changing MIDI channel with designated buttons

Hi All,

I need some help with my midi controller.

I mapped all my button to my software but I need to use the same controller on a different computer , same software. I need to change the MIDI channel to able to separately control the second/third device.

Could someone help me to guide me thru step by step what do I have to do to map 8 hard buttons , so when I push one , it will change ALL my mapped sliders and buttons to a different Midi Channel .

Please help me with SIMPLE instructions, I am not too familiar with programming.

Much appreciated,

George

Hi George,

Each device when connected to your computer should show up as a different device (port) from a computer perspective.

For instance, if you have 3 APC MINI’s you might see something like this (depending on your host operating system)

APC MINI

APC MINI 2

APC MINI 3

You first need to set up default inputs for all 3 devices so you check the box for incoming controllers on all 3. They should now all show as Open.

The output would be a Bome Virtual Port  (which ever one is connected to your software).

For the first controller, just draw a line from the input to output port in the mapping view. This will allow all messages to “pass through” from controller 1 untouched.

For the second and subsequent controllers, you should create a preset for each. Under the preset, override the default ports so input is only APC MINI 2 (for the second) but leave output as the default.  This will allow all translators under that preset to be mapped to only that incoming controller.

Under that preset, you will need to set up translators for the channel MIDI mapping. Most MIDI messages are either 3 byte (CC and Note) or 2 byte (Program Change) messages, so by setting up patterns for raw MIDI data, we can handle most MIDI messages with 2 translators

Below are the translators for this preset (assuming output to MIDI CH 2).

——
Translator : Process 3 Byte Messages
Incoming: Raw MIDI pp qq rr
——-
Rules:

// Manipulate pp to change to new MIDI channel

// Target channel MIDI channel 2  (MIDI channel 1=0 2=1 etc.

tt=1

// Strip out incoming channel information

pp=pp&0xf0

// Insert new channel information

pp=pp|tt

// End of Rules
——-
Outgoing: Raw MIDI pp qq rr
Options: Swallow
——

 

——
Translator : Process 2 Byte Messages
Incoming: Raw MIDI pp qq
——-
Rules:

// Manipulate pp to change to new MIDI channel

// Target channel MIDI channel 2  (MIDI channel 1=0 2=1 etc.

tt=1

// Strip out incoming channel information

pp=pp&0xf0

// Insert new channel information

pp=pp|tt

// End of Rules
——-
Outgoing: Raw MIDI pp qq 
Options: Swallow
——

Once you have the second controller set up as above, if you have a third, you can copy and paste the preset (it will also make copies of translators), and then modify the parameters on the 3rd controller (devices at preset level and channel a translator level) for your copied preset.

I hope this helps!

Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
bome@sniz.biz

 

Hi Steve, thanks for your answer.
Actually , I am using 1 controller AKAI midimix and what I need to do is to designate 8 hard buttons on them ,so when I push lets say the first one all my buttons are sending out on channel 1. when I push the second button then all the midi info goes out on channel to and so on. can please let me know how to do that. In this case , I need all my sliders and pots but I am planning to use the mute buttons 1 to 8 to change the MIDI channels. Please let me know how to do this. much appreciated. George

Hi George,
If I understand correctly, this device has an editor that can change the values of the buttons. How do you have your mute buttons assigned? Did you want CH1 mute to set up for MIDI Channel 1 CH2 mute to set up for MIDI Channel 2, etc up to MIDI Channel 8?

Hi Steve,

Yes , exactly what you are describing .Unfortunately , these controllers are pretty cheap, cannot edit the midi message, its set BUT I can teach any message to be mapped to my software so that is good.

So lets say…top left knob controls brightness , mute 1 button pushed+send out the value on Ch 1 . Push mute 2 button, knob still sends out the same info But on CH2.

right now looking at the midi incoming message is: I am including a picture of the messages…

 

Hi Steve,

Yes , exactly what you are describing .Unfortunately , these controllers are pretty cheap, cannot edit the midi message, its set BUT I can teach any message to be mapped to my software so that is good.

So lets say…top left knob controls brightness , mute 1 button pushed+send out the value on Ch 1 . Push mute 2 button, knob still sends out the same info But on CH2.

right now looking at the midi incoming message is: I am including a picture of the messages…

Hi Steve, actually , there is an editor to this unit, sorry…

Yes, there is an editor but if you know the factory defaults and plan on using them with another DAW, I recommend you keep the factory settings and change your programming in MT Pro. I just don’t know what the defaults are. If you want to control channel output with the mute buttons, give me an example of factory defaults for these and I can show you how to use MT Pro to map them to change outgoing channels of your controller.

here is a picture of the editors layout with the messages

akai midimix editor midi layout

I posted a project file for the APC MINI yesterday. Can you use this a a model and change it for this controller.
If you are struggling with setting this up. I can help you more with fee based services. Just send me and email.

Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
bome@sniz.biz

Where can I find that project file?

https://www.bomeloft.com/wp-content/uploads/cma_attachments/1532969293626_Change-Universal-MIDI-Output-Channel-2018-07-30.bmtp I just realized you had even more threads started. Please pick one to stick with unless it is a different question.

Probably not factory defaults since there is a pattern everywhere but the CC 19 Channel 1 Mute button. I suggest you set everything to factory defaults then w can use MT Pro to handle global channel mapping from there.