HOW I SEQUENCE & SYNC 15 SYNTHS - midi routing and DAW integration

How do I record 15+ synths at once? And how have I set up my patchbays and FX sends? All will be explained this video. This series is sponsored by DistroKid. Use my link and get 7% off: distrokid.com/vip/bobeats - its a solid service for getting your tracks onto Spotify & iTunes.
VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES:
Episode 1: • 5 reasons to have a SM...
Episode 2: • Building a Home Studio...
Episode 3: • HOW I RECORD MY SYNTHS...
SL mk3 Review: • Novation SL MkIII REVI...
Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links)
MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once)
Bluebox Mixer
US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=...
Soundcraft MTK 22
US: imp.i114863.net/6a2GG
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359305?offid=...
Soundcraft MTK 12
US: imp.i114863.net/35b7d
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359304?offid=...
Tascam Model 12
US: imp.i114863.net/Vro4E
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483453?offid=... (affordable!)
Presonus 16 channel
US: imp.i114863.net/RxJRb
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/423722?offid=...
Presonus 32SC (the one I use)
US: imp.i114863.net/vLe2j
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/462793?offid=...
MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters)
US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=...
iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!)
US: imp.i114863.net/xxAy1
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/476770?offid=...
GOOD FX
Zoia
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MAL
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/463334?offid=...
Blackhole
US: imp.i114863.net/jExYb
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503207?offid=...
Tricerachorus
US: imp.i114863.net/MXJDDK
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/529760?offid=...
PATCHBAY:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/118484?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/XxbLLg
SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves)
Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track keyboard/sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/450573?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/QqZ79
Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y
SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER
Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473345?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/74Lq5
Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473348?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/rvkmd
Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ
Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/yDJYB
Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/431568?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/4kOXL
NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/501389?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/m69Yy
GOOD STARTER SYNTHS
Original Minilogue
EU:thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM
Korg Minilogue XD
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72
Cobalt8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X
Argon8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL
Microfreak
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK
Dreadbox Typhon
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6
Korg NuTekt NTS1
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10
Reface CS
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
HydraSynth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2
DRUM MACHINES
Roland TR8S (very versatile!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/434284?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJoR
TR6S (tiny!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504204?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/QBzL6
Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503365?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/WjW7O
Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504302?offid=...
US: bit.ly/pulsar23
Drumbrute Impact
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/444377?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/LJod3
#synthesizer #midi #homestudio
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BUSINESS INQUIRY
►bonurmimusic ( at ) gmail.com

[@BoBeats]

Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links) MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once) Bluebox Mixer US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=1&affid=623 Soundcraft MTK 22 US: imp.i114863.net/6a2GG EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359305?offid=1&affid=623 Soundcraft MTK 12 US: imp.i114863.net/35b7d EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359304?offid=1&affid=623 Tascam Model 12 US: imp.i114863.net/Vro4E EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483453?offid=1&affid=623 (affordable!) Presonus 16 channel US: imp.i114863.net/RxJRb EU: thmn.to/thoprod/423722?offid=1&affid=623 Presonus 32SC (the one I use) US: imp.i114863.net/vLe2j EU: thmn.to/thoprod/462793?offid=1&affid=623 MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters) US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=1&affid=623 iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!) US: imp.i114863.net/xxAy1 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/476770?offid=1&affid=623 GOOD FX Zoia US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MAL EU: thmn.to/thoprod/463334?offid=1&affid=623 Blackhole US: imp.i114863.net/jExYb EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503207?offid=1&affid=623 Tricerachorus US: imp.i114863.net/MXJDDK EU: thmn.to/thoprod/529760?offid=1&affid=623 PATCHBAY: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/118484?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/XxbLLg SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves) Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track keyboard/sequencer/controller: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/450573?offid=1&affid=623 US:imp.i114863.net/QqZ79 Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473345?offid=1&affid=623 US:imp.i114863.net/74Lq5 Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473348?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/rvkmd Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer EU: thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=1&affid=623 US:imp.i114863.net/yDJYB Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer EU: thmn.to/thoprod/431568?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/4kOXL NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler EU: thmn.to/thoprod/501389?offid=1&affid=623 US:imp.i114863.net/m69Yy GOOD STARTER SYNTHS Original Minilogue EU:thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM Korg Minilogue XD EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72 Cobalt8 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X Argon8 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL Microfreak EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK Dreadbox Typhon EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6 Korg NuTekt NTS1 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10 Reface CS EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR HydraSynth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2 DRUM MACHINES Roland TR8S (very versatile!) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/434284?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/PLJoR TR6S (tiny!) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504204?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/QBzL6 Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503365?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/WjW7O Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504302?offid=1&affid=623 US: bit.ly/pulsar23 Drumbrute Impact EU: thmn.to/thoprod/444377?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/LJod3

[@RickyTinez]

This is what i've been trying to resist doing in my studio.. but i think you've pushed me over the edge since this is so cool, it seems really fast to just turn on and start jamming on things.... damnit @BoBeats !!

[@BoBeats]

join the anti-minimalist train brother

[@SalmanSuhail]

I love watching my two favorite youtubers egg each other on :D

[@ultrajayme]

Hmmm...motu midi express 128? XT? Or iconnectivity Mio10? Ahhhh all the gear!

[@janahodgson8060]

Thank you Bo. You answered a lot of questions about your hardware/software workflow and routing! This is exactly what I’m trying to accomplish in catching the inspiration that often comes with the use of hardware and then being able to integrate it into software for editing. That mixer looks like a key player in accomplishing that goal. Thanks!

[@tsgodman4409]

Just another excellent and inspirational video. Been moving across from an "In the Box" to a "Hybrid Creative Process" and it does take more effort and the rewiring of your brain, but the ability to touch and morph with the instruments is worth the challenge. Computers are just fantastic too but tactile and complex expressiveness can never be replicated with a mouse, everyone just loves to turn knobs, what can I say it just creates a live magic that can't be repeated. Thanks Bo, you're the best mate.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Lovely setup Bo! Quite the collection of synths you got going! Great work on the video compiling your workspace! 🔥

[@e7a7b7]

Explaining how a hardware setup isn't necessarily the way to go to create a full song / arrangement was super helpful for folks like me coming from a more conventional multi-track recording background. I'm a guitar player who has getting more and more into synths over the past several months, but until this video, I have never been able to connect the dots between a) I'm having fun improvising, tweaking, and evolving a groove in a live hardware sequencer session! and b) now I want to compose a more structured song that moves between very different sections with many different parts, etc. Love your videos and your general approach, BoBeats. You're a good teacher!

[@jasonfnorth]

Great series Bo! You rock man... and are such a blessing to this amazing community of creative Sonicnauts!

[@Jhgkgfghk7]

This video is a lifesaver on merging midi paths, thank you Bo!

[@scrian]

Bo this series is great! Inspiring stuff, & now I’m super jealous of that mixer

[@sixtwentysix]

FINALLY. What a good video. Thanks Bo, just what I needed at the exact moment I needed it.

[@UndoomedOne]

Good video Bo! I have the Midi Thru Box, but this video made me realize that I need a Midi Merger too.

[@oyoyoyo7624]

same!

[@jeffmorrison5695]

Thanks Bo. That was really informative. Very much appreciated. I'm glad you took the time to cover the creative aspect here. Very inspiring.

[@ThePedroAPB]

Mr BoBeats, a timelapse video of a day (or even a week) while using the studio would be amazing! Thanks for the content, keep it up man!!

[@kungfubeatsbysifufilter9431]

Thanks a lot for this great video. It is challenging to survive between a hardware and software environment without constantly unplugging and plugging cables. You just gave me a nice way to go. I hate to see my productive mood ruined by routing issues.

[@Eleth]

Hey Bo, thank you for this and all the other videos. I found this one specially useful, keep going!

[@metronohm808_6]

That bell sound in the first tune is utter bliss

[@cybernitemusic]

You are a born teacher... great way you talk about your passion

[@harrywilcock2030]

Nice Bo was just thinking this video was needed this morning after watching an arturia video, and hey presto your channel read my mind thanks, just got 5 instruments triggering/sequencing from the beastep pro, works very well but this is next level, nice to see your full setup

[@SvenFx-22]

I think that setup videos like this are MUCH needed. Thank you again. Any other deep dive on setups would be appreciated. Although boring to some it is much needed information. It’s only boring if you have it working. For those of us who do not it’s necessary information. Thank you again

[@michaelkonomos]

Great video. What an EPIC setup! Looks like so much fun.

[@orfious]

I've seen a few of your videos, but I'd never heard any of your music until watching this... it sounds amazing 👏

[@am5790]

I would never leave my studio if it were mine....great synths and set up, Bo!

[@ShineRecordings]

Bo you are the best tutor in the KZbin! great contents always

[@marcussVRLinux]

I got myself a Behringer Neutron to get started with hardware synthesis and get a taste of how it is to use and work with a Eurorack setup (It's got this cool patch bay on the right). And I begin to see that this thing alone can create sounds in ways you can never, and I actually mean, never, get out of any virtual VST instrument - no matter if it is a free one, five Euro, or a super expensive one like Omnisphere. Already I have made sounds I was unable to create with VSTs and I'm really enjoying it. For that reason I already built a small 62 HP skiff Eurorack case to be filled with modules. I then record everything into Ableton... create some scenes with all sounds, and see where the journey goes. Until I have an Emperor's studio like you have, it will take time - but I will get there.

[@SoundmanCH]

marcus-s I did exactly the same, the Neutron is a beast, I love it

[@rspmusic796]

I cant express enough my gratitude to you. I was a bit skeptical on going this way and never pushed myself to create an organic setup of instruments. At the same time i keep getting frustrated just sitting in front of DAW all the time and doing everything on the screen. But after watching this video i have decided to order a Arturia Keystep Pro, a Merger and a Thru box. I just already bought a Minilogue xD, Hydrasynth & Minifreak. Of course the larger goal is to create some music like you demoed in this video.

[@BoBeats]

Thank you and good luck on this journey of yours!!

[@phoenixrising1576]

Some people like me arnt great with the tech side of things and I have to tell u I really appreciate help like this!

[@manishshah3501]

I really love how you explain things. I am slowly setting up my own hardware based rig. Your videos have been very helpful. THANK YOU!

[@BoBeats]

Thank you for watching buddy!

[@manishshah3501]

@@BoBeats you are most welcome. I really liked the commentary on the immediacy of playing hardware when you've spent most of a day in front of a screen! Once I get the rig set-up and a couple of songs down, I'll send you a KZbin link for your feedback if you wouldn't mind. I'm just an amateur and have no plans to quit my day job (plastic surgeon). I just have loved electronic music since the early 80's.

[@aeciodesouza]

Thanks Bo. Very elucidating. I am reorganizing my stuff and this series came very handy :)

[@chrislynch9364]

Again great timing Bo. I’m reconfiguring my midi to accommodate a keystep that should be with me tomorrow. I like to mix and match my midi flow, but the brains of the outfit will probably still be my iPad.

[@timburk1027]

Thanks so much; most helpful. Your presentation style is very easy to watch and listen to; great teacher. :)

[@marcusai210]

I really enjoyed the series. Thanks a lot!

[@jonathanhayward544]

This was a really useful video Bo. Thank you.

[@TeleporterM11]

You are a true educator Bo, nice video.

[@neilm.frau-cortes7305]

Awesome video. I have "only" six synths and routing drives me crazy. You gave me a number of ideas!

[@JamBurglar]

Woah, the intro track is sick!!!

[@cjlewis79]

You can see the difference 4 years make in what gear you had then and what gear you have now. :) I am on the same journey without having a KZbin channel currently. Still in that midrange of synths and drum machines and still learning how to put it all together. Always enjoy your videos!

[@BoBeats]

Its a journey indeed! Change, rearrange! All part of it

[@alyeska4226]

Icky. I love the sound of your entirety. It's refreshing to hear your character rather than all that bubblegum tutorial stuff. I look firward to an EP

[@KWHCoaster]

My MIDI keyboard controller and patchbays have made my gear infinitely more productive, easy and, most importantly, fun to use. Still need to rethink the MIDI on my setup to eliminate using THRU ports on gear as much as possible, hopefully completely, using the MIDI THRU and MIDI MERGE boxes I already have. Then I can be more selective on what needs to be powered up. One thing I do is keep MIDI controller mappings relatively simple as it can become challenging to remember lots of unique controller mappings. So the same knobs and sliders are assigned for the same functions across all hardware synths. All that hardware sequencer track capability would be nice to have.

[@bastianm5478]

Hi KWHCoaster, what's wrong with using midi thru's?

[@bastianm5478]

Haven't watched all the video, so maybe yes talking about it in the video. I already have a Kenton midi 1 to 5 thru, but using thru on a few synths because I don't have more midi space in the Kenton. So what's wrong with thru's?

[@KWHCoaster]

@@bastianm5478 Nothing is "wrong" with synth thru, but if you reach synth C via the MIDI thru on synth B, then you have to power up synth B to control synth C. I had 13 or more synths in my setup, it would be nice to power up only what is needed. And, I had to power up in a specific order or else I had MIDI issues.

[@enigmasounds]

Great job Bo, loving these informative vids, many thanks :-)

[@lancepage1914]

Thx for your insight Bo. Everything you say always makes perfect sense. I am somewhat surprised you have the PreSonus StudioLive 32. This very much makes me want one too.

[@formerself4372]

Love your compositions Bo, weird in a good way

[@Wil_Dsense]

WOw, 15 synths. THat's a bit excessive right? maby you should have stick with 14 synth... *drinks coffee* Actually 15 sounds about right...

[@SyncdAlien]

😂

[@antonisatwork]

Try 50

[@jackthemurray]

Appropriate number of synths is: n+1. Where n equals the number of synths you already have.

[@dorsia6938]

@@jackthemurray finally, a real-world application for the stuff I learnt in pre-cal

[@jvaranx]

what, only 15....?? :)

[@jonathanharvey2156]

12:01 Bo, your accent is the best thing EVER!

[@drkakophanos3013]

Hi Bo.... Thanks for the video, really helpful. I am inspired to try this kind of setup with the equipment I have. I have a Kenton Thru 5. Do you think I could use one of the outputs to send to another 4 way midi thru box and control 8 synths using this method. I have an old Roland JW50 that has a 16 track midi sequencer and control other synths from it? Thanks again for an informative video

[@housemachine509]

Great video on setup was having issues with clock. Thinking of getting the erm to solve midi drift

[@danbad1380]

Thanks a lot for your impressions at the last part of the video

[@loopop]

Excellent and fun video!

[@BoBeats]

Thank you my friend

[@RKTMNofficial]

Tremendously helpful video. Thanks!

[@jewe321]

Thanks Bo! Great video, great info. I am currently in the state of reorganising my own setup (which is by no means as complex as yours) and so your videos 3 & 4 have been of tremendous help to me. I am runing a smaller Kenton midi thru box, but I am definitely trying to get a merger too. And may I add, that a flow chart of both your midi and sound conections would be awesome to see. I would promise to publish my own flow charts in return. BTW how does your CUBASE work with the analog setup? I am having some issues to combine it with my Mother 32 and I am now thinking about changing to Ableton with the CV tools.

[@SvenFx-22]

Thank you so much I desperately needed this video. I have a similar setup and was lost.

[@nathanhoward6472]

Hey Bo. I was wondering how all your equipment is powered. Do you use UPS/Battery backup? Do you need line filters to prevent ground loop feedback hum?

[@munimum]

Thank You for the wonderful video! Do You have any CC controller in mind which would be able to control more than 8 parameters (Like the one you have from Novation on the keyboard). Perhaps the one with the display would be great , because it helps to see which parameter exactly you are turning at the moment.

[@Hexachords]

Excellent video !

[@Inferno4wd]

Great video! This series has really helpped with my setup. One question though, what are you using for MIDI clock master / set tempo for all external devices, and does this sync with your DAW too? I find in my setup i want my Arturia BSP to be the master clock for my synths and equipment, but the DAW (logic) won't sync. So i have to have the DAW on and running just so i can have tempo/clock when i'd really just like to hardware jam. Maybe there is something i need to buy to "tie" it all together? Thanks.

[@OG-pe5qk]

Hi, thank you for your excellent video. In our music-school we would like to connect different Yamaha PSR-keyboards with a midi clock to syncronise pads. Do you have some tipps for this kind of keyboard?

[@jenteboes6487]

Awesome vid!! Is it possible to link a midi keyboard to a beatstep pro so you can either play all the synths on a keyboard or make sequences with the beatstep?

[@BlueJavaTN]

Excellent Video!!! Would like to see how/if you use the Cubase External Instruments feature to control any of your external synths (e.g. program changes).

[@V4D2]

BlueJava i’ll second that. ;) i’ve been building up for connecting my iOS FX and soft-synths to my Ableton session..

[@moralboundaries1]

Such a nice setup. So flexible. I would love to hang out with you in your studio.

[@THEREALDATALORD]

Those Kenton Midi thru boxes are major league. I love my thru 25.

[@The_Digital_Arts_World]

Thanks, Bo! Just what the doctor ordered.

[@ohtobeforgiven]

Lovin' that track.

[@Tirso425]

Hi Bobeats, I have a problem with my Mpc Live II: I need to work via midi din with 5 old synths but I don't know which gear to buy. I bought a Kenton Midi Thru 5 but found that it produces identical copies to the 5 midi thru jacks ... I don't want all 5 synths working on the same channel at the same time ... I need 5 distinct channels, which product is right for my purpose? Thank you very much!

[@yuansyd6520]

Thank you so much Bo! This is literally the most helping video about the setup explaining. But could you tell me that how do I connect the synths when my sequencer doesn’t have the second audio input like deluge?

[@ProfessorSynth]

Do you use anything to get rid of noise? I have noticed that devices connected to USB in particular can be noisy

[@newignis]

Thanks Bo. Inspirational video.

[@djanishanand]

Hi Bo :-) how have you been, i have an arturia microfreak that i am not able to sync with ableton for a live performance. I have tried syncing them up by switching on the sync button in LINK MIDI section of the ableton preference, but it doesnt sync... Is it possible if you could explain or can do a small quick tut on how to sync midi clock between Microfreak and ableton only. Looking forward :-) thanks

[@WindRider707]

I’m trying to combine a simple Roland drum module and my synth / controller / keyboard into my DAW. Would you recommend some sort of midi interface with multiple INS to blend the midi data before going into my DAW? Thanks great vid awesome studio

[@rodrigovilleda764]

Love your videos

[@cosmiq1000]

Hi @BoBeats. Greetings from Switzerland to Sweden. Great videos! Very inspiring, for music, gear and also how you set it up. Much appreciated. I hope the special times go well for you. Question, very practical: What stand are you using on the left side of your hardware rig, with the Microfreak on top? I also need to build into the height... ;-)

[@Dandelunar]

Hello great Video!!! One question, can you send midi from one keyboard from the midi out to the midi thu box and select the channel from the keyboard and will the other synth depending on the channel receive the data? Seems like I can only achieve this with my computer sending the midi in to tascam model 12 then midi out from tascam to midi thu box. If I connect the synth directly to the midi box none of the synths would make any sound. I’m confused. I can only use midi out then use external instrument on ableton and rout the midi to the device depending on the channel I chose for each one. Thanks 🎉

[@PatGRojas]

Boooo!!!! loved this video think ur jam at the beginning was really amazing... one question How do you deal with latency of all the gear, specially if you go into the daw and use time based effects in the daw with ur gear. Also have you run into any ground loop "noise" issues with your rig (guitar pedals specially like distortions) and how do you deal with them????? :D cheers would love to see a video on that not much on youtube on these issues with a huge set up like urs....

[@synthseeker]

Curious...what are you using for that lav-mic at 21:00 (which model?) or do you have a boom out of shot somewhere? :) Great video!

[@valeshka29]

love your gear :)))

[@bombnail]

Hi, I want to create a home studio to jam and produce music, I will have a drum machine, the Arturia Keylab 61 mrkII, a guitar, and a mic, will want to be able to add a second guitar if a mate comes over for a jam. I would like to hit record at any time and record the output with Logic Pro X or Ableton. Will i need a mixer and an audio interface? I am new at this and atm just use one guitar and one mic with the fast track solo interface but want to upgrade to a full setup. I only have a 3-4K buget. Thanks for any info and advice you can share.

[@Reg-Edit]

I own a Rev 2 but can't get the Arp to sequence properly as it only has arp beat quantise and it drifts out until the next bar comes in unlike my sub 37 which does have beat sync... any work arounds for this problem? Great videos by the way ❤️

[@hazmatforhumanity7318]

I have a question. I am trying to make it so I can play my sequences into the beat step pro using the synth that is connected to it. I have an UltraNova, an MS1 and a Microfreak that I would like to play the keyboards to real-time record the notes into the Beatstep pro. I have not been able to quite figure out how to set this up. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The manual and several videos online don't seem to address this specifically.

[@falazarte]

Awesome video! Thanks

[@distortimus7631]

Great. Midi box with 25 channel thru. Just what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@urbanhusky]

I'm using a mio10. While it's only 10 in/out, it does have the benefit of being able to filter MIDI messages. For example: Synths on port 2 only get messages for MIDI channel 2 and so on. I also block program and bank changes across all devices, so that changing presets on one synth does not randomly change presets on all other synths. I have a MIDI keyboard connected to port 1 and every synth can also send MIDI to any other synth - the Elektron Model:Samples for example can sequence other (mono)synths. There can (theoretically) be some timing or bandwidth issues when many synths are connected to the same MIDI cable/bus because MIDI does not have a lot of bandwidth. By keeping the stuff that's being transmitted to my other synths down to only what that synth needs, I have more bandwidth available. I also like having a setup that doesn't require me to start a DAW. The mio10 (or any other thru/merge) accomplishes this on the MIDI side - and I'm using the mixer in my audio interface to provide a stereo mix when I'm not using a DAW. I saved two presets - one with the stereo mix active and one without, so that I can quickly switch between using a DAW and not using one. I'm also using a Push 2 to have a different perspective and mindset when using my DAW - however, some fiddly bits still need to be adjusted on the PC side (input/output routings, more complex editing/fixing of my bad playing…). I've also found the Elektron workflow to be quite inspiring and freeing :) Ultimately, everything is connected to my PC, keeping separate audio and MIDI channels - but I don't have to use my PC to play.

[@V4D2]

urbanhusky i have been talking with iconnectivity by email...in order to figure out if the MIDI 4+ is the equipment that will solve most of my issues. i had considered having a mixer,,so as to having a direct & physical control over the whole setup.. but, i am giving it a lot more relevance after Bo’s video (both this one and the one reviewing the mixer) and a few comments here, including yours. which mixer are u using , then ? thanks. ;)

[@urbanhusky]

@@V4D2 I'm using an RME Fireface UFX, that's a 12 channel USB or Firewire (newer models use more modern connectors) audio interface. It handles up to 30 channels (at 44.1/48 kHz 24 bit)and I've expanded it with an RME ADI-8 DS Mk III and a cheap Behringer 8 ADAT interface for a total of 28 line level channels (+2 channels from AES, which I use to stereo-expand and process my microphone - for TS, Discord and such). The Fireface has a DSP zero latency mixer/monitoring. I also use a few patchbays: one in my synth rack to bundle all synths onto multicore cables (and provide additional patch points, for feedback/overdrive on the Voyager for example) - those multicore cables are connected to patch bays in my gear rack, going to the Fireface, ADI and Behringer. I use those to insert effects. I built this with more of a software-recording setup in mind, so it's not exactly an easy to use mixer - but the configuration software works just like a mixer and I can save the presets on the Fireface itself - and change the presets there. You wouldn't be able to change volume, panning and such like you would with a dedicated (motorised) mixer, as that would involve a bit of menu-diving with a single encoder knob - or running the software. The Fireface routing is quite powerful and you could set up auxiliary send/return channels, if you have channels to spare. It's not easy to expand further tough and I "have to" record in 44.1/48 kHz - but higher sample rates don't provide any benefit anyway (higher bit depth does, but it's still 24 bits). Higher sample rates would require to bundle both ADAT ports (i.e. I could only use the ADI-8 once I get to 88/96 - or only 4 ports of the ADI on even more ridiculous sample rates). I'm a bit of an audiophile so I prefer to keep my audio path as direct as possible - plus having 28 channels available for parallel recording is a nice thing (note that a stereo synth uses 2 channels). I would also like to reduce my studio down to fewer devices, because I have too many that I don't really use - and then there's ergonomics.... Oh, and, yes, getting rid of the Behringer for sound quality reasons might also have something to do with that. P.S.: I patch my effects in as needed. I (sadly) don't have a patchbay for my effects, but I also want to keep the cable lengths short - so if I would like to chain a boost, overdrive, chorus, delay(s) and reverb, I'd run the full cable length 10 times - instead of just twice. It sucks a bit having to redo the wiring on the pedal board, but on the other hand, I do save a lot of cables and space. I hope that helps :)

[@V4D2]

urbanhusky cheers man, for sharing that. when i got my Metric Halo 2882, i contemplated the RMEs too. pretty powerful audio interfaces. i eventually went with the easier&cleaner software interface.. but i probably regret it, now. i don’t use many synths..but i also have considered going the ADAT route, for a cheap expansion. yes...it kind of sucks, s bit....losing channels, as you go up to 88/96kHz.. when i posed the question...i thought u already were using a physical mixer.. My bad. it’s funny that i also have worked with HiFidelity, in the past, selling Dynaudio, NAIM, Transrotor, and Burmester, brands you should be familiar with. i believe you might do well considering the MIDI mixer controller route. ok, you don’t lose the PC, but you can stick to your current approach, and gain that hardware touch.. even with just a basic AKAI APC 40 MKII . i am still undecided on which route to choose. Bo’s option of going with the PreSonus mixer, with the digital SD card recording is VERY close to what i have been looking for_ not needing to turn the PC ON ..in order to start jamming. But the audiophile in me is learning that the iPad is actually pretty good, both sound-quality wise,..and standing in as a replacement, touch friendly digital mixer..solution..so i might, in deed go, towards the iConnectivity route. do you find you don’t get away from the PC enough....with yours ? ;)

[@anonymous_friend]

Are you still using the same setup? Have you made any changes or found a better way to do things? Im brainstorming. Thanks

[@nifela]

@@anonymous_friend I pretty much always have Ableton running now when I want to play with my synthesizers, this way I can capture any nice ideas I had after having played them and it's easy to add effects etc. I stopped using hardware sequences and no longer own any Elektron gear. I also have 28 channels of audio via my interface and it is nice to have every synth immediately playable. I also added a patch bay to my synthesizer rack so that I can patch in effect pedals that are also hardwired to the patch bay.

[@briarboy8959]

Hi Bo, loving the vids as usual, should the DAW supply the clock data or can a instrument supply the clock info? Do all instruments have internal clocks?

[@TLGElectro]

Hey fella, great vid as ever, wonder if you could help with a set up issue i have. I bought a Keystep, after seeing your's and everyone else's vids, to connect to my 3 Volcas, my Korg Poly 800, my Yamaha DX21, laptop etc etc... They all work fine, but i have a big problem with the main synth i wanted to use it with.... The mighty Moog Source! I've tried every cable variation... S trig in out on the Moog as well as CV in out, tried all variations on the Keystep software, 5v, 10v, blah blah blah.. No joy. It sends clock, but will not change pitch. I even contacted Arturia, they recommended all of the above. It's frustrating, as the Moog sounds awesome, but it won't sync to anything else. Do you know of any device i would need to make the clock and pitch sync up? Cheers, TLG Electro. (i use Distrokid too.. Great service! 👍🏻)

[@ManCalledMif]

those Kentons look great. thanks for such a helpful video

[@TheActualJae]

Can you cover mixing down with your setup? Do you use multiple speakers/headphones? Do you use Cubasis? Or can you mix entirely from the Presonus? Do you master yourself? Lastly, can you create a _simple_ (perhaps 4 synth) song and walk us through it from start to finish highlighting all of the stuff we’ve learned in this series?

[@V4D2]

Jay Carr Couldn’t have said it better myself. if it is not too much to ask, Bo, all of the above would make a couple of great videos, following these really good ones you’ve made. Speaking of which.... hehe. THANK you!!

[@bertranddeve4724]

Thanks for video ! that's great ! I personnaly have problems to sync a drumbrute / machine MK3 / Sub 37 ( arpegiattor ) - I made exactly the same config you did with a midi patch KENTON THRU 5...but I plug the midi out of the sub 37 in the MIDI IN of the machine MK 3 but it doesnot work...I don't understand...Do i need a midi merger ? Or what is the best config to sync the 3 devices ? Thanks ! ;-)

[@markquavertune2003]

Thank you .I certainly am taking note of some of your instruments .I have had some success with routing midi through a MOTU micro lite .The PC interface works quite well .However when it came to CC messages FL Studio and the Roland JD XA were not on speaking terms .Ablelton Live is perhaps my future hear .I am however very impressed with the Machine .I did not know it could do so much hardware integration .I like to use NI studio strings pro 2 .Is there a synth that can equal the articulations and dynamics of strings pro 2 ? I am finding that I can produce some original sound concepts with Voltage modular .I have not been able to produce them otherwise .

[@TheGreatPanicker]

So I am new to all this midi stuff. Right now my setup is a drumbrute impact, monologue and kaossilator pro+. My alt setup is a korg volca mix, with the kick, bass and beats connected to the volca mix. With the midi quadra thru box, how can I get most of these devices talking to each other? Thanks. And also, my keystep 37 will be the control point, so guess it would be the head honcho, followed by the monologue, kaossilator and impact and the fourth midi thru could go to a volca device?

[@DamianoPistoia]

Ho Bo , I'm trying to connect my Roland mx1 as slave to Akai Force... but is it possible? Force has a bunch of options as midi and mx1 too... I'm going crazy please help!!

[@maksimus7711]

Great videos. Thank you very much. It helps a lot. Let me ask you one question : what do you think about using a deluge synthesizer like a sequencer for a hardware setup and for building a song. Thank you a lot.

[@BoBeats]

Yeah that would work super well! Got the deluge and its amazing

[@maksimus7711]

@@BoBeats thank you very much

[@FrequSpectra]

@bobeats I'm curious if you designate specific midi channels to outboard synths/modules and stick with those assignments throughout your setup. Also, do you designate one midi channel for synch purposes or is synch handled as a one-off situation with each target device? Do you often send synch on the same midi channel as you're sending the performance data? Thanks!

[@user-sx2iw2hq3l]

Hello Bo! Could you tell me please what I need to sync my Android some synths with external midi synth? I've heard that many Android and Ios applications do not keep a clock, is that true?

[@CharlieHughJones]

Thanks Bo - super helpful way you teach as always my friend! Realized I now need a midi merge as well as my thru (master keyboard/Ableton/NDLR) just wondering how to send just clock and start-stop data like you mentioned for the analog Rythm (cos I have an Analog 4 mkII)? Thanks

[@CharlieHughJones]

...also, when I have a synth (like the Typhon or Sirin) that has both 5 pin midi and usb - can I keep both plugged in (i.e. for when I want to be dawless with my NDLR but also keeping the USB plugged into my computer for when I want to use the synth editor plus my DAW - am also thinking this might apply to the analog4 with Overbridge etc.)? Thanks

[@lordundhimself1310]

You have my dream synth setup dude.

[@thedp]

well done. I got a MOTU MIDI express XT to distro Midi from keyboard to hardware synths. I got the MOTU because I was trying to work around all the bugs in the beat step pro... and I sold the BSP after fighting with it for way too long. I haven't really found a sequencer I like yet aimed at recording your notes, easy editing. I also run a setup like yours : real hardware + soft synths running on separate mac as if they were real instruments. They run on analog or digital outs from one USB interface into the recording machine's so I can easily patch hardware FX in.

[@rdoetjes]

Steve Oakley same here! It’s like searching fir the holy grail. I’m thinking about getting the MIo and I hope to have solved a nasty weirdness that I have when connecting to my prophet 8 via a through, where it plays all 8 voices. I don’t have that when I play the keyboard. But as soon as the midi sequence is played back from FL Studio it starts using up all voices. Really annoying. I think a motu or mio will solve that. And hopefully soon a proper hardware sequencer comes out with the flexibility of a DAW

[@thedp]

@@rdoetjes yes the MOTU can filter out various midi msgs to a particular port going either in or out, remap channels, block channel data, etc. a lot of things you can do. I was playing around a lot with them to get the BSP to work with other gear nicely, but eventually gave up on the BSP. thinking maybe the novation keyboard is now they way to go seeing it actually work in a complex setup.

[@linkinanalog1313]

do you have any latency issue when your master clock is Ableton?

[@MondoLeStraka]

Incredible!

[@MadelnMachines]

Do you not run into latency and midi clock timing issues? I've seen devices by innerclock systems like Gridlock II and Sync Gen II and ERM Multi-clock but i'm not sure if they are any better than the solution you have. I also wondered if buying the most expensive lowest latency thunderbolt audio interface was the answer (RME UFX+).

[@dubmaverick69]

This is a very good video Thank You. It would helpful if you can discuss the midi play back latency we all experience when we are working on a full song within a DAW, because sequencing midi notes within a DAW for several External synths is a USB/MIDI interface nightmare, which did not exist in the 90s and early 2000s. I am speaking strictly about Midi note playback from within a DAW, not sending MIDI clock with something like an ERM multiclock to get superb timing with hardware that has its own sequencer. I believe the Presonous Set Up you have is one of the best ways, because some of us would like to just sequence midi notes within a DAW and then capture the audio from the instruments on a SD Card and later bring into a DAW (audio, plugin environment only), just do the Digital mixing, just like having a tape machine with 24 tracks back in the day. Can you please discuss this in a future video. Love all your work. Cheers!!

[@anonymous_friend]

Did you ever figure out a way to do this without many problems?

[@mattsynth]

I use two MOTU USB Midi Express units with Cubase. Every one of my synths, drum machine, etc has a dedicated midi input and output. That way I can use any input to controller any of my synths, drum machines, etc. I can even use NI Maschine to remotely control Cubase and send midi messages to control other VST or hardware instruments using there Maschine editor. Routing is simple and quick, just select (in the Cubase inspector window) which midi input you want to control which midi output. With MOTU clockworks I can mute or send any kind of midi message (like midi clock or sys excl) on any port, on any channel making it a very open end midi patch bay.

[@N-trepid1]

That sounds like a dream setup! Just purchased the MOTU and hope to do something similar. Using Logic as the DAW and hope it has some of the same capabilities where Cubase shines.

[@anonymous_friend]

When it comes to patch bays, if you have a balanced patch bay can you run unbalanced gear to it? or will it mess with the signal?

[@LowerWestSideStudio]

Excellent video Bo! You covered a topic often left alone in this day of USB MIDI and software synths. Does your setup have a way of recording MIDI played on the hardware synths themselves? I chose a Native Instruments S61MK2 as my main MIDI controller but quickly learned it wouldn't support MIDI channels other than 1 for the pedal and wheels. I see you have the Novation MKIII as a primary controller. I'm going to look at that as an alternative as the S61. Thank you for sharing this extremely helpful video.

[@BoBeats]

i have been thinking about adding some box to be able to rec the midi too. for now I can’t

[@LowerWestSideStudio]

@@BoBeats I use a couple of MIDI Quadra Merge boxes from MIDI Solutions. My setup is similar to yours in that I want to be able to operate everything without a computer. Sometimes though I want to be able to hit record on my DAW when I enter the studio and record every sound and MIDI transmission from each device. You never know when something magic will happen. Details on my MIDI setup are here richsstudioproject.wpcomstaging.com/2018/06/06/midi-solutions/ Here is the product page for the MIDI Quadra Merge: www.midisolutions.com/prodqmr.htm