[LAU] MIDI hardware with Linux

[Len Ovens]

On Mon, 21 Apr 2014, Kevin Cosgrove wrote:

>>>> Kevin Cosgrove, Apr 20 2014:
>>>> ...
>>>>> I'm trying to figure out how to interconnect the *MIDI* of the following:
>>>>>
>>>>> - M-Audio Delta 1010 hardware MIDI ports
>>>>> - Mackie Control Universal hardware MIDI ports
>>>>> - Alesis QS8 hardware synth
>>>>> - a2jmidid software MIDI interface
>>>>> - Ardour jack-MIDI ports

>> Did you try a USB<>MIDI connector?
>
> Not yet.  I don't own one.  If a USB<>MIDI device is the correct
> way to get MIDI hardware communication to work, then I'll get
> such a unit.  But, I don't want to buy one for troubleshooting,
> if it's not needed.  Is it generally agreed that a USB<>MIDI unit
> is needed?

No, your delta should work and if it does then there is no SW difference 
between the delta and the usbmidi once you get to the ALSA midi ports.

> The last time I did this I used a Soundblaster card which had a
> game/MIDI port and that worked fine to communicate over MIDI.

mine is an ensoniq (es1370).. same idea. Works with my kybd just fine, but 
I don't have control surfaces.

> Now I have a Delta 1010 with MIDI ports.  But, that's the only
> MIDI connected within my computer.  I haven't been able to
> get that to work for me.  So far, nobody suggested that this
> shouldn't work, nor how to get it to work, if it's supposed to
> work.

It should work just fine. I am assuming you see the ports in the jack midi 
ports(under a2j)... I don't know if you use qjackctl or patchage or other 
gui for this or if you do it all CL, but I use qjackctl. a2jmidid should 
show up in the jack midi panel and when expanded should show your 1010 
midi ports. Quick test to make sure data goes through is to use 
jack-keyboard midi_out connected to your 1010 playback within a2j... run a 
midi cable from the 1010 midi out to the 1010 midi in... start a softsynth 
(hexter or qsynth...or which ever you are most comfortable with and know 
you can get sound from). and connect a2j/1010capture to the softsynth. If 
jack-keyboard can play the softsynth, then the hardware is working and a2j 
is set up right. Do check that you can change patches/sustain works, etc.

I figured you had already done a similar test because of what seemed to be 
working from your other hw. midi is midi pretty much.

--
Len Ovens
www.ovenwerks.net