How To Route MIDI Between VSTi Plug-Ins

Notes for some of the commonly used DAWs on how to configure VST instruments that output MIDI (other DAWs will be added in due course)...

'Source' is the VSTi plug-in that generates the MIDI data. 'Target' is the VSTi plug-in that receives the MIDI data and produces audio output.

Where the term 'channel' is used it refers to the usage of the word within the interface of the particular DAW. Where the term 'MIDI Channel' is used it refers to the encoding (range 1-16) that is present in every MIDI event.

Ableton Live 8

1. Drag Source plug-in from browser into session view. On its interface there will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
2. Drag Target plug-in from browser into session view. Make program or preset selections as required so it is ready to produce audio output.
3. In the session view Target track under 'MIDI From' select the Source track as Input Type. Select the Source plug-in as Input Channel. Select Monitor In. The Target plug-in should now be producing audio output (if it is not, see Comments below).
4. To enable MIDI recording select 'Arm Session Recording' in the Target track. To record into a clip click on a 'Slot Record' button. To record into the arrangement select 'Global Record' and start playback.
5. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to project playback using MIDI clips that cue the plug-in.
Comments: Ableton Live does not differentiate between MIDI Channels when routing between plug-ins. All MIDI events arriving at the Target are encoded to MIDI Channel 1. If, for example, the Target is a virtual drum-machine 'listening' on MIDI Channel 10 it must be reconfigured to listen on MIDI Channel 1 or on MIDI Omni (which means All Channels).

Cubase 6

1. Choose 'Devices->VST Instruments' and make an entry for the Source plug-in. Accept the option to create a MIDI track. On the plug-in interface there will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
2. Choose 'Devices->VST Instruments' and make an entry for the Target plug-in. Accept the option to create a MIDI track. In the plug-in interface make program or preset selections as required so it is ready to produce audio output.
3. In the Target MIDI track select 'Input Routing' and choose Source plug-in '- Midi Out'. The Target plug-in should now be producing audio output (if it is not, see Comments below).
4. In the Target MIDI track click on 'Monitor'.
5. To enable MIDI recording choose 'Record Enable' in the Target track. Click on 'Transport Record'.
6. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to project playback using MIDI clips that cue the plug-in.
Comments: New MIDI tracks default to 'listen' on MIDI Channel 1. It may be necessary to change this if the Source plug-in sends on a different MIDI Channel. The Target MIDI track must be set to 'Monitor'. Without this setting MIDI routing will stop when the track is not armed for recording or is not the currently selected track. The Source MIDI track is only needed if the plug-in uses MIDI events to synchronize with project playback.

FL Studio 9 and 10; not using Patcher

1. Choose 'Channels->Add one' to insert the Source plug-in, and it will be displayed inside a Fruity Wrapper window. On its interface there will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
2. Choose 'Wrapping settings' and set MIDI Output port to 0.
3. Choose 'Channels->Add one' to insert the Target plug-in, and it will be displayed inside a Fruity Wrapper window. Make program or preset selections as required so it is ready to produce audio output.
4. Choose 'Wrapping settings' and set MIDI Input port to 0. The Target plug-in should now be producing audio output.
5. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to project playback using MIDI patterns that cue the plug-in.
Comments: It does not appear to be possible, using this method, to route MIDI to one of the host specific Fruity plug-ins. They are not loaded inside a Fruity Wrapper and so do not have options to set MIDI ports (advice from an FL expert would be appreciated if that statement is wrong). But see the method using Patcher below. It does not appear to be possible to record the MIDI data output from the Source plug-in (advice from an FL expert would be appreciated if that statement is wrong). However, most Source plug-ins would have an option to export to a MIDI file.

FL Studio 10 using Patcher

1. Choose 'Channels->Add one' and insert Patcher.
2. In Patcher MAP choose 'Show options menu->Add plugin' to insert Source and Target plug-ins.
3. Connect 'From FL Studio Notes' to Source plug-in 'Note/MIDI Input'. Connect Source plug-in 'MIDI Output' to Target plug-in 'Note/MIDI Input'. Connect Target plug-in 'Main Output' to 'To FL Studio Audio output'.
4. In EDITORS 'Show settings' for the Source plug-in set MIDI Output port to 0. On the plug-in interface there will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
5. In EDITORS 'Show settings' for the Target plug-in set MIDI Input port to 0. In the plug-in interface make program or preset selections as required. It should now be producing audio output.
6. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to project playback using MIDI patterns that cue the plug-in.
Comments: The Target plug-in may, optionally, be one of the host specific Fruity plug-ins. Assignment of MIDI ports is not required when using these in Patcher. It does not appear to be possible to record the MIDI data output from the Source plug-in (advice from an FL expert would be appreciated if that statement is wrong). However, most Source plug-ins would have an option to export to a MIDI file.

Reaper 4

1. Choose 'Insert->Virtual instrument on new track' and select Source plug-in. On its interface there will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
2. Choose 'Insert->Virtual instrument on new track' and select Target plug-in. Make program or preset selections as required so it is ready to produce audio output.
3. In the Target track click on 'I/O'. Choose 'Add new receive' and select the Source track. The Target plug-in should now be producing audio output.
4. To record the MIDI output from the Source plug-in arm the Source track. Set 'Record Monitoring:ON' and select 'Record: output (MIDI)' (expand down the size of the track if these buttons are not visible). Click on the Record button on the transport toolbar.
5. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to project playback using MIDI clips that cue the plug-in.
Comments: If you don't need to record the MIDI then the Source and Target plug-ins can be chained together in one track. Reaper sets up the MIDI routing automatically.

Cakewalk Sonar X1

1. Choose 'Insert->Soft Synth' and select Source plug-in. In Insert Soft Synth Options window check 'MIDI Source', 'First Synth Audio Output', 'Enable MIDI Output' (VERY IMPORTANT) and 'Synth Property Page'. On the plug-in interface there will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
2. Choose 'Insert->Soft Synth' and select Target plug-in. In Insert Soft Synth Options window check 'MIDI Source', 'First Synth Audio Output' and 'Synth Property Page'. In the plug-in interface make program or preset selections as required so it is ready to produce audio output.
3. In the drop down list at the top of the Track view choose 'I/O'. In the Target MIDI Track click on 'Input =', select the Source plug-in and choose 'MIDI Omni'. Set 'Input Echo: On'. The Target plug-in should now be producing audio output.
4. To record the MIDI input to the Target plug-in set 'Record = On' in the MIDI track. Click on the Record button on the transport toolbar.
5. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to project playback using MIDI clips that cue the plug-in.
Comments: The Source plug-in may not need an audio output. However, it might use the audio channel to time the MIDI events, in which case removal of the audio track will stop the plug-in working. The Source MIDI track is only needed if the plug-in uses MIDI events to synchronize with project playback. It may be advisable to use a specific MIDI Channel, rather than MIDI Omni, for routing from Source to Target. Other synths can then be used in the project on different channels. 'Input Echo: On' is required, otherwise MIDI routing will stop when the current track selection is switched away from the Target track.

PreSonus Studio One 2

1. Make sure that 'Options->Instrument Input follows Selection' is NOT checked.
2. Drag Source instrument into the song. On the plug-in interface there will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
3. Drag Target instrument into the song. In the plug-in interface make program or preset selections as required so it is ready to produce audio output.
4. In the Target track click on 'Instrument Input' and select the Source plug-in. Click on 'Instrument Channel' and set the MIDI Channel that the Source is sending on. Click on 'Monitor'. The Target plug-in should now be producing audio output.
5. To enable MIDI recording click 'Record' in the Target track. Click on 'Record' in the transport toolbar.
6. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to song playback using MIDI clips that cue the plug-in.
Comments: If 'Options->Instrument Input follows Selection' is checked MIDI routing will be blocked when the Target track loses selection.

Magix Samplitude Pro X

1. Insert a new track and choose the Source plug-in from the 'PL' drop-down list. In the property page select 'Plugin->VST Midi Out'. On the plug-in interface there will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
2. Insert a new track and choose the Target plug-in from the 'PL' drop-down list. In the plug-in interface make program or preset selections as required so it is ready to produce audio output.
3. In the Target track under 'MIDI In:' choose 'VST MIDI Out - Recording'. Make sure that Monitoring is enabled. The Target plug-in should now be producing audio output.
4. To enable MIDI recording click 'MIDI Record' in the Target track. Click on 'Record' in the transport toolbar.
5. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to project playback using MIDI events that cue the plug-in.

energyXT 2

1. Set 'Options->MIDI thru' to Manual.
2. Drag Target instrument into the Tracks view and click on its name to open the interface. Make program or preset selections as required so it is ready to produce audio output.
3. Drag Source instrument into the Tracks view and click on its name to open the interface. There will probably be a 'play' button of some sort. Set it running so it is generating MIDI output.
4. Right-click on the Target track name. Set 'Input' to the Source plug-in. Un-check the Monitor button. The Target plug-in should now be producing audio output.
5. To start MIDI recording select the Target track and click on 'Record' in the transport toolbar.
6. If the Source plug-in allows, it may be possible to synchronize to project playback using MIDI clips that cue the plug-in.
Comments: The order in which plug-ins are inserted appears to be significant to the setup of MIDI routing. Insert the Target first, followed by the Source.