Help--VS1680 as controller

[FoxV]

Hi all,

I'm working at getting my Roland VS-1680 to control Tracktion.

So far, I can assign the VS-1680's faders to the volume faders in Tracktion. This works great.

The problem is, I can't get the VS-1680's transport buttons to link with Tracktion's transport buttons.

Do I need to use Haydxn's thread above: "PC: MMC from any MIDI source"

Or is it possibly something else?

I started on Haydxn's thread (and install midiOx and midiYoke), but I didn't want to go much further (into the thick details) without being certain this was the right path.

I did monitor the input from the VS-1680, and it is sending the correct sysex messages. Will Tracktion read these without midiYoke and midiOx?

Mucho gracias'es for your help!

[djsubject]

are you using your controller in mcu mode? <ie T2 is using the input as a mcu>

if yes then MMC will not be able to be sent to that same midi input

Subz

[nyaben]

Curious to know how you have the 1680 connected to your computer to get this kind of control. I presume it is via MIDI. Are you strictly trying to use as controller?

[FoxV]

Thanks fellows. I have the 1680 connected through midi to my computer, and I am strictly trying to use it as a controller. (Okay, I lied, I also use it [sometimes] to get a headphone mix...but that's not essential.)

djsubject: I take it that this would mean that I AM indeed using the 1680 as an MCU (??...this stands for "midi control unit" I guess??), and if I am doing this, I can't also use the MMC commands.

But if this is the case (say, I don't use the 1680 as an MCU), how do I then use the MMC stuff?

Again, thanks!

[djsubject]

MCU= Mackie Control Universail

settings>external controllers is where the setting is

you say you are using it to controll the volumes? did you mean in the middi mapper you set this up? or it just defalts to the first 8 volumes? (that what the MCU would do)

if your not using it as a MCU then it should be able to trigger the MMC play commands

did you set the midi input for T2 to respond to the MMC commands in the timecode settings?

Subz

[FoxV]

Yes, I'm using the midi mapper to control volumes. Are you saying that if I use the midi mapper, I cannot use the MMC stuff? [edit: oops, I just reread your post; you seem to be saying just the opposite. If I use the 1680 as a typical midi controller, through midi mapping, I should be able to contro T2's transport functions with the 1680's transport buttons.]

When I turn the external controller stuff on (in T2), and select MCU (and the proper midi input...i.e., through a MidiSport 2x2), the 1680 won't control anything, no volume faders, no transports, nada.

There is a page full of Midi Parameters on the VS1680, and I have no idea how to set these up. I'll list them below, in case that might help:

Device ID [default is 17]
Midi Thru [out/thru: sets midi output]
SysEx Rx [off/on: allows 1680 to receive sysex]
SysEx Tx [off/on: allows 1680 to transmit sysex]
Cntrl Local
MMC [off/master/slave]
Control Type [off/C.C./Excl]
P.C. Scence [off/on]
P.C. Eff [off/on]
C.C. Eff [off/on]


Any ideas? Thanks!

[FoxV]

Bumpity...anything fellas?

[IIRs]

MMC [off/master/slave]

Set your VS as "master", then in Tracktion: "timecode" -> "respond to midi machine control from device" -> choose the relevant MIDI input.

This works with my VS880, except for record (but I think that is due to Tracktion's lack of smooth drop-ins)

[FoxV]

Yes! This worked for play and stop, though not for FF and Rew. Ah well, good enough!

Thanks!

[IIRs]

"timecode" -> "midi timecode input device" -> choose your midi in.

Now make sure the VS is configured to send midi timecode (MTC) and check that both are set to the same frame-rate (eg: 25fps)

[FoxV]

Hmmmm...the MTC stuff won't work. Though I've just realized that my vs1680 can trigger T2 to record. Whatever!

[nyaben]

FoxV, are you still recording with your 1680 at all? I like the convenience of tracking to it with a guitar strapped on. I'd probably track to the computer if I had a decent control surface and fast enough interface to the computer.

[FoxV]

Yes, I use the 1680. Not as much though. I'm just getting back into some recording (having moved to a new place), so I'm really not sure if I'll use the 1680 or tracktion more, but it's handy having both. Locks T2 is gonna win out, though, because it offers so many advantages that I can use!