Want to use your external MIDI devices with Pro Tools? Record MIDI from a keyboard and then end up with audio tracks of the MIDI sounds? But how does MIDI become audio into Pro Tools? How do you connect everything? Isn’t MIDI a form of digital audio? Ring a bell? This tutorial is for you!
Objective When you are done this lesson you will be able to explain the basic premise of MIDI. You will be able to set up Pro Tools to record MIDI using a virtual instrument as the sound source and you will record the resulting MIDI performance as audio.
This lesson can be thought of as two main sections
- Explanation of MIDI: the simple concepts
- Tutorial
- MIDI Connections
- Configuring Pro Tools MIDI and Aux tracks
- Recording MIDI using a virtual instrument
- Recording the resulting MIDI performance as audio
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- The right-click-renaming is not available in versions earlier than Pro Tools 7.3 ↩
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Hi Chris,
It’s awesome to see all the help you’re giving; helping people make music.
My question is:
I have a Korg TR Music Workstation (aka Korg TR-61 or Korg TR 1 Keyboard), and ProTools LE 8, which doesn’t have my keyboard available as an option in Setup→MIDI→MIDI Studio…→Manufacturer→Model
I tried downloading the appropriate
.midnam(from DigiCake) and then in the Patch Change window of my MIDI track selecting ‘Korg_TR_Workstation.midnam’ but got an error message saying “Pro Tools could not find the appropriate patch names in the currently selected patch name document because either manufacturer/model information or instrument do not match”.I guess because in MIDI setup I selected what I thought was the ‘closest match’ (Korg TR-Rack) but they don’t actually match.
Is there some way to add new keyboards into the manufacturer/model in MIDI setup?
Thanks!
Dan ~ Thank you for the compliment and, yes there is a way to it.
You are on exactly the right track. The only thing I think you’re missing is that there also needs to be a
.middevfile created that corresponds to the device you’ve created a.midnamfor. It’s name has to be exactly the same as the.midnamfile (less the .midnam extension).If Pro Tools doesn’t see the corresponding
.middevfile in theLibrary→Audio→MIDI Devicesfolder, it won’t allow you to access the.midnamfile.Note: Tutorials on this and other MIDI & Pro Tools topics will be available as part of the http://www.ShowMeMIDI.com training site (eta: Early Summer 2010).
Thanks for your prompt reply.
I have edited the .middev file by opening it in notepad (forgot to mention i’m on a PC), copying the Korg T-1 code and pasting it with the name changed to exactly match my .midnam file. Success!
I now have access to all patch data and can successfully record MIDI.
Now only one problem remains, I think it will be the one that really shows me up as a noobie, so please excuse my ignorance but now how do i get to hear my recorded MIDI?
Because it’s a Mini Mbox 2 and doesn’t have MIDI ports, does that mean I can’t?
The only options I have in the output field of my MIDI track are Korg TR Workstation (16 tracks) and Predefined>Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth [Emulated] (16 tracks) & Predefined>Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated] (16 tracks). Have tried all 16 tracks of all 3 options and haven’t heard a peep through my Mbox or my Korg’s speakers. Is there something I’m missing here?
What’s happening is I can hear the MIDI as audio via the aux track as I record it, but nothing is registering when I play it back. ie The PT MIDI track isn’t triggering my keyboard. I’ve made sure they are both set to channel 1 and that the keyboard’s local control is off, other than that I’m at a bit of a loss…
Dan ~ Great to hear. We’ll let Chris know you were successful with that. Chris’ schedule is jam-packed at the moment so detailed answers to questions at this site may be a little sparse in the coming weeks. Thanks for using ShowMeProTools and for your patience.
We’ve set up a mailing list for you who want to be first in the loop on the upcoming ShowMeMIDI training site. It’s 100% MIDI and Pro Tools training. Sign Up Now
I have a Yamaha EX5 synth. I have my Midi I/O port A connected to a ProjectMix I/O contol surface. I am using Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.3. I have set up an Instrument and Click track within Pro Tools and have assigned Inserts A-E on both tracks. The instrument track is set to use the “Structure” plug-in. When I hit any of the keys on my synth, I have no sound. Any assistance you can provide me would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, this page is a constant source of great info for me – thanks for all the hard work.
I hope this question isn’t too annoying, but I run PT 6.4 LE on a PC with a Digi001 and only started using MIDI recently. I’ve figured it out thanks to this guide, but was wondering how I can use two MIDI tracks together ‘independently’. For example, I have one MIDI track which is the right hand on the piano, which I want to sound like a bell, and the left hand is another MIDI track that I want as an organ. But when I ‘print’ one or the other to an Audio track I hear them both – how do I get them to be independent of each other?
Thanks so much in advance.
Hi Chris, Thanks so much for placing all this information up here. You have a great site, excellent for beginners at Pro Tools (like myself). I’ve already learned quite a bit from the information you have here, especially this section (Using External MIDI Instruments with Pro Tools). Thanks for placing Jpegs with your tutorials. You can definitely have my vote on any upcoming “ProTools/Music Best Site” contest. Keep up the great work! All the best. James
James ~ Thank you very much.
Great article Chris! Thanks to this I now have a couple of external synths running in my rig. The only problem is, I can’t hear them while in playback. In other words, I’m working on a song and I’m looking for the right sound on my external synth. I hear the sound until I press play to hear the sound with the rest of the track. Hope this makes sense, any ideas? –John
I don’t know a thing about ProTools. It’s got to be easier than what I make of it. I’m ignorant. I have a question. Can the .midnam midi patches in ProTools be used as sounds that I can use and record on MIDI track?
How can I use the Kurzweil’s sounds,and Yamaha, and Korg as instruments played on my Kontrol 49 Korg keyboard? Help.
Aldraco ~ The .midnam files are basically text listings of the patch/sound names for various devices. Having these names available makes it easier to call up, or navigate through sounds on a device by name instead of by meaningless program change numbers .
If you want to use the sounds from a Kurzweil, Yamaha, or any other synth you would have to either A] have the actual hardware device connected, or B] have a software sampler like Structure or Kontakt with samples of the synths you like. There are software instruments like Omnisphere, or Titan that have impeccably sampled synths and will run in Pro Tools beautifully.
Charles ~
Go to Options → MIDI Thru and make sure MIDI Thru is enabled.
Thanks but the MIDI Thru is enabled. It seems that Pro Tools doesn’t react on FX knobs on Kore. But it does (?!) react on the pitch bend from my keyboard. Makes me wonder….
Marcel ~ How are you doing. The comment abut MIDI Thru was actually in response to a different question from Charles, but on this thread. Sorry for the confusion. With ShowMeMIDI.com all of the Pro Tools and MIDI lessons will be in one place. (That site is coming soon.)
Regarding your Kore 2 Question:
Have you checked to see if you have System Exclusive checked in Setup → MIDI → Input Filter… ?
It should not be checked.
I cannot seem to find this System Exclusive ‘knob’ in Kore 2
Marcel ~
Have you installed the Kore 2 Controller Driver?
The driver installer is located in the KORE 2 Program Folder on your computer.
Windows: Program Files / Native Instruments / KORE 2 /Mac OS X: Applications / KORE 2 / Driver /Also, Kore 2 needs to be set to Plug-In Mode, not Stand Alone Mode, in order for it to work in Pro Tools.
Dan ~ Sorry for the long delay in my response. Have you resolved the problem?
I haved followed the above instructions for using external MIDI instruments with Pro Tools and ran into a roadblock at step #9. The following is a list of my gear:
Yamaha EX5 MIDI synth
M-Audio ProjectMix I/O control surface
I have the audio output from my synth into input channels 1 & 2 of the ProjectMix. When I reached step #9 (input tab of the Aux track) I did not see the analog channels (1 & 2) of the ProjectMix I/O listed. I can record MIDI but that’s as far as I can go. Is there additional configuration within ProTools that I should be configuring. I’m almost there! Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Charles
Charles ~ It sounds like you are doing everything correctly.
If your Inputs 1 and 2 are not appearing in the Aux Track Input Drop Down menu, it may be that they are not configured in the
Setup → I/O...menu. Your first step should be to go there and check to see your I/O configuration.Setup → I/O...is where your Inputs and Outputs are configured; where you’re telling Pro Tools which physical hardware inputs and outputs of your ProjectMix I/O you want to appear in the Inputs and Outputs drop down menus of tracks. If not configured correctly in here – Inputs and Outputs won’t appear anywhere in the session.No worries Chris,
No. Unfortunately still haven’t resolved my problem. I can record my keyboard as an audio track, and as a MIDI track but I can’t then edit the MIDI and have the Pro Tools MIDI file execute my MIDI device so that I can record the audio of my edited MIDI file (which means I’m limited to recording audio of what I can play live).
Look forward to your insight.
Cheers,
Dan
Dan ~ If I understand correctly then, the problem may be:
My initial thought, considering you seem to have everything in Pro Tools working fine, is that it’s the last option.
It’s very common for a Multi-Timbral keyboard/workstation to be able to transmit MIDI data from any of it’s operating Modes, and yet have very specific settings for receiving MIDI Data. This is actually a feature of MIDI: being able to set specific TX and RX channels.
Are you quite familiar with how to set up your external MIDI sound source for Multi-Timbral operation?
That said, you might want to check the first two things on my list also.
I hear it monitored but when I record it doesn’t playback. I’m using a MIDI to USB cable. Does that change anything?
I’m having midi problems. I have no experiences with midi, but I bought an m-audio Oxygen 61 midi. I have it USB’ed into my PC. I have a new PC with Win 7, Protools M-powered 8.0.3, and a M-audio Profire 2626 interface. I have follow your excellent instructions as much as I can. I have midi recorded in my midi PT track. I can see the dot and dashes in the track… When I hit the keys on the keyboard the PT VU meter moves and all looks normal. So, I believe I have recorded midi. I created an Aux track, but I can’t seem to get the midi track data fed into the Aux track and then on to the Audio track. I have tried different combinations between the Midi track and Aux track, but no luck. I really would appreciate any help you can give me…
Thanks galen
Hi Chris -
Just found your site and the tutorial – very helpful. I am running ProTools 8.0.1 in Windows XP and am just learning the MIDI side of things. I am trying to interface my Boss DR670 drum machine, with no success so far.Two issues:
1. When I configure ProTools using the MIDI Studio Setup, the instrument list does not include a selection for the DR670. Not sure what this means and how to proceed, but I have set up the 670 using the NONE option for model, per the PT manual instructions.
2. I followed your set up tutorial step by step. However, when I get to step 19-20, the MIDI track velocity meter does not show any signal from the 670 when I test. When I try to record, no data is being transmitted. I’ve checked cables etc. and tried a couple of different I/O changes with no luck.
Any suggestions? Thanks!
Gary
Ello Chris. I am new to all this stuff, but you’re helping allot. Thank you allot .
Chris is there any way in Pro Tools to remove vocals and leave just instrumental playing?
Andre ~ Thanks you! You’re very welcome.
If the vocals are recorded by you into Pro Tools, on their own track. Absolutely – you can just mute the vocal track.. But if you want to remove the lead vocal from a commercial recording – like a stereo track from a CD – then the answer is “no, not exactly”.
There is a trick you can do to get close, though. It really deserves a tutorial. But here’s a quick explanation of the basic idea.
If done correctly, the mix will change noticeably because this trick essentially removes the vocals and anything else (like Kick Drum and Bass) that are panned dead center in the stereo mix. The result will be mono. Also, adjusting the volume – even slightly, will give you variations of the effect.
Yo Chris, I’m having a hard time with this MIDI thing. I have a Motif 6 and Pro Tools 7.1. Trying to slave the Motif to my Digi 002. Although I am able to sequence and record tracks out of my motif I can’t hear any sound during playback, recording or just hitting random keys at all, but can see the MIDI notes being recorded.
I followed the tutorial but still no sound. Even tried the Aux, MIDI, Audio track combo.
Can’t figure out how to connect recorded data to the Aux. Do I need a third MIDI cable?
My Motif has a port for MIDI Thru while my Digi 002 just says MIDI Out 2.
I also have the Structure plug in and I have no problem creating tracks with instrument tracks. Help Please! Frustration is killin me!
Rell ~
1. No you don’t need a third MIDI cable.
2. I don’t see any mention in your comment about Audio cables?
Have you connected the audio output of the Motif into your Digi002 interface?
Are you able to monitor the Motif audio signal through Pro Tools – even before using MIDI to control it?
Check out ShowMeMIDI.com. A whole online course dedicated to Pro Tools & MIDI together.
Steve ~ No, using a MIDI to USB Cable should not change things that much.
Master MIDI in Pro Tools at ShowMeMIDI.com.
Gary ~ Sent you a detailed explanation via email.
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