one controller + many modules (how do I?)

[Upper_Cutt]

I just got my ebay controller from UPS today (a STUDIOLOGIC TMK-88.) It's very basic (no usb), but it will do for now and I cant complain about 88 keys

I want to connect multiple modules to my one controller and record and sequence using software from my computer.

Is this as easy as: connecting my controller to module 1, then connecting module 1 to module 2......etc... 3,4,... then connecting the last module to my soundcard???

OR will I need some kind of merge box?? How do I make my studio monitors sound from each individual module???

[ssscientist]

Midi is a 31.2kB serial language.

Note info, timing info, continuous controllers and whatever ele the midi stream contains are passed down a midi wire in single file, and there is a de-facto limit to how many modules you can string together before the last one in the chain is seriously behind the beat.

The modules would be strung out of the output of your sequencer or computer, not from the controller. The controller would be on the other end of the chain, with the computer being second and the modules being third.

[ssscientist]

Originally Posted by Upper_Cutt

How do I make my studio monitors sound from each individual module???

You use a mixer -- a line mixer will do, because keyboards and modules put out line level signals.

You could get away with something like this for now...

[Upper_Cutt]

Originally Posted by ssscientist

Midi is a 31.2kB serial language.

Note info, timing info, continuous controllers and whatever ele the midi stream contains are passed down a midi wire in single file, and there is a de-facto limit to how many modules you can string together before the last one in the chain is seriously behind the beat.

The modules would be strung out of the output of your sequencer or computer, not from the controller. The controller would be on the other end of the chain, with the computer being second and the modules being third.

THANKS...

SO, Controller 1-----Computer 2-------Module 3 ???

[altitude909]

yup.

That way everything u play on the controller can easily be record on the computer as you play to any of the modules. Depending on how deep you get into your hardware, your eventually are going to need to use the midi outs on those boxes so you may want to consider a multiport midi interface so stuff can sit on its own midi channel and have both ins and outs connected. For programing its a must since the there usually needs to be some 2 way communication. Some devices like workstations and midi based control surfaces will also usually like to use the whole midi port (all 16 channels). Plus you never get into a situation where you will start effecting the timing by pumping a ton of midi data into one port

[Upper_Cutt]

would this work


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...are?sku=701106

[altitude909]

That will do just fine

[Upper_Cutt]

thanks thanks

[mikeh]

I would suggest the following.

Contoller MIDI out to the computer MIDI in. Computer MIDI out to a MIDI splitter box. Seprate MIDI outs from the splitter to each module.

While MIDI thru to daisy chain a couple of modules can work, the more units in the daisy chain, the more delay in the signal. In addition, some modules start to have trouble with MIDI on/off signals (not to mention MIDI channel changes, etc.)

I have a MIDI converter on my compter that can accept 2 MIDI ins and 2 MIDI outs (a total of 32 MIDI channels in and out). I then use a MIDI splitter (2in 2out) for each MIDI in which allows 4 MIDI controllers (a Casio PX310 for an 88 key hammer action for piano, a Roland XP30 for a synth action controller, a Roland TD 10 for a drum controller and a DrumsKat for other percussion. I can sit down at any controller without having to change a single MIDI cable.

The 2 MIDI outs from the computer then go to another MIDI splitter (2 in 10 out). I can then send any of the 32 MIDI channels to 10 seperate modules with no daisy chain anywhere in the signal flow. I have 8 sound modules I use - so 10 outs from the splitter is more than enough. If I add more than 2 additional modules I could simply add another splitter.

I've but doing MIDI for about 20 some years and have tried many MIDI routing methods to finnaly come up with what is very user friendly.