Before you can start using your external MIDI devices with Pro Tools, you need to let the software know about the MIDI hardware you’ve got connected to your system.
For OSX users, this is done by creating a Studio Setup in the Audio MIDI Setup application that comes as part of OSX. This tutorial will walk you through the process.
Objective: When you are done with this tutorial, you will be able to connect your MIDI equipment to your computer using a MIDI interface. You will configure and test your MIDI setup using Apple’s Audio MIDI Setup and Pro Tools.
This tutorial has three basic parts:
- Explanation of MIDI connections using a MIDI interface.
- Step-by-Step: Setting up of your MIDI hardware using AMS
- Step-by-Step: Testing of your MIDI studio setup with Pro Tools
MIDI Instrument
In this example, I’m going to be using a Roland XP-50 Keyboard. In MIDI terms, the XP-50 would be considered a MIDI Controller Keyboard and also a MIDI Sound Source. In most cases, you will be connecting a MIDI device that is one (controller), the other (sound source), or both.
1. MIDI Hardware and Interfaces
In order to connect a MIDI device to your computer, you need to
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
This is an awesome tutorial. I thank you a lot but there’re some thing i would like to ask and really appreciate if you can help. I have Digi 002 but my MIDI Device is Roland Edirol PCR-80. When access AMS to setup, the mac can recognize the device automatically but i can’t click-and-drag to connect the MIDI device to the Digi. I see file port on my MIDI device:
1. EDIROL PCR MIDI OUT
2. EDIROL PCR
3. EDIROL PCR MIDI IN
4. EDIROL PCR 1
5. EDIROL PCR 2
and on Digi 002 not only 2 ports like yours but 3 (Port 3 Control) so i’m confused. Can you help?
I’ve just got one question. What If your connecting via usb to your Digi 003? Does It make a difference?
Thinh and John ~ If you are connecting a USB Controller (like the Edirols) using the USB port, then there’s no need to also connect it’s MIDI out to the 002/003. USB controllers actually use a USB cable instead of a MIDI cable.
The setup procedure for it is a few more steps than you might usually have to take. It’s easy if A] You have installed the Driver. and B] You follow the step-by-step in the Read Me that comes with the Driver.
You can get that driver and the step-by-step instructions here: http://www.rolandus.com/support/downloads_updates/?Identifier=N-S
Excellent tutorial, however, my attempt is to use my Roland D-20 (work station) as a midi controller only, using plugins with Pro Tools 8. Pro tools recognizes the D20, however after your tutorial, however, I cannot access the plugins with the D-20. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you
can’t hear anything, keyboard is working and recording but no audio output to either headphones or speakers. totaly lost as to what the issue is, can you or anyone help ?
email: rcook596@btinternet.com
yeah, same problem as Raemond. it looks like its recording well enough, and yet i cant hear any sound either on recording or playback, can ya shed some light on this?
Raemond, Jake,
I think I know what’s happening…
In this tutorial (on step 15) I made a note that if you do not have audio connected from your external MIDI device to Pro Tools, you will need to have headphones connected to your external MIDI device.
This tutorial doesn’t explain how to set up Audio from an external MIDI device.
For that check out the tutorial called “Using External MIDI Instruments with Pro Tools”.
I hope this helps.
i ended up finding the solution a different way. when i was recording the keyboard in an instrument track, it was recording fine. i didnt realize that you needed to add an insert to the track to actually get sound out. the signals by themselves don’t produce any sound, but when you add an insert, you give the signal a voice.
hopefully this will solve Raemond’s problem.
thank you for answering our questions, Chris.
Great tutorial! just want to know how to run an m-audio midi controller through a motif es rack and into protools so that it works. been trying everything i can think and its not working. any help would be appreciated! thanks
s
How does one get the audio MIDI setup updater 2.2.2? I only have 2.1.1
Darcy ~ I’ve only ever seen AMS as part of the OSX installer.
Anyone else?
Doesn’t Apple have updates of the small applications? I always receive other updates from them (i.e., iTunes, etc.)
Hey! Thank you so much…
I have a question. When I got to step number 9, I had no models loaded and no brands either :s I have a roland xp-80 and I did connect it to the mac and I can play, the problem is that every sound I have FROM THE ROLAND, plays as the sound of a piano in the computer……any thoughts??
Thanks!!
Hi Chris,
Thanks for all the wonderful tutorials. How can I be able to convert my midi file into a .wav file? That way I can it like a normal audio file, I really find it difficult editing with midi.
Thanks!
Hi,
I’m a new user for both Mac and Protools and I finally got protools installed on my iMAC. I purchased Protools 8 MAudio edition with the interface. I can’t get my keboard to work with it though, I have a Motif XS8 and I want to use the sequencer and sounds from it, is this even possible and if yes, how?
The above tutorial was very helpful but I’m still missing a few steps somewhere it seems…
Thanks in adance
Carl ~ Yes it’s possible to sync the Motif XS8 Sequencer and Pro Tools as well as use the sounds from the Motif. The sync part of it involves using MIDI synchronization features in both Pro Tools and the Motif. But that’s another tutorial.
Using the Motif as a sound source and MIDI controller in Pro Tools. This tutorial should be of some assistance for that.
This is a great tutorial. I just have 2 questions
1. how do I add the patch names for sound from my keyboard into pro tools?
2. I have a Yamaha PSR-740,the manufacture name is listed,but model PSR=740
is not, do I leave it blank?
Thanks for your help.
Cynthia ~ 1. The Patch / Sound names are all stored in little file with the extension .midnam. For devices for which no .midnam file exists in the default directory, you can create one or possibly find one for download from someone out there who may have created one and is sharing it. There’s a resource out there called Cherry Picker that can help with creating custom .midnam files if you’re up to it.
2. If there is another PSR device listed I would use it. If not, just name it whatever you like and leave the Manufacturer and Model fields empty. It will help if you are able to set the MIDI Transmit and Receive channels correctly too as that information will be used by Pro Tools.
Hi. I purchased a G4 Mac OSX from a woman on Craigslist. It came equipped with Pro Tools LE 6.4 and a DIGI 001 interface. I have a MXL 990 condenser microphone. I had the mic tested, it works. The DIGI 001 shows up on the Pro Tools, but for some odd reason the mic isn’t picking up any vocals. Is there a special something I’m not getting here as far as the connection or what?
I paid all this money to get my make-shift studio going, but now I’m at a stand still. Extremely frustrated! Please help.
Xavier ~ My guess is you haven’t switched on the 48v Phantom Power supply on the DIGI001. It’s a little switch labeled 48v. Unless it has it’s own power supply, a large diaphragm condenser mic like the MXL will require power. This is supplied from the DIGI001, through the mic cable, to the mic.
Hi. I own a G5 Mac OSX. I’mm running the Mbox2, Pro Tools 8 with my Roland Juno-G.
Now, I did all the steps that you have above but I keep having a split second delay on the first bar. Is there any way I can fix that?
Plus my Juno does not play when I click record on Pro Tools. The Juno has four MIDI options: USB, MIDI, MMC , MTC Remote and to be honest I don’t know what one I should use?
Marcus ~ Thanks for the detailed comment.
Hope that gets you going in the right direction.
Yes I’m trying to sync my Juno with ProTools so I can record real time performances that I made in the Juno. Now here’s the thing: is it possible that my MBox could be out of wack? The reason I’m saying this is because the last time I used it everything was working fine. Now when I put it to MTC nothing happens. As always, Thanks Chris!
Hey I have a question. What are the settings when you just want to plug-in a USB keyboard? For some reason I can’t use my M-audio USB keyboard with any of my programs?
Owen ~ The answer depends on some specific details. Namely, which M-Audio keyboard and which operating system you’re using.
Once you’ve got that information, you can go directly to the Support pages for the M-Audio products.
If none of your software is recognizing the keyboard, it could mean many things. Two common problems are:
Also, if you’re using OSX 10.6.3, Avid/M-Audio is currently testing for compatibility.
Hope that gets you on track.
Great tutorial!
My question: I have not been able to get Pro Tools to recognize any of my MIDI keyboards. I was having trouble with ProTools 8 crashing with Snow Leopard. I read that I was to remove 2 of MIDI drivers which I did. It stopped the crashing but now I think I have no MIDI drivers at all. They don’t appear in the MIDI driver folder.
I also have a Axiom Pro 61 and that does not work either.
Where can I download the proper driver?
Thanks
Kem ~ Thank you.
I have not upgraded to Snow Leopard as the current version, OS 10.6.3 is not yet approved by Avid as compatible with Pro Tools 8.0.3. So I cannot give you my first-hand test results. (I’ve been reading about allot of similar issues though).
I’m not sure which versions of OSX or Pro Tools you happen to be running but you may find this link to the Avid Pro Tools 8.0.3 OSX compatibility page helpful.
Is it possible to record MIDI without buying a MIDI keyboard? Can I use the keyboard on my MacBook Pro 15 in ProTools LE 8 to record MIDI? If so how exactly?
Ross ~ Absolutely! It’s totally possible to record MIDI without buying a keyboard. No, you cannot use the keyboard on your MacPro to do it.
How? You can use Step Input, MIDI Editor, Playlist Editor, Score Editor, and Event List to enter notes using a mouse or trackpad. Also, there are some really affordable miniature USB MIDI controller keyboards out there. It would be worth picking something up because it will be much faster to get the notes into Pro Tools.
For example: The Korg nanoKEY 25 Key USB Controller Keyboard is on for less than $40.00 at Amazon.
PS: I’m teaching an online course on these topics, this summer at http://www.showmemidi.com.
Great tutorial! I’m not personally using ProTools (I’m going the cheapo Garage Band route), but the info on how to setup and configure controllers via Audio MIDI Setup is key.
One question: is it possible to “split” a physical MIDI device into multiple devices? Let’s say my physical device is a MIDI keyboard, is it possible to use the left half of the keyboard as “device 1″ and the right side as “device 2″? The end goal is splitting the keyboard, so any insights on how to achieve that would be appreciated, even if I’m going down the wrong path with this…
Matthew ~ Thanks.
Some keyboard controllers have multiple zones. You set a specific number of keys to transmit on one channel: that’s one zone. Then you set another set of keys to transmit on yet another channel, that’s another zone. And so on.
This is a feature of the keyboard controller and not a capability you can add to a keyboard controller that does not have that feature built in.
Hey got a command 8 and Yamaha keyboard and 002 rack with mac pro
Command 8 works, 002 shows signal from keyboard but not seeing signal in record
Tried different Peripherals settings in second slot…no go
Removed command 8 and tried many settings in peripherals for Keyboard…no go
all this worked before I added command 8
thanks
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