Im using a Montage M8X hardware synthesizer (usb class compliant) with Ardour 8.4 DAW + JACK, and the hardware synth connected in via USB>HOST, as well as LINE OUT > LINE IN on my Motu M4 audio interface.
I am able to use the M8X as a MIDI controller to play and record sounds to a MIDI track using the plugins from the DAW (such as calf synth). I can even see the piano roll capturing my key presses and can play it back, hearing the calf synth sounds.
However, I am really trying to record the sounds already built into the M8X synthesizer to MIDI, so I can edit and fix my playing mistakes via Ardour’s piano roll.
At the moment, I am only able to record the M8X built in sounds via an Audio track.
Are there any Ardour or Montage settings I can try to achieve recording and editing the M8X’s built-in sounds via ardour MIDI piano roll?
MIDI data doesn’t contain any information about the sound of the notes, just the duration/velocity/etc, so you need a plugin to generate corresponding sounds. Reading the product description, it appears you have to load the “Extended Soft Synth” plugin that comes with the Montage M8X into Ardour in place of the Calf synth to replicate the hardware’s sounds in a DAW. The plugin likely works just fine on Windows and Mac, but getting the plugin to work on Linux may or may not be possible. If the ESS plugin doesn’t work on Linux, recording the audio outputs is probably your only option.
Edit: I stand corrected. @SpotlightKid has provided instructions for another means to do what you want below. I should probably refrain from weighing in on MIDI topics.
You use the same procedure you would use for any hardware MIDI-capable synth:
Create one MIDI track without a synth plugin (fist entry in the instrument selection drop-down). I usually name the track after the synth preset I want to use and an " M" suffix.
As the output of that track, select the (USB) MIDI port the synth is connected to, In case of the Ymaha MONTAGE M, use the first of the MIDI ports the synth provides.
Create one stereo audio track. I usually name the track after the synth preset I want to use and an " A" suffix, or no suffix.
As the input for that track use one pair of the audio input ports USB audio interface of the MONTAGE provides.
As the output for that track use the master bus
In thee Ardour preferences (MIDI/MIDI Port Config") for the first MONTAGE MIDI input port enable “Music Data”, “Control Data” and “Follow Selection”.
Now arm the MIDI track for recording, start the recording and play and record your part. Then edit the MIDI to you liking and then disarm the the MIDI track and record arm the audio track and record your MIDI with the MONTAGE playing it back and the audio track recording its audio output.
Thanks @SpotlightKid ! I am now able to record and edit the key strikes into the piano roll, and can now select and tweak any of the built in Montage sounds in real time while looping the section, and it will play back accordingly!
For recording to the audio track, I did need to “Add MIDI port” to the Audio track inputs section after creating it, which helped reveal the Montage synth as a selectable input. I also needed to change the Audio track output to “capture RL RR” before it started showing an input signal.
For finding these settings, It helped me to loop the MIDI take and have the Montage play back the take while I messed with those pesky Audio track output settings. I did that until I started seeing the VU meter dancing in the Audio track, then I knew I could record the final…
Its a bit quieter than expected, but I can easily adjust that with the audio track input trim.
