What is the functional difference between sync and MIDI?

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nomadjames
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What is the functional difference between sync and MIDI?

Post by nomadjames »

I have a Volca Kick and Korg Monologue, both have sync and MIDI, I have been using MIDI to keep everything in time. What is the difference using sync? I am super new to all this hardware and I have never tried it.
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kertikristof
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Re: What is the functional difference between sync and MIDI?

Post by kertikristof »

The sync on the volcas send out and receive 1V trigger signals. Usually trigger signals are like a square wave, either high or low. These trigger signals will keep your volcas or similar analog gear in sync, but you will have to start them to playback together, the trigger will "help" the devices to sync.

MIDI is a communication protocol, digital thing and contains START event data, that's why you don't need to hit play on your volca when controlled externally. MIDI contains a stream of data, and the MIDI beat clock is part of that stream. The MIDI beat clock is tempo-dependent, clock events are sent at a rate of 24 ppqn (pulses per quarter note).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_beat_clock
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nomadjames
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Re: What is the functional difference between sync and MIDI?

Post by nomadjames »

I also just picked up an Arturia Keystep which sends both.
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P0607r0n
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Re: What is the functional difference between sync and MIDI?

Post by P0607r0n »

Keystep is handy. Though I think volcas are sending some non standard rate of clicks over the SYNC ( half slower, or 2 faster then usual gear, can't remember) so i had problems symcing them with my gameboy with the sync jacks. You can always connect midi to the first volca in the chain, and then connect others with sync audio jacks.

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nomadjames
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Re: What is the functional difference between sync and MIDI?

Post by nomadjames »

I only use the one Volca ATM, the Volca Kick. It's ran from MIDI out of the MPC 1000. I don't see myself getting another one.

The issue I have with it is that the kick plays to high for my tastes, So i play it lower from the controller. When I use the sequencer, it's just not subby enough for my tastes.

I can run sync out of the Monologue to it if I want.
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