Synchronizing the AN1x ARP/SEQ to MIDI Clock
By Jon Levinson from JDLX-Musique.com
Originally posted Summer 1999; Revised Winter 2001.

A common question for new users of the AN1x is how to synchronize the ARP/SEQ of the AN1x to another device.

There are a couple of important things to understand:

  • The AN1x internal clock does not transmit MIDI Clock. The Tempo of the internal clock can be set between a range of 40 - 240 BPM (beats per minute).
  • The AN1x APR/SEQ will receive MIDI Clock, i.e., "slave", to MIDI Clock.
  • MIDI Clock is sometimes referred to as MIDI Beat Clock - they are one in the same and are not to be confused with MTC (MIDI Time Code.)
  • MTC is generally used to synchronize hardware or software devices to SMPTE. That is beyond the scope of this document.

To Synchronize to an external clock source:

  1. Make certain the MIDI Out of your clock source is connected to the MIDI In port of your AN1x.
  2. Use the Edit Rotary switch to choose the VOICE/COMMON Menu.
  3. Use the Parameter value [UP/DOWN] switch underneath the TEMPO menu item to decrease the value below 40 - the display should read "Tempo MIDI".

The above process can be found documented on Pg. 77 of the AN1x Owners Manual.

Another common question: "How do I synchronize ReBirth and my AN1x?"

Just as the AN1x does not transmit MIDI Clock - neither does ReBirth. This means that you will require a 3rd piece of hardware or software to provide a common clock source to both ReBirth and the AN1x.

For Mac users, a simple solution is to use the IAC (Inter Application Communications) bus within OMS (Open Music System) to transmit MIDI Clock from a software sequencer such as Vision DSP, Cubase, Logic, etc. to ReBirth while simultaneously providing the same clock to the AN1x. For Windows users, Hubi's LoopBack device or MIDI Yoke are the API's of choice - similar in function to OMS for Mac.

Alternatively, applications such as Steinberg Cubase, Emagic Logic, and Opcode Vision each support the ReWire protocol developed and promoted by Propellerhead Software along with Steinberg. ReWire may be used to similar ends as IAC, i.e., provide a clock source to slave ReBirth to the main application while transmitting MIDI Clock to the AN1x via your MIDI Interface. The significant benefit of ReWire over IAC is that the audio output from ReBirth can then be fed back into the audio mixer of your host applications. This works and sounds great!