In my live setup, I use my MacBook Pro to sync my Moog Little Phatty from Ableton Live. All of the settings should be correct: The LP’s arp sync is set to Midi, and in Abletons Midi Sync preferences, the “Track”, “Sync” and “Remote” options are turned on for the output to the Little Phatty.
Now, when I change tempos in Ableton, the Little Phatty does change tempo as well, but the notes ARE NOT synced to Abletons click. I have to hit the notes on the Moog SUPER THIGHT, or else the arp notes will be of by a tad… So the tempo is synced, but not the notes.
The tempo of the arpeggiation is synched, but you still need to trigger the arpeggiation in time with the music or you will experience what you are describing…
Hmm, in my mind, only ‘receiving tempo’ is a somewhat lesser kind of sync… But theres an update idea for OS 3.1!
Of course I could sync it 100% by sequencing the notes, but that would require a kind of midi-backtrack being sent to the Moog from Live. Something we have been avoiding in our band.
Try offsetting the MIDI notes out of the DAW back a little bit, to eliminate any latency in the MIDI note signals if any is there. The MIDI notes received by the LP have to line up right with the start of the bar or the arp will be in time but delayed.
I see, the ability to keep the arp off sync with the clock start, as a feature rather than a problem. If you want the arp in time play the notes at the right moment or use a sequencer. If the arp was forced to clock start and not just tempo then you do not have the option to play it off sync. What if you want 1/4 notes a 1/16th late at every beat?
Also, using a sequencer does not have to be press play and forget it through the song, like a backtrack. The sequences can be short phrase each of which are triggered manually or transposed on the fly. This way you keep in sync, but also avoid the “press play” artist stigma.