How do I play MIDI thru my external synth?

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Level 2

238 points

How do I play MIDI thru my external synth?

I have an iMac running 10.3.9, a MOTU Fastlane USB interface (with the drivers installed), and a MIDI keyboard synth. Everything's all hooked up together, but I can't figure out how to play MIDI files on the keyboard synth.

I used Apple MIDI Setup to describe my setup and name the configuration, but still in QuickTime Preferences, the only thing that shows up in the "Default Synthesizer" menu is "QuickTime Music Synthesizer". And when I open a MIDI file in QuickTime, the iMac plays it through the iMac's speakers with the software synthesizer, and the keyboard synth remains quiet.

What do I have to do to get this to play through the keyboard synth?

Posted on Oct 30, 2005 8:12 PM

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Answer 1

Brian Kendig Author

Level 2

238 points

Nov 18, 2005 7:38 AM in response to Brian Kendig

MOTU tech support tells me that it is not possible for QuickTime to play MIDI through an external synth. I know this used to be possible, around QT 4 or 5; has this functionality been removed, and if so, why?

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Answer 2

Nov 18, 2005 8:57 AM in response to Brian Kendig

Since you're still using 10.3.9 you have the option of "rolling back" to QuickTime 6.5.2.
QT 7 no longer offers Pro users the ability to edit MIDI "Instruments". This feature is still available in 6.5.2.
I use both 6.5.2 and 7.0.3 Players on my Tiger machine. The 6.5 version runs "on top" of the version 7 "framework" and I can edit MIDI instruments when using the 6.5 Player.
I do not own or use any MIDI hardware so I don't know how this may effect the default QT synthesizer.

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Answer 3

Brian Kendig Author

Level 2

238 points

Nov 22, 2005 6:32 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Thanks for the reply! But I don't understand what you mean about editing MIDI instruments; all I want it to do is to play MIDI files on my external synth.

Anyone know how I can get support for QuickTime, how I can get through to a real human being who's supporting it? All I can find on this site are FAQs that mostly cover ancient versions of QT like 3 and 5...

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