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External MIDI keyboard on microArranger chords split issue

 
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alfredokiwi
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Joined: 07 Sep 2011
Posts: 268

PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:49 am    Post subject: External MIDI keyboard on microArranger chords split issue Reply with quote

I bought a Korg Microarranger supposing that a full control with an external normal size keyboard is possible, but the 2 buttons lower / upper chord scanning feature and the split function that works on the built-in mini keys don't work on external MIDI keyboard. On external MIDI keyboard the Microarranger recognize chords on the entire keybed ignoring the setup split point. Unfortunately the external MIDI controller program patch is selected being impossible to play the upper and lower styles parts. Supposedly the MIDI input is the alternative to attach a normal size keyboard on microArranger very important to have that but unfortunately Korg seems to cut corners.

Is there a way to set the split point for lower & upper range when the external MIDI keyboard is in use?

An important question because the same "split key point" functionality should be available despite if an internal or external keyboard is in use.
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Last edited by alfredokiwi on Sun Jan 15, 2017 5:14 am; edited 2 times in total
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alfredokiwi
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Joined: 07 Sep 2011
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 2:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The problem exposed here is a bit more complicated, because we have 2 MIDI ports as UART serial interface, the internal that performs the mini keybed scanning and the external MIDI connectors. We can say that there is no difference on both interfaces, because the built in mini keys on microArranger acts in the same way as a MIDI device.

An arranger is basically a looped pattern sequencer with real time chord recognition for the accompaniment. Chord types changes are basically defined patterns (mayor, minor, augmented, diminished, etc) with key transposition depending on the chord root and its inversions.

It seems that the microArranger use the internal keyscan IC microcontroller for the split function and program patches for each style. Such features unfortunately are not available on most MIDI synths and keyboards. Only advanced MIDI controllers can do the split function setting programs, channels and CC on defined keys ranges.

The weak point on microArranger is the non compliance to support basic MIDI keyboards and synths using only one channel for the entire keys range (normally channel 1). Unfortunately the MIDI implementation is not well documented, what I can understand reading the user manual there are 2 channels for MIDI input in chord recognition assuming that channel 1 is for the lower part and channel 2 for the upper, but I can´t confirm that.
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siebenhirter
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Joined: 13 Oct 2011
Posts: 1825

PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:39 pm    Post subject: Re: External MIDI keyboard on microArranger chords split iss Reply with quote

alfredokiwi wrote:
.. is there a way to set the split point for lower & upper range when the external MIDI keyboard is in use?


Hallo Alfredo,
i think using split points of MA via MIDI (Masterkeyboard, Sequencer, SMF ..) is possible satisfactory only with correspondingly MIDI settings (Global channel) of MA:
First decide which channel of Masterkeyboard you will use to send MIDI notes. Maybe - for example - it is channel 12 next goto MIDI IN CONTROL PAGE and set "CHORD1" (or Chord2) to channel 12. At last goto MIDI IN PAGE and select channel 12 as GLOBAL channel.

Now MIDI messages received over this Global channel are affected of Keyboard Mode as well from the split point. If split LED is lit up notes arriving to MA will be divided by the split point (into upper/lower part).
Notes that arrive to this Global channel are used for chord recognition - in KEYBOARD MODE Split only the notes below the split point will be used for chord recognition.

If Chord Scanning buttons are set to LOWER the chord recognition 
mode will use "Chord Recognition Mode"-parameter you have set in Style Play Mode (Style Preferences).
 
If Chord Scanning buttons are set to UPPER or FULL the chord-recognition will be Fingered2, that means you need to play at least three notes in order for the chord to be detected.

PS: Using both channels (Chord1+2) only is useful for accordions, sending MIDI-Notes for Acc and Bass separately channeled.
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- siebenhirter, austria -

Interesting facts about styles and stylePlayer functions can be found at http: www.elmarherz.de
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