Garageband and Midi

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Level 1

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Garageband and Midi

Hi!
I'm wondering if there is any way to configure the 16 Midi channels in garageband. I have a keyboard Yamaha with sequencer function and also a yamaha QY100 Midi sequencer. When i play the keyboard i'm able to record tracks in garageband, but if i try to send to GB a complete song multitrack (melody in CH1, drum on CH9, chords CH10 etc) all the midi channels seams to be merged in one single signal only. There is any way to assign to every software instrument in GB a single and unique midi channel? i can't find the way or there isn't one.

Thanks in advance

marco

iMac 24" 3.06 GHz Intel - WD myBook Studio 1 Tb on WF800, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Nov 25, 2009 6:14 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 26, 2009 11:36 AM in response to snow520lee

I have exactly the same problem !!
Please help us out !!

I am using midiO to output Garageband '09 in my Yamaha Clavinova CLP-270 digital piano... as the previous user is reporting, when you playback from GB it appears to have only one instrument plus there is a sort of latency delay in between the tracks...

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Answer 2

Nov 26, 2009 2:54 PM in response to snow520lee

If I understand you correctly, the answer is no. This is not possible. It is just one of the limitations Apple has placed in this relative simple (and free) application. What you describe is part of more complex applications such as Logic Studio or Logic Express.

Midi out has also been left out in GB.

We can all wish for many different features of any software. In this case, we are talking about a free piece of software, and in some ways - a relatively simple one. Which is a huge benefit for newcomers - Logic for example, is very complex...! And yes, I use both. I like Logic because of the many features, but I just loouve GB, because of the simplicity, allowing me to be creative..

In spite of the simplicity, it is actually possible to record and mix a complete album using Garageband, if you adjust your methods according to the "nature" of the software...

Therefore - my advice is, to try to find out how to work within the limits, and make smacking hits with it 🙂

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Answer 3

snow520lee Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2009 5:33 PM in response to Carsten Aagren

Dear Carsten, many thanks for your reply, i understand the policy to cut out features on free software (which i think you anyway pay it on the total price of a MAC which is not that cheap!).
SO I assume that as MIDI Out is not there, MIDI In multitrack in not there too.
In fact what i was trying to do it's to generate (copy) software loops into garageband from my QY100. And then use them inside Garageband. What a pity this function is not available. i was thinking that the problem was coming from my MIDI to USB interface ( a chinese simple and cheap copy of the UX-16 ), but also from my keyboard with direct USB connection to the MAC, the MIDI messages are all merged in one channel only.
So you said that Logic Express (not studio as the price is proibitive for me) has the MIDI IN-OUT function on separate channels at the same time... isn't it?

Another small issue.... loops normally are responsive to chord entry from the keyboard, in GB this is not the case right? I can't choose a loop for a track than hit record and modify the progression of the chords from the keyboard... i must editing every single chord change by the tone slider?

thanks for your help, as you might already figured out I'm a newbie...

Marco

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Answer 4

gjmnz

Level 3

858 points

Nov 26, 2009 6:34 PM in response to Carsten Aagren

Carsten Aagren wrote:

In spite of the simplicity, +*it is actually possible to record and mix a complete album using Garageband*+, if you adjust your methods according to the "nature" of the software...

Therefore - my advice is, to try to find out how to work within the limits, and make smacking hits with it 🙂

This is an interesting comment. I am wondering though how to exactly quantify what you said. I immediately think of two things. 1. that I have yet to find any evidence that GB would be chosen for a commercial project, and 2. why does statement No. 1 exist?

I don't want to hijack this thread, so I will start another and see if there is enough people who are willing to comment... 🙂

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Answer 5

Nov 27, 2009 6:48 AM in response to snow520lee

We all have to start walking by talking the first step 🙂
I think there are little free piecis of software, that could split up your combined mini-track into seperate tracks.. Try to Google for hmm.. think, think... Dent du midi (??)
Maybe that will help..?

Secondly - no, unfortunately you will not make GB respond to change of scale, as you describe it. I can certainly see it as a good feature if it could, but no... You need to select each loop and set the scale for it..

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Answer 6

Jan 12, 2010 3:14 PM in response to snow520lee

I too am trying to get GB to take that little step up (multi-track MIDI both IN and OUT), sad to hear it's not in the package.

Your statement "MIDI In multitrack in not there too" must be correct as I cannot get it to do that (record keys and drums via midi at the same time).

Sadly I want to use my drum modules sounds for drums and the Mac for keys (as the sounds are light years ahead of my modules).

Dang! Am I wrong in my assumptions?

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