Logic Studio apps Problem with external program change

[Uwe Rodi]

What I want to do:
I want MS to change program on my Nord Electro. When I play I want the audio signal go through MS so I can add some effect on it.

What I tried:
I make an external instrument channel strip, set the Midi in to nothing and Midi out to channel 15 (channel of the NE)
Then no program change is set to the NE
Set Midi in on the channel strip to the port of the NE and go to the Midi-Input tab of the channel strips information window. I set the keyboard input to none. Now everything seems to work - but:
When I save the concert and close MS, open the concert again, the keyboard input is set to my midi input.

I read here something about a tiny spherical thing or button which could maybe help creating a workaround but I can´t find this thing. Tried the midi indicator but there I can´t send some programchanges.

Thanks for help
Uwe

 

[Peter Ostry]

What I tried:
I make an external instrument channel strip, set the Midi in to nothing and Midi out to channel 15 (channel of the NE)
Then no program change is set to the NE

When do you want to send the Program Change?

1) On patch change:
Select the external instrument channelstrip and click the "MIDI out" tab in the inspector. There you can set which PC should be sent when you change to the current patch.

2) On demand:
From version 2.0.1 on Mainstage can send Program Changes on demand. Like with any MIDI message, you make a button and let it send the message.

I set the keyboard input to none. Now everything seems to work - but: ...

What for is the keyboard? If you process only the audio of the Nord you don't need a keyboard in Mainstage.

Tried the midi indicator but there I can´t send some programchanges.

This is a piece for MIDI input. But so far I understand you deal with MIDI output and audio input.

 

[Uwe Rodi]

When do you want to send the Program Change?

1) On patch change:
Select the external instrument channelstrip and click the "MIDI out" tab in the inspector. There you can set which PC should be sent when you change to the current patch.

2) On demand:
From version 2.0.1 on Mainstage can send Program Changes on demand. Like with any MIDI message, you make a button and let it send the message.

I want to send it on patch change and what you say under 1) is exactly what I´m doing

What for is the keyboard? If you process only the audio of the Nord you don't need a keyboard in Mainstage.

I have a second keyboard (masterkeyboard) which has to play softsynths.

This is a piece for MIDI input. But so far I understand you deal with MIDI output and audio input.

You´re right, but this was the only "spherical, tiny thing" of which some guys spoke here in LUG

By the way, I found a workaroud for the problem today morning. I made a "dummy keyboard" on Channel 16, which I don´t use and set the midi-input of the external instrument (in the inspector) to the dummy and the PC in the inspector like you said in 1). Now it seem to work, but I think this is a bug in MS. Why should you be able to selevt "none" in the Inspector Midi Input Keyboard when it is changed everytime I open the concert.

Thanks for your reply
Uwe

 

[Peter Ostry]

This is a piece for MIDI input. But so far I understand you deal with MIDI output and audio input.

You´re right, but this was the only "spherical, tiny thing" of which some guys spoke here in LUG

You mean the "MIDI Activity" object. Basically a keyboard without keys and board ;-) You can use it for mapping and other purposes.

By the way, I found a workaroud for the problem today morning. I made a "dummy keyboard" on Channel 16 ...

Ah, you mean the input for the external instrument. Yes there is a bug, Mainstage doesn't store the "None" selection. You have to use a dummy.

Instead of a whole keyboard you can use this spherical-tiny-midi-activity-thing you were talking about. In the screenshot below I named it "Dummy Input":

I think this is a bug in MS.

Correct.

 

[Uwe Rodi]

Hi Peter,
it was you who told me some weeks ago, that mainstage could be the solution for my live-setup (which I made in logic) and after spending two intensiv days with it I have to say you are absolutly right. The only thing I hope is that it will be stably. I had two crashes but both while programming, not while playing.
Thanks for your time
Uwe

 

[Peter Ostry]

The only thing I hope is that it will be stably. I had two crashes but both while programming, not while playing.

I use it for audio signals and soft synths together with hardware. Very few crashes while programming and no crash while playing (2-3 hours in one concert, some sets, about 15 patches and 6-10 channelstrips per patch). For my usage I consider it as stable.