MIDI trouble with pro tools 6.4

[Robster]

I have Pro Tools 6.4 and I'm trying to setup midi. I have a digi 002 rack and I just bought an M-audio radium49 keyboard. I have it going to a usb input to my computer right now and I installed the drivers that came with it. I opened up protools, selected "new track", selected "MIDI track", and selected the appropriate device on the mix window device channel selector. I selected "MIDI thru" as well. I cannot find out where the MIDI input device menu is so I haven't messed with that. All I can get to work is the bar on the mix windows channel; it lights up everytime I press down a key on the keyboard, but I cannot get any sound. I did not buy any plugins and maybe that is what I need for sound to be generated. I thought protools came with this software so I thought I could just get it going once I hooked it up. I'm unsure of what to do can someone please help explain this to me? Thank you!

[spkguitar]

You need to use a sound module. You see, MIDI is just instructions for the computer to play music; kind of like electronic sheet music. The MIDI data is the sheet music, the computer is the performer, and the performer needs an instrument to play; a MIDI sound module.

Some kind of softsynth/plugin would work, yes. Protools has none built in.

I have a page on my website that lists a few free plugins.

I also have a short tutorial on how to use them.

A hardware MIDI sound module would work too.

[Robster]

Ok I downloaded sampletank 2 (free version) and I setup one midi channel and an aux channel so I could open up the plugin. I opened sampletank 2 and I cannot seem to get any sounds loaded into the plugin. I downloaded the free sounds from the website, but I'm still getting nothing. I think will try a different plugin...any recommendations for drums?

[spkguitar]

any recommendations for drums?

Nothing for free.

And it all depends on what kind of drums you're looking for; drum machine type plugins or drum loop type plugins?

Drum plugins are discussed here all the time, and there are lots of choices:
BFD (probably most popular)
DFH Superior
Battery
DR-008
...and a few others.

Loop type plugs are the same; frequently discussed (ad nauseum) and lots of choices:
Drumcore
Stylus
Synchronic
...the list goes on.

If you want a "swiss army knife" of instrument plugins, get Reason with the Reason Drumkits refill. It's got a lot of just about everything in it.

If you're having problems with the free sampletank, though, softsynths might not be for you.

[Robster]

Ok, I went out and bought MOTU symphonic instrument and I installed it. I am unsure of what I'm doing wrong. I followed the steps out of the pro tools guide but it's still not working right. I think it's the way I have pro tools setup. I opened a MIDI channel, an AUX channel, and a Audio Channel. The way I think it's supposed to work is MIDI is recorded then is transfered into the AUX track which is bused to the Audio track and then the sound of MOTU is recorded. Why did that just sound so complicated. Anyways, I have done this thinking that the feed is from MIDI to AUX is automatic by RTAS. Does this make any sense to anyone? If I'm close then please guide me in the right direction because I think I'm only making things worse. Thanks!

[Robster]

Argggggggggggg....I've spent all day on this...and nothing is working!!! MOTU was made for pro tools...this really sucks!!!

[spkguitar]

I have done this thinking that the feed is from MIDI to AUX is automatic by RTAS. Does this make any sense to anyone?

No.

You have to set the output of your MIDI track to be whatever instrument you are trying to trigger.

That's all mentioned in the short tutorial that I posted for you before.

Start off with the basics; just MIDI and aux. Once you get sound happening from there, then you can try recording the output to an audio track (something you don't necessarily need to do, BTW)

[Robster]

I sent this to MOTU after following the totorial that you sent me....I still couldn't get it to work. This explains what I did.

I'm having a little trouble trying to use Symphonic Instrument as a Plugin for pro tools 6.4. I followed the instructions in both the pro tools and Motu manual, but I can't figure out the problem. I have MOTU installed and ready to use. I start pro tools and create the Aux channel along with the MIDI channel like it says in the manual. Then I put MOTU as an insert on the AUX channel and setup the i/o as keyboard/Motu on the MIDI channel. I select MIDI thru in the MIDI drop down menu. Then on the MOTU plugin I select a sound (trumpet) and I make sure that the channels are the same on the plugin and where I selected the output. It seems that everything would be setup correctly here until I try to play something. On the mix window the bar next to the MIDI volume indicates data coming through when record is enabled. So if I press down on a key that bar will light up like it's supposed to. But the plugin does not detect this. There is no indication on the plugin that it is receiving a signal from the controller and there is no sound coming from the speakers. So I figured this has to be on your end of the spectrum and that is why I am emailing you. I've been working with this all day, if you could shoot me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Thank you!

[spkguitar]

Is the volume on the AUX track turned up?

[Robster]

yes!