Hi,
When I have the Push 3 outputting clock and MIDI notes over multiple tracks, the MIDI clock stutters whenever I have more than a few notes playing in the sequencer.
For example, if I am outputting a clock signal that is driving an MPC and a separate drum machine, and I play a chord with more than 3 notes on the Push in a MIDI track that is driving a keygroup program on the MPC, the clock signal sent to the drum machine and MPC (sent over 3.5mm-to-5pin DIN cable) stutters and obviously does not keep steady time.
In my troubleshooting, I noticed that if I change the expression mode of Push to mono aftertouch instead of MPE, my clock issues go away. This leads me to the conclusion that my MIDI clock is lagging due to the immense amount of MPE data from Push's pads being sent out over hardware MIDI.
However, I don't want to be limited to mono aftertouch expression in every track on the Push-- I am recording MIDI data into the Push's Session View and sending that MIDI out to external synthesizers, and I also want to be able to play MPE instruments on Push alongside those external synthesizers.
Upon further troubleshooting, I found that the MPE Control device could aid me in my efforts to reduce the amount of MIDI data being sent out by these MIDI tracks controlling external equipment. However, for some reason, the MPE Off MIDI Effect does not fix the issue for me. I can only maintain the integrity of the clock by using the MPE to MIDI effect and turning off Slide > Mod and NotePB > PB.
How does the MPE Off device work? I would have assumed it would have turned off all MPE-related data, and a toggle to switch MPE pressure to channel pressure would have been a nice touch, too.
However, I do not see any way for me to toggle Slide > Mod and NotePB > PB from the Push itself. This seems like core functionality of the device, and is the kind of thing that would be useful to do from the standalone device for this very scenario: sending midi clock and data out over hardware MIDI and not wanting MPE data to slow the clock to a crawl. Can anyone confirm whether there is any way to toggle this in the MPE to MIDI MPE Control device from Push?
It seems like the workaround that works best for me is to save a version of the MPE to MIDI device with the requisite settings set on Desktop Live to my User Library and transfer this to Push. However, this being the only way to allow for functional external clocking and sequencing alongside MPE-enabled instruments on Push standalone seems frustrating. Perhaps some default settings and behaviors should change either on the Push or for these MPE to MIDI devices.
Apologies for the ambling nature of this post; I constructed it as I was coming to understand my issue. I leave it as-is to serve as a question, comment, and documentation for anyone else who might face this same issue.
Push 3 MIDI clock output, MPE expression, and MPE to MIDI device
Re: Push 3 MIDI clock output, MPE expression, and MPE to MIDI device
Sorry if I'm mistaking something, but I think you MPC and external drum machine don't need to receive MPE data but only the midi clock (and maybe the midi note CC and PC).
What's probably happening is that in Push's Settings > Midi, you need to uncheck the MPE out to your external gear. It shouldn't be On by default, so if you didn't turn it on by yourself, that might be a bug.
Doing it from the MPE Control device isn't the solution.
What's probably happening is that in Push's Settings > Midi, you need to uncheck the MPE out to your external gear. It shouldn't be On by default, so if you didn't turn it on by yourself, that might be a bug.
Doing it from the MPE Control device isn't the solution.
Ableton Forum Moderator
Re: Push 3 MIDI clock output, MPE expression, and MPE to MIDI device
In MIDI Output settings, the label and checkbox for MPE are dimmed and not selectable. To clarify, the MPE setting for output in MIDI settings is not checked, and I am unable to toggle that option even if I wanted to. The MPE label under MIDI Input settings is not dimmed and is selectable, however it is not enabled. I am able to reliably recreate this behavior that I presume is due to MPE data transmission over MIDI. Worth noting the behavior I observed worked exactly the same way when using Push 3 in controller mode from desktop!
Process: New Live set, with midi cable connected to external instrument, then another MIDI cable from external instrument to drum machine. I create an external instrument and set its MIDI output number to the MIDI input number for the external instrument I am controlling. I program hats on 16th notes, which makes it easy to hear what's going on. I start the Push sequencer and start playing more and more notes on the Push, and the clock starts to stutter more.
I can assure you, it is a solution!
Any idea on the MPE Off device?