Korg Forums

I'm lost. I would like my Korg to control my Alesis SR-18 drum/bass module. The Alesis is ready to accept the midi signal and the midi cord is already connected, but that's it. From there on, I don't have a clue. Could someone explain how I can do this step by step, as if I were a 5th grader? Thanks. Ziggy.

Hi and welcome!

First off, I don't have either of your pieces of equipment but midi is midi so perhaps I can get you started.

Make sure the cabling's right! Take from the OUT on the M50 to the IN on the Alesis. Make sure both units are cabled to your speakers (obvious I know... but just in case )

There are two ways to getting them playing together - simplest first:

1. Set the midi channel on the M50 to 1 (there will be a midi tab somewhere in perhaps Global (?) page)
2. Set the midi channel on the Alesis to midi channel 1 in its midi area
3. Again on the Alesis midi or global area, set the clock or metronome (tempo) to EXT
4. Select a good Karma-type rhythm combi and play a chord. The Alesis will play automatically in exact timing with your M50

The other way is to just play the M50 then hit the play button on the Alesis and whenever you hit the button, it will be in sync with the M50:

1. Assuming the M50 midi channel is set to 1, set the Alesis to channel 2 making sure the Alesis clock is set to EXT
2. Play a karma-fied chord - only the M50 will sound
3. At the moment of your choosing, hit the play button at beat 1 of when you want the drums/bass to come in. The Alesis will do its thing in sync with the M50

This should get you started - am not an expert in midi but I do know there's a lot of clever things that can be done, but get the basics right first then move on - I'm sure then others on this forum will help you out.

Hope it helps

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, I'm sure the MIDI cord is at the correct connections (I'm a little MIDI experienced from an old Roland sequencer I used in the 80's). I wonder if anyone could give me more specific step-by-step process for setting the M50? Thanks. Ziggy.

I realise this is an old thread, but I am having the same problem trying to clock an SR18 to an M50. I just cannot get it to work. However, if I put the MIDI out of the M50 into an Alesis HR16 and the MIDI out of the HR16 into the SR18, hey presto - it clocks. I have been using MIDI for more years than I care to recall, but I have no idea why this is happening.

I'd really like to clock the SR18 direct, so if anyone's got any ideas, please post - it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

CDA.