To control Integra live from 2 keyboards

Maybe one of your keyboards has a MIDI merge ability built-in?

Roland calls this feature "Soft Through" on its keyboards.

Using a Roland / Cakewalk A800pro and any other keyboard, it's very easy. You connect the other keyboard (e.g. ESI key control) midi out to A800pro midi in, and A800pro midi out to Integra midi in. You enable midi soft through in the A800pro, so both signals arrive in the Integra.

johnxyz wrote:

You'd really think this thing would have 2 midi ins wouldn't you? Like the 5080.

If I make the purchase, I'd wish to control it live from 2 synths. What would you all use. A midi merge…. which one can you recommend?

Maybe you should take a look to tha A-500 PRO or even to the A-800 PRO,
As they are dual channel controllers with aftertouch and MIDI merge.

Actually I'm controlling my i-7 (and V-Synth XT) from 3 keyboards. A-800 PRO, PCR-500 and an old RS-70 and a MIDI merge device, the UM-550, but could also use the MIDI merge function from both A-800 PRO and PCR-500.

This allows me to have 5x MIDI channels being simultaneously controlled (2 from PCR and A-PRO and one from the RS-70). This together with the Keyboard Slits allows for a multi-channel setup where I can recall any of the 16 channels on any of the controllers at the touch of a button. This is the way I change sounds on a live setup (not actually changing SOUNDS).
I have all my StudioSets adapted to be controlled this way

With them I'm also controlling all 16 channels volumes, SN variations, transpose, start/stop drums, ADSR, Resonance, cutoff and portamento on channels being used for lead parts, kbd splits, pitch bend, modulation, etc
Very simple but yet powerful setup (IMO)

If I may interrupt the A-800PRO sales pitch… ;-)

Here's a photo from John's band's website:



Assuming he's not using the JX-8P as a controller, does anyone know how to set up a MIDI merge on the PC3X or Triton?

JunoJohn wrote:

Roland calls this feature "Soft Through" on its keyboards.

Not on the JX-8P!

I appreciate that this is areally stoopid question, but please can someone clarify:

MIDI OUT: sends all data received at MIDI IN PLUS all data generated by this unit on to the next unit in the chain.
MIDI THRU: sends all data received at MIDI IN on to the next unit in the chain, but doesn't add any MIDI generated by this unit.

Is that correct?

Andy

Midi Out does not send data from midi in.

I'll look up those Roland controllers thanks, but as the lovely photo shows (apart from me chewing a wasp - thanks for that) I want to control the Integra from probably the Triton (now replaced with Extreme) and the PC3X…

I saw in another thread a little 2 into 1 merge box - think that would be good velco'd into my rack…

thanks all..john

Andy Keys wrote:

MIDI OUT: sends all data received at MIDI IN PLUS all data generated by this unit on to the next unit in the chain.

Yes, sometimes it does send the Midi IN data plus its own data IF there is a midi merge function like in the A800pro. You can select whether the Midi IN data are added to the Midi OUT data or not in the A800pro.

It looks like the Kurzweil PC3X can do a MIDI merge of its own keyboard's data with that of the Korg's (from the Kurzweil's MIDI In). Check out page 10-9 of the Kurzweil PC3 Musician’s Guide under "Local Keyboard Channel."

The Triton Extreme can probably do a MIDI merge as well. Maybe someone else can read that manual.

MIDI merge is pretty common feature in modern keyboards. Even the Juno-Di can do it.

I use a a500pro and m-audio keystation pro 88 as controllers and the I7 and a Ketron xd3 as engines, connected together with a 2xmidi in/out merger as interface and that is working fine

Even a BK-9 or BK-7m module have got this Midi merge option:
quote from BK-9 manual:

"Soft Thru
Select “On” if the BK-9 should transmit all MIDI messages it receives
(using its MIDI OUT socket).
Parameter Setting
Soft Thru Off, On"

JunoJohn wrote:

The Triton Extreme can probably do a MIDI merge as well. Maybe someone else can read that manual.

I just had a quick look at the manual for the Triton Extreme and it looks like it can be done. Follow the instructions set out on page 289.

specialplant wrote:

Even a BK-9 or BK-7m module have got this Midi merge option:
quote from BK-9 manual:

"Soft Thru
Select “On” if the BK-9 should transmit all MIDI messages it receives
(using its MIDI OUT socket).
Parameter Setting
Soft Thru Off, On"

I believe that's MIDI thru! Just passing the data present at the MIDI In socket directly to the MIDI Out socket.

MIDI merge in turn implies the Merging of the data present to the MIDI IN with the one being generated by the Keyboard itself.
I couldn't find that on the BK-9 from reading the manual, but I could have missed it

PauloF wrote:

I believe that's MIDI thru! Just passing the data present at the MIDI In socket directly to the MIDI Out socket.

MIDI merge in turn implies the Merging of the data present to the MIDI IN with the one being generated by the Keyboard itself.
I couldn't find that on the BK-9 from reading the manual, but I could have missed it

No, I don't think that's only thru, but it's thru combined with the BK 9's own data. If the MIDI In data is directed to the MIDI OUT via soft thru, IMO this means that the signals produced on the BK-9 itself are ALSO directed to the MIDI OUT, as they always are, unless you turn MIDI Tx off! So the 'Soft Thru' to MIDI OUT is always a MERGE function in my opinion (I think I already used it in the BK-7m this way).

For the third time…

JunoJohn wrote:

Roland calls this feature "Soft Through" on its keyboards.

It works on my Fantom-G6. Whatever is received at MIDI IN is merged with the data produced by the Fantom and transmitted from the MIDI OUT.

Now Paulo has another reason to buy a G ;-)