Why MIDI Output is not working with KeyLab MK II?

[Miki]

Hello, I am pretty sure that MIDI Ooutput works fine for most of users, but I cannot make it work, so it probably something in my setup.

I have a Win11 25H2 PC with Scarlett 2i2 audio interface. I use KeyLab 61 MK II as controller and as MIDI input and output. My external HW synths are Volca FM and Volca Keys (not always at the same time).

When I play on my KeyLab to standalone or in a plugin in Reaper, I hear the sound of my synths. I can record to User track.

When I use KeyLab in standalone, I hear synths because KeyLab sends MIDI directly to Volcas, but when I send from a track on Arrange page to Volcas, I hear only the internal instrument in the track , or nothing, if the instrument is set to None. KeyLab is seen in the MIDI devices.

What might be wrong what I am doing?

Thanks

This is the schema of my system:

[davide]

Oh yeah @Miki I had this problem with the KeyLab 61 MK II, I discussed this with Arturia. Sadly it doesn’t support MIDI pass through via USB. So you have to use a MIDI Cable from memory. Its very unusual and not idea from Arturia as they are brilliant at everything else and all their products!

Here’s some info:

To pass MIDI from USB to an external device

• Connect the KeyLab MkII to your computer via USB.
• Connect a 5-pin MIDI cable from the KeyLab MkII’s MIDI Out port to your external device.
• Go to the settings, and set “USB to MIDI Out” to On.

Important considerations

• MIDI Interface: The KeyLab MkII does not function as a MIDI interface for the purpose of routing between two different external hardware MIDI devices simultaneously via USB, but it can pass through MIDI from the physical ports to the computer or from the computer to the physical ports.
• Settings: The “MIDI In to USB” and “USB to MIDI Out” settings are found in the KeyLab MkII’s menu system, accessible through the device’s controls.
• Simultaneous Use: The USB and 5-pin DIN connections can be used independently. For example, you can use USB to send MIDI to your DAW while simultaneously using the 5-pin DIN to control an external hardware synthesizer, as long as “USB to MIDI Out” is set to On.

[Miki]

Hi @Davide. Thank you very much! You are a genius.

I just tried in standalone - and this worked. Then I did the same in Reaper - and this worked again.

In the beginning, I suspected Reaper, but when I discovered that MIDI Out did not work in Standalone, I started suspecting KeyLab. But the, I had no idea what to do. I already had Midi IN to USB, and I did what you indicated, to set “USB to Midi OUT” in Arturia MIDI Control Center and the fiesta started.

I was also mixed up with output channels in standalone as I believed I should select MIDIOUT2 (KeyLab MKII 61), but finally I had to use KeyLab mkII 61. In Reaper, there is only the latter in Scaler 3, so it was easy

I tried my MIDI Solutions Thru to add Volca Key and both synths worked fine. This way, I’ll give a new life to my old Volcas that I did not use much in the past 5 years or so.

In addition to your instructions, I add a few specific instructions regarding setup in Reaper with KeyLab MKII:

1. Add a MIDI track and add Scaler 3 to it

2. Add an audio track (for HW synth)

3. Add a new send from track 1 to track 2

   

4. Add ReaInsert Plugin (comes with Reaper) to track 2 and configure it as follows:
   

   

5. Configure MIDI Hardware Output in track 2 with KeyLab mkII as device:

   

6. Arm the track 2 to record the audio (not necessary if only listening to or playing what is in Scaler 3 track that goes to HW synth)

7. For additional HW synths, repeat steps from 2 to 6 but select the appropriated MIDI Out channel both in Scaler 3 track and in Reaper track’s MIDI Hardware Output.
   

   

8. Enjoy in your music

P.S. This is the result of my test (Arpeggio: Volca Keys, Passages: Volca FM, Main: Celestial Existence ):

I am sorry, I had to cut the file because its size was > 10MB, but you have an idea.