How to connect Akai mpk61 to Roland Jd990 and recieve midi?

Symatic Star

Hello All , I am new here this is my first post - Can anyone please help with - How to connect Akai mpk61 to Roland Jd990 and recieve midi?

EdisonRex · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:49 am Post subject:

I have an MPK49 which I am pretty sure differs only in the number of keys.

I happen to be in the middle of reorganizing my studio so unfortunately I am working from memory (Can't verify this step by step today)

You need to hook up the Vyzex software via USB to edit it quickly. Those regular midi ports are not connected by default. There is some way to do it via the front panel but it's arcane.

Maybe someone else who has an MPK can chime in too. But the Vyzex software is easy, just go into MIDI configuration and set it up.

Mohoyoho · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject:

I would go to the manual of the synth and look up the midi implementation chart. Making sure that the MPK and the JD are on the same channel, I would then assign whatever controls from the synth to the controls you want on the MPK. You would use the edit function on the controller to dial in the correct Midi control number. For example: the Waldorfs both use CC# 7 for volume. Don't forget to save your preset, or you will lose all your changes.

I have done this without a problem with my MPK 49 and my Waldorf Q rack and Microwave XT rack.

As Edison stated, you could do this all on the software first and then load that into your MPK. The main thing is to look up the midi control numbers in the manual of the synth. Then you can either manually assign them or use the software to assign them.

Symatic Star · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:09 am Post subject: got it

Thanks guys - I am on track now - the trick was to go into global mode where it says killMIDI and press enter and made sure both were on the same channel , I will start assigning controls now - Smile

p.s took a listen to your music Mark-
( space_port_zero_nine_june_19_09_mahoney_187) Great mate!

Symatic Star · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:06 am Post subject: confused again

mmm I had a good session playing midi recieved into jd990 a week ago. went to hook up today and am again confused.
I did this - On the Akai controller -
Pressed GLOBAL dialled to common midi channel page 2, made sure it is on midi channel 1 as the the jd990 is and now not recieving signal in the jd990.
Any ideas please?
Embarassed

Symatic Star · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:42 am Post subject:

Found this in another forum after much searching

"apparently the Akai MPK49 doesn't output MIDI data through the external MIDI Out socket if it is connected via USB" ( would be same for mpk61 I think)

mmm weird so how did I do it last time?
Confused

Symatic Star · Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 11:56 pm Post subject: fastest solution for midi

OK - I got hold of a power adapter ( akaimpk61 doesn't come with one ) and sure enough both mpk61 and jd990 synth being on the same channel I had midi signal and was playing music straight away.
There is a way to manually get past the midi not sending signal when Akai mpk61 is powered by usb from computer but I have not gone there yet.( changing ports...?)
Wink

sillysynth · Joined: May 21, 2010 Posts: 1 Location: UK

Hi,

I am going to do the same with my MPK49 and my JD990 (when it arrives) - can I ask where you got the power supply and what model it is. Thanks.

Symatic Star · Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 9:23 am Post subject:

EdisonRex · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:14 am Post subject:

All MPK49s take the same DC power. It's the wall wart that changes.

Captain, when connected via USB you need to use the Vyzex software, I think this "USB mode" just requires it to run.