Setting up MIDI in Logic Audio

[Everett]

I bought Logic Audio because I saw it used in several recording studios and I was impressed with what it could do... now I realize why those studios hired someone to install the program for them. Although eMagic's documentation is laborious, I have found it to be lacking details and real world examples. Reading their documentation has been about as much fun as doing taxes (and makes about as much sense).

I did get my MOTU 828 working, but I haven't had any luck getting my Korg X3 set up so I can use Logic's scoring utilities. I'm using a MOTU Fastlane USB, and according to MOTU's configuration panels, the tests indicate that MIDI is flowing in both directions no problems.

In Logic, I've got the Environment window set up with a Multi-Instrument that represents my X3 (as per their instructions). I've tried various routing combinations in the Environment window, but I can't seem to get any MIDI in or out of Logic (the MIDI activity window has never shown any activity). Can someone explain in more human terms how a synth/keyboard is set up in Logic? I'll repeat that Logic's instructions are devoid of actual examples... and so far as I can tell, so is there online InfoWeb. You wouldn't go to Microsoft's Knowledge base to learn how to use windows.

For the record: I'm running OS 9.1 on a G3 iBook 500Mhz.
Sincerely
Stuck

[Everett]

Didn't hear from anyone, so I figured this one out alone (again).

Here's what was going on: I did not have Open Music System (otherwise known as OMS) installed on my computer. It's available as a free download from www.opcode.com. Logic's documentation did NOT clarify that this is a separate program that needs to be downloaded. I incorrectly guessed that it was a type of driver (like ASIO), so I just made sure to install the OMS drivers for my MIDI interface, which was not the solution. As I said before, my interface was working fine without the OMS program (communication in both directions), and Logic did not raise any flags to this setup (other than the MIDI not working).

Let's do this step by step and hope the folks at eMagic are listening:
1) DOWNLOAD OMS from www.opcode.com. Use the "Setup OMS" to configure your studio. You should use "Add Device" to add your keyboards (a Korg X3 in my case), and my interface was detected on a search that was one of the menu options (in my case a MOTU Fastlane USB). There is also the Macintosh internal Quicktime MIDI object that shows up in this setup (as well as a couple of drivers), but you don't need to worry about them. Drag the objects on the screen so they are virtually cabled together as they are in your studio, e.g. I dragged the X3 object onto the first of my Fastlane ports (because in real life, my X3 keyboard is plugged into my Fastlane's 'A' input). At that point I could select "Test Studio" and click on the keyboard picture, and the real thing would play notes, i.e. computer and keyboard were talking to one another.

A nasty sidenote here is that I ran into an extension conflict after I had installed this. The computer would freeze on startup (always at the same extension), and I figured it was something to do with my USB interface because the computer would boot up fine when I unhooked the interface from my USB port. To fix the problem, I had to boot up with extensions off (hold down shift key), then open up the Extensions Manager (in the control panel) and uncheck extensions one by one, then try a normal reboot. This took a while, even though I correctly guessed that another USB related extension was causing the problem.

2) Open up Logic. The MIDI activity window is not clearly labeled, but it's the box in the top right portion of the transport window. If you bang on your keyboard, the numbers in there should change according to the notes you play. If the window only reads: "No In, No Out," try going into Options -> Preferences -> MIDI Interface Communications. At the top of this window, the Communications should say "using OMS" or something similar... if it doesn't, Logic is not using OMS and MIDI probably isn't working. For example, in my case, it said: "Communication : Built in MIDI drivers," so I had to change the checkboxes below it (thanks to Derek in Tech Support for this one).

The following boxes I checked: Use OMS if available, Stop and Release, External Stop ends Record, Always Stop when opening song, Allow Song Position Pointer while playing. The first one there is the most important. Uncheck the other boxes, as they could interfere with OMS.

3) When you reboot Logic, you can watch the bottom of the splash screen to see if it says something about loading up OMS. If it's set up correctly, it should flash a quick message before it loads completely.

TROUBLESHOOTING: Verify that your Opcode OMS "My Studio" is configured correctly. It doesn't automatically do this on download, you've got scan for devices, add them and hook them up, then save the configuration (there are prompts to this effect and pdf documentation). If OMS is not configured correctly, MIDI in Logic will suffer.

Well... this worked for my simple studio and I hope it helps someone else out there with something similar. For a brilliant piece of software, eMagic gets my vote for the most pathetic and embarassing instruction manual. It's worth its weight in firewood.

[KenW]

On a much lower (financial) scale I had problems with my interface; OMS doesn't work in OS9 hence your (& my) problems. I got round it by chucking the interface, installing OS10.2 and buying one with OSX support. Go for it, enjoy OSX (& its different probs!) support those who support OSX & hassle those that don't! By the bye there's a lot of info on the macmusic.org website.

[macmuse]

Logic is one of the programs that luckily doesn't require OMS. You just take the multi-instrument that corresponds with what synth you have, from the ones supplied by Logic Various Multi Sets, put it in your Environment/Instrument layer, set it to the midi channel, and you're good to go. The patch names show up on the arrange window when you choose that synth. OMS does work in OS 9, I use it. However, I use it only because I sync with another harware that requires it. But Logic works beautifully without it. You just have to tell Logic whether you are using it or not in the pref settings. Once you get the hang of Logic, you will love it. I think it is quite intuitive.