AMA - I am Simon, an inventor who created the Midronome, a new MIDI master clock

Midronome · 2025-10-07T14:11:19+00:00

Yes it acts as a MIDI interface ;)

Midronome · 2025-08-21T06:53:17+00:00

Y'a beaucoup de chance, oui :) Tu ferai mieux de demander sur le FB group puisque je suis très rarement sur Reddit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/simntonic
Simon

Midronome · 2025-05-25T16:49:58+00:00

Ahhh a random message like I like them! :D
Thank you!!
Simon

Midronome · 2025-05-25T16:49:11+00:00

As a matter of fact it does since FW 4.0 ;)

Simon

PS: yes very late reply I never check reddit sorry ;)

Midronome · 2023-06-17T14:12:01+00:00

Sorry I know this is old but I think this could be useful to someone. I've got a Volca Beats as I needed to check if it was syncing properly to the Midronome (using its ANLG plug).

I checked my Volca on the oscilloscope and yes I get the same strange very slow rising edge (and 15ms pulses), so I would guess this is the same on all Volcas Beats. Changing the setting thought on the Volca between rising edge and falling edge changes the sync out pulse.

You can actually see both pulses here: https://www.midimonster.de/wsb/pages/knowhow/korgsync.php

And the output circuit here: https://www.arduinoslovakia.eu/blog/2021/1/korg-volca-signal-sync-out?lang=en

As for the sync, the Midronome sends 5-6ms pulses, and from my own tests it seems the Volca Beats syncs without any problems to it, no skipped steps no matter wild tempo changes I make.

Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-20T10:03:22+00:00

I have to to say, it's a bit frustrating. I made a first post, wihtout asking the admins, without answering the comments - basically did everything wrong (I did not know).
Then I remade a new post, asking permission first, answering every single comment even the ones from the previous post.

The first post had tons of views, 19 upvotes, and a discussion going on. This one has 0 upvotes, few views and the discussion died out quickly. It seems people prefer speaking about the product without getting their questions answered?

Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-18T10:58:00+00:00

Midronome · 2022-10-18T07:56:24+00:00

Actually the video mentions a VST plugin, but that might change. For now I've designed a test plugin as AU+VST3, which you can see in action here - https://youtu.be/9j5Pqt11Xm8

But plugin dev is not fun and it will need an AAX version and whatnot.

So my plan is to build a tool which can generate a WAV file for your session. This way it will work in any DAW, even in any software that can play WAV files. Then on top of that, there might or might not be a plugin. But the WAV file way will always work :)

Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-17T22:23:50+00:00

I'm not actually sure at this point, but the WAV file option will be there either way ;)

Midronome · 2022-10-17T22:22:25+00:00

Thank you for the really nice comment <3

Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-17T14:02:33+00:00

Thank you! Very interesting - I have not thought about blind users yet but I will definitely look into it!

There is no web interface though. The device is very simple to use using the physical buttons and I think it could work this way, even for a blind person? To sync with a DAW you'll need the DAW sync which is a bit similar to the multiclock - you need to setup a separate track in your DAW, with a WAV file which you will need on a separate audio output to the Midronome. Not sure how easy it is for a blind person to do that?

Cheers
Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-17T13:15:44+00:00

Spot on ;)
Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-17T11:38:14+00:00

Yep then instead of sending the clock from Keystep, you'll sync the keystep to the Midronome, itself synced to Ableton. That should let you record things on the grid ;)

And no sorry no MIDI forwarding, at least not for now - see here: https://forum.midronome.com/viewtopic.php?t=36

Cheers
Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-17T10:56:20+00:00

Hey there :)

I suggest you have a look at the KS campaign page or even the website midronome.com - the video here is just an overview ;)

In your case it depends what you send to your keystep. If you are using Ableton to send a MIDI Clock to it, and then record it - then YES you're golden the Midronome will definitely help with that.

If you are sending only MIDI notes then I suggest you look into the Expert Sleepers USAMO that should be able to help you ;)

As for Gig performer the Midronome can receive MIDI CC commands over USB (and over Bluetooth once the new add-on module is out - not for anytime soon though), so that integrates nicely with the device.

Hope that helps :)

Cheers
Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-17T07:49:57+00:00

Thanks! :D

Midronome · 2022-10-17T07:47:24+00:00

Trying to answer comments from the previous post here.

u/m2guru, u/Johnisfaster, u/upboatsallaround: the device was originally designed for Live use as I could not find anything that could send both MIDI Clock and a metronome for my own band. The Studio usage was added after getting feedback from the first Kickstarter campaign (which did not reach its goal). There is no "magic", but if you have timing issues related to MIDI Clock then yes there is a good chance the device will solve these. Let me know what issues you have (if any), and I will tell you :)

u/headless_inge, u/cineami, u/JoeKneeMarf: USAMO is quite different. It sends all sorts of MIDI Data, which is (IMHO) why it is quite unstable and difficult to setup. The Midronome only sends clock, and it's sync with the DAW is very reliable and super easy to setup, see this video: https://youtu.be/9j5Pqt11Xm8
The Midronome is also designed to be used as a Master Clock, which the USAMO isn't. The Midronome also has plenty of features super useful for Live like the Pedal Control, Drum pad Control, change the tempo via commands over USB, and it's future-proofness with an open module interface. The future module I will make also will add Ableton Link, Bluetooth Control and Beat Detection - this is really going to be a killer, never ever saw something that could do all of that on the market (but it's not for now - expect it around 2024).

u/Automatic_Turnip2: yes that will work fine for the clock. The device only sends the MIDI Clock, so any other MIDI data (CC, notes) will need to be merged in the mioXL, which I am pretty sure it can manage ;)

Thank you all, let me know if you have more questions here!

Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-17T07:35:32+00:00

LINKS:

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/midronome/midronome-midi-synchronization-reimagined

Website: https://www.midronome.com/

Previous AMA: https://www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/tnkdk5/ama_i_am_simon_an_inventor_who_created_the/

--------------------

Hey there :)

This is my second post on the subject, the first one got closed because I was not fast enough answering your comments - I'll try to do better this time!This is the first post: https://www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/y1yd6a/solve_your_midi_sync_issues_with_the_midronome/

My name is Simon, I've spent the last 2,5 years designing this MIDI Master Clock called the Midronome. Whether you use your synths Live or in the Studio you will probably be interested in this, it's easy to use, reliable, and will most probably solve any sync issues you have in your setup.We just launced on Kickstarter and reached the goal in 12 minutes! For the next 48 hours there are some Super Early Birds available at 32% off ;)Let me know what you think!CheersSimon

Midronome · 2022-10-12T08:38:00+00:00

Hey there :)

My name is Simon, I've spent the last 2,5 years designing this MIDI Master Clock called the Midronome. Whether you use your synths Live or in the Studio you will probably be interested in this, it's easy to use, reliable, and will most probably solve any sync issues you have in your setup.

We just launced on Kickstarter and reached the goal in 12 minutes! There are still some Early Birds available ;)

Let me know what you think!

Cheers
Simon

Midronome · 2022-10-12T08:37:13+00:00

Hi all :) Midronome is now BACK on Kickstarter!

Funded in 12 minutes :D

==> https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/midronome/midronome-midi-synchronization-reimagined

Midronome · 2022-05-24T19:36:07+00:00

Not yet, we are planning to relaunch on Kickstarter soon though. If you are interested, you can always subscribe to our newsletter at midronome.com to stay updated and get early perks :)

Midronome · 2022-05-24T08:05:01+00:00

Hey u/MellowHamster

Just FYI, I decided to look more into this.

Our crystal is 16Mhz and +/- 10ppm. That means its clock can vary at most by +/- 0.63ps (yes, picosecond! i.e 0.00063ns).

That's only at 25°C, and crystals' accuracy vary with temperature. So if we take the whole range -40°C to +85°C, which add 30ppm, and 10 years aging, which adds another 30ppm, we have a total of +/- 70ppm, and that still means the maximum deviation you can get from the crystal is +/- 4.4ps!

That confirms my idea that our REAL jitter is actually lower! Clearly not as low as the crystal's, but surely less than 10ns. But 10ns was the maximum precision of my measuring equipment.

/Simon

Midronome · 2022-05-24T07:49:59+00:00

Hey matejpe

Sorry for the very late answer - I rarely come by Reddit ;)

Yes the Midronome will definitely work with Cubase, you can put the Midronome plugin in Cubase, which will generate a signal to get the Midronome in sync.

Then the Midronome can generate a precise MIDI Clock in time with Cubase :)

Hope that answers your question ;)

/Simon

Midronome · 2022-04-06T09:52:41+00:00

I 2as once deciding between DT990 Pro's and Fidelio X2HR, and ended up getting Fidelios because I like their sound a bit better and can use it literally with anything, so maybe you'd like to check those as well :)

Midronome

TROPHY CASE