Play stand-alone Pro 53 via MIDI from Ableton

Hi all!

Is it possible to send MIDI from Ableton Live via my sound card to a USB keyboard and then from the USB keyboard trigger the stand alone Pro 53? This way it could be use like an external synth. I tried every combination and it didn't work so I'm assuming no, but perhaps there's something I'm missing?

Thanks all!

 

Why not do it the easy way and just run Reaktor/ PRO-53 as a plug-in in your DAW?
You can run Reaktor/ PRO-53 as a stand alone as well - using your keyboard/ not using Ableton Live - as long as your keyboard is connected to your computer.
What are you trying to accomplish?
There are a number of problems in what you wan't to do. Both concerning MIDI redundant, Audio issues and connection possibilities if this is possible at all.
If possible at all then you'll at least need MIDI THRU possiblity in your Keyboard, and not having audio issues if you try to run both your DAW and a stand alone synth at the same time.

 

I didn't know that Reaktor can run Pro 53. I tried that with Kontakt but it didn't work . Can you please tell me how to do it?

Here's what I want. I have a session in Ableton that has MIDI that originally was on the channel with the Pro 53. Now that the Pro 53 is discontinued, I want to send the MIDI through my sound card to the stand alone Pro 53. Audio is not a problem since I can route the audio from the Pro 53 back to my sound card on another channel (it has 8 inputs).

 

Perhaps i wrong thinking Pro+53 is a Reaktor ensemble. Is'nt it? If so then just load it as any other Reaktor ensemble. If not i'm wrong - sorry.
Pro-53 is before my NI time.
If PRO-53 is'nt a Reaktor ensemble then don't you have it as a plug-in to use in your DAW? Do you have PRO-53 in your service center? I believe you still can get the plug-in. You can ask NI too.

Else:
Been thinking. If you can run both your DAW and PRO-53 without audio issues, then you perhaps can do this:
1. Setup your MIDI interface/ soundcard as a input/ output device in your DAW.
2. Setup RPRO-53 MIDI input/ output to use your MIDI interface/ soundcard.
If you can do this with your MIDI interface/ soundcard then you perhaps can do the connections internal for your DAW and PRO-53.

If your Keyboard is a synth with sounds you wan't to use, then you can set that up twice in your DAW. Once as a input device, and once as a output device and only have it MIDI connected to your computer.

I have'nt tried so can't tell for sure.

 

Don't you have PrO-53 on your account? You should have i would say.

 

As far as I know, Pro 53 has never been available as an ensemble for Reaktor. One used to be able to use it as a DAW plug-in, but NI discontinued it and now it can only be used as a stand alone. Damn shame.

What you suggested is what I tried already and for some reason it didn't work. Sending MIDI from my sound card to the stand alone accomplished nothing.

 

You also need to send MIDI from Ableton to your soundcard. If you have tried that, then i don't think i can help.
EDIT: And you need to use MIDI cables for this i think. Not sure. That perhaps depend on the interface.

 

When i say you also need to send MIDI from Ableton, then i mean from the track it self. The tracks MIDI outout shall be your soundcard MIDI setup.
Just in case if this is not what you have done.

Good luck.

 

(1) Either use the Pro 53 as plugin inside Ableton Live

(2) For routing MIDI between two applications (like Ableton Live and Pro53 standalone) have a look at virtual MIDI-cables or MIDI-buses: https://www.ableton.com/en/help/article/using-virtual-MIDI-buses-live/

 

Thanks Solger,

1) This is no longer possible since the Pro53 is discontinued (but one can still play it as a stand alone).

2) I'll check it out. Thanks!!

 

OK, I see. I just found this info that legacy plugins are no longer compatible since Live version 9.2: https://www.ableton.com/en/help/article/plugin-improvements-92/

 

I never thought about going back to an older version of Live. That may do the trick!

 

So an update for you all.

I opened the same session in Ableton 8...and the plug in worked perfectly! I quickly exported the file and flew it into the Ableton 9 session and I'm happy as a clam!

Thanks for all your help!

 

And now an update the the update....

On further examination, I realised that I didn't have the VST plug in for Pro 53 installed on my studio computer, but rather only the stand alone . When I opened the session on my home computer the plug-in was installed there so it opened no problem in Live 8 AND 9. BUT I still maintain that non-supported plugins crash often when opened with a DAW. So best that I rendered the Pro 53 track anyway.

Cheers...