Syncing Sub 37 with Octatrack/Rytm

Dtroy · 2015-04-03T03:14:00.000Z

So I have my Analog Rytm slaved to my Octatrack and it runs smooth. I even had my A4 and AR synced with the Octatrack pretty nicely, but when I try to midi sync the Moog Sub 37, it’s just not happening.

So Octatrack is my master, I have midi out from Octatrack into midi in of Rytm, and then I have midi thru out of the Rytm into the midi in of the Sub 37. What am I doing wrong? The Sub 37 manual isn’t too precise on how to midi sync properly. Any help is much appreciated!

Lymtronics · 2015-04-03T03:21:49.000Z

I would start by connecting the OT directly to the 37 to see if that yields any different results.

You may have had luck simply plugging a midi cable from the OT into the ar to achieve clock and start/stop sync without any additional settings being changed. Are you making sure to use a midi channel on the OT with the channel assigned to the same one as the sub37? Double tap the playback button beneath the screen on the ot and use the first encoder to select the midi channel the 37 is assigned to and make sure to press enter. Should be working unless the midi cable is broken or something. The LFO of the sub37 syncs well with the OT once everything is connected correctly and sounds great.

One strange note that I’ve reported: LFO sync exhibits strange behavior on the sub37 if the LFOs are key tracked while also midi synced. Just a heads up so you’re not scratching your head if you’ve got keytracking set to LFO rate in any sub37 patches.

Dtroy · 2015-04-03T03:39:58.000Z

I think I’ve got it synced, it sounds better now. I assigned the midi channels to channel 1 on both the Sub 37 and Octatrack, but I’m still wondering how to sync the sequence of the Sub 37. Do I have to externally sequence it with the Octatrack or can the Sub 37’s internal sequencer work? When I sequence internally on the Sub 37 it only arpeggiates when I press a key, but I’d like the sequence to play as it would on say an Analog Four when I press play.

Lymtronics · 2015-04-03T03:46:22.000Z

I haven’t played too much with the sequencer on the sub 37, but know that the sequences transpose themselves over different keys. Maybe you’d have to sequence a single note with infinite length on the ot to trigger the 37 sequence. Like if the sequence is properly played back with a middle C, record a sustained middle C on the ot and it should trigger in time.

Dtroy · 2015-04-03T03:54:25.000Z

Thanks for your help. I have the Sub 37 sequenced by the Octatrack. I just have to figure out this dang Sub 37, it’s a bit more complex than my Minitaur haha.

andreasroman · 2015-04-03T06:10:55.000Z

I maybe misunderstand you, but here’s something to try:

The Sub37 sequencer needs to be On and in Latch mode - not to be confused with the latch on the amps or envelopes, but on the sequencer itself, the two buttons close to the keybed, to the far left.

You also need the Sync button on the sequencer to be switched on, the one in the same column as the two previous switches but right at the top of the panel.

Then, you also need to make sure the frequency of the sync matches that of your tempo, adjusted with that big bad button right next to the Sync button.

These things need to happen on the Sub37, and then its sequencer stops and starts with whatever sync signal you send into it. You need to press a key on the Sub37 before it commences, but once you do, it’s in sync and you can do some pretty neat tricks with it while it’s playing, depending on what playback mode you’re in.

For an analogue mono synth, I find the Sub37 sequencer to be quite powerful, not even counting the update that’s around the corner. Then, it’s gonna be friggin’ awesome.

Dtroy · 2015-04-04T00:22:34.000Z

One more issue if anyone can help me resolve it. So I have everything set up nicely and running smoothly except my Minitaur. I have my Octatrack as the master sending MIDI to Rytm, which sends MIDI thru to Sub 37, which sends MIDI to Analog Four which sends MIDI thru to Minitaur, except the Minitaur isn’t responding.

I have the Sub 37 set to MIDI channel 2 sequenced by the Octatrack, while the Minitaur is set to MIDI channel 1 and sequenced by the Octatrack, except I’m not getting any response from the Minitaur. Channel 1 previously worked fine with the Minitaur. I’m not sure if it’s the routing or if I have a channel set up wrong. Pretty confused right now.

subq · 2015-04-04T07:04:22.000Z

I generally stay away from channel 1. However, I also use a cheap 1 to 4 midi thru box, no external power required, small, and very affordable.

I run my OT into that and then split it out to other devices.

Nothing special is really required in that setup. I am clocking both my minitaur and my sub37 (as well as program start/stop) from my OT.

PeterHanes · 2015-04-07T16:45:39.000Z

""Dtroy"":

One more issue if anyone can help me resolve it. So I have everything set up nicely and running smoothly except my Minitaur. I have my Octatrack as the master sending MIDI to Rytm, which sends MIDI thru to Sub 37, which sends MIDI to Analog Four which sends MIDI thru to Minitaur, except the Minitaur isn’t responding.

I have the Sub 37 set to MIDI channel 2 sequenced by the Octatrack, while the Minitaur is set to MIDI channel 1 and sequenced by the Octatrack, except I’m not getting any response from the Minitaur. Channel 1 previously worked fine with the Minitaur. I’m not sure if it’s the routing or if I have a channel set up wrong. Pretty confused right now.

That’s a fairly lengthy MIDI chain.

Start simple: does the Minitaur respond OK if you only have the OT MIDI Out to Minitaur in? That checks the Minitaur itself and the cables.

If that’s OK then we can check all the MIDI connections, the MIDI channel settings, and all the other MIDI settings on each instrument.

Dapifer · 2015-04-14T14:04:53.000Z

You can use the Sub 37 sequencer also when slaved to the AR and OT, that’s how I have mine set up OT>AR>Sub 37.

You can of course have the OT sequence the Sub 37 but it’s more fun and easy to use the Sub 37’s internal sequencer (especially with the new firmware). I’ll have a look at how mines wired up when I get home tonight (pm me if I forget)

udenjoe · 2015-04-14T14:21:18.000Z

If you (can) follow the OT manual’s (poorly written) recommendation for setting up as a midi control center, you will get a really powerful setup. You could set up the 37 keyboard to control everything even the 37 sequences. You would select your device with the OT’s Midi page.

Start with OT > Sub > OT, then Sub Thru to everything else.