Hello everyone, I’d appreciate some help with using Electra and Ableton.
I’ve managed to get the DAW control working, and it’s great.
My problem is when it comes to trying to control external midi devices.
For example, if I want to make use of the Matrix 1000 template.
If create a midi track with input as Electra and output as the Matrix, nothing is received by the Matrix, even though I can see the messages generated in midi monitor.
I have read conflicting information about Ableton and its ability to route sysex. One post I read said it’s not possible and I would need to either plug midi lead directly to the matrix, or create a max4live device. (Which I don’t really want to do as I have many synths I was hoping to control with Electra.
Has anybody managed to get this working with Ableton, or am I wasting my time with this approach? Any help much appreciated!
I don’t use Ableton but, DAW’s tend not to pass sysex, so you probably need to do some external routing. What MIDI interface do you use, and are you on Mac or PC?
If you have many synths for potential use with the E1, I would recommend getting a iConnectivity MioXl, as that is working very well for me. They make it very easy to make complex controller/editor routings for a lot of devices.
OK, in the long run, I would still recommend a MioXL, but on a Mac there are immediate solutions as the MIDI ports should be multi-client by default.
I’m not on Mac, but there should be software tools available for MIDI routing, if you do some searches. With such a tool, take the MIDI input from the E1, (USB or a MIDI DIN input from the MOTU), and route it back out to the MOTU out port with the Matrix 1000 on it. Do the same in reverse for the return from the Matrix, back through to the E1.
Both Ableton and the E1 should then be able to communicate with the Matrix 1000.
The way I route it: the PC ( with Ableton and Midi-Ox) is connected via USB to the E1.
All musical instruments however are connected via MIDI routers with the E1 Din MIDI ports. And the MIDI-router in turn is connected via USB or RTP- MIDI to the PC.
So the Matrix talks Din-MIDI to the router . The router routes further via Din-MIDI to the E1 and via USB or RTP-Midi to the PC.
The USB connection between E1 and Pc is only used for developing presets and for monitoring via MIDI-ox.
Oh, and by the way, my Matrix Preset is outdated. There will be an update soon
Ableton Live definitely can pass through sysex (implemented in v9 iirc). But it makes sense to have a separate midi track dedicated to sysex receiving and transmitting (and another for note input), both routed (in Live) to the matrix 1000.
There’s another thing worth thinking about: iirc there’s a maxforlive device for the matrix 1000 out there. If you put this on (also) a dedicated midi track, you can then use the Electra with the remote script to control that maxforlive device and therefore have automation and recall ability
Thanks. I’m really excited to try your preset, I think that is contributing to my haste, inability to think logically and troubleshoot the problem I’m having
I look forward to the next iteration of your preset, cheers!
Thanks Marcus, that max4live device is brilliant , I’d love to be able to control it with Electra, but I’ve failed miserably each time I’ve tried. (Probably a ‘me’ problem again!
well, you are already using the remote control script, so what happens when you select the device? I don’t use the remote script for the Electra, but it should work with it
Unlike other devices, none of the controls are exposed to Ableton, even when you wiggle knobs , it doesnt populate the Electra. Has anyone else managed to get this working?
