How to specify Middle C (C3) note number

Hardware
1

Hi
I am a complete newbie to Gig Performer in particular and to Midi in general.
I have an Akai MPD226 controller connected to a Korg PA series keyboard via Gig Performer.I am trying to send a particular note by hitting pad 1 on the controller. I want it to play the same note on the Korg.
I have programmed it so that the pad does what it is supposed to BUT - the MIDI Note names do not match. My Akai thinks it is sending C_2 (note 36) - but Gig Performer MIDI monitor says the same (note 36) is C1. Per CHat GTPT - it is because there is a naming mismatch between Akai and Gig Performer (and Korg):

  • Akai’s Naming: Many Akai devices use a standard where Middle C is labeled as C2.

  • Gig Performer’s Naming: Gig Performer (and many other software programs) follows a standard where Middle C is C3.

Is this true ? Is there any way to specify note number for middle C in Gig Performer - so I can make it match the rest of my hardware ?
Thank you for your help

2

I’m not aware of an option enabling the “shift” of Middle-C in GP.

Unfortunatly the original MIDI Spec did not define this exactly - the associated picture in the standard also was not very helpful or more detailing

" Middle C has a reference value of 60. This is the middle C of an 88 note piano-style keyboard though it need not be physically located in the center of a keyboard."

This is why historically these two conventions you mentioned have grown


3

Gig Performer’s note naming convention is the MIDI Note Standard - middle C is always note 60. Always. Unfortunately, there is no set standard for octave notation, which is what you are describing. This topic comes up regularly in this Community. You can read my last response to one of the topics about it HERE which is a good description of the issue, and the problem the post was trying to solve. In your particular case, I would recommend you consider the standard to be the MIDI notation and the variable to be what any individual piece of hardware is using/sending, and create your solution accordingly.

4

Couple of quick thoughts I’ll throw out.

I would wonder if you would have the same issue without GP in the picture, just connecting the Akai to the Korg? (I would think so.)

Is the issue fixed of you do an octave shift (transpose 12 semitones) on the Akai.

You could always run the Akai into GP and use midi in block set to transpose by 12 semitones and out to the Korg. See if that works.

5

I don’t think he is having a problem with the actual note (they are both 36) it’s just the notation of where on the keyboard that lies, sometimes confusing but really semantics.

Like tomato" (/təˈmeÉȘtoʊ/) versus “tomahto” (/təˈmɑːtoʊ/) same Fruit/Vegetable :slight_smile:

6

Exactly !!
The “correct note #36” is being sent. It is just that if I look at the label of the note - I see two different values - which is not a fatal error - but just confusing - so I was wondering if I could make Gig Performer match the Akai. It appears that that is not possible - so now I will see if there is a way to make the Akai match Gig Performer (not sure if the team on this forum can help me with Akai issues)

7

I doubt you’ll be able to do that, but you can make the controller display note numbers instead of letter values (in Global mode). Not sure if that’s helpful for you.

8

This is the most active and helpful forum I have ever been in. Thank you guys !!