Perhaps an easy question - Controlling a TR Rack with an M1

tcwild · Post by **tcwild** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:06 pm

My fellow Korgians,

I have a TR Rack and an M1, and while I use the TR with my DAW with no issues I would like to be able to 'drive' the TR with my M1 (or my other keyboards) - including patch changes - without having to use that clumsy front panel.

I've tried a few things, and here is what I've observed:

- No problems 'playing' selected patches from my M1 or SP250

- SP250 'program/bank change' buttons DO make changes on the TR (I've not properly 'cataloged' exactly what they do).

- M1 'program/bank change' buttons do NOT make changes on the TR

What I would really like to be able to do is to make program/combi AND bank changes without using the clumsy front panel buttons on the TR. With such a wonderful module, I cannot imagine this is not possible.

Please be aware, I'm no MIDI expert ...

Your thoughts and ideas are welcome!

tcwild · Post by **tcwild** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 3:08 am

... and yes, the bank/patch change controls on the MM6 do cause changes on the TR; but if you don't start in the same place, tracking the destinations becomes impossible.

Surely someone has come up with a simple 'control box' that allows you to change banks (including program/combi switch) and enter a patch #? This sounds like a trivial thing to do!

tcwild · Post by **tcwild** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:36 am

seriously? No response at all?

hmmm....

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 5:54 am

You need to send the proper bank and program change message to the TR Rack. That's documented in the TR module. How you send that message depends on the sending devices ability to transmit them. You could record or edit the midi on the M1 sequencer, then play it back to be transmitted to the midi channel of the TR. You could do the same thing with a midi controller like the Korg PadKontrol, although you'll have to have a midi merger to use the PadKontrol and the M1 messages to the TR without changing the midi cables.

tcwild · Post by **tcwild** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 3:15 pm

Guess I wasn't all that clear...

I understand the process involved in changing the patches being played. What I would like is a 'box' that provides:

1) MIDI In and Out ports
2) MIDI 'merge' so I can have a keyboard/controller connected ALL the time
3) A keypad to input bank and patch #'s, along with a 'send' button

Anything above and beyond that would be 'icing'.

If I wanted to spend my time on it, I might even be able to concoct something myself; but I would rather pay someone else for that.

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:58 pm

I've never seen such a device, probably because everything for what you need to do is already available in two devices that have far more versatility for there general functions: midi merging and midi controlling. The PadKontrol can do what you want, just not exactly the way you want. But feel free to make your own or hire an engineer to make one for you. That's how many new and innovative products get their start. You could probably do it as an iOS app using the iPod Touch or iPad.