For those using external gear and MIDI...

Filch · Post by **Filch** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:17 pm

.... what are you guys doing as a work around to record and edit tweaks of your external hardware that speaks Sysex or NRPN?

I have a few synths that speak mostly or exclusively in those formats and so far have not found a good work around. Exiting Live and opening another DAW that fully supports this midi speak and rewiring Live just so I can record parameter changes is not very conducive to a good work flow.

I'd like to hear what you guys are doing to get around this.

xh9o · Post by **xh9o** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:38 pm

its obviously a problem, but since i only have two synths (with one supporting cc midi) its not so bad here. my other synth needs a translator, i use a editor done by a fan guy. there are more commercial universal editors (motu, midiquest) which should work similar (receiving cc-midi from sequencer, sending encoded midi to your synth). but i´m not sure, haven´t tested yet.

bytheriver · Post by **bytheriver** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:41 pm

I use it as an oppertunity to commit things to audo, since my DSI evolver transmits some odd things.

I tend to get it roughly where I want it, then record 1-2 mins of tweak-age into a clip, then spit that clip up into 8/16/32 beat loops that progress or change.

That along with some effects like glitch/beat repeat and audio editing normally gives me enough.

This is techno/minimal/electro though, I can imagine if your trying to do some huge complex melodic phrase with a complex synth patch and lots of tweaks needed at the same time it could be a pain in the backside.

Filch · Post by **Filch** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:03 pm

Yes.

I do have an Evolver as well, an MKS-50, and I often want to get several parameters going at once, and in ways that sometimes LFO's and Envelopes can't coax out.

My biggest deal would be just to be able to edit the synths from Live itself without having to exit to go use an editor. I have an editor for the evolver from soundtower, but since Live locks up the midi ports, I can't have it in the background. And sometimes CC won't cut it for such parameters like filter cutoff that need the range of steps that something like NRPN provides.

xh9o · Post by **xh9o** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:53 pm

Filch wrote:I have an editor for the evolver from soundtower, but since Live locks up the midi ports, I can't have it in the background.

hm? i don´t understand it, when i use midi yoke as virtual port all works fine with having both applications still on the run.

And sometimes CC won't cut it for such parameters like filter cutoff that need the range of steps that something like NRPN provides.

thats true. and the solution depends on the editor. i can´t see a workaround here.

Filch · Post by **Filch** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:51 pm

Ah,

Perhaps I should give MIDI Yoke a gander then. From what you say, I'll at least be able to edit while in the background. I've been hesitant to load Yoke up due to some MIDI wonkiness reported. I'll play around and see what happens.

xh9o · Post by **xh9o** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:11 am

as to go hint for midi yoke: disable any port you don´t really need in all programs running at one time. works fine with me.