MIDI Connectivity
The T1 communicates via MIDI over both its USB‑C port and 3.5 mm TRS MIDI jacks wired to the Type A standard (use Type A adapters for 5‑pin DIN). Use MIDI to sequence external synths and drum machines, receive notes or clock from controllers, and integrate with a DAW.
- USB‑C: class‑compliant USB MIDI for macOS, Windows, and Linux
- 3.5 mm TRS Type A: MIDI In, MIDI Out1, MIDI Out2 (Out2 configurable as Thru or as an additional Out in T1 Config; DIN via Type A adapters)
The T1 is a sequencer and does not generate audio. It controls external instruments via MIDI, CV/Gate, analog sync, and Wi‑Fi (Ableton Link).
5‑Pin DIN via TRS Type A
The rear panel provides 3.5 mm TRS Type A MIDI ports:
- MIDI In
- MIDI Out1
- MIDI Out2 (configurable in T1 Config as Thru or as a second independent MIDI Out)
Use the supplied Type A TRS ↔ 5‑pin DIN adapters to connect standard MIDI DIN cables. The T1 follows the MIDI TRS Type A wiring standard; Type B adapters are incompatible.
For more on configuring USB/TRS MIDI behavior and the Thru/Out 2 setting, see T1 Config: MIDI I/O.
Set Out2 = Thru to forward external input downstream; set Out2 = Out to use two independent sequencer outputs.
If the device you are connecting to also uses MIDI TRS Type A, you can use a regular 3.5 mm stereo jack‑to‑jack cable between devices (no DIN adapter needed).
USB MIDI (DAW and computer integration)
The USB‑C connection exposes a class‑compliant USB MIDI interface. Connect the T1 directly to a computer to:
- Sequence software instruments from the T1
- Record MIDI from the T1 into your DAW
- Send MIDI clock/transport between the DAW and T1 (as configured)
No dedicated driver is required on current macOS, Windows, or Linux systems.
Use a high‑quality, data‑capable USB‑C cable. Charge‑only cables will not transmit MIDI data.
MIDI channels and routing
The T1 organizes music as Banks → Patterns → Tracks → Cycles. Each track can target a MIDI destination:
- Assign a MIDI channel per track (e.g., Track 1 → Ch.1 synth, Track 2 → Ch.10 drums).
- Choose the output port for the track (USB MIDI vs. DIN/TRS MIDI Out), depending on your setup.
- Configure channel and output in the track’s Setup area (Channel and Output).
Set the receiving instrument to the same MIDI channel as the T1 track to hear notes.
Keep a simple channel map for your rig (e.g., Ch.1: Bass synth, Ch.2: Lead, Ch.10: Drums) and reuse it across projects.
Using MIDI In
Common use cases for MIDI In:
- Play the T1 tracks from an external keyboard or pad controller (notes and velocity).
- Feed external MIDI clock or transport for synchronization.
- Capture performance gestures (depending on your routing and settings).
To pass the same input to additional devices, use a MIDI Thru box/splitter or daisy‑chain from a device that provides a hardware Thru. You can also configure the T1 TRS Thru port behavior in T1 Config: MIDI I/O.
Clocking over MIDI
The T1 can participate in MIDI Clock workflows over USB and TRS/DIN:
- Send or receive MIDI Clock and Start/Stop depending on your clock settings.
- Combine with analog sync and Ableton Link if your setup spans multiple clock domains.
For advanced ratios and conversions, see T1 Config: Sync and the Clock Conversion section.
CV/Gate overview
- 4 × CV outputs and 2 × Gate outputs on the rear panel
- All 6 outputs can be configured as gates in T1 Config
- CV outputs can transmit pitch, velocity, or gate (set per output in T1 Config)
- Assign tracks to CV/Gate in T1 Config; per‑track Channel settings do not change CV wiring
See T1 Config for companion app settings related to routing and device configuration.
Use TS cables for gates/clock. Verify voltage ranges and scaling on the destination device.
Example setups
-
Hardware synths over DIN
- T1 MIDI Out (TRS Type A) → Type A ↔ DIN adapter → Synth MIDI In
- Set the T1 track to the synth’s MIDI channel
-
DAW via USB
- T1 USB‑C → Computer
- Select “T1” as a MIDI input/output device in your DAW
- Route a DAW instrument track to a specific channel that matches the T1 track
-
Controller input
- Keyboard controller → T1 MIDI In
- To distribute the same input further, use a MIDI Thru box/splitter or the receiving device’s hardware Thru