I have a morningstar Mc6, you can handle tons of message per stomp press. You should check it, highly powerfull midi tool.
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Yep. 
Nice one. But does it send SPP?
No direct Spp but it sends rt ans sysexes, achievable with these two maybe ?
Oh yeah, no computers (yikes), already logging around outboard synths. 
I just ordered the Mc8 thanks to you! 
What an incredibly powerful box. You changed me life!
But, i am confused about this SPP biz. I am sure, i will be pulling my hair.
Moreover, the tedious task of merging several arrangements into one with all the mute, tempo information, is there anyway to copy an arrangement and dump it on top of the master one?
Many thanks for valuable direction!
This thing is quite a beast, thanks to the contributing tip by @KaOsphere.
If I have been of any help, I’m happy ! Hope the mc8 will suit you !
@KaOsphere, if it’s not specified, I’m not sure the Morningstar’s can send SPP. It’s a specific message (F2 00 00), not a sysex.
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Computers for sound generation (virtual synths and stuff), I can understand that. But for housekeeping tasks such as this, and editors/librarians, I think they are perfectly suited. Once you have it set-up the way you want, just close the lid if you don’t want a visible PC screen on your set. Boxes like Bome Box, Midi Translator, the MC8 controller are all computers too, after all.
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Sure it’s not in the mc6 spec. Tbh I’m not really confident with sysex so that’s why I was not sure…
While the MC8 is a quite capable MIDI controller it cannot send SPP (Song Position Pointer). So you need something else to jump around in the arrangement.
SPP requires 14-bit (2*7 bit) data values. The easiest way to get SPP from a box which doesn’t support it would be to send a special NRPN from that box to a MIDI translator box which translates it into a SPP message.
But AFAIK the MC8 doesn’t even support NRPN. You could do something similar with a special SYSEX message (requires also a translator box to translate the SYSEX into SPP), but it’s definitely more complicated then a simple NRPN.
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Nobody mentioned it, but it’s very easy to code a Arduino sketch for the Retrokits RK-002 cable that translates CC messages (or whatever) into SPP messages. Probably the cheapest solution to this problem.
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It’s incredible something so fundamental should be such a costly uphill battle with loads of headache.
As soon as I figure out the MC8, i will probably do away with the arranger of Octatrack altogether and just go thru patterns, mute tracks and send midi clock (that’s what I am doing in the arranger anyway).
I received the MC8 today. I have been trying to figure out how to select a track and mute it all morning, looking at the OT manual for Control Change mappings and pulling my hair. I wish there was midi learn for Mc8.
Yeah this is a wicked piece of equipment, indeed.
It isn’t if you have the right tool (something that can send SPP). SPP is a standard developed exactly for such use cases. But, of course, if a tool doesn’t supports standards like SPP and NRPN then it becomes complicated.
IMHO when you are not using the Arranger you will loose features like BPM per pattern (or per Arranger line to be exact) and scenes+mutes per pattern and all the good stuff. Of course you can control most of that from outside, but programming a second device for this doesn’t sound “inspiring”.
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As mentioned before, a RK-002 is something like 50€ and you can do whatever you want with it, if you’re willing to learn the (very simple) SDK.
Given that the midi control over the arranger like you would like it isn’t implemented in the OT and will never be, it’s already great that actually working solutiuons have been suggested!
And remember that eliminating completely even the tinyest laptop from your rig is a personal choice that has consequences you now need to circumvent.
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Alright folks,
The midi controller Morningstar MC8 is now capable of sending SPP.
After I bought the pedal, I emailed their tech support and asked whether there would be an addition of SPP in the near future.
Then I received an email within 24 hours from the chief engineer (possibly the owner) James Toh
stating that he had included the SPP in the beta update.
Here is how to roll
-
Update the firmware
Beta Firmware v3.7.0 (scroll down the page)
https://github.com/Morningstar-Engineering/MC8-MIDI-Controller/releases/ -
Use this online editor v.1.0.11 (SPP section will only show up on this editor because its beta, not the desktop version)
https://editor-mkii-staging.morningstar.io
This pedal is absolutely a winner.
Is there a clear guide to midi mapping and clever tips and tricks somewhere for Octatrack?
The manual does my head in
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I hope this gets added to the MC6!
Anyhow, it’s sort of moot now but I was going to recommend getting an Axoloti and an acrylic case rather than the MIDI solutions box for MIDI processing. The MIDI solutions stuff works well but for barely over half the price (and some effort) an Axoloti would do so much more.
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Thanks for the tip, mate.
I think, I am sorted now.
I am sure he will honour your request, if MC6 or MC8 differ on the firmware.
Give them a shout through their website!