How to connect deluge to korg kaoss pad NTS3 via midi over USB?

lepton_man · January 8

Hi all, hope someone can help me connect a Korg Kaoss Pad NTS3 to my Deluge via midi over USB.

For those not familiar with it, the NTS3 is an audio effects unit. It has an XY touch pad that controls the effects it applies to incoming audio. There is also a Z touch strip that controls the effects depth. Website here: https://www.korg.com/nz/products/dj/nts_3/

I'm aiming to send cc messages from the Deluge to automate and control the NTS3's effects and depth. I want to start by getting the Deluge to send signals for cc 12, 13 and 14, which correspond to the X, Y and Z parameters on the NTS3.

Everything I've read and watched suggests that this should be easy and straight-forward but for some reason I can't get the Deluge's cc messages to control the NTS3 nor vice versa. I have tried to isolate the problem but still no joy.

My set up is basic. My Deluge is powered from mains using the correct type of power supply. I'm running Chopin Community Firmware (which is amazing). I have a USB cable going from the Deluge into the NTS3, which are both operating on midi channel 1. The USB cable provides power to the NTS3, which has no other power or midi connection. I have tried powering the NTS3 on before the Deluge and also the other way around but it makes no difference. (Probably doesn't matter but for completeness I mention that I have the Deluge's DIN midi in and out connected to an old Ensoniq keyboard).

To test the NTS3, I detached it from my Deluge and connected it to a computer running an online midi-tester (https://hardwaretester.com/midi). This confirmed that touching the XY pad and Z strip on the NTS3 cause it to send signals for cc 12, 13 and 14. I also tried controlling the NTS3 by sending cc signals from Ableton. This works fine, so I know that the NTS3 can receive and respond to these same cc signals, and that I have its midi settings dialed in correctly.

I have also tried connecting my Deluge's USB output to the same computer midi-tester. I can confirm that the Deluge is indeed sending signals for cc 12, 13 and 14 when I map the gold knob controls to these parameters in a midi channel.

I am sure that the audio is working correctly on both units. I have the audio output from the Deluge going into the audio input of the NTS3. The audio output from the NTS3 goes into one channel of my mixer. Another mixer channel has the dry output from the Deluge, so I can listen to both and tweak the wet/dry mix and confirm they are both working as intended.

I have not yet tried running a powered USB hub with a cable running to the NTS3 and another cable running to the Deluge, simply because I don't own such a hub and would rather not buy one if it's not the issue. One thing I did notice is that when the NTS3 is connected straight to the Deluge via USB, then going into the Deluge's Settings > Midi > Devices only shows that the DIN ports are available, whereas when I have the Deluge and NTS3 both connected to my computer, the Deluge recognises 'Upstream USB port' as an additional Device. Not sure why or whether this is relevant.

Would really appreciate any advice about what I might be overlooking??