MIDI mapping

[ozzkar]

short story: in the middle of current session i've run into some nasty problems regarding akai mpd32 as control surface for cubase. especially trying to configure endless knobs was real fun even midi-ox didn't help, not to mention google. so i was forced to write a little mapping soft. then i realized it could be something to give to the community.

it's a small c++ app that sits between the controller and daw and converts sequences of midi messages (like NRPN) into another sequences and also translates CC's absolute values into relative ones (i needed an endless fader too). the mapping rules are customizable.

you can download it here www.armego.com/files/MIDI_Mapper.zip - short instruction manual is included. it's a 'beta' version, but it will probably stay like this forever, since it makes all i need it to be done, maybe i'll just give it a different version after some time

enjoy.

EDIT: you can now download a Mackie Control protocol/display emulator
www.armego.com/files/mcu.pdf - manual
www.armego.com/files/MCU_Emulator_v1_0_setup.zip - installer
www.armego.com/files/MCU_Emulator_v1_0_files.zip - manual installation

[tacman7]

Have you ever used the generic remote device in cubase?

It was a hassle to get into but I think it's great now that I know how to use it.

[ozzkar]

Originally Posted by tacman7

Have you ever used the generic remote device in cubase?.

well, the fact that i wrote and give away a tool that is designed to cooperate with it, answers your question

Originally Posted by tacman7

It was a hassle to get into but I think it's great now that I know how to use it.

i agree, GRD is a powerfull tool, but lack of MIDI implementation chart and some basic functionality (eg. copy/paste bank) as well as not following some MIDI standards (NRPN increment/decrement), makes it sometimes a PITA to use.

[tacman7]

Your post doesn't say anything about using the Generic Remote. So it's a front end?

I was able to paste in names but I have to double click everyone first. Like paste in TopRotary then type a 1 and keep repeating, yes a pain but only needs doing once.

I use whatever midi's coming out of the controller with the learn function for my BCR/BCF.

Has a lot of commands at hand. Only thing I'm wishing for is Alt-Tab to switch applications but that's outside the app I guess and the remote is for inside only.

[ozzkar]

Originally Posted by tacman7

Your post doesn't say anything about using the Generic Remote.

Silly me, you are right i didn't mention GR just Cubase...

Originally Posted by tacman7

I was able to paste in names but I have to double click everyone first. Like paste in TopRotary then type a 1 and keep repeating, yes a pain but only needs doing once.

I do this directly by editing the xml file in wordpad. Pain remains but I find it quicker.

Originally Posted by tacman7

So it's a front end?

No, it's a kind of MIDI message translator. I use MIDI Mapper like this: it sits between my MPD32 and Cubase and according to given set of rules in it's map file it translates incoming messages for Cubase to understand. I've had the problem that MPD's rotary encoders sent increment/dececrement as NRPN 96/97 that are not recognized in Cubase and not-motorized faders also cause a lot of mess when switching between banks, so i needed something lightweight to address this tasks (MIDI-OX fell short of it or I fell short of MIDI-OX ). As a bonus I've found a way to implement the pads/buttons like fake simple "shift/ctrl" keys (description is in manual). It nicely extended the functionality of my controller that's not primary a DAW control surface. Since MIDI Mapper's design is universal enough I've decided to give it away in hope that someone may find it useful too.

[ozzkar]

Well I found out that using Mackie Control is more convenient, only there's no way I can put my hands on one in a near future.

I took a short look at GenMce and HuskerVU and inspired by these two apps I've made an MCU emulator that combines the functionality of both, i.e. Mackie protocol emulator for generic MIDI controller and Mackie display emulator.

You can find out more by looking at the manual (contains some screenshots): www.armego.com/files/mcu.pdf

For automatic installation you can download www.armego.com/files/MCU_Emulator_v1_0_setup.zip if you wish to make a manual install you can download www.armego.com/files/MCU_Emulator_v1_0_files.zip

Enjoy

[midimuse]

Can you help me with a problem concerning NRPN's? I'm send NRPN messages from my computer sequencer program (digital orchestrator) to my Boss Dr. Synth and the messages are being ignored Seems I need some sort of preliminary instruction to the Dr. Synth before it will recognize the 99, 98 and 6 controllers. Do you have any idea what I need to do here? Much appreciated. - midimuse