- Is it straightforward to have the two keyboards synchronised to the same clock, given either by Logic Pro X or by one of the 2 Montages (to be able to play synced arpeggios and motion sequences on both keyboards) ?

Yes.

- Is it easy to have both keyboards MIDI OUT being recorded by Logic Pro X, and playback Logic MIDI sequences to their MIDI IN while having that clock synchro to maintain for both keyboards ? For Montage 6 and Nord, i currently use a midi Patch, with no problem, but if i want to have Montage 8 Clock also able to sync to Montage 6, and the fact that we have to choose between USB or MIDI input, it may be more difficult ?

It is easy to have both send MIDI Out to Logic and you will be able to address each individually. Not sure what you’re talking about having to choose between USB or MIDI? What do you mean?

Many folks who don’t know any better, think it is an either/or proposition. It is not, when the MIDI I/O is set to USB, the 5-pin MIDI jacks work as a MIDI interface for an external device. The MONTAGE has three (3) USB Ports.

A Port is the equivalent of a MIDI IN + MIDI OUT.
PORT 1 — addresses the internal MONTAGE synth
PORT 2 —allows you to use the MONTAGE front panel as a Remote Control Surface for Logic Pro
PORT 3 — addresses the 5-pin MIDI jacks allowing the connected device to communicate to the DAW (signal passes thru the MONTAGE giving the external device a way to send and receive MIDI from the DAW

- Finally, is there a way to change the performances of the 2 Live sets and/or scenes simultaneously (maybe a pedal switch with two jacks ? or by CC or else given by the Montage 8 to the Montage 6 when i change performance in the 8's Live Set) ?

Changing Performances is accomplished with Bank Select and Program Change messages, these can be sent by your DAW (Logic) or by one of the MONTAGE’s to the other using the Zone Master function. Scenes can be changed by CC messages

Thank you Bad Mister for the always fast reply !

It is easy to have both send MIDI Out to Logic and you will be able to address each individually. Not sure what you’re talking about having to choose between USB or MIDI? What do you mean?

I was thinking about the following routing :

Montage 8 Logic Pro X via USB to device (for remote control of Logic, and all clock and MIDI events exchanges)
Montage 8 MIDI OUT ---> Montage 6 MIDI IN (for sending Montage 8 Clock Out to Montage 6)
Thus for me : Montage 6 Logic Pro X had to be via USB to Device (Logic Clock received by Montage 6, and all MIDI events exchanges) and it seemed complicated to have 2 USB midi to Device connected to my Mac Mini...

But, if i can have
Montage 8 Logic Pro X via USB to device (for remote control of Logic, and all clock and MIDI events exchanges)
Montage 6 Logic Pro X via MIDI 5-Pin (for all clock and MIDI events exchanges)
And, with this configuration, Montage 6 can receive Montage 8's Clock and Bank Select and Program Change messages, everything is fine !

And in an eventual Live situation, or if i don't want to open my Mac Mini, i can unplug Montage 6's MIDI In and plug from Montage 8's MIDI OUT, to have it receive the clock.

Thank you again.

Alex

Just FYI, in most setups that include a DAW, the computer is typically made the master clock... this way all connected devices can follow this one conductor. If you have two Clocks active on a MIDI system, you can run the risk of tempo doubling. Besides, because your DAW software deals with both MIDI and Audio, using it as the clock source puts less strain on your CPU. In other works, it is easier to adjust MIDI to the audio’s tempo, than the other way ‘round.

MIDI adjusts to tempo easily; Audio however, requires a significant amount of CPU muscle to adjust tempo (after the fact) this is the main reason you would make Logic Pro the clock master, and slave all devices to it. Connect the second MONTAGE to the first via 5-pin MIDI... As I explained - the computer can address it directly via PORT 3 of the first MONTAGE. PORT 3, remember, passes THRU the first MONTAGE.

And in an eventual Live situation, or if i don't want to open my Mac Mini, i can unplug Montage 6's MIDI In and plug from Montage 8's MIDI OUT, to have it receive the clock

Not a compelling reason to do this... but we are certain you will try it anyway. Please let us know how it works. Configuring a system for computer and for “live” should become second nature to you — and don’t really require any shortcuts.

If you setup using the MONTAGE that is connected to the computer via USB, as a MIDI Interface for the second MONTAGE, then when you turn off or leave your Mac at home, all you need do is set the first MONTAGE so MIDI I/O = MIDI ... boom!

Wow, this looks like a very elegant solution !

If you setup using the MONTAGE that is connected to the computer via USB, as a MIDI Interface for the second MONTAGE, then when you turn off or leave your Mac at home, all you need do is set the first MONTAGE so MIDI I/O = MIDI ... boom!

Understood !
In Logic Pro -> Montage Port 1 : Montage 8 via USB to host
Montage Port 3 : Montage 6 (connected to Montage 8 via 5-pin MIDI)
Montage Port 2 for Remote Control
Clock by Logic

Without Logic : MIDI I/0 = MIDI (via the MIDI Jack already patched) clock by Montage 8

Thank you so much Bad Mister, i truly appreciate your level of support and attention to our questions 🙂

Have a nice day,
Alex