Yamaha Dx21 control via Midi CC/Sysex on the Digitakt?

I’m currently looking for ways to control the parameters of my DX21 via the Digitakt to avoid the clunky process of dialling in parameters one by one using the data entry slider.

Often I just plug a midi cable in and an audio out from the DX and sequence it from the Digitakt - which is really fun but does have its limitations.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience controlling the parameters of this synth (or a Yamaha Dx7/any old digital synth of that era) via the Midi CC controls on the Digitakt.

I’ve been using these controls on modern gear and it’s worked really well do far (Roland Boutique Models).

On the Dx21 I’ve managed to get a few basic parameters working, such as the mod wheel, master volume and portamento switch, though I think this is because these selections correspond to actual hardware, such as a foot switch or breath controller which require a much more basic form of midi messaging to function.

The challenge is that I can’t seem to get this to work with aspects which would be functional for sound design purposes, such as the ADSR controls, or the operator frequency. I believe that this is because these functions work via some form of Sysex data messaging, rather than Midi CC.

Some possible solutions I’ve looked into:

-Using a “Midi Solutions” event processor or similar hardware to process the Midi CC and turn the messages into Sysex signals (unsure if this will work for these parameters)

-Using a program such as CTRLr or Midi Designer to program the Midi CC signals to Sysex, and running the messaging from the Digitakt to the DX21 via my laptop

Before I purchase/download anything, I’d just like to know if anyone has tried something similar to this with old gear and wouldn’t mind sharing their method.

The midi solutions box does seem fairly expensive (almost as much as I originally got the synth for second hand), but it would be more convenient to have this functionality in a small box rather than setting up my laptop as the middleman every time I wanted to use this setup (I may as well just use a vst at that point). Perhaps there is a more cost effective option (possibly raspberry pi based?)

Cheers!

Yes it is possible with sysex converters such as bome box or decent controller such as peavey 1600 or kenton control freak.
Possibly some of the newer ones… But those above i know work as i use them for this

Thanks! - I’d heard of the Bome software but wasn’t aware of the box - will take a look into it. Again, with these boxes the price does seem quite steep for just this use case but I wonder if I could find any other useful application for them for the Digitakt/studio.

The Events Processor Plus is a bit pricey, but I bit the bullet and got one, and it is a useful addition to have. Search ‘Events Processor Plus’ or EPP in these forums for some other potential uses.

I mapped cc#'s to all the sysex commands for the Reface DX, so can use the OT to control all the parameters. I can’t personally vouch that it works with the DX21 but see no reason it wouldn’t. You’ve checked the DX21 MIDI implementation chart?

I’ll take a look into some other uses, I’m sure I will find something.

I’m surprised the modern reface model still uses Sysex - surely it would have just been better for them to just implement Midi CC? Or is there an advantage that I’m not thinking of.

The Dx21 manual lists three different mapping charts. There is a section for Midi implementation (p56) in addition to a chart by voice parameters (p54) and function parameters (p55):

http://www.polynominal.com/yamaha-dx21/yamaha-dx21-manual.pdf

I’m hoping that something will be able to map CC commands to some of the Sysex voice/function parameters on page 54 or 55.

Yes, the EPP (and similar devices) allow you to do exactly this. I had to learn how to write sysex messages but turns out it’s very easy.
@sezare56 is a guru at this stuff and has helped me a ton of times.

Now that I’m thinking of it, the owner of Midi Solutions, who makes the EPP, is very helpful and will reply if you email him with specific questions.

I agree re the Reface, i don’t know the reason they didn’t just assign cc numbers. .

2 Likes

that is probabilty a mess.
I suggest, and i am going to do it soon, to sniff SYSEX from dexed ot patchbase to map them over CC

btw once you have a proper map you can trigger sysex from cc by arduino with very little money