MIDI Designer Q&A - Recent questions without answers

Roland TR Pattern and Kit Display - Demo of new 10.5.0 SysEx string capability

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:28:42 +0000

SysEx Strings Demo with Roland TR 6s / TR 8s

This simple layout demos the MIDI Designer new ability to read text data from MIDI devices.

Enable Tx and Rx edit data on the TR.

Use the query buttons to load the list of patterns and kits into the pickers.

Once loaded, use the pickers to select and display current pattern, next pattern, and current kit names.

If you edit a pattern or kit name on the TR, requery to update the layout.

Behind the scenes on the query:

Depressing query button causes the following sequence:

Disable transmit from picker (don’t want to drive hardware all over while reading names) - Xmt Relay 1
Enable picker MIDI receive - Rcv Enable Relay
Scan (request) the 128 names - Scanner
Disable picker MIDI receive - Rcv Enable Relay
Enable transmit from picker - Xmt Relay 1
Recall active pattern / kit prior to scan action - Xmt Relay 1

Named Ticks with 0 or 127 values enable / disable the controlling buttons in the correct sequence. We add an extra tick before turning off receive to ensure the last name report is received.

No StreamByter is required to implement kits.

Inbound StreamByter is used for patterns to compress the V values from 20 00 - 2F 70 to 0-127 to simplify use as a SuperControl. We could use a 16384 named ticks control to do the remap, but that is more cumbersome than doing the remap in StreamByter.

Look for this capability to get added to the existing MIDI Designer layouts.

LAYOUT: CHASE BLISS BLOOPER

Wed, 29 May 2024 14:12:38 +0000

29th May 2024: Blooper Layout Version 1

How to use: 1) Install Midi Designer from the Apple App store 2) Download the layout file below and load it into the app 3) Open app menu -> config -> save layout. Optional - but it will save you a bit of time if you are switching layouts in future

Connecting:

Wired: Plug your iPad/iPhone into a USB enabled midi device that’s hooked up to a Chase Bliss compatible Midi box. I have tested this with a HX Stomp.
Bluetooth: I highly recommend the CME Widi jack. Use a midi box that's switchable to work with Chase Bliss pedals (Ring active). Because it's switchable you can then use any stereo TRS cable. I am using the Disaster Area Midi Box 4. Do not try using a Widi jack plugged directly into the Mood pedal's midi input - it won't work because the TRS cable CME use is wired up the standard way.

Midi Channel: Set to 9. You can easily change these by:

Tapping the More menu (top centre) then design mode
Double tap a tab and go to the controls pane.
Click Renumber controls (Channel & CC), and pick the channel you want to change everything on the tab to. Make sure Channel only is selected,
Tap apply.
Repeat the process for each tab with controls on them (it's quick and should take 1-2min to do). Save your layout so settings are retained (under More/Config/Actions/Save Layout As)

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Presets:

Saving in-app presets: Use the ticker to pick the slot -> Hit Save -> Label your preset
If you want to see what the preset saving module is connected to or edit them:
- Go into design mode -> double tap the ticker -> Relationships tab.
- Then look at the subcontrols
- To add subcontrols: Hold your finger over the "drag to subcontrol" button then gliding it over the control. Then hit apply and save your layout.
- To remove subcontrols: Swipe from right to left on the list. Then hit apply and save your layout.

A NOTE ON PRESETS:

If you are adding in-app presets, make sure you save your layout at the end of a session. This will write them to the layout file. Open the App Menu -> Tap Config -> Then tap Save Layout in the Actions Tab
If you happen to open design mode you'll notice there's a lot of panels with controls that are hidden in play mode (the yellow boxes). Don't delete them - they are super or sub controls, and necessary for mapping and functionality to work. Feel free to tweak other controls though - e.g if you want to change a colour/size, move them elsewhere or switch out a dial of a fader etc.

A tip for those wishing to edit things: When you load this layout in it will be locked from making changes. But if you go into design mode, then tap on the padlock you can unlock elements to make changes. The app refers to 'Others' for controls (e.g buttons & sliders).

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If you'd like to make your own midi layout or modify what I created, Scott UHL Music has a really great video on how to use the app

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If you spot anything that has not been mapped correctly, let me know and I'll do my best solve them - You can see what commands are going out by using the log function in the more menu. If you enjoy using this layout I'd love to know in the comments or via Instagram.

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Disclaimers

This is a non-official layout. Use at your own risk. Joel and the Chase Bliss team have given my their blessing though.

I am not connected to Chase Bliss, and I don't work for Midi Designer. I made this for my personal use, and thought I'd post it here so other people can enjoy using it.

For Midi Designer Pro app issues please contact the Midi Designer support team

For issues with pedal hardware or software please contact Chase Bliss.

Layout: Akai MIDImix

Sat, 25 May 2024 21:51:57 +0000

Layout for Akai MIDImix with all features
and included complete working lights

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Wired connection between iPad and computer

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 20:44:32 +0000

Thought I'd share this. I have no affiliation with the company in question; I'm just a satisfied customer.

My solution to date for a wired connection between iPad and laptop has been a pair of mio USB/MIDI cables, connected by a pair of back-to-back DIN socket adapters.

A couple of weeks ago I discovered the device below, decided to give it a chance, and all seems well. It features an advantage over my old solution, in presenting 4 virtual MIDI ports at each end of the connection, which could open up new possibilities.

Unfortunately the only explanatory video I've seen of this device is in Spanish, but I could get the gist, at least enough for me to part with my money.

https://sevillasoft.com/index.php/midi-usb-usb

Roland TR-8S Manager

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 05:05:22 +0000

This is the same layout at the TR-6s, with the additional five tracks for the TR-8s.

See https://mididesigner.com/qa/10061 for more information.

For ease of maintenance, the layout is built with the TR-6s model ID, then SB is used to remap to the TR-8S model ID. This makes it easier to add functionality once to both layout versions. If you borrow controls to use in other layouts, you may want to change the model ID on the controls from 6D to 45 instead of relying on the SB translation, especially if you have other TR controls.

Dan and I have been bouncing ideas around as we build these TR layouts. One question is can you do an auto-load after kit changes? Yes, but how do you know the user has finished scrolling through kits? You don't want the settings scanner to start while the kit is still scrolling, potentially loading 1/2 of one kit settings, 1/2 of another. You can set a timer, but you might not want to always wait for the timer, or again you might start scrolling again. So we just do a subtle prompt. If the layout detects a kit change, but LOAD has not been activated, the LOAD button changes color as a prompt. initially had an arrow appear next to the button, but the color change is more subtle.

If you knew that only a single kit change would come in, such as under DAW control, you could automate the LOAD.

Roland TR-6S Manager

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 04:06:23 +0000

Mixer

Traditional mixer view, with key track and kit parameters.
Current kit name and number are at top.
Load settings after kit change. Load button will change color when LOAD is required.

Functional flow view of all effects and key settings.
To the right are quick-setting buttons, including DRY, which disables all effects
Load when first used, and after changing Master Effect from MD

The TR must be connected via computer for this layout to work. The TR does not send SysEx over DIN MIDI necessary for the layout to function.

Check back as we add more capability.

See https://mididesigner.com/qa/10063 for TR-8s version

You can test this version on the 8s with the following SB code:

Output

If M00 == F0 41 10 00
If M04 == 00 00 6D
Ass M06 = 45
End
End

Input

If M00 == F0 41 10 00
If M04 == 00 00 45
Ass M06 = 6D
End
End

Live keyboard rig control surface (GigPerformer)

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 16:34:08 +0000

This is my layout for controlling my plugins. All midi controls my Mac running Gig Performer 4 which hosts my plugins:-

Piano - Synthogy Ivory 3, Rhodes - Rhodes pro V8, Synth - Synthmaster 2, Kontakt with voice and brass samples, Hammond - Hammond B3x plugin.

I use image panels from free png images from the internet of buttons that I superimpose at various transparencies over the stock MD buttons and knobs. The hammond I have also used a wood image on the panel. The other panels have a black image panel with tranparency that has some highlights on it to make it look more real.

I use panels to reveal and hide to keep my live status simple and clear. I have to use a ‘shape’ that is black to hide or dim that is attached to a transparent panel, as the stock ‘black’ panel is dark grey and doesn’t quite work. I have kept the hiding panels slightly transparent and not completely black so that I can still make out the volumes positions etc before I switch on that sound.

i’ve also put orange ‘dummy’ buttons behind the Rhodes knobs to give them an orange ring glow.

Hope this is useful to someone.

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.

Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl Hi-Fi

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 18:43:44 +0000

UPDATES:

15th March: Fixed follow Midi Clock toggle

Connecting to the pedals:

Wired: Plug your iPad/iPhone into a USB enabled midi device that’s hooked up to a Chase Bliss compatible Midi box. I have tested this with a HX Stomp.
Bluetooth: I highly recommend the CME Widi jack. Use a midi box that's switchable to work with Chase Bliss pedals (Ring active). Because it's switchable you can then use any stereo TRS cable. I am using the Disaster Area Midi Box 4. Do not try using a Widi jack plugged directly into the pedal's midi input - it won't work because the TRS cable CME use is wired up the standard way.

Midi Channels: You can change these by going into design mode. Then double tapping each tab and going to the controls pane. Repeat the process for each of the tabs and banks

Presets:

Saving in-app presets: Use the ticker to pick the slot -> Hit Save -> Label your preset
Recalling in-app presets: Use quick toggle buttons below slider.
Labelling preset toggles: 1) Go into 'Design Mode' 2) Tap the padlock to uncheck 'Others' (to allow changes) 3) Double tap the toggle to bring up a menu where you can title your preset button (if already unlocked you can skip the second action)

IMPORTANT:

If you are adding in-app grouped presets, make sure you save your layout at the end of a session. This will write them to the layout file. Open the App Menu -> Tap Config -> Then tap Save Layout in the Actions Tab
If you happen to open design mode you'll notice there's a lot of panels with controls that are hidden in play mode ( the yellow boxes). Don't delete them - they are super or sub controls, and necessary for mapping and functionality to work. Feel free to tweak other controls though - e.g if you want to change a colour/size, move them elsewhere or switch out a dial of a fader etc.

Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaaasounds/

Disclaimers

Chase Bliss have given me a thumbs up, but note this is a non-official layout.
I am not connected to Chase Bliss, and I don't work for Midi Designer. I made this for my personal use, and thought I'd post it here so other people can enjoy using it
For Midi Designer Pro app issues please contact the Midi Designer support team
For issues with pedal hardware or software please contact Chase Bliss.

Yamaha FGDP-50 Drum Pad

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 20:41:04 +0000

The Yamaha FGDP-50 Finger Pad is a toy for drummers, but it's quite fun to play. This layout gives you direct access to Kit selection.

There's more to the MIDI Spec, and I might add more functionality later.

FGDP-50 MIDI Spec [ link ] [ all manuals ]
Named Ticks Maker in Google Sheets [ link ]
Info on the FGDP-50 [ link ]

Roland TR-6S & TR-8S Remote Control and Basic Sequencer

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:34:27 +0000

TR 6s / 8s Variation and Pattern Controls

Provides:

Precise stop on downbeat
Remote control of variations and fill settings
Manual or automatic sequence through a set of variations
Manual or automatic sequence through a set of variations and patterns

This is a work in progress. Watch for updates as I complete development as discussed below.

Connection:

Unfortunately, the data needed for this layout only comes via USB (at least I have not figured out switch settings to get it out DIN MIDI), so the connection has to be via a computer with the appropriate Roland driver.

Setup:

Check MIDI Designer Config / Pedalboards / Pedalboard supercontrols affect only current pages subcontrols - ON for right page - see image
Complete steps 1-5 in the setup block
For remote control of step advance, via note or Cc, make appropriate settings in remote control settings
The default settings can be changed in the StreamByter input rules - locations are labeled

This layout writes data to

system settings - Tx and Rx edit data ON
pattern variation settings - variations selected, fill, cycle, and auto-fill

No other data should be impacted. To preserve existing pattern variation settings, turn off auto-save.

Pages

Left
- Beat display, start, stop now & stop end controls
- current variation & kit # and title
- Tempo
- “exclusive” or “inclusive” selection of current variations
  - Inclusive will not allow turning off all variations - TRs get weird when this happens
- Scatter display - illuminates when the “scatter” fill is active
- The pattern selector at top left does NOT do a beat synchronized change
Start / Stop control (TR has a four beat count in for remote start)
Three right pages, with increasing levels of control
- Manual sequencing of variations
- Manual / Automatic sequencing of variations
- Manual / Automatic sequencing of variations and patterns

For pattern sequencing, this forces the pattern change on the next downbeat by clearing current variations.

Some things that should be possible:

Extended fills & transitions. Make two or more patterns similar, use the first A-H for normal bars, use second A-H for enhanced fills and transitions (two or four bars vs one), etc.

Sequencer

Choices are
- Auto / Manual run (manual advances on step button or remote control)
- If Auto, number of bars to repeat before next step
- Whether to stop at end of bar (after repeats in auto)
- Use the STEP button or remote control to advance in play, the +1/-1 buttons are for use in editing
- The three sets of sequencer steps are independent
I am working on a more advanced sequencer, adding
- for each step, selection of # of bars to repeat, or wait for manual advance (vamping, etc.)
- loop an arbitrary selection of steps # of times (up to last 10 steps, up to 10 times, etc.)
- jump to arbitrary nearby (not just next step) (+/- 64 steps)
- dynamic indexing by songs (vs 200, 400, 600, …)

So I would not try to load your complete playlist in the current version. But if you do save data in the sequencers, save the layout to save your work.

The “sequencer” works at the measure level, not sequencing notes, but the drum machine settings for next measure, and how many times to repeat the measure, etc.. Then loads the settings to the Tr so it is ready for next downbeat.

Limitations

Roland have not provided the SysEx definition for the TRs, this implements what I have been able to decode so far. Really no magic here, just watching the data sent by the TRs in run or when communicating with the editor.
Some things still working toward:
- Display currently playing variation
- Remote actuation & display of fill (this will actuate Scatter, but only for the remainder of current bar)
I have not spent much time assessing the “fill cycle” behavior with change of settings, could be some work here to make more predictable.
The SB code could be more compact if subroutines worked in MIDI Designer - the lack of subroutines forces a more linear thought process (which might actually be more logical)
This control uses a quantity of SysEx traffic. There may be architectures where this may not be optimum.
If the TR is connected, you can use any of the variation controls to program sequencer steps. If the TR is not connected, you have to use the dial in sequencer settings block.
This was tested on the 6s.

Free vs Premium

Remote variation control and manual sequencing work in Free - this should give a feel if the capability is something potentially useful for your workflow
Remaining capability requires Premium

I have not tried to replicate capability in the Roland TR editor - it works for what it does. My focus is on things the editor cannot do.

Thanks to "mike" on StreamByter forum who got me re-engaged on this effort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwG0IfNU2b4

MDP X on Mac can create unequal sized pages

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 22:47:55 +0000

New layout on Mac may create unequal sized pages on 'new' layout. Finally captured one of these layouts - usually just delete and start again.

Workaround - try new layout again, or resize layout.

Deleting "enable" button freezes the parent control, relationship not cleared on delete

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 22:46:05 +0000

Assign an enable button to a control. Delete the button without deleting the relationship - stops all output from the control

Workaround - Go to the frozen control and unselect the deleted control from button enables box.

Problem is you may have forgotten the relationship when you delete the button, spend lots of time trying to figure out why your layout stops working.

MDP2 fails to open an MD Pro-X layout

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 02:35:33 +0000

I opened an old layout in MDP PROx to verify it. I did not make any changes, but saved it. I mailed it to an interested user. He was unable to open it. He stated he was using MD Pro 2 (2.131) on IOS 10.3.3. The message is “…was created with a higher version of MD…”.

Is there any version of MDP Pro2 that can open a layout saved in MDP PROx?

DSI Tetra (with Sys-Ex receive)

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 18:40:12 +0000

This is not a passive editor. By hooking up both MIDI in and out to/from the Tetra you can use the 'Retrieve Program' button in the Layout, and the Tetra will send the currently buffered Program (by Sys-Ex dump) to MD. This Layout will then reflect the received Program data for analysis and editing. You can also initiate a Program dump from the Tetra's own menu.

This Layout contains buttons for Oscillator 1 and 2 'Wave Reset'. These parameters are not mentioned in the Tetra manual.

There is a 'Basic Patch' button that recalls the DSI equivalent from MD's Preset 10 location.

I have included a couple of note on/off trigger buttons for the sequencer.

I embraced the two-page format for this Layout. I have chosen what I consider to be useful combinations for L/R pages.

* Early versions of this Layout required 'Supercontrols Send Own Values' to be switched on in MD's Config - Options. If this was not done then the oscillator shape buttons would not function. This requirement was removed from Version 5 onwards.

There are limitations:

I have not implemented edit access for all of the 'Global' parameters. Some of them are problematical (switching off NPRN reception would disable this Layout, for instance!). Retrieving Global data will display current Global parameter values, however.
I have not addressed Layers or Combos. I don't use these myself, so the considerable amount of work to expand the Layout is not justified.
Programs must be saved using the Program Write procedure on the Tetra itself.
Although it should be possible to edit the Assignable Parameters 1-4 from MD, I found that any message received by the Tetra reset these Parameters to zero. I have made the MD controls read-only, so they will have to be edited on the Tetra itself.

Add NPRN offset to Panel options?

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:52:08 +0000

I'm creating a lot of NPRN controls, and much of this is repeated with offset - Env 1, 2, 3, LFO 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. The panel offset option only allows for controller number offset. Can an NPRN offset (MSB/LSB) please be considered?

I am not getting email responses to Q&A submitals

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:32:27 +0000

Lately I have submitted several Ask a questions and get no email responses. I have the Email me checked when submitting. My active email address is listed. I have to go to Q&A periodically to check for responses to questions I just submitted. Worse yet, if someone responds to an older submittal I will never know. Please check into this.

For example https://mididesigner.com/qa/9862/prox-panels-controls-duplicated-with-make-similar-behavior I have not received an email that there were responses.

I will double check the email address listed for this submittal.

RheyneMIDI - control surface for Ableton

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 04:26:02 +0000

Here's the Ableton control surface I've been using for many years, mainly handling audio return channels for various instruments in my live looping setup, both hardware and software. I've included a copy of an Ableton template with the controls from pages 1-4 mapped to the MIDI Designer template. Each channel contains a reverb, delay and filter, with the channel header's colors in Ableton matching those in the MIDI Designer template. The top two knobs in each group controls the reverb amount and mix, the bottom two knobs control the delay's amount and mix, and the x/y pad controls the filter's cutoff and resonance. The on/off switch for each plugin is also mapped.

Page 5 is mapped to various lighting cues and external gear, and is included here as a starting point for your own use. All of the controls are mapped to MIDI channels 2 and 3, which was done to avoid conflicts with other hardware in my studio.

If anything isn't working correctly, please let me know and I'd be happy to fix it.

Jon B (@RheyneMusic)

MIDI Apply Now Sysex Properties in Mac OS and iOS Fails and is inconsistent with Control Change behavior

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:25:00 +0000

In MDPx for Mac OS and iOS, applying a Sysex Property MIDI value change may/will fail. Case in point, when activated with red dot, there is no way to make a MIDI value change since Apply Now never appears. When activated with green dot, the Apply Now only appears at the bottom right, but not at the top left. Thinking clicking the return arrow to close the window will apply any change, it does NOT in either mode. I have occasionally changed the Sysex value and hit the return arrow as I normally would, only to have my change fail and having to go into a troubleshooting mode.

If I remember to select the green dot mode and Apply Now at the bottom right, the Apply Now appears at the top left and closing the window will take the change and everything is fine. However, I should only have to apply once and not twice in the green dot mode, particularly if I am changing several controls at the same time.

I tried the Control Change MIDI value and it works in either red or green dot mode. Making a change makes the Apply Now appear at the top left as usual.

Why doesn't the Apply Now appear at the top left for MIDI entries of the Sysex Property panel? I sense a few other changes have occurred in Mac OS, such as the convenient numeric keypad with upper case hex letters and V and L no longer appears as it does in iOS.

If Sysex Properties is selected, I suggest the Apply Now becomes a choice at the top left. The user then has the option to not make a change and select the go back arrow, make a change and have the change take when closing the panel, or Cancel, which does appear. At least if he made a change and didn't want to keep it, he has several ways out.

Getting wi-fi disconnected often now - and reconnecting doesn't work

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 14:13:02 +0000

Something I've been noticing since MDX (didn't seem to happen in Beta). Never had much a problem in the past, but now I get wi-fi disconnected frequently. Disconnecting and reconnecting manually in the Config - Connections dialogue doesn't work, even though the connection is ticked. I have to shut down/re-start MDX.

This could be due to other issues, but it seems too coincidental to not mention it.

Where is email layout info in Mac OS?

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 15:17:43 +0000

I am unable to find the selection to email metadata in MDP ProX for Mac OS. It is not in Config > Actions > Advanced anymore. In the iPad there is a Mail Metadata option. In Mac OS, there is no such option in Config menu. The Share to Mail in the Apple File Menu only attaches the ,mididesigner file. I find it useful, especially for large layouts to identify controls for assigning Midi parameters. Please bring it back.

Thanks

Walrus Audio Meraki Analog Stereo Delay

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 18:45:39 +0000

Here is a layout to control the Walrus Audio Meraki pedal.

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Midi Channel: It is set to 5. You can change it by going into design mode. Then double tapping each tab and going to the controls pane. Repeat the process for each tabs with controls on them.

Chase Bliss Dark World

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 18:42:39 +0000

Here is a layout to control the Chase Bliss Audio Dark World pedal.

Huge thanks to mitchelldr for the inspiration from his layout for the Thermae !

To be noticed: On the Dark World, Dip Switches cannot be controlled over midi, so loading presets can lead to various results depending on the Dip Switches state.

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Midi Channel: It is set to 3. You can change it by going into design mode. Then double tapping each tab and going to the controls pane. Repeat the process for each tabs with controls on them.

Chase Bliss Audio Gen Loss MkII

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 18:31:31 +0000

Here is a layout to control the Chase Bliss Audio Gen Loss MkII pedal.

Huge thanks to yasir for the inspiration ! I used the layout he made for the Mood MkII, and learned a lot, using it as a base and modifying it to fit with the Gen Loss MkII. Checkout his other layouts too.

Few usage notes (copied from yasir mood mkII layout):

Saving in-app presets: Use the slider to pick the slot -> Hit Save -> Label your preset

Recalling in-app presets:

Option 1 (Most useful): Use quick toggle buttons below slider.
- If you want to label the toggles: 1) Go into 'Design Mode' 2) Tap the padlock to uncheck 'Others' (to allow changes) 3) Double tap the toggle to bring up a menu where you can title your preset button (if already unlocked you can skip the second action)
Option 2: Use the slider to go to the preset slot. Then tap 'Recall'.

IMPORTANT:

If you are adding in-app presets, make sure you save your layout at the end of a session. This will write them to the layout file. Open the App Menu -> Tap Config -> Then tap Save Layout in the Actions Tab
If you happen to open design mode you'll notice there's a lot of panels with controls that are hidden in play mode ( the yellow boxes). Don't delete them - they are super or sub controls, and necessary for mapping and functionality to work. Feel free to tweak other controls though - e.g if you want to change a colour/size, move them elsewhere or switch out a dial of a fader etc.

Dip Switches: These work by sliding your finger over the control from left to right.

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Midi Channel: It is set to 6. You can change it by going into design mode. Then double tapping each tab and going to the controls pane. Repeat the process for each tabs with controls on them.

Moog Mother 32 Semi-Modular Synthesizer

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 08:56:06 +0000

Very straight forward implementation on the Mother 32. For CC, you only have portamento time and toggle, and a sustain toggle.

PC messages 1-65 will load one of the corresponding sequences, and 71-86 will choose from available options to output a signal from the “Assign” output on the Mother 32 patch bay. I’ll include the page from the manual explaining each.

My first project on Midi Designer. I'd like to add more functionality in the future, like selecting sequences through bank/sequence combinations to be more in line with how the Mother stores them. For now, you will have to do the math to find your sequence. :(

Hope this is able to help somebody out!

Mailing a layout no longer 'subject lined' automatically

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 13:24:04 +0000

I used to use the email feature to send copies of my layouts to myself and have them redirect to a safe folder, based on the content that MD automatically created in the subject line.

I know there's the 'Share' option now, but it doesn't do the subject line content for me. Deliberate, or an oversight?

PLEASE can I have the auto subject line back?!

LAYOUT: Simple MIDI Monitor

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 17:48:37 +0000

This is a simple MIDI monitor, that has saved me lots of time and trouble. It gives an indication of what data is reaching MIDI Designer, including MIDI channel, note on/off + velocity, pitchbend, controllers + value, program changes, and channel/poly aftertouch. Poly aftertouch also shows the note the aftertouch message is attached to. There is also a button that briefly flashes when a sys-ex message is received.

This Layout, although basic, can help to solve MIDI problems.

Hack to Format, Copy, and Paste Named Ticks to/from an Excel Template

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 03:21:32 +0000

Easily format, create, and edit Named Ticks in Midi Designer Pro2 using Copy and Paste from an Excel Template. The Excel template is used to parse and format the Named Ticks data from MDP2. Then it can easily be modified, copied, and pasted back into Named Ticks Edit pane for Knobs, Sliders, and other similar controls. This is a quick and simple hack to populate Named Ticks from a prepared list without entering it manually into MDP’s Edit Named Ticks.

Open the Excel file and save it as a template. Then to use, Select New from Template. The template contains step-by-step instructions. The video describes the procedure in detail.

This is a follow up to https://mididesigner.com/qa/9769/named-ticks-program-sequential-random-midi-stepper-outputs

The video describes the procedure in detail.

https://youtu.be/2zNuhP06ROw

Metronome Hack using MidiFire Dynamic Clock

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 02:26:24 +0000

This MDP2 design features a Metronome tempo control hack implemented within the iPad. It features the Dynamic Clock module in the MidiFire app by Audeonic to generate a Beats per Minute clock. The design has a tempo range from 20 to 200 Beats per Minute. The clock drives a simple 4 beats per measure display which can be expanded to include other selectable beats per measure or other functions. The Layout can also easily be modified for other tempo control implementations, ranges, and values to suit your needs. It can easily be added to any functional layout you currently use

The MidiFire Scene consists of ‘MD Pro 2’ input and output interfaces with Midi Designer. The principal element is the Dynamic Clock, which generates a midi output at a rate equal to 24 times the displayed BPM. There are input and output StreamByter modules connected to the dynamic clock. The input StreamByter receives Midi messages to start, stop, and set the tempo from MDP. The output SB divides and outputs Midi messages to MDP representing each of the 4 Beats.

The Clock Control consists of a Slider to control the Tempo of the MidiFire Dynamic Clock. It’s main feature is the use of Named Ticks to display the tempo and the corresponding term.

The video provides details of the design and the MidiFire StreamByter Code.

https://youtu.be/ur61LCYGQPs

Personal Patch Selector

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 23:54:48 +0000

My most recent keyboard the Go:Piano uses very basic voices. The bluetooth midi allow flexibility to connect multiple devices to a DAW for sound expansion. Midi Designer is key in utilising some old iPads as a midi controller. I use a middle layer of midi signal processing to enable smooth audio voice switching and keyboard split.

LAYOUT: Real Time Local Clock (Hours, Minutes, Seconds) Display Function

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 02:52:16 +0000

This layout implements a Real Time (Wall) Local Clock function using an inexpensive app available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac to display the current local time. The app is TimeCode Generator (TCG) by Haute Technique. It generates the standard Midi Time Code (MTC) from the clock on the device it is running on. StreamByter receives and processes the SysEx MTC and provides a digital time readout that can be placed on most MDP2 layouts.

Reference from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10229205976446482&set=gm.3686457504915900&idorvanity=1507885269439812

MDP Q&A references

qa/2490/mtc-clock-support

qa/3064/clock-that-shows-hours-and-minutes

Design

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoC3tKjjT4o&list=PLO61rnLFosvrM3hE7NUagjRugRIFKheo4&index=1

LAYOUT: Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 13:08:06 +0000

This is a layout for Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 with as-of-now latest firmware 2.5.3.

https://www.audiothingies.com/product/micromonsta2/

You can initiate a bulk patch dump to this layout and it will display all of the settings for the patch. The patch name and category cannot be edited from the layout, but will display.

If your MM2 has an earlier version of the firmware, then you can either update your MM2 to 2.5.3, or download the earlier version of my Layout here: https://mididesigner.com/qa/8892/audiothingies-micromonsta-2

LAYOUT: Memory Moon ME80

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:54:03 +0000

This is a layout for the Memory Moon ME80.

https://www.memorymoon.com/me80.htm

LAYOUT: Roland MKS-70 V4

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:50:09 +0000

This is a layout for the Roland MKS-70 with V4 (Vecoven) firmware and PWM upgrade.

LAYOUT: TC-Helicon Voicelive 3 Extreme

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:47:16 +0000

This is a layout for the TC-Helicon Voicelive 3 Extreme.

https://www.tc-helicon.com/product.html?modelCode=0726-AAY

LAYOUT: Dreadbox Nymphes

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:45:29 +0000

This is a layout for the Dreadbox Nymphes.

LAYOUT: Dreadbox Typhon

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:43:35 +0000

This is a layout for the Dreadbox Typhon:.https://www.dreadbox-fx.com/typhon/

LAYOUT: Full Bucket Stigma

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:41:18 +0000

This is a layout for Full Bucket's recreation of the Korg Sigma.

https://www.fullbucket.de/music/stigma.html

LAYOUT: UJAM Virtual Pianist Score

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:08:17 +0000

At this time there is a bug in Virtual Pianist that prevents you from keeping the midi configuration in memory. Fortunatly with Unify, there is a way to get around this issue. There is also another bug with Style, You can change the Style from the layout but you don't see the new style on the plugin GUI.

With this layout you can play with Score even if you do not play a keyboard. The chords section that we open by touching the Mididesigner logo allows you to transmit chords without touching a keyboard. Thanks to JKHiser for his inspiration.

Unify from PluginGuru (https://www.pluginguru.com/products/unify-standard/),

Enjoy!

You can get more informations about Ujam Virtual Pianist here: https://www.ujam.com/pianist/score/

LAYOUT: XLN AUDIO Life

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:49:58 +0000

Hi,

This layout control Life from XLN Audio. Life lets you generate infinite beats with the unique sounds from your life's favorite moments. Capture anything, anywhere, anytime with Life's accompanying mobile Field Recorder and DAW Recorder apps.

https://www.xlnaudio.com/products/life

Enjoy!

Supercontrols Send Own Values notes

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 06:00:13 +0000

A few instances with button supercontrols where Supercontrols Send Own Values may not have the expected results

Options as supercontrol - send default value
- only sends values that are not already on default value
- this will propagate through intermediate controls that ARE at default to move controls that are NOT at default value

Options as supercontrol - send current value
- only sends subcontrol values (leafs)

Above both function as expected with continuous value supercontrols (knobs, sliders, etc.)

Send On Only
- button supercontrols will also send MIDI off values

My recommendation remains to avoid using the SuperControls Send Own Values option - is more disciplined programming to have a control EITHER be a Supercontrol or send MIDI, not both.

Added 2 & 3 to the observations sheet.

These are fairly obscure cases, prolly not high priority to address - better to avoid in layout construction

Via ZD 3432

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

In Mac OS, Moving Controls or Changing Size may fail and is not consistent

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 19:00:50 +0000

In Mac OS, when attempting to move a control in Design Mode, occasionally the control will not move. Attempting to change the size of a control is just as inconsistent.

If a control is selected by holding the mouse down and moved, the control may or may not move. If the control is selected and the mouse is released and then reselected and held down, the control may or may not move. I haven't found any consistent behavior one way or another.

The layout is a simple test layout. This issue occured with any layout since the inception of the Mac OS version. It's more of an inconvenience to have to attempt to move or resize a control but not an outright failure.

See the video at https://youtu.be/dFT_zEAth-I

Provide ability to select LED color for Button Labels

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 04:23:36 +0000

Button Label Colors (and other controls?) are either white or black. Provide ability to select the range of colors such as available for the label color of Labels. Suggest adding a LED Color selection to Label Properties. Have need for color labels on buttons without a hack to overlay a color label on a button with a white label.

Provide ability to turn Autosize off in a Label.

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 04:04:55 +0000

A Label's Autosize button cannot be turned off. This requires changing the size by changing the Label's selection bounding box. This can run into problems when the Label's box size gets too big and cannot exceed the overall MDP window. The Label may not be able to be moved where desired.

Controls "supercontrols" properties box is missing the "Edit" option

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 03:53:23 +0000

The pane when attempting to delete a Supercontrol from a selected Subcontrol states "Touch to see - Swipe to delete". Touch to see works, but cannot swipe a spercontrol to delete using a mouse in Mac OS. Swipe works in the iPad. Suggest adding an Edit Button to bring up the Red delete selection as in deleting a Subcontrol from a Supercontrol, which is the workaround to the current issue.

BUG: Cannot Review via "Review Now" Popup on macOS

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 03:01:39 +0000

Occasionally, when starting up MDP2 in macOS, a popup appears asking to rate MIDI Designer on the App Store. "Submit" is not operational. I would like to give it 5 stars, but have to settle for Not Now.

This issue existed since the beginning of MDP2 on macOS.

Call for Layouts: Endlesss Studio

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 21:55:12 +0000

Endlesss Studio [ link ]

Use NAMED TICKS to program non-sequential (or random) MIDI STEPPER Outputs

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 03:17:27 +0000

Several recent questions on Facebook Midi Designer’s Group made me think of an alternative approach to a Stepper function I had developed some time ago. I used 96 buttons in a Button Group to output 96 unique CC messages. Each activated one of 96 steps in a Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ (VPO) computer app. My initial layout used consecutive CC numbers. I found CC 6, 38 and several other values implemented different functions. Thus I had to change MDP2 values (several times) to avoid these CCs AND had to reprogram the VPO as well.

The attached image shows the new approach using one Slider with Named Ticks. The Down and Up are configured as standard Supercontrols with the Slider as a Subcontrol. Down has ‘Options as Super’ Inverted. The Slider can be moved up and down manually as well.

The key to simplistic implementation is the 97 Named Ticks (which I will change to 100, the number of Master General stepper steps in Hauptwerk). The Tick values can easily be copied from an Excel spreadsheet listing the desired values. The ‘MIDI Renum’ allows assigning the CC values to each step. They do not have to be sequential. The ‘Display Renum’ can be left sequential from zero to max. The ‘Edit Text’ is the value to be displayed by the optional Label. The text can be any alpha and or numeric value. Since 0 is not a valid step, I use – to indicate the Stepper is not active.

NOTE: The Slider Advanced window is set to ‘Send on Release Only’. The Label’s ‘Label Value Source’ is set to the Slider.

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.

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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.