Tip: Using different midi channel for each key zone

[runeharpun]

Here's a tip on how you can set up different zones to play on different midi channels on your M50. Since there is no way to configure which midi channel each part of the keyboard plays, you can archive the same using this configuration. It requires an external midi cable.

I'll explain with a single split setup, using a combination. I assume global channel is not set to 2 or 3.

1) Go to: Timbre Param tab

Set timbre 15 to status=ext and channel=2
Set timbre 16 to status=ext and channel=3
Set timbre 1 to staus=int and channel=2
Set timbre 2 to staus=int and channel=3

2) Go to Key/Vel zone tab
Set k/c zone 15 top key to B3
Set k/c zone 16 bottom key to C4

3) Change the sounds of timbre 1 and 2 (or pan them) to better hear the changes at the split point.

4) Plug a midi cable between midi in and out.

Now you have a kind of zone split based on channels. You get about 2ms of delay on the midi signal. If you like, you can set up the knobs to control the volume of each midi channel in the global setup - getting an easy accessable volume knob without spending an IFX to to that. You can even send program changes to each of the zones without changing combination.

[X-Trade]

WHY would you want to do this?

you just need to set the different timbres to int, GCH if you want to hear them. if you want to control something else, set them to EXT (and it will transmit on the channel set, and you can still I believe set a key range and vel range).

I can't quite understand what you're trying to achieve here.

and if you're trying to record MIDI into a sequencer, then its split using EXT to trigger softsynths, or if you're routing it back then it'll play the right sound back anyway because you're playing it back into the same keyzone...

plus i'd hazard to say its just generally bad practise to introduce a MIDI loop that way.

[runeharpun]

I use a footcontroller with my M50, so it makes it possible to control the volume of only one of the parts (without having to use an IFX or alter the patches). It also makes it possible to change patches. within zones of a performance.

But different midi channels for different key zones should have been implemented within the M50, so it's basically just a hack to get around the design.

[X-Trade]

I suppose that makes sense.

you can get control of two timbres' volumes by using channel volume for one knob, and expression for the other. setting the MIDI filters to tell them which knob to assign to.
I admit that there should be a better way of controlling the volume of patches in a combi or sequencer, but I can't really imagine KORG implementing it any differently.

you see the main keyboard transmits on the Gch. so when a timbre is set to internal, setting it to GCH will make it respond to the internal keyboard (and anything else on that channel externally. setting an internal timbre to another channel is great if you are using one or more controller keyboards, for example for an organ sound, or to save having to split or change sounds (this is what I do. and I'd rather not loose that functionality).

setting a timbre to EXT will link it to respond to the global channel, but rechannelising the note data to the channel set, which is great for controlling external gear.

your technique described above does provide (yet another) way around this when it comes to controlling timbre parameters from an external device... but you're missing one important point: in the system described you have introduced a midi loop, so you must turn Local Off

[runeharpun]

Local off is in effect archived by not playing any sounds on Gch (channel=1).

I guess using expression for the second setup will be a easier solution if only control of volume for two zones is needed. In my previous setup I assigned a pedal to a spesific CC and then used an IFX to control volume. But sometimes you don't have any IFX to spare

[runeharpun]

I suppose that makes sense.

you can get control of two timbres' volumes by using channel volume for one knob, and expression for the other. setting the MIDI filters to tell them which knob to assign to.

As far as I can see there is no way to filter out just CC7 or CC11 for one timbre... The option other CC in the filter tab handles BOTH CC7 and CC11, so there is no way to filter only one of them. Or am I overlooking something here?

[X-Trade]

I use the TR - not the M50. Principles (and basic OS layout) are the same.
But working on that here, setting the filter for knob1, 2, 3, etc, seems to work before the conversion to a specific MIDI cc.

so setting knob 1 to volume, then telling all timbres but timbre 1 to ignore knob 1, makes timbre 1 respond to the volume message from knob 1.


by the way, your 'MIDI Loop' still has problems. because you're not using an int GCH timbre, you're right in that there's no feedback for notes, but there are still control changes, sysex, pchg, etc, which will all be doubled.

[runeharpun]

Thanks. I overlooked the filters page with the knobs. That does the trick .

[kanthos]

But different midi channels for different key zones should have been implemented within the M50, so it's basically just a hack to get around the design.

What do you mean by this? I understand what you're doing but fail to see how it's any kind of a hack.

[runeharpun]

What do you mean by this? I understand what you're doing but fail to see how it's any kind of a hack.

The hack is the round trip the midi signal does by the midi cable.

The thing is that it should have been possible to split the internal keyboard, defining which zone of the keyboard transmits on what channel instead of having all notes belong to the global channel.