I think it would be awesome to be able to navigate through the presets on a customized program list in NI Massive with buttons on a controller rather than having to use the computer mouse. I'm using a QuNeo, APC 40 and Oxygen 25 with Ableton 9 and it appears as though there is no way to MIDI map the preset selection arrows in any of the soft synths that I have tried. It's possible to use multiple instances of a synth in one live set, each with different presets, but that obviously uses up a significant and undesired amount of CPU%. I am not well-versed in EVERY single DAW that exists so is it possible that this can be done in a DAW other than Ableton? Also I have never used Ableton Push before; is it possible that it can be used to navigate through presets in third party soft synths? Another concept is automating preset changes; again, something that I have not figured out how to do. As an artist, I want to make it my goal to look at my computer screen as little as possible during my live performances and finding a solution to my question will bring me much closer to accomplishing my goal.

I figure if there's currently no way to do this in Ableton than there must be a way to program a Max For Live device; something that I will have far more time to work on after I graduate from college.

 

@ Loud Sound System,

It exists several MIDI 'CC' ('Continuous Controllers') not usually (or commonly) used that you can set for that purpose.

Among them, you can find the followings :

- 'CC 96' : Data Button increment
- 'CC 97' : Data Button decrement

These two seem to be the most appropriate for the task you're looking for...

DON'T FORGET that both elements, this that send the corresponding MIDI 'CC', and this that receive them, MUST BE SET ACCORDINGLY ! *yes*

This can be done by including the desired Preset changes via 'MIDI Messages' (in this case 'Program Change') written a few (MIDI) 'Ticks' before the effective desired changes (e.g. 2nd Bar, 4th Bar,... ) within your MIDI Editor. Of course, you can use these Presets changes for each MIDI Track used in your Project/Song. *yes*

Example :

MIDI Track 1 : Lead Synth --> Preset 25 'jump' to Preset 38 from the 8th Bar
MIDI Track 2 : Bass Line --> Preset 3 'jump' to Preset 7 from the 4th Bar for 2 Bars, then come back to Preset 3 for the following...
...

You're right... There's always plenty of nice girls in the audience that are awaiting that you look at them !
Another solution could be to 'hire' an assistant that will do the 'hardest tasks' for you...

This last comment was for the joke !

 

Or you could use 'MIDI Program Change' to get to specific patches:

Code:

https://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=167420

So basically, create an empty MIDI clip that has program change data and then drop that in the session or arrangement where you want the change to occur.

Massive does recognisze Program Change signals, but you have to make some adjustments:

Massive & Program change in Ableton:

Code:

http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69086

 

Of course. They are midi controlled sound sources like any other.

 

The thing is..... if you don't want to use the mouse, why are you looking for a program? The idea is to use the controller to do this right? It almost sounds like you are looking for a patch librarian. A lot of controllers allow onboard configurations to be saved. They can be used to control just about anything MIDI. There are some exceptions but pretty much anything that is midi compatible can be controlled by a midi controller, and you can map, and configure. I have an old Alesis datadisk that is rack mounted, that was decent for saving configurations in the hardware realm. So if the controller didn't have the option to save onboard configurations, the datadisk did. As far as realtrime incrementing through the midi parameters, that's simple. That is the whole premise behind midi controls. ANYthing MIDI can be controlled. Even MIDI compatible lightshows. I know a few people who have even researched basic MIDI commands and written their own software that they used for specific applications. My point in all of this is that it is a standard, so ANY MIDI device can be controlled by a MIDI controller. Softsynths, hardware. It's all MIDI.

 

i wonder how you do this in logic?

 

@ Nick1980webb,

Exactly the same way that you'll do it with any DAW which has FULL MIDI Implementation features within it.
You can control each available MIDI Parameter via external MIDI Controllers (Keyboard, Surface Control,... ),
and within the included MIDI Editor, you can then write (set) any change that will affect the way your MIDI Data will be played...

 

I am not a logic user, but I am told by people I've worked with that YouTube has extensive video for logic. Check that. You gotta treat MIDI as a standard. There are rare instances where this is not true (very rare) but for the most part it is safe to say, any midi will work with any other midi. That is in general but it's true across all DAWs and hardwares. That is why it is such a dream come true to us.

 

I don't think it's possible with every software, is it ?

 

I don't think any of the midi controllers I have allow you to remap the program changes. Not that all softsynths accept them and even if they do it's only the first 128 patches.

 

Every software that is MIDI compatible, yes it is. That's what MIDI does.

 

If they are MIDI compatible softsynths they do, and usually you don't need any more than 128, now do you? Some let you have more than 128. 128 usually means GM soundset. It's really beside the point if EVERY softsynth allows it. His should.

 

For Logic watch these videos

Code:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsh5nICx0VE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOION17JgRU

It might not work, though. Some soft-synths do not respond to MIDI Program Change (although they should)

Code:

http://www.logic-users-group.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3070

 

Right they should. That's the point. We really are talking about the majority. We don't even want to talk about the non-midi softsynths. In this modern day and age, it's been awhile since I've seen any "system exclusive" softsynths. The industry as a whole is geared toward midi control. While I do acknowledge what has been said, for our purposes I think the softsynths will do what he's wanting. There are ways around problems too. Like for instance the rack mounted datadisk I have that can save patches and configurations. A person usually doesn't have to live without if they research a bit.

 

Yeah I know but some software don't use that MIDI cc... Like Kontakt ! (Tell me if I'm wrong) but you can't change preset on Kontakt ! (I did some research a few years ago)

Of course there's a lot of MIDI CC available for Kontakt, but no Program Change...

 

Huh no program change?

 

I had to re-read what you said here. I don't think I've actually tried the program change. We can do this and load in new presets with the mouse. We can trigger kontakt, but no program change? Really? I'll have to try that. To be honest I have not tried that. I have triggered it, but never tried program change with a controller.

 

And so I will have to acknowledge what you've said. Maybe you've pointed to one that doesn't do program changes. But really what occurs to me is that maybe you just needed for it to wait for the samples to load in? The libs are huge and take some time.

 

It's hard to believe they would not facilitate program changes, but alas, I cannot dispute this. I will do some testing. Very interesting.

 

You have me thinking now. Maybe I am learning something I didn't know here. A test planned.