I would like to configure my MicroFreak over a standard MIDI connection instead of USB. The simple reason is that the computer is not near the MF.
Is this possible and how ?
Hi there,
I am not sure why you cannot just buy a long USB cable. I have used a 5m one in the past.
However, if you want to setup MIDI the other way:
Section 3.2.4 of the manual explains using the MIDI in/out connections on the rear panel of the Microfreak. You will need the MIDI adapters (1/8" TRS jack to 5-pin DIN, gray) which were supplied with the synth. You would need 2 long 5 pin din MIDI cables. The MIDI cables would need to be connected to your mac/PC - probably via an appropriate audio interface.
From there, it is matter of setting up the MIDI send/receive channels in your DAW (if that is what you are using).
Just to add my own experience/opinion for what itās worth.
I have to agree with @Funtmaster that buying a long USB cable would be your better option if possible.
One of my synths has an issue with its USB driver, the manufacturer is well aware of it, there are 000,000ās of complaints over the web and itās still unfixedā¦ Nope itās not Arturia!
I had to set the synth up for an upcoming project last week, a job that should have only taken an hour or two at most over USBā¦ It took me half the day as i had to do all the transfers over DIN Midi, it was soul destroyingā¦
USB2 is pretty āforgivingā when it comes to long cable runs, i have a couple of 5 meter ones here and they work just fine, CHEAP too!
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My question is related to using Arturias Midi Control Center with the Microfreak, not about connecting the synth to a DAW etc. In my experience the USB connection between MicroFreak and MCC is actually pretty unforgiving. It starts that I have to use a dedicated USB connection to the laptop running MCC because it does not work with a USB hub in between. The situation is different when controlling the MicroFreak from a DAW or sequencer running on the computer.
My guess is that the DAW / MF connection handles the MicroFreak as a class compliant USB device while the Midi Control Centre uses some Arturia proprietary USB stuff.
Hello.
Unfortunately you canāt.
Only because the MCC expect a USB event to trigger the connection to the MIDI ports of the device.
Because everything the MCC does is pure midi, we could think about implementing a way to connect directly from MIDI portsā¦ thatās a bit corner case so Iām not gonna lie, I donāt think we will implement it.
Cheers !
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Happy New Year @Tim.Arturia !
I understand that, but how about sticking with USB but add a manual way to trigger the connection instead of waiting for a USB event? The fact that the MCC does not work through a USB hub is another limitation that makes it difficult to have the MicroFreak permanently connected to the computer and use the MCC to change / upload presets, samples and wavetables. The laptop in use only has one available USB A port. All the rest is USB-C and that does not work (with an adapter).
The culprit here is very likely the aforesaid USB event. I am guessing with āpure MIDIā being used for the connection you are actually referring to MIDI System Exclusive (SysEx) messages. The standard way to establishing a connection to a device is by broadcasting a SysEx device inquiry message and checking the returned message. So my suggestion would be that if I choose a device from the dropdown list in MCC, a device inquiry message is sent, and when the returned message matches the selected device, a connection attempt is initiated.
I think this would work as it would only involve standard, class compliant USB access - regardless of USB hub or not.
Another solution would be to simply add a āretryā button when the connection failure error message pops up.
all the best for '25.
Hello and happy new year !
You are right, thatās doable without listening the USB events.
Please note that we consider this improvement as a valid feature request.
Also, it have just been asked by another user two days ago which increase the priority.
Iāve logged it, weāll see if it comes out.
Cheers !