Simultaneous MIDI inputs from 2 different devices?

[bwroberts]

I was wondering if anyone knows the best way to have multiple MIDI inputs in DP. For example, I use a fader control from an external USB controller device at the same time I am playing notes on my Roland keyboard. I am able to get MIDI information from both if I choose one OR the other in the MIDI input section. However, I have been unable to figure out how to get them both to apply simultaneously. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks....

[newrigel]

Multi record enable the session.

[James Steele]

Actually it sounds like maybe he wants the opposite of Multi-Record... when Multi-Record is not on your source should be any incoming MIDI regardless of where it originates. I'm not in front of DP now, but perhaps you need to set it to auto-channelize incoming MIDI data in case one of our input devices is on a different channel? I dunno... it's late.

[Shooshie]

James is probably right. Let's clarify the methods of entry:

Multi-record off: This is regular mode. When in this mode, all MIDI inputs are available to any Record-Enabled track. This is your best bet, and is the way I record MIDI from WX-5, Roland FC300 Footpedal board, and Kurzweil 2600 all at the same time. (I sometimes use the 64 and 67-pedals from the Kurzweil while playing WX-5)

Multi-Record On: While this enables you to record two or more separate tracks simultaneously, it also necessitates the division between inputs. Unfortunately, that means that you no longer can use two or more inputs on the same track. So, Multi-Record gives us a great power at a compromise. To split the inputs apart, you can no longer use them together. I suppose with more programming, they could figure out a way to do that... actually, come to think of it, that may be possible with MIDI Device Groups, but those may be for output only.

But that wasn't the question. The question was simply "how can I record from more than one device on the same track." The answer is "do nothing." That is, turn off Multi-Record. Maybe you need to put the devices on the same MIDI channel (Channel 1), but I'm not sure even that is necessary. Remember, I set up that sort of thing only when I buy a new device that needs something different in its setup approach. I know how to make this stuff work pretty much any way I want it to, but I don't do anything different but every few years. That's not a lot of daily reinforcement.

I have run into just about every kind of input/output problem you can imagine, and I've been able to solve all of them with a combination of one or more of the following: Multi-Record (on or off); Device Groups; multiple tracks (combined later, or split apart later); channel reassignment in Clockworks -- the MOTU interface for the MIDI Time Piece; MIDI Setup; Bundles Window; and sometimes even hardware MIDI mergers or splitters, which may be harder to find these days, and were always kind of expensive devices.

But this particular problem has the simplest answer of all: just don't use Multi-Record, and all your devices -- if properly connected through Apple's Audio/MIDI Setup -- should be received on any record-enabled track at the same time, merged as separate controllers plus notes.

Shooshie

[bwroberts]

Thank you for the responses. Unfortunately, I cannot turn off multi-record because I need it for some other purposes. Is there a way to do this by chaining the MIDI (virtually or physically). For example, can I have the MIDI out from one device go into the keyboard and then have that go into DP? Thanks.

[Shooshie]

No guarantees, but you MIGHT be able to get one MIDI device to modify another MIDI device through Clockworks' routing page, but I have doubts that it will do what you're asking and patch both through to a track.

What you might have to do if this is really important is to get a MIDI Merge box. I don't know who makes them now. Mine is from about 1987.

Shooshie

[James Steele]

Thank you for the responses. Unfortunately, I cannot turn off multi-record because I need it for some other purposes. Is there a way to do this by chaining the MIDI (virtually or physically). For example, can I have the MIDI out from one device go into the keyboard and then have that go into DP? Thanks.

I think you could create TWO MIDI tracks, one for each MIDI input device and then target them to the same VI instance and channel. As long as you record enable both tracks it should do what you want with the added benefit of having your controller data on one track and your note data on the other.

[pencilina]

Absolutely yes, you can physically chain your devices. Since you have multi-record on you'll have to set them both to output on the same channel if you want to record them both on the same track in DP. Also some devices have different global options for their MIDI IN's behaviour (in/thru/merge) so you might want to make sure you have that stuff set right and/or consider the order of your chain. I used to have lots of HW devices chained and sharing two ports of a MIDI interface with no problems. You could also use the MIDI pipe freeware utility to merge them both to a virtual cable into DP but this can be a PITA.

[James Steele]

I was wondering if anyone knows the best way to have multiple MIDI inputs in DP. For example, I use a fader control from an external USB controller device at the same time I am playing notes on my Roland keyboard. I am able to get MIDI information from both if I choose one OR the other in the MIDI input section. However, I have been unable to figure out how to get them both to apply simultaneously. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks....

Again, I'm assuming your Roland is set to Local Off so that MIDI is going into DP and then routed back to the Roland, right? So just add another MIDI track with the USB device as input and make the target the Roland also. Am I missing something?

[pencilina]

I was thinking he was using two simultanious controllers that he wanted rounted to the same track. Also James (OT sorry), the new format of the 'nation is great! Thanks so much and keep up the good work. My only thought it might be a little more convienent if the the film and usage forums were combined.

Best

B

[Frodo]

I once had an Oxygen8 which I'd connected to my 88-key MIDI keyboard's THRU port. I took the larger keyboard's MIDI OUT and connected it to the MIDI IN on the MIDI interface. The Ox8 was set up as a dedicated keyswitcher for various VIs to keep those keyswitches out of the way-- they were set an octave below the range of the larger keyboard.

I don't remember having to do anything special with DP other than to assign the MIDI track's INPUT to my larger keyboard. The Ox8 sent keyswitches THRU to DP with no problem as well as note data from the larger keyboard concurrently.

This was quite a while ago, and I don't use the Ox8 any more--- but maybe something within this quick-n-easy approach will spawn some additional ideas?