MIDI help

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grinder

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I'm unfamiliar with MIDI.What I want to do is sync my multi track and drum machine, both have MIDI in and outs.What do I need to accomplish this? Is there some kind of triggering devise I can buy? My computer isn't set up for recording and I don't have a keyboard.
 
Your drum machine is a triggering device, connect your drum machine midi out to the midi in of the recorder, similarly connect your midi out of recorder to midi in of drum machine. This will make it sync, I am not sure what multitrack recorder you have, so I can't answer further. Good Luck!
 
what are you exactly trying to do through midi in drum machine?
 
Jeyan, thanks for the reply.I just need to sync them so I can record one drum instrument at a time.That way I can eq, compress or add reverb to the individual instruments of the programmed parts and then bounce back to a stereo track.I'm using a Zoom 1266.
 
Does you drum machine have a midi in? Many don't.

See what types of sync your recorder sends and what types of sync you drum machine receives. If you can find a common format then it should be pretty easy. If not you will need to get another piece to bridge the gap.

Most drum machines need Midi Sync which is a bit more sophisticated then just MTC. Most recorders only output MTC but you may get lucky and have one that does Midi Sync.

Check your manuals to see what each can do.
 
Hey Tex, Both units have MIDI in/outs.The recorder manual says that it can output a MIDI timing clock.The drum machine manual shows the out on the recorder hooked to the in on the drum machine.Neither manual explains much though and I really don't know squat about midi, so what it does explain I'm lost on.From what I gather I would just need one MIDI cord to link the machines?Can anyone recommend a good article the would explain the basics of this stuff?

Thanks, Grinder
 
MIDI Timing clock isn't a term used. I'm guessing you are referring to Midi Time Code? Most drum machines will not sync up to MTC. They need MIDI Sync which also has start/stop and tempo info. MTC is just a time reference and if the drum machine doesn't know what to do with just a time reference it can't do anything.

Get a midi cable and hook up the recorder outs to the drum machine In. Set the drum machine to External sync or MIDI sync. Set the recorder to output MTC or Midi Sync and see if you can get the drum machine to follow.

It's rare that a drum machine will follow anything but a sequencer but you may get lucky. I went through the same issues trying to get my drum machine to follow my Radar and I would need a sequencer or a MTC to Midi Sync convertor.
 
I didn't see MIDI time code or MTC metioned in either manual.The multitrack manual says, "The MRS-1266 can output MIDI timing clock, song position pointer and start/stop/continue messages to sync. operation with an external MIDI device".The drum machine manual says, "You can sync the DR-670's performances with digital recorders, sequencers, rhythm machines and other such devices" and shows a picture of it hooked directly to a multitrack recorder.So it should work, right?I'll pick up a cable and see what happens.
 
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