Recommendations for PC software to send MIDI control msgs

[EdK]

Hello!

Can anyone recommend software for a PC that I can use to control patch changes to two synthesizers?

Example of what I want to do: I have two synths (Korg Triton and M1). During live performance I need to perform patch changes at a moments notice. In many cases, I need to change Combi and Prog patches on both synths. Pressing the Combi and Prog buttons and selecting patch numbers while performing is difficult and time consuming. In some cases, I need to change up to 4 patches (Combi and Prog on each synth). There's just not enough time to do it and one little mistake makes it take even longer.

I'd like to be able to 'pre-program' the patch changes I need in each synth and categorize it in sort of a 'playlist' (by song title) using some sort of software program on a laptop which I will connect both synths via midi.
Then it would be a simple matter of selecting the song from a playlist and the appropriate MIDI messages would be sent to both synths.

Does anyone know how I can accomplish this? I was thinking there must be some sort of software available on a PC to do what I'm looking for?
And of course how to control both synths at the same time.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Ed

[mocando]

I would define both surface's layers in a combi, then the next set of sound in another combi. That way it will allow you to use a pedal assigned to the combi up message to switch them without needing to touch anything with your hands.

[EdK]

Thanks....but I can't do it that way. I'm in a corporate/wedding band and the songs we do change at a moments notice. In other words we don't have a pre-defined setlist.

[bsr2002]

If your set list is that liquid, then your Bandmates are going to have to devise a way to let you know in advance like 16 meas before the end of the tune OR they will need to play some type of intros or chord progressions to give you time to change up OR they can wait.

I've played for a couple of Bands that do this and if you have a bunch of songs that you know your going to have to use 20 diff sounds they will have to give you some le-way.

Best advise I can give is try to group those programs you use the most in at least one or two banks and rename them and memorise where you put them. That's what I do.

[EdK]

Thanks...but that's what I do now. I'm actually looking for another solution. It seems to me that there's got to be something available to do what I'm looking for. What I'm looking for is some sort of program for a laptop that I can simply have a 'playlist' displayed on the computer then simply select the name of the song and midi messages are sent to both keyboards to change the patches. I also lay classical (chutch) organ and those are made with 'programmable' pre-sets (up to 20 in a bank) and I can simply push one button to change the sound. Unfortunately, synths are not made that way.

[kanthos]

You might be able to do this with native Instruments Kore Player. (I know you can with Kore proper, but this isn't free and does *way* more than what you'd want to do. Paying $400+ to change patches in a way that makes more sense to you seems silly).

I'm curious though: how do the rest of your bandmates cope with changes? Does your band have a guitarist? Does that guitarist use the same set of effects for everything? When changing from one song to the next, does someone call out, 'Ok, we're doing song X in E' and the drummer does an immediate countdown and you're in? Surely there is *some* downtime? Does no one change their chart from song to song? (I suppose everyone could have all songs memorized).

You should be able to set one of the categories for your combis on the Triton to a 'Songs' category or something like that, and put all your songs in it. When you finish a song, hit the Category button. Since the current song you've just finished will be in your 'Songs' category, you'll be selecting currently in the 'Songs' category. Scroll down to the song you want (use the wheel to make this faster, and fine-tune your selection with the arrows), and pick the song. You could also use an external editor to organize the combis in that category so that they're in alphabetical order to make it easier for you to find exactly what you want.

As for the M1, edit your combis and have each one send a program change message to the M1 (take one timbre, make it of type EXT, set the program number correctly, and you're good to go). Selecting the combi you want on the Triton will automatically send the program change to the M1.

I realize I just described how I'd do this on my TR, but the Triton should be able to do the same thing in the same way. What you want to avoid is using the touchscreen here: it will be slower than using the buttons, at least based on my experience with the M50 and M3.

While I generally have an organized setlist whenever I play at church (though surprises aren't uncommon, particularly with dropping the last song of the day to repeat something we did earlier if it seems more relevant), I am confident that I could pick the combi I want on my TR out of a list of 100+ in a few seconds using the methods I just described. If a few seconds is too long, you might want to talk to your band about being more reasonable.

Incidentally, the time to move your hand from keyboard to laptop, click on the song you want (with having to scroll down first if your potential pool of songs is long enough), and get back over to your keyboard will be at least as long - I say this as someone who's used a laptop and MIDI controllers for live performance before. Plus, there's another point of failure (what if your laptop crashes?) and another expensive piece of gear for you to bring around that can get damaged. Plus you'd have to find a way to get the laptop elevated to a reasonable level while keeping it close enough to you that you can easily reach it, but not having the object it sits on getting in your way. You really don't want to go this route.