Help setting up a Virus B
 

Hi Everyone, I apologize in advance as my understanding of MIDI is as basic as it gets.

I found my old Virus B a few days ago and I wanted to get it up and running so I can decide if I want to sell it or not. I purchased it back in the 90's but never really used it much as i got more into DJ'ing than production. So if you guys can lend a hand in the setup that would be great. I guess the goal is to get it running with my controller keyboard and Ableton 9.

My gear:
Ableton 9
Virus B
M-audio Radium keyboard (this is my midi interface through USB connectivity)
3 MIDI cables

Current connections:
Keyboard Midi midi out --> Virus Midi In
Virus midi out --> Keyboard "USB out"
-Side note, the keyboard has 2 midi connections; both are labeled "midi out" but are differentiated by the names "keyboard" and "USB"

Status:
When i press a key on my keyboard I see the note appear on the virus display. Is the hardware setup correctly? I want to trouble shoot that first before I wade into the ableton issues

Thanks!

What kind of audio interface are you using?

Alright i definitely got it working with the keyboard. I have my headphones plugged into the virus and ive been messing around with it for a few hours. Im guessing ill need an audio interface in order to actually get it working with Ableton.

Hey I just figured out that ill need an audio interface. Thanks for the reply though. im sure ill have lots of questions coming up over the next little while!

Well it seems like u got the midi sorted, u just need some audio into the DAW and your good to go. Feel free to ask questions I was once there myself :)

You will need an audio interface with 1/4 jacks. RMES are one of the best with low latency. I currently use two Motu UltraliteMK3 with success for many years.

Hey guys, Looking for a bit more advice.

I have everything mostly setup. I can record and listen to the audio from the synth and the midi from my controller. But I cant seem to send the midi back to the Virus for playback.

Im using ableton and have a midi track with an external instrument setup, sending midi to channel 1. Everything is set to channel one on my keyboard controller and ableton. Are there any preferences in the virus that would prevent it from receiving midi data?

I've been digging through manuals for days!

Make sure the track is record enabled or you wont hear anything.