KVR Audio

R J Hodge · Post by **R J Hodge** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:16 pm

Hi everyone, I've gradually been trying to move out of the software domain into hardware, now I've reached the stage were my audio needs are met:

Drums: Boss DR202
Drums: Electribe ER1
Synth: Microkorg. Also using this as midi controller for Live.
Synth: Casio CZ3000
Synth: Roland SH101
Synth: Korg Poly-61
Sampler: MPC2000
All run into a 10 channel mini desk with various effects on sends etc. The problem I have refers to not capturing the audio, but ensuring all arpeggiators and drum machines are synced up properly.

I would like to use the MPC as the centerpiece of the set up, acting as a master clock for all the drums machines and synths. What would be the the most efficient way of connecting this gear? If I connect the mpc midi out to the microkorg, the arpeggiator in the Microkorg would be clocked. I could then run midi thru to the CZ3000, solving that puzzle.

With respect to the two analogues, the roland and korg, is there a single solution that would allow me to clock them both from the MPC? The there's the two drum machines which both have midi in. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

The aim is to get rock solid timing in all 6 devices. In the past I have been using ableton as a master clock, transmitting to the Microkorg alone. I realise there is much more scope for than this. In short, I wish to maximise the potential of my gear, and get every piece talking to one another seamlessly.

Thanks all, hope you can help.

ew · Post by ew » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:28 pm

Best and easiest way? Use a programmable multiport MIDI interface.

I use one of these. It works:

http://www.motu.com/products/midi/xpressxt_usb

ew

tehlord · Post by **tehlord** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:41 pm

ew wrote:Best and easiest way? Use a programmable multiport MIDI interface.

I use one of these. It works:

http://www.motu.com/products/midi/xpressxt_usb

ew

Fo sho

I also have one of these and they're excellent.

The main thing is you'll be running up to 8 midi devices in parallel before you have to start using midi thru.

justin3am · Post by **justin3am** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:49 pm

I think what you are looking for is a MIDI Thru box. MIDI Solutions offer a bunch of useful MIDI utilities, you may want to look there.
http://www.midisolutions.com/products.htm

Regarding the analog synths, you will need a MIDI to CV converter (at least one). Something like the Doepfer MCV4 or MSY2 (for analog clock).

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:19 am

[edit] nevermind...

snowbird122 · Post by **snowbird122** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:15 am

I'm moving the other direction: from hardware into software. I'm curious - why are you making the shift? I'm shifting because it is too hard to change setlists with my two keyboards, guitar multi-fx, and vocal processor.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:33 am

That's the way I used to work in the 80's and 90's, when there really wasn't another option. Multiport MIDI interfaces are definitely the way to go. Back then, I was running Opcode StudioVision on a Mac, with two Opcode Studio 4 interfaces- that's 16 dedicated MIDI ports, and I was still having to chain devices with MIDI thru. Then all of that has to get mixed together, which meant a 24 channel 8-bus main board, and a 32 channel submixer. Plus all the rack effects, the patchbays...

The horror... the horror...

More power to you (and you'll need a lot of power!), but I'm much happier now just hooking up one piece of gear at a time and tracking it into my DAW.

But yes, that MOTU interface is probably the best way to go.

dformd · Post by **dformd** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:49 am

I bought a MIDI to CV converter for my Sequential Circuits Pro One this past fall; a Kenton Pro SOLO MKII; I've been very happy with it.
http://www.kentonuk.com/products/items/ ... solo.shtml
This Kenton support article outlines how the Pro SOLO MKII or (it's bigger brother) the Kenton PRO-2000 MkII can be used with your Roland SH 101.
http://www.kentonuk.com/synthselector/s ... -101.shtml
There is no support article for the Korg Poly-61.
I have no experience using a Poly-61, but out of curiosity I've been looking at the below pic, and I'm not seeing any clock or gate input(s); just the ARPEGGIO TRIG IN; is that what you are hoping to employ?

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:18 am

I used to sync the arpeggiator in my Poly-61 by running an audio out from an Alesis HR-16 drum machine into the Trig In on the KORG ... I would send it a straight 4 on the floor kick drum. This was using an Atari running Pro-24, but Live would do the job.

ew · Post by ew » Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:18 am

He could mean a Poly-61M; those had MIDI.

ew

Trying to get hardware to talk to one another