Up for a little challenge? Help me set up my MIDI system!

Sorcerio · Post by **Sorcerio** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:55 am

OK. I would really appreciate some help/advice on how to do this. That is if it can be done at all. I would like to get a permanent system rigged. Meaning, no unplugging & plugging back in of MIDI cables. (Unless, of course, my setup grows or changes) I am open to getting another MIDI thru box if necessary.

Here is my setup...
Akai S950 (x2)
Studio Electronics SE-1
Oberheim Matrix 6R
Crumar Bit 99
SCI Drumtraks*
Roland Juno-60*
SCI Pro-One*
Arp Odyssey*
Roland SH-101*
Roland SH-2*
(* denotes connected to a Kenton Pro-2000MKII)

Atari 1040STF running Cubase 3.1 (1 MIDI IN. 1 MIDI OUT.)
WinXP PC with Aardvark Direct Pro LX-6 (1 MIDI IN. 1 MIDI OUT.)

Emerald Music Company 4210B MIDI thru box
The MIDI thru box has 2 built-in MIDI thru systems. A 1 IN by 10 THRU. And a 4 IN by 2 THRU. The INs on the 4x2 section of the thru box are selectable 1-4 on the front panel by a button and single digit LED.

Here are the needs...
The Atari STF will be the sequencer.
The Bit 99 must be the MIDI key controller.
The Bit 99 must be a sound source.
The Bit 99 must also be connected to the PC for MIDI editing and dumps.
The Matrix 6R must be a sound source.
The Matrix 6R must also be connected to the PC for MIDI editing and dumps.

The two Akai S950's would ideally be connected to the PC for MIDI sample dumping & editing in Sound Forge. Or just one being connected would suffice.

The PC will only be used for synth and sample editing, dumping, and patch library duties. (i.e. no soft synths, no PC sequencing)

So can it be done? Will I need another thru box? Help me! Please somebody help me!

fingerbib2000 · Post by **fingerbib2000** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:23 am

How about...

Bit99 out -> matrix into the atari,

out of matrix into PC

pc and atari into 4 x 2

one 4 x 2 out into the bit99, one into the 1 x 10.

all the other devices from the 1x10 .
start with that and sit down with a piece of paper and draw the diagram to correct it as neccesary, shouldn't take long.

Sorcerio · Post by **Sorcerio** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:01 am

That sounds like a good start. I guess it's not that hard. I might need to get more sleep.

Post by **Zamise** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:40 am

Midi about 20 to 01 spaces for your Odyssey

Har har :offtheair:

Sorcerio · Post by **Sorcerio** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:17 am

I just simplified the whole thing. Take the PC out! I tried some demos of some editor softwares. They seem to suck real bad. Midi Quest. Matrix 2001. OB-6000. I didn't like any of them... And the only other thing out for the Bit 99 was for Windows 98 & before. And it doesn't work in 98 compatibility mode. I'm not gonna even try it.

speculator · Post by **speculator** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:43 pm

so you just gonna record on a walkman now?

Sorcerio · Post by **Sorcerio** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:00 am

Well actually I'll still use the PC to record. but not for MIDI.

It's kind of funny that you mentioned a walkman. The other day I was thinking about recording and putting out a microcassette release. I'll just sell them for like $3 on a one off basis.

speculator · Post by **speculator** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:13 am

you should get a 707 or a 606 (but really an 808).. that would make hooking all that s**t up to midi easier.. cause you just sync the drummachine to the computer and then trigger your synths with the trigger outs..
and if you want to get fancy.. put that kenton s**t in the line first. kenton doing fancy stuff to some synths and synced to the drummachine (hopefully an 808) and then triggering synths.
done.

Alexx · Post by **Alexx** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:41 am

Get a MIDI patchbay. You connect all the MIDI ins and outs from all your MIDI gear to the patchbay. Then you can connect anything to anything without having to rewire anything.

I use a DACS one. You plug up to 10 MIDI in and out pair to the back with standard MIDI cables. Then on the front you can connect together what you want using standard 1/4" jack patch cords. I wouldn't be without it. Unfortunately they don't make it anymore.

Various other companies have made similar products over the years, but I'm not sure if any are still in production.

Post by **nathanscribe** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:16 am

I'm currently sketching out a MIDI patchbay with 16 channels of in/out, with bus select switches and auto-mix of selectable banks of slave devices. Should enable me to use computer and master keyboard but with selectable alternative master, and permanently patched routing for everything. No fancy software features: just simple MIDI circuits and panel switches. Will let you know how it goes. 2U rack I think.

I've been having exactly the same problem. Lots of gear, pain in the arse cabling, want a one-box solution. So: DIY.

It seems M-Audio have stopped making their 8-way interface. I see MOTU mentioned for these things.