sustain, INC, DEC - MIDI Solutions F8

Question

Level 1

9 points

sustain, INC, DEC - MIDI Solutions F8

I have read dozens of articles and watched many videos about this issue but nothing has helped. I'm using a MIDI Solutions F8 for foot pedal assignments for my MainStage concerts. I am controlling two keyboards. The information is getting into the MS program - all the info shows up in the MIDI Monitor window. I have two issues: 1) the sustain pedal is not momentary; I press it and it stays down (the pedal lights up in MS) and will not release no matter how many times I press the pedal. However, when I'm in the layout tab the sustain pedals act as they should (!?!?!?!) 2) the PREVIOUS and NEXT foot switches in the program do not work - the info is getting into MS but I am unable to assign it to the onscreen pedals. I can see the patch numbers moving up and down, but the patches do not change. Any thoughts?

Posted on Mar 27, 2018 10:34 AM

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Answer 1

drumthumb Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 27, 2018 2:47 PM in response to Cuauhtemoc

I'm using 6 Boss FS-5U pedals and two sustain pedals. They all attach to the back of the F8 then one MIDI out cable feeds the Audio Express which is FireWire-d into MainStage. I've attached a copy of the MIDI Monitor Window contents which shows the outcome of pressing each pedal in order RIGHT to LEFT, with the sustain pedals last. I have two sets of pedals for two separate keyboardists, each of whom can change the patches when necessary. But each need their own sustain pedal.

FS 1	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 1	Program Change	2
FS 2	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 2	Program Change	123
FS 3	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 3	Control Change: 123 (All Notes Off)	0
FS 4	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 1	Program Change	3
FS 5	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 2	Program Change	122
FS 6	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 3	Control Change: 123 (All Notes Off)	0
SUS1 down	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 4	Control Change: 64 (Sustain)	127
SUS1 up	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 4	Control Change: 64 (Sustain)	0
SUS2 down	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 5	Control Change: 64 (Sustain)	127
SUS2 up	MIDI Port Audio Express	Channel 5	Control Change: 64 (Sustain)	0

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Answer 2

Cuauhtemoc

Level 4

2,623 points

Mar 27, 2018 11:34 PM in response to drumthumb

Ok.

I would change those messages to something like this instead:

FS 1	Channel 1	Control Change: 21	127
FS 2	Channel 1	Control Change: 22	127
FS 3	Channel 1	Control Change: 123 (All Notes Off)	0
FS 4	Channel 2	Control Change: 21	127
FS 5	Channel 2	Control Change: 22	127
FS 6	Channel 2	Control Change: 123 (All Notes Off)	0
SUS1 down	Channel 1	Control Change: 64 (Sustain)	127
SUS1 up	Channel 1	Control Change: 64 (Sustain)	0
SUS2 down	Channel 2	Control Change: 64 (Sustain)	127
SUS2 up	Channel 2	Control Change: 64 (Sustain)	0

Hope that helps.

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Answer 3

UDars218

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2018 9:44 PM in response to drumthumb

I'm having the same issue, only started happening today. I press the pedal and the pedal lights up and stays lit. When I press the pedal again, it releases. I never reversed the polarity on the physical pedal or through mainstage settings. HELP!

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Answer 4

drumthumb Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 28, 2018 10:34 AM in response to Cuauhtemoc

you. are. AWESOME!!!! The patch changes and Yamaha pedal work flawlessly! I still have a problem with the second sustain pedal, and the panic switches don't work yet, but that solved 99% of my problems!!! Excellent!!!!

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Answer 5

drumthumb Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 28, 2018 11:01 AM in response to drumthumb

UPDATE: I changed the PANIC message to CC 23 and now it works! For some reason the F8 was also sending a NOTE ON message for C1. Now it's just the Sustain pedal issue and all will be perfect. Thank you for your guidance!!

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Answer 6

drumthumb Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 28, 2018 6:29 PM in response to Cuauhtemoc

Both sustain pedals are mapped identically except for MIDI channel; I swapped inputs to see if it was the pedal, but I had the same issue. I know the info is getting into MainStage so it's a matter of troubleshooting right now.

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