DAW to Machinedrum sync via AR Midi Thru?

Snuffy · 2014-09-16T21:25:58.000Z

I am trying to get all of Elektron gear (A4, AR, MD and MM) to sync to Logic at the same time, but have been having difficulty - the AR & A4 are working perfectly, but the older gear - the MD & MM don’t get along with my MOTU Midi Timepiece AV USB (which is old). Logic can only send to 2 discreet midi channels at the same time, or it can send to all - and this is where it all falls apart… the MD and MM go nuts trying to play way too much midi input - it sounds like sped-up garbage. I am going to try to midi-thru out to my older gear from the newer, usb midi’ed gear… Am I crazy? Any other ideas?

jeffe · 2014-09-17T04:46:08.000Z

One output - clock to MD - MD thru to Monomachine - MD Clock out to AR / A4

I don’t know specifically the sync options of the A4 / AR, but either sync them natively, or you’ve still got a output free on the mono, yea?

Just one idea.

There are so many ideas…

…but keeping the A4 and AR on the very end (since they don’t do out as well), you can even sync them analog style, correct?

…not to mention, syncing FROM the computer could be a disaster waiting to happen. Look up midi clock jitter - then look at the sync gen.
If it were me, I would set up the hardware synced (whatever that took), and start the master device manually in time with Logic.

Snuffy · 2014-09-17T16:35:26.000Z

Thanks jeffe -

Yeah, that’s how I used to work, syncing the machines manually in time with Logic, then recording the audio chunks and then aligning and chopping, etc.
Since getting the AR & A4 I’ve started writing the drum patterns/sequences while sync’ed to Logic - which for me is hugely inspiring and is a faster way to work. It made me want to do the same with the MD & MM.

I tried what I proposed yesterday (Midi thru the AR & A4 to MD & MM) and it worked very well, but I will try what you suggest tonight, using 1 thru output to MD then MM, thanks for the ideas!

And yes, I am looking at the Sync Gen (and the Roland SBX-1) but I do prefer solving problems before I spend money - so many times I’ve spent the money first and still had the problem!

jeffe · 2014-09-17T19:20:16.000Z

I agree about solving the problem first…I was not suggesting you buy that box, merely pointing to it as an example that this is sometimes a serious enough problem that a device like exists.

Could you not fake some CV clock output from Logic and clock the analog stuff that way, then use yer midi out solely for the digital? Brainstorming.