Hooking up midi capable devices to Sonar X2 Producer via Focusrite Scarlett 6i6

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keefmeister
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2013/09/11 23:17:52 (permalink)

Hooking up midi capable devices to Sonar X2 Producer via Focusrite Scarlett 6i6

Hi all.
 
Newbie to midi and would like some advice on connections
 
The devices:
Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 audio interface (has midi in and out ports)...this is hooked to my PC (running Sonar X2 Producer) via USB
Yamaha AW2400 DAW (has midi in and out ports)...would like to occasionally use this as a control surface in Sonar
Ensoniq TS-10 Keyboard/Synth (has midi in, out, and thru ports)...would like to sync with sonar via midi and send sequenced instrument tracks from the TS-10 to Sonar through 6i6 TRS inputs. 
 
Given the available ports, is there a way to hook the AW2400 and TS-10 in a loop from the 6i6 so that they are both recognized simultaneously in Sonar, the AW2400 as a control surface and the TS-10 as a sound module/sequencer?
 
Before getting the Scarlett 6i6I audio interface and midi cables, I would typically run stereo outs from the TS-10 into the AW2400 and do basic mixing there.  Then transfer wave files from the AW2400 to my PC via USB...there I would refine the mix in Sonar.  I would like to leverage the midi capabilities of all this equipment and hook things up once (v. switching out the devices feeding into the 6i6).
 
But, I have a sense that I can only communicate with the 6i6 (and the PC/Sonar) from one of these devices at a time.  To allow the AW2400 to act as a control surface (Master) and Sonar (slave), wouldn't I need to run midi out from the 6i6 to midi in of the AW2400 and round trip that back to 6i6 (midi out on the AW2400 to midi in on the 6i6).  Reading help on for the Ensoniq TS-10, I can pass midi in data to a second device connected to the thru port of the TS-10, but if that device is the AW2400, how can it communicate back through the TS-10 as a control surface.
 
I hope I explained this well enough.  Thanks in advance for any guidance...
 
Marc
 
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    2:43AM
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    Re: Hooking up midi capable devices to Sonar X2 Producer via Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2013/09/13 07:22:21 (permalink)
    Is the AW2400 capable of communicating as a control surface, or as a controller, to Sonar via the USB? Or is the USB functionality only for file transfer? And I take it you're using the TS-10 as a keyboard controller as well? I don't think you're going to be able to do what you want to do with that setup.  The weak link is the AW2400. If it were to have a MIDI-thru port, then it may be possible.
     
    You may just want to pick up a 2x2 USB-to-MIDI interface (Midiman 2x2) on the cheap for extended flexibility. $25 on eBay.
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    keefmeister
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    Re: Hooking up midi capable devices to Sonar X2 Producer via Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2013/09/13 20:32:56 (permalink)
    Hello, thanks for replying.
     
    I've been pouring over the manuals (most of the equipment and software is relatively new to me).
     
    Yes, the AW2400 is capable of acting as a remote control surface for Sonar.  The Aw2400 manual says I can make midi connections to a computer thru midi or USB.   Because I'm using an audio interface to the PC, I currently have the AW2400 hooked up to the 6i6 with the midi ports. 
     
    After posting the original question above, I have found that "Sonar" is a choice in the AW2400 "remote" page.  I found this inadvertently by pressing on a button in the layers section of the board called "remote" (duh).   The AW2400 came with a disk that has "remote template" for Sonar 4.0.1 Producer (I'm trying to find out if Yamaha has an updated remote template for X2 Producer, but since the AW2400 has long been discontinued, my guess is I'm out of luck).
     
    I was successful making adjustments on the AW2400 and got it to communicate with Sonar X2 Producer via MTC, but it was very inconsistent.  RTZ (Return To Zero) on the AW2400 did not function at all and Play would not start at the beginning, even if I reset to zero in Sonar.  And for some reason there was a lot of distortion in my reference monitors. 
     
    Oddly enough...the midi page in the AW2400 has a "midi thru" option even though there is only a midi in and out on the recorder.  I just need to understand midi and this equipment better. 
     
    On the TS-10, I don't so much want to use it to control Sonar, but try to sync the music I sequence on the TS-10 with other tracks in Sonar.  I would like to press Play on the TS-10 and have that invoke play/record in Sonar.  I think I figure that out in due time.  I guess that is using the TS-10 as a controller.  I need to walk toward the light.  :)
     
    Since I've discovered the AW2400 can communicate midi through USB, I should leverage that connection (run USB direct from AW2400 to PC) and hook the TS-10 keyboard (via midi connections) to the audio interface.   That way I can leave things hooked up that way all the time.
     
    Thanks again for taking the time to write and offering other options.  I do appreciate it.
     
    To everyone else that may read this post, please consider my question answered.  I was premature to post and will watch that next time.

    Project Studio DAW (studiocat.com)
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Sonar Platinum
    Izotope Alloy 2, Ozone 6, Nectar Elements, RX4
    Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 audio interface
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    2:43AM
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    Re: Hooking up midi capable devices to Sonar X2 Producer via Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2013/09/15 16:02:11 (permalink)
    keefmeister
    The Aw2400 manual says I can make midi connections to a computer thru midi or USB.  Because I'm using an audio interface to the PC, I currently have the AW2400 hooked up to the 6i6 with the midi ports.


    Since I've discovered the AW2400 can communicate midi through USB, I should leverage that connection (run USB direct from AW2400 to PC) and hook the TS-10 keyboard (via midi connections) to the audio interface.   That way I can leave things hooked up that way all the time.

     
    You're on the right track with this method. Hopefully, the USB connection will allow for proper control between your PC and the AW2400. Keep the AW2400 on USB and route the MIDI to the TS-10.  Since you want to attempt to use the TS-10 as a controller device, more so than just a MIDI keyboard, then you must use both the MIDI-In and MIDI-Out ports.
     
    6i6 MIDI-In  <--- TS-10 MIDI-Out
    6i6 MIDI-Out ---> TS-10 MIDI-In
     
    You'll need to dig in the manuals again to make sure the TS-10 can output controls (program changes, CC's, Sysex, etc.). If it's a workstation-type keyboard, then hopefully this is possible.
     
    keefmeister
    To everyone else that may read this post, please consider my question answered.  I was premature to post and will watch that next time.


    Glad I could help! And don't worry about posting questions, even if you consider them posted prematurely. This forum is for discussion and help. That's at least the reason why I'm a member.
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    keefmeister
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    Re: Hooking up midi capable devices to Sonar X2 Producer via Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2013/09/17 00:31:53 (permalink)
    Thanks again, 2:43AM!  I talked to Yamaha support today and was told MMC and MTC are for audio sync only. Tech said if I'm only trying to use the AW2400 as a control surface, I should leave those remote modes disabled... and just leverage regular midi. Obviously I don't know what I'm doing.     I haven't had a chance to tinker anymore with this, but am anxious to give it a go along with your advice above. Yamaha also reported that there is no update for the remote template that came on the disk with the AW2400. Said what I have would work. I need to retire so I can play more. 

    Project Studio DAW (studiocat.com)
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Sonar Platinum
    Izotope Alloy 2, Ozone 6, Nectar Elements, RX4
    Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 audio interface
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