Bidirectional MIDI not working (goes in one direction only)?

[ishaan]

Hi all,

I am just wondering about this...I am not sure if I am missing something, or if this functionality simply doesn't exist in the way that I would like...?

Basically I've built a number of iPad templates for MIDI control of various soft synths. Nothing too complicated. I can of course control parameters on the computer monitor using the iPad touchscreen and Lemur, however, moving the knobs on the computer monitor using a mouse does not affect the Lemur controls on the iPad at all. Changing presets doesn't make a difference either. No good.

I am using Reaper as a host, BTW.

What gives? Help greatly appreciated.

[SB-SIX]

I have exactly the same problem, but with my blofeld. I setup midi target on the ipad (wireless) from: laptop: Blofeld and to: laptop: Blofeld. I can change params by touching controls on the ipad, but not the other way around. How can I do this?

[Phil999]

bi-directional control only works if the software is sending MIDI. Depending on the software, this can be difficult, or not possible.

[mat]

...this can be difficult, or not possible.

True, but go through checklist first before giving up

- Have you defined IN and OUT on Lemur Miditarget?
- Have you also defined IN and OUT on your DAW/Software?
(Attention: IN and OUT change on both sides: Lemurs OUT becomes DAWs IN and vice versa)
In Ableton (for example) it is also necessary to open (!) the VSTplugin, so you see its surface to get accurate Midifeedback. I found that out on Synth1-VST. But now it works like charm (well, Midiprotocol is a bit slow and sometimes you see changes only jumping, not linear progression, but it jumps to right value).

See a video here, where I send programm change very fast to Synth1 and get feedback on Lemur: http://youtu.be/o3IPlR81bXk?t=53s

g*mat

[ishaan]

...this can be difficult, or not possible.

True, but go through checklist first before giving up

- Have you defined IN and OUT on Lemur Miditarget?
- Have you also defined IN and OUT on your DAW/Software?
(Attention: IN and OUT change on both sides: Lemurs OUT becomes DAWs IN and vice versa)
In Ableton (for example) it is also necessary to open (!) the VSTplugin, so you see its surface to get accurate Midifeedback. I found that out on Synth1-VST. But now it works like charm (well, Midiprotocol is a bit slow and sometimes you see changes only jumping, not linear progression, but it jumps to right value).

See a video here, where I send programm change very fast to Synth1 and get feedback on Lemur: http://youtu.be/o3IPlR81bXk?t=53s

g*mat

I have no idea whether I've defined INs and OUTs properly in both Lemur and Reaper...apparently I'm not doing something right. Attached are a screenshot of the editor file for the template with which I am trying to achieve bi-directional control, and another screenshot of my MIDI I/O settings in Reaper! Lemur runs through "Internal MIDI 01" and "Internal MIDI 02". Would you mind taking a look at them? Thanks!

[ishaan]

Update: bi-directional DOES work with FM8. Perhaps Arturia is to blame here?

[Phil999]

FM8 standalone certainly sends MIDI feedback, because it has a MIDI in and MIDI out. As soon FM8 is loaded as a plugin in a host, it depends on the host's MIDI implementation. Arturia synths standalone cannot send feedback, but if they are loaded in a host that can, they should function bi-directionally. Have you tested both synths inside Reaper, or as standalone?

[ishaan]

FM8 standalone certainly sends MIDI feedback, because it has a MIDI in and MIDI out. As soon FM8 is loaded as a plugin in a host, it depends on the host's MIDI implementation. Arturia synths standalone cannot send feedback, but if they are loaded in a host that can, they should function bi-directionally. Have you tested both synths inside Reaper, or as standalone?

I use everything within a host, although I did for good measure try out the synths in standalone. For the record, it appears FM8 does work bi-directionally as standalone but not within Reaper. Weird.

Getting this fixed would really be a game changer for me.

[Phil999]

Reaper is one of the few DAW's that understand OSC - so I'm sure you can control your synths bi-directionally with it. But with MIDI it should work as well, theoretically. I know Reaper not enough to confirm this. Just try again, and remember what mat said about input and output. And what I often do in such situations: google. Many questions are answered in the first google page.