Setting up your Roland MX-1 for your environment

The Roland MX-1 is a quirky mixer with a number of configurations depending on how you think you will work with this tool.
It is billed as an 18 channel mixer, but not a classic 18 channels but a mixture of multi-format inputs that add up to 18 channels, many of which are stereo, which reduced the inputs available down to 11 sources.
I have tried the Roland MX-1 with a number of settings and this video goes through a number of the settings I have changed on my Roland MX-1 to install it into my studio.
I do not use this mixer in its surface configuration as frankly I couldn't get on with it!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:17 MX-1 in setup mode
00:45 Setting the MIDI channel
01:01 Setting MIDI OUT or THRU
01:37 Screen saver timeout
01:58 Colour scheme setup
02:29 Digital channel IN or OUT
02:57 USB sampling rate
03:28 Using channels 1 - 4 (Mono or Stereo)
04:30 Aux signal send (RAW or not)
05:06 Aux return before or after effects
05:38 Mixer Mode (MIX, SUR, EXT)
#rolandmx1 #mx1 #roland #Rolandmx1tutorial
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Roland MX1 (Used): themusictechguyuk.me/3sLxILa
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Setting up your Roland MX-1 for your environment - 2016-01-03

[@KutayYavuzMusic]

I hope one day Roland makes just 5 USB and 1 stereo input version of this great device!

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @KutayYavuzMusic I agree I have been waiting for a Roland MX-2 to arrive for the last few years to address the every growing collection of Aira, Boutique and USB enabled synths. Jon

[@JuanHernandez-qb6rx]

That was very informative. I have watched all the reviews and tips and tricks for my mx1, but you my friend went above and beyond. Thank you

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Glad it was of help.

[@machiwoomiapoo]

I love the MX-1 mixer. Thanks for making this video. :)

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

I have to be honest and say I use it in a different way to how I originally intended to when I purchased to the unit. But I love the unit as well. Jon

[@valquireveljkovic]

massively helpful, thanks. nice and compact description.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

No problem. Jon

[@congamantony]

Brilliant explanations !!! Well done, cheers for the info 😊

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

No problem

[@kommissar.murphy]

Still watching in2018.Great introduction,thanks maing!

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

#GoAudience retention. Thanks. Jon

[@TheDeathBeatsOfficial]

So after updating my MX1 to version 1.05 I'm able to use the SH4d with no problems and it even works via the powered input which is great. This means of course that in theory I could have three of the AIRA Compact devices in the other slots since they are self powered. A vision more inline with what we all thought we were getting when the MX1 first came out. Cheers!

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @The Death Beats Great news and published in the comments so others are aware that the two instruments work together. Jon

[@LesterH25]

Very good tutorial thanks. A great help. Just to add, you can, as you showed, set the minutes before the flashing display comes on but if you turn the value knob all the way left, it can be turned off altogether.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

A good point Jon

[@gabrieldumitru6427]

thank you , god bless you ....very help full

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @gabrieldumitru6427 Thanks for the feedback 👍 Jon

[@jackkennerell1118]

So useful. Cheers man

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

No problem. Jon

[@electrobear31]

Very helpful, thank you

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

No problem. Jon

[@AndroLectric]

Very Good! Danke schön | Thanks for this Video

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

No problem

[@dj_spivey_radio]

Great Video... Thanks!!!

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Thanks Jon

[@Iofflight78]

Wow this was so helpful thanks.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Have you subscribed? ;-) Glad it was helpful. I think I will need to update this based on firmware changes since I made it. But the basics are still the same. Jon

[@Iofflight78]

@@TheMusicTechGuyUK That would be great. thanks.

[@Arperture]

I really like the MX-1. In fact, I recently bought a second unit because there wasn't enough inputs on the first.

[@shadowhenge7118]

how does a pair of them play together? can you sync them or do you have to make sure you are really good at hitting start at the same time?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Maybe someone who has two MX-1’s can let us know how to connect these up. Personally I do not believe that you can plug one MX-1 into the USB port of another, in a sub-mixer arrangement. But of course I stand to be corrected on this. I think both MX-1’s would need to be plugged directly into your computer and the inputs aggregated. Both would need to have the clock synchronised to the computer. An alternate configuration would use the MIDI to send the clock signal. One MX-1 is the master and the other the slave. In this configuration the master would send start / stop signals to the MX-1 that is the slave, in the same way that setting up the TR-8 and TB-3 as MIDI slaves operate. Anyone else want to chime in?

[@Gyrbae]

Thanks for the most informative video on the MX-1 ever. One question though: On one demo video of MX-1, the presenter said that when a pc is connected and you have some Aira gears in the dedicated usb ports, it's possible to send midi notes from the pc to all four units through the MX-1. Units would appear in the DAW as usb 1 - 4 respectively, and you wouldn't need separate midi cables to send more than just midi sync. Now, is this possible? Because I'm on the verge of incorporating a computer to my set up and MX-1 would be superb if that's doable.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi. If I understand the question correctly you need to aggregate the USB inputs so that they are presented to the DAW as a single input. This video I did some time ago might help kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipixYn2jZtuMp9E jon

[@Wanttoknowabout]

Very informative video. I was wondering, with the 1/8 inch input (on 5/6) can you connect a headphone output from for example an old cheap keyboard that only had head phone out?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

I see no reason why not. I have plugged an iPhone in on numerous occasions. However a head phone socked has a high gain on it to allow the head phones to be powered, to you would need to be very mindful of the fader settings to ensure you do not damage anything, but over driving the signal. I am thinking of clipping the amplifier and damaging your speakers. Hope this helps. Jon

[@user-or3ce4gt2r]

hi there , it is the most informative video about the MX-1 . Thank you . i noticed having my MX-1 into mix mode then i can hear the sound coming in via USB from my JU06 , as well finally the MX-1 output works. But in external mode the MX-1 behaves completely different ... ( no audio output ) ...

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Very interesting comment re the JU06. I suspect but do not know, that this is a bug with the MX-1 firmware. Are you using the latest version? If not try updating.

[@misteremagic]

+TheMusicTechGuy-UK hi , yes running latest firmware . On mix mode I will not be able to record the input into my daw . I should be able to hear any signal coming into mx1 either on mix mode or external mode ?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Basically MIX mode is isolated from the computer. The PC channel should output from the computer as a single left and right channel feed. In order to use the channels as individual outputs from the Daw you need to be in external and indoor to control the DAW you need to be in surface. Don't worry it honestly took me a long while to work this out. Jon

[@misteremagic]

+TheMusicTechGuy-UK thanks lots . Sure for now most important to me is to get my aira and btq staff tight together into my mx1 ( which works well on mix mode ) before final editing into my daw ;)

[@cleangreenshirt]

Thanks for the great setup vid! Quick question: If I have the unite in Surface mode to use with Abelton, am I able to record the effects back into Abelton? And if so, how does do I do that?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Jim. Alas the answer is no. The effects are processed onto the signal on the unit and at the moment I know of no way to re-route the processes signal back into Ableton using the USB. However you can re-record the audio back in using another interface. Hope that this answers your question. Jon

[@deejannemeiurffnicht1791]

excellent. nice and simple means of describing in an introductory way! one thing that puzzles me yet is the "time" setting for the master efeects. it dosn't appear to do much so far. and another issue is when i was recording onto audacity recently via normal inbuilt pc soundcard, i had ch's 1-4 in use, plus 5/6, however, in my recording playback only ch's 1 and 2 were recorded! this has never happened before, so i am at a bit of a loss as to why i lost what amounted to 3 hours of work. another aira issue i have is the customizer for the plug-out modules (scooper, demora, bitrazer, torcida) when i load the customizer on my PC it loads too bihg for my screen, so i cannot use the virtual leads/puggingin/out, and basically it is rendered useless as it will not resize. have you had this issue? also, i have for the time being the four units (scooper, demora, bitrazer, torcida) plugged into USB 1-4, but only ever seem to get any type of signal in 1+2, and nothing thru 3+4 yet (demora/torcido), so as yet i don't really know what effects/sounds i can acheive from them yet. on the whole so far i am not too impressed by the units, but am prepared to wait till i know what the hell i am doing with them first. another aira issue i have is with the system 1m plug-out synth. at the moment i only need it to use via gate/cv, but when i plug any audio in, i have not had a single sound from it. and the only sound it has produced is by touching my finger on the boppsite end of the lead that is plugged into it. which is frustrating as it is something i really need for my style of sound. i like the tr-8 so far, but find it a little weak and limited, so mmay need to compensate for that via my DAW (ableton, which i am only getting used to having been a cubase user), and 16 steps is rather frustrating for me as i was more used to writing 64 step patterns with the old roland MC-505. but then again, it is working within an intruments limitations that makes it good. i suppose. and last critisism of Aira stuiff, is that the tb-3 seems to make "ghost" notes. when i write a piece on it, and set my own accent/slide notes, i none the less find it appearing to generate it's own notes. sometimes this is useful, other times it is a bloody pain in the ass! looking forwarfd to testing out the TB-03 next year though.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @Dee J'ann E Mei & Urff Nicht Firstly as always, thank you for the video feedback. And I realise that this question is 6 years old, but I have just realised that it hasn’t been responded to and someone might get some information from the response. I have to say that the time setting on my master effects does change the timing of the effects. But not massively. I find that I have to move mine fairly significantly to get the effect that I am after. Nothing like subtlety. In terms of the PC Card, I really do not think I understand the question that is being asked. The MX-1 presents through the USB all Mixer channels, But the audio Left and Right are a mix of what is going into the mixer based on the input levels and settings. It is worth pointing out that the audio out includes effects where as the USB out is dry pre-effects. Personally I cannot comment on the scooper, demure, bitter and torcida units in terms of general use, use with theMX-1 and the plug-puts through the Roland Cloud. Purely because I do not have these units and have not used them at all. I have also not down loaded the plug-out editors. So sorry no help here. But others in the forum might have insight? Again I do not have the System-1M. But minus a keyboard the System-1M needs to be driven. The question does not state how you are driving the System-1M, whether you are using USB or 5-pin DIN to supply the MIDI to the unit. If this was new when bought then it should be set to channel 1 as the receive channel, but have you checked this? You raise two good points relating to the TR-8. 1. Yes it was designed to replicate the legacy drum machines which are 16 steps with the ability to sequence the various patterns into an arrangement. 2. I find that the TR-8 needs more punch either through channel EQ or applying effects to the recorded track. Finally I can’t comment on the ghost notes that you are experiencing as I can’t recall ever noticing this happening with my TB-3. Jon

[@AkAMuzik]

thx for the informative video : can anyone detail the steps to sync the MX1 (when in Ext mode) tempo to Cubase ?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

I am assuming you are talking about synchronising the clocks of the MX1 and the DAW. And I am assuming that you have found the answer by now. But for all the other tubers on the channel. You need to tell the MX1 what its master clock is going to be. To do this Press the SYNC button. It will display one of the following values: Auto, Int, MIDI, USB1, USB2, USB3, USB4, PC. If you want to use the DAW clock then use the TEMPO knob to select PC and then press the SYNC button to set this.

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

Is there any way to turn down the brightness of the LED lights on this unit like you can with the TR8 and TR8S and System 1/8..?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Put it this way I have not been able to find a control setting that allows you to dim the LED’s on the MX1.

[@StarsWithScars]

Thx

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @StarsWithScars NP Jon

[@CalebCromb]

Awesome job! Any idea what Pad 1 changes in setup mode?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

So Pad 1 is all to do with the setting that have been saved with a Scene in memory. When the scene is recalled if: - Pad 1 is unlit as soon as you touch any of the faders the new value is automatically applied - Pad 1 is lit a new value is not applied until the fader passes the value that was saved with the scene. That is in either direction as well. Hope this makes sense?

[@adriannunez8868]

What’s the difference between this and a Soundcraft FX16ii mixer? New to producing and finally making the decision to get a mixer and an audio interface after. But I’m just stuck on the terms of connectivity, especially with plug ins/DAWs. Besides having 12 instruments/hardware I wouldn’t like to be switching cables back and forth to play one synth. Please help if can 🤕

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Have you subscribed? :-) The MX1 and the Soundcraft are really different beasts. The sound craft is a traditional mixer that has some effects built into it. It has a USB interface to a computer, but it only presents 2 channels (left and right) to the computer that can be plugged into the DAW. Really it is useful for recording separate instruments one at a time or many together. The MX1 on the other hand presents a stereo channel for each input to your computer. The problem is that you don’t get 1/4 inch jacks on each channel for the input. 4 of the channels are USB connections for connecting some Roland equipment. The first 4 channels are mono, but can be connected to produce 2 stereo pairs. But it is not a straight forward mixer. I have said many times while the MX1 can be used in Surface mode for DAW control it is really designed for the live performer. Being able to add effects to channel for the live mix. In terms of recording my opinion is that you are better with an audio interface that does allow multiple instruments to be routed to different DAW tracks. Failing that and on the assumption you have deep pockets some of the high end mixers like the Behringer X32 will allow you to route channels into your DAW. Jon

[@grazstarr]

Thanks so much for this incredible information. I'm hoping I can get some more info here... If I want to record the audio coming out into Logic Pro via the usb coming out of the mx1 would I want to put it in external mode? Cheers in advance!

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

@Graziano Di Martino. Have you subscribed. I guess I would have to query the word record. Are you recording a final mix or trying to bounce down into Logic? If the forma, then yes External Mode would work for you. Never tried doing the latter if I am honest. I can see latency issues with this setup. Jon

[@grazstarr]

@@TheMusicTechGuyUK i have yep. I think it was for recording into logic. Cant remember now though.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

@Graziano Di Martino. For recording into Logic then yes External mode. But I will be honest a good user interface might be a better bet. Jon

[@princelono6514]

Hey I think I got the overall jist haha I planned on using my MX1 more for recording songs from ableton. Is there a way to set it up so that the master fx (scatter,roll etc) can be used on all tracks from your DAW as well as the tracks from the unit? So could I have my TR8S in usb slot 1 and a vocal sample coming from ableton and manipulate the 2 tracks simultaneously using the fx? Thanks I hope you understood all that haha I'm new to this and trying to get my head around it all is a nightmare. I feel a brain hemorrhage starting haha

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @Prince Lono. I will be doing a video in the near future about this. The first think to realise is that the sound sent to and from the computer comes out and goes into the MX-1 pre-effects. I have seen many comments stating that Ableton records the sound ‘dry’. And it always will. In terms of mode of operation In Mixer Mode the computer is fed into the unit on the PC channel and your TR-8S would be on say USB 1. This configuration should allow you to apply the effects simultaneously to both the PC and USB channels. I hope I have read your question correctly. Jon

[@h-dawg969]

Alright? So… if i want to record my hardware jams into Logic, I should set it to surface mode? I’ll put hardware jams together without a computer connection, so would you say it’s best to have it in mix mode for that, and then put into surface mode each time I’m ready to record? & then any left over channels I could use for VSTs or whatever in Logic if need be, but that’s not important for the moment. I mainly use the 4 usb channels for tr8s, tb3 & 2 boutiques, then 5/6 is maschine, and 1 channel for rc202 (Guitar) so there’s 3 mono channels, the digital channel and the PC channel left over? If you were using this set up, (4 x Roland gear usb, maschine 5/6, rc202 ch1mono.) what would be your best workflow for dawless jamming, then when ready, recording to Logic? Sorry to keep asking questions when you put out such a detailed mx1 explanation but it just gets confusing sometimes and you explain things better than a lot I find on KZbin. ;)

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

@h-dawg969 I would say that the best mode to use is EXT mode as this allows you to use all the channel on the Roland MX-1 and then these channels can be mapped to inputs on the computer and ultimately Logic on a 1 to 1 basis. Roland released the Ableton extensions for the Roland MX-1 to run the unit as a surface but not for Logic. I tried to use the unit as a surface but got so frustrated with it that I switched back to EXT and have used it this way ever since. EXT mode would also work for DAWless jamming. Just remember to set the master clock on one of the units and then the rest as slaves otherwise your beats will all go out of sync. In this mode when ready to record you can just route the signals into the PC and hit go. Remember that the Roland MX-1 sends the signals to the PC ‘DRY’ before you apply any effects to the output that you can hear through any monitors that you have hooked up or headphones. Hope that this helps. Jon

[@ryanmason3850]

hi would you know how i intergate this with ni maschine so i can play my samples in maschine with mx-1

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Ryan I do not have an MI Macshine so I am afraid this response is a little off the cuff: 1) You can take a MIDI out from the MX-1 and use the MX-1 as the master clock source 2) Roland have not released any drivers for the MX-1 which would allow you to plug the USB output from the MI Macshine into the MX-1 UBS ports, so I doubt if you can integrate directly. 3) You could aggregate inputs and outputs on a computer and use the computer as a means of moving sounds between the devices, but again on the face of it I am not sure how this will work. Hope that this helps Jon

[@antonyb8739]

How do i know about the midi channel? what is is exactly?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

The MX-1 only tells you what channel it is operating on once you get it into system setup mode. Then the channel is displayed in the display on the upper right of the unit. To change the channel press the 'Shuffle' button and use the temp knob to set a value between 1 and 16, or OMNI to receive on all channels. How that helps. Jon

[@Heleno.]

Hi Jon, I want to do a live connecting an Iphone to the MX-1 to transmit sound directly from the MX-1 to facebook ou youtube. Can you give guidance on this application? About necessary cables, how to connect, configure?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

I have to be honest that I tried to connect the MX1 to an iPhone or iPad directly and was not able play it onto any App hosted thereon. Basically you need the Apple Camera USB connector to get any type of connection. But there was no App available to tell the iPhone or iPad how to talk to the MX1. So on this one I am sorry I can’t help. May be someone else on the community has had more luck. Jon

[@Katroha]

Hey, can u use it with IPad? With Korg app for instance

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

+Даниил Коломиец There is a stereo audio input which could be used with the iPad. However, the MX-1's firmware at present does not support any APP's from the iPad. They may have plans in the future to introduce this.

[@garvald]

Been watching you videos and your knowledge far exceeds my own, so taking the liberty to bother you with a question, which i've been unable to find for days on Google: I have extremely low audio when connecting TR-8S (FW: 1.13) via USB to MX-1 (FW: 1.05). Both factory reset. All other AIRA devices have 3x volume (TB-3 and SYSTEM-1), When I connect speaker directly to TR-8S audio is also 3x louder vs USB. Do you have any idea what could be wrong? I even tried using the USB cables which are successful with the two other AIRA devices, but no luck

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

A couple of things I might try: 1. Did you buy the unit second hand. If so, did you do a factory reset, to clear out any settings the previous owner might have stored? My video on this is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZCuh2VqmsaHY80 2. Have you tried checking the gain on the USB Channels that you are using? Press the GAIN button and the SELECT button of the channel that you want to change the gain. In the channel setting window the current gain on the channel will be displayed. A value of 0 is effectively unity. You can alter the gain to -20 to +30. Others have commented that high gain settings start to distort the channel. So this might be a little trial and error. Hope this helps. Jon

[@garvald]

@@TheMusicTechGuyUK cheers for your answer, much appreciated. Everything was factory reset. Turns out the only solution is either adjusting the gain as per your suggestion, or using analogue audio cables and a midi. I went for the latter. Somewhat disappointed in AIRA though. This shouldn't happen

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Thanks for the response. I am curious. I don't have a TR-8S but is there a usb gain on the output? Jon

[@garvald]

@@TheMusicTechGuyUK The two gains i could find on the TR-8S were instrument specific and one for Kit. The latter, when turned to a volume i consider acceptable, created lots of distortion.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

This really doesn't sound right. This might be a question for Roland tech support. I am afraid without having the instrument to fiddle with I am clutching at straws from this point forward. Let me know if you get any further? Jon

[@Eduardotorsan]

indica uma loja boa para adquiri um desse.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

I can see that you comment is in Portuguese, but I am not sure if you are in Europe or possibly South America. If you're in Europe you might try @thomann in Germany . However if you are South America, I am afraid I can't help you.

[@MonstaMunch101]

I have an Akai Force. I'm wondering whether I can output from the Force to an MX1, and route the different tracks from within the force to separate channels on the MX1. Can this be done?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Have you subscribed? :-) I would have to say this is not a configuration that is supported by the MX1. At best you might be able to plug the AKAI into the USB and route multiple channels to your computer. But I really doubt this will work as Roland only officially supports, AIRA, Boutique and a set number of specified synths. Jon

[@MonstaMunch101]

@@TheMusicTechGuyUK Thanks for the response and sorry no, I don't subscribe to youtube channels as it messes up the algorithm and ends up with youtube just spamming me a bunch of videos all about the same thing.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

No problem. Jon

[@Nausea85]

I can't seem to get this set up as a daw controller for cubase 8

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

I was chatting with the guy in Andertons yesterday about this. Unfortunately neither of us are using Cubase. Roland issued specific instructions for Ableton and ProTools. But I don't think I have seen anything for Cubase. However, I will say that I found using it as a surface control did not work for me.

[@Nausea85]

:( i spent £450 for nothing?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

With the latest firmware upgrade, 1.4, there is now more integration to Ableton Live, but alas nothing for Cubase!

[@Heleno.]

When I produce sound on the equipment connected to the MX-1, the sound comes out on the connected monitors on the MX-1. When I record a track on the Ableton connected to the MX-1, and play this track on the Ableton, I cannot hear the sound on the monitors connected to the MX-1. Could you help me solve this problem?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Have you subscribed? There are three modes. - Surface (SUR) - External Mix (EXT) - Mixer (MIX) When the MX-1 is in Mixer mode it acts as a pure mixer. Channels 17/18 are inputs from the PC. When in External Mixer Mode you are operating the channels as an extension of the channels in the DAW. In this mode you need to map the inputs to the channels you want to record in the DAW and also map the outputs to the same channels for play back of the instruments on those channels. To an extent the master out does not function. You are routing the source directly from the DAW, mixing it on the MX-1 and using the outputs. When in Surface mode the faders are mapped to the faders in the DAW, as are other pots. Here the outputs are routed by the master. So the first question is are you in the right mode? Jon

[@Heleno.]

The Music Tech Guy UK Hi, I will do tests. Thank you very much for your attention.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

No problem. Jon

[@Heleno.]

@@TheMusicTechGuyUK Hi Jon, I signed up at patreon.com, now I'm a member. Regarding the operation modes of the MX-1, I need to record in the Ableton, the instruments connected to the MX-1, and then play this same recording from the Ableton, through the MX-1. You said we have three ways to use the MX-1. From your answer, I understand that I can use External Mixer Mode to meet my need, correct? Being correct, what are the procedures for making the settings in the MX-1 and Ableton in External Mixer Mode? In addition, I have the following Set Up: A Roland-MX1 Mixer, in which I have connected: Uno Synthesizer, Yamaha PSR E463 Keyboard, Roland Drum TR-8S, Monitors, Ipad and a Notebook with Ableton 10 Live, with Windows 10.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Unfortunately my MX-1 is in storage following my recent move and the Coved:19 lock down as I have had a similar question from another tuber this week and it would have been good to make a video. Yes, I agree putting the MX-1 into External mode will be your best bet. The thing you need to remember though is that the MX-1 will pass the signal to the computer dry. But that I mean the MX-1 by-passes the effects when it sends the signal to the computer. Which means that any effects you want to put onto your recording will need to be done in Ableton post recording and not on the MX-1 pre-recording. Firstly you need to ensure your MX-1 is on at least firmware V1.04. This video show how to check the firmware: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIu8nmajnNikn6c If you need to upgrade I did a video showing how to do that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/an_SZGmuZbJjsNk. Of course you will need to have the Windows 10 driver on the Windows 10 machine, which you can get from the Roland web site. Unfortunately I haven’t installed this driver on my Windows 10 machine but here is the installation video for the MAC: kzbin.info/www/bejne/en-qqZiEbs6cn5I. I don’t know the Uno Synthesiser or Yamaha PSR E463 Keyboards intimately. The Yamaha specification states that it will transmit and receive USB Audio and MIDI data. So this would be better routed directly to Ableton. Or consume MIDI from Ableton and route the Audio into 1(2) of the MX-1 Audio Channels. It will be a similar situation for the IKMedia Uno Synth as this also claims to be able to route Audio and MIDI data down the USB cable. Now the bit to make Ableton work. Roland have published configuration documentation which can be found here: www.roland.com/uk/support/by_product/mx-1/owners_manuals/ It is the External Mixing mode document. This to be honest describes this step as good as I can. Let me know how you get on. Jon PS. I am putting this on Mailbag in the next week, with a setup diagram that I can't send you through the channel comments.

[@dj-7154]

Hi please can you help on the following as I've spent all day searching. I have just purchased the MX-1. The volume faders and Mute button does not sync with my DAW Ableton inside Ableton Live Mode on the MX-1. After watching all the reviews it is not clear by Roland. Faders can only be used outside Ableton Live mode and the mute buttons do not mute the actual track on the DAW (Ableton). When I move the faders up and down on the device, the track volume on Ableton does not sync. The sound is only muted on the device itself. This seems to be a flaw or maybe I have not tried surface mode. I have Live mode working fine but volume and mute button does not sync on the track. Please can you let me know the instructions on how to user Sur (Surface mode) on the MX-1 with Ableton. I have hooked it up but can only sync the start and stop. Do I have to enable Mackie control on the midi configuration or is there any plugins I need to buy? Many thanks

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi, you guessed right you need to be in surface mode. You also need to have the Ableton extension for the MX-1 loaded. Then the controls on the MX-1 like faders should map to the 1st 11 Ableton channels. You have to shift them in blocks of 11 channels. If I am honest I tried the MX-1 in surface mode. But it really doesn't work for me, so I went back to EXT mode. Hope this helps. Jon

[@dj-7154]

do you mean Live mode? Ext > Live mode? there is new live mode with 1.04 update thanks

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

You are absolutely right for the Ableton integration to work you must be in External mode and then use the Recall and Store buttons to move the MX-1 into integration with Live mode. It has been a while since I had it in this mode and seems to go against the grain as for other DAW's it needs to be in Surface mode.

[@jefdamen2977]

U can midi learn everything of the mx1 to ableton so ableton does follow your exact steps of the mx1, in MIX mode. Ableton sees all 18ins and outs. U can even make an aggregate audio deveice in osx audio+midi setup meaning to use more than one interface in ableton for extra outputs...

[@SuperWorshipguy]

Ok nice video but i cant find anyone who actually sets up from the very start ( cable hook ups) can someone please tell me how i can get sound coming from my macbook pro through to my mx-1. I can get sound coming out of everything analog but nothing when trying to get through software , sos

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

DJ Vanguy. Plug the MAC into the PC USB socket on the MX1 and then in the MAC set the MX1 up as an input / output audio source. Once you have done that then the MAC should play out through the MX1. For simple stuff ensure that you have it in Mixer mode. Jon

[@SuperWorshipguy]

@@TheMusicTechGuyUK hello once again, I hooked up my aira gear again and now cant get any audio come out, I've gone over your video over and over again, still nothing coming up, what I did notice is when I go back to watch your video and have it in mix mode your video keeps on loopin with out playing, any reason for that?

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hello again @Jay Richards When I went through the options I would have discussed MIXer mode. But honestly I do not use my Roland MX-1 in this mode. Of the three modes: - SURface mode almost got the unit thrown through a window I got so frustrated trying to use this as a surface controller. So I stopped. - MIXer mode is great if you just want to mixer sources in a live environment and have all the connected sources using the MX-1 clock - EXTernal mode is how I use mine. It interacts with the laptop once the sound source is correctly defined (See video on Aggregation) and allows the source to be recorded into a DAW. In terms of why the video is looping, I really haven't touched the video in a couple of years so I suspect it is a KZbin platform problem. I sometimes find a control within the browser gets foobarred and a reboot of the device often sorts it out. Jon

[@SuperWorshipguy]

@@TheMusicTechGuyUK thanks Jon the looping just happened when I went into my Mac preferences when I was connected to mx1. When I went to internal audio the video started again. Very weird. I will try exe when I get home this morning. Thanks again

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

@jay Richards. Great let me know how you get on. Jon

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

I wouldn't go that far. There is lots you can do with out it being a surface for the DAW.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

NP

[@deejannemeiurffnicht1791]

BOLL*X! LOL! Now when i switch my MX-1 on it just lights up all beatFX, MFX lights, but also it still says ''sur'', and on [gain], with nothing else seeming to operate.... now i can't listen to anything past you saying about pressing start/stop to save the settings... I am getting Audio via ''PC'' from Win10 with Reason 10.1. set to the MX-1 (sur?) but with all BFX, MFX and their coresponding master fx buttons, and all the step buttons, and [GAIN], with [start/strop] flashing or stable green when hit, but no audio through any of my othert channels/tracks, whether analogue, or usb ETC. most worryingly, when i switch it on and off again, it just comes back to this useless constantly lit, with only PC working. HELLLLLLPPPP!

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Sound like you have put to the MX1 into surface mode. In this mode it is expecting to be controlling aspects of your DAW. Have you tried switching it back to MIX or EXT modes? Try switching the off the MX1 and then back on holding the GAIN button. Press the TONE button Turn the VALUE knob until it reads either MIX or EXT Then press the START/STOP button to save the new mode. Let me know if this helps? Jon

[@deejannemeiurffnicht1791]

Thanks Jon. Apologies for not managing to reply at the time. But, yes, unsure as to how I'd switched to surface mode, as it certainly wasn't deliberate. However, your instructions for the "under-the-hood settings did the trick.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @Dee J'ann E Mei & Urff Nicht No Problem. Glad to have helped. Jon

[@deejannemeiurffnicht1791]

Anyone viewing these comments ever managed to write patterns onto a Behringer TD-3 via the wotsit tribe PC sequencer app? I follow instructions to the letter, yet never get a pattern written on the software to save and play on the TD-3. None of the channels on here, so far, have anything workable. And it's not just me.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @Dee J'ann E Mei & Urff Nicht Sadly I do not have a Behringer TD-3 so cannot give you any personal experience. So open to the forum. Can anyone help? Jon

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

For less than the price of a cup of coffee, support the channel, join the TMTG community: themusictechguyuk.me/Community

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Jon