MIDI in via USB?

[logoliv]

Does Minilab 3 accept MIDI input via USB port ?
When I move a knob with the mouse in a plugin the value is not updated on the corresponding Minilab knob, despite having set the MIDI output of the plugin to Minilab.

[matjones]

Hi @logoliv

I don’t actually own a ML-3, but a good trawl through the manual only states which Midi channel/s, Types of Midi data etc can transmit, i can find no reference to the unit receiving Midi data.

Of course, if someone else with a ML-3 knows better, please to feel free to chime in.

HTH!

[logoliv]

Thanks for your answer @matjones

If you own a MIDI controller that can accept the value updates from a DAW or a plugin, how do you configure it to do that ?
I’m curious if it’s a limitation of all controllers (or perhaps from MIDI 1.0 standard).

Anyway it limits a lot the interest of infinite knobs, if they keep the last value that was given to them manually. I thought that they would automatically take the value of the last loaded preset in case of program change…

[matjones]

hI @logoliv

I generally use a KS37 these days as i’m not really a keyboard player, with the endless encoders on that, if they’re used for another function they will ‘latch’ once the encoder is turned to the same value that the current function is at on the receiving synth/soft synth.
When i’ve used a hardware synth as a controller, such as the Korg Trinity + i used to have, as their is Midi being sent and received by The Korg, it would update and sliders/buttons would keep and report their values.

[logoliv]

Hi @matjones

KS37 knobs are not infinite encoders like in ML3 : they have graduations and a white line on the knob to mark the value (and I suppose that their rotation is blocked at min and max values too). It explains the different behaviour.

From your remark on the Krog Trinity, I can confirm that it’s not a MIDI format problem but more a “MIDI in” ability that the controller must have for the value to be updated on it. Strange, because in my DAW the ML3 is present in the “MIDI out” devices list…

I don’t know if you used two MIDI cables with your Trinity or only one USB connection ? Perhaps I should ask to Arturia if the ML3 USB cable can accept 2 ways data transfer with the PC (in and out) and if the encoders support values update via MIDI in.

[matjones]

@logoliv

Lol, you spotted my ‘deliberate mistake there’ i think i meant my Nektar P6.

The Trinity was purely ‘DIN’ Midi as it came out in 1995 and USB was launched in 1996 and took 4 or 5 years to start to become ubiquitous, it’s fairly recent, in the big scheme of things; that it made it’s way into music hardware.

Yes, your assumption is correct, we used to have to use two Midi cables, one in and one out, to send and receive Midi data.

The USB standard does deal with ‘full duplex’ data transfer, but there’s no mention of bi-directional Midi functionality in The ML3 manual.

Of course, feel free to contact our support team to see if they can advise you further.

HTH!

[LBH]

Hi all,

@logoliv
I’m not sure what you are looking for.

But you should be able to use the Relative modes for your endless encoders. So there is communication to do that. Just keep in mind that using Relative modes only works if it’s also supported and set for the recieving parties.
This has been discussed in the forums before.

I agree, that it would be great, if the endless encoders when set in Absolute mode also just would start at an value send to them. I unfortunately don’t think it work like that. But i can’t tell for sure, so it’s fine to ask Arturia about that. For this to work it would still require apps to be able to and perhaps set to send those values to controls with Absolute settings. Then i assume Relative modes was’nt needed.

[logoliv]

Many thanks to you @LBH and @matjones

It works fine with Relative mode 1.
The drawback is that I don’t have the current value on the ML3 screen anymore, just an approximate visual indication with the plugin knob position (the plugin I’m using now doesn’t have a value under each control but a unique value display for all controls, and it only updates when you use the mouse…) but it will do

I think you’re right about the ML3 not having the ability to receive MIDI @matjones, but I will write to Arturia Support anyway just to be sure, thanks for the link. I will update this thread when I have their answer, it may be useful to others.

[logoliv]

Here’s the support answer :

“Unfortunately receiving midi data is not possible in this unit, however we do have this feature in other units like our units of the Step range (such as Keystep/37/pro, beatstep/pro ) or KeyLab or Keylab MK II models.”