[tuf]

Based on what you've told me so far, I'm not sure I understand the need for the UM-880 in the equation... unless you have lots more MIDI devices and/or you are connecting to a computer via the UM-880.

Both. I use the Virus as my main controller, and have a bunch of other devices. In this case, I need the Virus send midi to itself and the Nord through the UM-880. I realize I could do this with the soft-thru function of the Virus, but that isolates the Nord and I don't want to do that.

Also, regarding the Nord---audio--->Virus, why specifically? I see two possible reasons, (1) to use the Virus as an audio interface, and this is routing your audio into the computer, or (2) to use the virus effects/atomizer/etc on the Nord audio? If the answer is #2, have you considered running the Nord into a separate channel in the mixer, and using an aux send loop to run it to the Virus as needed? So when you're playing the Nord, the Virus is on an effects patch, and there isn't an issue with "turning the volume down on the Virus"?

Actually neither, although it is convenient to be able to use the effects-less Nord through the Virus inputs. The real reason is that the Virus and Nord sit almost in the middle of my studio on a stand, and the less wires the better running out to that area. The Nord sits on top of the Virus, and the audio and MIDI cables are all very short and tidy plugging directly into the Virus. I basically use the Virus ins as a way to share an input, hence the need to run them both on different midi channels due to the common volume control. But, your next suggestion did the trick:

To control the Nord WITHOUT sound OR effects on the Virus, why not create a "silent patch" on the Virus, no sound, no effects, total dry audio throughput, and use this patch when you want to use the Virus KB to control the Nord? Actually, I don't think you need to create it, there is an existing "INPUT" patch that will do this for you. This way, you don't need to change volume on the Virus, and you will get your Nord audio throughput just fine.

Brilliant! Exactly what I needed, and I didnt even think of it. This allows me to hear only the Virus when I want to (by turning down the Nord) or only the Nord by selecting the INPUT patch. Nice and easy!

Question: Do you need to have the Virus and Nord on different MIDI channels? I can see a need for this if you wanted to control them independently from a sequencer or hardware on the other end of the UM-880.

I do, for sequencing. With the solution you provided above I don't, but in general I do.

However, if two different channels are necessary, then perhaps you can use a Multi patch to accomplish a similar result, where one part in the Multi is the INPUT patch on channel 1, and a second part is a silent patch on channel 2 (sending MIDI to the Nord). Or maybe part 1 is Input L (ch1), and part 2 is Input R (ch2) and you don't need to create a "silent" patch.

Interesting idea. I prefer to navigate the Virus quickly using patch mode, and I tend to only use it in that mode. I use it more for live work and jamming than sequencing. I do like this idea though, and will investigate.

Lastly, have you considered using the UM-880 slightly differently? Connect both the Virus and the Nord to the UM-880, rather than to each other.

I'd love to, but I'm out of ports and its very far away

I tried to be as clear as possible, but if something doesn't make sense, let me know, as well as more details on the audio and/or UM-880 setup as applicable. Sometimes I make things more complex than they need to be. And sometimes I'm just plain wrong.

Incredible reply, and the information is very much appreciated. You completely resolved my dilemma with one of your suggestions.

Thanks!