Max number of synths for midi handshake

I have 3 synths and a drum machine connected to the mpc 1000. I would like to hook them all up so they would be able to record what I play on the mpc 1000 through midi handshake. I've only managed to get two synths to be able to do this at a time thus far since there are only 2 midi ins and 2 outs on the mpc 1000. Is there anyway to achieve this with midi thru on the synths or does it require constantly unplugging and plugging in the midi cables?

In theory you should be able to daisy chain 32 synths with the mpc1000.

Check how to do that by watching this instruction vid:

http://www.ehow.com/video_4956238_setti ... daisy.html

dajaphonics wrote:Is there anyway to achieve this with midi thru on the synths or does it require constantly unplugging and plugging in the midi cables?

You've kinda answered your own question there buddy, so thats a good start.



Read this MPC1000 midi tutorial, most info also applies to other MPC's.

http://stereoroid.wordpress.com/music/m ... -tutorial/

The key is using your synths MIDI THRU to pass midi data to other devices, each of which is set to recieve on a specific midi channel. In this graphic the MIDI THRU ports would be connected to the MIDI IN ports of additional synths/ sound modules.

Midi is a unidirectional protocol. "Handshaking" is a process by which a bi-directional communication channel is automatically set up. Therefore, there is no such thing as a "midi handshake".


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshaking

elektrik_muz wrote:there is no such thing as a "midi handshake".

Yes midi is a unidirectional protocol, meaning that data only travels in one direction along a single midi cable.

The term MIDI HANDSHAKE is valid, and refers to the use of two midi cables to achieve bidirectional data exchange between two midi devices.

As shown by the diagram in my previous post, a midi handshake occurs when two midi devices are connected in a MIDI OUT to MIDI IN and MIDI IN to MIDI OUT fashion as shown with the MPC1000 and Triton keyboard.

Share knowledge, not misinformation.

"The use of handshakes means that...you need two midi cables, OUT to IN and IN to OUT" (Rona, 1994 p.56)

Rona, J. 1994 The midi companion: The complete guide to using midi synthesisers, samplers, sound cards, sequencers, computers and more. Hal Leonard.

That's the first actual reference I've heard of that used the term in that sense. Everything else I've seen refers to the automated setup process that happens when a bidirectional/full duplex comm channel is set up, such as with a telephone modem. Never found a definition that refered to unidirectional comms, presumably because there can't be any automated setup process in that case -- it just gets plugged in.

Midi handshake is a pretty standard term in the electronic music vocabulary. As two cables are required there is nothing automatic about it.

A small extract taken from MPC-Tutor's excellent guide Understanding midi on the Akai MPC

http://www.mpc-tutor.com/article/9/unde ... -akai-mpc/

Connecting up a keyboard with sounds (synthesiser)

"If you have a keyboard with its own sounds, like a Korg Triton for example, you can still control the MPC samples as you did in the last example. This is because any synthesiser keyboard will transmit MIDI information. Just remember that the main difference here will be that your keyboard in this situation can also emit sounds itself - so make sure you turn off the synthesiser's volume control, otherwise you'll not only hear the MPC internal samples, but also the synth's sounds as well!

The main thing I want to show here is that a synth not only has a MIDI out, it also has a MIDI IN - hence it can not only send MIDI information, it can also RECEIVE it. Equally, our MPC not only receives MIDI information, it can also TRANSMIT it. This means that we can send a MIDI information signal to our synth from our MPC and this signal can (amongst other things) tell our synth to play a particular note. How do we send a MIDI signal from our MPC? Well, the PADs all have a unique MIDI note number so when you press a PAD, it's the same as pressing a key on a MIDI keyboard. For example, PAD A1 is by default MIDI Note 37 - if a MIDI synth is connected to your MPC and you press PAD A1, it will play MIDI note 37 (C#) in our synth.

This time, as well as connecting the keyboard MIDI out to the MPC MIDI in, you connect the MPC MIDI out to the keyboard MIDI in. This is called the MIDI 'handshake'.

So, press a PAD on the MPC and a MIDI instruction travels from the MPC MIDI out to the synth MIDI in. Upon receiving it, the synth plays the appropriate note which in turn is outputted as audio through the synth's audio outputs.

Equally, you could press a key on the synth and this will transmit a MIDI instruction to the MPC. Upon receiving this instruction, the MPC could play an internal sample (should one exist at that MIDI note number) which would be outputted out of the MPC audio outs (if connected)".

@ Dajaphonics...you can chain together about 7 or 8 machines before you start to notice quirks with midi. So you will be fine. The good thing about the MPC's with mutliple midi outs is that you can chain together even more items. Quality gear tends to have multiple midi outs and individual analog outs as well.
You may be interested in a midi patchbay.
I got paranoid about midi timing accuracy and bought some of the items reknowned for accuracy. One of them, which you don't need now but is very helpful, is the Edirol (Roland) UM550 (there is also a larger unit called the UM880). If you can find one of these on ebay or craigslist you will be happy as your hardware arsenal keeps growing.
Roland and Edirol are the same company the Roland branded box is called the A880. Midi patchbays are wonderful.
cheers,
Ian