Help sending program change message using Ext2 in Combi's

addy73 · Post by **addy73** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:28 pm

I've got a Nord Electro 3 connected to the midi out of the M50 (midi in on the nord). In combi mode I want to set a voice to send a program change to the Nord.

What works - If the Nord and M50 are on the same global midi channel then the Nord is correctly changing to the corresponding program.

What doesn't work - I changed the M50 global Midi channel back to 1 and changed the Nord global midi to Channel 16 and then set a sound in combi mode to EXT2 (from INT) making the midi channel 16 and enter the desired program number. When I save the combi (then go up 1 combi then back down to trigger the program change) the nord always changes to Program 1 no matter what program numbers I put under Ext2. If I turn off the EXT2 program then the nord does not change patches - so it's getting a signal - just not the right number. I've changed both the top and bottom numbers under EXT2 with no success. The nord only has 0-127 programs, midi -wise it doesn't need bank numbers sent.

The midi settings on the nord are very simple. Just a global midi channel and a settings to send/recieve midi program change and another for midi controls.

Could it be the nord doesn't support the EXT2 changes? (I don't know much about midi terms.)

Of course my prefered method is the one using the EXT2 program changes because I will be using the same sounds on the nord for many combis and don't want to waste multiple program slots on the nord with the same patch to match the combi patch numbers.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Adam

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:37 pm

the two numbers under EXT2 are Bank Select numbers.
you set the program number in the same way that your normally do for all the other timbres.

addy73 · Post by **addy73** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:46 pm

Thanks for the quick reply! So the nord is most likely going to patch 1 because the default on the sound is probably the piano (patch 1 on the M50) ? I think I remember the instrument selection being greyed out once I put the sound in Ext2 mode. Do I need to change to the correct program before putting in ext2 mode?

Thanks!

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:54 pm

yes, that is basically it!

I remember fussing about the same thinng, before realising that the program selection box wasn't in fact greyed out as I had originly thought.
you can alse use EXT mode as the normal bank changes sent from the M50 won't matter to the Nord anyway.

addy73 · Post by **addy73** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:58 pm

Thank you! Now if I could only get my 2 hours back last night...

kanthos · Post by **kanthos** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:57 pm

I use a Nord Stage and send it program changes from a Korg TR. Just use an EXT timbre; don't bother with EXT2.

addy73 · Post by **addy73** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:44 pm

Worked great, Thanks again.

Just a note, that Ext2 does grey out the program selection for the sound, but as you suggested EXT does NOT.

jerrythek · Post by **jerrythek** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:38 pm

Actually the program change/select is NOT greyed out using EX2 Mode.

After you've chosen your Bank Select values (MSB and LSB) you go back to the main Combi Play screen and you will see an active value for a number for the Program Change. The Category box is greyed out, but there is an active field below that. It has a three digit number that you can choose and value for, and below it show the 000/000 values you set for the bank Changes.

The reason for EX2 is that you can send any bank Changes values needed, whereas the EXT Mode only allows as many bank Changes as the M50 has. So for many devices the EXT mode will cover you, but when you need more or a different range EX2 is there to help.

Regards,

Jerry