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Author Topic: Building MIDI Interfaces 1 IN 1 THRU 3 OUT?  (Read 3397 times)

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Offline Ral-Clan

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Re: Building MIDI Interfaces 1 IN 1 THRU 3 OUT?
« on: February 28, 2014, 02:03:13 PM »
I think the original poster also needs to understand that when a MIDI interface has 3 outs, it doesn't mean there are three discreet signals coming out of each OUT.  It's the exact same signal, containing all 16 MIDI channel data, coming out of each.

So it makes no difference if you connect three MIDI instruments to each of the MIDI outs, or daisy chain them from a single out.  It's the same signal they are all going to receive.

(some may argue that daisy chaining can increase latency - but I don't want to cloud the issue - and even so, on short chains such as this it probably doesn't even apply).

What did you need the THRU on the MIDI interface for anyway?  It's really only helpful if you have a master controller keyboard going to the Amiga and want to bypass the Amiga for a bit to directly control the instruments on the output side (there's often a toggle switch to change one of the OUTs to a THRU).
Music I've made using Amigas and other retro-instruments: http://theovoids.bandcamp.com
 

Offline Ral-Clan

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Re: Building MIDI Interfaces 1 IN 1 THRU 3 OUT?
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2014, 04:16:54 PM »
Quote from: magnetic;759910
Interesting thread guys. I'm confused about MIDI setups. I'm re doing my midi chain and could use some advice. I have a Pyramid MIDI interface with 2 OUTS, 2 THRU, and 1 IN.

I have a Drum machine Boss DR202 with only 1 MIDI IN , 1 MIDI OUT

also a midi keyboard with 1 MIDI IN, 1 MIDI OUT. what would be my ideal chain for this setup?

Since your MIDI instruments don't have any THRU ports, you're a bit screwed for daisy chaining.  So just attach each OUT from your interface directly to each instrument.

Quote
I also have another MIDI module i'd liike to add into the mix that has MIDI IN , OUT, and THRU

Put this on any of the interfaces MIDI OUT ports, then take attach a MIDI cable from the module's THRU to either the drum machine or keyboard you mentioned above.

Quote
Any help is appreciated. I want to be able to use the keyboard to control samples and playback as well as using it as a synth.

Oh....I wish you'd mentioned that in the first place.

In this case, just attach the OUT from the keyboard to the interface's input.  You might have to disable MIDI echoing (it has different names) in software while recording music from the keyboard to the Amiga so that you don't get double notes. I.e. when playing the keyboard and recording the MIDI data in the Amiga's software sequencer, you don't want the Amiga to immediately echo what you played back to the keyboard and get a loop-back effect while recording.  For instance, on a Roland MSQ sequencer this there is a "MIX OUT" feature that needs to be shut off.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2014, 04:20:43 PM by ral-clan »
Music I've made using Amigas and other retro-instruments: http://theovoids.bandcamp.com
 

Offline Ral-Clan

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Re: Building MIDI Interfaces 1 IN 1 THRU 3 OUT?
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2014, 04:24:31 PM »
Quote from: XDelusion;759905
OK guys, thanks! I'm working ALL day today so I'll try to do some experiments with daisy chaining tomorrow. In the mean time, is it also possible to take the same aproach with the MIDI interface and create multiple inputs as well?

I've never seen one for the Amiga, nor elsewhere (but there are probably some nowadays for the modern PCs).

Generally, you use a MIDI MERGE box or a MIDI patch bay to achieve more than one input.  Again, though, you can use MIDI THRU to daisy chain multiple controller devices, with the final connection going to the Amiga's MIDI IN.

But could you please explain what are you trying to achieve? If you merely want to control both a drum machine and a sound module, any keyboard on the input side (usually your MIDI controller keyboard) can usually control any instrument on the output side.  Yes, the keys on the master control keyboard can be made to trigger drum sounds on an outboard drum machine that's attached via MIDI.  One input keyboard can control any MIDI devece on the outboard side (even if there are dozens of instruments, drum machines, samplers, effects units, digital recording decks, lighting rigs, etc.), as long as those devices have a MIDI input.  You usually never need to touch the outboard instruments.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2014, 04:33:30 PM by ral-clan »
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Offline Ral-Clan

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Re: Building MIDI Interfaces 1 IN 1 THRU 3 OUT?
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2014, 06:49:47 PM »
Sounds like to me all you need is a master control keyboard on the input side, and maybe a drum pad for triggering all external rhythm machines (could be done with a keyboard, but a drum pad is more natural).  

Not sure about the Kaossilator.  Didn't know those even had MIDI out. Maybe you have the Pro?

You probably wouldn't want to control that from a keyboard because it has it's own unique way of creating sounds with the pad.
Music I've made using Amigas and other retro-instruments: http://theovoids.bandcamp.com