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Studio One 6: MIDI FAQ

This article addresses some of the more commonly asked questions related to MIDI in Studio One.

 

Note:  Studio One 6 has removed the previous size limitation for adding MIDI files to existing songs.  You can now drag and drop any size MIDI file into an existing song without it opening a new song.

 

What is the correct or best way to export a Standard MIDI File from Studio One?

There are a few different ways to export midi files or clips from Studio One.  Drag and drop to the browser Files tab is arguably one of the most efficient ways. 

However, if you want to export a Standard MIDI File that includes all of the necessary attributes such as tempo map and song markers, use File > Save As... and select *.mid or *.midi as the export format in the export dialog's file format selector box.  Some of the other export methods do not capture all of that data so if you are intending to export a full featured MIDI file to perhaps use in another DAW, use the File > Save As... method.

  • Studio One only exports Type 1 (multitrack) MIDI files, not Type 0.

 

How can I record overlapping MIDI clips in Studio One?

Unlike some other sequencers where that may be optional, recording over a midi clip in Studio One doesn't allow the possibility for the new recording to be captured in a new discreet overlapping clip.  For example...

  • You record a MIDI clip and stop the transport
  • You record another MIDI performance in the same area or range.

In some sequencers you can optionally have the second take be in a new clip on top of the first clip.  In Studio One that data will either always merge into the first clip, Record Mix, or keep the first clip on an inactive layer and put the new clip in it's place on the active layer, Takes To Layers.

  • You can manually stack MIDI clips on top of each other in Studio One on the active layer and they'll all play, but it will not record stacked clips that way.

 

How do I import a tempo map into Studio One?

Select a MIDI file in the browser Files tab and drag it directly to the Tempo Track in Studio One to extract the tempo map from the MIDI file.  Doing that doesn't require importing any of the musical tracks. 

In Studio One, if Instrument Tracks are set to Beats in the Track Inspector Timebase Field, or Audio Tracks are set to Timestretch in the Track Inspector Tempo Field; and the audio clips have a root tempo set as a reference or embedded Tempo Metadata, they will automatically conform to the new tempo map. 

  • The tempo extraction feature appeared in 3.5.0 so if it doesn't work for you please update to the last version of Studio One 3 or upgrade to Studio One 5.

 

How do I capture the program change data in exported MIDI files?

Currently Studio One doesn't capture program changes in it's MIDI file exports.  There may already be an existing feature request for that on https://answers.presonus.com/questions/studio-one-feature-requests

If you need that for a pre-programmed musical show driven by a MIDI file, managing lights with MIDI messages etc., you will have to use another sequencer to add program change messages to your MIDI file.

 

How can I set different MIDI notes in a clip to different MIDI channels?

Studio One doesn't channelize MIDI data at the clip or event level, only at the track level.  With that in mind, you cannot have data on the same track operating on different MIDI channels as may be the preference in some cases where (for example) articulations are perhaps driven by MIDI channel, not by pitch based key-switching.

 

Note:  The Sound Variations  feature can handle that one particular circumstance, allowing a single track to send different MIDI channel messages from the same track.

 

Does Studio One allow using Midi Machine Control messages?

Yes.  Go to Options/Preferences(macOS) > Advanced > Synchronization Tab.

  • Sync to External Devices: Click this box to make Studio One follow incoming MIDI Time Code (MTC). Note that some MIDI devices only transmit MIDI clock data, not MTC. Studio One requires a greater degree of accuracy than a simple MIDI clock can provide. For conversion from SMPTE, an outboard synchronizer is required. For additional accuracy, using an external word clock (master) is recommended.
  • MIDI Time Code: Select the device that will receive MIDI Time Code (MTC). The gray field to the right of the device name indicates the current status of MTC transmission.
  • MIDI Machine Control: Select the device that will receive MIDI Machine Control (MMC).

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