Probably you’ve heard about routing and filtering function availability of all MIDILLI devices. Yes, yours too! You can use its all available interfaces to selectively merge, route, and filter the MIDI messages. In this post, we will deep dive in this.
This post is part of a quick, yet comprehensive guide (QCG) series by MIDILLI.
What is MIDI Routing and Why Should You Care?
In simple terms:
- Routing lets you decide where each MIDI message goes.
- Filtering lets you decide which messages are allowed to pass.
- Merging lets you combine messages from multiple sources into a single stream.
With MIDILLI, you get a fully configurable routing matrix that works in real-time — no DAW, no external processor, no software dependency.
What Can You Filter?
With MIDILLI’s routing matrix, you can send MIDI from any input (USB, TRS, Bluetooth, etc.) to any output, and filter by message type, including:
- 🎵 Note On / Off
- 🎚️ Control Change (CC)
- 💡 Program Change (PC)
- 🌊 Pitch Bend, Channel Pressure
- ⏱️ Clock, Start/Stop, Active Sensing
- 🧬 SysEx (System Exclusive)
✅ You can also filter by MIDI channel.
A Quick Overview: The Routing Matrix
Each MIDILLI device features a virtual matrix where:
- Rows represent inputs (USB, TRS, Bluetooth, etc.)
- Columns represent outputs
- You can create links between them, and define filter rules per link
Example configuration:
| Input | → | Output | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB | → | MIDI Out | CC + Note only |
| BT | → | USB | CC + Notes only from Channel 1 |
| TRS In | → | BT | Clock blocked |
Need to filter out certain channels? Block Aftertouch? You’re covered.
Full documentation: Configurator Manual – Routing Matrix
Here are some real world scenarios:
🎚️ Use Case 1: Clean Up Your DAW Input
Scenario: You’re using a MIDILLI FourFour BT to control synths in your DAW. But some devices send unwanted background messages like clock or active sensing.
Goal: Only pass performance messages — Notes, CCs, and Program Changes — to your DAW.
Setup:
- Input: Bluetooth
- Output: USB
- Filter:
- ✅ Allow: Note, CC, PC
- ❌ Block: Clock, Start, Active Sensing, SysEx
This keeps your DAW focused and avoids MIDI noise buildup.
🧳 Use Case 2: Merge Pedals for Stage Control
Scenario: You have two controllers: a footswitch over TRS and a knob controller over Bluetooth. You want both to control the same synth.
Goal: Merge their output but make sure only relevant message types reach your target synth.
Setup:
- Inputs: TRS + Bluetooth
- Output: MIDI Out
- Filter:
- ✅ Allow: Note, CC
- ❌ Block: Program Change, SysEx, Clock
Now both inputs behave like a single, clean source.
🎛️ Use Case 3: Route Program Changes Only
Scenario: You use a separate controller to send Program Change messages to switch patches during performance.
Goal: Send Program Change messages to a hardware synth without sending any other data.
Setup:
- Input: USB
- Output: MIDI Out
- Filter:
- ✅ Allow: Program Change
- ❌ Block: Note, CC, Clock, SysEx, etc.
This ensures your patch changes are precise and safe from accidental input.
🧬 Use Case 4: Protect Devices from SysEx Dumps
Scenario: A plugin in your DAW sends SysEx dumps that freeze your hardware synth.
Goal: Block all SysEx messages before they reach the synth.
Setup:
- Input: USB
- Output: MIDI Out
- Filter:
- ✅ Allow: Note, CC, PC
- ❌ Block: SysEx
A simple filter avoids serious stage problems.
Advanced Features You Should Try
- ✅ Per-link filtering: Apply filters not globally, but per connection
- ✅ Message type filters: Note, CC, PC, SysEx, Aftertouch, Clock, more
- ✅ Merge across ports: Combine multiple input ports and send as one
- ✅ Bidirectional routing: Send and receive on any port freely
- ✅ Cross-MIDILLI routing: Enable mLink and enjoy seamless routing within your MIDILLI devices
Why It Matters
Many MIDI devices are rigid. What goes in, goes out — no questions asked.
MIDILLI flips that: You decide what goes where, how, and when.
That makes your setup cleaner, smarter, and more reliable — whether you’re on stage or in the studio.
Resources
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