Hello guys. I would like some info on how to get the midi data from the TR drum machines (essentially using that data as a midi controller like Cthulhu) to send to other plugins (without using the drag and drop feature) to use for live performance. Maybe using Patcher or midi out in FL Studio for example. I know the hardware needed to be modified to use midi and the USB cable with TB3 makes sync possible. Is it possible VST to VST? I appreciate any response.

 

VST plugins need to be run inside a VST host. That can be a DAW, a Host program like BlueCat's Patchwork (standalone version) or something like Mainstage or Gig Performer. There are many options.

Have you picked one yet? That might be what determines the workflow options you have.

 

You’re looking to use your TR machine’s pattern data as live MIDI input to control other VSTs in FL Studio (like using the TR patterns to trigger chords in Xfer Cthulhu, synths, or samplers), all in real time. The trick is routing that MIDI from the TR’s sequencer to another VST via Patcher, MIDI Out, or an external MIDI port.

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2025

That's exactly what I'd like to do just had no luck trying to do it. Any suggestions how to actually do it would be perfect with Patcher.
Current attempt in picture- I've added the input and output port numbers to no avail. I've also tried using MIDI OUT in the setup too. Wondering how it can be done properly....Thanks in advance.

 

Thank you I would like to do as mentioned above...

 

Unfortunately I can't help you directly, so I've attached something in the hope that it works, but unfortunately
I can't give you any guarantees.

FL STUDIO PATCHER HELP:
www.image-line.com/fl-studio-learning/fl-studio-online-manual/html/plugins/Patcher.htm

I don't think you need MIDI OUT if you're going to use Patcher anyway. Give this a try

Get rid of MIDI OUT

Right click the "To FL Studio" node and select a MIDI port, maybe like 5 or whatever.

Make sure Cthulu has it's own MIDI In and Out port, just set it to 0

Route Cthulu to the port you enabled in Patcher (5 for the sake of this comment)

Make sure you can send MIDI out of FL, either with USB, or 5 pin MIDI, and your audio interface supports that

In the MIDI options in FL, set the output port to 5

Should work now

Alternatively, you could probably just get rid of Patcher altogether and just set the MIDI Out to 5 and just have it in the channel rack.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FL_Studio/comments/mtn3ek/connect_midi_out_cuthulu_in_patcher_fl_studio_to/

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2025

you are just using the drum machine like any other controller. midi out from the drum machine into the DAW, and that midi data routed to other plugins. You can load Bluecat's Patchwork Synth on a channel directly even. That way you could get multiple VSTi plugins all connected that same incoming data, easily.

If you want to record the midi data into the DAW and send it back out to the Roland, you connect midi out from the computer back to the drum machine.

If you want them sync'd, so when you hit the transport bar Start button in the DAW, and have it triggering the Roland playing its audio output, back into the DAW for recording as wav samples, you need to set the drum machine up to either MTC (midi timecode), or MMC (Midi Machine Control) sync. Otherwise it will just play whatever incoming Midi data it is receiving. It will not necessarily align to the grid.

It doesn't matter if you are using 5 pin DIN midi cables/ports or the virtual ones. created by using a usb connection. It just carries incoming and outgoing MIDI data over the same cable.

It would even be easier if you had the Roland Cloud machines. They can send back and forth to the hardware versions of them like the TB3. You can set controller mapping for the plugin to the hardware.

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2025

Blue Cat's PatchWork and MIDI Routing

• Blue Cat's PatchWork is primarily a plugin host that lets you load multiple VSTs and route audio and MIDI between them within a single plugin instance.
  
  
• PatchWork supports MIDI routing between loaded plugins. You can load the Roland VST and the target synth VST inside PatchWork, then set up MIDI routing so that MIDI generated by the Roland VST is sent to the other synth plugin.
  
  
• This setup is especially useful if your DAW does not natively support complex MIDI routing between plugins.
  

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2025

In this instance I am not using hardware machines but in fact the Cloud ones and no hardware otherwise I"d be fine as a USB cable sets the hardware as midi controllers automatically. It's vst midi from any of the Roland VST machines to another Synth within a DAW setup (If that helps. Can patchwork do that?). The attachment sent by Radio seems useful I will give it a try and report back.

 

[Right click the "To FL Studio" node and select a MIDI port, maybe like 5 or whatever.

Make sure Cthulu has it's own MIDI In and Out port, just set it to 0

Route Cthulu to the port you enabled in Patcher (5 for the sake of this comment)]

I am solely using the Roland Clound Machines to try connect to other VSTs and have tried your advise above without the midi out of Fl part to no avail. Will the USB or 5 pin midi make a difference as I don't use an interface. Will try the attachment method you sent and report back.

 

Since you told me that you are using the "Roland Cloud TR-909", I have the following result for you:

Synchronizing the Roland Cloud TR-909 with other VSTi in FL Studio

Installing and integrating the TR-909 in FL Studio
Install the Roland Cloud TR-909 via the Roland Cloud Manager. After installation, the plugin will be saved as a VST3 (and VST2 if applicable) in the default plugin folders.

In FL Studio, open the Plugin Manager (OPTIONS > Manage Plugins) and click "Find installed plugins" so that FL Studio recognizes the new Roland Cloud plugins.

After the scan, you can load the TR-909 plugin in the Channel Rack using the "+" symbol or via the Plugin Database.

Synchronizing with other VSTi
The Roland Cloud TR-909 has an internal sequencer that automatically synchronizes to the host tempo. This means that as soon as you use the plugin in FL Studio, the internal sequencer will synchronize to the song tempo of your DAW.

You can drag and drop patterns directly from the plugin as MIDI or audio into the FL Studio playlist or piano roll. If dragging and dropping into the playlist doesn't work (empty clips), drag the pattern directly into the piano roll of a MIDI track instead.

For classic step sequencer use, you can use the TR-909's internal sequencer, or you can program your beats directly in the FL Studio piano roll and trigger the plugin like any other VSTi.

Synchronization with other VSTi
If you want to synchronize multiple VST instruments (e.g., synths, samplers) with the TR-909, make sure all plugins are set to the same host tempo. In FL Studio, this happens automatically as long as the plugins are loaded as instrument channels.

To automate more complex synchronizations such as start/stop or pattern changes, you can use automation clips or MIDI Out plugins in FL Studio. However, most modern VSTi (including the TR-909) follow the global DAW transport and do not require additional synchronization.

Tips for Advanced Use
The Roland Cloud TR-909 offers individual outputs for the drum instruments, allowing you to assign each drum sound to its own mixer channel in FL Studio. This allows for individual mixing and effects processing.

The internal sequencer can be used for polyrhythms, as each drum sound can have its own step length (last step).
Make sure you always use the latest version of the plugin, as Roland regularly provides updates for better DAW compatibility and stability.

Summary
Load and scan the TR-909 as a VST in FL Studio
The internal sequencer automatically synchronizes with the FL Studio tempo
Drag and drop patterns into the piano roll if the playlist isn't working
Other VST instruments are automatically synchronized as long as they are loaded in the project

Use individual outputs for individual mixing
This allows you to easily synchronize the Roland Cloud TR-909 with other VST instruments in FL Studio and flexibly integrate it into your workflow.

 

I tried using the method attached even before posting this using Midi Out and Patcher but tried again to no avail. I'm going to try Patchworks now. Using Cthulhu with these methods has worked for years. I assume because it is a software that is built to recognise midi from alternative sources as default whereas Roland Cloud may not. The thinking is that every plugin instrument communicates using Midi therefore that midi data should communicate with the destination software like Cthulhu does using midi out or patcher .

The attachment says it's possible but gives no links to examples where it is done definitively by Roland VST Instruments to other VSTs as stated it does. Radio where did you get this article BTW?

 

I cannot verify the accuracy of this guide either:

Goal: Use the TR-909 plugin as a MIDI trigger for other VSTs

✅ Is that even possible?
The Roland Cloud TR-909 is primarily a drum synth with its own internal sequencer – BUT: The internal sequencer doesn't normally send MIDI out to other plugins. Roland intentionally restricted this to allow the plugin to function as a standalone groovebox.

Possible Workarounds
1. Convert & Export TR-909 Pattern to MIDI
If you've created a pattern in the plugin:
Simply drag and drop it from the plugin window onto a MIDI track (e.g., in Ableton, FL Studio, Cubase, etc.).
Then use this MIDI to control other VSTs.

2. Program an External MIDI Track
You can't use the TR-909 plugin as a MIDI controller.
But you can simply create a MIDI track in your DAW that controls both the TR-909 and another VST (e.g., in parallel or on different MIDI channels).

3. Wrapping Plugins (Advanced)
Using tools like Blue Cat's PatchWork or Element, you can "nest" plugins.

You can then route MIDI from one VST to another, but this is more of a hack and doesn't work in all DAWs.

Alternatives?

If you're really looking for a drum plug-in that sends MIDI (to trigger other VSTs or hardware), check out:
- Xfer Nerve – sends MIDI out.
- Geist2 (FXpansion) – full-featured MIDI out drum sequencer.
- HY-SEQ16x3v2 or other MIDI step sequencer VSTs.

 

If you look in the manuals, example 808's manual; you will see there is no Midi out from it, other than with a TR-8S connected.

Page 12:
Sends pattern data to the TR-8S.
Receives pattern data from the TR-8S.
Specifies MIDI settings used when sending or receiving data to or from the TR-8S.
When the Setup screen appears, set
MIDI CTRL Input: TR-8S CTRL
MIDI CTRL Output: TR-8S CTRL


That's it. No listed Midi output because it does not do it (except for the hardware). They did not just forget to put it into the midi implementation and the manual.

If you want something to alter the playback of the TR-808 plugin, you need a midi device in front of it as an Midi FX, but it has to be a sequencer. Any plugin you load as Midi needs to generate Midi note ON messages. An arpeggiator does not create note ON messages. It changes the ones you play to the ones in the arp pattern. You need a Pattern Sequencer as a Midi FX to put in front of it. Try 510K Seqund.

Or drag and drop the midi pattern from them, unless you enjoy wasting your tiime.