Dirtywave M8 Tracker and MIDI: How to sequence synths

This short overview aims to show you the MIDI-out capability of the Dirtywave M8 Tracker, and how you can use it to sequence up to 8 synths and other MIDI devices at once*.
I look at the main options screen, how to send chords, how to input MIDI CC and how the touch screen of the M8 Tracker can be used to control the settings of your synths.
This video does not cover some of the other features of the M8 Tracker, including its MIDI clock and using MIDI input to control its internal settings. I think there is room for a follow up video. Let me know if you want more information about anything in particular.
I mention All My Friends Are Synths, who has made some great M8 Tracker tutorials. Stephen is an a font of knowledge when it comes to chiptune and synthesizers. Find out more: / allmyfriendsaresynths
The GenMDM I speak about can be found on the Catskull Electronics website: catskullelectronics.com/produ...
All music made by me, Myths and Monsters: mythsandmonsters.bandcamp.com/
* You can sequence more than 8 devices in a project, but only 8 at the same time.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Somebody just sent me this video again because of the shout out at the start. I'd totally forgotten about it. Haha. Hope we get to share a stage together again one day soon!

[@mythsandmonstersUK]

Yeah me too, that would be awesome. I'm just starting to look for gigs again. We could potentially pitch to a venue or two together at some point, perhaps alongside a third act as a fully formed gig night?

[@keso.mp3]

Every time I look for a feature for the M8, it's available. I can't wait to get mine. It's amazing. Subscribed too. You explained everything so nice.

[@johnfuchsiadonwon3rd949]

Thank you for your video , very informative and helpful 🙏

[@HeyJellyBear]

Very cool! I'm excited to try out tracking some GenMDM stuff with my m8!!

[@dill_TV]

Great video!

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

Nice work! Subbed! 😀 👊

[@geecen]

Nice one

[@zachshult]

Appreciate the video, cant wait to try with my JUA-06A and Microfreak... but how did you split the midi signal from the M8, is there a special cable I should get??

[@mythsandmonstersUK]

I run the M8's MIDI-out into a MIDI-thru box, which splits it. This is the one I use. It has 4 outputs and unlike some other boxes it does not need a power adapter. A useful thing to have. www.thomann.de/gb/midi_solutions_quadra_thru_v2.htm?ref=mobile

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

I can't seem to get midi working with my m8 tracker and my TT-303 bass bot. Did anyone have the same combination they can shed some insight into the correct setup i need?

[@napoleonkomplexet]

Was just thinking about the GenMDM the other day. Do you find the available CC-mapping sufficent for all the parameters or do you have to use some kind of workaround?

[@mythsandmonstersUK]

It's better than the DAW I used previously for CC-mapping the GenMDM, but honestly since making this video I've not experimented any further with it. I found I prefer the FM instrument on the actual M8 for similar sounds and it's easier to use that than dive into the different CCs.

[@medenine4828]

Nice! Are you inputting notes to the M8 from your midi keyboard? I’ve heard this can be done but haven’t figured it out yet.

[@mythsandmonstersUK]

I've not tried this yet, but have successfully used a keyboard to play synths/instruments on the M8.

[@LostStylus]

@@mythsandmonstersUK can you live record what you’re playing on the keyboard to m8?

[@julienchrist]

Can you control the m 8 with the novation launchpad x and/or novation xl ? Thank you

[@geecen]

Not without w midi host hub as he m8 only has midi device. I think the pro version has proper midi out to that will work fine

[@hwoccurrence]

Do you know if you can sync the midi clock to external gear or a DAW via the M8?

[@mythsandmonstersUK]

I've never done it, but there is a "receive midi sync" option you can access in the settings.

[@jacobwetherby]

It looks like you have a midi box to usb c? is that correct?

[@impbox]

Nice video! but how come you say only up to 8 synths? Can you not sequence up to 16 midi channels? (assuming a 1:1 mapping of channels to synths) that's 16 synths. I guess you're limited to 8 at a single moment, but 16 channels total. Also you can stack CHD and ADD commands on the same channel in the 3 CMD columns, maybe more if you use the table too, no need to use an extra track. How do you use note slide for midi?

[@mythsandmonstersUK]

I've missed the words "at once" out regarding the 8 synths comment. And yes you can also use FX and tables for the chords. This is only a brief overview to show what this is capable of, there's tons of stuff I've not mentioned connected to MIDI.... perhaps will go more indepth in future if time allows.

[@impbox]

@@mythsandmonstersUK gotcha, just though the up to 8 sounds a bit misleading for people reading it when it's not limited in that way, but the video is a great example! look forward to seeing more if you do them!

[@mythsandmonstersUK]

@@impbox You're right - I've edited the text below the video to make it clearer.

[@zolyos]

Hello :) do you know if it's possible to sequence other synths and use the M8 samples and instruments at the same time ? I managed to use the M8 as a sequencer for my digitone but I can't use the M8 synths and sample library :( Also do you know how to connect the M8 to a DAW ? If yes could you please explain how you do it ? My goal is to connect my alpha base and my digitone to it, I don't know if it's possible. Thanks a lot !

[@mythsandmonstersUK]

I regularly use the M8 to sequence 4 or 5 synths, with the remaining channels from the 8 available channels either playing M8 samples or instruments. I've no experience of the Digitone at all, but can't think why you couldn't do what you say unless it's using up all 8 MIDI channels from the M8. Could there be something in that maybe? I'm also not sure about linking to DAWs yet, sorry I can't help! I've been using the M8 to sequence things "live" onto a multi-track recorder since I got it.

[@zolyos]

@@mythsandmonstersUK thanks a lot for your answer :)

[@batner]

I say join the M8 Discord and ask there if you have any issues. It might be a bug or an easily fixable limitation, both can ve fixed by software update or a workaround might be found. Nice guys are lurking there and are happy to help.

[@zolyos]

@@batner thanks I will do that :)