I'd like MC to start recording when I play a MIDI file.  My MC50mkII is set to MIDI sync, but I can't get MC to begin recording when I hit the play button on the MC50.

Not a Midi guru by any means here....but I figured I would ask some of the obvious things I would assure are working properly...such as you are getting recorded data if you manually begin recording in CW ...from your keyboard? ...also in CW recording playback/midi preferences you have the proper boxes checked? ....no i dunno which ones should be checked but maybe try the one about unarmed track recording? .....sorry just getting the ball rolling here on feedback.  I have a midi keyboard i fooled a little with in CW5 but have not on CW7 yet.   My struggle is just getting drums i need on my recordings dialed in properly... hope someone more Midi capable will chime in ....but i would give a little more info on your process maybe ?  

This is from the X3 Help file, but should apply to MC as well:
 

SONAR as the slave
When SONAR is slaved to an external MIDI device, the following changes occur:
●
When you click the Play or Record button, a message (Waiting for MIDI Sync) is displayed in the status bar. When you start your external device, SONAR will follow.

●
If you change the tempo using an external device, the SMPTE time code display in SONAR will be incorrect.

●
SONAR will not transmit MIDI Start, Continue, Stop, and Clock messages.

●
Digital audio will play back, but not necessarily in sync.

To use MIDI Sync with SONAR as the slave
1.
Configure the external MIDI device you want to use as the master device to transmit MIDI Sync.

2.
Configure external slave devices to receive MIDI Sync.

3.
Go to Edit > Preferences > MIDI Devices.

4.
Make sure that your MIDI interface is highlighted in the Inputs list, and click OK.

5.
Click the Transmit MIDI Sync button in the Sync module to use the MIDI Sync clock source.

From now on, SONAR starts playback and recording only after the appropriate message is received from the master device.

BASSJOKER
Not a Midi guru by any means here....but I figured I would ask some of the obvious things I would assure are working properly...such as you are getting recorded data if you manually begin recording in CW ...from your keyboard? ...also in CW recording playback/midi preferences you have the proper boxes checked? 

Thanks.  Yes, I can record the data onto MC no problem, and I've set up the MIDI sync on the sequencer, etc. Right now I have to click MC's record button, then hit the sequencer's play button immediately after, to get as close as possible to starting right at the start of the first measure.
 

57Gregy
This is from the X3 Help file, but should apply to MC as well:
 
 3.
Go to Edit > Preferences > MIDI Devices.

Right, I found a similar set of instructions for MC, and it tells me to go to "Options | Project | Clock" (should say "Preferences | Project | Clock"), and then set the clock source to "MIDI Sync".  But there is no 'MIDI Sync' option there.

hi
you said ....my MC50mkII is set to midi.....so he must receive the sync and MC5 can not transmit midi start stop etc  but could you before start/stop your MC50 by your RD800? if so how? by a note or button?
I start my sequencer via the MC5 using an additional miditrack which can act as sync !!!
Want more ..?
ries
 

sonaries
hi
you said ....my MC50mkII is set to midi.....so he must receive the sync and MC5 can not transmit midi start stop etc  but could you before start/stop your MC50 by your RD800? if so how? by a note or button?
I start my sequencer via the MC5 using an additional miditrack which can act as sync !!!
Want more ..?
ries

My goal is to record a MIDI song from the MC50 to MC7 (in this case the RD-800 isn't part of the setup, it is only the sequencer and MC). My understanding of the instructions for the MC50 is to set it to MIDI Sync, which will trigger MC to begin recording.  So that is what I'm trying to do. :)

You want to set the MC50mkII as the 'master', and 'slave' Music Creator to it (as I understand it).
You'll need to have Func 1 - SYNC MIDI CLOCK to INTERNAL on the Roland MicroComposer.

Hello
Indeed the RD800 isn't part of the set-up but because you made all your disks using it  my question was could you start (sync)the MC50 with the RD800 ? Why ? very easy,because your PC(MC7) can send, receive and understand some midi information, your MC7 replaces your RD800 so to speak.  so your PC(MC7) can send that note to trigger your MC50 to start play back your disk song while your MC7 starts recording. Anyway I'm trying to help you in an easy way and because I succeeded doing so with the MC5 and the old AC1200 I hope
it would be helpful to you.
good luck
ries

sonaries
Hello
Indeed the RD800 isn't part of the set-up but because you made all your disks using it...

No, the disks were all made with the MC50, 20 years ago.  I'm trying to move all the songs from those disks to MC. :)
 
 
To everyone else: I haven't had a chance to try other suggestions in this thread, but will post back with results when I do.

Nothing I try is working. I've synced my MC50 to actual hardware recording studio equipment in the past, what's so difficult about doing it with software?  It's taken 2 solid weeks to do what should only take a few days, and most of my time is spent trying to figure out how to perform simple tasks - simple in the hardware world.  Can't understand why this is so hard.  Not to mention the documentation leaves a lot to be desired... :(