MIDI for connecting DP-24 to Model 12 ?

[PumaPants]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum - but I have been utilizing the info here in my many google searches regarding my DP-24 and DP-008EX. Many thanks to everyone - especiallly Phil Tipping !

I currently have a DP-24 and have ordered the new Model 12 (I needed a digital interface for my computer and the model 12 seemed capable of this - in addition to its many other cool features IMHO)

My question is whether I can use MIDI somehow to connect the DP-24 to the new Model 12 (or vice versa) and sync/record with them simultaneously. Sorry I don't have much experience yet using MIDI.

Thanks much !

Sid

 

[-mjk-]

The answer is, you *should* be able to. One will have to be setup as Master and the other as Slave.

Not sure why you would want to do that though.

 

[PumaPants]

So I can record 16 + tracks simultaneously vs 8 ?
In a live situation with my band I would prefer to have many individual tracks to mix down later. - I use up 8 with just my drum set - so adding in vocals, guitar, bass etc would be great to expand the live recording potential.

 

[Steve R]

I use a small 8 channel mixer to run my drum kit mics through, then send the outputs to two inputs on the DP-24. The results are pretty good and I still have six inputs left on the recorder.

 

[PumaPants]

Yeah - I already have several mixers to facilitate a smaller overall drum mix - but I'm pretty picky about my drum sound(s) - the more options I have later - the better. I want more control in the final mix (i.e.more individual tracks). I actually enjoy the mixdown process and small tweaks or even minor level adjustments can make a huge difference IMO. Other times I'm completely throwing tracks out - if the overheads are perfect then I don't need my tom's close mic'd etc etc.

 

[-mjk-]

I get the track count issue (I'm the track count King, lol). I just don't think that syncing 2 completely different machines together is the answer. One of those machines also has a USB audio interface, the other doesn't. So, even if you use the newer machine to record to a DAW, the DP-24 tracks will remain on that machine and have to be exported if you want to use them from the DAW. Getting machines to reliably sync like that is not easy and often not reliable. You'll also need some kind of a MIDI hub and MIDI patching software to get both machines + the computer talking to each other - that is, if you'll be syncing to DAW tracks.

You mentioned the mixdown process. Do you mix in the box?

 

[PumaPants]

Thanks - If they can't be reliably synced - then there's no really no point - I was under the impression that midi was one way for machines to "talk" and potentially stay in time together - but again my knowledge on that is really minimal at this time.

As to your second question. I could see mixing in the box (i.e. the drums are mixed down to stereo on the dp-24) and then importing that into the daw - or importing each track individually or as a couple subgroups into the daw.

I personally don't have a problem mixing different recordings from different machines myself as long as I like the sound(s) they produce. I think like a lot of people here I like the ultra ease, portability and tactile nature of the portastudios. But I'm also not apposed to pulling it into a computer for mastering and/or mixdown either - or to finish a more developed project, or work in reverse and bring a digital project back to the portastudio for live drums yada yada.

I got the model 12 because I needed a new audio interface for my computer and liked that it was essentially still a portastudio (kinda) - if it could also record in time with my DP-24. . . That would just be icing on the cake.

If possible I'd definitely like to have that option and know how to do it.

Thanks again.

 

[PumaPants]

Do you have any hardware/software recommendations if I was to attempt this type of thing ?

Thanks

 

[Arjan P]

If they can't be reliably synced - then there's no really no point - I was under the impression that midi was one way for machines to "talk" and potentially stay in time together

MIDI will synchronize the transport section of both units, so that pushing record on one will have both starting to record at the same time. Otherwise there is no real synchronization (no word clock) and that could cause serious timing issues - especially for longer recording times like a live show. But the only way to find out is to give it a try..

 

[PumaPants]

Cool - thats good to know. I think I would primarily use this feature for single song recording that I would then likely complete on my computer. Longer live stuff can be reigned in to 8 tracks.

Thanks !

Anyone have hardware/software recommendations ?

 

[-mjk-]

You can try using 2 DIN cables and go for it. Just bear in mind that you'll have 2 standalone machines playing back tracks in sync, but, how do you mix those tracks to a stereo master? That's the issue. I've sync'd the DP-32 with Reaper and my Roland drum machine with no issues at all. MIDI works fine, it's just that having 2 machines means that somehow you have to monitor them both and mixdown the tracks. You could (for example) bring the stereo master output from one machine into 2 inputs on the second machine, and pull them all together into a master mixdown track on the second machine.

 

[-mjk-]

Do you have any hardware/software recommendations if I was to attempt this type of thing ?

Thanks

In Taiwan, we have the MIDI4X4 which is made here (so I bought one locally). There is no MIDI through function, but there is a USB connection to the PC. I use MIDITrix, which is an excellent MIDI patchbay. It uses a matrix that allows you to patch any MIDI devices together. Some of my devices are USB MIDI and they also appear on the MIDITrix interface. So, I have all my DIN style devices connected to the MIDI4X4 (4 ports, In/Out, 8 physical DIN connectors) and everything on USB is listed in MIDITrix too. So, it's very easy to connect Reaper to one or more of the devices, etc.. I also recommend LoopMIDI for creating software MIDI ports for Reaper (or another DAW).

 

[PumaPants]

Awesome ! I have the cables and I'll certainly start with that method. My idea is I would have a dedicated instrument (the drum set eats up 5-12 mics - depending on the need for close mics and/or rooms mics and the sound I want and/or need to eliminate) on the dp-24. And everything else will be on the model 12.

I'll mixdown (I actually prefer to bounce - to a stereo track on the dp-24) Then I'll import everything into Logic or Reaper. I suppose I could also do it in reverse as the model 12 can generate a stereo track to export - and bring that into the dp-24 if I wanted to mixdown/master in the box.

If that doesn't work I'll look into the Midi controllers you mentioned

I'll keep you posted - the Model 12 arrives in a couple weeks.

Thanks so much !