How do I get my Synth Hardware to play through my Mac Soundsystem?

Hi,

you have to trigger your external synths with MIDI, so you'll need a MIDI connector cable (or USB cable), and maybe a MIDI interface to connect to your computer if the synths don't have a USB port.

Then, you can trigger the synths with an "external MIDI track", given you have selected the correct MIDI port and the correct MIDI channel in both your synth and Logic.

Now, the synth will play the sound which your external MIDI channel sends to it. To capture this sound, you'll have to connect the audio outputs of your synth (the 1/4' jacks) to your Mac using an audio interface, going into an audio track.

This ist the correct order:
*External MIDI track* -> sends MIDI data through USB or MIDI cable to your synth -> Synth plays back -> audio comes out of the synth's outputs through 1/4 jacks into -> audio interface -> into your Mac -> into an *audio track*

Fox

you can plug in two stereo synths or 4 mono synth outputs to inputs 3,4,5,and 6. In Logic insert an "external instrument" into an instrument channel strip. Set up the midi channel and input parameters as necessary. MIDI to the synth, audio from the synths.

Question:

I take it you have a set of decent external speakers plugged into the Mac Pro, right?

My question is... isn't the Alesis MultiMix6 a full fledged audio interface?

If you're using Logic Nine you set the Preferences/Audio/Input to the Alesis as it should be your primary recording interface. The output can be set to the Mac's built-in audio. Then the audio outs of the drum machine, (as well as any other audio outs) are plugged into the Alesis.

But here's the thing... why do you spend money on a mixer/audio interface and then try and use the cheap built-in audio of the Mac for anything? The Alesis is designed to be the center hub of the studio.

Your speakers should be plugged into the audio interface so that when using Logic the Alesis is both the Main input and Main output, your audio will sound better. If you need to monitor the Macs output maybe you can set it up in the Mac's audio setup. (monitor the mac through the USB connection.)

pancenter-

Assuming you have installed any core audio drivers that came with the MM6, you go into logics audio hardware window select the multimix as your core audio device. Then do what I said before. FROM the synths audio outs TO the multimix inputs 3-6. Select the appropriate inputs in the logic external instrument dialog window.