Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

The i2M musicport™ MIDI Converter & Hi-Z USB Audio Interface

Moderators: johnmc, james

PaulK
Posts: 57
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:35 am

Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by PaulK »

Hi James

Is each mode assigned a program number in the i2M and what are they?
Must Prog Chg messages be sent on a specific midi channel for the i2M to "see" them?
I have a midi controller (MPK mini) hooked up to my MacBook Pro sending Program Change msgs
which are being received by my computer, verified with a Midi monitor program.

I am hoping I can change i2M modes this way but dont know how to accomplish this.
Hoping you can give me some more info regarding this.

I opened the mac's AudioMidi Setup program. The cable connections you draw here are simply providing information to MIDI applications about what devices are present and how they are connected; they are not creating software MIDI routings.

Cheers
Paul
User avatar
james
Site Admin
Posts: 1866
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:12 pm

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by james »

Each mode can have a program number assigned to it for use with program change. By default this is "off", but can be set from 1-128.

The program change message can be sent on any MIDI channel, and then the mode according to the program number sent (if there is a match) will be selected. If two modes are set to the same program number, the first matching selection will be activated.

So, for example, if you set mode 1 to "program change" #10, then you can select mode 1 by sending program change 10 to the i2M's MIDI port.
PaulK
Posts: 57
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:35 am

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by PaulK »

Thanks James, I managed to do this,
so much easier than having to find the tiny mode switch and having to hold for 2 seconds to get to "orange" modes.
I use all 4 modes during one composition, triggering different bass lines, for each of the 4 sections
in the piece.

I think most controllers work on Midi numbers 0-127. From my MPK mini I send 0 1 2 3 not 1 2 3 4, having set the I2m interface to 1 2 3 4.

Thanks again for a great product.

Paul
User avatar
james
Site Admin
Posts: 1866
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:12 pm

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by james »

Paul,

I'm glad you got it working.

Regarding the numbering, it used to be pretty standard to display program change from 1-128 (even though the actual value sent is 0-127). The idea was to make it more user-friendly. Standard GM sound sets are usually tabulated with numbers from 1-128 too. So, we went with the same approach.

But, maybe things have changed in recent years?

(As an aside, while looking at this I noticed the range of the velocity filter is wrong: off, 0-128. When in fact it should only go to 127. This will be fixed in the next editor update.)
le3dmax
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:01 pm

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by le3dmax »

HI, I'm having problem with that too. I've read everything about it here, but I'm still having problem to change the modes.
I'm using the Akai LPD8. When I send the program change message nothing happens.
Seems like my i2m doesn't receive the messages.
There's anything to change on mac midi setup?
Thanks.
LD
le3dmax
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:01 pm

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by le3dmax »

PaulK wrote: I think most controllers work on Midi numbers 0-127. From my MPK mini I send 0 1 2 3 not 1 2 3 4, having set the I2m interface to 1 2 3 4.

Thanks again for a great product.

Paul
I did that. seems work with Mainstage. I can change the Patches, but don't work with i2m. Thanks. LD
User avatar
james
Site Admin
Posts: 1866
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:12 pm

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by james »

The i2M editor (if you have the latest version) has a MIDI in and out indicator at the bottom of the window. When it received MIDI the "in" light (arrow pointing to the indicator) will light. You can use this to check if the i2M is actually receiving any MIDI messages.

If you set each mode for a program change of 1, 2, 3, 4 you should be able to try sending program changes 1, 2, 3, 4 and see what happens (if there is an out-by-one problem on the numbering, you should then still be able to select modes, but it might not be the ones you expect).
le3dmax
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:01 pm

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by le3dmax »

Yes, I have the latest editor version and the MIDI IN isn't lighting. I don't know why, I've tryed everything.
Its weird because it works perfect with Mainstage.
I'll try on my PC, maybe I don't know how do the connections on mac.
I'll keep you posted.

Thanks you for you help.

LD

james wrote:The i2M editor (if you have the latest version) has a MIDI in and out indicator at the bottom of the window. When it received MIDI the "in" light (arrow pointing to the indicator) will light. You can use this to check if the i2M is actually receiving any MIDI messages.

If you set each mode for a program change of 1, 2, 3, 4 you should be able to try sending program changes 1, 2, 3, 4 and see what happens (if there is an out-by-one problem on the numbering, you should then still be able to select modes, but it might not be the ones you expect).
User avatar
james
Site Admin
Posts: 1866
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:12 pm

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by james »

I have sometimes seen OSX get confused.

If you go to the Audio MIDI Setup utility (in the Applications / Utilities folder) then click on the MIDI Devices tab you should see a device for the i2M musicport. If you unplug the i2M, then delete this device in this utility, it will be created again when you plug the i2M in again. This often fixes MIDI problems with USB devices.

Certainly worth trying that, or seeing if you can send test messages to the i2M from that utility.
le3dmax
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:01 pm

Re: Sending Program Change msg to i2M to change Mode

Post by le3dmax »

I just tested it on my PC with midi-ox. seems midi ox can send program changes messages to i2m. is someting with the LPD8 midi connections.
Post Reply