manual and pedal couplers

[johanMic]

Hello</p>

I just have received the Viscount Accupipe Expander CM-100 sound-module. I will use it when I practice at home.</p>

I connected it to 2 midi-keyboards and a 30-keys Böhm Bass-pedal set.</p>

So far I have been able to use the split function in the module to achieve a Swell-Great-Pedal division of the sounds,</p>

setting the different parts to their own channels.</p>

I would, though, like to be able to use manual and pedal couplers, but my setup as it is now doesn't facilitate this.
The keyboards and pedals are daisy-chained to the only midi-IN socket in the module.</p>

How kan I add the coupler function to my setup?</p>

What kind of extra device will I need?</p>

</p>

Best regards</p>

Johan</p>

</p>

PS: So far I have been very pleased with the sounds of the CM-100.
</p>

[Bhorton]

Re: manual and pedal couplers



Dear Johan:</P>


I just found your post. I hope this information will still be relevant. I plan to buy the Wicks version of the CM-100 and anticipate having the same problems with coupling, as well as similar problems with my expression pedals. I'm planning to buy various MIDI processors from MIDI Solutions (www.midisolutions.com) to experiment with.</P>


Don't get me wrong. This is not a testimonial, as I don't own any of this equipment yet. But the product information on their web site seems very promising. Presuming that their products perform as described, your should be able to insert their Event Processor (or Event Processor Plus) between your equipment and the CM-100. If your keyboards have several buttons that send MIDI messages (most do), you should be able to program the Event Processor to detect these buttons and start (or stop) duplicating note messages for a particular MIDI channel on another channel. The initial programming can be simplified by using a computer, but it is not needed after that.</P>


For example, suppose your Pedal notes are being transmited on MIDI channel 1, your Great notes on channel 2, and your Swell notes on channel 3. If you have an "A" button on the Swell keyboard, the Event Processor could be programmed to detect that A was pressed and start duplicating all of the notes it receives on channel 1 onto channel 2 also. The A key now acts like a Great to Pedal 8' coupler. The Event processor could be programmed to detect another press of the A key to stop the duplication process, making the A key act like a reversible coupler. I specifically used a key on the Swell keyboard, since couplers are frequently located above the top manual. But it's just as common to have couplers controlled by buttons on the keyboard being coupled, so the Event Processor can be programmed this way as well.</P>


Read the descriptions on the MIDI Solutions web site to learn that re-channelizing note messages is not enough. You must also retain the original channel as well. That is, the original messages must truly be duplicated. Depending on the number of free buttons (or similar controls) available, you should be able to create 4', 16' and unison off couplers. The CM-100 might not respond at the keyboard extremes, but that's true of couplers on typical organs as well.</P>


MIDI Solutions states that their units receive power from the MIDI cable, but not all cables carry the power feeds. So you may have to experiment with your setup before everything works. That's what I'm planning to do, with high hopes, but without expecting it will be easy.</P>


I hope this helps.
Bob</P>

[Bhorton]

Re: manual and pedal couplers



Dear Johan:</P>


I may have been remiss in neglecting to discuss the more obvious approach to coupling MIDI-equipped keyboards.</P>


There are dozens of MIDI software programs available at all sorts of price points, including free, shareware, and demo versions. Many of these support note duplication and rechannelling such as I described in my previous post. The price of laptop and netbook computers is dropping every month and their capabilities are increasing. So a computerized solution may prove to be even more cost-effective than the MIDI Solutions approach. Depending on the software, the computer may be able to do much more than just providing couplers, including such things as recording performances. (MIDI Solutions still seems the best way to add MIDI to older analog expression pedals, as I hope to do.)</P>


Choosing the right software package is not a trivial task. Like any software product, they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. But there are comments and reviews on the Internet, and shareware and demo software versions that allow you to try before you buy.</P>


Good luck with your setup. Let us know how things work out.</P>

[j reimer]

Re: manual and pedal couplers



Johan,</P>


Following up Bob's most recent post, I could suggest jOrgan as a software solution that will meet your needs. It does need a computer to implement it, but it could also give you access to vastly more virtual organ sounds as well. One warning though - it does require that the user submit to quite a learning curve. I can assure you that the effort is worth it.</P>


John Reimer</P>

[Guest]

Re: manual and pedal couplers



Hi Johan,
</p>

It's nice to see I'm not the only Johan here.[:)]
</p>