In the Panels View and Wiring, when we “ Assign a permanent program change number” to a Variation, the numbers are shown in the left- hand column. This is excellent.
In the Setlist View, we get no visual indication of the PC number when assigned to a Song, but we do get the visual indication when applied to a Song Part. It also asks if we want to apply it to all Setlists, where the Song Part appears.
So it seems that applying the PC directly to the first Song Part (and applying it across all Setlists) is my preferred method, unless there are reasons to avoid it.
I assume that I need to set the Channel in the Global MIDI Options dialog.
In the Setlist Options, I can select the Port and Channel number. It seems like I’m setting the Channel number twice?
There is no problem doing this. The thing is, there are multiple ways to send out program changes to external hardware depending on one needs. So you can send out a single PC from a Song but by using actions you can send out multiple PC messages.
Because you cannot assign a PC number to a song! You assign PC numbers to song parts, not songs. You have previously been talking about defining PC numbers to send out when selecting a song - but now you’re talking about how GP should respond when an external device sends a PC number into GP.
One place where I would use Actions on Song Parts is for selecting pages on Mobile Sheets using the Pitch Wheel method. But I would do this for some songs and not others.
It would be nice if there were a small “A” indicator per Song Part. “A=n”, where n is the number of Actions would be cool, but I appreciate that graphical real estate is scarce. One could click on the “A” to open the Actions dialog.
Before this thread, I had missed the Actions feature (and I’ve read the manual, but not recently or well, apparently.) Adding a small, clickable icon could provide status about the presence of Actions and make the feature more discoverable.
I will add the PC directly to the first Song Part, specifically for Mobile Sheets. This automatically displays the number in the Setlist View. It’s automatic and transparent.
For Page selection, I will add it as an Action, where applicable. I could add more PC messages or whatever in additional Actions. And…
I can type any Action information that I might want to see in the Song Part name. Duh. So simple.
That way, years in the future, I won’t forget about the stuff under the covers.
Song Part names are typically short, like “Intro”, “Chorus”, or “Kazoo”, so adding “(A: Page 2)” can easily fit.
Adding transparency via names is something I will keep in mind in general.
