Topic by tractor_music

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Topic: Sysex messages to select preset instruments.

I admit to using pianoteq as much (or for more HOURS) as a Juke box as I use it as a playing instrument.
It is my "background music player piano" as well as my "piano".

In stringing play lists together it would sometimes be nice to switch instruments to the instrument  most suitable for each piece.  Not that I would want play lists with extreme differences of time period or style, but I would like some per piece instrument switching.

I have vague recollections of doing some of this with sysex messages in the early days of MIDI, but have no documentation on it.

Anyone done this sort of thing with PTQ ?

Last edited by tractor_music (30-04-2013 12:17)

Reply by feline1

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Re: Sysex messages to select preset instruments.

You would use MIDI Program Change messages to do that, not SysEx

Reply by tractor_music

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Re: Sysex messages to select preset instruments.

Thanks,
OK MIDI program change messages.
It seems all I need is to make a few short midi files with nothing but the program change message in, perhaps with a pause, since an instrument change would usually also mean a mood change..
One per desired preset, then put those in my play list just before the piece that I want the preset changed for.
I should probably give those program change files the same name as the preset that it is for.

Should I just ASSUME that PTQ responds to program change messages, or is this documented ?

Reply by EvilDragon

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Re: Sysex messages to select preset instruments.

You need to set up which programs you want to respond to which program change. See the preset management window, MIDI column.

Hard work and guts!

Reply by custral

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Re: Sysex messages to select preset instruments.

Would a MIDfile containing only the CC, placed just ahead of the playlist's mood-MIDfile, do the trick?

Reply by tractor_music

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Re: Sysex messages to select preset instruments.

custral wrote:

Would a MIDfile containing only the CC, placed just ahead of the playlist's mood-MIDfile, do the trick?

I think so, that is to say I create a midi file for, say D4 Blues, then go into the preset management window as Evil Dragon suggested and while that is asking for the midi controller message that it is to respond to - play the midi file from my Juke box device.  That uses the whole path - as I will use it when I include the "switch to D4 Blues" file in the play list just before  a series of Blues pieces.