Live Midi program control

Hello from the moors up north.

I don't know what sort of control you require, but you could just create a small midi file with all the PC changes you need, or maybe a set of different files for different situations, with relevant PC commands on relevant channels, then use a suitable file player, or a small keyboard that will play midi files, or even a small laptop, to 'play' (i.e. send) the required file as needed.

No doubt there is a more sophisticated (and more expensive) option available?

Geoff

Thanks Geoff,
Basically I need a unit which will send for example: program19 on channel 3, program15 on channel 2, program 33 on channel 7, program 4 on channel 4 ... all on one key press and all via midi.
These combinations would need to be stored for future recall.
I can’t do this from my master keyboard as it would transmit note data also which I don’t want. I want to be able to play my synths individually but have a system which selects all the right patches for each song with one press of a switch

OK,

What I suggested could work, although I'm sure there are units that are designed to do this job, but much more expensive.

If you have an old/small/light keyboard that can store and load a midi file, from a disk or a USB stick or suchlike, and then send it, then this could do the job. But not one keypress, if you need to load different files at different times and then play the file.

You'd need to make sure that the unit you use will send data on ALL channels.

Does your main keyboard do this anyway? If it will store and 'play' midi files, then it will. You say it will play notes as well? Why? The midi file I'm thinking of will contain ZERO notes, but PC (program Change) commands ONLY. Playing this file will make no sounds. I assume you can make such files easily, I certainly can.

Geoff

By the way, the device that Wakeman uses will be the Sycologic M16 Digital Midi Matrix, which is a fairly fancy unit (prob a few thousand dollars) that among other things allows the storage and sending of one of a number of stored program Change matrices. Prob WAY too expensive if you need JUST that bit of the facilities?

Geoff

I have heard of a unit called Sapiro which I am going to research... I don’t have or know of a keyboard which will send a programmed sys exc file other than its own internal system exc data... thanks for your help
Rob

Rob,

A standard midi file (SMF) could contain SysEx commands, and Program Change commands, and zero notes, and make no sound. If your main keyboard, or any one of the ones you use normally, will load and play a SMF, then you could be OK.

Geoff