External MIDI in/out

[inono]

I've set up a workable external MIDI configuration, but it does not function exactly how I want it.

 

My understanding was that, when an External MIDI Track is selected in the Tracks window, the Port and MIDI Channel fields in the Track section of the Inspector determines the external input for that track; and that the port and channel selected in Sounds in the Library determines the output (playback) for that track. However, it does not actually work that way. If anyone could shed some light on this, I'd be much obliged.

 

Thank you.

[inono]

So it looks like nobody wants to tackle this one. No worries - I know there's a lot of confusion out there on this subject.

 

Just in case it helps anyone who wants to use multiple external MIDI controllers, this is what I've found...

 

I use five external sound devices, two of which are also controllers. I can monitor/record any single device using either or both controllers simultaneously, or monitor/record any two devices each with it's own dedicated controller. However, since I haven't found a way to assign the controllers to record to specific tracks independent of playback assignment, there are some limitations, but it works. (If anyone knows how to assign a specific incoming Port/Channel to a specific track, irrespective of playback assignment, please let me know. Thanks)

 

I note also that I have to use two different MIDI channels even if the controllers are on different ports. This would seem to suggest that Logic somehow mults MIDI channels to the same MIDI channel number on all other ports (?). Doesn't make sense since that would limit Logic to only 16 MIDI channels. Can anyone clarify this?

 

Thank you in advance if anyone can comment.

[des99]

What version of Logic are you on, as this handling has changed in very recent versions…

[inono]

Thanks for replying des99.

 

I'm on 10.4.8 (self-exiled on High Sierra).

[des99]

Ok - Logic 10.7.x added individual MIDI input settings per track which makes this much easier to do.

 

Prior to this, you need to use MIDI multiplayer record mode, and MIDI events are indeed distributed to tracks by matching the MIDI channels.

[inono]

I am already using MIDI multiplayer mode ("Auto demix by channel if multitrack recording" is ticked). That is why I am able to record Controller A transmitting on Port1-Ch1 discreetly from Controller B transmitting on Port 2-Ch2. However, thank you for using the term "MIDI multiplayer mode". I googled that and quickly found confirmation of my suspicion that Logic can only handle 16 MIDI channels - it cannot differentiate between say, Port3-Ch2 and Port5-Ch2, it's all Ch2 to Logic.

 

Thanks for replying. Great forum.

[des99]

Correct - this 16-channel "MIDI bottleneck" was a *longtime* complaint for users - which is why, when it was *finally* addressed in 10.7.x, there was much rejoicing!

 

Welcome to the forum, btw!

[inono]

Thanks des99!

[Logicman2]

I have Logic 10.7.3. I have e-drums and Keys midi and I can't figure out how to separate them. Keys trigger drums and keys at the same time . I use to use auto demix, but now it,s gone. Is there something I need to click in preferences? Edited April 1, 2022 by Logicman2

[des99]

As mentioned above, there is a new feature in the track inspector where you can choose the MIDI in/out for that particular track - this solves the bottleneck problem.

[Logicman2]

As mentioned above, there is a new feature in the track inspector where you can choose the MIDI in/out for that particular track - this solves the bottleneck problem.

Thank des99. I tried changing midi in and outs and I can't get it to work. For e-drum channel,Midi port options All, Steinberg UR44, plus midi out options only.

For keys channel Midi port options All, Steinberg UR44 and Internal &Remote. Plus midi channel in and out options. Which are the ones I need to set?

[des99]

For track one, you'd set the MIDI port and MIDI channel that the (eg drums) device you want to record from is transmitting.

 

And for track two, you'd set the MIDI port and MIDI channel of the (eg keys) device, so that MIDI activity is directed to track two.

[Logicman2]

For track one, you'd set the MIDI port and MIDI channel that the (eg drums) device you want to record from is transmitting.

 

And for track two, you'd set the MIDI port and MIDI channel of the (eg keys) device, so that MIDI activity is directed to track two.

 

I have the keys midi thru the drum module then into Ur44 interface. So midi port, would I choose Steinberg interface? Thats the only option?

 

This set up worked great when there was auto demix. Is there any other midi options that need to be set?

[des99]

If both devices are coming into the computer via the UR44 device, then now you now what MIDI port to set for both of them. For the drums, you'd choose whatever MIDI channel the drums are transmitting on (probably 10), and for the keys, you'd choose whatever MIDI channel your keyboard is transmitting on (likely 1), but I have no idea of how you've set the individual devices, so you'd need to check.

 

You can easily set the MIDI channel of MIDI data recorded into Logic, of course, if you don't now how to check or set it on your hardware devices.

[Logicman2]

If both devices are coming into the computer via the UR44 device, then now you now what MIDI port to set for both of them. For the drums, you'd choose whatever MIDI channel the drums are transmitting on (probably 10), and for the keys, you'd choose whatever MIDI channel your keyboard is transmitting on (likely 1), but I have no idea of how you've set the individual devices, so you'd need to check.

 

You can easily set the MIDI channel of MIDI data recorded into Logic, of course, if you don't now how to check or set it on your hardware devices.

 

 

They are both on port 1 of Steinberg. I uploaded some images. I do appreciate everything so far.

[des99]

In the last screen shot, your MIDI in setting is "Any MIDI Port", and "Any MIDI channel", which is not what you want. It should be clear from my above post how to set the MIDI input port for each of the tracks you want.

 

The other (drum) tracks aren't software tracks, they are environment objects by the looks, you you may need to do some reassigning to use this feature...

[Logicman2]

In the last screen shot, your MIDI in setting is "Any MIDI Port", and "Any MIDI channel", which is not what you want. It should be clear from my above post how to set the MIDI input port for each of the tracks you want.

 

What do you set these at? Thats what i'm asking. I don't know what to set these at.

[des99]

What do you set these at? Thats what i'm asking. I don't know what to set these at.

 

Perhaps you missed this post above, where I documented this:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=163159#p858170

[Logicman2]

What do you set these at? Thats what i'm asking. I don't know what to set these at.

 

Perhaps you missed this post above, where I documented this:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=163159#p858170

 

Before I updated Logic it worked fine. I had midi out channel on 1 for drums and midi out channel 2 for keys. It worked great.

 

When you mentioned above about what the drums are transmitting from, Are you talking about the channel or the port? You mentioned channel 10. I'm at a complete loss here. I just wish someone could tell me exactly what to set these at channels at.