VST Multiple Midi Channel Output...Why Not

[UncleAge]

I am trying out the update to Consequence. It will now output 3 channels of midi representing the data for each sound generator, thus allowing me to use my own synths in place of the native generators. I was pretty sure this would not work work in Live and I think I'm right on this (prove me wrong...please). Since there is audio output as well on the Consequence track, the only option you get on the second track (receiving track) is the option to have all midi together, nothing seperate. However, I had no issues routing the midi from Consequence in Reaper. But that got me to thinking...

1. Why hasn't this type of functionality been addressed by the Abe's? Regardless of the VST spec, this seems like something that should have been tackled by now. Is there just no demand for this?

2. What other VST plugins output midi data on multiple channels but also have audio output thus limiting the options for midi routing? (EZD, GURU, RMV, Kontakt,???)

3. Is the only way around this to use a product like midi-yoke?

I have other DAWs but I would prefer to use this in Live if there is a simple workaround.

[nuxnamon]

im in the same boat as you.. SB should have atleast mentioned it was not possible in all sequencers..

[broc]

1. Why hasn't this type of functionality been addressed by the Abe's? Regardless of the VST spec, this seems like something that should have been tackled by now. Is there just no demand for this?

Actually I have the impression there is not much demand for midi output of plugins.
For example, Logic on Mac doesn't support it at all.
Users are complaining from time to time on the forums but there seems no general interest.

2. What other VST plugins output midi data on multiple channels but also have audio output thus limiting the options for midi routing? (EZD, GURU, RMV, Kontakt,???)

For example, Kontakt has a very powerful script language that allows to generate and output multi-channel midi.
But I don't think it's used by many people in practice.

3. Is the only way around this to use a product like midi-yoke?

Yes, it seems so. The workaround is quite simple but you're loosing the perfect timing of direct plugin output.

Anyway, Max4Live will open up virtually unlimited possibilities of midi processing within Live.
So I'm very curious how multi-channel midi routing will be handled in this new context..

[UncleAge]

Thanks broc. I'll have to do a bit of research to figure this out but at least now I have a path to travel. Previously I had not been one of those looking forward to the M4L addition. That is no longer the case.

I'm still a bit surprised that there is not much demand for this but, oh well

[UncleAge]

...SB should have atleast mentioned it was not possible in all sequencers..

I hear you but I'm not going to blast SB over it. I'm not sure if it's an issue of how Consequence exposes it's functionality or how Live implements it once it is aware.

Either way it looks like I'll have to scratch things out in some other fashion for a while (probably Reaper). Btw, I don't know if Reaper is an option for you, but if it is, try it out and you'll see that the separate outs works really well. Just using the presets I was able to get some very decent results using Zebra, Albino and Blue on the separate channels in place of the stock generators. I also put Chordspace in front of it to mix things up a bit. There's really a lot of possibilies here to explore. The only thing I see missing is the ability to do it in Live.

[Alek_A]

I've developed midi transform engine as a VST plugin and I would also like the output from my multichannel plugin to be sent to different instruments!
That would be really great!
Because, not only you would be able to switch between the instruments easily using a program change in transforming VST plugin, but also split midi input to several outputs and thus create multi-instrumental drum sets for example! Now you have to put transformer plugin before each instrument.

[slicedbread]

microtonic does it by having 2 versions, one for multi-out, but the single out version will still send midi, and you can optionally disable the sound for that drum 'channel'. you just have to receive it from another track. i think you can do some funky workaround routings with the scale device and racks if you set up a dummy midi track to intercept and dispatch specific notes/note ranges.

[eyeknow]

Whoa, wake the dead!

Btw, what are we talking about here? I don't know if this is something implemented in the last 5 years or if there something I'm missing.

[Alek_A]

slicedbread, thanks for suggestions! Filtering out specific notes is pain if we are talking about drumrack, which is ranges-oriented. Even filtering won't work because the midi layouts usually overlap and not all instruments allow free remaping.
eyeknow, I'm just expressing the need for this feature!)

[slicedbread]

slicedbread, thanks for suggestions! Filtering out specific notes is pain if we are talking about drumrack, which is ranges-oriented. Even filtering won't work because the midi layouts usually overlap and not all instruments allow free remaping.
eyeknow, I'm just expressing the need for this feature!)

i hear ya, but wouldn't you have to only set that up once for your specific needs? save the rack out after you filter and map for your specific combination of 'gear'.

[Alek_A]

i hear ya, but wouldn't you have to only set that up once for your specific needs? save the rack out after you filter and map for your specific combination of 'gear'.

thanks, but it is not made once, because once you changed something ex. load patch from the other library, you have to adjust this "super rack". It's not the way you make music) I think I'll find some workaround or just stick with one instrument. Thanks everybody anyway!