Changing channels quickly

brithedark

I’ve seen a couple discussions here about a similar issue. I am not a MIDI newbie… but I haven’t done much with it since the mid nineties lol.

I’ve got two 61 key controllers. one is an Axiom 61 (hopefully I’ll have 2 soon… currently the other one is a Nektar GX61). I’m using AUM. I’ve got Hammond on 1 strip. korg module Wurlitzer on strip 2. Korg piano on strip 3. And maybe different sounds up to strip 6.

All I want is an easy way to flick between sounds on each controller live. I’ll be doing 30-40 songs per show. On the Axiom, you can use 4 zones to hit channels 1-4. On the Nektar, you can program buttons. But you cannot seem to program buttons to change the channel on the fly.

I’ve got a rough idea on how to do most basic things inside AUM. But mix script and streambyter left me cold. I didn’t think it’d be so hard to go from channel 1 to 8 on the same board. Without clicking like 5 keys on a dark stage. If I’ve got 4 or 5 programmable buttons etc in front of me, that gets me thru the show.

Are there templates? Can someone help a decrepit old man lol? Maybe I am not thinking of it in the right way.

Any help appreciated.

wim

It would be good to understand what you need in more detail before jumping into recommendations.

When you say “flick between sounds on each controller”, do you mean just change between a single preset on each of the apps loaded on AUM channels, or do you also need to be able to change between different presets on those apps as well?

Can you provide more detail about the “4 or 5 programmable buttons” available to you? Are these onboard buttons on your keyboards, or a separate controller? I assume they can be set up to send any note, CC or PC message - but are any of them in use already, or needed for other tasks?

Is touching the iPad to change instruments out of the question?

There are certainly ways to get this done. More details will provide better answers though.

wim

Also, you may want to check this out to see if it might work for you:
https://patchstorage.com/midi-matrix-switch/

Will

Are you sure your neither controller offers a quick way to switch channels? Seems like both should support this. If not, they might support presets where you can save the channel in the preset. Then, just switch presets.

uncledave

I just have a suggestion here. In traditional MIDI, with everything daisy-chained, the only way to separate messages was the MIDI channel. As soon as a computer (iPad, iPhone) is involved, we can route MIDI through different ports. It may help to look at the overall goal of controlling different apps from different keyboards, instead of focussing just on the MIDI channels.

Alfred

https://patchstorage.com/_channelswitcher_/

Also takes care of releasing notes on the right channel and releasing the hold pedal.

brithedark

Thanks for replying. As far as flicking, I'll use just one keyboard as an example. If I open an AUM session, I've got these strips:

1- Hammond plugin
2- Korg Module Wurlitzer
3- Korg Module piano
4 - Korg Module Synth
5- Korg Module Strings
6-Korg Module percussion

I would like to be able to start off on the Hammond, then maybe I need to switch to percussion mid song. Or strings for the next tune. All my boards feature something where you can tap a "next" style button to roll thru the channels sequentially. But in a hurry on a dark stage, I'd like to be able to click one of 6 buttons and hear that channel only.

The boards have assignable buttons. They can be programmed to a CC. I also have 2 or 3 Akai Drum pad controllers. Again the pads can be programmed to hold a CC (and maybe a program change, I've never investigated). Where I am currently ignorant is this... Let's say I program button one to MIDI CC #100. I'd need something that tells the board and software that hitting #100 means go to channel 6. Then hitting #95 means go to Hammond.

I would LOVE to just tap the screen and hear only that sound coming out of Board One. But would that be possible with 2 keyboards attached.

All this because I can't pony up for a Hammond SK yet ugh. the band keeps adding more and more shows, so I want this to be as easy as possible. I'm partially handicapped, so the less movements I have to do the better.

@wim said:
It would be good to understand what you need in more detail before jumping into recommendations.

When you say “flick between sounds on each controller”, do you mean just change between a single preset on each of the apps loaded on AUM channels, or do you also need to be able to change between different presets on those apps as well?

Can you provide more detail about the “4 or 5 programmable buttons” available to you? Are these onboard buttons on your keyboards, or a separate controller? I assume they can be set up to send any note, CC or PC message - but are any of them in use already, or needed for other tasks?

Is touching the iPad to change instruments out of the question?

There are certainly ways to get this done. More details will provide better answers though.

brithedark

I believe that ChannelSwitcher listed above does just what i need! Thank you guys!

wim

@brithedark said:
I believe that ChannelSwitcher listed above does just what i need! Thank you guys!

Great. I hope it works out. @_ki writes excellent scripts.
If it doesn't do what you need, check back in. On iOS there are lots of ways to get things done.

brithedark

Thanks! I’m hoping it works as well with both boards plugged in.

wim

@brithedark said:
Thanks! I’m hoping it works as well with both boards plugged in.

Keep in mind that you can use two instances if needed, then route each board to its own instance.