Topic: Changing harpsichord presets via MIDI

I want to change in my notation program Dorico harpsichord presets via MIDI and have defined some control changes to do this. But the changing of a preset needs to much time so that some notes are not played. Is there any other possibility to work with two or three souns which are changes by MIDI?

Re: Changing harpsichord presets via MIDI

lupus_3 wrote:

MIDI and have defined some control changes to do this.

I haven't had any problem nor experienced any lag or lost notes when I have created MIDI mapping entries to change presets or turn individual manuals on or off, for the Pianoteq Hans Ruckers II harpsichord.

Exactly which MIDI-mapping entries have you created to accomplish that, and how do you route the MIDI commands from Dorico to Pianoteq? Do you use the standalone app or the Pianoteq plugin? Windows, MacOS or Linux? Etc.

If you explain the issue in greater detail, you might receive better responses.

Last edited by Stephen_Doonan (20-04-2020 23:06)
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Linux, Pianoteq Pro, Organteq

Re: Changing harpsichord presets via MIDI

I would recommend loading multiple instances of PTQ onto different MIDI DAW channels or--since it's a notation program--different systems/staves mapped to different VSTs (or midi channels but the mapping could get a little complicated).  The RAM use of any instance of the PTQ application is almost nil, which means that having one instance sitting the background with your second preset already loaded will mean that you can swap instantly and seamlessly.

Have the notes to be played by the first preset on one set of staves, and then move any other notes for the second preset to a new set of staves, and you should be able to play it back in realtime without any performance/playback issues.

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Re: Changing harpsichord presets via MIDI

Thank you for your replies!
@Stephen_Doonan: I am on Windows 10 and use Pianoteq 6.5.2 as a plugin in Dorico 3.1.10. I have defined CC 20, v≤43 for Grimaldi B, CC 20, 44≤v≤87 for Grimaldi A and CC 20, v≥88 for Grimaldi A+B. For the routing of these commands in Dorico I have inserted them into the automation lane of the instrument track. The switching works but it needs too much time (ca. 1 sec), so that some notes are not played. When I change the preset manually during playback the same thing happens.
There is an additional problem with this approach: When I change a preset I lose the diaposon of the first preset which is 443 Hz for me.

@tmyoung: Your approach works well, but has the disadvantage that I have two instruments in my score where actually only one should be printed.

Re: Changing harpsichord presets via MIDI

lupus_3 wrote:

Thank you for your replies!
@Stephen_Doonan: I am on Windows 10 and use Pianoteq 6.5.2 as a plugin in Dorico 3.1.10. I have defined CC 20, v≤43 for Grimaldi B, CC 20, 44≤v≤87 for Grimaldi A and CC 20, v≥88 for Grimaldi A+B. For the routing of these commands in Dorico I have inserted them into the automation lane of the instrument track. The switching works but it needs too much time (ca. 1 sec), so that some notes are not played. When I change the preset manually during playback the same thing happens.
There is an additional problem with this approach: When I change a preset I lose the diaposon of the first preset which is 443 Hz for me.

You don't care to upgrade to Pianoteq 6.7.0?

Try the following--

* Use the MIDI mapping feature in the MIDI tab of Pianoteq's Options window, instead of the right-click MIDI learn feature.

* Use a MIDI program change or note on (of a note outside the range of the harpsichord manual) instead of a MIDI continuous controller with a restricted value, to trigger the change

* Make custom presets of the harpsichord A, harpsichord B and harpsichord A+B, to maintain your 443 Hz diapason.

* Change the harpsichord registers of a single custom or builtin preset, instead of changing between presets, using MIDI mapping to engage or disengage the register tabs of the single harpsichord preset. Controlling the register buttons/tabs is listed in the entry-menus of the MIDI mapping section as: Set Parameter --> Pedals --> Harpsichord Register 1/2/3

Perhaps the lag you are experiencing is caused more by Dorico and its interaction with the Pianoteq plugin, than by the plugin's response to MIDI information.

Perhaps you could try exporting the piece as a MIDI file, and then playing that MIDI file in Pianoteq, with MIDI controls embedded in the file which Pianoteq will respond to by changing presets or harpsichord registers, in accordance with a custom MIDI map that you have activated in Pianoteq before playing the MIDI file.

Last edited by Stephen_Doonan (21-04-2020 16:33)
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Linux, Pianoteq Pro, Organteq

Re: Changing harpsichord presets via MIDI

Thank you for your answer, Stephen!
Each switching between different sounds or registers is—independent of the concrete MIDI-event used—connected with a delay of about 1 sec. So I prefer the solution of tmyoung with several instances of Pianoteq. In Dorico it ist possible to assign to one player several instruments (e. g. Grimaldi B, Grimaldi A and Grimaldi A+B). In the score only the actually played instrument is shown.

Besides, concerning registers: Is there a way to program them?

Re: Changing harpsichord presets via MIDI

You can definitely assign MIDI messages to the harpsichord register switches. Ctrl+click them to enter MIDI learn mode (just like with almost any other Pianoteq control).

You can also automate A/B button for switching between two completely loaded presets. So you can load one preset to A, another to B, and then MIDI learn the A/B preset button to swap them very fast.

Last edited by EvilDragon (21-04-2020 16:25)
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