Korg Forums

[robkavanagh]

Ok say I have a synth compatible with MIDI going to an interface and then to a computer. Say I want to quantise or edit the MIDI pattern another way on a program, is it possible to record the sound from the keyboard with MIDI? E.g so the MIDI can be edited but the 'patch' from the synth stays the same? Thanks

[ghostly606]

Not sure I understand what you're asking but just in case it is useful, here is some information for you:

1. You can't route audio through MIDI cables. MIDI information relates to data from the keyboard (eg notes and velocities, pitch bends, modulation wheel movements), control change data (eg synth parameters, program changes) and system exclusive data (other code that only specific hardware / software can understand, eg program dumps from a MicroKorg).

2. You can record any of the midi information above to a sequencer such as an MPC or software programs such as Cubase / Logic. This information can then be played back and the synth will understand it.

3. Assuming that your synth is in the same state as when you recorded the performance as a whole (performance data and control change data, i.e. before you played or tweaked the knobs), then playback should sound identical as when you recorded it.

4. Problems can occur when you don't start the sequence with the same settings on your synth. An easy way round this would be to ensure the starting patch is saved as a program and by selecting this program before playback. Even better would be to include a program change on the same midi channel in the sequence before the performance data begins.

5. You could save your notes only first and then on another pass record the knob tweaking. You could of course make edits in your sequencer. You could start with a different program on purpose. And so on. The editing possibilities are endless.

Does that answer your question?

Thanks,
g

[robkavanagh]

Hmm I sort of understand, I mean so say I wished to edit MIDI from my synth, can it be done so it will sound identical to the patch on the synth? Is this what you mean by

[X-Trade]

MIDI only sends information about a performance - which notes were played, how hard they were pressed, which controllers were adjusted, and which program numbers were used.

It has barely anything to do with sound - except obviously selecting various programs and changing certain parameters will affect the sound produced by the synthesizer. But it is always up to the synthesizer to actually make the sound again.

The advantages of MIDI are that we can use it for realtime performance to control other (soft- or hard-) synths, we can record a 'performance', edit mistakes out of it, add bits to it, try it out with different sounds, even edit and print it as actual sheet music. But much like sheet music, it needs an instrument to play it back!

Therefore, if we record a passage of notes in MIDI, it will sound exactly the same (forgiving perhaps the phases of LFOs and flangers etc. ) provided we play it back through the same synthesizer with the same settings
I.e. if we selected program A52 and moved the modwheel halfway up and turned the arpeggiator on before recording, we'd have to do this again to get the same performance!
Alternatively if you leave enough time at the start of your recording you can include those parameter changes after you hit record. or your software/environment otherwise offers features to set parameters at the start of a track/clip like with automation you can program those in, for example most DAWs offer the option to set the program number, volume, pan, and other things for a MIDI track, and all of those messages are sent automatically when you hit play.

The way I often work with MIDI is to record an audio AND MIDI track at the same time, that way I have the performance captured in audio but can make any changes in sound or edit the MIDI data later, and then play it back through the synthesizer and re-record the audio track with those edits.
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Current Gear: Kronos 61, Karma, RADIAS-R, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II, Novation ReMote37SL, Akai APC20, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2.
Past Gear: Korg TR61, Poly800, EA-1, Kawai K1
Software: Cubase Studio 4, NI Reaktor 5, FM8, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX(10.8.3 Mountain Lion) on 15" MacBook Pro

[robkavanagh]

Hmmm I see I'll see where I can go with this, thanks a lot!