Midronome Review - Affordable ERM Multiclock alternative finally?

Trying to accurately synch up a largely hardware based music setup with a DAW can be a total nightmare, thanks to unstable MIDI clocks and jitter. One solution is to get an ERM Multiclock. I have one, and I love it, but it's also expensive.
At the time of publishing this video, a project is live on Kickstarter to bring about a device called the Midronome, which could be an affordable alternative. I got my hands on one of the only prototypes to test out for myself. Here's my thoughts.
Note that the purpose of this video is to give an idea of some of the possibilities and configuration options/features - not to do a side by side comparison or technical measurement of MIDI accuracy, so if yer after that - head over to the Midronome channel! To see the DAW synch specifically, there is footage of that in this video at about 9 minutes: fb.watch/cbIwr...
You can back the Kickstarter here: www.kickstarte...
Be quick if you are interested, as the closing date is the 16th of April 2022.
Note that I was not paid or sponsored or given any freebies to do this video. I just got in touch with Simon from Midronome directly and asked to check out the device for a couple of days because I thought it looked cool!
Update: The issue I reported with desiring an auto start on detecting incoming clock is being tracked here in the project forum: forum.midronom...
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[@lavolka]

I'd like to point out to anyone that may be interested in this actually happening, the relaunch of the Midronome was quite a success. It reached it's funding goal of 19K in 12 minutes and currently sits at 142K! The developer (Simon) added more features and has more plans for it, like a dongle to add extra features.

[@weedyliver]

We’ve been using the midronome with the live band for about a year now and it’s been a true blessing. Easy, laptop-free sync between synths, guitar and bass effects, and live drummer. Thanks for the great video.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Glad it was useful!

[@andrewverran3498]

Yep ,ootion for an automatic BPM clock detection is a no brainer really on the Midronome. ✌️

[@ClaudeYoung]

Thank you so much for creating this video!!!

[@StephenMcLeod]

I'm glad it was useful!

[@jenskuhnemann1241]

I forgot to mention that a pulse sample in simpler triggered by 48 notes per quarter is way better than a plugin as this is affected by lives delay compensation. Simpler with midi allows to set an offset etc.

[@StephenMcLeod]

I haven't had that issue with Logic I have to say, but that is a good tip!

[@simntonic]

The plugin is only there for simplicity and ease of use - you can simply bounce it to a WAV file (then you just need to regenerate it when you change the tempo or time signature). /Simon

[@MadelnMachines]

There are so many options and I'm not sure what the pros and cons of each are. There's erm multiclock, midironome, expert sleepers usamo, JMK clockstep and Conductive Labs MRCC. I'm not sure what the iconnectivity units do. The multiclock allows you to adjust for individual hardware latencies doesn't it (which could be done in your DAW) and also add swing (which could be done in your DAW too). Did he implement your auto detection suggestion?

[@leoluvsleo1]

Do not buy Usamo! What a crappy product for that price. A real headache to get that thing working. Being able to add swing to my 606 from ERM is enticing but still too expensive.

[@MadelnMachines]

@@leoluvsleo1 It’s only £120 but if it’s a pain I won’t bother with it.

[@simonjefferytaylor]

​@@leoluvsleo1I love my usamo...

[@josju7747]

Hey Stpehen so does pedal in works for sending signal for my records out from the mixer so they create midi clock and sequences will be updated everytime that I correct he rinil?thats great if so...is that proepr acurate? Did they inclued automatic tempo detection and automatic trigering finally?

[@breitbanddesign]

Your shirt saying „Kleine Schweine“ is Killer! Greetings from Germany! :)

[@StephenMcLeod]

Hey thanks! They're a cool punk band from Leeds.

[@OffworldRecords]

10:27 The Midronome definitely needs to auto-start when an incoming audio trigger is detected. If its not doing this now, it needs to be incorporated before launch. Too much mucking around hitting the play button on this as well as your DAW.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Yeah it's the one thing that stood out to me as not being quite finished, though for a prototype/early development unit I was honestly surprised that it was the only thing I found. The menu system has a bunch of options, and I do know they are considering input and feedback seriously for updates, so if it gets funded I am sure it will be addressed. They've got a forum topic to track this specifically: forum.midronome.com/viewtopic.php?t=72

[@darkuniversesound]

The Midronome has been syncing to the incoming DAW clock for a while now, and the 2.0 firmware update for the Midronome added Auto-Play for external devices from the DAW as a new feature 🤙🌌

[@christoroppolo8742]

Notice the word “locked “ on the front panel a very good sign . Does. Sax the multi clock with multiple instruments though ? 👽

[@Fauxleroid]

Half the time issues are caused by the fact the daw stops the clock when stopped. It causes synths to lurch between clocked and unclocked. Even ERM multi lock will not fix clocked timing start jitter if the clock output stops when the DAW is stopped. My Cirklon keeps my entire studio perfectly synced as it keeps sending clock when it’s stopped (Elektron boxes work this way too). It’s only an issue when I connect it to abletons clock as it stops on stop. I wish Ableton would add a switch to change the setting. It’s so annoying.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Kinda. That is an issue in some use cases, but a perpetually running, unstable clock is still unstable.

[@bonifaciomadeyes]

Does it work to sync a looper pedal (for example DITTO x4)?

[@StephenMcLeod]

In theory, yes, but I'm not sure about specific pedals and what kind of signal they require.

[@undercrownhiphop9422]

So o have 6 hardware synth all use midi. How would I use the ERM to connect all 6 without changing wiring? The ERm has only 4 midi outputs. Are there any with more midi outs?

[@StephenMcLeod]

You don't really need individual outputs. You can just use a MIDI splitter. It will buffer the signal. The individual outputs are only really useful for granular control - e.g. to stop/start instruments separately, or to swing them.

[@BIG_PASTA]

Hey man - quick question. I understand that the E-RM will give you solid clocking but can you please de-mystify if it will help with MIDI note latency as well? For example - if I put straight quarter notes from Ableton going out to one of my synths and record the audio back in, will the ER-M alleviate the problem of every fucking track being different and constantly changing in terms of latency (and having to fuck around with ex instrument hardware delay, etc...)? I'm so fed up with it and I'm ready to pull the plug on it but I don't just want a stable clock, I want to be able to record my MIDI back in as audio on the grid!... what a friggin LUXURY that seems to be, huh!? Haha

[@StephenMcLeod]

Hey! Unfortunately I'm afraid I don't think the multi clock will help with that particular issue as it only sends clock data, not notes. I'm not sure what to suggest there I'm afraid D:

[@BIG_PASTA]

@@StephenMcLeod Ahh darn okay, I figured since (from what I understand) you can send note data to it from your DAW and then to your synth via USB, that it may work some sort of magic there. Thank you for your reply and your content, love it :)

[@weedyliver]

Simon from Midronome has talked about adding that midi latency compensation in a future add-on module. That looks to me to be the biggest missing component in hardware clock machines. You’d obviously only be able to run as many compensated clocks as you have independent MIDI outputs, but 2 ain’t bad.

[@noel101082]

I feel like midi clocking has gotten worse in recent years. The amount of gear I get though that just isn’t sturdy including most disappointingly the maschine mk3 where I’ve never had a good midi out from. My old model 8 seems to be the best thing I’ve had and I currently have digidesign midi io, moth, Maudio, rme (probably the best but too little midi io). Behringer despite theirs quite impressive analog offerings have let me down on midi capability.

[@StephenMcLeod]

It is pretty wild how unstable generally synch can be, even in high end Eurorack modules. That's why the Multiclock is a godsend. If I was buying one new now I would go for the Midronome though tbh.

[@longislandrelicrecoveries6643]

It’s funny you say that… I’ve been thinking the same thing as of late as well

[@kisho2679]

How can BPM tempo be nudged by hand tactile via midi (no DAW)?

[@StephenMcLeod]

Gold dust!

[@dyscotopia]

Edit: I see there was a seperate campaign. I will keep an eye on progress there Shame this didn't get funded. The ERM does more than I need and is more than I can afford. I just want my midi connected (din or USB midi) hardware synths to all play in time with each other. It's such a disappointment to record in a bunch of lovely loops that all sound like shoes in a dryer when played back. Never had that problem when I used an old monochrome 286 laptop running a text based step sequencer but all the extra features of our modern software seem to cause them to struggle with the most basic and important tasks. I guess there's the ERM midi clock as a more affordable option? But that's not out yet and I'm not sure exactly how it differs from its big brother

[@StephenMcLeod]

I think they have now released the Midronome generally. It's worth checking out their site.

[@dyscotopia]

@@StephenMcLeod I found their site and they are indeed offering a promise of order today, sbjp tomorrow. 199 euros is not impulse buy territory but it's cheap enough that if I keep having problems I know what to get

[@lstlvls2521]

The katakana (Japanese symbols) on your Strong Zero sticker says 'DOUBLE LEMON'. :)

[@StephenMcLeod]

I do love some double lemon

[@LabRatWarfare]

This seems perfect! We've had some issues before with trying create a hybrid set up and perform some live jams together, something like this may be exactly what we need! 🙌🐀

[@StephenMcLeod]

Synch issues are a total nightmare. I hope they manage to reach their target!

[@vpetroi3]

It’s a nightmare indeed

[@ChromaticFarmer7]

I really hope the relaunch works out, since this is exactly what I need. And I can't really justify the price of the multiclock

[@StephenMcLeod]

Me too! It's a cool project that I think lots of people would find useful.

[@gobowwoewow3752]

this looks great but how is it different from a midiclock+? they even look the same except the tap tempo button. the midiclock+ is about this price too

[@StephenMcLeod]

It's similar but I believe adds in more options for live instruments e.g. a customisable metronome to send to live drummers, separate from the midi output.

[@gobowwoewow3752]

@@StephenMcLeod my use case is just getting stable synced low latency midi from my sequencer to my daw. Would the midronome have an advantage in my use case? Also I've never owned a midi clock before, does this help fix latency in recording midi to daws? It seems like it would but idk

[@StephenMcLeod]

@@gobowwoewow3752 It depends. A lot of DAWs don't like being the slave - they need to be master. The problem is that computer/DAW midi clock is notoriously jittery. A box like the midronome fixes that as it lets you send in an analogue signal which then spits out solid clock. The MIDIClock+ doesn't have that feature either as far as I'm aware.

[@gobowwoewow3752]

@@StephenMcLeod so it's like the expensive midiclock where you can input audio to sync it with the daw?

[@StephenMcLeod]

@@gobowwoewow3752 Right! With less individual channels etc.

[@dodgingrain3695]

The jitter comes from the instruments as well!

[@StephenMcLeod]

True, though it's less of an issue if the instruments are slaved rather than master.

[@leoluvsleo1]

You should have showed us on your DAW how tight it actually is.

[@StephenMcLeod]

How would I demonstrate how tight it is?

[@leoluvsleo1]

Hooked up a drum machine and let it run with the click for a while at different tempo’s.😊 Sorry maybe I’m asking for too much.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Nah, it's a genuine question. I'm not sure how I would demonstrate how tight it is in a video. I take the point about demoing how it worked with the DAW though! I had very limited time with the unit when I first got it for review, but I think I've got another one coming so can revisit it then. :) @@leoluvsleo1

[@christoroppolo8742]

Great ! I bought the flagship and it’s fidgety without a daw. 👽

[@StephenMcLeod]

The ERM?

[@AntonioBrandao]

The beld qualiteh :D

[@StephenMcLeod]

That's an Edinburgh accent!!

[@jenskuhnemann1241]

I grab a super stable midiclock using an optocoppler of tve gpio pins on tve vack of my pamelas new workout. Pam gets an audiotrigger of my daw. Didnt have any problems since then

[@StephenMcLeod]

My original Pam's is awful at synching to incoming signals. It's one of the worst offenders!

[@jenskuhnemann1241]

@@StephenMcLeod i read that there were problems with tve first version. I measured the clock with my oscilloscope and it is super tight.

[@iamsimonmorris]

only 9 days to go and just half way. Get some of your KZbin Buddies to spread the word....

[@StephenMcLeod]

I have no KZbin buddies! I like your photography channel though. Just subbed!

[@iamsimonmorris]

@@StephenMcLeod hahah cheers..........now I will def have to create something :)

[@Theemilz]

Maybe it's perfect with mpc live 2

[@StephenMcLeod]

Could be!

[@VINYLCRATE]

"the audible gasp...." The reason we're all here.

[@VINYLCRATE]

By the way, which one do you actively use?

[@StephenMcLeod]

ERM for studio stuff, Midronome for live experiments. :) But the Midronome can do both fine.

[@undercrownhiphop9422]

ERM supports sucks. They never respond. Excellent video.

[@StephenMcLeod]

They never replied? That's unfortunate! What were you asking?

[@christoroppolo8742]

Another VST driven box ? Oh well👽

[@StephenMcLeod]

It's not limited to VST - you can send it audio pulses, just like the ERM :)

[@christoroppolo8742]

@@StephenMcLeod these noise pulses are spoken of in the manual but I couldn’t find it and or I didn’t have anything but my iPad Pro which unfortunately isn’t spoken of or covered or mentioned as noise in their email or manual to me and something about 24ppq which I’m not positive about from the mobile standard side of things . I’m a pure “ mobile computer only person “ which WAS a problem until recently and now on mobile thankfully even Logic Pro will run on my older /newer iPad Pro with the m2 and m1 processors very soon ! So I really would love super tight integration with everything inside and outside the box. Thank you for the information 👽👍🏻

[@christoroppolo8742]

Clock issues are all shite! Everything has issues with jitter ! It’s a pain in the ass. And the multi clock didn’t solve it. So are you saying it’s w standalone too? It’s 2022 time to make it happen. 👽

[@mikelee1906]

You should not have any problems with midi clock sync using any DAW. I have been using midi clock since its beginning(yes I am old) and DaWs since their inception. Most current DAWS have 960 PPQN and beyond. My first usage was at 4 PPQN which had only one clock pulse per 16th note. That produces reliable sync. Then simple 24 PPQN . It is virtually impossible not to have perfect sync with modern DAWS. I even sync my devices to the DAW using external control with perfect sync. You better try adjusting your settings and/or reading your manuals. As for buying these overpriced master clocks. Don't. I have made a dozen or sio from a 3 dollar arduino Atmel 328. With a few Midi jacks Oled and rotary encoder and case I only have 10 dollars total cost. Simple to make. Takes about an hour start to finish. As for hard to sync Volca and Pocket Operator those are simple to sync as well. Again the arduino keeps perfect sync with virtually as many devices as you want from one arduino. Here is a video showing its use. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKnCnHSJeZuerqM Many others on channel as well.

[@StephenMcLeod]

The problems with MIDI clock stability from DAWs are well documented, and by people much smarter than me. It isn't simply a matter of changing settings. A DIY master clock is fine, and it's cool you can make a cheap one, but doesn't actually solve the problem. If it was simply about getting a stable master clock, then we'd be talking about something completely different.

[@mikelee1906]

Well documented by who? The manufactures of the overpriced clocks?@@StephenMcLeod I have used Cubase since the first Atari versions. ProTools for about 10 years. Only because I own a recording studio and that is what a lot of people wanted. Logic for about seven years and Ableton for the last 10 or so. Was also a lot of otherDAWS that came and went. Tons of them early on.Never lost sync once in 40 years. I have about 3 dozen homemade drum machines, sequencer,synths ,generative music creating midi devices,etc.wrote my own code hacking it in C++ and they have never lost sync. Fundamentally it seems impossible to me. I was running at one time 5 midi time pieces all with 8 midi in and 8 out each (40 devices) between 6 recording computers in 3 studios. 4 racks worth of midi gear. Roland Kurzweil,Alesis,Yamaha, a dozen keyboards, Line 6 gear, Roland electronic Drum sets,etc. and it never crossed my mind that something might not sync. Now my sons are into the pocket operators ,volcas,and making their own instruments as well. All theirs sync easily as well. They did it on their own. Everything they make includes midi clock in and out. My youngest is only 17 and just made an arduino 6 channel semi random/random midi note generator that he records with in my DAWS. Has all six channels going into 6 different VST Instruments. He switches tempo with it changes the sequence lengths from 1 to 24 on the fly and everything is perfect for him to add to it. I am glad my sons are not aware of the well documented problems with stability. All they know is they know how to use it well.

[@andrewskiBaba-q1i]

You could show a bit of music , your accent is as hard to listen to as Gabba

[@StephenMcLeod]

Shut up you Muppet

[@YoungNino2017]

Don't hook it up and actually show us whether it works or not or anything

[@StephenMcLeod]

Ok I won't