Ableton Forum

Hello Ableverse,
I am curious if it's possible to record a midi track using the sounds of my Alesis Micron (and not those of Live) -- and if it's even possible to do this in any DAW. I know that I can just record an audio track to capture the synth's sounds, but I like the additional control of midi. (I'm also partial to some of the programs I've created on the Micron, and would love to see them translated into midi.)
Thanks!

Sure, this is possible - it's DAW basics.

A MIDI clip simply contains control data that can be send to and interpreted by any instruments that are capable of. Those instruments can be Live's own instruments, third-party plug-ins or hardware synthesizers like your Micron. The MIDI track that contains your clip simply must not contain any software instrument. Then you'd have to set the MIDI output routing properly (to the port your Micron is connected) and there you go. Please have a look into Lives manual, chapter 13.3, where this is explained in detail.

Mind that there's no way to "translate sound programs into MIDI" in this context. MIDI data, as I said, is pure control information (note length, velocity, etc.). How this information is interpreted and what sound comes out in the end is completely up to the sound producing device, no matter if hard- or software.
You can use MIDI clips to control you Micron very thoroughly, but in the end, you'd always have to get it's audio output into your production again by either recording it seperately or during the rendering process.
Regards,

Torsten