Syncing Alesis SR-16 to Pro Tools First for a Midi Novice
 

Hey y'all,

I recently downloaded pro tools first and purchased a focusrite scarlett 2i2 3rd gen. I have some songs I've written, each have 2 guitars, a bass, drums, and vocals, which I want to record. Up until now I've made all my beats on my Alesis SR-16 drum machine. However even when I set the pro tools BPM to the Alesis BPM the internal clocks are all out of sync.

I have no experience using midi and don't know much past plugging my instruments into the interface and raw-dogging the recording. I'm basically wondering if there is a way I can sync the internal clocks of pro tools and my Alesis so that the beats are actually lining up with the bars in the DAW, or if there was an alternative way I could record the beats and get them in sync with the clock on pro tools? This would save me a lot of effort in editing my songs. The only midi cable I own is a midi in / out to USB, but I would be willing to get whatever so I can sync these things.

Thanks!

Re: Syncing Alesis SR-16 to Pro Tools First for a Midi Novice
 

Hi. Welcome to the forum.
Twenty years ago, I would have been able to give you some good instructions, I think. But now, all I have is scattered bits if info from what's left in my aging brain.
When I had a SR16 and started with early DAWs, the basic prosedure was this; Set PT to follow midi input, when you click 'play' PT waits until it 'hears' beat clock from the SR16 and then starts playback or record the moment you start sr16. So you'll be able to record a midi track w/midi info from sr16, and audio aswell if you have that connected.

Re: Syncing Alesis SR-16 to Pro Tools First for a Midi Novice
 

I think I found the clue; In the transport window, farthest to the left, it's called sync or something, if you click it, it puts PT in a 'wait' mode. It will start to playback or record when it recieves 'clock'. As I said, it's been decades.
Added: If this is at all available in PT First, I don't know.