MIDI Designer Q&A - Recent questions and answers in Advanced

Answered: How to create a colour indicator

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 15:35:59 +0000

No easier way at present.

To show the track colors on the TR managers I stack 13 panels, one with each color, then have color managers as shown. 11 tracks with 13 panels each. Done it once, and not sure I will do it again. I really need to adjust the colors to be closer to the hardware, but digging into the piles of panels is not trivial.

Answered: How to deal with toggle/non-toggle CC button?

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:14:05 +0000

To check, you need to to send Cc xx 00 Cc xx 7F to toggle state either on or off.

Solution 1: Make a knob, MIDI is desired Cc channel & number, named ticks, three ticks, values are 127, 0, 127

Make a button, toggle, no send / receive, supercontrol of the knob, options as super - snap to value. Start at 10ms and adjust timing as needed.

Solution 2: We can also trap in StreamByter, change any instance of Cc xx to the 00 7F sequence, esp now that Dan has fixed delays.

Something like:

If M0 == B2 32 # desired Cc and channel here
   SND B2 32 00
   SND B2 32 7F +D100 # Adjust delay as needed
   Block
END

Prolly more solutions.

Create Virtual StreamByter "Through" Path

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 05:46:08 +0000

From the help desk files - a user is attempting to use the MD StreamByter rules as they would be in a stand-alone instance of StreamByter - between a hardware keyboard and an iPad music app.

But - the MD architecture supports StreamByter rules for processing MIDI messages going to or from the control surface in support of MD controls, not, for example, to transpose all notes from the keyboard to the music app.

Sending information THROUGH MD requires creating a pair of controls, one for input, one for output, for each individual message to be passed.

This hack uses SB to create a new, virtual SB path for two or three byte messages, enabling StreamByter processing between two external devices under MD control. We still need a single pair of controls to send a stimulus from input rules to output rules when there is data waiting to send.

The hack support most SB processing on the message stream, with a few limits - any dynamic changes (i.e., controlled by the MD surface) must use SB II rules. You can use SB 1 rules in the input processing, but they cannot be modified by control surface actions.

Logic:
Input rules
- Filter input messages (default is all two or three byte types, can tighten filter - such as only notes on CH 5)
- Perform any static transformation (fixed channel change, fixed transform)
- Shove the messages into the global array (queue)
- Activate the trigger message, waking up output rules
Output rules
- locate next unsent ouput message in the G array
- Perform any dynamic transformation - such as transpose by a variable amount set on control surface
- Send the modified message
- Repeat until queue is empty

The example does a transpose of all notes on channel 4 by the amount set on the control surface.

The hack only works for two and three byte messages. It could be rearchitected to handle some short SysEx messages, but that would be much more complex.

The new virtual route is shown via the orange arrows in the diagram. With the hack, all SB message path possibilities are covered: input, output, feedback, and through.

Note - there is a "through" option for many inputs in the connections page. But this is a straight pipe, and does not enable SB processing on that path.

Additional details in the SB comments.

To use in a production layout, you will need the input and output rules, the two stimulus controls, customize the filtering, static, and dynamic rules as desired, and add any controls and code to store the dynamic control values.

This hack is pretty much limited to a two device architecture.
- In typical use, MD would typically be in a star architecture - i.e, at the center, talking to and listening to all devices.
- But flow processing means it now needs to be between two devices, listening to one device, sending to a second device.
- These two architectures are pretty much exclusive, especially as you go beyond two devices.
- This is why the MIDI Fire app remains a much better solution for the general case - letting you drop a SB module as needed specifically between one particular device output and the desired output, and using MD if needed to control the SB modules.

Answered: How to deal with MCU messages

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 06:23:53 +0000

Make your mute buttons toggle, turn off send on only, ensure they are all Note ON / ON.

With those changes, the mute buttons works fine here against a simulator. Timing doesn't matter, the inbound message takes control of button state.

To change all eight mute buttons output to 7Fs with one line, use:

Set NVR 0

90 10-17 00 = 90 XX 7F

Re: What I need is a button that sends out a message, but only reacts to an incoming message to set its lit/dim state.

That is essentially what is happening once you make the changes above. As configured, the natural button state normally will match what the DAW is sending for status. If they get out of sync, the DAW status will flip the button to the correct condition.

^{p.s., check your knobs that are used only for grouping buttons. You prolly want them NO MIDI SEND / RECEIVE to preclude random surprises elsewhere in your setup.}

Answered: MDP is cutting off background app music from other apps

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:37:02 +0000

Config → MIDI → "Stay Alive in Background" to OFF. This will solve your problem.

Answered: Yamaha SX900 Bluetooth connection to IPAD

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 11:47:38 +0000

Found the answer myself :-)
The built-in Bluetooth adapter of the SX900 is only an AUDIO input, to connect a Bluetooth AUDIO device and play it over the SX900.
Best
JAKI

Answered: Ableton Link Stops Working When I Enable Audio/MIDI Source

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 20:49:01 +0000

In my case -- and maybe in yours -- the answer is strange and unexpected.

I thought I was connecting via Link over my Wi-Fi router, but alas... no. Link (UDP) is flowing over the USB cable. When that same USB connection is used for Audio, it stops transmitting UDP.

So for me, the answer was either:

Use another router in which UDP is not blocked
Use another way to transmit MIDI, like Bluetooth or Network MIDI.

It's easy enough to prove that Link is communicating over the USB cable. Use the problematic router and unplug the USB cable and see if Link still works. In my case, this produced the exact same result as connecting the Audio/MIDI source: no Link.

Surprisingly: Link uses UDP to communicate, and this does not require Personal Hotspot to be enabled.

CC Volume to Keyboard and vice versa

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:38:13 +0000

Hi everyone
Made a completely normal Slider with Control Change 1-7 (Volume)
When I turn the IPAD up to 127, the Keyboard follows fine up to Volume 127
If I instead turn the Keyboard up to Volume 127, the IPAD stops at Volume 100.
Have tried many different settings, but have typically ended up with it just being the other way around.
I have tried to do the same with SysEx instead, but MidiDesigner dosen't recieve any data on the Slider then.
Pretty confused.

/JAKIV

Answered: Control Button label colors

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 19:14:01 +0000

Suggest adding a LED Color selection to Label Properties. I have need for color labels on buttons without using a hack to overlay a color label on a button with a white label.

Example - different on and off SysEx commands

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 15:44:31 +0000

Three examples on how to send differing on and off SysEx commands from one button.

-----

Note: If you use "make similar" to make a second instance of the controls, then the super-sub relationships also get copied. You have to clear out the incorrect cross-links and re-establish the correct relationships.

But - there is a shortcut. Instead of using "make similar" on the individual controls, use "make similar" on the page with the complete example. This gives you a new clean instance without incorrect super-sub linkages.

Answered: Dynamic knob labels & toggling buttons with single CC values

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 03:47:25 +0000

1. https://mididesigner.com/wiki/doku.php/manual:08_relationships_2#button_groups

2. In our backlog (https://mididesigner.com/support/requests/). As a workaround, hide the control label, use a stand alone label with label value source set.

Answered: One knob to control a time parameter with a mode switch

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 17:12:31 +0000

After a conversation with JK Hiser, I managed to solve this problem. It works well and no SB required.

Basically the solution involves:

a Subcontrol with all the ticks for each mode. The same MIDI values get repeated in the ticks.
Subcontrol knob for Mode. A button will not work (without more interstitials) because the supercontrol moves it to ON for any value above 0.
A supercontrol that contains all the values.

The joy here is that the supercontrol can get values removed and the whole system still works. There are no limits to this: even the middle values may be removed and it all works.

Single Page for controlling Native Instruments Replika coming soon!

How to trigger a sound in MDP2?

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:18:03 +0000

Is there a way to trigger a sound such as a beat display click from an MDP control? I am designing a metronome using MidiFire's Dynamic Clock. Individual beats are displayed on buttons. Haviing a click or similar sound with the start of each beat is highly desirable.

For example, https://mididesigner.com/qa/9401/display-beat?show=9401#q9401.

Answered: Send 2 or more sysex in one buttom by Supercontrol

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 04:17:55 +0000

Create ONE Supercontrol button. Create 2 buttons (Change Registration and Change Sound) that are both setup as Subcontrols of the Supercontrol. It seems like all buttons should be momentary such that each press and release of the supercontrol triggers both changes simultaneously.

Answered: I would like to choose the styles of my Tyros via Sysex

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 03:36:40 +0000

Change BANK type to Channel Changer (do not accept the recommendation to change MIDI values and ticks).
- Do not accept the prompt to change values and ticks
- Make STYLE a subcontrol of BANK

STYLE SysEx value should be 43 73 7C 11 00 16 L V

To have STYLE reset each time BANK is changed:
- create a new button, no MIDI transmit/receive
- BANK - select this button under EXTRA CC and HOLD
- STYLE - select this button under BUTTON OFF RESETS TO DEFAULT, select the desired reset value on the MIDI tab

Once this is working, you can HIDE the reset button in play mode, or leave it visible as a reset button

Answered: Besides L and V can we get M or P not to repeat unnecessary pages

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 16:01:10 +0000

1. SysEx feedback is a special case of sending specific SysEx messages from MDP2 output to input, where they can be processed with StreamByter rules. This is implemented.

2. Get state from a device is possible in several ways.

3. Additional SysEx variables have previously been requested, but is a low priority right now. With StreamByter and SysEx feedback, you can configure as many additional SysEx variables as you need, and the two existing variable cover the preponderance of use cases. https://mididesigner.com/support/requests/ The Roland Jupiter X(m) has the similar Roland architecture, and it is possible to edit everything with the previous MDP2 SysEx capabilities. (I have not updated my Roland layouts to take advantage of more current MDP2 capabilities.

Answered: Volume adjust by %

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 15:26:25 +0000

Continuous control example:

The example and code is here: https://mididesigner.com/qa/9558/mdp2-2-3300-new-features-demo

Video was here on Facebook

An older approach, but does have the +/- 10 button you referred to:

https://mididesigner.com/qa/9070/maintain-different-lowering-simultaneously-supercontrol?show=9070#q9070

Answered: V must start from 34

Tue, 23 May 2023 00:39:40 +0000

Controls have separate settings for
MIDI MIN and Max - most controls 0-127, 0-16383 for 14 bit / 2 byte, and max of 128^3-1 or 128^4-1 for SysEx 3 and 4 byte Vs
and
Display Min and Max - -99 to +999

For display values outside the range of -99 to +999, you can use text field in Named TIcks and turn off the numeric display.

In -12 to +12 case, if the MIDI values don't wrap around, then you can just adjust the display settings.
For example, 64 = 0, 76 + 12, 52 = -12

If the MIDI values do wrap around, 0 = 0, -1 = 127 / 7F, -2 = 126 / 7E, etc., then you must use named ticks.

Answered: 2 * V scale where one goes up and the other goes down?

Wed, 10 May 2023 01:16:49 +0000

Several ways to parse this.

One - is the relationship between + V and - V fixed? 00 7F, 01 7E, etc?

If so, then named ticks is easiest. Build in a spreadsheet, first column goes 0 to 127, second 127 to 0, third column is (128*first) + second. ** EDIT - the message format has only one V where you have +V -V, select two byte V **, Load column three as the named ticks values.

An alternate approach is to leave the second V position zero in the message, but replace that dummy value with minus V using StreamByter output rules.

If the relationship is not fixed, again several approaches.

Easiest is to use L and V, which can vary independently. The only drawback to this is that the message is only sent when V changes, not L. If you need L and V to vary independently, with the message sent if either changes, then use two separate controls, sending a dummy message, intercepting in StreamByter output rules and assembled into your desired format there.

Working with a 16-bit parameter, and unpacking multiple parameters, etc in SysEx using MDP2

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:22:12 +0000

I'm having a rough time controlling only a few aspects of my Yamaha Motif ES workstation. I think MDP2 can do this. The issues are mutually exclusive, yet both revolve around multi-bit sysex parameters MASTER TUNE, and INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT GAIN.

MASTER TUNE is a 16-bit parameter, which Yamaha splits the bytes into 4-4-4-4 to get 16.

The other, INDIV OUTPUT GAIN requires the slider in MDP2 to know about the other parameter values. To change the value pair for output 3&4 the parameter has to know 1&2, 5&6, 7&8 too in order to incorporate it into the sysex message.

MASTER TUNE
F0 43 10 7F 00 00 00 02 then what?? 7F
-102.4 – +102.3 [cent] 
1st bit3-0 → bit15-12 
2nd bit3-0 → bit11-8 
3rd bit3-0 → bit7-4 
4th bit3-0 → bit3-0
-------

INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT GAIN
F0 43 10 7F 00 00 00 10 then what?? 7F
bit0: 0/+6dB 1 & 2
bit1: 0/+6dB 3 & 4
bit2: 0/+6dB 5 & 6
bit3: 0/+6dB 7 & 8
bit4: 0/+6dB 9 & 10
bit5: 0/+6dB 11 & 12
bit6: 0/+6dB 13 & 14

The originally-formatted data sheet is attached below.

I have two scenarios that I was initially working on in Logic Pro, but it's too limited. The forum post and discussion is here (will open in a new window) if anyone wants context to what I'm asking AND some rather informed answers. I paraphrased the discussion prior to the link I posted. Any advice is appreciated. I'd like to understand how to deal with this in MDP2 but I don't even have a starting point right now.

Read a text string in a SysEx message and take action in MDP2 based on a text match

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 04:47:40 +0000

Recent user question - is it possible to read a text string in a SysEx message and take action in MDP2 based on a text match?

Yes, MDP2 (with StreamByter) can:

Query hardware for the SysEx message
Read an inbound SysEx for a text string
Test if that matches a stored text string, returning the string number if there is a match
Take action in MD based on the matched string number, such as jumping to a specific page

This layout provides the necessary code, configured in a demo mode. See the demo layout for further information.

Answered: ChordPlayer receives CC50-CC60 from pedal->button that will transpose the same pedal signals to ChordPlayer (CC63-CC73)?

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 03:33:06 +0000

When you want to process a stream of data, StreamByter is the answer. MDP2 is about control. Since you already have MIDI Fire, you need to hook up your layout so that the FC-300 MIDI stream is processed by this rule:

If M0 == B0 # B0-BF for channels 1-16
    If M1 >= $50
        If M1 <= $60
            Mat M1 = M1 + $13
        End
    End
End

The advanced controls example has nothing to do with what you need here.

You could do the remapping in MDP2, if you wanted to change ALL on a specified channel CC50 > 63 , etc. But it appears you want this change to apply only to output from a single device, which is where MIDI Fire excells. Each MDP2 translation requires two controls, one to receive the desired Cc, supercontrol, driving a second subcontrol with the desired output Cc.

Answered: How does "MIDI Feedback" work in MIDI Designer Pro 2 3.3300?

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:59:51 +0000

https://mididesigner.com/wiki/doku.php/manual:17_mdp2_new#sysex_feedback

Answered: Questions About My iPhone Layout in MIDI Designer on macOS

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 16:18:28 +0000

I guess you could call it a bug, but it due to fundamental differences between the two platforms.

iPhone uses a single page horizontal format.

iPad uses a two page more vertical format.

When you take a iPhone layout and open it on the iPad (or Mac), you see two pages instead of one, and the horizontal page is smushed into the more vertical space.

I recommend developing on the platform intended for use. There are too many differences between the iPhone and iPad/Mac environments for layouts to move without lots of manual reformatting. All the work you did on the iPhone is still there, you need to do some reformatting to fit the iPad / Mac format, mostly splitting the controls from one wide iPhone page to two vertical iPad/Mac pages.

Dan is cogitating on the future of the iPad/Mac vs iPhone dichotomy, but we need to wait until his thinking is ready to discuss.

Answered: Display Beat

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 04:10:43 +0000

Great hack! May come in handy within other layouts I've got in mind! Thanks for the info

Answered: Can undefined CC 106 and 107 access 14-Bit option in order to implement BeatBuddy Tempo?

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 03:53:24 +0000

The MIDI spec defines two types of 14 bit Ccs
- 32 14 bit Ccs pairs, separated by 32 (20H), from 00/32 (20h), bank select MSB / LSB 32 , up through 1F / 3F (Undefined MSB / LSB)
- 2 14 bit Cc pairs, RPN and NRPN, separated by one number, with LSB lower (98 / 99 = NRPN LSB / MSB, 100 / 101 = RPN LSB / MSB)

MIDI Designer
- allows the 20h 14 bit pairing through the entire range, allowing selection of 14bit Ccs up through the 5F/7F pair
- implements NRPN (but not RPN)

Despite not having native implementation of this Beat Buddy implementation, MIDI Designer gives you ability to implement this with two Cc controls and one supercontrol.

I am presuming the 14 bit MIDI value goes from 40 - 300, directly encoding the tempo value.

For MSB, make a knob, Cc 106, 261 ticks, use named ticks - see below. Repeat for LSB with Cc 107.

Make a third knob to be the supercontrol, choose 14 bit Cc (specific Cc doesn't matter since it is a supercontrol), 261 ticks, Display Min 40, Max 300, make a supercontrol of MSB and LSB knobs (ensure MSB is listed first)

Best to build the named ticks in a spreadsheet

Value MSB LSB
040      0       40
041      0       41
...
127      0      127
128      1       0
...
299      2       43
300      2       44

Paste the MSB column in named ticks field for MSB, similar for LSB.

Answered: Help For SysEx ReMapping And Interrogation For Lexicon PCM80 Remote?

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 01:01:29 +0000

A few thoughts -

Sanity ends after about 6 or 7 stacked show/hide panels.

Working with stacked show/hide requires a deliberate approach. Lock everything except panels, completely unstack, reverse locks, do your editing, reverse locks, restack.
You need room to unstack everything, so a theoretical upper limit would be 47, one page for the stack, 47 empty for unstacking. Then that layout is effectively full. (Edit - if you are very careful, you might get away with a single extra page to unstack. But sometime you will lose a control in the stack, then you will have to unstack and check every page to see where it ended up.)

In my RD2000 layouts, I used the stacked panels only for program delay only, which had five different algorithms. The most I have stacked is 10 in the Jupiter X(m) manager.

The RD 2000 has more than 60 different effects, all with different encoding. I used separate pages for different effects, and did not encode them all. I focused on either the most useful and ones with the most settings.

To help, I ended up with a big matrix of memory locations vs parameters. Then I could find which effects shared settings, allowing either a COPY or a MAKE SIMILAR (with a different label).

Each page has a separate LOAD button, so only parameters applicable to that page are requested.

Getting the first page up and working can seem daunting. Once you get over that hurdle, it is just making license plates to get the remainder going.

Received SysEx and Send SysEx is not the same.

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 22:56:49 +0000

Hi, I'm a new user of MIDI Designer and find it very useful :-)
But can someone explain to me why a recorded SysEx message to PC from my Yamaha PSR-SX700 cannot also be used to send back to the SX700.
Example.
Dump to PC Regi.Mem.(1) = F0 43 73 01 52 25 00 01 01 00 01 00 F7
If I want to send the same SysEx message back to the SX700, the SysEx must be called: F0 43 73 01 52 25 11 00 01 00 00 F7
As you can see, there are some HEX codes that are not the same.
Rec.: F0 43 73 01 52 25 00 01 01 00 01 00 F7
Send: F0 43 73 01 52 25 11 00 01 00 00 F7

Best regards

JAKIV :-)

Answered: Technique - RPNs & differing controls for positive and negative values

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 20:13:36 +0000

Thanks to Dan's reminder on sequential controls, this CAN be completely with MDP2 controls.

What I forget, and is a very useful hack, is that sequential controls provide a method to switch control between sets of controls.

Both pages send the same value.

But, I think the StreamByter version is simpler (presuming you have the StreamByter code developed). You can quickly make similar 11 of the synthetic SysEx controls, rename and change the SysEx value.

StreamByter version requires 1 control per key. Pure MDP2 requires nine. (The stepper buttons are extra for precision testing.)

For the pure MDP version, you can make similar the panel. But in make similar with subcontrol relationships, the subcontrols all become cross linked. This can take a while to sort out all the subcontrol links, adjust the RPN MSBs, and rename.

One note - On the pure MDP2 version, due to "parking", the zero value is duplicated on both the positive and negative controls, resulting in 202 ticks.

If this were NRPNs instead of RPNs, the MDP2 version would only have three controls, since we do not have to build the NRPN from individual Cc messages.

Answered: One knob to change the CC from 51 to two sequential CC values 61, and 29 at a certain threshold.

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 18:57:50 +0000

re: That said, I still am unsure how to repeatedly increment CC #61 by 11 while CC #29 increments by 1 only when CC #61 reaches ~127 until they both reach 127.

Answer is a spreadsheet and named ticks. Will need one control for MSB, one for LSB, and a super control.

You want to count to 127x127 (=16383) by increments of n x 11

16383/77 = 212.7, so we need 214 rows (213 + the row for zero)

First column just goes 0 to 213

Second column multiplies the first by n * 11, or 77 in this case

Row 214 exceeds 16383, (16401), so we paste in 16383.

Third column is our MSB, so we take the integer of second / 128

Fourth column is second MOD 128.

In MDP2, set up the MSB control, select named ticks, edit named ticks, delete all, then paste in the values from the MSB column

Repeat for the LSB control, pasting in the LSB column.

Create a new knob, select 14 bit Cc, select 214 ticks, Display Min/Max 1/214, and make it the supercontrol of the two controls above. Ensure the MSB control is listed first in the subcontrols pane. You can use named ticks to add appropriate labels to the supercontrol for the time or frequency.

Answered: A Beatbuddy Premium Library song selector?

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 16:13:20 +0000

MDP2 cannot (currently) dynamically load and display programs, etc., from a board and populate a picker.

But you can pre-populate named ticks with fixed content to build the desired selectors. If you look at the RD2000 Manager or Jupiter X/Xm Managers, you will see samples of pickers that select via category, model, then specific tone, which sounds like what you are attempting. The Masters Class layout discusses how to build the spreadsheet you need as a first step. Then it is a matter of sorting the spreadsheet in the desired manner, then creating the links for the next level picker that points in. Then repeat for the next higher level picker.

I am not sure we have any posts discussing building the higher level pickers - this requires a MDP2 control calculation, but I can help with it once you have the basic spreadsheet set up.

Answered: MDP2 (MIDI IN) & Kontakt 7

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 02:42:47 +0000

Open CONFIGURATION / CONNECTIONS and ensure that the MIDI connection for Kontakt is enabled as a SOURCE (for input data). Looks like the DESTINATION to KONTAKT is working.

Open the log and watch for any data appearing when you make the changes in KONTAKT. If there is no data appearing, then you need to configure KONTAT to transmit data when changes are made there. I do not own KONTAKT, so I am not familiar with those settings.

Answered: Using a wireless expression pedal to control multiple pedals

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 22:49:42 +0000

Here is an implementation of Dan’s suggestion to use a channel changers. SB is powerful, but it is much neater if we can do everything in native MDP2 control.

A key assumption for this is that you have an unused MIDI channel internal to MDP2 that you can change the controls to when you want them inactive.

In addition to your main controls, build two channel changer knobs, one for each control. Accept the default assignments, then change each so they are two ticks, MIDI values are (1) the normal channel for the control and (2) the unused channel. Lets use 0-15 (=1 &16) for first, 1-15 (= 2 & 16) for the second, Ch 16 is the throw away channel. Make these super controls of the appropriate secondary control. They can also be hidden in play mode.

Make an enable button for each of the channel changers above - toggle, supercontrol, assign to appropriate channel changer, options as super - inverted (or invert the midi ranges in the channel changers above), so on state selects the desired channel, off select the throw away channel.

Option, we can block the throw away channel in StreamByter output rules - BF = XX +B will block all channel 16 messages.

Problem with bit changers in control presets

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 18:16:41 +0000

I've got the following simple layout

Super A - button - bit changer, change bits 1

Super B - button - bit changer, change bits 2

These are both super controls of:

Sub - Knob, values 0-3, MIDI cc

In play mode this all works fine, and I can see the correct MIDI messages in the log

I can't get these to work correctly with a preset control, ie. I set up a simple preset control with store/recall buttons

Visually, everything works ok when recalling presets in this simple setup but the MIDI messages are all wrong.

For example, with both buttons off, if I recall a preset with both buttons on, I get two messages, first with Data2=001 and second with Data2=000

Even if by some chance the first message has the correct data its always followed by a second message with Data2=000

I've tried various things like using sysex instead of cc in the sub control, re-ordering subcontrols in the preset control, etc but can't get this to work... help!

Answered: How do I get bit changer controls working?

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:03:47 +0000

Seems like the bit changer is not the solution, since the values are:
127 = 1111111
85 = 1010101
45 = 101101
and
0 = 0000000

But, this is easy to implement in a StreamByter output rule, as follows:

Create two toggle buttons as follows

♢= Sysex, 58 00 V, no checksum, 1 byte V, MIDI off / on = 0 / 127

⎋ = Sysex, 58 01 V, no checksum, 1 byte V, MIDI off / on = 0 / 127

StreamByter output code follows

# StreamByter code to process MOOD Pedal bypass switches
# Oct 19, 2922, Red Heron Music
# 58 is currently unassigned SysEx Mfr code, using in place of (much longer) CS assigned 00 01 7E

If Load
   Ass i0 = 0 # Initialize ♢ state to off
   Ass i1 = 0 # Initialize ⎋ state to off
   Define Chan B0 # Channel 1, for channels 2-16, change B0 to B1 - BF.
End

If M0 == F0 58
   If M02 == 00
       Ass i0 = M03
   End
   If M02 == 01
       Ass i1 = M03
   End

   If i0 == 0 # ♢ Off
       If i1 == 0 # ⎋ Off
           Snd Chan $103 0
       End
       If i1 == 7F # ⎋ On
           Snd Chan $103 $45
       End
   End

   If i0 == 7F # ♢ On
       If i1 == 0 # ⎋ Off
           Snd Chan $103 $85
       End
       If i1 == 7F # ⎋ On
           Snd Chan $103 7F
       End
   End

   Block # block control message

End

Answered: Convert midi note to midi cc

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 16:05:32 +0000

StreamByter is the short answer - the stand alone version, not what is built into the input or output stages of MDP2.

But to craft the correct code, need a few more answers.

A note on MIDI message has a note number and velocity. A CC message has a CC number and value.

1. Do you want to have the CC message include the velocity as a the Cc value, or just send the max value (127 or 7F)?

2. What is the mapping of note numbers to Ccs? Note 60 = Cc 60, or something else?

3. What do you want happen on note off (I am only guessing that the SPD sends note offs, not sure, and the manual has no MIDI implementation chart. I had never thought about the role of note offs in drums, which essentially are just hits, so there is no real sustain time needed before a note off.)

example SB I code to map note on x to Cc x, Cc value fixed at 127

9X = BX XX 7F

MDP2 control of MIDI Fire / StreamByter to clone or remap MIDI channels

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 19:20:04 +0000

StreamByter provides easy MIDI channel remapping and cloning.

But what if you want to quickly change the remapping or cloning on the fly? You could edit the SB code, have multiple SB profiles saved, or use MDP2 to control the code.

This version provides ability to remap any channel to another, or clone any channel to one other channel.

First figure shows the MIDI architecture. Second shows it implemented in MIDI Fire on a Mac, with both Mac and iPad MDP2 connections.

The SB code goes in MIDI Fire or stand alone StreamByter, so there is not a layout with this code included.

A page of sample controls is provided. You can save preset configurations, could even control changing remotely via MIDI if desired.

This version only clones to one channel. I am working a version that can clone to multiple (sequential) channels. The remap code is an extension of this code - the challenge is simply handling which channels require all notes off when the cloning is changed.

SB code:

## Clone / Remap Midi Channels

## Aug 25 2022
## Red Heron Music, redheronmusic.com

# Control Message
# Header F0 00 01 7E (Confusion Studios SysEx ID)
# M04 = 12 (Type ID - Remap)
# M05 = Channel (00- 0F)
# M06 = Remap Value (00 - 1F)
# F7

# Remap -
# Set to channel value = off
# Set to other channel value 00 -0F, remap to that channel
# Set to 10-1F, clone to specified channel
# Applies to all channelized messages

# When do hanging notes have to be cleared?
# Was       Now
# Off       Off       No action - captured by check for no change
# Off       Cloned   No action
# Off       Mapped   ANO prior
# Mapped   Mapped   ANO prrior
# Mapped    Cloned   ANO prior
# Mapped   Off       ANO prior
# Cloned       Cloned   ANO prior
# Cloned       Mapped   ANO prior
# Cloned       Off       ANO prior

# Variables
# L00 - L0F, channel remap status
# L10 Temp

If Load
   Define Header F0 00 01 7E
   Alias L10 Temp
   Ass L00 = 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F
End

# Process channelized messages
If MC < F0 # Channelized message detected
   If LMC == MC
       # Do nothing
   Else
       If LMC < 10 # Remap
           Math M00 = MT + LMC # Replace M00 with updated type and channel
       Else # Clone
           Math Temp = LMC - 10 # first remove the 10
           Math Temp = Temp + MT # add the message type
           Snd Temp M01 M02 # Send cloned message
       End
   End
End

# Process control messages
If M00 == Header
   If M04 == 12 # Store Remap Value detected
       If M05 < 10 # valid channel 00 - 0F
           If M06 < 20 # valid remap value 00 - 1F
               If LM05 == M06 # Check for no-change case
                   # Do nothing
               Else
                   If LM05 == M05 # Previously Off
                       If LM06 < 10 # Remap case
                           Math Temp = LM05 + B0
                           Snd Temp 7B 00 # All notes off
                       End
                   Else
                       If LM05 > 0F # Previous clone case
                           Math Temp = LM05 + A0 (B0 - 10)
                           Snd Temp 7B 00 # All notes off
                       Else # Prior Map Case
                           Math Temp = LM05 + B0
                           Snd Temp 7B 00 # All notes off
                       End
                   End
                   Ass LM05 = M06 # Store new value
               End
           End
       End
      Block # Finished with this message
   End
End

Answered: How do I switch pages using a button group

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 02:24:34 +0000

Here is an example.

I think two things were giving you trouble.

1. Managing the overall field of button options as separate groups. This was causing the transition problem at the page margins, and trying to pass control successfully between groups. Make the button field a single group.

2. Page jump happens on button OFF, not ON, so you have to hold the page jump button ON, and only let it go off when you want to jump.

Additional notes in the example layout.

https://youtu.be/KiViD4lVBFs

Answered: Is there a way to loop a sequence of CC#s so a slider acts “animated”

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 09:46:55 +0000

There is no way to do LFOs inside MD for now, however with Control Loopers you can loop live

https://mididesigner.com/qa/9067/manual-ableton-link-and-control-loopers

This isn't what you want but there's a slight chance that it's what you need ;)

Auto Build StreamByter SysEx Bulk Data Message Decode

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 23:27:25 +0000

MDP2 layout functionality is improved when controls can be preset to match the hardware settings. For hardware using SysEx control, you can build a SysEx scanner that queries individual parameter values or request a bulk dump. In either case, there is detailed work to code either the scanner values or the individual StreamByter decode messages.

midiDr.com/qa/6964 discusses how to build a scanner to query the individual parameters.

This spreadsheet auto-builds the necessary StreamByter code to decode a bulk message, hopefully simplifying use of the bulk dump approach.

Instructions are in the spreadsheet, including sample wrapper StreamByter code necessary to implement.

This is in Numbers format, as I develop on a Mac. I have no way to ensure that converting to Excel produces the same results.

MDP2 Supporting Hardware Beta Test

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 16:06:59 +0000

During a recent hardware beta test, production documentation was not available to the testers, such as the details of the patches and multis/programs and associated settings. The beta testers could go individually through all patches and multis/programs to see what is of interest to test, but with a SysEx enabled synth, why not automate the process?

In this case, MDP2 provides the “macros” to send the SysEx queries to the synth, a midi monitor captures the output, which is processed in a Numbers spreadsheet to provide the desired output.

Previously, we used “snap to grid” to provide a control that can send a measure string of multiple command. Now we have the Ableton Link, which we are mis-using as a driver for a measured number of commands.

What we need to do is scan through a number of presets (patches, multis, etc) and extract specific data. We could use named ticks with Bank and PC to get to the specific memories needed, but this changed from a low of 35 to a high of 158. For flexibility (and since this is just data collection), we set it up for a maximum of 128 values at one time (one program bank). Bank (MSB, LSB) is preselected on the target hardware. If we need to scan over a Bank change, we stop, manually change the Bank, then restart.

We have different queries set up, depending on what parameters are being examined.

The Link drive goes via the pedalboard, so only the current shown query is operative. For queries with fewer values, we use the Link beat buttons directly to drive the query. One query with more values we use the beat buttons to drive a second knob, with more buttons.

Accuracy is more important than speed, most important is that the responses from the board are always in the same order, so no manual intervention is required in data analysis.

Finally, we have a stepper where the desired number of programs is entered.

The query responses are captured in a MIDI Monitor. (I like the one from Snoise, works well, and price is good.)

From the monitor, the data is pasted directly in a spreadsheet.

Each query gets two tabs in the spreadsheet. The first processes the data (pulling out patch or program name, looking up a specific control value text.). The second formats the data for display and printing. Another tab contains all the lookups, to translate a numerical value into the display value. For example, we know all the prior factory patch names, so we just look them up by Bank & PC.

In this board, some setting displays can depend on up to six different patch and program values. In this case, it is easier to repeat the program value query multiple times, so each patch data lookup has the same configuration.

Once set up, is easy to run multiple queries, reformat output, etc. Choose query, configure board, start Midi Monitor, start query, cut and paste data from Midi Monitor to spreadsheet input tab, see formatted results on output tab.

This shows the flexibility of MDP2.

I guess this could be deployed for this specific hardware if owners want to print a list of their custom patches and programs. (No need to print the factory patches and programs, since those are now fixed.). If there is interest, I may do this.

Answered: Is it possible to create a supercontrol that controls multiple controls but adds / subtracts from their current values?

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 01:29:12 +0000

Still on the first page of Q&A: https://mididesigner.com/qa/9070/maintain-different-lowering-simultaneously-supercontrol

Answered: Page up/Bank up Buttons as Subcontrols?

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 17:36:05 +0000

So we seem to be fighting two behaviors here. First is that it is the OFF action on the page jump that causes the action. Second is that when you change a supercontrol, it seems the man behind the green curtain checks all subcontrol values, seeing that button is supposed to be off, sends the off value, and we get the undesired page jumps.

So we just need to hook up some controls that hold the page jump button on, except when you want it off - i.e, cause the page jump.

Build and test your page jump buttons. Do not assign as subcontrol yet.

For each page jump button, build a relay button, type toggle, supercontrol, options as super - inverted. Do NOT assign as a supercontrol of the page jump button yet. Make it a subcontrol of the setlist picker.

On the setlist picker, go to the preset where you want the page jump. Turn the relay toggle on, and store the preset. (The off value should automatically fill all the other presets.)

Now assign the page jump button as a subcontrol of the relay button.

Answered: Advanced Button Groups: 2 Button Groups, Exclude One Group?

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 11:29:23 +0000

Is posible, any member has realized a app controller on Fender Cyber Twin SE Amp, for control of all options (diferents amps, effects, master, reverb, chorus, etc...).

Need search some app for base.

Thank you, very much.

Answered: [Manual] Ableton Link and Control Loopers

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:16:54 +0000

This page includes all controls necessary for eight loopers, ready to incorporate into your layout.

Answered: Details of new features in Beta?

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 21:24:00 +0000

The new features are listed in the e-mail announcing the beta availability in Test Flight. They are also listed in the Test Flight app.

This is what the latest notification states:

MIDI Designer Next 2.300 (202201120813) is ready to test on iOS.

What to Test:

This build:
Adds some polish around Loop Beat Knob and adds new propagate feature (see below).

Hello and welcome to 2022!!!

Version 2.300 is a massive, gigantic, huge leap.

1. Ableton Link Integration. See mididesigner.com/qa/9067 (with video). Look-ahead, tempo-locked control loopers, finally!
2. Add new NO midi-send-receive message type
3. All banks are now visible in design mode
4. Basic fixes to design property pane for visual glitches
5. Add option to propagate MIDI min-max changes to Display Min/Max/Ticks

Thanks for testing!

To test this app, open TestFlight on your iOS device using iOS 14.1 or later and install the update.

Answered: Maintain the different volume levels whilst still raising and lowering both simultaneously with a supercontrol

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 18:18:55 +0000

This is the simplest, may work for want you need. I just find the scrubbers are a little touchy, but they might work for what you need. Maybe should have started with this and avoided the more complicated versions.

The scrubbers can be unintuitive, since the up scrubber pushes the main controls up whether operated up or down, similar for down scrubber.

The steppers can be hidden in play, or left visible to nudge up or down by one. And you could combine with the solutions above for precise +10, etc adjustments.

All this needs is two steppers, one for up, one for down, with the no-wrap option.

Add knob supercontrol for the steppers.

And turn off midi receive for the controls above.

I would think that reducing the number of ticks should slow the scrubber action, making more precise, but doesn't work that way.

https://youtu.be/deDw146xEVc

How to show/ hide panels using the AND of two buttons?

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:08:54 +0000

I have multiple panels for FX types. These are shown using a button group (call them FX s/h buttons) using a dial control so only one panel is visible at a time. On some of the panels I want to have sub panels that are shown when a button on the panel (call them sub panel buttons) is on.

The problem I have is that the sub panels still show after the ‘parent’ FX panel is hidden.

is there a way to make a panel’s show/hide state dependent on two buttons? E.g an FX s/h button AND the respective sub panel button.

How do I transpose incoming midi notes sent thru MDP2 from a midi keyboard?

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 08:37:43 +0000

I’m trying to send midi thru MDP2 from a midi keyboard which has no octave buttons, and into Animoog which has no transpose feature. I’ve read the section in the manual about setting up transpose buttons but it seems to only be for midi notes sent from within MDP2. Is there a way to transpose “thru” notes from controllers and send them Out? Thank you !

How to create 4 toggle buttons ON/OFF, resulting in 16 combinations ?

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 12:55:52 +0000

Hi all, working on a new layout.

Situation:

To activate 4 effects (separate and simultaneously) the device accepts 16 values.

value 0 = all effects off;

Value 1 = effect 1 ON, other 3 effects off;

value 2= effect 2 ON, other 3 effects off;

value 3= effect 1+2 On, other 2 effects off”

——————etc

Value 15 = all effects 4 on

Question: how can I - much like in a stomp box way - use 4 buttons on/off to trigger the device response?

I created a knob with 16 values, no problem but I’d like to activate these values with 4 buttons!

Any thoughts?

Cheers!

Gurbz