How to Integrate MIDIHALF into Your Live Performance SetupIntegrating MIDIHALF into a live performance setup can elevate your shows by adding flexible MIDI manipulation, compact control options, and reliable timing. This guide walks you through planning, connectivity, mapping, performance techniques, troubleshooting, and practical tips so you can confidently use MIDIHALF on stage.
What is MIDIHALF and why use it live?
MIDIHALF is a compact MIDI utility device/software designed to process, split, and transform MIDI signals with low latency and flexible routing options. It provides real‑time MIDI manipulation suited for live performance — such as note transposition, channel remapping, velocity scaling, and conditional routing — while remaining lightweight and stable.
Pre‑show planning
- Inventory your gear: list instruments, controllers, synths, audio interfaces, and any MIDI-capable effects units.
- Define roles: decide which device will be your keyboard/controller, which will host backing tracks, and which will handle sound generation.
- Map signal flow: sketch a diagram showing MIDI and audio paths so you can plan where MIDIHALF fits best (upstream of synths, between controller and DAW, etc.).
- Create presets: set up show-specific presets in MIDIHALF for each song or section to minimize onstage adjustments.
- Backup plan: prepare a simple bypass routing (hardware MIDI Thru or a spare MIDI interface) in case MIDIHALF fails.
Physical and network connections
MIDIHALF supports both traditional 5‑pin DIN MIDI and USB MIDI (or network MIDI over Ethernet/Wi‑Fi in some builds). Choose a connection method based on your gear and reliability needs.
- For maximum reliability, prefer 5‑pin DIN MIDI cables between hardware synths and controllers.
- Use USB MIDI when connecting to a laptop running a DAW or when powering MIDIHALF from USB.
- If your setup uses multiple computers or networked devices, consider network MIDI (AppleMIDI/RTP-MIDI) for flexible routing; test latency beforehand.
Typical configurations:
- Controller → MIDIHALF → Synth
- Controller → MIDIHALF → DAW (USB) and MIDIHALF → Out to synths (DIN)
- DAW (for backing tracks/playback) → MIDIHALF → Effects or arpeggiators
Ensure proper grounding and avoid long unbalanced USB cables when possible. Keep MIDI cables away from power cables and stage lighting to reduce interference.
Setting up MIDI routing and transformations
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Create input and output channels
- Assign physical MIDI inputs to logical inputs in MIDIHALF.
- Define outputs for each synth, DAW port, or controller.
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Channel mapping
- Remap channels so a single controller can play multiple instruments without changing settings onstage.
- Example: Controller on Channel 1 → MIDIHALF routes Channel 1 to Synth A (Ch 1) and Synth B (Ch 2).
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Note filtering and layering
- Use filters to block program changes or clock messages you don’t want.
- Create layered zones: split keyboard ranges and route different ranges to different instruments.
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Velocity and expression control
- Scale or curve incoming velocities to match synth sensitivity.
- Remap CCs for expression pedals or assign CCs to effect parameters.
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Transposition and quantization
- Apply live transposition per preset for key changes.
- Optional quantize to grid for arpeggiators or rhythmic patterns.
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Conditional rules and macros
- Set conditional rules (if note within range, then route) for complex behavior.
- Create macros to change multiple routing parameters with one CC or program change.
Integrating with a DAW and backing tracks
- Use MIDIHALF to send MIDI clock and transport controls to synchronize hardware with your DAW.
- Route MIDI from DAW to multiple hardware devices via MIDIHALF to control synth patches or trigger samples.
- For backing tracks, assign Program Change or specific CCs to launch sections and use MIDIHALF to translate or filter extraneous messages.
If using a laptop:
- Keep the laptop’s CPU and audio buffer settings reliable; offload as much MIDI processing as possible to MIDIHALF to reduce DAW load.
- Save snapshots of MIDIHALF settings within your DAW session or as separate files for quick recall.
Performance workflows and hands‑on control
- Preset banks: organize presets by song and section. Use footswitches or controllers to switch presets quickly.
- Live mapping: assign a small controller (mini keyboard, pad controller) to trigger MIDIHALF macros for real‑time changes.
- Visual feedback: use MIDIHALF’s LEDs, screen, or mapped MIDI feedback to show current preset or routing.
- Redundancy: route a secondary controller or simple keyboard through a bypass in case of failure.
Practical performance example:
- Song intro: Preset A — keyboard mapped to layered pad + bass; arpeggiator synced to DAW clock.
- Verse: switch to Preset B — split keyboard: lower 36 keys → bass synth, upper → lead; velocity curve adjusted for softer dynamics.
- Chorus: one footswitch triggers a macro that transposes and enables an LFO CC mapping for modulation.
Troubleshooting common live issues
- No sound from synth: check MIDI cable orientation, confirm MIDILED activity, verify channel mapping.
- Unstable timing: switch from Wi‑Fi/network MIDI to wired DIN or USB; check MIDI clock source.
- Stuck controller messages: filter or throttle high‑frequency CCs; use reset macro on preset change.
- Preset not loading: load preset manually and confirm backup preset; log any errors during soundcheck.
Always run a full soundcheck with the exact routing used onstage and test preset switching under performance conditions.
Tips for reliability and stage ergonomics
- Use short, high‑quality MIDI cables and secure connections with cable ties.
- Label MIDI ports and cables clearly for quick swaps.
- Keep MIDIHALF firmware updated, but avoid updating right before a gig.
- Use a compact pedalboard for preset switching and place MIDIHALF within reach for manual overrides.
- Document your routing and have a one‑page cheat sheet backstage.
Example setup diagrams (text)
- Laptop DAW sync with hardware:
- Controller → MIDIHALF (USB) → Laptop (USB MIDI input)
- Laptop (USB/MIDI out) → MIDIHALF → Synth A (DIN), Synth B (DIN)
- MIDIHALF sends clock/transport to synths
- All‑hardware setup:
- Controller (DIN Out) → MIDIHALF (DIN In)
- MIDIHALF (DIN Outs) → Synth A, Synth B, Drum Machine
- Expression pedal → MIDIHALF (assign CC) → Synths
Final checklist before going onstage
- Presets loaded and tested for each song.
- MIDI clock sync confirmed (if needed).
- Footswitches mapped and working.
- Backup bypass route available.
- Labeled cables and spare cables on hand.
MIDIHALF can become the central nervous system of a live MIDI rig when configured thoughtfully: it routes reliably, transforms creatively, and frees your DAW/gear to perform consistently.
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