MIDI Software Patchbay?

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soens
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2016/04/14 18:36:46 (permalink)

MIDI Software Patchbay?

OK, for some reason I dinint know my MOTU micro lite does not act as a midi router by it self. I am unable to connect one synth to another without using Sonar. MOTU decided to exclude it from using ClockWorks, which I find totally absurd as this is a fundamental purpose of a midi interface. Sure I can replace it with the Micro Express for $250, and I might. But I am equally baffled by the lack of 3rd party midi patchbay utilities.
 
Are there any that work on Windows 7 64bit?
 
Thanks.
#1

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    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/14 18:54:55 (permalink)
    I am trying a patchbay from Soundigy that seems to work OK and has a cool UI.
     
    <rant>
    If a simple and FREE utility like this can work, why in the world did MOTU not include it for $140?! This makes no sense to me from any standpoint.... Did I mention it was fReE??!?!
    </rant>
    #2
    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/14 19:04:32 (permalink)
    Apparently with Soundigy if you try to map the ins & outs while any synths are connected it will crash.
    Turn them all off 1st and it is fine. Not a good sign.
    #3
    rivers88
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/14 19:10:55 (permalink)
    MIDI Ox
    http://www.midiox.com/
     
    Used it on Windows XP, 7, and now 8.1.
     
    Great for MIDI routing, filtering, testing, etc., etc.
    #4
    tlw
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/14 19:23:05 (permalink)
    LoopBe is a free and very good software MIDI patchbay/virtual cable. It provides a bunch of MIDI in and out ports that any application can access.

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    #5
    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/15 04:58:50 (permalink)
    Thanks for the ideas. I actually tried MidiOx back in the day. It's ok for some things but for just routing outboard gear (which my midi interface should be able to do) Soundigy's approach is the closest thing to a real patchbay, obviously modeled after a real one (edirol), which makes the most sense to me. Why more programmers don't get this is why I loose so much sleep at night... that and the fact that I work nights.
    #6
    Snehankur
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/15 05:41:56 (permalink)
    #7
    Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/15 07:38:10 (permalink)
    I'm using this thing here (BOME MIDI Translator) to do all sort of MIDI manipulation and re-routing after it leaves Sonar on the way out (trigger video software based on MIDI) and also on the way in before it hits Sonar (fix issues with the control surface by remapping some buttons) ... it's really powerful and I'm probably only using the bottom 10% of its functionality ... there is a free version and an inexpensive PRO version (which I use) ... might be worth to look into if you are a MIDI person

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    #8
    rsinger
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/15 13:10:00 (permalink)
    soens
    OK, for some reason I dinint know my MOTU micro lite does not act as a midi router by it self. I am unable to connect one synth to another without using Sonar. MOTU decided to exclude it from using ClockWorks, which I find totally absurd as this is a fundamental purpose of a midi interface. 




    I think you misunderstand ClockWorks. I have a MOTU midi express xt and ClockWorks is used to program the midi express xtClockWorks is not doing the routing, the routing is done inside the HW. Once I program the router/patchbay/if I don't need to have my DAW powered up.  

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    #9
    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/17 18:27:11 (permalink)
    You are absolutely right about ClockWorks. BUT the micro lite & midi express 128 cannot use it, and there is no way to program, set, rout, or otherwise, the ins & outs of these 2 units without software. Soundigy software allows me to do this which means MOTU is purposely crippling these units for no reason. Thus my frustration.
     
    From the manual:
    ☛ ClockWorks cannot be used with a micro lite or
    Express 128 interface, as these devices do not support
    MIDI processing or synchronization features.
    post edited by soens - 2016/04/25 06:26:42
    #10
    rsinger
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/18 12:59:18 (permalink)
    soens
    You are absolutely right about ClockWorks. BUT the micro lite & midi express 128 cannot use it, and there is no way to program, set, rout, or otherwise, the ins & outs of these 2 units without software. Soundigy software allows me to do this which means MOTU is purposely crippling these units for no reason. Thus my frustration.
     



    You still seem to misunderstand. Think of a hardware synthesizer that has a software interface that allows you to program it. If someone did not have the hardware then ran the user interface to program these - nothing would happen because the oscillators, filters & amps are in the HW not in the SW; the SW is just used to program the HW. This is what the ClockWorks SW is - it is used to program HW and the micro lite and express 128 don't have the routing circuitry in them, they are midi intrerfaces. ClockWorks is not the same as Soundigy software. 

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    #11
    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/18 19:23:30 (permalink)
    Thanks, I figured as much. I will probably just upgrade to a Micro Express.
    #12
    yorolpal
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2016/04/23 15:20:51 (permalink)
    Hey Soens,  I've got a micro express lying around due for an Ebay sale.  If you're interested PM me and I'll give you the "forum buddy" discount.

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    #13
    Soundigy
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/02/21 10:44:03 (permalink)
    Hi guys,
     
    I just wanted to let you all know that the (both Standard and Extended) was updated with the following:
    - no more app crashing (happened in the Map MIDI window when MIDI activity occured)
    - more friendly Patches names added (with ability to set custom names).
     
    If you have any requests/ideas, I would be more than happy to add them to the free version of the app!
     
    Cheers,
    Peter
    #14
    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/02/21 18:42:48 (permalink)
    Hey thanks for that Peter, and welcome to "Sonar"! Will be checking it out.
     
    The crashing fix sounds GREAT! The only request I have would be to make the Patch Names bigger. They're too small to see as is especially as screen resolutions get bigger.
    #15
    Soundigy
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/02/22 04:36:31 (permalink)
    Hey,
     
    I just amended this and updated the installers (at least for the Standard version). Hope it's more acceptable right now. 
     
    #16
    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/02/22 08:33:52 (permalink)
    Thanks. The larger menu text is great but the button labels (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) are a strain to see also @1920x1080 & above.... or maybe I'm getting too old but if the font size was bigger or changeable that would be excellent.
    #17
    Soundigy
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/02/22 08:49:49 (permalink)
    I completely understand your concern... Thing is there is not that much space above each button, so larger font = less characters. I added an ability to resize the whole app window to the Extended version, will have to do the same for the standard one as well. I could also enlarge the whole interface, but then people with not that wide screen would experience window cropping etc. What do you think? I appreciate your comments!
     
    Peter
    #18
    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/02/22 09:23:29 (permalink)
    True. Some options could be:
     
    1. Make font 1 size bigger
    2. Make the whole GUI scaleable (resizeable)
    3. Make a Tooltip type label when hovering the mouse over a button
     
    Or I can live with it as-is.
    #19
    Soundigy
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/02/22 11:39:00 (permalink)
    OK, as a quick update:
    - GUI bigger in size
    - because of the above -> font size for labels increased from 5pt to 7pt
    - tooltips on buttons and labels added, showing label's contents
     


    #20
    soens
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/02/22 17:42:56 (permalink)
    That looks great Peter. Now readable @1920x1080 with 24" screen and very readable @1920x1080 with 125% zoom on 17" screen. I feel like I'm stealing the show now... hope other users like the changes too.
     
    #21
    shmuelyosef
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/10/22 01:06:46 (permalink)
    The general need for this is, e.g., if you have a Hardware MIDI Sound Module (e.g. SoundCanvas, NORD piano or rackmount, etc...attached through...say, a MIDIMan interface) and have a USB keyboard that you want to use to play that module...AND, you don't have a DAW to route through (or don't want the trouble). 
     
    That is where Soundigy shines...I'm not aware of any other software that just allows you to connect the two devices that are attached to your computer. 

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    #22
    rivers88
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    Re: MIDI Software Patchbay? 2017/10/22 01:22:27 (permalink)
    MIDI Ox can do that...
    #23
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