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Using multiple MIDI-in sources - can you now select the incoming MIDI port?

Exciting to see that Logic Pro X has launched at last!


I'm hoping someone who has already had a chance to download it can report back on a specific feature.


In previous versions of Logic, the only way to record multiple MIDI sources (for example a V-Drums kit and a keyboard) at the same time has been to make sure they are on different MIDI channels, and then choose the "auto demix MIDI channels" option in preferences.



In this way, the MIDI data is separated by channel and recorded to separate tracks.

However, it only separates the channels when two or more tracks are armed for recording, and does not offer any option for selecting the specific MIDI port for incoming MIDI signals.


DAWs such as Cubase and ProTools have always had a drop-down menu for MIDI channels, where the MIDI port can be chosen. This way, you can easily separate your MIDI controllers for either jamming or recording, and they will only play virtual instruments on tracks which are selected to their specific channel. This applies for recording as well as just jamming or trying parts prior to recording.


I have several hardware synths in my studio and often record MIDI jams with multiple players, and on that basis moved back to Cubase last year. I have been hoping Logic would update this feature for a long, long time!


Can anyone who is using Logic Pro X already confirm whether MIDI tracks now have a port select option, or whether the old channel-based system and the clumsy "auto demix MIDI channels" method remains...?


Cheers,

Mike

Posted on Jul 16, 2013 4:05 PM

Reply
99 replies

Jul 17, 2013 12:03 AM in response to yeloop

Hi all,


I've downloaded the Pro X manual, and it does still seem to have the "auto demix MIDI parts by channel" option in project settings, which makes me think the developers haven't updated the way multiple MIDI inputs are handled as yet...


It doesn't seem that there is an option to choose the incoming MIDI port for each MIDI track in a project... but of course I am hoping tha I'm wrong!


Keen to hear from someone who has downloaded Pro X and is using external MIDI instruments!


Cheers,

Mike

Jul 17, 2013 1:58 AM in response to yeloop

I had the same god **** expectation that after almost 7 years, Apple would put this function !!!!


i paid 180€ for this version yesterday to see if they thought about it .


Answer is still NO


Really, whats the problem not to make the things easier .


The new logic has really no difference than the old one except its looks and the way you organise the things .


They are coloring the eyes of the people with some "not so necessary" options and put some fancy colors on top dadaaa : Logic X


come on .


I blew my head all those years to create individual ports to play software instruments but couldnt succeed .

Using with " auto demix MIDI parts by channel " method simply no go , and causing many troubles .


If someone has a method , please share

thanks

Jul 17, 2013 2:01 AM in response to Community User

on the other hand, it says this :


Logic can record MIDI coming from your iPad with Logic Remote or from one or multiple MIDI controller keyboards simultaneously. If you don’t have either of those available, call up the Musical Typing keyboard and tap in your music right from your computer’s keyboard. Comprehensive Step Input features let you insert MIDI notes without having to perform.


But i still don't get what it means and if it is related with this problem

Jul 17, 2013 4:01 PM in response to yeloop

I would love to understand how to make this work successfully in the Environment!


If anyone can shed some light on this, that would be great! I am sure there is a way of creating a custom setup where each incoming MIDI PORT is identified in a specific way, so that tracks can be recorded to based on port rather than based on MIDI channel... but unfortunately I am not proficient in the Environment at all and hence can't work it out!


Cheers,

Mike

Jul 18, 2013 1:52 AM in response to yeloop

Mike this is a subject for me since 4 years man .


I couldnt managed this . dozens of people i asked , dozens of forums i started and no one was able to help me.


I am also %100 sure that you can make a custom setup in environment to achieve this thing, but i am also weak in this side of the logic .


And since i couldnt get any help, i left logic and i am working with ableton since a while.


I am just hoping if someone can explain this proper one day .


I am really tired of asking, on the other hand maybe there is no solution .

Jul 18, 2013 4:38 AM in response to yeloop

Guys, this is really quite simple to accomplish in the midi environment, susprised you've been hunting for so long for the answers, here's a quick step by step:


1. Go into Midi Environment

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2. Change the view in the Environment window to show Click & Ports

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3. To make things easier, click the 'Input Notes' label, and delete the object. And also click the 'Input View' label, and delete that also, so you're left with a blank canvas. (These are handy tools when testing, just deleting them to make things clearer).

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You should now be left with just the Sequencer Input (And midi click, but ignore that) - Basically anything that connects into this input goes through as an input into logic... So, all we have to do now is to split each device into seperate channels. This is simply done through the 'transform' objects.


4. Add 2x Transformer objects via the 'new' menu (Or however many external inputs you need).

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5. Drag the connection from each device listed on the left, to it's own transformer as shown:

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6. Then plug each transformer into the Sequencer input

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7. Double click each Transformer object and simply FIX the midi channel to be whatever you desire, in this example i've picked channel 2 and channel 3User uploaded fileUser uploaded file


8. Now, just make sure the 'Auto demix by channel if multitrack record' option is selected in project settings, and you're good to go!

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Now just simply select the channel number that corresponds to the devices you transformed, and when more than one track is armed for recording it will be split to how you would like. *Please take note, that the demix only kicks in when multitracking, i.e. more than one track is armed*


Now, this seems really long winded on a forum with screenshots etc. - But it's truly not, takes about 30 seconds, and once you've done it a few times makes sense. Plus going through an environment like this opens up possibilites such as splitting one midi keyboard into different zones which can transmit to different channels, so you can have bass on your left hand, and lead on the right for example. But the midi data will split to each track when recording.


Reply back if you get stuck, more than happy to help!

Jul 18, 2013 6:17 AM in response to skijumptoes

Hi there again mate .


So i did exactly what you said , but i am not sure if i succeed .

Let me tell you what i have first maybe than you will have an idea.


I have a Cirklon Sequencer (http://www.sequentix.com/images/cirklon/2.jpg) which has USB protocol .

This USB protocol gives 6 channels into my system


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Simply on the Cirklon sequencer, i have 6 different channels which i want to play 6 software instruments on Logic.


On the cirklon sequencer, for each channel i give different midi channel . Channel 1 on Midi Channel 1 , Channel 2 on Midi Channel to and goes on till 6


In Clicks & Port Section i see those channels from Cirklon like this ; (Port 1 till Port 6)


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And i connect each of 6 to 6 transformers as you said :


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Till here i did exactly what you said .


I create 6 software instruments , and software instrument 1 is on Midi Channel 1 , instrument 2 is on midi channel 2 , goes till instrument 6 on midi channel 6


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After that what i expected is, when i select Channel 1 on the sequencer it should play Software instrument 1 , when i select channel 2 it should play Software instrument 2 and so on .


This is only happening if i arm all of 6 software instruments . And this is actually how it was before i read your instructions . So i didn't saw any difference .


Probably i am doing something wrong here.


- Do i have to select for each software instrument different channel which is correspond to transformers fix channel number (1-6) ?

- Do i have to select for each channel on the sequencer different midi channel (1-6) ?

- Do i have to arm all the software insturments ?


What i want to achieve is, simply , like the way i do in Ableton or any other than Logic, when i change the channel on the cirklon sequencer, it should play on logic the selected channel , "without" Arming all the instruments .


Cirklon 1 should play Software instrument 1 , 2 has to play software instrument 2 , and goes on till 6


After i tried your techqiue, i see no difference still . probably i am doing something wrong .


Thank you so much for your time .

Jul 18, 2013 6:32 AM in response to Community User

Ah mate, I've not got any equipment like that to really play with it and work out how i would set up to use it. You probably won't see any difference as your sequencer is probably set up to send Port 1 on Channel 1, Port 2 on Channel 2 etc. etc.


The instructions were simply for splitting out different devices to their own midi channels, i.e. if you have a drum controller (Mine outputs on all channels, so always set up like this), keyboard controller etc. and wanted to record all at once.


What problems would it cause you to record enable all 6 tracks? Or alternatively, does it work if you enable monitoring for all those tracks instead of record enabling?


I can see the issue you've got, especially with using other DAW's where you can pick an input for each track - it makes things very complicated in this case with Logic! 😟

Jul 18, 2013 7:04 AM in response to skijumptoes

On sequencer i can change the midi channels for each ports thats no problem ,

I can make Port 1 on Midi 1 , Port 2 on Midi 1 , all same or all different ,.


what problems it cause when i arm all 6 is comes when you start jamming around.

When all is armed , and if i add 7th instrument for example , than 6 of them getting disarm and the last one is getting armed, than you have to arm again , etc etc

and when you are recording live, this makes big mess .


How do you mean if i can enable monitoring instead of arming ? I dont know this function. If you can tell me , maybe than i can try


indeed is complicated. In Ableton or in Pro Tools you dont have this problem .

Jul 18, 2013 7:13 AM in response to skijumptoes

or it can work if i can lock the channels while they are armed .

means , if i can add another things , they will stay always armed .

but this is also not possible i think

Jul 18, 2013 2:24 PM in response to skijumptoes

Ok i found the solution


I cannot believe !


Instead of cabling those transformers to Sequencer Input , you have to open another environment window, and cable them right away to the instruments !


wow.... it is an important night

Using multiple MIDI-in sources - can you now select the incoming MIDI port?

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