maffa
Level 1 (4 points)
Audio

Q: MainStage 3 - Send Midi File

Hi.

Has anyone got the Send Midi File function in MainStage 3 to work?

The synth receives midi when i play the midi keyboard.

I tried to press the play button in MainStage before changing to the patch which is supposed send the midi file.

I tried downloading different midi files.

I know that I'm trying a SMF midi file, but dont know where to check if they are type 0 or 1.

 

The manual states this:


Send a MIDI file using an external instrument

  1. In the External Instrument Channel Strip Inspector, click the MIDI Output tab.
  2. Select the Send MIDI File checkbox, then click the Select button.
  3. Browse to the location of the MIDI file you want to add, select the file, then click Send.The MIDI file is sent immediately to the port selected on the external instrument channel strip. The MIDI file is re-sent when you change patches, just like the other options in the Channel Strip Inspector (such as Program Change or MIDI Clock messages).

Only SMF (standard MIDI file) types 0 and 1 are supported. MIDI files are sent sequentially, one at at time, per concert. If you switch rapidly through several patches that send long MIDI files, the MIDI files are queued and sent in succession. MIDI messages are sent at the tempo stored in the MIDI file.

 

Mac Pro, iOS 9.3.3

Posted on Aug 2, 2016 7:03 AM

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maffa

Q: MainStage 3 - Send Midi File

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  • Helpful answers

  • by dhjmusic,Helpful

    dhjmusic dhjmusic Aug 13, 2016 6:53 AM in response to maffa
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Aug 13, 2016 6:53 AM in response to maffa

    This is a complicated problem but I have solved it with a workaround.  My "midi file" is a set of commands to control an external light strip (DMXIS) in sync with a backing track.   The native MainStage functionality did not work for me.  The solution was a plug-in called Bidule by Plogue.   The plug-in includes a large set of configurable widgets including in particular a "midi file player."  This widget can be set up within the Bidule plug-in that runs in the Channel Strip Instrument.   The configuration is complicated but I can walk you through it if you are interested.   The Bidule software is about $100 but there is a long demo period if you want to try it out.  

     

    Let me know if you want help setting it up; the plug-in does task CPU and memory, especially if you plan to run multiple instances.   But it works.  

     

    David

  • by lifenoise,

    lifenoise lifenoise Aug 12, 2016 4:40 PM in response to dhjmusic
    Level 3 (758 points)
    Aug 12, 2016 4:40 PM in response to dhjmusic

    It works as described in the manual. You don't press play to start the file. It starts automatically when the patch is selected. I've found it useful for sending sysex commands and such. If you're planning to send a long file, it will play to the end with no way to stop it. For a larger file, recording it to audio and using Playback offers more control.

  • by maffa,

    maffa maffa Aug 13, 2016 7:01 AM in response to lifenoise
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Audio
    Aug 13, 2016 7:01 AM in response to lifenoise

    Hi! Thanks for both replies!

     

    Good to hear that i can work. But I've followed the manual, and it doesn't work for me. It seems simple enough.

    This is what i do when I'm trying this out:
    -new patch

    -new channel strip

    -set up my external instrument(synth)

    -testing that the synth receives midi

    -select the channelstrip

    -select the Midi Output tab

    -check the Send MIDI File box

    -select a midi file

    -select another patch then click the patch with should send midi. nothing happens.

     

    I might be doing a stupid error somewhere, but can't figure it out.


    Any tips?