MIDI question….

[WG Plum]

I’ve recently taken the MIDI plunge in over 30 years of making music. I have two very specific questions if anyone can help:

1. I’m trying to send MIDI clock to my eurorack via my Clarett+ 4Pre into an Intelligel uMIDI module. It’s seeing the clock but it’s at light speed. How do I set it to match whatever tempo my Logic Pro project is set for? I want to set upba template project so I can turn things on and go.

2. I have a couple of Spitfire libraries that require Kontakt. Kontakt is running fine and I’m able to use my Slate+Ash Spectres library, but though it’s installed according to Spitfire, the Glass library is not showing up in Kontakt or in Logic. It’s on my external SSD, how do I get it into Kontakt?

Thanks!

 

[silky smoove]

1. I’m trying to send MIDI clock to my eurorack via my Clarett+ 4Pre into an Intelligel uMIDI module. It’s seeing the clock but it’s at light speed. How do I set it to match whatever tempo my Logic Pro project is set for? I want to set upba template project so I can turn things on and go.

Clock typically refers to word clock. You mentioned tempo. Are you trying to sync the word clock or the tempo of the two devices?

2. I have a couple of Spitfire libraries that require Kontakt. Kontakt is running fine and I’m able to use my Slate+Ash Spectres library, but though it’s installed according to Spitfire, the Glass library is not showing up in Kontakt or in Logic. It’s on my external SSD, how do I get it into Kontakt?

Do you have Kontakt or Kontakt Player? Some libraries require a full Kontakt license to operate, not just Kontakt Player.

 

[WG Plum]

Clock typically refers to word clock. You mentioned tempo. Are you trying to sync the word clock or the tempo of the two devices?


Do you have Kontakt or Kontakt Player? Some libraries require a full Kontakt license to operate, not just Kontakt Player.

In answer to your second question, I have Kontakt 8, the full meal deal.

In answer to your first, I'm trying to sync tempo of the two devices first and foremost, and later on to send MIDI data to be converted into CV and gates.

 

[Tosh]

Hardware-wise, there is no sync between the Focusrite and the Intelligel uMIDI module that I can see. When the uMIDI module is connected to the Focusrite via 5pin DIN cable, and the Focusrite is connected to Logic, then whenever Logic is transmitting MIDI tempo information from a project template that tempo information *should* make it to the uMIDI unit. So 120 BPM (if using the default tempo) should be the tempo for all the devices in the MIDI chain, unless there is something that is multiplying the MIDI tempo. I can't think of anything in the Focusrite that can do that. However, this excerpt from the uMIDI description suggests the issue might be with the module:

"The upper clock section features a dedicated 16th note clock output ideal for synchronizing a Eurorack sequencer like the Metropolis. A second clock output with selectable divisions can be used when different sync events are needed. The run and reset outputs can be used to reset your Eurorack sequencers in tandem with any external sequencer or DAW."

I'd look in the manual for the details of that 2nd clock.

 

[WG Plum]

Yep, the 1/16th output will work. It appears to output at double the rate of whatever the project tempo is, so when my clock divider module comes I can use the 1/2 output from that and I'll be synced properly. Thanks!

 

[seamonkey]

For Kontakt, go the Settings (the gear icon), go to the database tab, and add the directory to your new library path.

 

[WG Plum]

For Kontakt, go the Settings (the gear icon), go to the database tab, and add the directory to your new library path.

Awesome, will give that a try, thank you!

 

[brianrost]

MIDI clock runs at 24 pulses per quarter note at whatever the current tempo is. That’s why it seems so fast. At 60 bpm, a quarter note lasts a second. The MIDI clock sends 24 pulses in that same second.

It’s a common problem, to say the least. You can find clock divider modules for modular synths that can provide outputs for 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, various triplets, etc. derived from the incoming clock. Many MIDI interface modules for modulars these days do this, too.

 

[WG Plum]

MIDI clock runs at 24 pulses per quarter note at whatever the current tempo is. That’s why it seems so fast. At 60 bpm, a quarter note lasts a second. The MIDI clock sends 24 pulses in that same second.

It’s a common problem, to say the least. You can find clock divider modules for modular synths that can provide outputs for 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, various triplets, etc. derived from the incoming clock. Many MIDI interface modules for modulars these days do this, too.

That explains it! And yeah, I have a clock divider module inbound. Running out of the 1/16th output on the uMIDI it doubles the tempo in Logic (at least to my knee-tapping count), so a 1/2 division from there will sync it up perfectly.

 

[brianrost]

It’s one of those things about the CV (control voltage) world of modulars that people overlook…there’s a reason MIDI was invented. There is no standard for tempo in CV, there is no standard for pitch in CV…quick, what’s middle C in CV? Anything you want it to be!

Another thing that is messy controlling CV systems from MIDI is the scaling of CCs (continuous controllers). In MIDI, they scale from 0 to 127 (it is greater in MIDI 2.0) but there is no standard on what each step is, that’s up to the receiving MIDI device.

I owned one MIDI interface for my modular that simply set a CC value of 0 to 0V and of 127 to 10V. That meant a single step would be roughly 0.07855V. Mapping that 10V range to a V/oct oscillator is a swing of 10 octaves The most common CC is CC#1, the mod wheel, unscaled the mod wheel would sweep an oscillator filter across ten octaves and sound extremely stepped. To scale the mod wheel required passing the CV coming out of the MIDI interface through an attenuator, which would then need to be tweaked to taste on each modulation destination. Fun stuff, huh? Luckily there are MIDI interfaces that can scale CCs for you, like the Kenton boxes.

 

[WG Plum]

It’s one of those things about the CV (control voltage) world of modulars that people overlook…there’s a reason MIDI was invented. There is no standard for tempo in CV, there is no standard for pitch in CV…quick, what’s middle C in CV? Anything you want it to be!

Another thing that is messy controlling CV systems from MIDI is the scaling of CCs (continuous controllers). In MIDI, they scale from 0 to 127 (it is greater in MIDI 2.0) but there is no standard on what each step is, that’s up to the receiving MIDI device.

I owned one MIDI interface for my modular that simply set a CC value of 0 to 0V and of 127 to 10V. That meant a single step would be roughly 0.07855V. Mapping that 10V range to a V/oct oscillator is a swing of 10 octaves The most common CC is CC#1, the mod wheel, unscaled the mod wheel would sweep an oscillator filter across ten octaves and sound extremely stepped. To scale the mod wheel required passing the CV coming out of the MIDI interface through an attenuator, which would then need to be tweaked to taste on each modulation destination. Fun stuff, huh? Luckily there are MIDI interfaces that can scale CCs for you, like the Kenton boxes.

Fortunately for my brain, I've basically created a 'low' budget Make Noise tape a microsound machine with all used modules and a used case, and won't need the CV aspect. I just needed to have it tempo synced. Essentially it's a sample mangler, but with an ADDAC latching gate module I'll be able to control the stop/start on the Morphagene manually but tempo sync the delay and filter, or the Morphagene itself. The Morph is the only sound source in the case unless I Karplus the delay, so I'm not pitching/quantizing anything.

 

[Tosh]

Say "what now"?

 

[brianrost]

Fortunately for my brain, I've basically created a 'low' budget Make Noise tape a microsound machine with all used modules and a used case, and won't need the CV aspect. I just needed to have it tempo synced.

That’s what you think now I owned a few modular rigs over the years and no matter what I bought, I always started buying more modules for it. Whether you need MIDI to CV conversion today or not, all the patching you are doing today is CV. Today there are lots of MIDI Instruments and controllers that offer CV conversion on board.

Man cave circa 2005. By the time I sold it, that synthesizers.com modular had expanded to a second 22 space rack and both racks were full. The MIDI/CV interface is the thin module on the far left. All controlled and sequenced from the Motif workstation.

2017, shortly before selling all my MIDI hardware…the little box with the patch cables is a Make Noize 0-Coast, the last bit of modular gear I had left.

My current modulars are software, no more CV for me

 

[brianrost]

BTW, WG Plum you already own a clock divider. It’s in your uMIDI.

RTFM time...

+ - The division button sets the clock division of the MIDI clock that is sent from the CLK output. The default setting is 6, the same as the 1/16th output. Pressing the button repeatedly cycles through the different divisions: 6 (1/16 notes), 12 (1/8 notes), 24 (1/4 notes), 48 (1/2 notes), 96 (whole notes, eg: every measure), 1 (24 ppq), 3 (1/32 notes).

The 24 ppq is raw MIDI clock, it’s what is used by Korg Volcas and similar devices. So you have fixed 1/16 note synched to tempo and can have anything from whole notes to 1/32 notes on the other output, but no triplets.

Stop using a MIDI cable between the Focusrite to the uMIDI, just use the USB connection of the uMIDI straight to the computer.

 

[WG Plum]

BTW, WG Plum you already own a clock divider. It’s in your uMIDI.

RTFM time...


The 24 ppq is raw MIDI clock, it’s what is used by Korg Volcas and similar devices. So you have fixed 1/16 note synched to tempo and can have anything from whole notes to 1/32 notes on the other output, but no triplets.

Stop using a MIDI cable between the Focusrite to the uMIDI, just use the USB connection of the uMIDI straight to the computer.

I don't have any USB slots left, so can't go direct.

And as for more buying more... I used to have an ENORMOUS eurorack case four or five years ago, but I never got into MIDI. I've already been down that road and learned the lessons that come from it. This rack is staying VERY focused.

 

[brianrost]

Well, good luck with the eurocrack

 

[MonetBass]

All of this makes me glad I am just now getting into MIDI. One controller (a Yamaha Clavinova) > interface > DAW.

 

[WG Plum]

All of this makes me glad I am just now getting into MIDI. One controller (a Yamaha Clavinova) > interface > DAW.

Yeah, this is as deep into it as I really want to get, at least for now. I use an Arturia Keystep 37 and a Ghost controller for Kontakt/Spitfire/etc. MIDI for modular is strictly for tempo sync.

 

[TOOL460002]

Oh my that MIDI clock stuff in Logic and translating to and from CV was a mofo... thank God for the ZOIA clock divider module... Assume you know cmd+, and midi/sync tab but if not I love me some hotkeys. Wanna add a new time signature? Shft+ctrl+opt+T. I'm full of all kinds of worthless info. Happy synthing! You make some badass poopie man!