Comments on: Using External MIDI Instruments with Pro Tools

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:00:52 +0000

Jay ~ Yes, it's a totally different ballgame if you're not using an external MIDI instrument. What are you using for instrument sounds in this scenario?

By: Doug Gray

Doug Gray — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:54:48 +0000

Chris,

Thank you. Updating to cs 8.0.3 worked. MIDI is tight. I’d been drawing in all of my MIDI for months. Also, it sounds like I’m getting a wider stereo spectrum overall; which is nice.

You da man. Thanks again,

Doug

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:40:15 +0000

I have an M-AUDIO KeyRig 25. I am getting activity when I play or record, but am unable to get any sound on playback. I think I followed the directions pretty accurately, but could be wrong. I am not using MIDI cords. I am using a USB cord from the M-Audio straight into my computer. I also have an M-Box set up. Are there a different set of instructions for USBcords. Can you please give a quick in out for this if you know it. Thank you so much. I have been stuck for two days. I was doing great with live instruments, but this MIDIsetup is killing me. Thanks again. Once I get this MIDI thing figured out it looks like you have some very useful info on here!!

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:47:18 +0000

Doug ~ Thanks for the compliment.

I would recommend updating to CS 8.0.3 as there have been several MIDI related bug fixes since 8.0. These are included in CS 8.0.3 (a free download at Digidesign).
You may want to check your Global MIDI Offsets. Just in case that was somehow inadvertently adjusted.

Please, let me know what happens.

By: Doug Gray

Doug Gray — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:43:18 +0000

Hi Chris,
Thanks for providing such great help. I’m running Pro Tools 8.0 on a Mac with a Digi 003, and I’m getting latency when I play back midi tracks. This happens all the time whether I’m using outboard MIDI gear or virtual instruments. I’ve tried all the different buffer settings and there’s no difference. I worked with a Digi 001 and Pro Tools 5.0 for the last ten years and never had a problem. Any suggestions? Thanks.

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:44:21 +0000

Adora ~ All you need to do is connect the audio output from the Roland device into the audio input of Pro Tools and record as usual. Pro Tools doesn't know the difference between a guitar, a mic, or something that also happens to be a MIDI capable device. So when it comes to recording audio - it's always the same process: connect your audio device using standard audio cables, make sure the correct audio inputs are assigned to the track you're recording onto, set your levels, and record. Does that help?

By: Adora

Adora — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:53:26 +0000

Hey Chris, I was wondering how I could hook up my Roland to Pro Tools and record what I’m playing on my Roland in Pro Tools. I dont want to do it MIDI because I want to actually use the Roland sounds.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:28:41 +0000

Chris, I want to give a big thanks for the information that you have given me on MIDI. There is a little road block I’m running into when I track out my MIDI/Audio into Pro Tools. Everything is not lining up on time. All my instrument tracks record on time but my kick never does. The very first note never records on time. PS: To help you out I’m using Roland Juno-G with Pro Tools.

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:47:58 +0000

Gregg ~ Not exactly. As the tutorial in written with external, sound-generating MIDI devices in mind. That said, based on your question it sounds like you're definitely on the right track. You just need to bus the output of Xpand to the input of an Audio track (instead of routing the outputs of the external device to the audio track).

By: Gregg

Gregg — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:24:07 +0000

Chris – thanks for the info. Will this tutorial work with a midi controller (like axiom 25 – not sound generating) if you insert an instrument like xpand on the instrument track?