There's no reason why you cannot do this - I have used some code for testing purposes which uses the computer keyboard to play midi devices, and keys are mapped to specific notes (or even chords) and it would be very easy to have two keys converting to the same midi note number.

BUT - the specific software you mention does not allow this!

A little while ago, there was another discussion on this forum about almost the same thing. Some of the information given there may be helpful to you?

Go down to Page 2, and check the topic 'Looking for recommendations - Mapping QWERTY keys to Midi Notes'

Geoff

False. That sentence saying that VMPK does not allow several computer keys to be mapped to the same MIDI note is not true. Totally bullshit. It is very easy to speak quickly without trying to verify the facts. Or perhaps it is the fun on spreading FUD and lies.

This question has been debated, answered and explained several times. For instance:

Forum discussion: Mapping multiple keys to the same note

Feature request #31 Same Note value for Multiple Keys

To summarize: the keyboard mappings are stored as XML files. You can edit the XML files with any text editor you want, and load the files using the "preferences" dialog. There are two types of keyboard mappings: based on characters and based on keycodes. The files of the first type should be adapted to each language layout. The files of the second type depend only on the operating system, are language independent, and allow to map "dead" keys (diacritics) which the character based maps are unable to do.

Examples of both types:

Language: German. Based on characters.

Windows (language independent)

If you look at the German mapping, you may notice that there are two keys mapped to the MIDI note 33 (lines 22 and 39). Both files have been shipped with the software since day one.

And there is a dialog window in the program to edit these files based on MIDI notes, which is very easy and convenient for 99% of the users. Because this editor is a simplification, you cannot assign more than one key to each MIDI note with it. But it is enough for so many people that if you are one of the few users needing more sophistication, then you need to make the effort of grabbing your text editor and using your brain a little.

To summarize: the keyboard mappings are stored as XML files. You can edit the XML files with any text editor you want, and load the files using the "preferences" dialog. .

Awesome! Where are the .xml files stored?

I know next to nothing about computer programming, bit this seems pretty straight forward.. just a matter of changing a letter/number.

I made a custom keymap in vmpk for my drum VI called "DrumVI." I was feeling extra creative that day.
So all I have to do is find where the DrumVI.xml files is located, open it in a text editor and add another <mapping> line of code for the second key I want on the same note?

What happens if I then open that edited key mapping file in vmpk?

Thanks.

Well, the fact that you need to ask where YOUR computer has stored YOUR file does not bode well.

You don't say which OS you're using does not help.

When you installed the software, you were asked where to install it. I was when I installed, and I told the computer to put the files where I wanted them to be. You may have done otherwise?

Firstly, all the files for VMPK should be in the same directory (folder), so everything should be together.

If you launch the software from an icon, then if you RIGHT click on that icon and select Properties then one of the windows should tell you the working path which will give you the location of all the files. At this point, I would go into the Command prompt and go to that directory, and then start a text editor, but you may not be comfortable with that.

In my OS - Windows XP - the locations are called 'Target' which includes the path and the prog name, and 'Start In' which shows just the working directory.

Another option would be to use the SEARCH option to find the file.

Once you have changed, and saved, the file, you then need to re-start VMPK. Then, if you re-load this specific .XML file, it should recognise the change. Assuming you've made the change correctly?

Geoff

Well, the fact that you need to ask where YOUR computer has stored YOUR file does not bode well.

You don't say which OS you're using does not help.

Mac OS X

When you installed the software, you were asked where to install it. I was when I installed, and I told the computer to put the files where I wanted them to be. You may have done otherwise?

Actually, NO. It didn't ask me anything. I downloaded vmpk as a .zip file and all that unzipped was the vmpk.app.

Another option would be to use the SEARCH option to find the file.

Yes, I tried that first thing and nothing was found. So I opened vmpk, opened the Keyboard Map window, highlighted the .xml file and got info (cmd+I).

It's telling me that the .xml files are located in ../Applications/vmpk/Contents/Resources/. However, there is no drop down menu next to the vmpk icon and when I try to go to the directory manually, typing the directory via "Go to Folder..." I just get the error bleep.

Sorry,

I know VERY little about MAC OS, other than that it's a law unto itself,

I don't know why it will not let you into the specific directory, maybe a security matter. I would assume the .XML files are in that dir though, you just need to find a way of getting in there.

With the WinDoze version I have, things are tidy - all the files for VMPK are in the same directory. Well, they were - some that I do not need have been moved out of the way into a sub-dir.

By all means let me know further if you get into the dir. I assume there is some reason why MAC OS will not let you get at files on YOUR computer!

Geoff

I know VERY little about MAC OS, other than that it's a law unto itself,

First time I have a notice that this adam/mustang user or whatever is using Mac OSX. He must think that it is not relevant or that it is our duty to guess that, for the zero money he pays.

I don't know why it will not let you into the specific directory, maybe a security matter. I would assume the .XML files are in that dir though, you just need to find a way of getting in there.

The keymap editor uses the standard "Save As" dialog provided by Mac OSX, likewise in Windows it uses the standard Windows' "save as" dialog. The design on the mac osx dialog is different, but provides a "Where:" pick list for the output directory. By default, the directory is "Resources" (which belongs to the app bundle directory structure), but you can change it to "Documents" or whatever other place. VMPK does not care where do you save your sXXt.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mac+os+x+save+as+dialog

I refuse to provide operating systems training for free. And I find this user abusive for not providing basic data like which operating system is he using when requesting support. Not to mention the user name switching, and the "dreadful support" thing. It is enough for me.

First time I have a notice that this adam/mustang user or whatever is using Mac OSX. He must think that it is not relevant or that it is our duty to guess that, for the zero money he pays.

Yep, you caught me dude. Right in the middle of my Machiavellian scheme: incite chaos on the MIDI forum by intentionally failing to mention my OS.

I don't know why it will not let you into the specific directory, maybe a security matter. I would assume the .XML files are in that dir though, you just need to find a way of getting in there.

The keymap editor uses the standard "Save As" dialog provided by Mac OSX, likewise in Windows it uses the standard Windows' "save as" dialog. The design on the mac osx dialog is different, but provides a "Where:" pick list for the output directory. By default, the directory is "Resources" (which belongs to the app bundle directory structure), but you can change it to "Documents" or whatever other place. VMPK does not care where do you save your sXXt.

Oh, right.. That explains how I lost all of my custom key maps. When I trashed the old vmpk from the App folder, and replaced it with the newer 0.7.0rc version, I inadvertently deleted those maps. Like you said, with the Save As feature I can just save the .xml file to a directory I have access to and edit it from there.

I refuse to provide operating systems training for free. And I find this user abusive for not providing basic data like which operating system is he using when requesting support. Not to mention the user name switching, and the "dreadful support" thing. It is enough for me.

What is all this mention of me not paying? The dreadful support comment must have been after I wrote sourceforge directly with a question about vmpk and it took forever to get a response. Plus never getting granted permission to post on the vmpk forum over there.