Severe fault in MIDI sync
"Get tempo from MIDI input"
Connecting to a MIDI CLOCK source this seamingly works. The tempo matches, and Tempo Delays gets the right delay time.
However: Sync is NOT just running in same tempo. To make any sense for step secuencers, arpeggiators, or even simple tremoloes the sync receiver has to acknowlegde bars and beats and pass this on to the plug-ins.
I don't know details about the .au or .vst protocols, but the difference is clear if try eg. Native Instruments FM8 running arpeggiated:
– first as standalone
– then within Logic
– then within MainStage
As standalone and within logic, the step sequencers runs in sync. The beats fall where they should.
Within Mainstage (receiving midi clock externally) the step sequencer runs in the right tempo but at an arbitrary start point making it useles.
Or try syncing Logics own Ultrabeat drum synth/pattern editor (not available standalone…) to an external drum machine. It flies around crazy.
Try making a simple tremolo fall on upbeats, in sync with midi clock. The tremolo just running in the right tempo just doesn't cut it!
Without the tremolo lfo being restarted by the host upon MIDI start/stop messages the tremolo will fall offbeat, onbeat in fact or anywhere in between. Mainstage apparantly ignores MIDI CLOCK start/stop messages!
Dear Apple (or emagic :-)) people, you should really, really look into this (major) issue!
The MIDI sync option is quite very prominent in the layout. Please please please make this work. Mainstage is elegant, but useles to me because of this.
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.4)