MIDI Basics Explained: DAWless Connections, Routing, Convert USB to Din MIDI, Merging, Splitting

MIDI Basics Explained. In this video I explain how I use different MIDI connections to connect all of the pieces of my DAWless live setup. I connect together analog, digital, DIN MIDI and USB MIDI between Elektron Octatrack, Analog Rytm, Digitakt, Digitone, Analog Four, Faderfox PC12, and Novation Launch Control XL using MIDI Through Boxes, MIDI Mergers, and USB MIDI Hosts. I hope this will help you create your own unique MIDI setup. There are links below to all of the gear discussed in the video.

The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks.

Live Gear:

Studio Gear:

My Studio Computer:

Home DJ Gear:

[thebigkitty]

Late to the party but this is so good and so evergreen. Everything else I come across is so fast or so complex and is made for someone who already has a handle on things or minimum knowledge base with MIDI. This video makes no such assumptions, starts from zero, and explains absolutely everything clearly, at an excellent pace to wrap your head around it all. Definitely comes from someone who understands and experienced the same vertigo trying to understand this information early on. Nothing is taken for granted. I love it. Thanks so much for making this.

[HouseMaster]

Thanks for explaining this so well! Took my MC-505 out the other day which I had not used for almost 20 years. Totally forgot how to connect and couldn't find any info about this.

[midi-ocher]

I wish I had watched this video when published. Would have saved me a lot of headaches. Thank you for the outstanding explanation.

[rahiemtaylor]

never have I gotten such a straight forward explanation of midi. I am a beginner and this was SUPER helpful. I would love to see a video of you connecting 2 or three Roland boutique synths together!

[simonveasey]

and darkness becomes light!!! well done thanks so much

[Carbinax]

seen many people talk about midi, but never heard a better explanation than this.

[shawnroden]

loved this video. I'm sure you know you dont need all those boxes one MarK of the Unicorn (MOTU) and. done:). great video. thank you

[KhrizQFBRJ]

I was just looking for a non-nonsense, simple and straight-forward explanation about MIDI basics for a (still) beginner at MIDI like me. Thanks a lot, sir!

[dt]

Would you mind turning on the closed captioning (CC), for accessibility reasons? Thanks in advance!

[djrudeboythc]

Wow! You broke midi all the way down in a very simple way. It couldn't be done any other way. Awesome brother!

[flighttomars]

Hi Eric, never ever found a video better than this on MIDI and I"ve watched quite a few. Others lack allways something But yours is so complete, so clear! Exellent!
You should have 1M views instead of 18k man.
Keep up the good work.

[mattwaters]

Great video and information my friend. No wish-wosh, just straight up talk. Immensely thankful!

[ray.watts-]

Thanks Eric. Very interesting. Now time to check out your other videos.

[riloh]

Brilliant. I’m only 2 years too late but very helpful explanation with practical examples. Going to find your audio path video now too. I pretty much have my midi paths sorted but that doesn’t change the fact that this video is super helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make it and share it.

[Fisherstack]

Thanks for explaining this unequivocally ! That's clear.

[fabishakenbake]

You shed light on some very dark spots in my brain! Thank you!

[jeremy]

Sooo good. It finally gelled in my head, that the signal is linear.. It will still take some effort to figure out the combo of units in my setup but I think it is finally making more sense.. thank you!

[RAUDRmusic]

Midi might be the hardest part of dawless haha. Thanks for the video, see you at the kitchen club live :)

[milesoflead]

Thank you for this information. I have been struggling with a purchase decision, and you may have saved me a few hundred pounds! Seems like what I need for my DAW-Less setup is a merge box with 5 in and 2 out. Thanks again.

Seems like the DAW-less production line is becoming a popular movement. 😊

[FACEofClutch]

I'm fairly new to the game (synths/MIDI/controllers). As complicated as this setup seems, you have managed to explain it perfectly so that anyone can see how these combinations relate to each other. I did a search for the hardware that would enable me to set up a similar configuration, and found your video. Not only did you explain even the smallest details plainly, you've shown me the items that I need for my own configuration. Just saw a video by Paul Linn where he uses wireless MIDI connections on his setup. By combining the two videos, I'll be able to have an almost perfect setup in limited space. THANKS!!! Now on to some more of your videos.