Thanks! That video was helpful. I set up MIDI out in the Introduction on my side and MIDI data is being sent to the downstream plugin. I’m not sure I see how this gives any advantage over MINI though if I’m just using MG3 to send MIDI data to another plugin.
you are correct, there is no benefit to using a preset other than mini for the purposes you’ve described.
it seemed as if distinguishing between presets and modules would be helpful.
MIDI Guitar 3 requires a MIDI Output module to be in place for MIDI to be able to pass through to a MIDI port. The reason you keep coming back to MIDI Guitar mini is because this by default has a MIDI Output module built into the preset. You can make any preset send MIDI out by adding a MIDI Output module.
The output selector on the module is very important. This is where you select whether the output gets sent to a track (not supported by all DAWs) or to a MIDI port. The little green MIDI output icon on the instrument in Cantabile indicates that MIDI can be routed directly from one plugin to another (no port per say). You should probably just use this method.
On Windows, virtual MIDI ports require a much more hands-on approach from the user. I created a permanent port using LoopMIDI. In the setup that I posted yesterday, I was using that very port. In Cantabile, I renamed the port in the settings so it says MIDI GUITAR OUT. No magic.
This is Windows. There is no AU available in Windows. I was using the VST3 version of MG3.
@jonfrommaine
I don’t understand the difficulties you are having. You don’t need any global ports or 3rd party MIDI tools.
Just insert MG3 as a VST plugin. Make or select a patch that contains the MIDI output module. There you select “Sending MIDI out to the track” and your MIDI “format” fitting your desired synth plugin (MPE, 1.0 Legacy, 1.0 multi channel). Finally you insert the plugin you want to play and connect the MIDI out of the MG3 VST block with the MIDI in of the synth VST block. It’s really straight forward.
there’s just one exception to this - if he runs mg3 standalone outside of cantabile he will be able to use all of his existing cantabile/jamstik presets just by switching the input port.
this would be helpful if he has many existing presets, or if he plans to create new ones for use with both the jamstik and mg3.
Well, it depends on how Jamstik is communicating with the PC. If it comes with any USB or WiFi connection he could just add a “Jamstik MIDI in” port directly for the device and switch the cable wiring inside Cantabile, or run in parallel. I don’t see a reason running MG3 standalone.
if he only has 10 or fewer patches, it’s no big deal.
but he will have to add mg3 to each one, unless i’m mistaken.
if running standalone he can re-use his existing jamstik patches without having to do so.
it sounded like he might have a lot, which is why i brought this up.
if he was starting from scratch there would be no need for this approach.
Thanks for all the interest, I’m learning by reading these although there might be some contradictary info which is probaby because there are multiple ways of configuring MG3.
I briefly viewed Vaultnaesae’s excellent YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQWTPJXw0VY&t=306s as well. In it, MGE MINI seems to be the choice unless I’m mistaken. I’ll watch the video (skipping MAC section which isn’t applicable to me) again later.
As mentioned, with Kimyo’s help, I have configured MIDI output without using MINI, but found no compelling reason to not use MINI if using MG3 to control a downstream plugin instrument.
I took a look at MG3’s internal presets and I’m unlikely to use them over the wealth of VST3 presets I have licenses for. I have about 200 instrument VST plugins installed on my ‘Keyboard’ PC and they’re all available under a Cantabile master set list. Many of these are acoustic modern and historic pianos (I’m a classical pianist), but I also have many electric pianos, organs, orchestral and synth packages. I enjoy practicing and playing on non-standard instruments.
I’m using a couple of different PCs for guitar which only currently have a few synth plugins installed on my ‘guitar’ PCs so in this respect I’m ‘starting over’. That said, I’m not sure why I wouldn’t just stick with Cantabile and MG3 with MINI. It works fine and I really just want a way to control the instrument plugins with a minimum configuration and the best tracking possible. I’m only intending to use a minor subset of my licensed plugins with guitars as I typically connect to pedalboards. I’m finding the MIDI plugins are fun but not as controllable for actual music (this assessment may change).
BTW- the Jamstick is connected via USB. The Jamstik guitar is on a stand next to one of the ‘guitar’ PCs and always connected via cable to a USB hub. I just have to pick it up, select one of the Jamstik ‘songs’ in Cantabile and I can use it with the configured plugin. Simple. Still, I prefer to be able to use any of my collection of guitars and MG3 is for that.
BTW2- while I was initially struggling with MG3 I picked up a license for MiGiC Poly and have also chatted via email with the developer. I’m going to try it for curiosity but I’m likely to just stick with MG3 and see if I can get MG3 Hex working.