How to use Logic for External Midi Playback

All you need is:
a) DAW (mine is Logic)
b) Synth
c) Midi & USB Cable
d) Audio Interface
e) Midi Controller

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• How
• To
• Use
• Logic
• External
• Midi
• Playback
• Synth
• Controller
• CTPLR

[brambosman]

Hi, would you happen to know how to do this with a Nord Electro 3? I've tried your tips, and in the library I get 16 different options called Prg 1-16. No sound yet. I've connected the Nord with a MD100 usb midi cable to my macbook pro, running logic 9. The MD100 shows midi out information being routed to the Nord, but nothing comes back. I've tried switching the Local setting to On and Off, to no avail.

[treycwong]

@brambosman I can suggest 3 options. First, if you understand the 'Environment' in Logic, try detecting the Nord and set it to 1 Midi channel, connecting it to an external midi track. Second, make sure the Nord is programmed at 1 Midi channel: "the Nord Rack must be set to receive on the same MIDI channel that the keyboard transmits on.". Third, reading from the manual, make sure the Program slots are active. " All four Program Slots always receive MIDI, regardless of which one is selected".

[brambosman]

@treycwong My Presonus firebox quit on me though, so I can't use the jack output of the nord for recording. Does that prevent me from recording the Nord's sounds?

[treycwong]

@brambosman Yes. Just check at Preferences if your audio device is detected. Maybe you will need driver updates. Check the Presonus website.

[TheTweeker79]

Can you do this in the latest version, Logic 9? thank you.

[treycwong]

@TheTweeker79 Yes im using the current version of Logic Express 9.

[ellollio]

*see comment bellow* turns out i do actually know how to do that, BUT how about being able to determine the preset / program number within the microKorg by what it is set at within the logic external instrument channel, so you just open up the project switch on the Korg and the settings that are present on the external midi channel will occur on the Korg?

[ellollio]

anyone know how to/ whether you can control EVERY parameter in a synth (microKorg) through midi within logic and also record automation (i.e a full midi to and fro connection between synth and Logic?

[treycwong]

@kommapig There is not really any output settings to do for MIDI. It's like hooking up a midi controller. You have to make sure the midi out of your synth is hook up to the midi in port of the audio interface. Then, load a new track with a synth like es1. Make sure it receives All Midi channels (in this case) by checking it at the channel strip. Output is to eg. 'Audio Out 1-2'. Play something and if you don't see anything coming in, it must be an input problem, not the output. Hope it helps!

[kommapig]

I would like to ask... how to set the output of my logic ..

i mean when i midi it.. it should be output from the computer speaker.

but it only output from my microkorg headphone line. =(