Project Mix setup

[tom24569]

So - I'm trying to go mixerless with a MacPro, DP 5.1, and a Project Mix I/O. I've downloaded the latest drivers and followed all instructions. But I'm having some problems.

- Even though I created the device in AudioMidi setup, the Project Mix has never shown up on the Control Surface setup within DP. The only way I've got it to work feels like a hack: I created a Mackie Control device in the MIDI setup and connected one in and out from the already created Project Mix device to that. Isn't there a way to connect directly?

- I can't get MIDI to run through the ProjectMix, even with the above hack. The physical setup is that I have a keyboard controller with a MIDI out patched to the MIDI on of the ProjectMix. The PM's MIDI out is patched to the MIDI in of an external module. The software setup is that the controller and the module are both patched to the ProjectMix device in the AudioMidi setup. Playing the controller, I see the MIDI light flashing on the physical ProjectMix but the signal isn't passed to the module.

Any advice appreciated!

- Tom

[jlaudon]

Hi Tom,

It's the only way the Projectmix works with DP - like you have set it up.

For the external MIDI problems, in the Projectmix Control, in the options menu (the only menu), there is the option to enable external MIDI ports, and/or the Firewire MIDI ports. Try to enable these and see what happens.

good luck.

[jlaudon]

one more thing, there is a M-audio specific forum at audioforums.com, which is moderated by an M-audio guy, who is quite helpful.

[Mr_Clifford]

- Even though I created the device in AudioMidi setup, the Project Mix has never shown up on the Control Surface setup within DP. The only way I've got it to work feels like a hack: I created a Mackie Control device in the MIDI setup and connected one in and out from the already created Project Mix device to that. Isn't there a way to connect directly?

That's the way that they tell you to do it in the Project Mix manual (pdf). I do agree, it does seem like a hack job, but one that works fine. I think it's to do with DP not thinking an interface can actually generate data (that's just a guess).

- I can't get MIDI to run through the ProjectMix, even with the above hack. The physical setup is that I have a keyboard controller with a MIDI out patched to the MIDI on of the ProjectMix. The PM's MIDI out is patched to the MIDI in of an external module. The software setup is that the controller and the module are both patched to the ProjectMix device in the AudioMidi setup. Playing the controller, I see the MIDI light flashing on the physical ProjectMix but the signal isn't passed to the module.

Is this while DP is running, with MIDI ins/outs patched accordingly? Unfortunately the Project Mix MIDI doesn't seem to offer a MIDI thru when not being controlled by a MIDI application.

Like you I'm running Project Mix with DP to enable me to go 'mixerless' and it's working great. Although the driver does leave a bit to be desired. Often I will lose sound from the device and I have to click on the 'reset' icon in the software control panel to get it working again (?!?).

It's awesome to be able to plug my modules etc. into the ProjectMix and monitor totally latency-free, then just hit record when i want to bounce it into audio tracks. The A/B button is supposed to be able to mute and unmute the direct monitoring but doesn't seem to really work how i would like (again, buggy driver I think). All up though, it's a great way to work.

[tom24569]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm finally getting the audio portion of ProjectMix working.

The lack of a good MIDI implementation is disappointing. How are people working with MIDI in conjunction with ProjectMix? Without a MIDI thru on the ProMix, it doesn't seem possible to drive external modules. Should I get another MIDI box? (I had to ditch my motu MIDI xpress when I went to the MacPro).

[Mr_Clifford]

The lack of a good MIDI implementation is disappointing. How are people working with MIDI in conjunction with ProjectMix? Without a MIDI thru on the ProMix, it doesn't seem possible to drive external modules. Should I get another MIDI box? (I had to ditch my motu MIDI xpress when I went to the MacPro).

It works fine as long as you're running a MIDI application (ie. DP) and do your MIDI routing from there. I agree that it would be nice to have a 'hardware' MIDI thru for when you don't have DP open (or even when the computer is off) but it's not the end of the world. I think the MIDI ports are really just a little bonus, it's no 'hard-core' MIDI interface.

BTW, the MIDI on a Digi002r behaves in exactly the same way.

[tom24569]

OK - then I must not be doing something right. When you say "do your routing thru DP" I'm not sure what you mean.

I guess I need a "MIDI routing thru dp 101" explanation. I'm using an external controller and a couple of external modules. Not sure how to trigger the modules from the keyboard thru dp and still have them maintain separate tracks.

The controller is set up in the MIDI panel to send on all 16 channels. One module is set up to receive on channel 5, the other on channel 3, the controller itself is set to receive on channel 1. Physically, the MIDI in from the controller goes into the MIDI in of the ProMix, the MIDI out from the ProMix goes into a MIDI distribution box, and the various MIDI outs from the d-box go to the MIDI ins of the modules and to the MIDI in of the controller. Can't get it to work, probably because the dp portion isn't set up right. Can supply more details if necessary. Not afraid (obviously) of asking stupid questions.

[Mr_Clifford]

My setup's a bit simpler than yours. I'm running the control keyboard into the Project Mix MIDI in, and the MIDI out goes to my JV1080. My other MIDI devices are connected to my Midex8 outputs. So, one device per MIDI port.

In DP I set the output of the track to the device (& channel number) that I want to send to and it routes it using the setup in the OSX 'Audio MIDI Setup'

My first suggestion would be to buy a MIDI interface that has enough outputs for one per device, but, failing that, you might need to set up a device for your MIDI distribution box and plug that into your Project Mix in your Audio MIDI setup (virtually, of course). You then would select that as your output device in DP and let the D-box sort out which channels go where.

I hope that makes sense.