Help with MIDI control for gigs

[EscapeRocks]

Help with MIDI control for gigs

 

Hi all....new here..

 

Just got back into the band scene, and although I was heavily into the scene at the advent of MIDI, times certainly have changed

 

Anyhow, would like some advice on current gear.

 

My rig consists of the following:

 

1. Yamaha S-08

2. KORG DW-8000

3. Emu Vintage Keys Pro in the rack.

 

That's it as far as the sound generating devices.

Now my question: What is out there that can help me control my patch changes during live gigs?

 

I'm not doing any sequencing, just straight out playing.

Almost every song uses a different combination of the above three units.

It is getting to be a serious pain to have to dial in patches on the two keyboards and the one module between songs.

 

So, is there a device out there that can help me?

 

Something that I can program and for example have "program 1" call up the needed sounds for the song on all three boxes?

 

Again, it's been awhile since I've done the MIDI thing, so I'm getting back up to speed.

 

All advice is appreciated!

 

Thanks,

 

David

[Rod S]

Programmable midi patchbay will do the trick.. unfortunately they are a bit scarce these days. The ones I can think of right now is the digital instruments MX-8, and there was one by JL Cooper.

 

I keep thinking there's a MOTU equipment that does this as well (Timepiece?) but I'm drawing a blank.

 

I haven't played with a DW8000 in ages. At one point, my rig consisted of 4 korg keyboards, 2 of them being a 6000 and 8000.

[daBowsa]

Has anyone used the Behringer MIDI Foot Controller ?

 

"- 10 banks with 10 user-editable presets each

- 2 expression pedals with freely assignable MIDI channel, controller number, and range

- 5 MIDI program change and 2 MIDI controller commands per preset (simultaneously transmittable)"

 

You can use your feet for patch changes while your playing, and it has two expression pedals - seperate volume controls, or filter sweeps, etc.

 

I'd be curious to hear if this piece is any good...anyone?

[guestuserguestuser.com]

Originally posted by dabowsa:

Has anyone used the Behringer MIDI Foot Controller ?

Yamaha makes (or made, not sure if it's still a current product) a similar device, the MFC10.

 

Here's a review:

 

Sound On Sound review of the MFC10

[EscapeRocks]

Thanks people!

 

I will check out the Behringer and Yamaha itmes you all mentioned.

 

I haven't played with a DW8000 in ages. At one point, my rig consisted of 4 korg keyboards, 2 of them being a 6000 and 8000.

The DW8000 I use is the original one I bought back in 1985. For some reason I just REALLY like the simpicity and sound of this board. (I own an EX8000 as well that holds duplicate patches...just in case of keyboard failure at a gig.

 

Thanks again,

 

David

[daBowsa]

Oh yeah, WELCOME to the CORNER!

[marino]

You could also check a Roland A-880. When my MX8 died, about eight years ago, I couldn't find another one, so I bought the Roland. It has about the same functions (8 ins - 8 outs with merge), but it's a bit less friendly because you don't get to name your patches. But it has lasted till now and has never failed once.

 

Welcome to the forum!

[iMember]

What about the Oberheim MC 3000/D? It's hard to find any info about it, but it seems like a nice way to control a lot of patch changes simultanous. I'll need that a lot on my current gig.

[burningbusch]

You also might consider upgrading your S-08 to a Yamaha S90 or Motif. They offer a Master mode which does what you're looking for and it doesn't require an extra module. In Master mode you can set up four zones, one which might point to the S90 and the other three would send out MIDI bank/patch + vol + pan, etc. settings to the other keyboards. You can also easily have the module controlled by the S90/Motif. It's very flexible. There are 128 Master user presets available. Just put your song list in and you're set.

 

Busch.

[Krakit]

Last year, SteadyB gave me a MOTU Express XT, which has solved all of my MIDI routing problems for now and the foreseeable future. I used to use a MIDIMAN Thru box (3x8) which wasn't bad, but still a bit limited. The MOTO Express let's me save custom configurations for 8 in and 8 out!

 

I use it almost everyday and couldn't be happier!

 

Thanks again go out to SteadyB for this fine unit.

 

Carl

[Prague]

I am in the same boat. I am trying to control patch changes DURING songs, not just at the beginning. It's not looking like there is much that can help. Our soundman may have to be clicking a mouse.

[Byrdman]

Originally posted by dabowsa:

Has anyone used the Behringer MIDI Foot Controller ?

 

"- 10 banks with 10 user-editable presets each

- 2 expression pedals with freely assignable MIDI channel, controller number, and range

- 5 MIDI program change and 2 MIDI controller commands per preset (simultaneously transmittable)"

 

You can use your feet for patch changes while your playing, and it has two expression pedals - seperate volume controls, or filter sweeps, etc.

 

I'd be curious to hear if this piece is any good...anyone?

It only has one midi out. While it is not impossible to control multiple pieces of gear with that it is somewhat limiting.

 

What you really want is something that can act as a midi switch as well so you can route midi between boards (and modules) on a patch by batch basis. I don't know of any gear that will do that.

[midinut]

Originally posted by burningbusch:

You also might consider upgrading your S-08 to a Yamaha S90 or Motif. They offer a Master mode which does what you're looking for and it doesn't require an extra module. In Master mode you can set up four zones, one which might point to the S90 and the other three would send out MIDI bank/patch + vol + pan, etc. settings to the other keyboards. You can also easily have the module controlled by the S90/Motif. It's very flexible. There are 128 Master user presets available. Just put your song list in and you're set.

 

Busch.

[midinut]

Originally posted by burningbusch:

You also might consider upgrading your S-08 to a Yamaha S90 or Motif. They offer a Master mode which does what you're looking for and it doesn't require an extra module. In Master mode you can set up four zones, one which might point to the S90 and the other three would send out MIDI bank/patch + vol + pan, etc. settings to the other keyboards. You can also easily have the module controlled by the S90/Motif. It's very flexible. There are 128 Master user presets available. Just put your song list in and you're set.

 

Busch.

Sorry, haven't tried the "quote" thing before. Just curious, if the S90 has the master mode, what about the S80? Could it be used for the same thing? I've been searching for a good MIDI patch bay myself and S80's can be found for less than a grand used. Just thinking out loud!

[Prague]

I just picked up a used Roland A-70 (76 note). With the internal voices removed, I have 8 zones which can each have a separate MIDI channel. If the zone is OFF, it will send a program change to another device. This allows setting up another keyboard without playing it from the A-70.

 

All of these setups are saved as 1 of 64 Performances. Footswitches can advance through these performances sequentially. 10 Chains can advance through various performances, too.

 

These are discontinued, but I would recommend finding a used one. An A-90 is 88-weighted keys. Plan on about $500 to $800USD.

[coyote]

I'm finding that judicious use of midi thru can assist greatly. If tapping a single switch can generate 5 different program changes on unique MIDI channels, all one need do is plug it in somewhere in the chain of a 5x5 MIDI MERGE unit, between the midi out of an existing unit and the merge unit.

 

The Behringer looks promising. In addition to the other features listed here, it has 2 relay outs which allow midi control of stuff which ordinarily requires a momentary footswitch. Such things as amp channel-switching and legacy rackmount effect switching may now be accomplished along with a patch change. For that alone it could be worthwhile, as units which do ONLY this function sell for the same $$$.

 

Originally posted by Byrdman:

Originally posted by dabowsa:

Has anyone used the Behringer MIDI Foot Controller ?

 

"- 10 banks with 10 user-editable presets each

- 2 expression pedals with freely assignable MIDI channel, controller number, and range

- 5 MIDI program change and 2 MIDI controller commands per preset (simultaneously transmittable)"

 

You can use your feet for patch changes while your playing, and it has two expression pedals - seperate volume controls, or filter sweeps, etc.

 

I'd be curious to hear if this piece is any good...anyone?

It only has one midi out. While it is not impossible to control multiple pieces of gear with that it is somewhat limiting.

 

What you really want is something that can act as a midi switch as well so you can route midi between boards (and modules) on a patch by batch basis. I don't know of any gear that will do that.