I’ve just connected an external midi keyboard (MiniAk) for the first time and I am having a few issues.
in AUDIO tracks, when NOT in realtime record mode on the OT, any midi notes I play on the keyboard are triggering stuff like changing channels, stopping the sequencer etc.
Is there any way to turn this function OFF but still be able to play notes in form the ext keyboard?? the reason being, I got really into a set and didn’t check the status of the OT (realtime or step) and instead of dropping in some new notes via midi, I stopped the whole performance…not good !!!
is there any way to specify on the OT what octave range each track will “listen” to in audio mode? I would like to use some melodic samples and play them chromatically form the external keyboard, but on the Miniak the notes end up layed out an octave above the neutral position ( I think it will be C below middle C ) on the Miniak, this in turn means that I have to remember to press the octave up key on my controller before playing in notes, then swap to the octave down to play in MIDI tack mode…any workarounds?
My workaround is to use a two-octave keyboard and not change the octave. The preset 0 on the Midi keyboard is set up so that it starts in the right octave. In turn, this means that external synths have to be set up so that they sound appropriately in those two octaves (osc’s octave up/down). Or you set up a different preset, to make the change more “explicit”. Not perfect, but no big problem either.
Of course it’s still possible to change the octave in exceptional cases, but then your mind is “awake” enough that it’s the wrong octave for the OT. I use octave switches for instance to switch between drum/tracks and chromatic mode. I just got used to how the octave LED’s have to be blinking in either of the modes.
EDIT - in case that someone from Elektron reads this and thinks about MIDI notes: I can’t repeat often enough how much I miss the possibility to trigger sample or slice slots via a MIDI keyboard. Connect an Akai drum pad and have fun with Elektron-style modulations and stuff! Come on Elektron, please! (this and transient-based sampling/slicing but that’s too much to hope for…)
Take a look in the manual under the Project menu. There is a MIDI control section where you can say how audio tracks respond to incoming MIDI CCs and notes…around page 41 or so. That might help.
Set the Miniak’s MIDI output to something other than the OT’s AUTO channel.
And like what oldgearguy said above:
If you are not using MIDI for anything on the Audio tracks, turn off the incoming MIDI for Audio tracks in the Project->MIDI menu. Uncheck the “Audio note in” option.
I read the manual bu can’t see any reference to midi notes controlling the kind of functions that would normally be controlled by CC values and transport commands, or indeed how to turn this off whilst preserving regular MIDI note on/off commands in regular recording.
as the last poster mentioned I COULD turn off Midi for audio tracks completely but I was really hoping to use the AK waveforms to provide extra mono bass lines etc.
It’s in Appendix C: MIDI Control Reference, page 151 of the manual.
You can only play samples chromatically over a 3 octave range, so if you’re hitting the notes that are controlling the sequencer then you are playing well beyond the chromatic range.
the answer to both of your original questions is no. perhaps a MIDIpal or some other secondary processor could help with reassigning notes, but none of that can be handled natively on the OT.
many of us are hoping MIDI control of the OT gets some attention in a future update, but I wouldn’t suggest holding your breath at this point…
You could use a good quality Midi Controller and set it up to your liking.
I did it with a Axiom Pro 49; you can program and reach directly, with 4 dedicated knobs, 4 “zones”; each one can have each own midi channel, octave up/down and range;
so on zone 1&2 (midi channel 1&2) i have 2 analog synths (also OT midi track 1&2, on midi channel 1&2)), but I can play them directly, no matter which track is selected on the OT. for recording, I have to be on the right midi channel though.
then, zone 3, has Midi Channel 3; OT has auto channel on 3; zone 3 on the axiom also has 1 octave up, and the range is set to only the two upper octaves, the lower 2 (on my 49) are dead, they do nothing. perfect for playing the selected audio track.
and in addition, the faders for the track volumes work always, no matter what zone i´m in.
I´m sure any advanced and programmable Midi Controller can do something similar.
using a 2 octave controller keyyboard helps. if you are inputting midi notes on midi tracks, use any octave you want
if you are inputting audio track trigs or playing the samples use a fixed octave range. in my case with novation its the +2 octave. that way you are unable to trigger the start/stop and track switching functions and you get the two available octave spread only
(this and transient-based sampling/slicing but that’s too much to hope for…)