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User profile for user: the altons
the altons Author
User level: Level 1
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MIDI questions in GarageBand

Hello Friends,

I'm new to GB and wanted to know if I absolutely need a MIDI interface to hook up several pieces of MIDI gear. None of my keybds, drum machines have USB ports, strictly MIDI. I'm using the breakout cable on my audio card which has a MIDI I/O and have linked the machines together through the MIDI in and thru ports. My old MOTU Microexpress won't work with the Mac because it doesn't have USB ports either. I know there's an adapter out there somewhere but I don't have one right now.

I want to record the MIDI info as software instruments so that I can edit the performances as necessary. Also, how do sound modules get treated in GarageBand. Is it possible to give each voice a separate MIDI track as a MIDI interface would allow? Thanks for your help.

P.S. My gear is a Yamaha SY55, and Alesis HR-16 drum machine and an Alesis QSR sound module for now.

Dual Mirror 867, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Aug 13, 2007 12:33 PM

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User profile for user: Christoph Drösser
Christoph Drösser
User level: Level 6
11,318 points

Aug 13, 2007 12:55 PM in response to the altons

I don't quite understand you. Do you have a Mac compatible audio card with a midi in? Then you don't need another interface. If not, yes, you can get one.

You'll have to understand the midi limitations of GB though: It can record one midi track at a time (so not all of your instruments at one). It doesnt make a difference between midi channels, but records anything that's coming in. So yes, you can assign as many midi tracks as you want to different instruments, but you can only record them one after the other.
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User profile for user: the altons
the altons Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Aug 14, 2007 11:02 AM in response to Christoph Drösser

Thanks for your response. I'll have to recheck my connections, but GB isn't picking up some of my devices. The drum machine yes but the others, no. At that I'm still not hearing the sounds from the drum machine. I can record anything fine as a real instrument (including the MIDI). I'll do a little more research but if you have any additional insights I'd appreciate them. Thanks again.
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User profile for user: Christoph Drösser
Christoph Drösser
User level: Level 6
11,318 points

Aug 14, 2007 1:11 PM in response to the altons

I can record anything fine as a real instrument (including the MIDI).


That doesn't make sense.

Otherwise: If there is any midi coming through, it's not GB's fault (because GB records all midi channels), but probably one of your midi thrus in one of your boxes. To diagnose it, you'll have to give us a lot more information!

Message was edited by: Christoph Drösser
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MIDI questions in GarageBand

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