I am REALLY new to MIDI. We touched some basic stuff at school and I was able to sort out virtual MIDI inside a DAW.
First I had weird timing issues the notes in Waldorf Blofeld only reacted with first 8 trigs and chromoatic keyboard didn’t work. Then I looked up the manual and set my channels right, local control off. So everything is working fine on track 1.
Now I got my kick on MIDI track 1 sequenced. And now I want to add another instrument from Waldorf. I know it’s multitimbral (16 parts).
So I went on my MIDI track 2 on OT put channel 2 changed the bank and the program but both of my MIDI tracks on OT play the same sound. I don’t understand what I am not doing here. Doesn’t program change manipulate multitimbrality in MIDI messages?
Sorry, yes Blofeld. (edited topic). Yes Track 1 MIDI ch.1 and Track 2 MIDI ch.2
Not sure about the multi mode. Is that for multitimbrality?
(Right now I have different banks and programs on both channels but they play the same sound, changing it on either track makes the other play the same sound)
Sorry, yes Blofeld. (edited topic). Yes Track 1 MIDI ch.1 and Track 2 MIDI ch.2
Not sure about the multi mode. Is that for multitimbrality?
(Right now I have different banks and programs on both channels but they play the same sound, changing it on either track makes the other play the same sound)[/quote]
Playing different sounds on different channels is multitimbrality, so you would want to use the multi mode on the Blofeld.
So it’s playing different sounds now. Well actually it was doing it before. It says Init. Multi. I am assuming it means initialize sound. It’s just I didn’t realize I had to click the button on Octatrack to send the MIDI message to change the sound.
Now that’s sorted. I am trying to figure out what different sounds are playing the top utility button 1 and 2 show 2 different wavetables and cycling through them loads more wavetables. Am I correct to assume that I have to work from this state? What if I create a patch on Blofeld, would I have to manually assign it to a MIDI channel or it’s better to work from scratch though Octatrack?
“Init. Multi.” is a default name given by the Blofeld to the multi setup (aka multi set, aka multi program) that you are using. You can change the name when you store the multi setup.
What you are describing is editing a program on the Blofeld.
A multi setup includes the name and number of the program that is being used for each Part on the Blofeld. When you begin a new piece of music, you can select the program on the Blofeld by editing the multi setup.
Once you have a piece of music where you want to change the program to another one while the music is playing, create a new Part on the Octatrack and set the correct Bank and Program numbers there.
But take it one step at a time until you know what you are doing.
Thanks a lot for your help. I actually have the real manuals printed out. I just hooked up Blofeld today and Octatrack two months ago for the first time.
The confusion comes from odd naming. I had no idea what Multi Part means if they called it timbre or instrument like we learned in school it would be a bit easier to understand. It’s all coupled with the fact that I am reading it in foreign language as well. So yeah a bit overwhelming.
did you get it figured out? i have a blofeld hooked up to my OT and have ran it as 8 separate MIDI tracks. if you’re still having problems, i’l check my settings for you. i only quickly skimmed through your post so you may have already mentioned this but did you make sure you pressed yes on the OT after setting each MIDI channel? if you just set the MIDI channel then back out without hitting yes, it doesn’t set. Are you in multimode in the blofeld with each channel set?
Thank you very much. Yes, I did figure it out. I was confused about some definitions and wording in both manuals. I can sequence notes now and run arpeggios. The only thing I didn’t figure out yet is that my CC commands on OT are not affecting the Waldorf I didn’t get much time to dive into it bt it’s a minor road block at this point. Thanks.
Sorry I realise this is reviving an old post, but I have a question re: sequencing a Waldorf Blofeld from an OT. If anyone can help, please give me a shout and I’ll explain the issue.
Basically, I’m sequencing the Blofeld on a number of patterns across two banks. I have set CC2 on the OT to the ‘Bank’ option, and matched the number with the patch number shown on the Blofeld’s screen (e.g. Vince C. patch = A010, so I enter ‘10’). However, when I change patterns the Blofeld does not move patches.
Any advice really appreciated - I’ve had a look at both manuals and am unsure what I’m missing.
I don’t have the Blofeld anymore but I remember I could change banks. There is another thread about it.
Did you installed latest Blo firmware? @PeterHanes
CC0 and CC32 thing?
Great, thanks for picking up where I’m going wrong. I’ll check to make sure that the program change is working as soon as I can and get back to you. Thanks again!
Thanks for this @PeterHanes. PROG CH is set to send in the MIDI SYNC menu (Project > MIDI > SYNC). I can’t see PROG as an option in the MIDI SETUP page (when double clicking CTRL 1 or CTRL 2 in the MIDI menu of a Track.
