NerdSeq - ES9 Compaibility

[Joscuzz]

Hi Everyone,
My first post here, and looking forward to getting 'at it' with the NerdSeq 

I'm trying to hook up the NerdSeq, via the MIDI I/O expander, with the Expert Sleepers ES9. The intention is to control both the faders, and the pan in the ES9's standalone mixer. Here's the crux:

The MIDI from NerdSeq works fine. I tested the MIDI output data flow from the MIDI I/O expander into MIDI Ox and it's all there, great. Next, using Expert Sleepers MIDI Breakout module, connected to the ES9, I sent MIDI into it, and out of it, from Ableton while monitoring the data through MIDI Ox....works fine both MIDI input and output. 

I connect the MIDI output from NerdSeq MIDI I/O expander to the MIDI In of the ES9 Breakout expander....and nothing(??).  I have scoured the manual for both modules over the last two days, as a deep dive into both modules, and set up: Mixer configs in the ES9, Track Assignments, and Input/Recording Settings in the NerdSeq.

Is there something I'm completely missing...I do concede that my head is foggy, and in a spin with information overload! Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Many thanks.

[subpopular]

Each i/o on ES9 midi breakout can be connected with type-A or type-B - have you tried switching the little jumper wires around on the back? Then connect it with a standard stereo patch cable to the NS.

[Joscuzz]

I only have a 4pin connector cable bridging the Breakout module to the ES9, and no other resources to experiment with ins/outs. I'll take a look at it again to see if I can my head around your suggestion.

Thank you so much.

[XORadmin]

I only have a 4pin connector cable bridging the Breakout  module to the ES9,  and no other resources to experiment with ins/outs. I'll take a look at it again to see if I can my head around your suggestion.

Thank you so much.

I think he meant the regular TRS connectors. They are (mostly) 2 types. TRS-A and TRS-B. If both are not the same then it doesn't work.
NerdSEQ 2HP Midi expander uses the Midi Standard TRS-A. You need to match the ES9 I-O for that and all will be fine.

Just assuming you talk about the 2HP expander and not the regular using DIN connectors.

[Joscuzz]

I only have a 4pin connector cable bridging the Breakout  module to the ES9,  and no other resources to experiment with ins/outs. I'll take a look at it again to see if I can my head around your suggestion.

Thank you so much.

I think he meant the regular TRS connectors. They are (mostly) 2 types. TRS-A and TRS-B. If both are not the same then it doesn't work.
NerdSEQ 2HP Midi expander uses the Midi Standard TRS-A. You need to match the ES9 I-O for that and all will be fine.

Just assuming you talk about the 2HP expander and not the regular using DIN connectors.

It is the MIDI I/O expander DIN connectors to the Expert Sleepers Breakout MIDI Input that I'm trying to hook up. Will this not work?
Edit: Does the MIDI I/O expander run at 5V or 3.3V? I ask because the ES9 runs at 3.3V and I believe this could be the problem to the compatibility of NerdSeq MIDI I/O with the ES9.

[XORadmin]

I only have a 4pin connector cable bridging the Breakout  module to the ES9,  and no other resources to experiment with ins/outs. I'll take a look at it again to see if I can my head around your suggestion.

Thank you so much.

I think he meant the regular TRS connectors. They are (mostly) 2 types. TRS-A and TRS-B. If both are not the same then it doesn't work.
NerdSEQ 2HP Midi expander uses the Midi Standard TRS-A. You need to match the ES9 I-O for that and all will be fine.

Just assuming you talk about the 2HP expander and not the regular using DIN connectors.

It is the MIDI I/O expander DIN connectors to the Expert Sleepers Breakout MIDI Input that I'm trying to hook up. Will this not work?
Edit: Does the MIDI I/O expander run at 5V or 3.3V? I ask because the ES9 runs at 3.3V and I believe this could be the problem to the compatibility of NerdSeq MIDI I/O with the ES9.

Just to be sure we are talking about the din connector to din connector? 
NerdSEQ midi is using 5 Volt as it suppose to be but even if 3,3V is used things should work always as it is a current source, not a voltage thing.

[Joscuzz]

Edit: I'm not aware of the difference between 5 Pin MIDI and a 5Pin DIN cable tbh. The cable I'm using will send MIDI from Ableton (if I needed to do so) to the NerdSeq MIDI I/O. I recorded some MIDI as a tester when I received the MIDI I/O (purchased from new along side the CV16 & Trigger expanders too) just the other day. If this cable is the right one to use, and the current source should match anyway, then I'll persevere.

Please understand that I'm not trying to find faults in the NerdSeq. It is a terrific source of inspiration to me and it just keeps giving! I love it. In my simplicity, I'm just trying to make the connection (as described in this thread) so that I can send the necessary controlling CC messages from the NerdSeq MIDI I/O to the ES9's standalone mixer.

Is there an offset I need to compensate for when using CC messages? e.g. If I need to send a CC24 do I input this as CC23, or something other, in the channel of the NerdSeq?

Thanks.

[XORadmin]

Yes, we are taking about connecting the DIN MIDI (5 pin) out from the XOR MIDI I/O expander to the MIDI DIN (5pin) Input of the Expert Sleepers Breakout module which is connected to the ES9.

Please understand that I'm not trying to find faults in the NerdSeq. It is a terrific source of inspiration to me and it just keeps giving! I love it. In my simplicity, I'm just trying to make the connection (as described above in this post) so that I can send the necessary controlling CC messages from the NerdSeq MIDI I/O to the ES9's standalone mixer. If everything should work because it's a current source thing, then that is great! I will persevere.

Is there an offset I need to compensate for when using CC messages? e.g. If I need to send a CC24 do I input this as CC23 in the channel of the NerdSeq?

Thanks.

Oh no worries. I am pretty sure it is a settings thing then.
They are more people using this setup.

The CC message numbers in the statusline are the real numbers as used with midi. Turn on decimal view so it can show you the decimal number as well.

[Joscuzz]

Great! Decimal view...will look that up for sure. Thank you.

[Joscuzz]

Posted this very post over at the Modwiggler forum, so it's only fair that I post it here too.

Pleased to announce that I now have MIDI control of the standalone mixer in the ES9 using the output from the NerdSeq MIDI I/O expander connected to the Expert Sleepers Breakout module. Using stereo channels, I can control both the volume and pan. This is great and worth the diligence to achieve it!

Again, thanks XORadmin for all the help

For those who may be interested, I have configured the ES9 as a standalone mixer with 4x Mono channels (1-4), and 5x stereo channels(5&6, 7&8 etc.). I can confirm that the MIDI CC information I'm using to control the stereo channels via a NerdSeq MIDI channel, are:
5&6 - CC24/2C = Volume/Pan
7&8 - CC36/3E
9&10 - CC40/48
11&12 - CC52/5A
13&14 - CC64/6C
In NerdSeq - I have the 'Decimal View' set to ON. This will help to dial in the correct CC values.

Cheers.