safest way to sync two macs' MIDI clocks when performing?

I will be playing keys and singing, running all my instruments and effects through Live. My bandmate will be using the APC40 and other controllers to run samples, clips etc.

I want to know the safest and best method to sync our midi clocks so everything is in time. I'm scared of using a wireless network simply because I've experienced glitchy mic audio multiple times when I forget to disable my airport settings.

Is an ethernet network safe? could I sync them via USB ports somehow?

Please let me know! Thank you

Hey,

I think the easiest way is to use ethernet rather than wireless or USB (can USB be used even?):

- Connect an ethernet cable to both Macs.

- Turn off Airport.

- On one Mac go to Audio MIDI Setup (in Applications/Utilities/) choose the MIDI window's 'Network'.

- Click on the "+" to add a new session.

- Enable it and give it a "Bonjour name" of your choice.

- On the 2nd Mac go through the steps above but don't create a New Network, instead select the name given to the other network.

- On both Macs, open Live's Preferences, choose MIDI Sync and check the new MIDI ports are displayed.

- Turn on on track, sync and remote for both the new inputs and outputs

- Choose one Mac to be the "Master". On the "slave' Mac, click the EXT in the top left corner of Live.

You now have 2 Mac running Ableton Live synced using possibly the most efficient method.

Hope that helps
Rounik

Thank you rounik. I will try this today!

Bill has mentioned in his mainstage and Ableton tutorials to keep airport turned off always when performing. It looks like AIRPORT CAN BE TURNED OFF when using ETHERNET according to your system. Yay!

I have 2 little questions for you though: how safe is this method? I'm very paranoid of experiencing glitchy mic audio or other problems when performing. Would ethernet potentially affect live audio quality (live vocals and guitar?)

Next question: does this sync just the midi clocks or is there a way to actually sync the midi of both machines AND route the audio so that BOTH COMPUTERS' audio is being sent out of ONE audio interface on just ONE of the computers?

Thanks again rounik. You may have saved my life on this one!

Let me know how you get on.

Ethernet is much more reliable than Wi-Fi (wireless) at this time. Ethernet cables have a steady wide bandwidth) so you should NOT have glitchy stuff going on.

AFAIR it's just MIDI Clock. You can't send the audio from two machines out of the same audio interface (by connecting the same audio interface to both Macs!)

You can send the audio from each Mac to a Mixer though.

:)

Rounik

I figured running audio wasn't possible.

You are a genius Rounik! I feel much better about using Ethernet. Wi-fi just scares me!!

Of course, I'll test out the Ethernet stuff before I go on stage but it's comforting to know that Ethernet is more reliable.

Thanks!

how's the ethernet setup treating you? I'm in a similar situation with two macbooks, and i'm wanting to run Logic 9 or Mainstage 2.1.3 on the 1st laptop, and I purchased the Mainstage 2.2 for my 2nd laptop, which i'd like to use as the slave to record in Logic. I do not have Logic on my 2nd computer, only Mainstage (2.2 New App), Ableton, and Machfive 3. Any additional feedback would be appreciated regarding the flow of your setup(s) using ethernet to sync 2 macs. thanks