MIDI Echo or Feedback in Logic or MainStage

Question

I am using Logic. I can map parameters from MIDI Designer (via a Network Session) using Command-L (learn). However, I'd like to get the parameters to send back out to MIDI Designer. Is this possible?

Also, I've heard this is possible with MainStage. Should I check it out?

Keywords: bidirectional MIDI control apple logic two-way

Answer 1

I don't have a definitive answer on whether this is possible with Logic. It should be, but it's not easy to find. Mapping a control in Logic is easy enough, but even after digging into the Logic Pro manual and searching the Internet, I haven't been able to find out how to get Logic to echo back.

In MainStage it's very easy. Every parameter you map (in layout mode) has a "Send Value to:" parameter that allows the parameter to send out. 

 

This link might also be of interest.

Comments

Also see this question: http://mididesigner.com/qa/2049/midi-designer-and-bidirectional-communication

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Looks like Mainstage dumped this for Mainstage 3? Can anybody confirm this, please?

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Yes, it looks like this no longer works in MainStage 3.2.x.  I've been using v3.1.1 up until the last few days and when I tried the latest update released last week (v3.2.4), I realised there's no more bidirectional communication and can only assume this stopped working at some stage since v3.2.0 was released. However, this worked perfectly in v3.1.1.  I've submitted feedback to Apple about it, asking if bidirectional communication has been removed or if it's a bug.  I assume it's a bug because the menu option "Send Value to:" is still present and therefore bidirectional communication SHOULD be working.

EDIT: According to a well-respected member on Apple's MainStage forum, bidirectional communication IS working with MainStage v3.2.x (including the most recent update, v3.2.4): https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7534876

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Thanks, looking forward to a fix from Apple. We've not yet announced, but we -- via musicIOapp.com -- are about to drop vuMeters. They're basically VST/AU plugins that give level information back to MIDI Designer. Without feedback, we're DOA for Mainstage, which would be bad. Especially because we spent some serious time getting them to work in MS in the first place...

Anyway, thanks for pushing Apple on this. Let's hope for positive results!

Answer 2

I don't have a definitive answer on whether this is possible with Logic. It should be, but it's not easy to find. Mapping a control in Logic is easy enough, but even after digging into the Logic Pro manual and searching the Internet, I haven't been able to find out how to get Logic to echo back.

In MainStage it's very easy. Every parameter you map (in layout mode) has a "Send Value to:" parameter that allows the parameter to send out. 

 

This link might also be of interest.