Mapping program changes to multiple hardware synths

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Level 1

8 points

Mapping program changes to multiple hardware synths

So, I have this project of assembling an old school-style keyboard rig with multiple rack-synths like Roland D-550, Korg M1R, MKS-20, DX7II.. etc. controlled by one master keyboard Yamaha MOX8 and doing the MIDI-mapping with Mainstage. I'm using Roland UM-ONE usb/midi cable from MOX8 midi out to MacBook and from there midi-in to first unit, in this case DX7II daisy chaining all the other units from there. I've so far accomplished to make them all respond to different midi-channels, getting velocities modified correctly and making the split/layer thing going from layer editor very smoothly.

Problem I'm having is to make convenient patches for live use and send different program changes on different midi-channels to different units at the same time and make it all happen by one button from the MOX8.

For example:

Patch 1: MKS-20+DX7

I want this to correspond to voice-select button A1 from the MOX8 which seems to send program change #0 in midi channel 1 according to midi-message monitor.

MKS-20 on channel 4, I wan't to send PC#3 here.
DX7II on channel 2, PC#4 here.

I can mute the unwanted keyboards per patch with the layer editor but I can't seem to find a way to make this multiple program changes at once-thing happening.

I hope this explanation wasn't too unclear, or too complicated to achieve in Mainstage. 🙂

-Timo

MacBook Pro, iOS 11.2.5, null

Posted on Jan 30, 2018 10:43 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

lifenoise

Level 4

1,019 points

Jan 31, 2018 11:42 AM in response to timo34

Start by creating a new empty patch. Create an external channel strip. Choose your options(MIDI input, output, channel, etc.) in the channel strip window. I would create a separate channel strip for each external rack synth and assign the appropriate MIDI channels. Then in the external instrument channel strip inspector, select the MIDI output tab and check the program change box and enter the PC number. You can also send bank change and other MIDI messages. You could create different patches with different layers of external synths. By default, when you create a new patch, a program change is created in the patch setting attributes. It responds to patch selections from the MOX8.

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Answer 2

timo34 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 31, 2018 12:50 PM in response to lifenoise

Awesome, thanks for the fast reply! I managed to make all the devices respond to the correct PC-messages when assigning the PC-values from the channel strip inspector. However swapping between different patches with the arrow keys, patches from the devices don't change, all of the midi-in leds flash so some sort of midi-information is going through anyway. Patches on the patch list in Mainstage respond to correct keys on the MOX8 but in performance mode pressing A1 from the MOX8 all the devices go to their first patch, A2 to second patch and so on, even though I've assigned them to do otherwise. Patch list responds correctly here too, but the PC-messages from MOX8 is somehow overriding the ones from Mainstage or something.

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