Sending Out MIDI Program changes

kbmatson · September 13, 2021, 12:55pm

Hi - newbie here. So I’ve figured out how to send a program change to my external keyboard (Nord Stage 3) when a song changes in the set list. GREAT! However, two questions:

It seems like you are limited to one MIDI out and one channel for program changes? How could I send multiple program changes out for a song on different MIDI channels and different MIDI outputs? and different set-up per song?
Is there any way to get it to send the program change as you are picking the PC/MSB/LSB in the dialog? It would be nice to see it changing on the external keyboard as I use the arrows to move the numbers.

THANKS!
KenM

pianopaul · September 13, 2021, 1:11pm

Hi @kbmatson, welcome to the family.

You can send more than 1 PC message, you can send all messages you want:

Bank Select messages are just CC0 and CC32

https://gigperformer.com/docs/GP4UserManual/midi-outputs.html

kbmatson · September 13, 2021, 2:36pm

Hi and thanks! However - that seems to be part of the rackspace as opposed to part of the song? I might have 6 or 7 songs that use the same rackspace but need to send out different combinations of program changes on different channels. Is that possible or do I have to go with a “one rackspace per song” approach to accomplish this? THANKS!

David-san · September 13, 2021, 2:50pm

Using widgets corresponding to PC settings, you could probably do what you want. I am looking for users who could test this Scriptlet and you could be a nice candidate

How to change presets on hw keyboard

If you also want to send PC even when switching to another variation within the same rackspace, you can test this alternative solution based on a Scriptlet (see the wiring view) controlled by some widgets. The Scriptlet was not really tested until now. So, please, if you need it, test it carefully and report any issues here. Also a positive feedback after having deeply tested will be appreciated. Here is the Program Change Scriptlet in a test gig file (please replace the marked block by your hardware synth MIDI out block):

In the meantime I also added a “Learn Mode” which makes it possible to learn the PC from the hardware synth itself while selecting the sounds on it. (also not really tested)…

Learn_Program_Change_Scriptlet.gig (238.5 KB)

ACHTUNG: don’t forget to check the “pass program change messages” checkbox of your synth MIDI out block once you replaced it in the wiring view!

Nota: Using only the learning mode button, a set of PC/MSB/LSB text labels can make the panel much simpler and elegant (but at least one widget is required to store the PC/MSB/LSB.

image1553×374 81.6 KB

Let me know if it works for you… well, let me know if it works at all

pianopaul · September 13, 2021, 4:06pm

You can define Midi Messages to be sent when a Song Part is activated

David-san · September 13, 2021, 4:23pm

My hope to have somebody testing my Scriptlet suddenly vanished

pianopaul · September 13, 2021, 4:50pm

That’s life

kbmatson · September 13, 2021, 5:34pm

Thanks - that is very good except that there is no MSB/LSB option to get to the higher number programs!

pianopaul · September 13, 2021, 5:45pm

Just send cc0 and cc32 before the pc message
cc0 and cc32 are for bank select

David-san · September 13, 2021, 6:34pm

You could also like to test the learn option of my Scriptlet…

kbmatson · September 13, 2021, 11:05pm

LOL! Sorry - being new at this, that might be a little advanced for me right now!

kbmatson · September 13, 2021, 11:06pm

Ok- thanks - very helpful!

bigalminal · September 15, 2021, 1:42am

Hi. I’m no expert, but this is what I do.

I use one rackspace per song. I have 21 sets containing 19 songs (19 = one hours playing) and adding more sets all the time.

I send program changes over a wireless network from my iPad using an app called OnSong (OnSong is my master midi controller). I carry a wireless router to the gig (at present, it is a BomeBox)

Each set uses a number i.e Guitar set 1, Guitar set 2, etc. When I send a PC from OnSong, it consists of the pgm number plus the bank number that matches the set number as follows:

Guitar Set 1 - PC# 23 / bank 1
Guitar set 11 - PC#13 / bank 11
Set 14 - PC# 21 / bank 14
Set 15 - PC#75 / bank 15

The bank numbers match the set numbers. This helps me locate which set the song is in both in OnSong and GP. Simple and works for me. I don’t use GP’s built in set list function at all, mainly because I had heaps of songs all done before the set list function was introduced, and also because each of my rackspaces is a complete song independent from everything else within GP.