can midi keyboards control more than one function in one project?

  • Thread starter Thread starter minofifa
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minofifa

minofifa

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this may be a silly question so bare with me. First off i don't know much about midi keyboards and what they can do. I just bought this MIDI controller http://www.midiman.com/index.php?do=products.main&ID=894dee116b69d772e036222f8441950c
to get into sampling and recording midi.
My quesiton relates to this: if you take a look at this keyboard it has faders and knobs and whatnot. I'm wondering if i can make use of these things!! I want to use the faders and knobs for controlling Sonar. Can i use the faders to control track volumes? can i use the knobs to controll effects peramters?
What i really don't understand is how does the computer know if i'm playing music on the keyboard or if i'm sending an instruction to control software (i know what i said is the same thing as evrything is an instruction).

Here's an example, say i wanted to prgram some of the buttons on the MIDI controller to function as the play, stop, record, ect... but i also want to use the keyboard part for actually playing synths and stuff. Can this be done?

Basically any into on this would be much appreciated to help clear some junk out of my head.

Thanks
 
Controllers have different message codes than notes. A soft synth will only play notes from the keys while its settings may be controlled by your controller knobs if it supports the right controller messages - also known as Midi CC's (continuous controllers). You need to import the generic controller profile into Sonar and you can edit this and have it learn the controller you wish to use for which function.
You can use midi notes to operate shortcuts for functions, but that's apt to lead to confusion and ties up part of your midi keyboard.
 
thanks moskus, can't wait to try some of this stuff.

One more thing i am wondering, i don't think the faders on my keyboard will be motorized. Does this mean that if the faders are in a ceratain position, that value for the perameter will be present in any project using the controller? for example, if i was using the controller and opened a new project, if i had fader 1 controlling volume and it was all the way up (from some time ago) would the new projects track one volume be all the way up as well?
 
minofifa said:
Does this mean that if the faders are in a ceratain position, that value for the perameter will be present in any project using the controller?
Click to expand...
No, nothing will happen to the values when you load the new project. But when you start moving the faders, new values will be added/written.
 
oh right on. that's what i wanted.

ok here's one more question. The controller i am getting can operate either by USB or by a midi cable. My tascam has a midi imput. should i connect through the midi imput on the tascam or should i run it through a new usb port on my comp. I will prolly do the usb directly, i was just wondering if either method produces different quality.
 
I don't think you'll notice any difference. I have a UC16 with USB and MIDI Out. I use the USB because the UC16 is powered by USB and I need my MIDI inputs for other equipment... ;)
 
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