M4L midi tutorial help

    rtificial
    May 01 2010 | 10:21 pm
    Ok this is probably something simple that i'm overlooking, but I need some help. I'm currently learning m4l and went thru the basics tutorials and now I'm stuck on the midi portion.
    The problem I'm having starts at the first midi tutorial. The midiin and midiout objects don't do anything when double clicked. I don't get any drop down boxes to pick a midi in or out. I'm using windows vista and I've tried using max and live with a midi keyboard plugged in also. The midi setup window also shows nothing either.
    So if someone could guide me where to read or how to solve this midi issue I'm having on my laptop, thanks for any help.
    • David Butler
      May 01 2010 | 10:45 pm
      You don't get a choice of MIDI inputs and outputs when running Max For Live. The only MIDI ins and outs you can use are the ones in the chain of the M4L device you are patching.
      To make your MIDI keyboard work, you need to set it up to work with Ableton first, and then create a MIDI track and arm it. MIDI will then be sent from your keyboard to the device chain for that track. Consequently, MIDI information will appear in the outlet of the midiin object in your M4L device.
    • rtificial
      May 02 2010 | 3:50 pm
      Yes I've tried putting a random synth or vst on a midi track and arming it before. The notes and sound will play, but in the midi basics tutorial patcher, the midiin and midiout still do nothing when double clicked.
      The patcher has 3 parts to show the midi basics and for some reason none of em work for me.
    • David Butler
      May 02 2010 | 7:28 pm
      Those tutorials are for stand-alone Max. Not everything applies to Max For Live. In M4L you can't select a MIDI input from MIDI In, it just uses the Ableton device input.
    • Gregory Taylor
      May 03 2010 | 1:31 pm
      Your co-posters are correct - the Max tutorials are intended for users of standalone Max in that they predate the appearance of M4L and still assume Max in its standalone form.
      That said, the content itself is still quite useful, however.
      Have you considered looking at the MIDI tutorials that are included with Max for Live itself? In the Live app's case, see the file browser for
      Library > Lessons > 8-MaxForLive Category > (tutorials 05, 08, and 10 for sure)
      There are some interesting tutorials realized as sequences of M4L devices.
      Hoping that more sources equals a better chance for your success, g
    • rtificial
      May 03 2010 | 6:49 pm
      Ah well, thanks for the help.
      I guess I'll still read the tutorials and try and visualize what the effects are. It's just nice to have something to look in and play around with like the 15 basic tutorials did.
      Thanks for the help again, time to dive back into some reading.