Arturia Forums
Hardware Sequencers => BeatStep => BeatStep - Technical Questions - FAQ => Topic started by: levermontstudio on July 12, 2014, 02:06:39 am
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I love the beatstep..... but can I use 2 at the same time to control 2 different synths, both usb connected? Ho, can I use 3 then? ;D
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was just about to ask the same question. have 2 here... but only one will sync/lock up with ableton... kinda need em both to work at the same time!! 8)
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Hi , i don't think this is possible as beatstep has a usb product id . and there all the same so it may clash just the same as all arturia controllers.
regards
terrym
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so the only way would be to connect the first thru USB and the second thru MIDI?
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That would work!
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Hi , i don't think this is possible as beatstep has a usb product id . and there all the same so it may clash just the same as all arturia controllers.
regards
terrym
rats. so not possible to have 2 (or more) beatsteps slaved to Ableton live...? not even in a future firmware update?
if this is the case, I may have to look into returning the 2nd one I bought - as I was expecting to be able to control multiple synths with different patterns (with Ableton as my master clock)
When I have both connected, Ableton does seem to recognize "Beatstep(2)"... but the 2nd one won't start up when I hit play. :'(
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Have you tried your 2 beatsteps in ableton then? if the usb doesn't work you can use the midi out
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Have you tried your 2 beatsteps in ableton then? if the usb doesn't work you can use the midi out
I'm already using the MIDI out on both... like this:
Ableton Live (master clock)
> Beatstep[1] MIDI out > SubPhatty
> Beatstep[2] MIDI out > Prophet08
but only one of them will play. (it happens to be which ever one is plugged in first - both units work perfectly fine on their own)
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How is ableton connected to this set up?
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beatsteps are plugged into the computer via USB.
and in Ableton preferences... beatstep out SYNC is selected.
this works fine on both units when only one of them is actually plugged in.
when both of them are plugged in at the same time... ableton 'sees' the 2nd unit.. but only the first unit will work. the other unit does not respond.
i will test further when i get home from work. if you have any other suggestions, please let me know, and I can report the results.
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sure enough.. i get home to give it another shot... turn them on.. hit play - and BAM! both of them are playing now. wtf.
false alarm *blushes.
fun. ok cool. time to wrangle this madness (and maybe buy a couple more then...
:P
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derp.. second one is being buggy again... :'(
here's noodlin' with just one driving the sub phatty in the meantime...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152152253417181&l=2596528268596668885
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I think the solution would be to plug only the first one thru usb in the usb port of the computer running the DAW. then plug the second one usb cord in another usb power source....other than the DAW just to provide power to the beatstep. The only issue then would be to get the second one is sync...
anyone could try this?
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that's just using two beatsteps independently, which totally works.. but they aren't in sync.
2 connected to ableton is super buggy.. 2nd one plays sometime.. isn't in sync (you can see it speeding up and slowing down... stops half way.. sometimes starts... sometimes doesn't.
this seems like a bug that should (and could) be fixed.
having 2 beatsteps... or 4... or 8 for that matter.. all locked up to a DAW like ableton would be such a rad thing... hopefully this issue can be addressed in a future firmware update. will continue tinkering, but i think at this point i've exhausted my troubleshooting efforts... no luck yet.
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seems my issue is actually related to the USB hub.. not the beatsteps, as they behave much more stable when plugged in direct. :-X
unfortunately.. i have too many midi controllers to use all at once with my current setup... so that's my next hurdle.
anyone have good recommendations for powered usb hubs?
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i might be wrong here but would not midi merge, splitter or thru box help out here http://www.midisolutions.com/applicat.htm#Mergers
power usb hub seem to coarse more problem from my limited exp and according to a lot of forums. well i heard good things about this company http://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-2/Hub/7-Port-USB-20-Hub~ST7202USB otherwise would one of these help http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/iConnMIDI4p/
regards dog01
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while i'm on a tear, here's an idea for a future Arturia product...
the BeatHub
a tiny little box that will have usb connectivity to your computer
a clock to set Master Tempo (or to be externally sync'd to your computer's tempo)
a single dial.. some small buttons (play/shift).. and a small 3 digit 7-segment display to display tempo etc..
it would act as an 8 port USB hub so that you can connect multiple BeatSteps, providing perfect sync (and power) for all units (which can then be MIDI or C/V'd out to various hardware synths etc..)..
and as a general USB hub for other things (SparkLE, etc...)
- would require an external power supply (included with purchase) in order to provide enough juice for all the connected units...
street price... $29.99 ?
I'd buy one.. and then I'd buy more BeatSteps to branch out my MIDI tentacle monster robot.
.miQ
www.seqfreq.com