Korg Forums

Hello! Before I start I must stress that I have not only searched this forum but also the internet for an answer to my problem... but to no avail!

This is probably a VERY easy query but I am very new to programmes like cubase and ableton so please help!

What I want to do:
I want to be able to sequence a song from my korg and arrange each part in a programme such as ableton or cubase.

Equipment I have:
Korg EMX. Edirol USB UA25 external soundcard with 1/4 jack inputs and midi in and out. I have a copy of both Cubase and Ableton Live.

My Questions
I don't really understand what midi is all about. I have been able to record each part simply without midi and just recording the audio from korg to cubase using a 1/4 inch jack lead but I am slowly learning about the use of midi?
Am I able to make cubase or ableton to CONTROL my korg using the midi leads? Like for instance can I arrange the parts from my korg, on a music programme and then when I press play on cubase or ableton, it plays it back on my korg in the arrangement I chose?

Im very sorry if this is not a very clear question! I am very familiar with using my emx but I want to be able to arrange the song using a pc.

If anyone can help me without using technical jargon it would be very helpful!

Thankyou very much in advance!!!!

by the sounds of it you have ever thing you need to midi up your korg. there are a few things to start midi is infomation which can control your synth or effect or midi gear.

because your using soft ware its easy to set up the infomation tobe sent from your computer via midi will trigger your korg. you need to set up your midi out on your software which will be in the setting function. apply the midi out to a channel on your software, i.e ablton midi track 1. set it to you midi out put. this will send info down the midi, so when you in put notes it will trigger the midi.

take the midi out from your computer then plug in the midi cable into your midi input on your korg. now at this point your should of set up a channel on your software for triggering midi.plugged it all in.

now the korg will trigger on 6 channels of midi from a avaible 16 channels.(emx) the drum section will have its own midi channel which you can change in the setting to 1 of 16. think of the midi channels like a old tv your have to tune in to get the rigth signal.
the drums on th emx are set midi channel 10 default. which is a good place to start trigging. check on your software that the midi channel is on 10. and enter some notes and it should trigger the drums on the korg. the midi channel on your software has replaced the sequance on the korg.the synth section is the same each has its own midi channel and each time you want use another part just set up a new midi track in your DAW with the rigth midi channel number then your ready to make tracks. this just a simple note input. midi can be used to control all asspects of the synth like filtercut off e.g times so on. hope this helps?

Thanks alot for your reply! That has helped! Do you think ableton or cubase is better to use for what I want to do?

both ablton and cubase are realy good at wot thay do. its a matter of which you like working with. abltons good for mashing up audio on the fly. and cubase is old skool and in depth to level that you want it to be. how deep does the rabbit hole go?