MD playing Nord Lead 2x Problem - Sound from only 1 MIDI Machine

[atiratsjaco]

@""PeterHanes""

@atiratsjaco

I cannot get my Machinedrum SPS-1 Mk II UW+ (running OS 1.63) to trigger sounds from more than 1 MIDI machine. I have assigned MIDI machines to tracks 9-16 within a kit, and in Global, chose slot 1, and base channels 1-4. I then assigned specific notes (C2, D2, etc.) to each of the MIDI machine tracks. I chose my desired patch (let’s call it patch A) on the first Program slot on the Nord Lead 2x (of which it has 4). I am now getting patch A playing through trig 9 and track 9. I am not getting sound from any of the other tracks i’ve assigned MIDI machines and specific notes to (10-16).

I’ve trial-and-errored my way through everything I could find in the manual, including Control Changes on the MIDI machine, and I’m still lost. I’ve also done everything possible within the Nord Lead 2x. The only work-around I’ve found has been to assign a patch (B, C, and/or D) to one of the other Nord Program slots, and run it through MIDI slot 2. However, this essentially means I’m running 1 synthesizer per note, and have to manage each synth’s effects on the Nord separately, which is a total nightmare. Furthermore, it limits me to a total of 4 notes, 1 for each Nord Program slot.

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The Machinedrum MIDI machines send MIDI information on MIDI channel numbers that are equal to the Machinedrum track numbers, so that track number 9 only transmits on MIDI channel 9. This is described on page A-12 of the MD manual.

On the Nord Lead 2X, you need to set the MIDI channel numbers of the four slots to the same numbers as the MD tracks on which you are using MIDI machines.

For example, if you have MIDI machines on tracks 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the MD, set up the NL2X so that slots A, B, C, and D are set to MIDI channels 9, 10, 11, and 12 respectively.

The MD can sequence three notes at a time on each track and you can use parameter locks to sequence different triads of notes on each step of the sequencer.

Peter - Thanks for the quick reply!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you’ve essentially described the work-around I detailed in my 2nd paragraph. The slots from the NL2X we’re referring to are patch slots, not MIDI slots. So this approach means that I’m limited to 4 notes (or as you pointed out in your last paragraph, 4 chords/triads) across 4 MIDI tracks. What if I wanted to play C2 on step 1, C3 on step 5, D1 on Step 9, D2 on step 11, and C4 on step 13, for example? I’ve done this successfully before, on a MD.

I’m suggesting that I should be able to leverage up to 16 MIDI Machines on the Machinedrum to play 1 patch/synth parts, not just a single note from up to 4 patches/synth parts. If I did that, I’d have to carefully replicate any synth parameter settings across 4 patches on the NL2X every time I wanted to make a minor change to a sound. Furthermore, I’d have to create entirely new kits if I wanted to construct MD Songs using notes other than the 4 I’d selected for the first pattern. Needless to say, this is extremely limiting, and time-consuming.

Thanks again for the feedback, but unless I misunderstood something, I’m not sure that this is what I’m looking for.