Mixcraft 6 Pro Studio Problems With Spark

[Bandiwine]

Hi,
I Have Mixcraft 6 Pro Studio with the latest update and the latest update of Spark software.
I use Edirol FA-66 Firewire controller to input Spark midi input to Mixcraft, Spark is also connected via USB.  Spark's plugin registers in Mixcraft, I select Spark controller in preferences. Spark appears in recording line, set to all midi channels and when you press record, Mixcraft shows that it is recording with a red bar going across and when stopped there is no playback since nothing is recorded. It should show a green bar where it is recorded.  Any idea why it is not working?  I have contacted Acoustica tech support and they have not had any solutions.  I would hope you get in touch with them to work out the issues keeping it from working. It surely must be a quick fix since everything is set up and is working but no drums being recorded.

Thanks,

Bandiwine

[Seb]

In Spark preferences, there are options to "send midi from pads" and "send midi from sequencer". Have you tried activating these?

You then have to select "Spark" as a midi source if you want to record directly from the internal sequencer, I think.

[Bandiwine]

In my preferences I do not see any of those commands you mentioned, so where are they?

Bandiwine

[Seb]

Are you talking about the preferences in Spark?

Open top panel in Spark, there is an icon at the bottom right of the Top panel called "Preferences".

here, you will find a section called MIDI Import/export, in which you'll find the options I mentioned.

If you don't see that, that means you need to update your Spark software. I think these features were added in 1.4 or something...

[Bandiwine]

First of all I have noticed there are two different screens in the Spark software and the plugin that is showing up in Mixcraft.  Again I do not show any preferences like you said. In my left upper screen I have a setup that then shows the audio, midi settings and I have my sound card and speakers for output and have Spark selected as midi output. But no preferences.  I have the latest update of the software as far as I know. Also I now have the Mixcraft Spark playing back the drum rythms when hitting record, but recording will still not take. The Mixcraft Spark screen is similar but not the same as the one with the controller. Also it will not connect to the controller and a screen comes up stating
Warning:MIDI Ports
You need to turn off some MIDI connections in your sequencer software. Please go to your sequencer's MIDI settings and turn off 'Spark Private In' and 'Spark Private Out'

What Gives?

[Kevin]

Hi,
I think there is little confusion.
The standalone version has an Audio MIDI Setting dialog and that's what you are seeing.
The Preferences panel described by Seb is in the top panel of Spark.

Open top panel in Spark, there is an icon at the bottom right of the Top panel called "Preferences".

here, you will find a section called MIDI Import/export, in which you'll find the options I mentioned.

The connection problem might be because your DAW (Mixcraft) already open the Private port of Spark controller so the plugin is not able to access it.
I don't know how works Mixcraft but it should have a setting to disable that.

Kevin

[Bandiwine]

OK,
 I finally found the preferences you mentioned and clicked them on and selected Spark as MIdi input and still it will play fine and show it is recording in the red bar but the recording does not play back.

Bandiwine

[veganpete]

You don't need to record in Mixcraft - set up or record the sequences inside the VSTi itself and then drag & drop the parts (from the circle) into the Mixcraft track in the sequence that you want them to play. All the instruments, notes and any recorded automation will then appear in Mixcraft on the Spark VSTi track and can be adjusted in the usual way. To automate a sequence, put spark in song mode before you record the automation (in the Spark VSTi) and then drag & drop the parts into the mixcraft track afterwards.

[Lanwerker]

All,  I have Mixcraft Pro 6.1(build 201) & Spark HW1.5, the issue is the SPARK VST plug-in does not appear when a Virtual Instrument Track is selected(Catergory>VSTi instruments>Instruments presets> no Spark VST, other Arturia VST plugin do appear(ie:Analog Lab, CS-80V2, etc.) Spark device appears under External MIDI device as > Spark & MIDIOut2-Spark controller. So NO Spark VST mode appears in MCP6 and MIDI or Audio is NOT recorded.  Acostica tech support/forum has no solutions to this issue.  Drag & Drop/import/export is not a viable workaround. Any ideas for multtrack/realtime recording in MCP6. Thank you...

[Lanwerker]

Has anyone with Spark and MixCraft 6 Pro(6.1 B209) got the VSTi plugin to work or appear when selecting Virtual Inst?

v/r  Lanwerker