How to load up sound patches quickly for multiple keyboards?

[patpsc]

Hi,

I'm using 4 keyboards when playing live on stage. When our band finished a song and proceed to the next one, I don't have enough time to select new sound patches for the new song on each of the keyboard. Just wonder anyone here have a tip or trick on this issue that can help me to eliminate the dead time?

Thanks.

[CherryPistolKeys]

If you are using a Krome, it is easy.

First, make sure your other three keyboards are set up to receive program change information on separate channels, say 11, 12 and 13. Then daisy chain MIDI cables between the keyboards, from the Krome MIDI out to the next keyboards MIDI in, then use the THRU to the next keyboard, etc.

Set up all your sounds that the Krome uses for each song in a combi instead of just using the program mode. Then, on three unused combi program slots, simply add the program change information for the other three keyboards, ensuring that you are sending the info out MIDI channels 11, 12, and 13. You could play the other keyboards from the KROME keyboard as well, but you can set it up to just use/send the program change commands only.

Then, when you select the sound on your KROME for the next song, it will change all the programs to the right sounds on the other keyboards. No delay at all...

The KROME owners manual has a section devoted to controlling additional modules and keyboards, and how to set it up. Hope this helps.

[patpsc]

Thanks for the tip. However, I'm not sure I understand when you said: "on three unused combi program slots, simply add the program change information for the other three keyboards". Did you mean the CC number is the program change information? How and where do I add them for the other keyboards in Combi mode?

Would you please give me an example, let say I'm using 2 keyboards and one of them is the Krome and the other is Roland XP-50.

Thanks.

[CherryPistolKeys]

Page 50 of the manual has some information about just that.

Basically, when you set up a combi, you are setting up individual sounds to either play across the keyboard or in zones. You can select up to 16 sounds(timbres) or drum kits in your combi.

However, you can set one or more of the parts to control external synths or units with MIDI control. From the manual:

Timbre Parameters MIDI page
Status
This controls the status of MIDI and the internal tone
generator for each Timbre. Normally, if you’re playing
an internal Program, this should be set to INT.
If the status is set to Off, EXT, or EX2, that Timbre’s
internal sounds will not be played. Off simply disables
the Timbre entirely. The EXT and EX2 settings allow
the Timbre to control an external MIDI device.

Bank Select (when status=EX2)
When the Status is set to EX2, these parameters allow
you to transmit MIDI Bank Select messages to external
MIDI devices.


If you use the EX2 setting instead of INT, you can transmit the MSB/LSB parameters of your specific keyboard along with a program select number to call up the appropriate sound. Roland boards have their own specific MSB/LSB numbers for their keyboards. You would then make sure those numbers were entered on the Bank Select section, so the Krome knows it is sending a program change to a specific Roland synth.

Then, if you set your incoming MIDI channel on the Roland to 11, for example, and the MIDI channel to 11 on that Timbre/Slot (in the MIDI Channel tabs just under the Status indicators where you entered EX2), the Krome will be able to communicate with the Roland, so the program change commands will be sent to that keyboard.

If all this is still not clear, I have a gig tonight with the Krome, and will take some pics of what my display looks like since I control a Roland XV-5050 with the Krome in this particular setup. I should be able to either send you the pics, or describe them how I set mine up in another post.

[patpsc]

Thank you very much for the explanation. I now understand your instruction even thought I've never done it this way. I'll try to experiment this method and get back to you. Oh yes pictures will help me too so if you have time, please send me some. Appreciated very much for your time and help.

Thanks.