A4 blocking MIDI CC?

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
1

I reorganized my setup recently and have been using the Analog Four mk I as a audio-MIDI interface to the computer, and playing in notes from an external keyboard most of the time.

Problem: when I’m triggering the A4, pitch bend, mod wheel and other CCs all work as normal. But if I’m triggering a software synth in a DAW, the A4 passes note data through but not pitch bend or CC. So remote control of most plugin parameters from the keyboard (or an Octatrack or other MIDI device) is impossible. I can input CC from the A4 front panel knobs, but it’s unpleasant to play notes on one machine and try to do modulation on another.

I have double and triple-checked the MIDI settings in the Analog Four and the external gear. I just can’t understand why it receives incoming modulation perfectly for its own voices but won’t pass it up the chain to the DAW. Am I missing something or is this just a ‘unique’ Elektron design decision?

2

Pretty much this. AKAIK None of the Elektrons work as effective USB MIDI interfaces. I don’t think it was an important design feature for Elektron.

I’ve heard USB MIDI isn’t great for accurate timing and CCs are potentially a lot of data in irregular bursts, which would be difficult to nanage. So, Elektron might have made the decision intentionally, to reduce processor workload and to prioritise realtime performance.

3

Alas, there is no connection between the DIN MIDI bus and the USB MIDI bus, so first and foremost it’s not a USB MIDI interface. So I can assure you nothing is being blocked, what’s happening is that some transmission over USB is a consequence of functionality, it’s not directly mapped. None of their devices operate as MIDI interfaces, not even the Analog Heat which is not remotely taxed wrt MIDI bandwidth requirements.