What is the problem?
Currently, if a user wants to play an external sound generator aligned with a Step Track (play each instrument externally, in sync with each step being played on a Step Track), it’s necessary to use MIDI clock sync and transport, independently sequencing the external sound generator to align notes with Step. For example, if on Track 1 there’s a kick drum and the desire is to align each kick drum step on Track 1 with an external sub-bass sound, it’s necessary to program the same kick drum pattern on the external sound generator, then setup MIDI clock sync and transport - and hope there are no significant clock delays between Step and the external sound generator. If the pattern is then changed on the Step, it must independently be changed on the external sound generator, as well.
Additionally, if one wants to trigger a Step drum instrument on a specific track from an external sequencer (to align with other external sound generators), this is not possible. The MIDI clock sync and transport are available - but MIDI In notes don’t map to specific STEP instruments.
What should this feature achieve?
If it were possible to send out MIDI notes and velocity for each step on each Track, it would be fast and easy to integrate Step into a broader instrument setup. Each Step Track could map to a specific MIDI channel, making it possible to quickly and easily align external sound generators with Step’s patterns, providing a more diverse and musically interesting solution building beats and patterns.
In a similar way, with MIDI In mapped to each Step instrument, it would be possible to drive Step from an external sequencer. This would make it fast and easy to build complex patterns that are part of a larger instrument setup. Sometimes it’s great to use Step’s internal sequencer to drive a pattern. Other times it would be nice to have the option of connecting Step to an external sequencer and let it drive (sending out MIDI note and velocity data, mapped to a specific Step Track). For example, there may already be a kick drum pattern on an OXI One that is connected to other sound generators. It would handy to quickly try adding a Step instrument sound, without having to program in a mirror pattern on Step.
With both MIDI Out and MIDI In note capabilities, step would more easily fit into complex multi-instrument setups, simplifying what can be time-consuming right now. Creativity flows when one can move quickly trying lots of variations. Step is an amazing foundation to work with. Adding MIDI note Out and In, would greatly expand its utility in a larger, multi-instrument context.
Are there any workarounds?
For MIDI Out, one can use MIDI clock sync and transport with an external sound generator. If there is minimal MIDI clock delay, this can work. The downside being that it’s problematic if MIDI traffic gets heavy and it clearly takes longer to setup – and when one changes even a single step in a pattern, it must be also changed on the external sound generator(s).
For MIDI In, there are no workarounds.
Any links to related discussions?
Any references to other products?
From the Digitakt 2 manual…
“RECEIVE NOTES will, when active, make it possible to play Digitakt II using an external MIDI keyboard.”
“TRACK 1–16 selects the dedicated MIDI channel that is used to receive or send (by turning the knobs) parameter data to or from a specific audio track. If configured as OFF, parameter data are neither received nor sent via MIDI. The sequencer data is always sent on the MIDI channel specified by the CHAN parameter on the SRC PARAMETER page.”