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Subject:MIDI....synchronization
Posted by: SkZ
Date:3/22/2003 6:33:42 PM

Hello .... bit of help needed ! Im just trying to set midi up in (AP4.0) after purchasing a Drum machine. at the moment I have it connected via midi leads as follows;

DRUM MACHINE: MIDI OUT > SOUND CARD: MIDI IN

ALSO DRUM MACHINE: MIDI IN > SOUND CARD MIDI OUT:

+ AUDIO CABLES for L/R Channels....

how do i get acid to synchronize with the drum machine i.e. speak to each other? so when i press play acid triggers the drum macine?

also from what I've read. my sound card uses an internal crystal master clock how can I changed my set up so the drum machines generates master?
Subject:RE: MIDI....synchronization
Reply by: Iacobus
Date:3/23/2003 10:01:17 AM

First, go to Options>Preferences on the menu bar. Click the MIDI tab and select the appropriate device (which would be the MIDI out on your soundcard) desired for generating MTC and MIDI Clock, then click the Sync tab and select the appropriate output device.

ACID really likes to be the master in any MIDI sync situation. Can your drum machine be the slave? If so, consult your drum machine's manual for info on how to set it up to be the slave.

Once you have everything set, you would use Options>Timecode on the menu bar to tell ACID Pro to generate the appropriate sync. Once you start playing a project, ACID Pro should tell the chasing hardware to also play.

I believe the internal crystal on a soundcard is used for digital purposes such as S/PDIF. Unless you're using such a connection for digital audio, don't worry too much about it.

HTH,
Iacobus
Subject:RE: MIDI....synchronization
Reply by: SkZ
Date:3/23/2003 4:02:35 PM

Thanks Bro ;)
Subject:RE: MIDI....synchronization
Reply by: SkZ
Date:3/24/2003 7:40:50 PM

Oops!! another problem has arisen !! I have my Drum machine set as slave to acid but my tempo display on the drum machine keeps altering as if trying to adjust its self to acid. Am I doing something wrong or is acid kinda lame at syncing hardware?
Subject:RE: MIDI....synchronization
Reply by: ATP
Date:3/25/2003 5:30:42 AM

does it still sync properly, despite this? if it alters 1 bpm every half second or so it could be because your tempo is set to, say... 99,5 bpm, and your drum machine can only do complete bpm's. so it switches between 99 and 100 to achieve the 99,5.

i don't own a hardware drum machine, but i noticed the same effect when synching Rebirth to Cubase. it also tends to switch between bpm's rapidly, but despite this it was a stable sync. :)
Subject:RE: MIDI....synchronization
Reply by: SkZ
Date:3/25/2003 8:41:53 AM

Hey !, Thanks for the suggestion ATP ! The tempo does seem to drift somewhat if I have the drum machine set to "INTERNAL" sync, The project is set to 120bpm in acid pro ...and the drum machine is also set to 120bpm... during the playing of the project if I have the drum machines "MIDI SYNC" options set to "EXTERNAL" the tempo falls and rises randomly between 126.1 bpm and 119.6 bpm but, if i set the drum machine sync settings to "INTERNAL" the tempo does not fluctuate on the DrumMachine display? Im confused?

all help much apprieciated ;)
Subject:RE: MIDI....synchronization
Reply by: Iacobus
Date:3/26/2003 2:47:46 PM

Hmmm...that is weird. What about the MIDI cable being used? (Try a different cable?) A soundcard's MIDI drivers could have a lot to do with it too.

HTH,
Iacobus

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