How to record safe a MIDI track that is receiving MIDI while

[Romanp]

recording on other tracks. But still be able to trigger that MIDI channel from the MIDI controller selected as the MIDI input of that track.
Scenario:
I am using 'Multi record' with MIDI tracks so I can have multiple MIDI controllers jamming and recording. (Roland TD3 electric drum pads, MIDI keyboards).
I want to have my drum pads routed to a MIDI instrument of a drum kit and my keyboard to MIDI instrument sounds.
Let's say I record a MIDI performance on the MIDI drum pads and then want to record a keyboard part.
If I have the MIDI drum pads track 'record enabled' to still trigger the MIDI drum kit output while I record the MIDI key part, then the drum part will be recorded over.

Another scenario is when I sequence all MIDI drum tracks on my Akai MPC but am routing to various MIDI drum instruments through DP by 'record enabling' the tracks that assign the 16 MIDI channels from the MPC out port A to various different MIDI instrument/channel destinations. Yeah, I like the MPC HW interface and sequencer for drum programming.playing.


I am at the very early stages of learning DP. I am recording audio and MIDI. but not much more than that. Still a lot to read and learn.

I am guessing a workaround would be to duplicate any MIDI tracks that I still want to have connecting/routing a MIDI controller (slaved MPC sequencer, MIDI drum kit or MIDI keys) to a destination MIDI instrument (software or hardware). By having the duplicate tracks record enabled but with the 'play' blue triangle turned off so any data recorded doesn't get outputted. Essentially functioning as a routing channel. Hopefully having 2 tracks record enabled sending the same MIDI data to the same MIDI destination wouldn't duplicate the notes being sent. The result would be that while recording the notes from the MIDI controller would be doubled causing doubled note syndrome while playing. But not on playback because the duplicate track has the 'play' thing turned off. This might necessitate turning the 'record enable' of the duplicate MIDI routing tracks off while recording to the same MIDI destination.

Phew! Can be challenging for me to communicate this stuff simply.

Is there a way to have a MIDI track transmitting MIDI from the selected input to the selected output without it recording when DP is recording. A MIDI 'record safe' button?
Thanks,
Roman.

Hopefully there is a way to

[Romanp]

In the simplest of terms I am creating a MIDI band with multiple MIDI controllers (MIDI drum kit, MIDI keys) and I want to have all the instruments connected to their MIDI sound instruments via the DP 'Multi record' ability and each tracks individual MIDI input and output selection.

But also be able to choose whether the track records the incoming MIDI data or not without losing the MIDI controller to MIDI sound/instrument connection when not recording to that track. So I could still play the drums while someone is recording a MIDI key part without recording over the previously recorded MIDI drum part.

[Romanp]

I want the ability to monitor/hear/transmit MIDI input data without recording it. So I can play MIDI instruments and route my MPC MIDI output without it being recorded when I record on other tracks.
I have read the manual pages on 'MIDI patch thru' but it requires the tracks to be record enabled.
The audio input monitor can be enabled or disabled independently of the record enable state.

I need the same for MIDI tracks so I can play a MIDI instrument without recording it. Or recording over previously recorded MIDI data.

[stubbsonic]

You're right. It would be great if DP had that "input monitor" mode for MIDI tracks.

I wonder if you could accomplish what you need running a MIDI router application in the background?

I don't have anything specific in mind.

You really should be able to do what you are asking.

I guess you could just create copies of tracks and just go ahead and record to them (even if you don't keep) but you shouldn't have to do it that way. I wish the bundles editor had more options like that.

[HCMarkus]

I guess you could just create copies of tracks and just go ahead and record to them (even if you don't keep)...

+1. MIDI Data takes up near zero space, and (unlike audio) is erased (subject to recall by "undo") when recorded over, so this seems like an eminently reasonable solution.

Added bonus: The elusive "Best Take Ever" has been (inadvertently) preserved!

[Romanp]

You both forgot to mention that an auxiliary MIDI monitor track could be created by record enabling that track so it always gets recorded over but have the play button switched off so you never hear it played back.

One way of thinking about this is:
With the 'multi record' feature, that allows independent selection of HW MIDI input port and channel per track, you in practise can wire up a MIDI band with keyboard controllers, MIDI drum kit controller etc. But not being able to monitor MIDI input without record enabling means each MIDI band members instrument has to be unplugged otherwise their track is recorded over. Which seems like a silly limitation for such a useful and fun ability.

It means the band can't jam together if any other track, audio or MIDI is being recorded to. That is very recording centric of DP. lol. Everyone has to unplug their instrument just so the tambourine player can record his part as audio.

But yes, the duplicate MIDI track with record enabled and play/monitor turned off, which just records over itself each pass, should function as a live MIDI monitor. I think this workaround means that when you actually want to record and keep a MIDI part you have to turn off the record enabled MIDI monitor track other wise with the duplicated track that is intended for keeper takes, you would, I expect, get a double triggering of the MIDI receive instrument because two tracks are both assigned to it from the same MIDI controller.

I like to program/play drum patterns on the Akai MPC sequencer/pads interface. The MPC can be slaved with MIDI beat clock. But to allocate the 16 MIDI channels per MPC MIDI out port, I need to use DP in 'multi record' mode so I can assign each MIDI channel from the MPC to separate sound modules.
My point is, without a live MIDI monitor or 'record safe' feature on MIDI tracks, the whole ability to use DP as a MIDI router is prevented. Except for the workaround we've detailed AFAIK.

With DP as a MIDI channel and port router, I can assign MPC MIDI channels to any module (roland fantom rack, org tr-rack, old SCI drum tracks, Akai S950, Akai Z8, Motif XF, etc)connected to my MTP MIDI I/O just by selecting it on the tracks output. That is what I need.

But yeah the MIDI band concept is what I think communicates the idea simply. Why can't everyone in the MIDI band have their instrument plugged in and sounding? 2 keyboardists an electric drum kit player etc.

[HCMarkus]

But yes, the duplicate MIDI track with record enabled and play/monitor turned off, which just records over itself each pass, should function as a live MIDI monitor.

Yes.

Sorry "we both forgot to mention" that you can mute a MIDI track. Thanks for reminding us that we forgot to specify that. And we certainly needed to be reminded we forgot that. So please be sure to point out any oversights we make in the future.