Recording System Exclusive Data

Pro Tools supports recording and playing System Exclusive data (Sysex) with MIDI tracks. This allows you to use MIDI tracks in Pro Tools to store patch and configuration data for your MIDI devices, or to record real-time Sysex changes for a particular parameter of a MIDI device that cannot be controlled by a standard MIDI controller.

To record a Sysex dump at the beginning of a MIDI track:

1 Make sure that the MIDI OUT for the device sending the Sysex is connected to your MIDI interface’s MIDI IN.

2 In the MIDI Input Filter dialog, enable Only and System Exclusive.

3 Configure a MIDI track for recording (see Configuring MIDI or Instrument Tracks for Recording).

4 Ensure that Normal Record mode is selected (see Record Modes).

5 Record enable a MIDI track.

6 Enable Wait for Note in the Transport window.

7 To start recording from the beginning of the session, click Return to Zero in the Transport.

8 When you are ready to begin recording, click Record in the Transport window.

The Record, Play, and Wait for Note buttons flash, indicating that Pro Tools is waiting for MIDI data.

9 Initiate the Sysex transfer from the MIDI device, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pro Tools automatically begins recording as soon as it starts to receive Sysex data.

10 When the Sysex transfer is complete, click Stop in the Transport.

The newly recorded MIDI data appears as a MIDI clip in the track’s playlist, and in the Clip List. MIDI clips that contain System Exclusive data appear blank when the Track View is set to Clips.

To see the Sysex event blocks, which indicate the location of the data, set the Track View to Sysex (see Clips View for MIDI and Instrument Tracks).

For information on moving and copying of Sysex data, see System Exclusive Events.

To send Sysex data from Pro Tools to an external MIDI device:

1 For the device receiving the System Exclusive data, make sure its MIDI IN is connected to the MIDI interface’s MIDI OUT. Also, make sure the device is set to receive Sysex. Some devices require that memory protect be off. For more information, see the manufacturer’s instructions.

2 Make sure that the MIDI track containing the Sysex data is not record enabled.

3 Click the track’s MIDI Output selector and assign the device from the pop-up menu.

4 Configure the external MIDI device to receive Sysex data according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

5 Click Play in the Transport to begin playback. Pro Tools begins playing and transmits the previously recorded Sysex to the assigned MIDI device.