I'm thinking about getting an MP-201 instead of a midi interface and Kenton Pro solo.
I want to use Live as a master clock for an MFB drum machine and Euro rack rig. Midi out to the drum machine and triggers for MFB euro rack sequencer modules.
Does the MP-201 send triggers, or is it just gates? I only ask because the clock input on my MFB sequencers are very finicky on what kind of signal they receive.
MP-201 sync questions
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Suburban Bather
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- Location: White Plains, MD
The MP-201 can send out all sorts of signals in the range -5 to +5 volts.
Using the Gate channels in EG mode, you can create "trigger" type signals of any shape and duration you need, triggered by MIDI notes from Live... you might want to get some more specifics on exactly what the MFB clock input wants to see. Or if the MFB has trigger inputs for each instrument you could bypass the MFB internal sequencer and just create MIDI clips in Live for each beat you want to sequence... that might actually be easier than keeping independent sequencers in sync.
Now I see, the euro modules want triggers and the drum machine wants a clock. Can the drum machine take a 0v to +5V square wave as a clock signal? You can get that from the MP-201, synced to your MIDI clock, no problem. Then you still have three other channels you can use for independent MIDI-note-controlled trigger signals.
Using the Gate channels in EG mode, you can create "trigger" type signals of any shape and duration you need, triggered by MIDI notes from Live... you might want to get some more specifics on exactly what the MFB clock input wants to see. Or if the MFB has trigger inputs for each instrument you could bypass the MFB internal sequencer and just create MIDI clips in Live for each beat you want to sequence... that might actually be easier than keeping independent sequencers in sync.
Now I see, the euro modules want triggers and the drum machine wants a clock. Can the drum machine take a 0v to +5V square wave as a clock signal? You can get that from the MP-201, synced to your MIDI clock, no problem. Then you still have three other channels you can use for independent MIDI-note-controlled trigger signals.
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Suburban Bather
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:31 pm
- Location: White Plains, MD
Hi Amos,
The drum machine only takes midi for a clock input.
My goal is for Live to be the master clock, the midi out of the MP-201 to clock the drum machine and one of the cv outs of the MP-201 for clocking my modular sequencers.
I was using a MOTU Fastlane USB midi interface and Synthesizers.com midi to cv converter to perform this task. However, I no longer own those items.
Looks like the MP-201 will take over those duties and add much more functionality at the same time
The drum machine only takes midi for a clock input.
My goal is for Live to be the master clock, the midi out of the MP-201 to clock the drum machine and one of the cv outs of the MP-201 for clocking my modular sequencers.
I was using a MOTU Fastlane USB midi interface and Synthesizers.com midi to cv converter to perform this task. However, I no longer own those items.
Looks like the MP-201 will take over those duties and add much more functionality at the same time
Ah, OK. I think that would work - in fact I think you could use only one channel of the MP-201 to clock both items (midi and CV), and you'd still have three unused MP-201 channels to use for other tasks.
You'd set up an MP201 channel as an LFO, square waveform, sync = MIDI clock. Then (on the "all" page of the edit mode) associate MIDI clock output with the same channel (the one you set up as an LFO, above). This way the LFO will follow Live's MIDI clock, and the MP201 will output a MIDI clock at the same rate. Meanwhile the analog output for this same channel is putting out a square wave which can clock your modular sequencers.
In theory, it should all work pretty smoothly once you dial it in. You can save all these shenanigans as a preset on the MP-201, after which it would be plug and play...
You'd set up an MP201 channel as an LFO, square waveform, sync = MIDI clock. Then (on the "all" page of the edit mode) associate MIDI clock output with the same channel (the one you set up as an LFO, above). This way the LFO will follow Live's MIDI clock, and the MP201 will output a MIDI clock at the same rate. Meanwhile the analog output for this same channel is putting out a square wave which can clock your modular sequencers.
In theory, it should all work pretty smoothly once you dial it in. You can save all these shenanigans as a preset on the MP-201, after which it would be plug and play...
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Suburban Bather
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- Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:31 pm
- Location: White Plains, MD
Well, I got the MP-201 and updated the firmware/presets. It works, but I have to use 1/64th notes in Live's midi sequencer to get my modular to step in time with Live's tempo. The drum machine is syncing correctly via the midi out of the MP-201. I could have sworn that I used 1/16th notes in Live's midi sequencer with my previous set-up.
Not a major issue, but I still would like to get this sorted. Regardless, I'm really digging the MP-201 so far
Not a major issue, but I still would like to get this sorted. Regardless, I'm really digging the MP-201 so far
Sweet; glad to hear it's working!
That is odd about the 64th notes... might want to delve into any manuals or tech info you have about the modular's trigger input to see what it wants to see. Still if it works, it works.
Next try dialing up some envelopes on the MP201 and trigger them via MIDI from Live, then patch to interesting parameters on your modular... should be plenty o fun to be had there.
Lately all of my synth drums are created using EG and Gate channels on the MP-201, controlling the oscillator pitch, filter cutoff and gate on one or another of my patchable analog synths. The different EG shapes on the MP-201 allow for more flexible drum envelopes than any of the synths have on their own.
Cheers!
-Amos
That is odd about the 64th notes... might want to delve into any manuals or tech info you have about the modular's trigger input to see what it wants to see. Still if it works, it works.
Next try dialing up some envelopes on the MP201 and trigger them via MIDI from Live, then patch to interesting parameters on your modular... should be plenty o fun to be had there.Lately all of my synth drums are created using EG and Gate channels on the MP-201, controlling the oscillator pitch, filter cutoff and gate on one or another of my patchable analog synths. The different EG shapes on the MP-201 allow for more flexible drum envelopes than any of the synths have on their own.
Cheers!
-Amos
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Suburban Bather
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:31 pm
- Location: White Plains, MD
If I use it in LFO mode, my drum machine goes hella fast and the modular sequencers step in a drunken or sloppy manner. I have to use gate mode. The modular sequencers want to see 5volt triggers at the sync inputs.
I was hoping LFO mode would work so that I can make use of the different clock divisions. However, this is actually working out for the better. I can use Live to multiply as well as divide the clock rate of the modular sequencers while retaining the original tempo for the drum machine. I just have to remember that 64th note equals 16th.
Yea, its fun to get a big booming 808 kick by pinging an on the brink of self oscillating filter. Noise, an EG, and VCA or filter works great for hats.
I'm going to need to spend the weekend getting to know how the LFO's and EG's on the MP-201 respond to my system.
I was hoping LFO mode would work so that I can make use of the different clock divisions. However, this is actually working out for the better. I can use Live to multiply as well as divide the clock rate of the modular sequencers while retaining the original tempo for the drum machine. I just have to remember that 64th note equals 16th.
Yea, its fun to get a big booming 808 kick by pinging an on the brink of self oscillating filter. Noise, an EG, and VCA or filter works great for hats.
I'm going to need to spend the weekend getting to know how the LFO's and EG's on the MP-201 respond to my system.
The only LFO waveform that might work is Square wave. If the MP-201 is in Unipolar mode, then the square LFO pulses between 0V and +5V.
In Bipolar mode by default the square wave LFO alternates between -5V and +5V. Of course you can adjust the voltage range of the LFO to give you 0V to +5V even in bipolar mode. Adjusting the Amount and Offset parameters would do it. Actually you could simply adjust the Offset up until the LFO stays above 0V, since it will "clip" any voltage above 5V.
On a related note, this clipping allows you to get some interesting LFO waveform variations just by clipping the LFO signal using the Offset parameter. You only get variations in the waveform when using waveforms other than square wave, though - clipping a square wave doesn't change its shape. Square is the one you want to use for clock signals, though.
-A
In Bipolar mode by default the square wave LFO alternates between -5V and +5V. Of course you can adjust the voltage range of the LFO to give you 0V to +5V even in bipolar mode. Adjusting the Amount and Offset parameters would do it. Actually you could simply adjust the Offset up until the LFO stays above 0V, since it will "clip" any voltage above 5V.
On a related note, this clipping allows you to get some interesting LFO waveform variations just by clipping the LFO signal using the Offset parameter. You only get variations in the waveform when using waveforms other than square wave, though - clipping a square wave doesn't change its shape. Square is the one you want to use for clock signals, though.
-A