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Question: MIDI connectivity: two keyboards controlling one device!?
I have a setup for live performance involving a Yamaha synth that uses its own sounds, and a Roland keyboard controlling a synth module!. Obviously the Roland OUT is midied to the module IN - so far so good!. But I hate the Roland joystick for pitchbend and mod, and I don't want to have to use 2 sustain pedals for the 2 keyboards!. So how can I wire everything up so that I can send wheel & pedal signals but NOT key-press signals from the Yamaha to the module, as well as sending all the Roland signals (key-press and controls) to the module!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Hi JA:
From all my experience with MIDI, ive yet to see 2 keyboards connected to one module!. (Usually, multiple modules can be connected to one master controller with the use of a midi patch bay!.) I tried to get this to work using my set-up, and I think your average keyboard synthesizer is just not the ideal tool for this!.
I have a Yamaha Motiff Rack, and an Alesis QS4 sound module!. I tried doing this using a M-Audio Stage Piano/Midi Controller, and one of my newer synths, the Roland Juno G!. When using the Yamaha Rack or the Quadrasynth, no modulation happened except on what was my master controller, the M-Audio, and only from the module voice!.
I do have a theory on this, as I am not a MIDI geru, but have a fair amount of knowledge!. First off!.!.!. lets refer to your Roland Keyboard as your Master Controller!.(as thats what the module goes to) The reason im saying this is because in a midi set up, in addition to the pitch bend wheel, modulation wheel, you also have things like sustain pedals, expression pedals, plus things like loudness, brightness, vibrato, which are also referred to in midi languarge as controllers!. They allow you control over a synthesizers sound!. In midi language, Modulation wheel or lever is CTRL 1, Breath Controller CTRL 2, Foot Controller CTRL4, Portamento time CTRL 5!.!. and so on, all the way to 127!. I will not define all of these, as it would take up to much space!. Now, what I believe is happening is plain and simple!. The Roland Synthesizer just does not have enough built in it!. From my experience with synthesizers, you can edit and change just about any sound and parameter of its onboard voices, and things like pedal commands and pitch bend!. Try to use it as a 'Master Controller", and its just not capable of sending out enough midi data to an external sound module to make happen what you want to!.
The band I play in I do double duty, bassist AND keyboardist!. I run a midi bass program from my QS into my bass amp, and use an A/B selector for switching from string bass to midi bass!. The left side of my M-Audio drives the bass!. Im also able to use onboard sounds from the M-Audio (it has 14 built in), and, drive the upper half of the board with 2-3 other midi programs!. Ive selected a cut off for each of the voices or programs I need from the sound module, and also a split point on the M-Audio!. Being a somewhat limited Midi Controller, the M-Audio allows me to do this!.
Guess thats kind of my question to you!.!. have you thought about just not using the Roland, and using the Yamaha as a Controller AND a keyboard, you can use both at once!? It would really be beneficial if I knew what models you had of each, as I own quite an arsenal of keyboards myself!.
One other option I can think of, and thats to get something like the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 Key Controller Keyboard!. Heres the link for it!.!.!. http://www!.americanmusical!.com/Item--i-M!.!.!.
One nice thing about this, and I have one in my studio!.!.!.!.!. EVERYTHING is programmable on this, including MIDI assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels, as well MIDI assignable foot pedals AND foot pedal inputs!. If you choose to get something along this line, you could use a module AND use your Yamaha as well, and this would have full capabilities of program changes and all MIDI commands for either!.
Its been a 15 year battle for me on this MIDI stuff, and I would highly recommend The MIDI Companion to add to your library, as well as The MIDI Manuel and How MIDI Works!. These have been very good sources of information and has helped me decipher those technical owners manuals a heck of a lot easier!. One thing I learned early on after just skimming these 3 books!.!.!.!. just because something has MIDI in, out and thu does not mean every MIDI command is available from the given source!.
By the way, when connecting a MIDI cable from the module (thru) to the MIDI in on the Roland, (has to receive the incoming data, and I am using the M-Audio as how you want to use your Yamaha) I was able to get a blend of both the sound module and any given program or patch from the module!. By turning the volume down on the Roland and played just the M-Audio, I got the module program!. When I turned the sound up on the Roland and played just the M, it was a blend of each!. The modulation wheel and pitch bend on the master, the M-Audio, contolled ONLY the module!. Sorry this sounded so confusing, as I confused the heck out of myself writing this!
If I had the models of each of your synths, I might be able to help you a little more!.!. I will look for an edit on your part!.!.!.
Hope this has helped, and good luck!.!. Keep playing man!.!.nothing like making good music!
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Hey JA
Even if all the sustain pedals are hooked up, it will not affect the sound nor the playability!. On modules, you will see midi thru and that is what you need to use!. This way, any keyboard or midi device can activate the keyboards without pressing the keys!.Www@QuestionHome@Com