Two MIDI inputs on JV1080

[theholyrollers]

Hi, I'm new to MIDI, and any help will be appreciated.

I want to connect a master controller and a software patch editor to the JV1080 at the same time. This way, I can tweak the sound in real time, and play away to my heart's content.

The JV1080 has one of each MIDI In, Thru, and Out. It also has a tiny two-line screen, with pages and pages of menus, which makes patch editing a real b****.

My computer is too slow to go:
Controller ==> Laptop ==> JV1080. So, that's just not an option.

In a way, I just want the laptop to function as an external screen and control surface for the JV1080, while I play at the master controller.

Therefore, I think I need to cram two devices into the JV1080's MIDI IN.

Right? If so, how?

Thank you all.

- THR

[C00kie]

My computer is too slow to go:
Controller ==> Laptop ==> JV1080. So, that's just not an option.

Oh really? You must have a 286-based AT computer built in 1990, otherwise there's enough computing power to run a simple patch editor that spits out the nescessary midi messages.

Have you actually TRIED a JV1080 patch editor combined with something like MidiYoke to merge midi streams of your keyboard and the editor?

[theholyrollers]

Oh really? You must have a 286-based AT computer built in 1990, otherwise there's enough computing power to run a simple patch editor that spits out the nescessary midi messages.

Have you actually TRIED a JV1080 patch editor combined with something like MidiYoke to merge midi streams of your keyboard and the editor?

Hi COOkie, thanks for the suggestion.

To be honest, I haven't tried MidiYoke. I barely know what that is (though of course I Google'd it). But the main reason that I can't go

Keyboard ==> Laptop ==> JV1080

is because of massive latency. But the real main reason that I can't do it is because I don't know physically how that would be done.

So, I [think I] need to have the Keyboard ==> JV1080 no matter what.

I'm sorry if I'm missing something. I will don the appropriate hair shirts to atone for my ignorance. That or go to the library. Either way.

[mabian]

Correct, I think you have to use something like MIDIYoke. I also used a hardware MIDI merge box, but they are rare now and they aren't very reliable; I'd try surely MidiYoke, even though I can't tell how well it works.

- Mario

[markroom]

Hi ,

Just wondering what midi interface and midi controller you are using with laptop?

What ports are on the Midi controller- does it have midi through?

[mabian]

Uh sorry I did not specify: I am using JV-1080 with the Soundblaster MIDI port (actually the joystick port) of my desktop, not with a laptop; my laptop doesn't have MIDI connections; if you need a MIDI port I fear you have to get an external USB or (provided that your laptop has a firewire port) firewire MIDI interface.

- Mario

[C00kie]

the main reason that I can't go Keyboard ==> Laptop ==> JV1080 is because of massive latency.

Latency is on your audio path, caused by software and hardware buffers. Midi data is a seperate data stream that takes a seperate route and usually has barely any latency.

But the real main reason that I can't do it is because I don't know physically how that would be done.

I'd start by downloading some JV1080 patch editors and try them out. Done that already? Chances are they can be configured to forward incoming midi to a midi output port. You're not the only one that wants to try out how a patch sounds while editing it.

[rsmus7]

ok let's start again

physically:

1. midi controller
=>
laptop
=>
JV1080

2. now the controller and the laptop data need to be merged

3.
a) if you have a patch editor for the JV1080 install it

b) install MIDIYOKE

c) connect your midi controller to your laptop

d) install ASIO4all driver for minimizing latency

e) now try to configure MIDIYOKE to have your patch editor and your midi controller as inputs and the JV1080 (it is the midi port and channel for it) as output

that should work

[theholyrollers]

You folks are awesome. I knew I couldn't be the only one who wanted to edit patches in real time.

I will try MidiYoke. My feeble mind imagines that, essentially, MidiYoke allows me to use the laptop as a kind-of "midi-thru" box from the controller, as well as sending patch editing data from the laptop, all of which ends up going to the MIDI IN of the JV1080.

COOkie: thank you for clarifying that audio and midi paths are different and will have different latencies. I believe that means ASIO drivers will not be needed, since no audio is going through the laptop?


And now...
markroom raises an interesting proposal, asking if my controller has MIDI THRU. i bet markroom is thinking:

Laptop ==> Controller ==> JV1080.

My controller is a Roland A80. Great, heavy, piano feel. Two MIDI INs, four MIDI OUTs, and 1 MIDI THRU.

The problem with this arrangement is, that the laptop and JV1080 will need their respective MIDI INs connected to other's MIDI OUTs.

How can I fit the controller in?

Oh man.

[C00kie]

i bet markroom is thinking:

Laptop ==> Controller ==> JV1080.

My controller is a Roland A80. Great, heavy, piano feel. Two MIDI INs, four MIDI OUTs, and 1 MIDI THRU.

Probably somewhere in the manual of that keyboard there is a section about midi routing. With that many ports it should be possible to merge one incoming port with what you play to an output port. Otherwise what's the use of midi in ports on a master keyboard?

Read the manual. If I had found it online I would have given you exact pointers how to do it.

[theholyrollers]

markroom and COOkie, thank you both. i appreciate your help. i think

laptop ==> A80 ==> JV1080

is the best way, because i don't have to deal with MidiYoke.

i am so new to MIDI that i am still quite intimidated by it, so, i've been avoiding the manual.

i cross the street when i see it coming the other way. i wait for the next elevator. i leave the chat room when it logs on. oh god! my whole life has been about trying not to deal with the manual.

but now, with your inspiriation, i am going to look it right in the table of contents, and i'm going to ask it--no, i'm going to MAKE it tell me how to merge MIDI IN data with the MIDI OUT signals i'm playing.

but first, some vodka.

P.S. if i have any MIDI questions, i'll start a new post. first i'll read the manual, then if i can't find the answer, i'll start a new post.