External synth control really needs sorting out...

[basic channel]

hi

I know this has been asked before (including by me).

Setting up a midi track to control an external device is really buggy.

There is such a random delay/dropping of notes passed on to the device as to make this unusable.

For me this is central to my DAW.

I'm not aware of any other app I use that has this problem (Cubase SX2, Podium, FLS, Live 4).

So this is clearly a limitation of XT.

Is there any chance of this being addressed ?

I know there is a 3rd party workaround (suggested by NikFit) but I can't get this to work .

And as many other sequencers don't have this problem then maybe it is a fixable bug for XT ?

BC

[implant]

Hi Basic

i has the same problem, try to turn off all midi out ports in EXT and use VST2MID by Tobybear as MIDI OUT. On my setup works fine (no random delay/length) - Midisport 2x2, 4x4, ESI QF610.

[Polyphonic]

Strange, I haven't noticed any problems! I control my Novation A-Station with no problems.

I'll let you know if I experience any though..

[basic channel]

thanks

That is the workaround I was aware of but I couldn't get my head around it - blond moment I think

Can you explain how I use VST2MID ?

The fact remains that XT behaves poorly in this respect (compared to the other hosts I listed)....just not sure why it hasn't been addressed in an update ?

It is a fundamental function of a host in many setups.

BC

PS Just found this http://xt-hq.com/nicfit/029.htm
...think I'll go and lie down for abit What a hassle, just to play an external synth !

[implant]

>>Can you explain how I use VST2MID ?

Just connect midi out of EXT Comp to MIDI IN in VST2MID, inside choose midiout port and thats all (and remember to connect audio out of VST2MID to master out - because if you don't plugin doesn't work).

[SuitcaseOfLizards]

What I do is (not at home so might not be 100% accurate):

#1: Add a sequencer
#2: Pick a MIDI track
#3: Output/Add/VST/VST2MID
#4: Open VST2MID and select the appropriate MIDI port
#5: Play!

I successfully control my Fantom X6 and my Motif ES Rack with this setup. I've set up a template project that has 3 VST2MIDs already set up: 1 for the Fantom X6, one for the primary channel of the Motif ES Rack (which drives the standard tone generator in the box), and one for the secondary channel of the Motif ES Rack (which drives the two PLG expansion cards in the box).

For sure it'd be nice if this worked natively in eXT, but once you have a template project set up, you don't have to sweat it any more.

[JoMal]

What I do is (not at home so might not be 100% accurate):

#1: Add a sequencer
#2: Pick a MIDI track
#3: Output/Add/VST/VST2MID
#4: Open VST2MID and select the appropriate MIDI port
#5: Play!

I successfully control my Fantom X6 and my Motif ES Rack with this setup. I've set up a template project that has 3 VST2MIDs already set up: 1 for the Fantom X6, one for the primary channel of the Motif ES Rack (which drives the standard tone generator in the box), and one for the secondary channel of the Motif ES Rack (which drives the two PLG expansion cards in the box).

For sure it'd be nice if this worked natively in eXT, but once you have a template project set up, you don't have to sweat it any more.

I just tried this and it eXT crashes immediately. hmmmm.

J

[implant]

Sometimes crash - when midi out is active in EXT Setup - try turn off all midi out in setup, before add VST2MID.

[asseca]

otherwise try Jaltoh's "jthalamus"...might be more stable.

[SuitcaseOfLizards]

What I do is (not at home so might not be 100% accurate):

#1: Add a sequencer
#2: Pick a MIDI track
#3: Output/Add/VST/VST2MID
#4: Open VST2MID and select the appropriate MIDI port
#5: Play!

I successfully control my Fantom X6 and my Motif ES Rack with this setup. I've set up a template project that has 3 VST2MIDs already set up: 1 for the Fantom X6, one for the primary channel of the Motif ES Rack (which drives the standard tone generator in the box), and one for the secondary channel of the Motif ES Rack (which drives the two PLG expansion cards in the box).

For sure it'd be nice if this worked natively in eXT, but once you have a template project set up, you don't have to sweat it any more.

I just tried this and it eXT crashes immediately. hmmmm.

J

Well, that's no good. Do you have all your external MIDI gear on? I've noticed that if I don't have my Motif on, and VST2MID tries to enumerate the MIDI ports, it'll hose out on me. You get any messages at all?

[sweet_trip]

Hello, I experienced this for the first time last night too. Not only that but I also get audio glitches when recording MIDI in the sequencer with audio files running. I had 2 tracks of guitars running and I wanted to add MIDI drums and use an external drum machine for that. everytime I would hit a note to record the audio tracks would glitch and stutter like bad timestretch (LOL).

Anyway, I got around the MIDI delays and drops by restarting my MIDI/audio card (Layla24 laptop). But the glitches are still there.

[basic channel]

Thanks for all the help peeps.

Trying the workaround as I type !

The question still remains though....why does XT have this problem ?

Why can't I just setup a midi channel to play my separate Gigastudio PC or sw1000/plugstation and, errr, just play ?

Jorgen ?

[JoMal]

Sometimes crash - when midi out is active in EXT Setup - try turn off all midi out in setup, before add VST2MID.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[edit]

Implant and Wooly: thanks for the help, I got it working! I turned off eXT's midi and all is well.



J

[basic channel]

Something else I've just noticed...I can only select a single midi out destination to be active in Setup.

Is this correct ?

I need several active simultaneously for my project(s)...(HDSP Midi Out 1, Yoke 4, sw1000 #1 and sw1000 #2).

Is this possible ?

cheers

BC

[Branis]

I can't check at the moment if this is possible, but couldn't you use an instance of VST2MID per Midi output that you need?