MIDI ext mode and MIDI Config

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
#11

The trick is done by the following setup-parameters in <Global Menu/Midi Port Config>

KEYBOARD DEST := “INT+ EXT”.

That’s how I have done it and allows me to swap.

This is, what the manual says:

KEYBOARD DEST controls whether the keys of the KEYBOARD will send MIDI note data or not. When set to INT, no MIDI data will be sent. When set to INT + EXT, MIDI will be sent internally as well as externally. When set to EXT, MIDI will only be sent externally.

You should also make sure, that the midi output is activated by:
OUT PORT FUNCTIONALITY := MIDI
OUTPUT TO := MIDI/USB/MIDI+USB

I recommend to read the compete section of the manual. There are more useful settings explained how to setup midi in/out for various sources.

This is what the manual says in section Keyboard Control:

EXTERNAL KEYBOARD MODE Pressing [MIDI EXT] will turn the keyboard controls of the Analog Keys into an external MIDI keyboard controlling other gear. The KEYBOARD keys, JOYSTICK, DATA ENTRY knobs and the LEVEL knob will be dedicated to sending MIDI Out messages. Until deactivated, the Analog Keys synth and parameter settings will not be affected by these controls, only the external MIDI gear. Press the key again to deactivate. Note that the internal sequencer and synth tracks will continue to work normally even while the external keyboard mode is active

#12

Thanks for the directions , I followed them but the AK still sends MIDI out when using the internal engine.

Any ideas?

#13

What exactly do you mean by “using internal engine”?

As long as the LED of ExtMidi is on, the keyboard should send midi out. It’s supposed to do.

#14

i had this problem too - its a setting in the Global menu

go to “Midi Port Config” menu

scroll down list until you get to “Keyboard Dst”

set it to “INT”

after this - the MIDI button above the joystick functions as expected - turn on to send midi but not to synth, turn off to send to synth but not MIDI

not sure why it defaults to local keyboard “always on”… its an odd decision

2 Likes
#15

Great ! thanx … :+1:

#16

Thanks a lot. It is odd to me too.

The manual isn’t clear about MIDI config settings and MIDI ext mode, as in this case I thought that changing to “INT” it wouldn’t send any MIDI out at all.

#17

Exactly what i was looking for, thanks a lot. :slight_smile:

#18

Dude… Exactly what I was searching to figure out. My problem was AK triggering Geist2 Drums while Im trying to play a bass in (ect) …all good now, thank you.

1 Like
#19

Is MIDI EXT working for people using firmware 1.22? I’ve tried a whole bunch of different combinations of settings but I never get note data coming through my MIDI interface. I’m using MIDI Monitor on OSX, and there’s no note on messages appearing at all. Clock and transport are fine, and all the panel controls send NRPNs as expected, but no note data. I have OUT PORT FUNC: MIDI, OUTPUT TO: MIDI+USB (also tried just MIDI), OUTPUT CH: AUTO CH, KEYBOARD DST: INT+EXT (also tried just INT, or just EXT…)

EDIT: Okay, I fixed this, I just had to restart the AK and everything worked fine. I’m going to leave my message around in case anyone else runs into this problem in the future.

#20

I’m having this problem but sadly restarting AK didn’t solve my issue. I’ve written support to see what they say.

1 Like
#21

same problem , any answers from the support ?

#22

After a back and forth with support I ended up having to take it back to the store where I bought it. Start a support ticket and take it from there. I would recommend you back up your projects with C6 or better yet Sysex Librarian sooner rather than later. I backed mine up before taking it back to the store and they ended up being corrupt once I put them on the new AK and I’ve now lost my work. Still trying to remedy it with Elektron support… Once you have everything backed up, try doing a factory reset by holding the function key at boot up. Best of luck.

1 Like
#23

Do you know why your backup was corrupted ?
Should we do 2 backups ?
Alive in binary…

#24

I have no clue. I did two backups, one batch created with C6 and the other batch with Sysex Librarian, both were mangled.

#25

:worried:

#26

I tried the exact same thing, it does not work. Oddly enough, I also have a different ableton live project from which I use total recall and in this instance it does work…

#27

Just to add to this since I recently got an AK.

Fresh clean empty project !

I just found that auto channel which is known but ch16 also, does not send midi out when activating midi ext button.

Reason, none ! All other channels works as expected.

If that could prevent someone of losing time on what is obviously a bug…

#28

Hey gang, not sure if I understand correctly or if this hasn’t been solved yet, but I control several other synths with my AK, sequencing via OT. Midi is set to Int only, not int/ext. Set your AK autochannel to match the midi channel of the piece you are playing - or with OT, set both autochannels to the same (i think) then use midi track select to control various pieces on various channels. I struggled with this too. Latest firmware (at the time) had a related bug as well. I’ll see if I can dig up the thread.

Edit: (Solved!) AK Midi Ext 'bug'. Downgrade to 1.23C to fix

#29

Hey, does anyone have a clue about this:

I use the pots in Midi ext mode to control external gear, which works nice: the Keys sends CC on the chosen channel. But unfortunately it doesnt receive CC the other way round, which means I have parameter jump when I change the values on the external gear.

That’s a pitty actually, because all other parameters (when not in Midi Ext mode) both send and receive CC, so I have a smooth integration with other gear that features motorized faders. Any workarounds?

#30

thank you! you saved my day :slight_smile: