Is it possible to sync several pieces of MIDI gear?

[solutionsagent]

Hello,

I have been able to synchronize 2 pieces of gear easily with MIDI - setting one to Master and the other to Slave. I was wondering is there another piece of gear I would need to buy to sync more than 2 pieces?

I would like some advice to get my three synthesizers to sync. My goal is to record on some software like Cubase / Logic / FL Studio / Pro Tools or whatever is ideal... I want to record sequences from a Roland MC-909, have it sync to the measures on the software program, as well as have the other synths like the Korg Trinity and Roland JP-8000 sync to the MIDI tempo as well so that tempo delay effects or arpeggios are all properly timed. That way when cutting and pasting a measure in/out of the software, it cuts a perfect measure with the properly timed MC-909 measure and the Trinity/JP-8000 tempo delays and arpeggios.

I am thinking the Computer should be set to 'master' and all synths should be set to 'slave'? Can they all plug in at the same time or is there limitations?

Please suggest any hardware that may be needed.

Current Hardware:

PC 2.6GHz 1GB RAM
Roland MC-909
Roland JP-8000
Korg Trinity
Yamaha S-90
Tascam US-122 (USB Audio/MIDI Soundcard - I am willing to upgrade if needed.)

Respectfully,

SolutionsAgent

 

[tedluk]

The simple answer to your question is "Yes".

Of course, things are never simple in MIDIland.

I don't know your equipment specifically. The easiest way to find out what your gear is capable of is to look at the back of the manuals and review the MIDI implementation charts for each. I would think that all of the mentioned items should be able to respond to MIDI Clock at a minimum.

Generally, when you're working with multiple pieces of MIDI gear it's better to have each of them on their own MIDI port rather than daisy-chaining them. A MIDI interface such as the UM880 from Edirol or the Midiman line from M-Audio are several possibilities. I'd recommend getting as many ports as you can afford because your setup is probably going to expand.

You're on the right track, however. You will probably want the sequencer to be your clock source and sync the other devices to it.

Ted

 

[solutionsagent]

Thanks Ted,

I am presently very limited financially and currently don't have anything to rack mount an 8X8 interface. I have reviewed both Edirol and M-Audio and I am leaning towards the Edirol UM-550 over the M-Audio Midisport 4X4. There seems like there are alot more options and settings for the UM-550. Thanks for your suggestions, I hope I can get it to work!

Two more questions if I may... now for the current setup with 1 PC + 3 Synths:

A.) I can use only 3 MIDI cables? The USB for the UM-550/Midisport will act as MIDI out from the PC to MIDI in to the UM-550/Midisport. And the 3 MIDI cables will go from the UM-550/Midisport MIDI out to the MIDI in of the 3 synths - all three of course being set to sync to master.

B.) I will need to get all this audio into the PC. (I really don't need MIDI data going into the programs, I have all the sounds I need on they hardware synths). Soo... which brings me to question 2... Will I need a mixer? Is a mixer and ideal tool for this situation or is there a better idea? I have no experience with what a mixer does, but I am thinking I need a 4 track mixer that will accept the 1/4 inch L/R outs from each synth (6 cables) + the mixer will output all 3 synths to stereo 1/4 inch cables again into the soundcard that accepts one stereo connection (2 more cables). Please let me know if I am on the right track, and if I am, are there any decent mixer recommendations in a nice 100-200 dollar price range.

Thanks so much,

Len

 

[tedluk]

You've got the basic idea down and are on the right track.

B.) I will need to get all this audio into the PC. (I really don't need MIDI data going into the programs, I have all the sounds I need on they hardware synths).

From this, I think there might still be a little confusion as to the differences between audio and MIDI data.

In order for your synths to produce the sounds you need to send them MIDI data. How are you creating the MIDI data in the first place? IOW, how are you creating the sequences that you plan on using to trigger your synths with?

The answer to that question goes back to your question "A". If you need to use your synths to create the MIDI data you're playing back, then you will need MIDI cables going from the Outs of the synths to the Ins on your MIDI interface.

I should also mention that, if your budget is really tight, you CAN get by with your US122. It has MIDI I/O on it. Do all, or at least three of your synths have MIDI Thru on them? (I could look up specs on all of them, but I'm feeling lazy today! ) If so, you could daisy chain them. That involves connecting the MIDI out from your US122 to the MIDI In of the first device then connecting the MIDI Thru of that device to the MIDI In of the next device and so on. MIDI Thru merely passes the data from the IN directly out. This would limit you to 16 channels of MIDI data which would necessitate some planning in how you construct your sequences. You'd have to assign different channels to each synth.

So, to answer the last part of your question. A mixer is one method of getting the sounds into your computer. If you keep the US122, you can get one of the inexpensive mixers from Behringer or Phonic or Yamaha and take the stereo Outs from it into the line Ins on the US122. Another option is to get a multichannel soundcard. Most people probably go the small mixer route initially, but eventually find they need additional inputs. The drawback to using a mixer is that you will have to mix your tracks before you record them as there are only two inputs on your soundcard which reduces your options later on. Or you would have to record things one at a time in multiple passes, each on a different track. A multichannel soundcard would allow direct connection of the different synths and you would mix within the computer.

One last thing, you mention getting a "4 track mixer". First of all, mixers don't have "tracks", they have channels. I know it sounds like I'm talking semantics here, but there is a lot of terminology and people often misuse it and it's important to understand the differences. "Tracks" have to do with recording. The channels of a mixer don't know where the output is going. It could be sent to a recorder "track", but it could also be sent to a bus for further mixing or output to a monitor or even used in a sidechain for other purposes.

Also, a 4 channel mixer probably won't be enough. You'll probably want at least 8 channels and 12 would be even better. Trust me. You can never have enough inputs!

Hope that doesn't confuse you! It'll start making sense eventually.

Ted