In a DAWless setup one device acts as MIDI clock master to synchronise start, stop, and tempo across all machines

For a DAWless rig to play in time, all sequencers and drum machines must share a clock. The standard approach designates one machine as the MIDI clock master — it transmits tempo and transport (start/stop) — while the others are set as slaves that receive and follow it. The master is normally the machine with the most sequencing capability. MIDI clock travels alongside note data on the same cable. Once configured, the master’s transport controls start and stop every connected machine and keep tempos matched. Slaved machines can still run their own sequences, but they take their clock from the master. Without a single clear master, machines drift out of time; conversely, two devices both sending clock will fight.

Examples

An Akai MPC set to send MIDI clock to an Arturia Drumbrute set to receive it: the Drumbrute runs its own sequence but starts, stops, and matches tempo with the MPC’s transport.

Assessment

What does a MIDI clock master transmit, and what happens if no single master is designated? Why is the most-capable sequencer usually chosen as master?