Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
pblais
Total Posts: 95
Joined 03-05-2015 status: Experienced |
I connect my M-Audio keyboard to my Rack-XS via a MIDI cable. Everything is good. Then I connect the Rack to my PC via a USB cable. As soon as the PC “sees” the Rack, no more sound from MIDI in coming from keyboard. As soon as I unplug the USB cable from the computer, sound comes back from the keyboard via MIDI Is this normal? |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
What do you have MIDI In/Out set to in Utility mode? See page 99 of the Rack XS Owner’s Manual. |
pblais
Total Posts: 95
Joined 03-05-2015 status: Experienced |
I am not home right now at the instrument but, if I remember from last night, it is set to USB.... But, I just read this note in the manual at page 99
When a USB cable is not connected to the MOTIF-RACK XS, the MIDI terminal will be automatically used for
That explains why the MIDI “comes back” when I unplug that USB cable… Right? Is there any setting that will allow both MIDI from my keyboard to get thru and also be able to talk to it with my PC on USB all at the same time? WOW… this piece of equipment is highly sophisticated and complex… I am very impressed… BUT, on the other side, a lot to learn. I purchased the M-Audio Keystation 88 and the Rack-XS to replace my old Alesis Q7 keyboard.... |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
Yes - that’s why I referred you to that page in the manual.
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See MIDI channels and MIDI ports, specifically the Port 3 information, on page 18 of the Owner’s Manual. With MIDI In/Out set to USB, data from a MIDI controller connected to the Rack’s MIDI-In will transmit on Port 3. If your software allows rerouting of that Port 3 data to Port 1, that should work.
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It’s worth the effort, in my opinion. |
pblais
Total Posts: 95
Joined 03-05-2015 status: Experienced |
I’m sorry.. but now I am totally confused.. Maybe I didn’t state my problem correctly. When I have the USB cable connected between my PC and the rack, it doesn’t allow the MIDI data from my keyboard to come thru. And, when I disconnect the USB cable, it now plays the MIDI data from my keyboard… What does that have to do with software? |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
Your original explanation was fine - I fully understood the situation. Did you read the Port 3 information I referred you to? When in USB mode, the Rack’s 5-pin MIDI ports act as an interface for MIDI data, handled via USB Port 3. That data can usually be rerouted back to the Rack’s tone generator…
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... via computer software. You previously asked “Is there any setting that will allow both MIDI from my keyboard to get thru and also be able to talk to it with my PC on USB all at the same time?”. Typically “to talk to it with my PC” requires software, does it not? What might that be? |
pblais
Total Posts: 95
Joined 03-05-2015 status: Experienced |
OK… The software that I am using is the Yamaha editor that you recommended to me…
Thanks again for trying to help me but I don’t see anyway around this.. It could be my thick skull that can’t be penetrated :)
Thanks for trying
|
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
Oh, but it probably is the point. Unless the Rack XS Editor is different than the XS or XF Editor, it can be set up so that MIDI data from Port 3 (the MIDI-In connector) can be routed to Port 1 (the tone generator). I have absolutely no problem using the XF or XS Editors with my Motifs in USB MIDI mode, and having an external keyboard connected to the 5-pin MIDI-In connector play the Motif while the Editor is running. All it requires is proper port setup in the Editor. If you’d like to pursue this further, please post again. |
pblais
Total Posts: 95
Joined 03-05-2015 status: Experienced |
OK… I’ll look in to it tonight when I am home…
Keep in mind that I still want to be able to feed the rack MIDI data from my keyboard at the same time. |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
Yes - it seemed that was what you asked about. If you’re not running the editor (or some other MIDI software) then there isn’t an issue - just set MIDI In/Out to “MIDI”, or disconnect the USB cable.
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The Yamaha USB driver is “aware” of all the Rack’s ports, so any connected DAW should be able to access them and be configured properly.
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That’s the point of setting up the ports. The MIDI data from your keyboard would enter the MIDI-In jack, be routed through the Rack to USB Port 3, and (when properly routed through the software) fed back to the Rack’s tone generator. Exactly which MIDI data will be fed to the Rack will depend on the software. |
meatballfulton
Total Posts: 3022
Joined 01-25-2005 status: Guru |
If you did have some software that could route MIDI IN from one port to MIDI OUT on a different port, then you could do what you want. That is what 5pinDIN’s “lawyer talk” was referring to. Rack connected to the computer over USB has multiple ports: Port 1 carries MIDI between the rack and computer in both directions to play the rack voices and dump rack data Port 3 carries MIDI connected to the Rack MIDI IN to the computer and from the computer to the Rack MIDI OUT. This is used to connect other MIDI devices to the computer using the Rack as an interface. What is missing is some software that can take the incoming MIDI on Port 3 and route it back out on Port 1 to play the Rack. BOTH PORTS ARE USING THE SAME USB CONNECTION. |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
I downloaded and installed the Rack XS Editor. I don’t have a Rack XS, but the Editor didn’t care (for port setup purposes, not editing). I was able to configure the ports so that an external keyboard (connected to my XF’s 5-pin MIDI-In) is able to play the XF while it’s in USB MIDI mode with the Editor running. You should be able to do the same with the Rack.
I suggest that you read Readme_MIDIPort_Editor_EN.pdf
This should work…
Let us know if you need further help in setting up the ports. |
pblais
Total Posts: 95
Joined 03-05-2015 status: Experienced |
Sorry for the delay… I was away on business
I also have a question about this setup.. Should I be able to get this working.. Am I going to need the editor running in order for MIDI to come through with USB cable connected?
Thanks
|
pblais
Total Posts: 95
Joined 03-05-2015 status: Experienced |
what about the device# on the port 1 setup line? |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
If the virtual keyboard shows activity, that’s progress - the Editor is seeing Port 3 input. Make sure that Thru is turned on ("lit") at the lower right of the main Editor screen - otherwise, MIDI data won’t be sent to the Rack.
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There has to be an application which routes the MIDI data properly when USB is being used. It doesn’t have to be the Yamaha Editor - a DAW, for example, should be configurable. When you’re not using software, there’s no need to have the USB connection. At that time, MIDI In/Out can be set to MIDI, or disconnect the USB cable.
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Typically the Motif is set to ”all” for device number, and in the Editor is set to ”1”. If you’ve set the Rack device number to something else, then change the Editor setting so that they match. See Device No. on page 100 of the Owner’s Manual. |
pblais
Total Posts: 95
Joined 03-05-2015 status: Experienced |
Does it matter here that my Rack does NOT have MIDI out or thru? That being said, the owner’s manual shows that it has both MIDI IN and MIDI OUT????????? |