections. Those together cover my modest setup.
Yep, the CME boxes are fairly recent (think they came out back end of 2022) and they look to be great value. DOREMidi are another that are very competitive on price - I just got a 5 x Merge box from them which has filtering like the CME and is rock solid. The MIDI Solutions products are now looking quite pricey vs the competition, but do have the advantage that they don't need any power supply as are powered by the MIDI cables themselves 🙂.
Thanks mate
On the edge of my seat waiting for you to blink (very informative, great video)
Thank you
I like "Stay a While" :) on your Spotify
Thanks, really appreciate it 🙂
Thanks so much very helpful. Can you play all 4 synths at one time as they are indifferent Channels?
Thx
Hi - depends what you mean by play them all at one time I suppose. With them set to different channels I can only trigger one at a time using the Keystep on my desk, however if I set all the synths themselves to the same channel then pressing a key on the Keystep would sound all the synths at the same time.
So to have them play at the same time, one on bass, one on arp, one on drums And one on a sequencer I need to start each one playing separately. So I go to each midi channel and trigger each one. Excuse my ignorance. Thank you for your response.
@@Dobroz99 Pretty much yes, if controlling them all from one keyboard like the Keystep 37 in the video.
Good day to you Graham and thank you for your explanation on MIDI Out vs MIDI Thru . Complete novice here getting to grips with my set up. At present I haven't managed to but learning and enjoying the journey. The idea is to be able to play all instruments simultaneously to come up with some ideas to then record.
I'm soon to be enjoying four glorious days off work from Monday and hoping to get enough research done via online, RUclips, user manuals etc to start playing around and make some music. I have a Roland TR-8 s , Korg Minilogue XD, Erica Synths Bassline DB-01, KRK , 2 classic 5 studio monitors, and a Behringer QX1202USB. If anyone has any advice on setting these up and to my studio speakers, I would be very grateful. Many thanks, all the best x
Hi there, thanks for the comments. To get some simple sound going, will need to to the following:
Connect the main out on the Erica to input 1 on the QX mixer (its only mono so just one 1/4 inch to 1/4 inch audio jack.
Connect the L+R main outs from the TR8s to the inputs 5+6 on the mixer (L+R) again using 1/4 inch jack cables.
Connect the L+R main outs from the Korg to inputs 7+8 on the mixer (L+R).
Run balanced TRS cables (2 rings on tip) from the main outs of the mixer (L+R) to each of your monitors (believe these are each separately powered).
PS. You could run a single audio cable from the L/Mono output on the Roland and Korg to say inputs 2,3 or 4 on the mixer which will just give you a mono signal, the above set up will give stereo signals for those 2.
The above will allow you to play and hear all your synths at once with all the audio running into the mixer and then on to the monitors.
For recording:
Then run USB cable from the mixer to your pc (or mac) to get the audio over USB for recording.
Also run usb cables from each synth to your pc so you can get the midi over usb (and capture the notes your playing rather than just the audio).
Finally you'll need some sort of DAW in order to record (i.e. Cubase, Ableton, Reaper, Logic Pro (if on Apple), most 'starter versions' can be had for around £50 -£75. If you just want to record the audio 'live' so to speak then you can download Audacity for free which will allow you to record and playback what you've come up with (but it will just be the plain audio).
Finally you can then look at connecting the Roland, Erica and Korg together with MIDI cables, that way you will be able to trigger appeggiators and sequences on the Erica and Korg when you kick off the Roland Drum machine and also the 'clock' on the Roland will be sent to the Erica and Korg so that they all play at the same tempo and are all in synch with one another)
Hopefully you'll get it all worked out and start having some fun with it all (PS some nice bits of gear there, I've got an old Roland TR8 and keep thinking of upgrading to a TR8S 🙂)
@@splootyvision Thank you so much for your help. I am very grateful and can't wait to get stuck in. I'm in my last night shift now so not long to go! I will also look forward to watching more of your videos.
@@philipsheard624 Hi i'm in a similar position as yourself - MPC1,Verselab MV-1,TR-8s,Fantom FA-06,Korg Wavestate and just about to order a b stock Roland SE-02 so hopefully that's it ! I'm also taking keyboard lessons which will help a bit but it's slow going.How is it going so far - be interesting to see how you're doing. It's so helpful having people like Splooty Vision sharing their knowledge.
@@twiglet2214 Thank you for the reply. I needed to buy 3 mini cables, and 2 audio cables which are arriving in 2 days. I'll be off 4 days so I'm hoping to get stuck in. Once I've got the setup working I will upload a video for viewing pleasure, hehe.
@@philipsheard624 Ok look forward to it ! Hopefully you'll be nice and fresh with the few days off - used to work nights and it throws the clock off sync with the rest of the world as you know so smart move.Good luck with the setup - i've also found usb powered midi thru and merge on Amazon which are worth looking at. Great stuff !
Thanks for the information - that was most hopeful AND you didn't start by saying " What's up ? " .Cheers for that ( Grahame ? ) .....and hopefully you'll never say " It is what it is " or " It does what it says on the tin " which will make you " The best thing since sliced bread ! "
Excellent explanation, but what if you have about 20 synths and you don't want to use daisy-chaining at all... ? That way I don't need to power every synth on, in order to reach the last one in the chain.
I've been told each physical midi port can address 16 channels, so does that mean I can connect e.g. a 4-port midi interface to my computer, and then use two 12-port thru boxes in order to address all synths? Does multitimbral/monophonic play a role in the amount of midi channels you need to assign to a particular device?
Thanks for any feedback :)
Hey there, apologies missed this comment. Yes you should be able to do that. The only issue you'll have is there are only 16 channels, so you can only assign each synth a channel from 1-16. Therefore if you have say 20 synths 4 of them will have to have the same midi channel as some of the other synths e.g. 16 synths on channels 1-16 and the remaining 4 synths on channels 1-4. This would mean that if in this example you sent a signal on channel 1 it would trigger 2 synths at the same time. But as long as you know which ones are running on the same channels you can turn one off, turn the volume down etc and work round it. In terms of multitimbral/monophonic then all depends on how things are configured. A multitimbral synth will play just fine on one midi channel, but you can configure it to play different parts on different midi channels. For example I have an MODX8+ where each patch (or performance as Yamaha call it) can have up to 16 parts. I can configure the MODX to either 'Single' or 'Multi' MIDI mode. In 'Single' the MODX sends and receives everything on one channel, however in 'Multi' mode each part of a performance is on a separate MIDI channel. There's loads of solutions out there, for example Kenton does a 25 Thru box, so you have one 'In' for say a master keyboard and can then branch out to up to 25 synths !! 🙂
Hello Great video, can use the doremidi usb mid host to connect a Volca keys with an Akai LPK 25? Thanks
Not familiar with the Doremidi usb midi host, but it should work perfectly fine. The host box will convert the usb signal from the Akai to standard midi and just run a midi cable from the midi out of the box to the midi in on your volca keys, make sure they are both set to the same midi channel and you should be good to go 🙂
Hello
I have a question about midi signal splitters Thru
I would like to connect 2 sound modules Yamaha MU 100, Vamaha VL 70 via the Pc midi interface which will be managed by the FL studio.
In FL Studio, by selecting Midi OUT, you can additionally select the port number 1 or 2 or 3 etc .. and for each selected port we have support for 16 midi channels, thanks to which midi messages will be sent to the device that receives them on the same selected port and not to all connected midi devices.
Does the offered midi device have the ability to configure and set the port number for each of the midi outputs so that the signal is directed to the selected midi port?
Please reply
Thank you and best regards
The midi box itself has no functionality to configure port numbers, but I believe what you are trying to do is easily possible as long as your sound modules allow you to set the midi receive channel for each, indeed you don’t probably really need a midi thru box as both of those modules I believe have midi thru ports. So you should be able to run your midi interface to the midi in of one of the modules and then another cable from the midi thru of that module to the midi in of your second module. Then set each module to a separate midi channel.
For example I have a 6 hardware synths each set to different midi channels (1-6) and a drum machine on channel 10. I then have a keystep 37 connected to the midi in of the Thru box which then feeds out to all the hardware. If I set the keystep to midi channel 1 and play the keys it only sounds the hardware synth that is on channel 1. Also if I record the midi notes into Cubase I can use them to trigger whichever synth I want by setting the relevant midi channel in Cubase for whichever synth I want to sound. Hope all that made sense 🙂
@@splootyvision Thank you.
Sensei, I have questions ! I have a Nektar gx61 usb mid keyboard connected to a midi host box which I connect to the in of the quadra….
I want to connect a Volca fm as the keyboard is super tiny…..
but I’d like the Nektar Gx61 to also control
my Microfreak
+ my Korg Monologue
so I don’t need to keep pressed octave buttons while playing….
PROBLEM:
When I connected them to the Thru ports
I could only hear the Volca FM….
I am assuming it is to do with
WHICH midi channel I have set the Nektar to….
I ALSO HAVE a Novation Circuit Tracks + Rhythm
BOTH of which have 1x Out + 1x thru….
Can I use these to allow me to play ALL the hardware synths
or do I clearly not know enough about midi routing yet ? 😢
Hi there, you should be able to connect it all together, here's a pretty lengthy reply - but, try the following (I'm assuming that the MIDI host box has a USB in for the GX61 and then MIDI IN/OUT sockets).
1. Run USB from GX61 to MIDI Host box
2. MIDI Out from Host box to MIDI In on the Quadra Thru Box.
3. Run 3 MIDI cables from the 'Thrus' on the back of the Quadra Thru to the MIDI In on each of the Microfreak, Monologue and Volca FM (assuming have adapters as the MicroFreak and Volca have 'mini' MIDI ports.
4. Set the MIDI channels for the Microfreak/Monologue and Volca to 1, 2 and 3 respectively (just make sure they're all on different channels - check your manuals on how to change MIDI channels)
5. Now if you set the midi channel on the GX61 to Channel 1 it should play the MicroFreak, set it to Channel 2 and it should play the Monologue, Channel 3 and it should play the Volca. (To change midi channels on the GX61; press setup, press d1# (the first d sharp on the keyboard that says Global Midi CH above it), enter the MIDI chanel using the white keys at the other end of the keyboard that have numbers above them and then press C5 (the last key on the keyboard) to enter and save. I believe also you can program the transpose buttons to change midi channels to do this press set up, press C2# (the second c sharp on the keyboard that says MIDI Ch above it with a heading of 'Transpose buttons' over the top of it and then press C5 again to enter and save. Now when your press the transpose up and and down buttons the GX61 should scroll up and down through the MIDI channels so you can quickly change channel on the fly without having to go into the set up mode !)
6. That should be the first 3 sorted, now for hopefully a clever bit (I don't have any of this kit, but hopefully this should work). You should have one empty 'thru port' on the back of the Quadra Thru. Run a cable from this to the MIDI In of the Circuit Tracks.
7. Now run a cable from the MIDI OUT of the Circuit tracks to the MIDI IN of the Circuit Rhythm and a cable form its MIDI THRU back into the MIDI IN of the HOST box.
8. Finally set the MIDI Channels for the Circuit Tracks to Channel 4 and the Circuit Rhythm to Channel 5 (again check the manuals on how to do this)
9. What this bit should do is mean that the GX 61 can now play any of the Hardware by choosing Channel 1,2,3,4 or 5. The MIDI Clock from the Circuit Tracks should become your master and send its tempo thru the Rhythm, into the MIDI HOST and back out to the other Keyboards meaning everything is in sync with each other when it comes to tempo. You may have to change the MIDI clock settings on everything other than the Circuit Tracks to 'External', instead of 'Internal' so they ignore their own tempo settings and take the clock from the Circuit tracks.
NB. I don't own any of this kit, so don't know how to change their MIDI channels or change the MIDI clock settings, but you should be able to find it quite easily in the manuals.
Hope that all works, if it does, as I say you should be able to use your Circuit tracks as the master clock for everything and you should be able to play everything using the GX61 by flicking between midi channels 🙂
Hope that all helps, let me know how you get on ! :-)
Can it do multiple channels at once though? For example Ableton is sending midi out on channels 1, 2, and 3. The MIDI goes out through your Audio Interface MIDI out and then to the Quadra Thru. You have 3 different synths one set to receive on channel 1, one listening to 2, and the other 3. Do they get their separate commands on the appropriate channels simultaneously?
@@BluesTheBestBoyIGuess Yep, it can handle that easily. A single midi cable can transmit 16 channels at the same time, so you can send 16 channels into the Quadra Thru. The 4 signals coming out of the Quadra thru are effectively all duplicates of what’s coming into it, but the synths will only ‘react’ if they receive a signal on the channel that they are ‘listening’ on. Hope that helps 🙂
@@splootyvision Great - Thanks! Would you happen to know if the Doremidi6 does the same thing? It is cheaper and 6 ports. - Thanks
@@BluesTheBestBoyIGuess Yep, it would work the same. Only difference is the Dore needs a separate power supply, where as the MIDI solutions are all ‘self-powered’ from the midi cable itself so need for any other plugs/cables.
Genious Video, genious explanation. Can this also solve my problem : I want , if i transpose e.g. 1 halftone up on my controller keyboard (first keyboard) that the other keyboards follow this, and also transpose 1 step up. Can it be done with such an midi-thru box ? Can i transpose all connected keyboards ? Thanks for answer and effort
Hi there, if you transpose your master controller and play your other synths using the master keyboard then, Yes, the other synths will play the transposed sound. Effectively they are just receiving the midi note data from your master keyboard and if you set your master keyboard up 1 semitone then all the midi notes sent to the other synths will be 1 semitone up. The other actual keyboard themselves won’t be transposed though. So if you transpose your master up 1 semitone and play a C the actual note would be C# and that’s the sound that would be triggered on the connected synths. If you however then went across and played a C on one of the other keyboards it would still be a C. Hope that all made sense and answered your question 🙂
Thanks
Hey, I would love to have your opinion/advice, I'm having a problem as I need to connect a midi footswitch to change the preset on a synth module but also need to control it with a keyboard (it's only a module, it has no keys) and well... using a midi splitter in the midi in port doesn't work, it seems no synth will accept this setup in the midi in port, like some voltage issue, I have to end up unplugging one of the midi cables from the splitter to make either the controller or the footswitch work but not both, killing the purpose of the splitter, would this unit help? Or how do you solve this setup? Thank you very much
Hi there - what sort of MIDI splitter are you using ?
It sounds like you need a Merge box like the MIDI Solutions Quadra Merge (other brands are available 🙂). I have a separate video on it here: ruclips.net/video/A_y8xg3znYc/видео.html
This should take the midi signals from your keyboard and footswitch and merge them into one that can then be plugged into the MIDI in on your synth module and it should receive the midi signals from either the keys or the footswitch.
As an example I also have another video here in which you can see I have an FCB1010 midi pedal board and various midi keyboards attached to the midi merge box in turn feeding out to other synths (via a MIDI Thru box) which I can then either trigger via the keys or the pedal board.
ruclips.net/video/kFf61UcaYt4/видео.html
Hope that all helps 🙂
I’ve used a Dacs midi patchbay for at least 25 years to connect various workstations or controllers to other rack synths and workstations but tried using a CME midi thru box to connect various rack synths for mixing the sounds and the notes sustain after release any ideas why ?
I've seen comments on some forums with the odd problem like this (tbh never had any problems with my MIDI Solutions boxes though). How are you powering the CME box ? if it's from a computer usb port, then worth trying direct from a usb plug as sometimes not getting enough power can cause issues. Other than that could be a bad midi cable somewhere (might work okay elsewhere but shows up when used with the midi box) or it could be one or other synth that just doesn't want to play nicely with the CME if its only affecting certain synths ?. Prob one of those issues that need to troubleshoot to try and find the culprit 😞. Cheers.
@@splootyvision Thanks for the help, tried most of these solutions except the synth modules themselves . I know the Korg TR rack and the NS5R are a problem maybe it’s because they are 30 years olds!
Can we use the midi thru as another midi input?
In short, my keyboard has only 1 midi input port, I can use this box to get another input from another device/controller?
Thanks in advance!
@@lanphanh Hi - for that you need a ‘Merge’ box. I’ve done another video on that which you can find here:
ruclips.net/video/A_y8xg3znYc/видео.htmlsi=oJfWww27Gia61rr-
The ‘Thru’ box takes the MIDI out from one synth and enables you to send the signal to multiple other synths.
The ‘Merge’ box takes the MIDI Out from multiple synths and merges them into one MIDI in on another synth.
Hope that helps, cheers 🙂
@@splootyvision thanks!
Maybe you can help. I want to use each of my four synths with a Mpc; Except the Mpc only has two midi ins and four midi outs.
The set up I want: is for each synth to be able to be its own controller, so I can play each synth and send midi to the Mpc. The reason behind this, is I want to use each synths keybed and controller knobs. So far, I can only do it with two synths, because the Mpc only has two midi ins. But If it had four midi ins to match the four midi outs I believe it would work as I want it to.
The reason behind this set up is I want to use the mpc as the sequencer to sequence each of the four synths. But I don't want a single "master controller" controlling each of the other three synths. I want to play each synth into the mpc, and have the moc play back the first synth performance, then overdub the next synth performance, and do that with each of the four synths.
Is this possible? I can't find anyone or anything online with someone doing it this way. Everyone seems to use a single midi controller to control all their synths. But that's a waste to me. Why would you use a cheap midi controller to control other more awesome synths that have their own keybeds, faders, and knobs etc.
Hey there, check out my other video (link below) on MIDI merging. Looks like what you need is a MIDI merge box like the ‘Quadra Merge’ in the video. This has 4 inputs for your 4 synths and then you can just run one one midi cable out of the merge box into one of the MIDI ins on your MPC (which leaves you a midi port spare for the future 🙂). Hope this helps.
ruclips.net/video/A_y8xg3znYc/видео.htmlsi=m_GoRziw1VmC9zpN
Thanks for clearing this up a bit, my question is, do I need to connect every synth to my audio interface (Focusrite 18i8) to record or is there a simpler way?? cheers
Yep, for recording that’s the simplest way. Believe the 18i8 has 4 inputs on the front, so you can either use this as 4 mono inputs, 2 pairs of stereo inputs or a pair of stereo inputs and 2 mono inputs. For example I have 7 hardware synth / drum machines so what I have is all the audio outs from the synths going into a mixer and then the stereo out from the mixer going into two of the front inputs on my interface. I then have my microphone plugged directly into the 3rd input and a guitar plugged into the 4th input. All depends how many synths you have really. You could connect 4 synths in mono to your interface or 2 synths in stereo, or one synth on stereo and 2 in mono. Either way if you want to get the audio from the synths into your pc for recording they will need to go through the interface. I also then have all synths connected to the pc via usbs and a usb hub to capture the midi data as well as the audio. Hope that helps 🙂
how could tempo of the hardware synth smoothly be notched with an external midi controller?
Hi - it's all to do with the clock settings. All hardware synths usually have a way to choose what tempo (or clock) that they use. This is is usually 'internal', MIDI/'external' or USB. So for example in the set up shown in the video I have the Keystep 37 set to 'internal' clock and then all the hardware synths are set to use MIDI/External clock. This means that they all receive the clock/tempo from the Keystep 37 and ignore there own internal tempo/clock. When I change the tempo on the Keystep all the tempos change in sync on the connected hardware synths. Hope that helps 🙂
Hello mate,
Would something like this be ideal for pedalboard building?
I want to control a couple of midi enabled pedals, and a midi enabled guitar amplifier from the miid out of an ES-5 footswitch.
Tbh not something I’ve got any experience with but someone did comment further down that midi thru boxes are used extensively in pedal board set ups. I’m assuming working in a similar way to my key board set up I.e one pedal as master controlling various other pedals on different midi channels. I’m sure they’ll be some more detailed info on other channels that may have covered the subject. Cheers.
Thank you. I see you also have a Roli Seabord Rise 49 midi-controller. Is there any way to include it in the hardware setting ?
I’ve not tried it, but I believe you can connect the roli to say another hardware synth and use it to control it - I’ll have to look into it and give it a go 🙂
@@splootyvision thank you
Hi - had a quick go and can definitely use the Seaboard as a controller for other hardware. Currently I just have my seaboard connected to the pc to control software, however have discovered that if I create a midi track in my DAW (Cubase), choose the seaboard as the input and then one of my hardware synths as the output and select the midi channel that synth is on.....the seaboard does indeed control that hardware synth and can be used to glide between notes, do vibrato etc etc. The articulations from the seaboard are sent as standard midi messages so it's then a case of fiddling around to get it to do what you want e.g. if I wanted to control the cutoff filter on the hardware synth by sliding up and down notes on the seaboard, I can do that 🙂. You can also connect the seaboard direct to the hardware but would most likely need a usb/mid host box where you plug the seaboard into the little usb/midi host box and then a midi cable from there into the hardware synth. This would all also work for the smaller roli seaboard block etc. Thanks for the question, I've never used it that way, but opens up a whole new load of expressive possibilities 🙂
@@splootyvision thanks a lot. That really helps
Hi Graham. Thanks for the videos - great stuff! I’m currently experimenting with a DAWless setup, where I use a Novation Circuit Tracks,(CT),as my “Brain”. Do you have any experience with the Circuit Tracks? If so, maybe you can help me with a midi question?
I want to use my Keystep as the keys for my very small Korg NTS-1, because it has a almost useless taped flat keys wich I can’t use because of my fat fingers. I also have a Donner B1,(a 303-clone), and I connect these two synths through a Midi Solutions Quadra Thru and into the Keystep…. So far so good. Now.. the problem is that I cannot get the midi signal into the CT from the Keystep and use the pads on the CT, to sequence and program the NTS-1 and Donner B1, so I can make full songs on the CT.
Does this make any sense, or is my Danish/English too bad?
Maybe I could send you a diagram, showing what I mean?
All the best from Denmark.
Anders Jacobsen.
@@andersjacobsen5838 Hi, don’t own a circuit tracks, but was helping someone recently with advice who was using one in his set up, so have read a little about it. Think I understand what you’re trying to do, let me have a think and I’ll get back to you. Cheers
Hi Anders, If I understand correctly, you currently have the Keystep connected to a Quadra Thru box and then out from there to your NTS-1 and Bonner B1. The problem then is you can't get the signal for the Keystep to the Circuit Tracks.
I believe the answer lies in a MIDI Merge box.
If you have a look at my latest video you'll see I now use a Quadra Merge from MIDI Solutions in conjunction with a Quadra Thru; which creates a powerful little combination (PS There are cheaper options than the MIDI solutions, for example the CME U6 Midi Pro, which is 3 in 3 out and can be configured however you want it - the only downside is it has to be powered by USB or external power and you have to program what you want it to do with software; whereas the MIDI Solutions Quadra Merge is true plug and play and is self powered).
By adding the Quadra Merge I would see the set up like this:
- MIDI Out from Circuit Tracks into MIDI Thru box
- MIDI Thru box out to MIDI in on each of Keystep, NTS-1 and B1
- MIDI Out from those Keystep, NTS-1 and B1 into Merge box
- Merge Box out to MIDI In on Circuit tracks
Then, set the MIDI channel for the NTS-1 to Channel 3 and the B1 to Channel 4 (manuals should show you how) as these will then correspond to MIDI tracks 3 and 4 on the Circuit Tracks which I believe default to channels 3 +4 (the Synth tracks 1+2 are defaulted to midi channels 1+2 and the 4 drum tracks are all defaulted to channel 10)
You then need to consider what the main 'MIDI Clock' source will be. Given the Circuit tracks will be the 'brain' it would make sense for it to manage the tempo. In order for this to work the other 3 synths must have their MIDI clock set to 'AUTO' or 'MIDI' and NOT 'Internal'. Again the manuals will show how to do this.
This should now enable all of the following:
- The Circuit Tracks should now be able to play the NTS-1 and B1 using MIDI tracks 3+4 and you should be able to use the pads to sequence them etc.
- You should also be able to play the NTS-1 or the B1 using the Keystep by setting its MIDI channel to either 3 or 4 respectively (just press shift and one of the keys, numbered 1-16, to choose the channel on the fly). Effectively what is happening is the signal is going from the Keystep through the Merge box and triggering the Circuit Tracks which in turn triggers the NTS-1 or B1)
- You should also be able to use the Keystep to play the synth tracks 1 +2 on the Circuit Tracks again by changing the MIDI channel on the Keystep to MIDI channels 1+2 respectively or if you wanted the drum tracks on channel 10.
Basically, and hopefully, this means you can either play everything through the Circuit Tracks i.e. the 2 inbuilt synth tracks, the 2 midi tracks (which will trigger NTs-1 or B1) and the 4 drum tracks
OR
You can play everything through the Keystep and use its keys to program sequences on the Circuit Tracks instead of using the pads.
Hopefully this should all work and is what you envisaged. Sometimes it is a bit of trial and error getting all the signals routed to do what you want, so if this doesn't work properly let me know if any issues and I can have another look. Cheers.
PS Hope was all clear, any queries let me know (as a side note I used to work with a team in Denmark a few years back and visited Copenhagen regularly :-)
@@splootyvision Thanks a lot Graham, for taking the time to answer in such a great way. I’ll be hunting for a mergebox. And I will by you a pint, if you ever come to Copenhagen.
Thank you again.
Anders.
BUY
I tend to have the midi signal drop at around 5 daisy chained devices. Switching the order doesn't change anything, so I assume there is some kind of signal loss via the midi cabling. All up the cabling is probably 50 ft. I am expecting a midi box will fix this.
It should do. I’ve got 4 devices running off the midi thru box (MOX6, Deepmind12, MatrixBrute and TR8) and then a Neutron daisy chained off the midi thru of the MatrixBrute and then a System-1 and TB-3 daisy chained off the TR8 with no issues 🙂
What IC chip is being utilized in this magic box?
Tbh I have no idea 🤷♂️, maybe it is just magic ? 😉
I need some help man! Really appreciate the video but there is something I’m not understanding. I have two midi ins and 4 outs on my mpc. Currently I have a keyboard that is on a midi loop so I can play from the keyboard recording midi data to my mpc that in turn plays the separate midi channels the keyboard has. My other midi in is used to sync my mpc to my daw when I’m ready to record individual tracks so both on my midi ins as filled. I am hopping to add another midi loop to add an electric drum kit so I was wondering if a midi thru box could expand the midi ins I have on my mpc?
I’m not sure a midi thru box will help you, it’s really designed to control other synths from one master without daisy chaining - I can’t see that it will expand the midi ins on your mpc. Don’t know if this helps though, not sure what firmware your running or which mpc you have, but there was a firmware update a couple of years ago introducing midi multi which allows to connect up to 32 devices with an mpc using midi over usb and a powered usb hub. Basically connect the usb from devices to a usb hub and then connect the hub to the usb of the mpc. Here’s a link that talks about it musictech.com/news/gear/akai-unveils-midi-multi-in-their-plans-for-mpc-version-2-8/
Maybe that’s the solution? in which case it could be a usb hub you want rather than a midi thru box.
Hope that’s of some help 🙂
@@splootyvision first I need to thank you and let you know if it hasn’t been said that you’re a gift to humanity. Secondly although your suggestion doesn’t work in this instance because I’m an old fart using the legacy MPC 2500, I’m glad this information is here for anyone in needing it. You’ve got to be a top five human. I thank you for taking the time to answer and read this incredibly long winded thank you.
@@punchyaudio4232 Thanks, much appreciated. You got my brain going and don’t know why I didn’t think of it before - but think what you need is a midi merge box rather than a thru box (midi solutions do a merger as well as the Thru one in my video). The Thru box basically take the signal from one device and passes it on to other devices. However the merger takes the midi signals from multiple devices and merges them into one. So with a merger you should be able to connect your 4 midi outs on the mpc to the midi ins on 4 different devices, then run each of the midi outs on those devices into a midi merger and then run one midi cable from one of the outs on the merge box into one of the midi ins on your MPC. Here’s a link to the midi solutions product page - I’m pretty sure this is what your looking for (dependant on your needs they do a 2in/2out or a 4in/2out) www.midisolutions.com/prodqmr.htm
@@splootyvision this is exactly what I need. No clue anything like this existed. Between the two of these midi boxes I’ll have the room full of devices
@@punchyaudio4232 Haha, yep - no limits now 🙂
which would work better, getting a MIDI thru box for anywhere from 2-12 outputs or daisy chaining via MIDI out to MIDI thru on each module? Is setting each module to individual channels the only difference between the MIDI thru box vs daisy chaining?
If you only have a few synths then daisy chaining is no issue. However there can be a slight delay introduced in each step of the chain and the more you have the bigger this delay gets towards the end of the chain. So for example if daisy chaining 8 synths you may find the synth at the end of the chain is slightly out of sync with say the drum machine at the start of the chain. Also not all synths have midi thru options (some that only have midi out are able to be configured to use the midi out as a thru port, but for some you just can’t do it). The other thing to consider is that if you daisy chain, then all the gear must be switched on for the chain to work from end to end, with a midi thru box you can just turn on the synths you need.
Can i use a midi thru box to get my verselab mv1 to conrol my td3mo and get it to match bpm ?
Im a singer/songwriter whos getting back into synths but wanting the hardware route instead of the whole daw pc thing
Hi, depending on your total set up don’t really need a thru box. If you just run a midi cable from the out of the mv1 to the midi in on the td3 and then set the td3 clock to MIDI (you can set the td3 clock to either internal, midi, usb or trigger - by setting it to midi it will take the clock from whatever’s coming in at the ‘midi in’ I.e the mv1. The mv1 should also be able to then start stop sequences etc on the td3.
@Splooty Vision other than the verselab I've just got the two td3 units , the 1st release and the MO version, thanks 😊 for the tip I'll give it a go in the morning and see how It goes.
How to connect MidiStudio keyboard, Roland JV-1010 and Komplete Audio 6?
The sound monitor (speaker) supposingly connects to the Komplete Audio 6 and via USB to computer.....Midi keyboard (OUT) to Komplete Audio (IN), and Komplete Audio (OUT) to JV-1010 (IN)
Is this correct?
Hey there, I believe you’d want to do the following:
Midi cable from Midi OUT of Midi Keyboard to Midi IN on JV1010. This will allow you to play the JV with your midi keyboard.
Connect the L and R outputs of the JV1010 to inputs 1 and 2 on the front of the Audio 6 (L goes to 1 and R goes to 2). That will feed the audio from the JV into your audio interface.
Connect the 1 and 2 out on the rear of the audio interface to the stereo inputs on your Monitors (output 1 on Audio 6 goes to L input on monitors and output 2 on Audio 6 goes to R input).
Finally connect the Audio 6 to your computer with USB to allow you to record into your DAW or other software.
That should get everything working correctly.
The only thing you could do different is just run one audio cable from the L output on the JV1010 to Input 1 on the front of the audio interface - this will give you a mono signal and leave an input free for another instrument. Doing it the first way I described gives you a stereo signal.
Hope that helps 🙂
Hello, great video and a good solution this little box midi. But I have one ask. I understand all the midi conections about midi from a midi controler keyboard to controle the rest of sintetizers. This is my ask:
My midi controler keyboard is a NOVATION SL MK3, with him I can controle my rest of sintetizers, at the moment 3. And I want to buy an audio interfaze. The audio inputs and outputs I understand too. Only I have a dude in how about the midi notes can be listening by the daw for each sintetizers to can rec all music in a good way by midi notes.
So, If my NOVATION is the boss of each sintetizer: What is the good way to conect the midi in-out of the AUDIO interface to the NOVATION midi keyboard? And if it is posible to the midi notes of each sintetizer can be registered in the daw and can be listened for rec in audio track.
I hope you undesrtand this question. Still I haven't the audio interface (maybe the next week arrive) and I have a lot of headache about this !!!
Thanks anyway for your video.
Big kiss from SPain.
If I understand correctly you've got an SL MK3 controlling 3 hardware synthesisers and want to get both the audio and more importantly midi notes into your DAW. The simplest way would be:
Have your controller connected via midi to the hardware synths.
Connect the audio outputs of your synths to the audio inputs on the interface.
Connect the usb from the audio interface to your computer.
Then also connect the usb from each of your hardware synths to your computer.
To record the midi notes, set up a 'MIDI' track in your DAW, set the input as your SL MK3 and the output as the relevant hardware synth and make sure the midi channels all correspond i.e. if one of your synths is set on channel 3, make sure in the DAW the midi track is set to channel 3.
Now when you press a key on the SL is will trigger the hardware synth through the midi and the midi notes will be sent from the hardware synth to the DAW through it's USB connection.
This is how I have it set up with each of my synths connected individually to the pc with a usb cable.
The other solution which I believe works (and maybe a tidier one if you don't want all the USB cables) is to plug the midi out of the SL into the MIDI in on the audio interface (if it has one). Plug the midi out from your audio interface into the midi in of your hardware synth (or to multiple synth using a little midi box like in the video). Then both the audio and the midi notes will be sent through the usb from the audio interface into the DAW rather than from each individual synths USB. Hope that helps
@@splootyvision thanks so much. I Will test when my audio interface arrives, I am waiting for a Behringer umc404hd. And maybe I Will buy the little MIDI box😉. I Will see.... Many many thanks. Sweet kiss 😘
what's the difference with a midi splitter?
I could be wrong but think pretty much a different term for the same thing as I see 'thru boxes advertised as 'splitters'. The thru box takes whatever midi signal it receives at the 'in' and splits it into 4 identical copies of the signal that come out of the 'thru ports'. There are 'splitter' cables i.e. Y cables splitting one midi signal into 2 (or more), I think the difference here is that a proper thru box has individual circuitry on each thru port the signal is being split to, which is more reliable and keeps everything in sync with no delays. From what I've read a thru box is the most reliable solution, but for simple set ups a cheap splitter cable may do the job.
Hello,
I am trying to connect my TD-3-M0, my Minilogue XD and my TR-8 together but I'm having issues. I'm thinking a MIDI Thru might help but as they are fairly expensive I need to confirm if this will work.
Here's the problem:
I've connected all 3 starting from the TR8 Drum Machine then MIDI into the Minilogue XD and out from that into the TD3 but now the Minilogue is playing the notes of the TD3 and I don't want it to play it because it sounds ridiculous. I want them all to be used separately, all I want is the external clock from the TR8 to sync with the rest of the instruments.
Another issue is that when I start the tr8, all of the synths start playing their sequencers all at once. I would like to press start stop on them all individually. Likewise, if I press start on the Minilogue the TD3 starts playing but not the TR8.
I hope this makes sense. It's a real head-scratcher for me as a beginner and I'd really appreciate if anyone could help with this
I think you should be able to do it without a midi thru box. One of the issues you're having is I don't believe the Minilogue has a midi thru, however I believe the TD3 does 🙂. Bear with me this might be quite long !
So....run a cable from midi out of the TR8 to Midi in on the TD3, then from the midi out of the TD3 to the midi in of the Minilogue.
You'll then need to change the midi clock source on your td3 and minilogue and I believe activate the midi thru port on the td3 (as the out functions as both an out and a thru)
For the TD3 go to the TD3 product page on the Behringer website and download the Synthtribe tool (which is under 'Software') to your computer which allows you to change various parameters. (when you open the tool it will recognise your td3 if its connected by usb). In the tool you can change the midi clock to 'external' which will mean it's tempo will be whatever it receives at its midi in (i.e. from the TR8). I believe in here is also where you can probably change the midi out to midi thru.
For the minilogue, check your manual on how to set midi clock source and again set to external and not internal.
I would also then set each bit of equipment to different midi channels. The TR8 defaults to midi channel 10, so would say set the TD3 to midi channel1 and the Minilogue to midi channel 2 (again use the synthtribe tool to change the channel on the Td3 and check the manual for the Minilogue).
What you should now have is the TR8 controlling the tempo of the TD3 and Minilogue, so everything is in sync and the TD3 wont trigger the Minilogue as you are using the midi thru.
Finally to stop the TR8 from triggering everything when you press start. Check the manual, go into the settings (using a sequence of button presses etc) and turn off 'Omni' in the midi settings (if this is on then all midi message including start/stop are always transmitted hence why everything starts at once, by turning it off you can then trigger your synths/sequencers individually.
That should work !!!!🙂🙂🙂
The alternative to all of that is, get a midi thru box, plug the TR8 into it and run cables out to your TD3 and Minilogue's midi ins, but remember as above to turn off 'Omni' setting on the TR8 to stop everything starting when you trigger the TR8.
Hope that helps, let me know how you get on 🙂
@@splootyvision Firstly, thank you so much for the reply. I can see you took some real time to help me here and it means a lot.
I was about to send a message explaining that it wasn't working but now I'm very very close. The only thing still acting up is the tr8 is still activating the td3 but not the Minilogue. I've turned off omni, and I've switched some of the other midi parameters around on the tr8 but it doesn't want to play ball. The Minilogue is no longer playing notes from the td3 which is brilliant and the clocks are finally all hooked up. It now comes down to me being able to stop the tr8 from activating the td3.
This is now my one step away from having my set-up perfected, so I must say a massive thank you for this.
@@lilbig3685 Great to hear, looks like you’re nearly there. Only other thing I can think of off top of my head is to go into the TR8 midi settings and turn off the midi channel. If follow the manual instructions when you turn the tempo knob it will show, C1, C2 etc through to C16. If turn it to OFF this should stop any midi messages being transmitted and hopefully stop it from sending the start/ stop messages - but the clock tempo should still be sent out and the TR8 should still act as the master clock.
@@splootyvision I'm afraid I've tried this and it's come to no conclusion, very odd as it makes perfect sense. I think it's the TD3 playing up personally but there are very limited options for midi configuration on it sadly. May be stuck on this one for a while
So the key step out to your thru of the matrix brute … how do you connect your matrix brute to the other machine ???
Plug in a midi cable into the matrix brute out to in of the module ??!
Keystep Out to Midi In on the Matrixbrute, then run a cable from Midi Thru of Matrixbrute to Midi in on the Neutron 🙂
How can you change the channels through the keystep pro??? Please help having a hassle with it all my midi are connected to one channel whenever i hit a note all of my synthesizers play the same note
No problem. You need to set each of your devices to different midi channels, then on the Keystep all you do is hold shift and then one of the corresponding keys on the left half of the keystep, you'll see that they are each labelled 1 through to 16 which corresponds to the midi channels (when you hold the shift button a blue light will come up to show you which channel you are on). For example if you have two synths you want to play using the keystep, set one to midi channel 1 and the other to midi channel 2. To play the first one hold shift and the first white note on the keystep on the LH side (which is numbered one above it). To play the second keyboard hold shift and press the first black key from the left (numbered 2 above it). Hope that helps. Cheers.
@@splootyvision thanks so much for the replyy!!!!! Please do u mind if u explain on a FaceTime video and charge me with a lesson please?
Cause im in the studio right now and ive been facing this issue for a longg time
@@splootyvision its the keystep pro 🙏🏽 i gant find the lh on top of the keys
@@hardwaretechno4615 Hey there apologies, missed it was a keystep pro which is different to mine so original instructions not quite correct. On the Pro each of the 4 track should by default be set to midi channels 1, 2 3 and 4 and the drum track should be set to by default to channel 10. Simple way is to just set your other synths to those corresponding midi channels and you should be able to play them. i.e. use track 1 to play the synth you have set to midi channel one, track 2 for midi channel 2 etc.
❤❤❤
I've been thinking about buying one of these. I have 6 Nords and none of them have a MIDI "thru." I guess Nord saves 5 cents by leaving out that jack.
It’s a great and rock solid bit of gear if don’t have thru ports. I would check though as I believe the nords have a ‘soft’ thru implemented, whereby you can configure the midi out to act like a midi thru (a number of synths have this if they only have midi in and out ports). Not sure how you enable/set it up as don’t have any nord synths but worth checking the manual. Otherwise the midi thru mix will certainly solve any issues :-)
@@splootyvision interesting, the Nords don't have that feature that I'm aware of and no mention of it in the manual.
@@connor_flanigan Having a quick look around it appears to be something to do with the ‘Extern’ section (not sure if all Nords have that). It’s a global soft thru. The way I understand is you can set the outgoing midi channel in the extern section separate from the main midi channel. So for example you have a master keyboard and 2 nords. The master and the first nord in the chain are set to midi channel 1 (so the master triggers the Nord). You can then set the midi channel in the extern section on this first Nord to say midi channel 2 and then set the second nord also to midi channel 2. Now if you change the midi channel on the master to 2 it should play the second nord and ignore the first (passing midi signals thru like a midi thru would).
@@splootyvision aah. only the Nord stage has that (or it did - they eliminated it in the new 4 model.🙄) I don't have a stage though.
A question for the experts.
*How do I connect devices with built-in sounds
Directly to a control keyboard that has no sounds.
*Which cables do I need? And what is the friend why?
- I have: launch key 25 mk Novation control keyboard
and want to connect it for example:
to CIRCUIT TRACKS.
Or - for the Roland device / Roland Aira S-1
and use their sounds.
Many thanks to the helpers
Hi there. You’ll need 1 x standard MIDI cable (with 5 pin connectors on each end, like this www.gear4music.com/G4M/MIDI-Pro-Cable-1m/X5L AND 1 x MIDI to 35mm TRS (like this www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Boss-BMIDI-2-35-35mm-TRS-to-MIDI-Cable-2ft-60cm/432M PS dependant on your needs different lengths of cable are available.
Then…Connect the standard midi cable from the MIDI out on the Novation 25 to the MIDI in on the Circuit tracks AND then run the MIDI/TRS cable from the MIDI THRU on the Circuit tracks (NOT the midi out) to the MIDI in on the Aira S1 (which has mini jacks for its midi ins and outs).
Following this set each hardware device to different MIDI channels, say the Circuit tracks on Channel 1 and the Aira on Channel 2.
Now, if you set the Novation launch key to channel 1 it will trigger the Circuit tracks and if you set it to Channel 2 it will trigger the Aira. If you set both bits of hardware to the same midi channel then when you play the launch key it will trigger both synths at the same time.
Make your audio connections as normal to your mixer/audio interface and for recording connect all to a computer using USB in order to get the data into your DAW. Hope that helps 🙂
The Quadra Thru worked for about a year and then just died on me. I'm looking for something more sturdy now.
Sounds unusual, had mine for over 10 years and never had an issue. I’d be tempted to contact them and see if they’d replace it.
Yamaha - Sintetizador -
Digital : Hoje : Wireless -
Wi - Fi : ( Bluetooth) ;Conection :
Alcance : 15 Mts : Distance ;
Top ; Wireless : Top :
Yamaha : New - Sistem : Hi -
Tec : New - Tecnology -
Yamaha : hoje ; Amanhã ;
New - Sistem : Aparecer :
Evolução : Revolução : Hi -
Tec ; Yamaha .
in no way you should buy this particular device. It's taking power from the midi-line wich is not allowed and might result in problems like missing midi date, hum up to braking midi-ports (not very likely but possible). Buy a Kenton and you're safe.
Not sure where you get that from, but I’ve been using this thru box for over 10 years now with dozens of different pieces of equipment and never had a problem 🙂
nice but next time switch off the radio before you start filming
Not a radio, my own original music as backing 🙂
The music in the background makes that i cant follow your story... Sorry. The combination is too much...