This is the setup.
Alesis Q88 88-Key USB/MIDI Controller midi out to the midi in of a Casio keyboard. (the Casio has it's own sounds) Midi out of the Casio to the Focusrite Pro 40 Midi in.
The objective is to be able to control the Casio and Softsynths within Sonar with the Alesis Q88. Not so much to control both the Casio and softsynths at the same time but I guess that would be nice to.
The problem is the Alesis Q88 will only control the Casio. The Casio has a feature where if you turn off internal control it should act like a midi thru but it doesn't.
I need to know how can I get the Alesis Q88 to play softsynths within Sonar while connected to the Casio. Obviously I can go out of the Alesis Q88 into the Focusrite but I'm hoping to have both the Casio and Alesis Q88 connected.
Thanks

Hi Bob,
 
you can only do what you said
 
Alesis midi out to Focusrite midi in
Focusrite midi out to Casio midi in
 
This way the Alesis can control softsynths and the Casio at the same time but the Casio keyboard will not send midi itself.
 
 
Doing it your way should work but there's something not working with the Casio's midi in to midi out echoing which you say you have enabled.
 
Which Casio is it?

One option if the Casio won't do what it should is to pick up a cheap USB MIDI interface. Then connect the Casio and the Alesis to it or split them between it and your Focusrite.
 
That way each will have its own MIDI routing in Sonar and the Alesis can be routed between the two in Sonar using the MIDI track input/output selectors. E.g. a MIDI tack can have its input source set to the Alesis and output field set to the Casio. This will introduce a tiny amount of latency but I've an assortment of MIDI gear that's set up in that way to allow control by one controller and any additional latency is in the region of 1-2 milliseconds and not worth worrying about.

MIDI splitters are cheap, and a handy solution for instruments and controllers that lack a THRU.

bitflipper
MIDI splitters are cheap, and a handy solution for instruments and controllers that lack a THRU.

I'm not sure how to make the connections with this splitter. The object is to have the Alesis control so how would I connect this?
 

Shambler
Hi Bob,
 
you can only do what you said
 
Alesis midi out to Focusrite midi in
Focusrite midi out to Casio midi in
 
This way the Alesis can control softsynths and the Casio at the same time but the Casio keyboard will not send midi itself.
 
 
Doing it your way should work but there's something not working with the Casio's midi in to midi out echoing which you say you have enabled.
 
Which Casio is it?

I will try this thanks

Mosvalve

Shambler
Hi Bob,
 
you can only do what you said
 
Alesis midi out to Focusrite midi in
Focusrite midi out to Casio midi in
 
This way the Alesis can control softsynths and the Casio at the same time but the Casio keyboard will not send midi itself.
 
 
Doing it your way should work but there's something not working with the Casio's midi in to midi out echoing which you say you have enabled.
 
Which Casio is it?

I will try this thanks

If you don't want to play on the Casio's keys and record it then the above is all you need.
 
If you want to play on both the Alesis and Casio's keys and record both in SONAR you will need a midi merge box connected like...
 
Alesis midi out to merge in 1
Casio midi out to merge in 2
Merge out to Focusrite midi in
Focusrite midi out to Casio midi in

Thanks for all the help. I will go with the merge box. I appreciate everyones help. thanks

As stated the simplest way is to use a 2x MIDI port so they can each have their own port. They can even control each other within Sonar. Use "Friendly names" in Sonar to label the ports "Casio" & "Alesis", then get the right INS files for each synth so you can call up the onboard sounds with ease.

What a great thread! Lots of new info for me.