• Registered: 2021-05-21
  • Posts: 3

Topic: ARC USB MIDI Script

Dear all;
I’m a new RME customer. I have a nice Fireface + Quadmic + ARC rig and I’m happy with it.

Here’s my issue:

I only use a limited number of buttons on my ARC USB for remote operations. Currently I have 8 non-assigned buttons that I’m thinking to assign to other functions within my DAW (Ableton).

I wrote a custom MIDI script for this.

When the RME interface is OFF, the ARC buttons work with their new assigned function within the DAW. When I turn the interface ON, TotalMix seems to absorb all MIDI data, and does not let my DAW receive the commands.

I know this is not the official use for the ARC controller. However, I really think some flexibility would be nice.

Anyone here who had the same issue, or has somehow solved it?

  • From: Sydney Australia
  • Registered: 2007-06-09
  • Posts: 212

Re: ARC USB MIDI Script

If you want SOME of the MIDI commands from any device to go one software and other commands from the same device to go to another piece of software you will need to have another piece of software in between the hardware and the programs you wish to control.

This other software creates virtual MIDI ports within your system. Instead of telling TotalMixFX or other software to receive the MIDI from the actual port the hardware is connected to, you tell the software to receive from the virtual port instead and you use the in between software to play traffic cop to decide which incoming hardware commands go to which virtual port.

Such a program that can do this is Bome MIDI Translator. There will be others but this is a very good one.

__________________________
Paul Najar
Jaminajar Music Production
www.jaminajar.com

paulnajar's Website

3 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,599

Re: ARC USB MIDI Script

Indeed the ARC USB changes between a Mackie Control mode and a TotalMix control mode as soon as it communicates with TM (DIM LED lit). A mixed mode is not supported, sorry.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2021-05-21
  • Posts: 3

Re: ARC USB MIDI Script

Thanks Paul, and thanks Mathias for the official answer smile
In this case, please consider this brief list of features request as a feedback from a new customer (running Fireface UC in OS Catalina):

- When I'm working in Ableton in full screen mode, I cannot open TotalMix in an efficient way, as it switches me back to desktop. It would be ideal if TM could open up just like a plugin inside the DAW screen, without having to go to the desktop.

- When I turn on the interface, the Fireface USB Settings always pops out in my dock. Considering that I've already set it exactly as I want, it would be nice to have the option to disable it.

- And, well... as you already know I'd really like to use the ARC USB for mixed tasks, sending MIDI commands to anything in my system.


Thanks for your work!

5 Reply by CrispyChips (edited by CrispyChips 2021-05-25 19:10:20)

  • Registered: 2020-07-20
  • Posts: 125

Re: ARC USB MIDI Script

Quote: “I’m a new RME customer. I have a nice Fireface + Quadmic + ARC rig and I’m happy with it.”


Congratulations on your equipment choice and welcome to the RME family where I am sure you receive excellent advice and assistance from expert voices, such as those who have been so helpful to me.


Quote: “When I'm working in Ableton in full screen mode, I cannot open TotalMix in an efficient way, as it switches me back to desktop. It would be ideal if TM could open up just like a plugin inside the DAW screen, without having to go to the desktop.”


With all due respect, the notion you request is in reality, not the ideal solution that one might imagine.

The best solution I have found is to have two large monitors and use one monitor for the sequencer, and the other for TotalMixFX and the mixer from the sequencer.

Today, large monitors can be purchased relatively cheaply and because this solution provides great convenience and a huge amount of time and bother saved, it is well worth the cost of the outlay.

This method has worked well for me, and all the professional users I have encountered, such that I regard this method of working to be a standard operating procedure for producers, engineers and serious home recordists alike.

Here’s a couple of “behind the scenes” movies made by family friends of Christmas recordings made for Charitable purposes, raising money for water projects in Africa. (They raised £50,000 on just the first one).

If you view the movies carefully you, will soon note the simultaneous use of two monitors, each dedicated to a specific task, which greatly improves workflow, making all necessary information continually available to the user.

The gentleman making the recordings and overdubbing has recently been made a Fellow of SMPTE, (The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) for outstanding contributions to broadcasting technology which I’m very pleased about.

Long story short, in my humble opinion, you won’t find a better approach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAfp3FZWyqE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj-0jI9_i9o

6 Reply by levi.oh.levi (edited by levi.oh.levi 2021-05-25 13:46:45)

  • Registered: 2021-05-21
  • Posts: 3

Re: ARC USB MIDI Script

Thanks for the feedback CrispyChips.
I reckon that using two monitors is the standard for recording professionals.

In my case though, I mainly do live shows and play music with my laptop. In this scenario, I’d like to click on the TM shortcut on the remote, and just be able to tweak TotalMix as needed without having to leave the full-screen environment of my DAW.

That’s just my humble opinion. I’ve no idea how much work that would require on RME side

BTW I’m really liking this forum

  • mkok
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2020-11-04
  • Posts: 633

Re: ARC USB MIDI Script

What about having TotalMix on an iPad? I use this all the time so I’m not putting it over the top of Cubase on my PC. I have a cheap iPad which is about 4 years old and it works fine.

Babyface Pro Fs, Behringer ADA8200, win 10/11 PCs, Cubase/Wavelab, Adam A7X monitors.