Sending MIDI Clock?
under review
Daniele Muscetta
Is it possible - or can it be implemented - to send out a midi clock signal (with the currently running/playing tempo) to a physical MIDI USB interface? I would like to use RemixLive as 'master' but send out timing info to a couple of synths... I think most people might do/achieve this in connection with Ableton link but I would like a PC-less setup for my live sets (and I don't use Ableton at all) where RemixLive is the center of the system but there are additional physical intruments that need tempo for arpeggiators and such.
Daniele Muscetta
Additionally/alternatively, you could also allow the MIDI clock to be received i.e. I could be using another 'master' clock (such as MIDRONOME) and make both RemixLive AND the other synths 'slaves'. But it would be more expensive hence RemixLive being the master would be the most optimal solution for me.
PS - this would make you more directly competing with groove boxes and such that DO HAVE MIDI in/out such as Circuit Tracks...
In fact I think yo ushould keep you MAIN focus for the product to what its name says: RemixLIVE == emphasis on LIVE. All of the song mode sequencing stuff is nice but then you enter a full-force fight with all the big DAWs... which might be too much to eat in one bite.... what I am suggesting is that rather than shipping 'FULL' MIDI support (that will take months) you could be marching towards that goal but shipping smaller, incremental, high-value but lower cost improvements in key areas such as this one... I hope it makes sense, sorry for the rambling :-)
Daniele Muscetta
I have verified that this type of simple MIDI interface (which I have had for over a decade) works seamlessly with the current feature set: i.e. I am able to map my synth's keyboard as input/master keyboard/controller no problem, they talk fine.
Just the SENDING of the CLOCK/TEMPO - I am not asking for a full blown MIDI sequencer support - to that synth wold allow me to play with its arpeggiator making sure the times don't diverge... and potentially, more instruments down that chain (the synth has a MIDI thru as well)...
A
Amana
Daniele Muscetta, you can turn on Ableton Link and download a free app Link to Midi. Until they add midi clock out to the options, it's the only way I've found. Works well so far. haven't tried it live yet.
Daniele Muscetta
AmanaYes of course but that defeauts my purpose of using RemixLive as a groove box WITHOUT a windows computer and a daw... I want to play with tablet+a couple of controllers (battery lasts forever and super small setup to travel with) and eventually a couple of external synths that could be also battery powered WITHOUT passing thru a windows laptop... an 'almost' dawless live setup that fits in a bag without many cables. I think there is a whole market of grooveboxes to displace there if they only did this ONE thing... rather than focusing on AI, I'd work on some key fundamentals such as this one to cater to more advanced musicians.
A
Amana
Daniele Muscetta I'm using an ipad, what's a "window"?
Ableton Link is not the same as Ableton live. It's a sync protocol that works with most music apps on iOS. It's built into the app and sends clock data. You don't need a laptop. Check your RML settings, it's under "Controls".
I'm sending to a port on my USB Midi interface and directly into 5-pin DIN on my Roland Tr-6s. Syncs perfectly. No laptop. Just the free app I mentioned, and a midi interface. Looks like you have one of those.
You have some sort of device to run Remixlive, right?
A
Amana
Daniele Muscetta
Amana I am on Android, not iOS. I will try this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.planeth.linktomidi&hl=en&gl=US
A
Amana
Daniele Muscetta Good Luck!
Daniele Muscetta
Amana Hi, I have spent 3 euros and I tried this Link to MIDI https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.planeth.linktomidi&hl=en&gl=US and it partially works.... i.e. it works (even well, no delay) but only while this app is in foreground - but once I switch to remixlive, MIDI messages stop. The ableton link seems to still be up/connected between the two apps, but I think RemixLive takes hold of the MIDI device - once it goes in foreground - and it prevents the other app from keep forwarding... Louis what do you think?
Daniele Muscetta
Amana moreover, even if I do the other way around - i.e. I start a few drum loops on RemixLive, THEN switch to the link to midi app and I start playing my synth.... it only works for a while because android then puts RemixLive to sleep (becasuse it's in background), and my my base drums stop... so yeah, it kind of half works, but it is not really usable... :-(
A
Amana
Daniele Muscetta yeah, it definitely is tempting me to return to Novation Launchpad. which sends midi clock and works perfectly. Unfortunately, it seems not to save the settings for this-to output clock and the destination-so it still requires attention each time.
I'm with you: this feature is essential, and part of what you expect when you buy midi functionality.
I had a different problem entirely when using this system live: Remixlive kept choking on all the new midi destinations, and froze fairly consistently until we turned off the midi altogether, so the drum machine sat on the sidelines most of the night. The issue turned out to be a midi keyboard; it was crashing during loading the midi devices.
Sorry it didn't work out for you.
A
Amana
This is a feature we would very much welcome as well.
Louis
under review
A
Amana
Louis we really would appreciate this, workarounds are clunky.
Daniele Muscetta
Louis definitely agree with Amana who was kind to suggest a workaround with an additional app to work as bridge BUT on Android it doesn't really work well due to the apps not staying both in foreground and 'stealing' devices from each other (or going to sleep). RemixLive does not even support working in 'split screen' mode - the other app does - which would allow both apps to run in foreground at the same time... so it's not a workable solution at this point...
Daniele Muscetta
Louis I also contacted support for link to midi about this, and they replied:
Unfortunately, you cannot do anything other than using a second device. Link to midi is not heavy demanding, but the usb access must bd real-time.
As the cpu power is drastically reduced when the app is in bg (Android os does that unfortunately), we've decided to restrict it to foreground. The results when running in bg simply have nog been satisfying.
If you have an older device around, I'd recommend to use that one for LtMB.