MIDI wiring

[guido]

So here goes: I'm a MIDI virgin but have decided to go down this route.
So far the sounds of my TD-20 were enough but I've decided to try BFD, mainly I'm not happy with the cymbal sounds of the TD-20.
So I'm now kitted out with BFD3 on a MacBook Pro, my TD-20 and an M-Audio Fast Track Pro.
The task: I want to play and hear the sounds coming from BFD rather than from the TD-20 (not interested in recording just yet).
My dilemma: I'm now faced with three openings for the headphones to go. Into the TD-20, into the audio interface or into the MacBook. What is the right way of monitoring my playing?

Any help would be highly appreciated.

[guido]

OK ... I just found the VST primer thread. Brilliant in fact. So will first study this one.

Oh and yes ... I just responded to my own post ... hehe

[perceval]

Headphones into the M-Audio. Open System Prefs, click on Sound and make sure your output is set on the M-Audio. You can do the same within your DAW.

[jpsquared482]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum and VST world.

I had a similar setup to yours not long ago with my TD-9.

In terms of hearing drum sounds with this setup you do have three, but only two apply to the VST/BFD setup.
1) TD-20's headphones will only play the TD-20 sounds
2) MacBook can only play the VST
3) M-Audio can only play the VST


To trigger the VST, you need to connect the MIDI OUT of the TD-20 into the M-Audio and connect the M-Audio to the USB connection of your MacBook with a USB (printer type) cable. The M-Audio will send MIDI information to your MacBook and into your DAW/VST/BFD.

The Macbook and BFD will generate a digital audio signal. This signal can be heard either from the MacBook headphones jack (not my preference due to the small jack) or the M-Audio.

To send the signal to the M-Audio to hear it from the M-Audio headphone jack:
Inside your Macbook in the Audio/MIDI systems settings, select the M-Audio as your output sound device. This is critical. In this setting, the digital sound from the MacBook remains digital and travels via the USB cable back to the M-Audio. Simply use the M-Audio headphone jack.

The one advantage of using the Macbook headphone jack is simplicity in that you can leave the Audio setting to output via the built in headphone jack and forget about it. Use of the M-Audio may require you check the audio output in the MacBook for example after a restart of your computer. No big deal; just be sure you're aware.

Have fun!

[perceval]

Even though it is easier to plug the headphones into the line out of the Mac, chances are that the M-Audio will have better sound and lower latencies, after tweaking the drivers. Also, easier to control sound volume on the interface.

[guido]

Brilliant ... thank you so much folks.