How do these MIDI input nodes work? Is there a setup menu I'm not seeing somewhere?

There is no hidden setup menu. Just use a MidiNote (Devices), MidiController (Devices), MidiBend (Devices) or MidiProgram (Devices) node for getting MIDI data into vvvv. The midi port is selected with the MIDI Input Port pin (the one on the right). this will select the MIDI device (the actual plug - either physical five-pin or virtual). (afaik vvvv currently doesnt support hot-plugging new devices while the program is running. restart vvvv when you install a new port)
Make sure the node is enabled (set the pin to 1).

Note that vvvv counts midi channels from 0-15. This might be against the actual midi implementations of many devices, but is identically to the actual data transmitted on the wire. Accordingly midi notes get counted from 0 to 127 within vvvv. In general the middle C on your keyboard (C4) is number 60.

The output of the midi controller node is going from to 0 to 1 (the received value is divided by 127).

The channels and controller (or note) numbers you want to receive are selected by supplying spreads with numbers to the channel and controller pins.

For example:

You want to receive controller 15 on channel 1

enter 15 and 1 at the appropriate pins.

• > the output will have one slice with the value of the controller

You want to receive controller 7 on all 16 channels

enter 7 on the controller pin and use an I (Spreads) node to create a spread with 16 slices going from 0 to 15. connect the spread to the channel pin.

• > the output will have 16 slices with the values of all controllers

You want to receive controllers 0 to 31 on channel 9

enter 9 on the channel pin and use I (Spreads) to create a spread with 32 slices for the controller pin

• > the output will have 32 slices with the values of all controllers

You want to receive controllers 1 and 2 on channels 1 to 8

Same as above but use two I nodes and connect them via a Cross node to the midi note.

Midiox is a helpful little tool which allows you to check if the computer is actually receiving MIDI. Download athttp://www.midiox.com

How can I send MIDI information from vvvv?

This is a little involved right now. The MidiShortOut allows to build your own MIDI strings to send MIDI notes and MIDI controller data see the
MIDI specification for details.
Tonfilm did some Modules? for sending MIDI.

Sample patch to test receiving and sending MIDI

This very handy patch which displays the output of all notes
on all channels, and allows testing sending as well download

Can i read MIDI values from sequencers like Live, Logic, Cubase etc. running on the same system?

Yes, this is possible with a so called virtual MIDI driver or midi loopback device. See Links for a collection of downloads.
Note that vvvv checks the midi devices only at startup, so it needs to be restarted in order to use MIDI devices which were installed while vvvv is running.

I am planing to buy a midi controller and i need some help and sugggestions.

All MIDI controllers which can send MIDI controller data can be used with VVVV very easily.

The one that i find and that is not so expensive to me is evolution UC 16, you can see it onhttp://www.evolution.co.uk/products/evo_uc16.htm

Another cheap starter range off MIDI controllers are the Korg Nano Series. West? made a nice ready to go Korg Nano Kontrol MIDI mapper.

ampop? writes: I have lots of fun with UC-16's big brother the uc-33. 8 more knobs plus 9 sliders and 4 more buttons. u'll need the additional controllers!

Evolution U-Control UC-33e / Evolution U-Control UC-33 and Behringer B-Control BCF-2000 with motorfaders / BEHRINGER B-Control BCR-2000 with knobs.

Note that vvvv can also send midi-controller information, so most motor faders can be quite easily controlled via vvvv.

kiilo? writes: I build my own midi-controller seehttp://www.ucapps.de this is the most flexible solution you could have. up to 64 knobs + 128 switches LCD display fully assignable, configurable, expandable ...

you can even attach different sensors because its converting 0-5V to midi

Zepi attached a little patch for handling a Doepfer Pocket Dial midi-device. Make sure to use Preset 85 (DIP-configuration: 00101010) and do not enable more than ONE midi-device Node in vvvv.
tiki-download_file.php?fileId=463DoepferPocketDial (Devices).v4p (33.77 Kb)</a>