S3- No Midi? How do I sync my keyboard tracks?

[SteveAlton]

I am 99% sure to take the plunge to the S3 & move to PROTOOLS permanently. Just one thing I need to know....How do I sync my MIDI tracks through the S3 as it makes my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 obsolete..

Okay, so I am old school and have recorded my backing tracks through my KORG PA 4X and MIDI it to my TASCAM DP24 and dump tracks one at a time and then build more tracks from there live

Going to FINALLY move to my PROTOOLS I bought 2 years ago full time and buying the "Automated Avid Pro Tools S3 Control Surface" which has no "MIDI", rather USB.

Is it the same thing? Just want to make sure my tracks will sync up for dumping on USB the same as MIDI.

The Focusrite has MIDI IN/OUT the S3 does not? Use both tools, go USB?

Any help here would be great

[Anthony_Anz]

Originally Posted by SteveAlton

How do I sync my MIDI tracks through the S3 as it makes my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 obsolete..

The S3 does not do MIDI at all, it's just a control surface with audio inputs and outputs over AVB. You will still need your 18i20 to record MIDI data from your keyboard if it does not do MIDI over USB. Honestly I would keep the 18i20 as your audio interface and just use the S3 as a EUCON control surface as the 18i20 has more inputs/outputs and (cough cough, possibly better mic pres).

[RogerPaolo]

I use a simple E-MU Xmidi, that's a MIDI to USB interface in a cable. If you don't want to keep your 18i20.

About the pre-amps, what do you think of the quality of the pre-amp in the S3? I recorded some vocals and they sound good... I used to have an Apogee Quartet, that should have some of the best pre-amps but I don't know if I could pick one of the two blindfolded..

[Anthony_Anz]

Originally Posted by RogerPaolo

I use a simple E-MU Xmidi, that's a MIDI to USB interface in a cable. If you don't want to keep your 18i20.

About the pre-amps, what do you think of the quality of the pre-amp in the S3? I recorded some vocals and they sound good... I used to have an Apogee Quartet, that should have some of the best pre-amps but I don't know if I could pick one of the two blindfolded..

Honestly I have not tested the mic pre's I'm just going by my personal experience with the 18i20. I know those are solid and clean pre's. The S3 is probably just as good and when it comes to being stuck in a mix, you'd never be able to tell anyway. =)