Avid recently introduced a powerful new feature in Pro Tools: MIDI plugins. Whether you are layering complex harmonies, crafting intricate sequences, or experimenting with new musical ideas, MIDI plugins offer a host of options to elevate your production capabilities and inspire your musical creativity.
MIDI Plugins
Music producers are always searching for tools that not only capture ideas but also inspire creativity in the digital realm. Starting with Pro Tools 2024.3, Avid has included MIDI Plugin as part of the software package. They have worked with companies like Modalics, Pitch Innovations, Captain Chords, and more to bring this feature to life. These plugins enable you to manipulate MIDI data in creative ways, from triggering multiple notes to crafting intricate riffs, rhythms, and arpeggiations.
MIDI plugins are software plugins (in AAX format) designed to enhance the creative manipulation of MIDI data. By integrating into the Pro Tools workflow, MIDI plugins provide a dynamic and flexible way to shape and refine MIDI performances in real time.
Using MIDI Plugins
MIDI plugins can only be inserted on Instrument tracks in Pro Tools, not MIDI tracks. To instantiate a MIDI plugin on a track, first create an Instrument track in your session by doing one of the following:
- Go to Track > New
- Use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Command+N (macOS) or Shift+Ctrl+N (Windows)
- Hold Option (macOS) or Alt (Windows) and double-click in the empty space at the bottom of the track header area.
Once you have an Instrument Track in your session, make sure the "Intstrument", and "Insert" view are shown on your tracks. If not shown, click the Edit Window View Selector and make sure the following are displayed:
MIDI plugins are instantiated on a track similarly to audio plugins -“ they are placed on a track’s individual insert slots.
To insert a MIDI plugin on an Instrument track, click on an empty insert slot and go to the MIDI plug-in submenu.
Note: In order to work properly you need to place the MIDI plugin BEFORE the Synthesizer plugin
A list of all available MIDI plugins will be displayed. If you don’t see any available MIDI plugins, you may need to download them from Avid Link or your Avid account. The list of MIDI plugins included with Pro Tools is growing with every Pro Tools update, so stay up-do-date with future updates!
Signal Flow: MIDI Plugin
Understanding the signal flow of MIDI plugins in Pro Tools is essential for achieving your desired musical outcomes. The order in which you place inserts directly impacts how MIDI data is processed and manipulated. If the signal chain isn't set up correctly, you may end up with unintended and undesirable results.
The moment you put a MIDI plugin on an insert, the track is automatically set to Chain mode, which can be seen in the Instrument column (labeled as Chain In):
Clicking the MIDI Output Selector (where it says Chain In) dropdown menu lets you view the signal flow (arranged from top to bottom) for all instantiated MIDI plugins:
A visual diagram displays the data flow between each node, providing a clear overview of the process. Plugins can be reordered within the chain to alter the creative flow.
Note: The MIDI plugin must be placed on the track first in line, before virtual instruments. This is how they should be arranged from top to bottom: MIDI plugins -“> Virtual Instrument. A virtual instrument receives MIDI data and generates (or outputs) an audio performance. If you place a MIDI plugin after a virtual instrument, it will result in silence because the MIDI plugin cannot take in the audio output from the virtual instrument.
Changing Plugin Order
Changing the order of MIDI plugins on a track is as simple as clicking and dragging the insert and placing it at your desired location in the signal chain. A yellow indicator tells you where your plugin will be placed when you let go of the mouse.
Rearranging the order of MIDI plugins is an excellent way to creatively experiment with different musical outcomes. For example, placing an arpeggiator after a note stacking plugin will produce a series of arpeggios, creating a complex texture. However, positioning the arpeggiator before the note stacking plugin results in each arpeggiated note being harmonized individually, leading to a completely different sound. Try experimenting with your MIDI plugin order to achieve new results!
Recording MIDI Data
Just like audio plugins, MIDI plugins operate in a real time, generating a new MIDI performance as your track plays without changing the original MIDI performance data. However, there may be scenarios where you’d like to record the MIDI output from your MIDI plugins for further editing. Or, you may want to have a permanent recording of the new MIDI performance for collaboration or preservation. Pro Tools lets you record the output of your instantiated MIDI plugins to a new track.
First, create a new MIDI or Instrument track. This track will serve as the destination for your recorded MIDI. On this new track, set the MIDI Input (in the Instrument column) to the source track’s MIDI output:
Record-enable the destination MIDI or Instrument track and begin recording. The MIDI output from the original track’s MIDI Chain will be recorded on the destination track.
You can now work with the individual MIDI notes generated from your MIDI plugins, expanding your creative possibilities!
In our next article we'll start diving into the individual plugin and how you can start using them in your productions.
Author: Alex Thomen
Composer & Music Technology Instructor
ProMedia Training, LLC
www.protoolstraining.com
888-277-0457
Alex Thomen, Professor at University of Colorado, is also on ProMedia Training's elite group of Avid Pro Tools Instructors. Alex obtained his Masters in Music from the prestigious Belmont University in Nashville, and like many industry professionals, also attended multiple Pro Tools Certifications at ProMedia Training. Alex Thomen is a producer, composer, pianist, mixing engineer, and music educator based in Denver. From small-scale chamber groups and rock bands to full symphonic orchestra, Alex arranges, produces, and mixes for a variety of ensembles and styles. Alex earned a Bachelor's of Music in Music Composition from Kansas State University and a Masters of Music in Commercial Composition and Arranging from Belmont University and is an active composer and arranger for Film/TV/Games.