Orchid can receive MIDI notes from external gear or your DAW via its USB-C port, so you can play its internal synth engines with an external controller.
How to set it up
- Connect Orchid to your computer or USB MIDI host. When prompted to “Select USB Mode,” use the Options dial to select Enable USB Data.
- Connect your MIDI keyboard, sequencer, or other synthesizer to your computer or USB MIDI host.
- Route the MIDI output from your controller or DAW to Orchid.
- Set your destination MIDI channels: use Channel 1 for the Treble synth engine and Channel 2 for the Bass synth engine.
Polyphony
Orchid’s own keyboard currently acts monophonically, but its synth engines respond polyphonically to incoming MIDI. You can use external gear to play complex chords through Orchid’s sounds, with up to 16 notes of polyphony.
Limitations
- Incoming MIDI plays notes directly on the synth engines. It doesn't trigger Orchid’s chord generation logic, so chord buttons and extensions can only be used on Orchid itself.
- MIDI sent into the Orchid over Channel 3 won't trigger any notes; use Channel 1 or 2.
- Note: this contrasts with how the Orchid sends out MIDI notes over Channels 1, 2, and 3 by default. See our article on MIDI out for more details.
If you don't hear anything:
- Confirm you selected Enable USB Data when your Orchid prompted you to Select USB Mode.
- Check that your MIDI notes are being sent on Channel 1 (Treble) or Channel 2 (Bass).
- Make sure the MIDI output of your DAW or controller is routed to Orchid.
- Make sure your setup includes a USB MIDI host, such as a computer or a dedicated USB MIDI host device. Orchid can't receive MIDI directly from another synth or controller over USB-C, because neither device can act as the host.