Hi Ben,
I use a free utility called LoopMIDI. The following instructions are
for a BCF2000, LoopMIDI, Surface Reader, and sonar. So, you may need
to modify the instructions slightly. Where it says BCF2000, think
Mackie Control. (grin)
I got the following help from Rui Vilarinho <ruialby@xxxxxxxxxxx>
I think it should be added to the Surface Reader documentation, as
this whole virtual ports thing seems to be a bit of a head-scratcher
for us. It sure was for me! I've edited it some for clarity, but feel
free to change anything if you think it would be easier for people to follow.
Using the BCF2000, Surface Reader, and your DAW:
You need three things installed and working.
First, grab a copy of LoopMIDI from
http://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/loopmidi.html
and install it. This is used to set up two virtual MIDI ports. As it
says on the page, the ports are only active as long as LoopMIDI is
running - note that closing its window minimizes it to the System
Tray but it remains active. You also have the option to have
LoopMIDI run at Windows log on.
Second, you need to have the BCF2000 plugged in, turned on, and in
Mackie emulation mode.
Third, you need to have Surface reader installed. It's available from:
http://www.raisedbar.co.uk/surfacereader/surfacereader.htm
In the Setup tab of LoopMIDI, make sure you have two virtual ports
listed. Add them with the plus and minus buttons if
necessary. LoopMIDI will probably default to numbering these 0 and
1, but you can change their names to 1 and 2. Name them anything you wish.
If you have already configured your DAW to work with the BCF2000, you
need to tell your DAW to use the virtual ports, not the physical ones
on the BCF2000. With 2 virtual MIDI ports defined in LoopMIDI, go to
your DAW and disable the BCF 2000 MIDI device input and output
assignments. Instead, select your first Virtual MIDI port as input
and the second virtual MIDI port as output.
Configure Surface Reader with the following settings.
In Hardware Properties:
Set input to BCF2000 port 1.
Set output to your first virtual midi port.
In Display Properties:
Set Input to your second virtual midi port.
Set Output to BCF2000 port 1.
NOTE: The above assumes you are using the BCF2000's USB port for
MIDI communication, meaning both port numbers are the same. If,
however, you are using the MIDI in and out jacks on the BCF2000, you
will have distinct names for input and output.
At 09:26 AM 6/4/2016, you wrote:
Hi all
If someone out there has experience with the surface reader from raised bar: I'm trying to set this up for my Mackie MCU Pro with Sonar and Samplitude. I purchased the virtual Midi Cables LoopBe30. But now I'm stuck. I'm not sure how these virtual cables must be connected. The Help Tutorial in Surface Reader sadly doesn't give any examples for LoopBe30.
So, if anyone got it working and is willing to give me some pointers (probably off list) I'd be very grateful.
Kind regards
Ben
