I’m curious how using a midi device works for a rack mount Voyager. I would be most interested in using a step sequencer or a DAW like Ableton live 8 to play a rack mount Voyager. Is this sort of thing possible? Could I have a Jazzmutant Lemur controlling a DAW, controlling a Voyager RME? What information do the MIDI signals send to an RME? For example pitch and step position? A sequencer would trigger the RME to play along with it right?
Does anyone know of any videos on the net that could show me how this works?
I would think you could find at least a few video examples doing a search on youtube. A sequencer/DAW would control your RME through midi as it would any other midi synth or midi module. I have been using a Doepfer Darktime sequencer to send MIDI to my Voyager keyboard, although I could use CV & Gate instead (and probably will as soon as I get some appropriate patch cables). via midi the sequencer sends both pitch and gate length for each individual step position (if ‘on’) With the option of control voltage I can use the darktime to control other values such as filter cut-off, amplitude or whatever you can think of controlling with CV. This gives sequencers with CV out a certain edge over straight midi sequencers I rekon. To get CV inputs for your RME you need the VX-352.
Don’t know about the Darktime but the much more powerful MAQ 16/3 can send any MIDI CC, not just pitch and note on and off messages. I’m now using a Cirklon which is unbelievably powerful and a joy to use, which BTW, like the Darktime and MAQ have midi and CV outputs.
In reply to the original question, yes you can control you Voyager with a sequencer. You can check in your manual (near the back) about what sort of messages can be sent.
You can use a DAW or a hardware sequencer, IMHO hardware sequencers are more much more fun to use. Another advantage is if you play live and go to a gig you don’t your computer/screen, etc.
How it works ? You just need to setup a midi cable from the midi out of your sequencer to the midi in of you RME.
Ah, I have lusted after the MAQ but it was out of my budget & a darktime came up for considerably less than what they normally go for. As far as I can see from the manual, the darktime only sends pitch, gate length & midi clock via midi. The Cirklon sounds like heaps of fun, now I have something else to lust after…thanks!
But back to the OP, fyvewytches and I both seem to agree that hardware sequences are more fun to use than DAWs, but both have their individual strengths & they open up a whole new dimension of possibilities. Whatever you do, I suggest you ‘just do it’ and most important of course, have fun!
