The historical standard configuration is to have only one audio interface at a time. If you're transferring audio from MODX over the USB cable - then MODX is your audio interface. Not all is lost, however, for Mac OS (as opposed to Windows). Apple's Mac OS supports aggregate devices (combining multiple audio interfaces). https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202000.

I don't have an Apple computer (using Mac OS) setup - so I can't run you through this. But more OS-side setup may be necessary in order to realize what you want.

Optionally, you could use the Apogee as your only audio interface and run the analog outputs of MODX into the Apogee's inputs (using the breakout cable). This reduces the amount of flexibility in isolating PARTs between USB channels - and also reduces flexibility in automatically stripping the master/system effects as the USB outputs (from MODX) do vs. the Main L&R analog output. But this may also work for you.

I have read everything I can find online about MODX and MONTAGE CONNECT. Some seem to be missing important pieces of information. As I understand it, the MODX sends MIDI data to Logic, then routes it back to the MODX for tone generation, but how it gets back to logic, and out to my audio interface is unclear to me. And I don't want to use the MODX for my audio interface, i want to use the Apogee. If anyone recognizes where to go from here, I'd love to read your thoughts.

You have the signal flow correct in that the MODX will send MIDI data to Logic. You can opt to record the MIDI data to Logic — you would do so in a scenario where you wish to manipulate or edit the data in some fashion.

Recording MIDI allows you a degree of changing your mind about instrumentation, it allows you a way to correct your performance as you build up multiple tracks. In a MIDI Record workflow you would setup to record to Logic MIDI Tracks. The output of those MIDI Tracks will trigger the Tone Generator of the MODX which will output audio, you would connect the Main L&R Output of the MODX to a stereo input on your Audio Interface.

Your Audio Interface will connect to your Monitor Speakers.

In Logic you would need to set the Apogee as your Audio Interface. Wherever Apogee audio arrives into Logic that is where you would hear your MODX audio. When recording MIDI data you would work with Local Control = Off in the MODX. The MIDI Track in Logic would be responsible for receiving the MIDI from the MODX on a specific Channel and echoing the MIDI Out on that same channel to the MODX.

Unless this routing circuit is complete there will be no sound. Follow the instructions of your audio interface for monitoring options. The Analog audio Outs of the MODX are connected to the Inputs of the Apogee, so getting that to your speakers will be an Apogee Setting.

We should mention that, another workflow would be to use Logic like a Multi-Track Audio Recorder. Where you simply record Audio Tracks to build up your composition. If you do a lot of MIDI Editing this may not appeal to you... but it is viable workflow.

Jason, thanks for the information about MAC OS's ability to use multiple audio interfaces. I will fully investigate that this evening.

Bad Mister, I will try the cabling/setting design that you outlined above and see where it gets me. You also said:

We should mention that, another workflow would be to use Logic like a Multi-Track Audio Recorder. Where you simply record Audio Tracks to build up your composition. If you do a lot of MIDI Editing this may not appeal to you... but it is viable workflow.

You're correct in that I really enjoy the editing power associated with MIDI. However, at one point over the last few days I tried to simply connect the MODX8 in "Standalone Mode" to the Apogee to attempt a basic Audio track recording. This technically worked, but I got a lot of buzzing in my monitors which fully translated to the audio track in Logic, wrecking the recording. In fact, I could actually hear the superknob pulsing, as though my monitors were picking up the sound of the MODX8's internal electricity, even with the monitors at low levels (not sure if this makes sense). I'm not sure if there's a setting in the MODX or Duet that I would need to change to avoid this. My concern is that I will get this same distortion when I connect the analog outs to my audio interface when I attempt to recreate the design you described above, but I will know for sure tonight. Really appreciate the feedback so far.

You're correct in that I really enjoy the editing power associated with MIDI. However, at one point over the last few days I tried to simply connect the MODX8 in "Standalone Mode" to the Apogee to attempt a basic Audio track recording. This technically worked, but I got a lot of buzzing in my monitors which fully translated to the audio track in Logic, wrecking the recording. In fact, I could actually hear the superknob pulsing, as though my monitors were picking up the sound of the MODX8's internal electricity, even with the monitors at low levels (not sure if this makes sense). I'm not sure if there's a setting in the MODX or Duet that I would need to change to avoid this. My concern is that I will get this same distortion when I connect the analog outs to my audio interface when I attempt to recreate the design you described above, but I will know for sure tonight. Really appreciate the feedback so far.

Well, I can tell you that is not right at all. Buzzing is not a part of anything in this system. It sounds like you have a major ground issue. Can you describe the buzz?

The system buzzing registers on the recorded track, is that right? you can see the Waveform of the buzzing? So when playing back, it stops when stop playback, is that right? Or is it buzzing even when stopped? Is it a low pitched or high pitched buzz? Does it go away when you disconnect the Apogee from the computer? Does it disappear when you disconnect the MODX from the Apogee?

I had the same problem as you, i use Logic too.
When you record only audio, and want to use the Apogee interface, you don't need the USB cable from the MODX to be plugged in. If you want to use the MODX as the audio interface, connect the USB cable, then connect the MAIN OUT's directly to the speakers or use headphones plugged into the MODX.
As for MIDI, it isn't mandatory to use MODX CONNECT(although it is easier to recall performances), but to not have the buzz, you have to use the MODX as the audio interface and, as i wrote above for audio, to connect your main out of the MODX directly to your speakers or use headphones connected to the MODX.
Here is a tutorial for Cubase (very similar to Logic) -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPPJeU9Ayy4
Logic with MONTAGE CONNECT (same as MODX) -
https://www.yamahasynth.com/montage-category/connecting-montage-and-logic-pro-x
And an article which explains MIDI with the MODX -
https://www.yamahasynth.com/modx-category/mastering-modx-modx-midi-settings-explained
Let us know if you solved the issue.
Cheers

I too am willing to pay for a private Facetime / Zoom screenshare session.  I am using Logic Pro 11. 

I am trying to get various MODX sounds into different respective tracks so that I can use one sound in the Intro, another sound for the 1st verse, etc....   I have the midi track sketched out.  However, I am confused as to the correct workflow ... 

- Should the original Midi Track be saved as an Audio track?

- Do i use Auto Sampler for each of my MODX sounds that I want to use, and add them to an Audio track?

- Do I create Event Changes in the original Midi Track that correspond to the sound from the MODX that I want to use?  If so, how do I do that?

- Should each of the MODX sounds be on a different channel or bus?  This too is all Greek to me.

I have done a lot of research but just can't grasp the workflow here, and just need to professional help.  Thank you.

Please create a new thread and post ALL of the info needed to help you:

1. computer OS and version being used

2. Steinberg driver version being used

3. Modx OS version

4. info about how each component is cabled together (e.g. MIDI cables, USB, etc)

Then describe just what it is you are wanting to do.

Q1 - Are you wanting to play the Modx and record using Logic Pro?

Q2 - Do you already have an audio/midi file that you plan to play along with?

Q3 - Are you wanting to create an audio file? or a MIDI file?

Q4 - Are you wanting to use the Modx as a control surface for Logic Pro?

----------

@RRR

I think we both (meaning myself and RRR) don't know what exactly you're trying to do.  You may have an end result in mind and that would be interesting to see articulated.  That said, part of your homework would be to study the tools you are using to gain some understanding of what does what.  Reaching out here is helpful - you'll get (hopefully) varied helpful responses.  But some of this will be self paced learning on your own to get a grip on some of these things.

I didn't know what this auto sampler stuff was so I looked it up.  It tells me you can boil down an external hardware instrument into a more static version of the original.  Maybe this is something you want to do.  I don't know.  I wouldn't do it.  It takes away modulation that you could be using on the MODX since the sampled version is just a snapshot.  And, for me, would be more work than just leaning on the hardware without having it sampled and turned into a "bad" (some may want this so ... Maybe not bad) copy of itself.

You say something about saving a MIDI track to audio.  Somewhere I hear Badmister, a former regular and product specialist at Yamaha, reminding you that MIDI isn't itself audio.  And no matter if this was known to you already or not he would give a friendly reminder that MIDI can't be saved as audio because MIDI itself has no intrinsic sound.  It's a series of messages that are fed into a MIDI device that produces sound or changes to a different patch or flashes lights or ... But I think everyone means rendering MIDI through their synth and save the resulting audio to an audio track.  So this is usually understood on the onset but we get the reminder along the way.

Should you do this?  Render MIDI to audio?  I don't know.  If you're finished selecting your sounds and finished modifying the sounds to fit what you want to hear and have the MIDI set the way you want it and have the relative levels of everything you render on a single track balanced like you want it.  Then yes.  If not, and want to edit any of that later then keep it MIDI until you're ready to master. If you want to render to audio scratch tracks for reference then ok.  Like a drum beat or any part you want to hear along side the others you are crafting and don't want to necessarily "eat" Parts for playing those tracks on the MODX itself.   The juggling act problem/solution.

There's so many ways to skin this cat.  Go watch a YouTube video would be a cop out answer from me but there is some utility assuming you find the right ones.  Being green doesn't help you find the good ones, I understand.

Thank you Jason & Toby.  I will create a new post as Toby suggests.  Regarding each of your questions, ...

Toby:

1. computer OS and version being used:  Macbook Pro 1.4 Ghz, QuadCore Intel Core i5, 8GM, Sonoma 14.7.2 

2. Keyboard:  MODX8+

3. MODX8+ Firmware version: 1.01.0

4. Logic Pro Version:  11.1.2

5. Connections To/from MODX8+:

 - MODX8+ to MAC:  USB cables

 - Output from MODX to Monitors: Midi cables (R/L)

Jason:

In answer to Jason's request to verbalize this a bit better ...

I have a recorded a song from my MODX into a MIDI track in Logic.  It is a rough version that will more than likely need to be tweaked later for mix and even adjusting midi information since it is a work in progress. 

I want to use other MODX sounds and paste these sounds into different respective parts of the midi track, so that I can use one sound in the Intro, another sound for the 1st verse, etc....  So this is where I am confused as to the correct workflow to do in order to accomplish this task.  

From trial and error, and from what I have gathered so far, it seems that I need to assign each different MODX sound into its own respective Logic track, and have the Logic track be assigned to a different channel that corresponds to the channel that the sound is assigned to in the MODX.  The reason I think this is the case is because when I playback any of the tracks in Logic, with allegedly different sounds from the MODX, depending on what sound my MODX is currently assigned to, all the tracks play the current sound that MODX has currently assigned, and not different sounds as was my intent.

I am not sure if I should record the new sound from the MODX into Logic as a Midi Track or an Audio track.  And am also not sure if it is easier to use Event Changes, which I don't know how to do at this time.  I hope this sheds more light on my dilemma.  Thank you all.

Have you tried following the steps in this playlist to get your MODX and Duet merged as an aggregate audio device?

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ-i_cDvzKZlxlk9Ygg230lMr2L3sKDrw