ChordPadX and Navichord into NS2?

Jboy808

Can anyone help a frustrated/confused newbie? I have created pads of chords in the above mentioned apps and would like to play and record them in NS2 via midi. I can control synths like Synth 1 inside NS2 by setting up an external midi track and setting the synth midi input channel to channel 1. I can set up the apps inside NS2 but can get no sound. Am I doing anything wrong or is what I’m trying to do impossible?

Stuntman_mike

There’s a MIDI fx bug in NS2.

Chordpolypad works well because it is mapped to the keyboard in NS2 automatically!

Stuntman_mike

Get Midi Tools and insert Route after ChordPadX or Navichord, go to IN/OUT in the track, only enable MIDI channel 1, and set Track receives MIDI when: ALWAYS. Once you record your chords you can BYPASS/Turn off ChordPadX or Navichord and Route.

Stuntman_mike

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/midi-tools/id1446209019

Jboy808

Thanks stuntman. I’m working off an iPhone so can’t download midi tools, so I’ll try chordpolypad. Thanks for the advice.

wim

It's a pain, but unfortunately NS2 just doesn't have the ability to record output from MIDI FX. So, while you can get ChordPolyPad to work, for playing apps, you won't be able to record the MIDI output to to a track.

@Jboy808 - check this post for one way that works for iPhone: https://www.blipinteractive.co.uk/community/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/11254/#Comment_11254

Audiobus can also be used for this. I only described using AUM because that's what the poster mentioned having. If needed, I'll post steps for using Audiobus. It's the same idea (sending midi out of and then back into NS2 to record it) but AUM and Audiobus approach midi routing a bit differently.

Jboy808

Hi Wim. I have Audiobus so if you could give a few pointers on how to achieve the above mentioned technique I would be most thankful.

Stuntman_mike

@wim said:
It's a pain, but unfortunately NS2 just doesn't have the ability to record output from MIDI FX. So, while you can get ChordPolyPad to work, for playing apps, you won't be able to record the MIDI output to to a track.

@Jboy808 - check this post for one way that works for iPhone: https://www.blipinteractive.co.uk/community/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/11254/#Comment_11254

Audiobus can also be used for this. I only described using AUM because that's what the poster mentioned having. If needed, I'll post steps for using Audiobus. It's the same idea (sending midi out of and then back into NS2 to record it) but AUM and Audiobus approach midi routing a bit differently.

ChordPolyPad midi records to track because it is being triggered by the NS2 keyboard. So the chords get recorded. ChordPolyPad can be triggered from C3 and above.

Stuntman_mike

Posting a video...

Stuntman_mike

Samu

@Stuntman_mike said:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/midi-tools/id1446209019

That's a good set of tools...
...unfortunately it's iPad Only

I would love to see @blueveek devote some time (if humanly possible) to make it universal.

wim

@Stuntman_mike said:

@wim said:
It's a pain, but unfortunately NS2 just doesn't have the ability to record output from MIDI FX. So, while you can get ChordPolyPad to work, for playing apps, you won't be able to record the MIDI output to to a track.

@Jboy808 - check this post for one way that works for iPhone: https://www.blipinteractive.co.uk/community/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/11254/#Comment_11254

Audiobus can also be used for this. I only described using AUM because that's what the poster mentioned having. If needed, I'll post steps for using Audiobus. It's the same idea (sending midi out of and then back into NS2 to record it) but AUM and Audiobus approach midi routing a bit differently.

ChordPolyPad midi records to track because it is being triggered by the NS2 keyboard. So the chords get recorded. ChordPolyPad can be triggered from C3 and above.

Interesting! OK, so ChordPolyPad is an AU Instrument, not an AU FX, which is why it works.
[edit ... wrong, after watching the video again.]

Just to be clear, the video shows chords being played on the NS2 keyboard, but I assume you're playing just one note, with the chords coming from the app, correct?

The rest of this thread is still needed for background on recording AU MIDI FX, but this is something new that I didn't realize about NS2. 👍🏼

Stuntman_mike

@wim said:

@Stuntman_mike said:

@wim said:
It's a pain, but unfortunately NS2 just doesn't have the ability to record output from MIDI FX. So, while you can get ChordPolyPad to work, for playing apps, you won't be able to record the MIDI output to to a track.

@Jboy808 - check this post for one way that works for iPhone: https://www.blipinteractive.co.uk/community/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/11254/#Comment_11254

Audiobus can also be used for this. I only described using AUM because that's what the poster mentioned having. If needed, I'll post steps for using Audiobus. It's the same idea (sending midi out of and then back into NS2 to record it) but AUM and Audiobus approach midi routing a bit differently.

ChordPolyPad midi records to track because it is being triggered by the NS2 keyboard. So the chords get recorded. ChordPolyPad can be triggered from C3 and above.

Interesting! OK, so ChordPolyPad is an AU Instrument, not an AU FX, which is why it works.

Just to be clear, the video shows chords being played on the NS2 keyboard, but I assume you're playing just one note, with the chords coming from the app, correct?

The rest of this thread is still needed for background on recording AU MIDI FX, but this is something new that I didn't realize about NS2. 👍🏼

I loaded ChordPolyPad as a MIDI fx sending chords to AUV3 VTines, but it sends MIDI out for each pad to the NS2 keyboard starting at C3. So C3 is connected to pad 1, C3# is connected to pad 2, and so on and so forth. If NS2 MIDI fx worked correctly you would be able to trigger the pads themselves in ChordPolyPad, but instead they work by triggering the pads with the NS2 keyboard. Kinda wonky, but it works like a charm. Bonus, each ChordPolyPad pad can be set to strum!

wim

@Stuntman_mike said:
I loaded ChordPolyPad as a MIDI fx sending chords to AUV3 VTines, but it sends MIDI out for each pad to the NS2 keyboard starting at C3. So C3 is connected to pad 1, C3# is connected to pad 2, and so on and so forth. If NS2 MIDI fx worked correctly you would be able to trigger the pads themselves in ChordPolyPad, but instead they work by triggering the pads with the NS2 keyboard. Kinda wonky, but it works like a charm. Bonus, each ChordPolyPad pad can be set to strum!

Huh. OK, I watched the video again and see now that you added it as a MIDI FX and for some reason I can't understand, it works. Are there any other AU MIDI FX that work that way that you know of?

Jboy808

Thanks for the video. I’ll try that later. In the mean time I seem to have stumbled on a method that records into NS2 (in midi) from ChordPadX. In ChordPadX edit menu, you can set the midi input (NS2 keyboard on the midi export track) to trigger the pads. Toggle between the two apps to set the pads and hey presto; midi chords in the piano roll.

Stuntman_mike

@wim @Jboy808 first screenshot shows me loading VTines as the AUV3 instrument:

Second screenshot shows me loading ChordPolyPad as the AUV3 MIDI FX:

Stuntman_mike

@Jboy808 said:
Thanks for the video. I’ll try that later. In the mean time I seem to have stumbled on a method that records into NS2 (in midi) from ChordPadX. In ChordPadX edit menu, you can set the midi input (NS2 keyboard on the midi export track) to trigger the pads. Toggle between the two apps to set the pads and hey presto; midi chords in the piano roll.

You got the idea now! Great job sir!

Stuntman_mike

@wim said:

@Stuntman_mike said:
I loaded ChordPolyPad as a MIDI fx sending chords to AUV3 VTines, but it sends MIDI out for each pad to the NS2 keyboard starting at C3. So C3 is connected to pad 1, C3# is connected to pad 2, and so on and so forth. If NS2 MIDI fx worked correctly you would be able to trigger the pads themselves in ChordPolyPad, but instead they work by triggering the pads with the NS2 keyboard. Kinda wonky, but it works like a charm. Bonus, each ChordPolyPad pad can be set to strum!

Huh. OK, I watched the video again and see now that you added it as a MIDI FX and for some reason I can't understand, it works. Are there any other AU MIDI FX that work that way that you know of?

Great question! 😂 ChordPolyPad works in Drambo and BM3 too. I was able get Tonality to work this way in Drambo by mapping Tonality pads to Drambo keyboard. Tonality has its own MIDI learn protocol.

Stuntman_mike

The problem with MIDI FX in some apps is those apps are not setup to send notes into the MIDI FX, so by mapping an internal keyboard to the MIDI FX it sends out MIDI. At least that’s the way I understand it. 😆

NS2 MIDI In + NS2 MIDI Out + MIDI FX MIDI In + MIDI FX MIDI Out = NS2 MIDI In + NS2 MIDI Out + AUV3 Instrument In = AUV3 Instrument Out

I think the MIDI FX input is sending MIDI to its output and its going into the AUV3 instrument input, so you hear the output of the AUV3 instrument via NS2 audio output, but NS2 MIDI input and output are not part of equation until you connect the NS2 MIDI output to the MIDI FX input.

Take a look at this screenshot of ChordPolyPad settings, it shows this MIDI FX will accept incoming notes starting on C3:

I’m sure an expert can explain why this works...

Stuntman_mike

In AUM: Chordpolypad, Tonality, ChordPoly X, and Navichord can be set as the MIDI input, but in the current NS2, BM3, and Drambo it cannot so you have to utilize the host MIDI input to trigger MIDI FX output into the host input so it records MIDI out which triggers audio from AUV3 Instrument into the host audio input then output sound.

All MIDI Route does is send MIDI output from the MIDI FX into the host MIDI input.

Connecting the host MIDI output to MIDI FX input does the same thing because the MIDI FX output goes into the host input without an extra app.

Stuntman_mike

False alarm

Jboy808

Nailed it stuntman - your way is quicker and seems less laggy. Thanks for the video as well. I can now play those dreamy m7 chords over my drums. Cheers. 👍🏻

Stuntman_mike

@Jboy808 said:
Nailed it stuntman - your way is quicker and seems less laggy. Thanks for the video as well. I can now play those dreamy m7 chords over my drums. Cheers. 👍🏻

Super awesome, it’s my pleasure to help!

Jboy808