Can't separate MIDI devices by channels

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can't separate MIDI devices by channels

Hi,

I just got Logic Pro 9 and I'm trying to connect an LPD8 pad controller and a USB keystation 88es keyboard. Both are connected through USB and not an interface. The issue that I am having, is that when I make a new software instrument in Logic, I can't figure out how to assign a single MIDI channel to the new instrument. I'm pretty sure I have each device transmitting on a different channel (although I would like to know how to check that too), but both devices seem to trigger the new software instrument.

I've clicked the auto demix button, but that still doesn't stop both devices from controlling this new instrument.

How can I assure each device is transmitting on its own channel and how do I assign individual channels to individual instruments?

I was messing with the Environment, but to no avail.

Any thoughts?

P.S. I've looked at other posts, but nothing quite seems to address my issue in a way that fixed it.

Logic Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 6, 2012 6:55 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,422 points

May 7, 2012 2:32 AM in response to ianbmb

I don't know what "other posts" you have read, but here's one you may have missed:

http://www.logicprohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32201url

Reply

Answer 2

ianbmb Author

Level 1

8 points

May 7, 2012 7:39 AM in response to Eriksimon

Erik,

After re-reading that post in detail, I see that I may be having the issue that I can't get individual devices to truly transmit on a single channel. I followed the channel designation protocol for each device and obviously failed, that leaves me with the question:

How do I check the channel that a MIDI device is transmitting on in logic?

Reply

Answer 3

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,422 points

May 7, 2012 7:55 AM in response to ianbmb

Use the Input View object in the Clicks & Ports layer in the Environment (cmd-8)

Reply

Answer 4

ianbmb Author

Level 1

8 points

May 7, 2012 9:46 AM in response to Eriksimon

Ok, I think I'm almost there. I see my keyboard as a physical input that is only sending on channel 1. However, I can still trigger the software instrument that is selected in the arrange window, when the channel setting is 2. Should I be dirrectly connecting the output of the keyboard physical input to the software instrument?

Thank you by the way!

Reply

Answer 5

ianbmb Author

Level 1

8 points

May 7, 2012 5:01 PM in response to Eriksimon

I see this has been discussed ad nauseum and so I'm sorry to bring it up again, but there is so much material, it is hard to gather the conclusion.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1246614?start=15&tstart=0

User Ashermusic seems to have encountered the same issue as I have, and found some non-standard protocol the circumvent the issue. I am having trouble implementing his solution because he left out the details of how to "connect the channel splitter to the drum instruments". I can't figure out how to assign an instrument in the Environment to an instrument in arrange, and how to then send an individual midi channel from the channel splitter to trigger that instrument.

Reply

Answer 6

CCTM

Level 6

13,147 points

May 8, 2012 12:40 AM in response to ianbmb

Hi

Before you go messing about in the Environment try this (in an new (empty) project):

1) Verify that your controllers are sending MIDI on different MIDI channels (say ch 1 and ch 2). Do this in the Transport window MIDI Activity, or in the Environment, Clicks and Ports Monitor object, as previously posted

2) Create two Instrument Channels in the Arrange and load in Instruments.

3) In the Track Parameters, change the MIDI channel of each track from the 'ALL' to ch 1 or ch 2 as needed.

So far, whichever track is in Record-ready will play from either controller. If you arm both tracks, both will play from either controller.

4) Go to Settings:Recording and enable Auto Demix....

Arm both tracks: each one should play from different controllers

CCT

Reply

Answer 7

ianbmb Author

Level 1

8 points

May 8, 2012 6:56 AM in response to CCTM

I just can't believe it! I thought I tried that a million times and I was about to say that I already said I did that... but it worked! It's like looking for your wallet, thinking you lost it, then finding out it was in that first place that you checked.

Well thank you!

Reply