The MIDI Forum

Well, guessing games again, as there's a lot you might have said but don't.

Firstly, I assume you've connected one end of the midi cable to the OUT socket of the Beatstep and plugged the other end to the IN socket on the MPX. I would assume that when you play something on the BS then it sends midi data, but maybe you need to turn something ON to make this happen. Maybe also the MPX needs something ON to tell it to receive midi data?

When you say you cannot get it working, what actually happens?

You say you've seen a video of the same set-up. What don't you understand in the video?

Geoff

I think I can clarify:
Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKY3u94vv8c&t=172s

When I use a MIDI cable going out from Beatstep to in on the MPX and I hit the pads on the Beatstep, there is no sound. Both are plugged in and on, and I have headphones for audio out.

What I don't get is the assigning of the MIDI channels. Do I assign channel 10 (on Beatstep) and 36 (on Akai) together then, 11 on Beatstep and 37 on Akai...et cetera?

I apologize for the unclear previous post.

Many thanks for your reply.

-Ray

I'm not sure there's any point me watching the video, as I have neither of the devices, and no idea what they're about.

If you're using a standard midi cable and connectors, then you've got 16 midi channels, 1 to 16 (numbered within the midi data as 0 to 15). Sometimes devices place limitations on the use of channels, and usually channel 10 may be reserved (or at least pre-set) as percussion. Some devices may allow further channels, i.e. 17-32, but usually these are enabled via USB connections and they may NOT be available using a normal midi cable, unless both devices have something like midi A and midi B connectors, where A might be the standard 16 channels, and B the second 16. In any event, the midi channel is implemented as part of the midi data, and there can be ONLY 0 to 15 within the normal data.

Not at all sure why you might link channels 10 and 36? Channel 10 would be data 9 (within 0 to 15). 36 would be within a THIRD block of 16 channels, and assuming that set would be Ch 33 to 48, this would be REALLY channel 3 in the third implementation (Ch 2 in internal midi data)?

Data on channel 3 is channel 3 full stop. Unless the hardware at both ends has means of keeping the different sets of 16 channels quite separate.

Geoff

Thank you for your help- this is a whole new world to me. I think I'll head over to a music store for some "hand's on help." I appreciate your time.

-Ray