MIDI with Control Surface

[Shadowdog]

I am really unfamiliar with MIDI (have NEVER done any thing with it.)

I am putting together my first digital studio. I have an RME Multiface that has MIDI I/O on it. I also want to buy a Mackie Control Universal for use with Cubase. From a connection diagram i saw online it showed that I use MIDI I/O from the Controller to a MIDI interface (which I do not have yet either) that connects USB to my computer. OK, well I was also reading in my Multiface manual that the Mackie Controller can also control the Total Mix program for the sound card by connecting to the MIDI on the soundcard. So what the heck, do I connect to both these things some how? Can someone give me a simple diagram how this MIDI stuff hooks up physically? I also have a Roland R-70 drum machine that has MIDI, if you want toss that in the pciture too. IF I need to buy a MIDI interface, how many In and Outs do I need to get all this stuff talking?

Thanking you in advance.

 

[bigwillz24]

To use the control surface with your Audio Card.

Control Surface MIDI Out ---> Audio Card MIDI in
Control Surface MIDI IN ---> Audio Card MIDI out

If the control surface has another MIDI in/out plug your Drum Machine up there.

 

[Shadowdog]

OK so, then if I hook it up to my audio card that way, I can't use the controller to controll Cubase? There is only 1 IN/OUT on the Mackie Controller, 1 on the audio card.

 

[Shadowdog]

just wondering too, does the MIDI interface just send stuff to the computer or does it act as a router so all things talk that are plugged into it?