MIDI Basics Explained: DAWless Connections, Routing, Convert USB to Din MIDI, Merging, Splitting

MIDI Basics Explained. In this video I explain how I use different MIDI connections to connect all of the pieces of my DAWless live setup. I connect together analog, digital, DIN MIDI and USB MIDI between Elektron Octatrack, Analog Rytm, Digitakt, Digitone, Analog Four, Faderfox PC12, and Novation Launch Control XL using MIDI Through Boxes, MIDI Mergers, and USB MIDI Hosts. I hope this will help you create your own unique MIDI setup. There are links below to all of the gear discussed in the video.
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The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks.
Live Gear:
Digitakt: bit.ly/3518hyW
Digitone: bit.ly/3LSmnUm
Octatrack: bit.ly/3HYWAY1
Analog Rytm: bit.ly/3rVW0EN
Toraiz Squid: bit.ly/3gWIPNU
Roland SH01a: bit.ly/3gZsdVq
Audio Cables: bit.ly/3sOpL9V
USB MIDI Host: bit.ly/357UXcc
Quad Through 4X Multiplier: bit.ly/3sMigAp
MIDI Merger: bit.ly/3H0Fwjb
MIDI Cables: bit.ly/3gUFM8P
Faderfox PC12: bit.ly/3sRahSu
Novation Launch Control XL: bit.ly/3I6HAaU
Studio Gear:
Arturia Polybrute: bit.ly/3BvV0dP
Moog Subsequent 37: bit.ly/3GYxR4M
Analog Four: bit.ly/3gWJhLQ
Roland TR-8s: bit.ly/3sRWb3c
Korg Minilogue XD: bit.ly/3v2LGwO
Moog Minitaur: bit.ly/3JCqjXa
Arturia Keylab 61 MK II: bit.ly/34HHt7f
TASCAM Model 24 Mixer: bit.ly/3JBKu7H
Beyer Dynamic DT 770 Pro Studio Headphones: bit.ly/3H2QggW
Adam Audio T7V Studio Monitors: bit.ly/3oYxEbH
My Studio Computer:
Mac mini: amzn.to/2Z4kkFS
Home DJ Gear:
Pioneer XDJ RX2: bit.ly/3HUOpMq
Pioneer PLX 1000: bit.ly/3JFvjul
Pioneer HDJ X10: amzn.to/3bthYp8
JBL EON615: amzn.to/2Dv9hxW

[@rahiemtaylor4695]

never have I gotten such a straight forward explanation of midi. I am a beginner and this was SUPER helpful. I would love to see a video of you connecting 2 or three Roland boutique synths together!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad you liked it. The trouble with the Boutiques is that they don't have thru ports, so you would need a MIDI through box to multiply the signal to send to multiple units. Thanks so much for watching!

[@pablokey3695]

Yes please!!!!

[@HouseMaster75]

Thanks for explaining this so well! Took my MC-505 out the other day which I had not used for almost 20 years. Totally forgot how to connect and couldn't find any info about this.

[@2ndMOUSEofficial]

seen many people talk about midi, but never heard a better explanation than this.

[@REMVPS]

Thanks Eric. Very interesting. Now time to check out your other videos.

[@KhrizQFBRJ]

I was just looking for a non-nonsense, simple and straight-forward explanation about MIDI basics for a (still) beginner at MIDI like me. Thanks a lot, sir!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching!

[@midi-ocher]

I wish I had watched this video when published. Would have saved me a lot of headaches. Thank you for the outstanding explanation.

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it was helpful! THanks for watching!

[@simonveasey3441]

and darkness becomes light!!! well done thanks so much

[@mattwaters6987]

Great video and information my friend. No wish-wosh, just straight up talk. Immensely thankful!

[@Bruce.-Wayne]

Thanks.....I understand MIDI now 👍

[@geraldrosenbaum8552]

Wow! You broke midi all the way down in a very simple way. It couldn't be done any other way. Awesome brother!

[@flighttomars]

Hi Eric, never ever found a video better than this on MIDI and I"ve watched quite a few. Others lack allways something But yours is so complete, so clear! Exellent! You should have 1M views instead of 18k man. Keep up the good work.

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks so much for watching. I’m glad you got something out of it

[@riloh58]

Brilliant. I’m only 2 years too late but very helpful explanation with practical examples. Going to find your audio path video now too. I pretty much have my midi paths sorted but that doesn’t change the fact that this video is super helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make it and share it.

[@teckno_senpai]

thanks for taking time to make this. im a newbie getting into DAWless live performance setup.. this helped a lot. knowledge is power

[@SURCOlive]

Glad you got something useful from it! Thanks so much for watching.

[@seemore3434]

great video man, ive been trying to figure this stuff out, the video helped a lot, you explain things really well

[@adamjaroszynski1229]

Thank you so much for clear explanation! I understood everything very well! Perfect!

[@theRodofwar]

I"m TOTALLY new to MIDI. This helps ALOT

[@rabanmartw4520]

GREAT "LESSON" mate!!!

[@jonathanfarber]

Excellent, thank you for making such a comprehensive video. I'm using an SL mk3 (new to me) so figuring out how to control everything has been a challenge. This video along with the simple task of setting the midi channels on each device has been brilliant. The breakout box (midi 1 in 6 out) was also the missing piece in the whole jigsaw. Thru is no longer a mystery to me so thank you again for that, merge is new to me so I'll revisit when I add more gear to my setup.

[@SURCOlive]

So happy you got something from the video. Thank you so much for watching!

[@WN8HGZ]

Best explanation I have see. Very well done

[@fabishakenbake1971]

You shed light on some very dark spots in my brain! Thank you!

[@SURCOlive]

Wonderful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@edmc2]

Thank you, needed your explanation 😎

[@35milesoflead]

Thank you for this information. I have been struggling with a purchase decision, and you may have saved me a few hundred pounds! Seems like what I need for my DAW-Less setup is a merge box with 5 in and 2 out. Thanks again. Seems like the DAW-less production line is becoming a popular movement. 😊

[@jeremy8936]

Sooo good. It finally gelled in my head, that the signal is linear.. It will still take some effort to figure out the combo of units in my setup but I think it is finally making more sense.. thank you!

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-eh9lp2ze9d]

Love it. Thank you, Jeff

[@swankrizzy7574]

This was awesome….. Best most extremely difficult thing to keep up with, but simple enough, that I finally understand.

[@SURCOlive]

Great to hear! Thank you so much for watching!

[@ylde]

Incredibly well explained! I love it!! Definitely going to send this to friends who need a primer!

[@turfoid7899]

Ha same

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@rafaelsarmento1725]

Very useful! Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@deekod1967]

Superbly done 👏👏👏 thank you 🙏

[@juuni9656]

very helpful routing examples - in/out/thru - thank you

[@SURCOlive]

You're very welcome! Thanks so much for watching!

[@tebs2]

Great explanation!! Thanks for that 🙏🏼

[@FACEofClutch]

I'm fairly new to the game (synths/MIDI/controllers). As complicated as this setup seems, you have managed to explain it perfectly so that anyone can see how these combinations relate to each other. I did a search for the hardware that would enable me to set up a similar configuration, and found your video. Not only did you explain even the smallest details plainly, you've shown me the items that I need for my own configuration. Just saw a video by Paul Linn where he uses wireless MIDI connections on his setup. By combining the two videos, I'll be able to have an almost perfect setup in limited space. THANKS!!! Now on to some more of your videos.

[@SURCOlive]

Awesome. So glad it’s helpful. Thanks for watching!!!

[@steveh3532]

You clarified this for me instantly. I've been trying to figure out how to sync my groovebox tempo with the synth and have gotten absolutely nowhere until now. It's working, and now all I have to do is map the channels - which I didn't even know was a thing before this. Every other video I watched was for someone who is not a complete beginner like me, so I appreciate your tutorial very much. Thank you!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad I could help! Thanks so much for watching!

[@otuon2441]

There is so much golden info here thank you!

[@SURCOlive]

So glad you got something out of it. Please pass it on to anyone you think it might help. More to come soon!

[@LilHoss]

Very good explanation of Midi. I appreciate it.

[@tommydogs4855]

I am so grateful for this video man!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@MrPhatPhilm]

awesome video i just got an Arturia Keystep Pro and i wanted to expand the midi out ports, because there are two ports and i cant play polyphonically with just cv connections, i thought that was what i needed but i didnt want to drop cash till i confirmed it, now its been ordered after watching this video, thanks bro, I subscribed

[@SURCOlive]

Awesome, I’m glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing!

[@danielgreen2348]

Thanks for this! It's exactly what I was looking for. The Kenton midi host mk3 can now also merge USB midi and 5-din in then send it to the MIDI Out socket.

[@RAUDRmusic]

Midi might be the hardest part of dawless haha. Thanks for the video, see you at the kitchen club live :)

[@fiercelaststand]

Such a helpful video - many thanks

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching!

[@ninja_baseball_bat_man]

Important to also know that daisy chaining using thru ports can add latency and other funkiness depending on the device. Not a ton in the best of situations but definitely noticeable especially at higher bpm.

[@bacayne7039]

That was amazing, and much needed. Thanks so much!

[@SURCOlive]

I’m glad you got something out of it. Thank you so much for watching!

[@huntrrams]

Thanks for this! Made it simple to understand!

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Than-you for this, it's been very useful. I've been given and old Evolution MK149 keyboard with a single din and was wondering how to connect it. Now I know!

[@SURCOlive]

Awesome! I’m so happy it was useful for you. Thanks a bunch for watching!!

[@erok226]

This was very helpful for me! Thanks a million

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it helped. Thanks so much for watching!

[@dt5772]

Would you mind turning on the closed captioning (CC), for accessibility reasons? Thanks in advance!

[@YehudaKaminsky]

Great video! Very good explanation!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@subradial]

super useful! many thanks for sharing your tips! building my own setup with few of the same elektron boxes and controllers that you have so this is perfect, keep up the great work!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it helped! I'd love to see your setup when you are finished! Thanks so much for watching.

[@subradial]

@@SURCOlive thanks, will definitely record some new videos with live jams when time allows and when I get more familiar with the new setup, had elektron boxes for a year now but added few more units and will try to combine them all, thanks again for all the useful tips!

[@SURCOlive]

@@subradial Awesome!

[@zwurltube4087]

Very useful, thank you!

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks for watching!

[@halloweenjack569]

really helpful, thanks

[@mcclendonreport]

Great tutorial.

[@kaibuster]

Incredible video. 10/10 no lie. Would love to see you do a video on the RK-006 I feel like youd love it.

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@ganeshshankar406]

Super informative. Thank you!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnbelesis]

my hero!

[@richie694]

Excellent. Very clearly explained l. Thanks

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ManCalledMif]

Very helpful information. Thank you.

[@SURCOlive]

I’m really happy you got something positive from it. Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@photosinferno6870]

Brilliant, thank you 🙏

[@SURCOlive]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@SPROCK3TMONST3R]

Very informative! This is THE video I needed! Sub'd!! Thank you! 🎹🔊🎶

[@SURCOlive]

Happy to help!

[@ashleygillespie9883]

Really informative !! Thanks for making this vid 🙌🏽

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching!!

[@RolandoHodar]

Thx Eric, looking forward to the OT tutorial! :D

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks for watching Rolando. More specific videos on the way! How is your DAWless set up going?

[@RolandoHodar]

@@SURCOlive pretty slow unfortunately, haven’t found the inspiration with everything going on, but I’m back on the horse and going to push through

[@SURCOlive]

@@RolandoHodar It’ll come. We are almost through this.

[@VarVal.sounds]

Cool video!! Thanks for it

[@SURCOlive]

I’m glad you liked it! Thanks so much for watching.

[@steveclarke2189]

very interesting thanks!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@matheusstefanello859]

awesome!

[@rasmighty]

thanks bro !

[@doctorlemon7844]

Años tratando de entender esto. Gracias.

[@SURCOlive]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@sendalunar2974]

Awesome ! I've been following your videos and didn't know you were in Denver also! Maybe I'll see you live somewhere sometime!!

[@SURCOlive]

Yes! Glad to have more Colorado people on here! Next gigs are 15th and 22nd of February. 15th at Milk, and 22nd at Temple. Hope to see you there. Thanks so much for watching!

[@sendalunar2974]

@@SURCOlive Hey I'll definitely come say hi! Thanks for the videos!

[@dogefrommoon7320]

Thank you!

[@SURCOlive]

Thank you for watching!

[@bzlax]

This is amazing! I never embraced midi till recently. It is really fun, but damn confusing. This explanation made it click! i get it. Thanks Man!! Behringer RD-8>Roland JX3P>(thru-mikro korg)> Moog > Mikro korg> Korg Sv1> Vestax Controller 1 turntable !! its all working thanks a million.

[@SURCOlive]

Awesome! I’m glad it helped. Thank you so much for watching!!!

[@dustyrhodes1655]

You have a Controller One? That's amazing!

[@George-jo7mi]

I want to get a midi controller keyboard that uses USB to connect to computer also phone and iPad. I want to use it to practice at workplace using my android phone using some digital library. I think I understood everything owing to your clear explanation. Thanks for making this all seem possible.❤❤❤❤

[@SURCOlive]

Check out the CME Xkey usb keyboard. A friend of mine had one and it was cross compatible between iOS and android (and Mac and pc). He seemed to like it for the price.

[@scottchilds5726]

Awesome

[@Lo-fi_Hi-brow]

Great, succinct, well-paced, beginner explanation. I've been making tons of music with Digitakt & Digitone for 1-1/2 years...but when I tried to add M:C & M:S and sequence them on DT, I realized that I had no clue how. I had merely watched a video on how to connect DT & DN, but didn't know how/ why it worked. Honestly, I've been trying (with little success) to grasp whhhyyyy MIDI is going "Out" of my Digitakt if it's the brain controlling everything. The language just seems all wrong. That computes in my brain like, "Plugging an external monitor "Out" of my laptop" or "Plugging my guitar 'Out' of my amp" or "Plug that bass 'Out' of the mixer." (I know that MIDI isn't audio, I'm just making a comparison in regards what device is performing what function). If some piece of gear is the hub, controlling every other piece of gear, and I was going to name the inputs and outputs-I would logically think that I'd be plugging everything "In"[to] the brain. Now, I imagine the Digitakt as some sort of tenticled sci-fi entity reaching "Out" to control other enities🤷‍♂️ It's still ridiculously counter-intuitive languaging to my mind, but it is what it is.

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it helped a bit. The naming makes sense if you think of it in terms of signal flow. The midi signal flow OUT of the ‘brain’ and IN to the thing being controlled. The third is THRU because whatever signal comes IN passes THRU to other devices in the chain without being affected by the machine it is passing through. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@vaaksvakuums]

great video, nice job.

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks! And thank you so much for watching!

[@vaaksvakuums]

@@SURCOlive yea, i think i need one merger, have trouble with my setup, korg electribe, monologue, nts-1 and arturia keystep, when using arp it's lagging when sequence is on, so i suppose that there is problems with midi send, return signals between electribe and keystep midi in/out route.

[@SURCOlive]

@@vaaksvakuums are they chained or do you have the signal going through a midi thru box?

[@vaaksvakuums]

Using midi solution thru box : )

[@mindstuff417]

This was super helpful. Since I've gone dawless my launch control hasn't gotten much use...looking forward to getting the merge and midi usb host to control my DT. I was limiting myself to one track at a time so I could change values. Too bad no performance mode like RYTM and A4.

[@SURCOlive]

So happy you got something out of the video. Thanks for watching!

[@anthonytalley55]

Through could be my lights if I want to have a light show 🤣 so that's what I'm trying to do now

[@MELLE_IAM]

Best video ever. Lol. First time I'm actually able to understand what the f is going on. Appreciate it.

[@SURCOlive]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!!

[@PodOfHeat]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to make it. I've recently been trying to sync my minilogue xd to my circuit rhythm but the sync mini jack connection is not reliable enough. unfortunately though, when I use 5 pin midi, my kick drum on track one (of the circuit) triggers a C note to be played on the minilogue along with any other notes I've sequenced in... I haven't given up though! ✊🏻 thanks again man

[@SURCOlive]

Glad I could help! You can set your Circuit to not send note data, or set your Minilogue to only receive clock and transport. That will prevent them from triggering. Thanks so much for watching!

[@davidreidy5750]

That Merger isn't cheap,I hope I get this routing correct,I also ordered a midi y splitter I only have one controller(M-Audio 61 keystation),ferrofish B4000+,and Yamaha reface CP.Trying to get them all to work together hope it works!🗽📼

[@ianmcdanielmusic]

This is an amazing video. Thank you sir. Also, Where did you get your stand that the octatrack is on? I could use some!

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks! I got the stand from Reverb. Here is a link: reverb.com/item/17157401-desktop-synth-stand-medium-2-tier-expandable-adjustable?gclid=Cj0KCQiA9OiPBhCOARIsAI0y71BXT6w1esgd8XdrR-mcGCJimFx0GBpZTz81KTRUbn5-BBeu5Ka_FmwaAgLjEALw_wcB Thanks for watching!

[@VinceVega303]

This video is amazing , not only has it provided an explanation on how I could organise my hardware but it may have saved my marriage 🤝

[@SURCOlive]

😂glad to help!

[@BrittTyner]

Ketchup

[@markdompier5791]

I'm trying to wrap my head around midi as well. I have 2 drum modules I'm trying to gain trigger input expansion basically. However I've seen plenty of videos on the fact that it is stressed that midi isnt audio its instructional chaining.(equipment etc.) I grasp that but on the other hand I hear drummers say to expand your pad access or triggering surfaces you either go aux in (which I feel is limiting usefulness say I record on my main module a beat ,it wont be recording all pads likely only half of what I hear audio wise it's not incorporated or recognized all surfaces) Or midi I hear things like the slave tells the main module what to voice . Well instantaneously would be nice truthfully but I'm not having much luck . The settings for the slave and the main module would be of great use to get instantaneously cause the further I go into midi the more foreign the language gets . There's midi mapping there's drum maps I cant after getting so frustrated at times figure out if they are talking a map like a drum library I can pick and store to build kits from like a glossary of voices . It's totally overwhelming

[@SURCOlive]

it can be a lot. just keep in mind that midi tells a sound source what to do (what note to play, how hard, for how long). it is just instructions to whatever your sound source is. you can have all the drum pads in the world but if they are not each mapped to a sound source, their midi out will do nothing. that sound source can be a synth, a sample player, a computer with virtual instruments, or whatever. midi is the language the cables transmit from a controller (keyboard or drum pad, or whatever) to the sound source. I hope this helps a little. thanks so much for watching.

[@2bsovren65]

My U-20 kybd/controller recently died. It served me well for many years in my midi studio. I bought a new MK3 Maudio 61 to replace it. (usb powered) I placed it into where the u-20 had been, and connected the usb to my pc. I use windows/logic audio gold(last version before Mac bought Logic)/Motu Micro Lite/4-5 external sound modules. It worked........until when really sending/receiving a lot of midi data, notes started hanging up/sticking. The midi mapping that Logic does + the drivers of the Motu, could not handle the additional data being entered via the usb powered MK3 into the pc. I never had this problem with the u-20. I found a 9v 500mA wall wart to power the MK3 and removed the usb going to the pc. The MK3 powered up, lights on, but the Motu would not acknowledge it/a signal. I then bypassed everything attempting to send a signal from the MK3 directly to a module.....nothing, no signal. I have a replacement MK3 coming in 2 days, since the first I rec'd had been opened and the things that were supposed to be included were gone. Amazon said they'd send me a whole new MK3, and hope this time nobody opens it, or damages it. So it could be the next one will/can act as a stand alone controller for a sound module. I'll know in 2 days. And, perhaps the sticking notes were in the MK3, not conflicts with drivers. Interesting? When I asked amazon, "so you'll pickup this one when you deliver the next one", he said, "no. you can keep that one too". Even more curious, why did the UPS man deliver/set an opened box at my doorstep? Anyone could easily see it had been ripped open? Well, that's my rant for today. Thanks for a very good midi presentation. BTW, it seems as tho the new daw world folks pay little attention to ports/channels like we all did in the past.

[@DjMorningstartrancedj]

Excellent explanation, I have questions, how would you connect 2,3 synths and drum machine the simplest way

[@SURCOlive]

It depends. If it is for clock only, they can be chained if they have the right out or through ports. If it is to control them, a midi through box would be easiest. I hope this helps. THanks for watching!

[@lyntonfairbourne7408]

Really great video explaining midi in fine detail, really glad I came across this. Can I ask please about midi merge. In the video you outlined that the Octatrak is providing the clock for all of your synths so if you also wanted to send a sequence from the Digitakt into one of those synths would you use a merger box or is midi clock sent together with other channel specific data? Thanks

[@SURCOlive]

Hey! The clock and midi are sent from the same source. You would need a merger to send notes, start/stop, CC, or program change from a machine other than the source. You could send all of those with the clock from the Octatrack if it is the clock source though. Thanks for watching!

[@lyntonfairbourne7408]

@@SURCOlive Many thanks for your super-quick response, really helpful.

[@MichaelAdamsTheGuitarist]

perfect video, thank you very much for straightening out so many questions in my head!! liked and subscribed! one question please, if i have two midi devices with usb, since you said midi usb is bi directional, if the usb cable connecting them in a DAW less scenario has the correct usb ends (type B?) can they talk back and forth to each other? thank you!

[@SURCOlive]

They need to communicate through a USB Modi Host. It would depend if one is or not. That would allow communication into that host from another one. Thanks for watching!

[@NTT5]

14:20 Explanation of Novation Launch Control controlling Digitakt

[@Slamminbassplayer]

Good stuff dude. MIDI should be taken out back and put down - vintage gear is dope but even with new gear having USB… USB to USB A… thank goodness was for symmetrical USB-C! Helpful video for the uninitiated, however! Thank you

[@justinchirasikwa9796]

breaking bad 😂

[@jackhenry8015]

Im in Denver

[@anthonytalley55]

3.5 midi I have one of them on my Microfreak

[@enelaoszafetas9300]

Thank you for that exceptional video. Lots of information and very well presented. Liked and subscribed instantly. I have a question if you may find time. I play the handpan mostly and using an RC 505 looper . I use a mixer and from fx send i control my pedals and the looper . I got the amazing Roland mc101 lately and i am creating some sets on it while adding the handpan at times and configuring the tempo at 101 cause 505 doesnt always match exactly. I read that you can synch them with midi and Rc 505 must be the Master they say, i will check that soon. Yesterday though i ordered the Microfreak. From your video i understand that if you daisy chain them the midi signal is one direction. My set up i imagined it like ' Play the set from 101 , loops some parts with the handpan and adding some synth sounds from the microfreak. I guess i can loop the microfreak also from fx send of my mixer. Is it best advisable to do it like that? Daisy chain them with midi or using a midi box?? I guess practise will tell, thank you for your time making that video and hugs from Greece!!

[@SURCOlive]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for subscribing! All three of the pieces of gear you mentioned (RC505, MC101, and Microfreak) all have MIDI in and out, so you co go with any one of them as the 'master clock'. I would probably recommend the MC101 for stability. MIDI 'Out' from that to either of the others, then MIDI 'Out' from that to the third one. Since you are only controlling sync and start stop in you setup, you shouldn't need to worry about the order. Keep in mind that MIDI is only the control signal, and is not an audio signal. That is the second signal flow you will need. Because of this you will still need a mixer/FX/audio signal flow that is separate. Check out my video on Connecting Your Hardware Live Setup. It discusses the two signal flows. I hope this helps, and I'd love to check out some of your music. Thanks so much for watching!

[@enelaoszafetas9300]

@@SURCOlive You just made my day after 1.5 hours of headache..i was so afraid to use the rc 505 as a slave cause they say it might get damaged. I had it as a master and some things were not right, i was stopping the loop and the 101 was stopping..i read your comment, changed the configuration and boom it worked....!!I hope it will not explode in the future though :)) Here is a video that i feel i still like kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5mZfnWki6-Bgq8 Hugs from Greece :)))))

[@SURCOlive]

Awesome!!! So glad it worked!! Happy creating!!! Hugs from Colorado!

[@doublebass5y]

Thanks for an excellent explanation of MIDI. Still a bit unsure about setting up midi channel numbers. I am using a Jupiter x as master but not sure about how to set up channel numbers from to all other synths and drum machine. Also do i need to send midi to and from Focusrite audio interface.

[@SURCOlive]

Set each synth to receive on a certain channel (check each manual for how to set this). You don’t need midi to and from your audio interface but it is possible. Thanks for watching!

[@doublebass5y]

Thanks for your reply Surco. Multi timbral Jupiter x seems to send five parts for each first five midi channels. So lets see what happens . Cheers.

[@dbean3519]

Very useful video. I'm fairly new to Midi although I have used in past. But every thing changes with time. I have a "Casio MIDI guitar" and a "Ketron SD-2" sound module with (1) in port (1) thru port and the only out is a RCA connection. I can select and instrument with buttons on the guitar. I would like to connect the sound module to my computer in order to see a list of virtual instruments or pads. Is there a way to do this using GARAGE BAND ? Thanks for any help, Donnie

[@SURCOlive]

I wish I could help. I haven’t used Garage band. Ultimately it would depend if the individual pieces were set up to do that in their software. thanks for watching!

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

I also have bought multiple of these boxes, but kind of wish that I would have bought a single solution, like the mioxl

[@SURCOlive]

Multiple are way more convenient as you can move them around in your chain. The only single solution I’ve really loved is the MRCC

[@donnydarko7624]

Man the conductive labs MrCC pretty much eliminates a lot of those boxes.

[@SURCOlive]

Yes it does! I love mine.

[@PoorChoicesHost]

Thanks dude. Do you have a preferred repair shop in Denver for drum machines?

[@SURCOlive]

Glad you liked it. I don't have anyone in Denver yet. Let me know who you end up finding. Thanks so much for watching!

[@porchstringmusic]

SO helpful. Thank you. I just subscribed. Question if you have time...If all devices have USB as well as 5pin, can all of the merging/splitting be done with an app like MIDIflow (haven’t been successful there yet, maybe just don’t understand the app) or am I better off getting splitters and/or mergers and using the 5pin connectors?? Here’s my situation, as a performer for live shows: Just THREE devices but not a simple chain, more like a love triangle, LOL: Ipad (app I’m using is OnSong), MODX synth, and VoiceLive 3 vocal processor. Ipad (OnSong) needs to be able to send respective program changes to BOTH of the other two (MODX and VoiceLive 3). MODX also needs to send note data to VoiceLive3 (for generating harmonies), so VoiceLive 3 needs to receive from BOTH of the other two (note data from MODX, and program changes from iPad). Put another way, the MODX is the easiest since it only needs one “in” (from ipad) and one “out” (to VoiceLive 3 for note data), but the iPad would seem to need 2 “outs” and the VoiceLive would seem to need two “ins” by my logic. Can all this be done using USB MIDI (with a powered hub) if I configured it correctly, or do I consider a merger and a splitter as you have discussed in this fine video? (FYI I currently have a setup that works but is not ideal in that I have stored the PCs for the VLs within in the synth for each song patch, so that I can connect linearly with 5pin from the ipad to synth to VL3, but prefer not to be tied to using just THAT keyboard...Would like to be able to send from iPad directly to VL3.)

[@SURCOlive]

I’m not sure about midi flow. I’ve never used it. Please let me know what you find out. I’d love to learn! Thanks so much for watching!

[@porchstringmusic]

@@SURCOlive What I have found out thus far....USB MIDI won’t work for me anyway because apparently the VoiceLive 3 will only receive note data via the 5pin connector. (I was able to get it to receive a program change from iPad when I had everything connected via a USB hub, but no note data was being sent from the keyboard, so I researched that issue....seems I need to use 5pin for MIDI to transmit notes.) So I guess if I want to work on this further I’d need a splitter (to split from iPad to both keyboard and VL3) and a merger on VL3 end (to receive from both iPad and keyboard) if I understand correctly.

[@skiinian85]

Any issues with power for that merger box? I have a weighted midi controller that sends notes and velocities as input into my workstation via midi and am planning on sending program changes to that same workstation via another midi device and needed to merge both midi signals.Great video!!

[@SURCOlive]

I haven’t had any issues with power but my use isn’t quite the same as yours. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching!

[@blacktminister415]

Great video! Would you still keep these connections if you’d want to combine hw with sw synths in a daw on the pc? Or just go usb then? Maybe these din connections are more reliable?

[@SURCOlive]

I would definitely suggest using USB whenever possible to save cabling. This is geared more toward setup that are not connected to a computer. Thanks for watching!

[@fugue6904]

thank you for walking through each scenario. really helpful to see actual use cases. would a Motu midi hub negate the need for all the small boxes? they seem to have a lot of ins and outs and be able to route in many ways? I've been looking at them but not sure if they'd solve my issues, thanks!

[@SURCOlive]

Glad you liked it. Those midi routers can be great but many require a computer to route things. The advantage of the boxes is they can be used live without a computer. There are options of larger routers (iconnect, MRCC) that can be used with or without computer. Thanks for watching!

[@fugue6904]

@@SURCOlive thank you for the quick reply. Very helpful as I’m putting together my studio!

[@SURCOlive]

@@fugue6904 I hope it helps! I'm building a new studio at the moment too and I've opted for the MRCC because of its flexibility and connectivity. Good luck with your studio!

[@fugue6904]

@@SURCOlive oh, well I was just looking at the Iconnect based on your recommendation, I'll check out the MRCC now. I'd like to get it right the first time. all I really need is for my TR8s to run the tempo when I'm not on my computer, and then my computer to run things when its on. I'm not always plugged in to my computer. thanks for the help.

[@visisydandthevoid]

Currently watching this trying to figure out to hook up the digitone keys with the Syntakt and digitakt so I can use the keyboard to enter notes into the other boxes sequencers 🤦‍♂️

[@Arperture]

Don't use more than one thru connection in a chain if you can help it. Every step in the chain creates latency, so if you thru three or more devices, the device at the end will be getting the signal on a delay and you won't have a tight sync.

[@SURCOlive]

Shorter chains are always the best option for sure!