Re: MIDI Mapper for PC?

["Dennis Leas" <dennis@mdbs.com>]

Hi Larry!

> I'd like my laptop (running ACID) to my Echoplex.
> ACID sends MIDI time code or MIDI clock, but the
> 'plex accepts only controller or note messages.
> Does anyone have a handle on a software MIDI mapper
> that will map MTC or MIDI clocks to note/controller
> messages?

Last time I suggested some auxiliary reading, I got in trouble!  :(  But I
don't know when to quit so here I go again!  Check out
http://www.harmony-central.com/MIDI/Doc/tutorial.html#intro for some good
info on MTC and MIDI real-time data.

I suggest this 'cause MIDI note on/off and controller messages serve a
completely different purpose than the real-time MIDI messages.  You can't 
go
from one to the other.  It's like apples and oranges.  So I thought the
Harmony Central info might help you sort it out.

The 'plex does read MIDI clock (but not MTC).  That's how it syncs with 
drum
machines, etc.  A MIDI clock acts like a metronome.  It's basically a pulse
generator making "blips" at a rate related to the song's tempo.  You have 
to
set the 'plex's SYNC to IN though.  And you might need to futz with the
1/8's per beat, etc.

MIDI time code (MTC) is another animal.  It gives info like "we're at
measure X."  The 'plex doesn't do anything with MTC.

What do you want to do?  Are you sync'ing the 'plex to the laptop?  Or
controlling (as in start/stop/overdub/etc) the 'plex from your laptop?

I hope this helps.

 Dennis Leas
-----------------------------
dennis@mdbs.com