Old Zoom MRS 1608 --> GarageBand ... MIDI --> drums?

draelyc · Post by **draelyc** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 7:21 pm

Hey folks, I usually hang in the main forum, but I have a specifically recording related question. I've got a big project recorded on my MRS1608. Right as I finished it, I got a MacBook. A friend of mine has a buddy who works in a studio, and the buddy has offered to do pro mixes of a few of my tunes, so I've been transferring individual tracks into GarageBand files for him. Trouble is, I did all the drum parts on the Zoom's built in drum machine/sequencer, not on the actual tracks of the songs. The file manager software I have can convert the song tracks to wav files for GarageBand but it doesn't even pull up the drum machine info.

So my question (finally!) is: can GarageBand use MIDI input from an external drum sequencer to "play" the drum sounds that are already in GarageBand? If so, I should be able to get a cheap interface and connect the Zoom's MIDI out to the MacBook's USB port, boom.

If not, I may be hosed, unless I can find a real drummer to replace my sequences parts with actual drums. :-/

RIFF · Post by **RIFF** » Sat Sep 12, 2015 12:54 am

I have the 1608, but I dont know the answer... It has good sounding mic pres & all that, but I avoided the internal drums. Personally, Id just remake drums in another prog using the same tempo, but Hopefully you can find a way to simplify matters.

Marc G · Post by **Marc G** » Sat Sep 12, 2015 8:08 am

I've used MIDI with Garageband once for drums with a friend's electric kit and EZ Drummer and it was pretty straight forward... I don't think Garage Band has a native MIDI drum plug in BUT you MIGHT be able to get it to work with EZ Drummer or some other drum plug in...

RIFF · Post by **RIFF** » Sat Sep 12, 2015 12:12 pm

Seems like someone I know has an iPad, and I thought they were messing with drums in garage band.
If so, problem would be getting your midi from the 1608 to garage band.

draelyc · Post by **draelyc** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 1:13 pm

Thanks, gents. I'm trying to decide if it's worth buying an interface just to see if I can get this to work. :idk:

Jury's still out, but y'all's comments are helpful.

Gkborden · Post by **Gkborden** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 2:17 am

Hey ya'll.
Found this site cos I have an Mrs 1608 as well
Have a similar need I know you can put a USB adapter into the cd bay but I think it's cheaper
to get the interface.

I called zoom today and they recommend same.
M box or something of that sort at guitar center online for 40 bucks.

I was just looking for it online when I found this site. Very cool.
Looking to connect to my Mac book or iPad to garage band and eventually pro tools

I'm more of a singer songwriter these days but I'm a guitarist and bassist by trade until
The day job got the better of me. Glad to be back in the music world
What the hell was I thinking

Would live to get tips or share notes on the zoom 1608 since I'm gonna use it for a while

Thanks
Greg GK

Guitar Gear Forum

Old Zoom MRS 1608 --> GarageBand ... MIDI --> drums?

Old Zoom MRS 1608 --> GarageBand ... MIDI --> drums?

Re: Old Zoom MRS 1608 --> GarageBand ... MIDI --> drums?

Re: Old Zoom MRS 1608 --> GarageBand ... MIDI --> drums?

Re: Old Zoom MRS 1608 --> GarageBand ... MIDI --> drums?

Re: Old Zoom MRS 1608 --> GarageBand ... MIDI --> drums?

Re: Old Zoom MRS 1608 --> GarageBand ... MIDI --> drums?