Output same data on MIDI OUT A and B

Hi there,

is it possible to output the same data on both MIDI outs? For example, output everything that normally goes through MIDI A to both MIDI A and B? That would make a lot of things easier in my setup, as I'd like to program my sequences independently of how I connect my MIDI gear, i.e. I'd like to only use 1A to 16A anyway, but then be able to connect more instruments to my MPC.

I already use a small MIDI THRU box, but this only has more 4 outputs. Now if I want to connect a 5th synth, I can't do that on the port B, because the sequence is designed to output everything on port A, and I don't want to change the MIDI mapping on every sequence. If it was possible to do that globally, that would also be great.

Any suggestions?

At least one of your 4 synths has a midi thru, surely? Just connect that to the fifth..

Most of my synths DON'T have MIDI-Thru, as it seems to be less common nowadays. That's why I am asking if the MPC can do that. I know how to use MIDI-Thru, thanks.

why don't you just copy the track and send it out B?

that'd work.

I was using A and B in the past, of course I can simply stick to that and continue. It's just a matter of organizing my setup. I simply don't like the distinction between A and B, because I don't need 32 MIDI channels, I am fine with 16, but I'd prefer to not having to differentiate between a physical A and B plug. If both A and B would output to the same 16 MIDI channels, I could connect my gear however I'd like. And only the MIDI channel that is configured on each of the machines would determine where the data flows to. But unfortunately, I have to decide at least which machine(s) will be always on A and which machine(s) will be always on B. It's just not that flexible.

So I was hoping that JJOS2XL has a feature to output the same MIDI data on both channels somehow. But apparently that's not the case and it's fine then, I will find ways to work around that "problem" which maybe isn't really one. It would just be a thing of convenience if this was possible.

right. i see... ahh well. the hard way, then?

You're not crazy. The MPC 60 had the ability to select 2 midi outputs per track, 1A & 16B for instance, but never to just have a duplicate midi output, that's what thru boxes are for. Think about it if channel 5 on output A is also outputting channel 5 on output b, but also channel 1-16, you'd have to set up complex midi filtering and set all your synths to ignore everything except the ones you want playing together. Whole lotta menus.

If you always want certain channels playing together, then wire it through a midi Thru port like was suggested above.

If it is only sometimes you want the same midi going to 2 synths, then dedicate a track to each and copy the midi.

It helps to not think of the cables but of the channeling. midi port and channel are the address to your synths, you have to address them individually, but you can do so just from the MPC. In this way you have the most flexibility. If you just think about it through midi cables and not MPC internal routing it'll evade logic.