How to send a MIDI "Program Change" from Suite 2
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 8:56 am
Context
For a touring band, I developed 35 EasyShows (one for each of 35 songs) and a MIDI integration. The band’s drummer controls the lighting during each night’s show. The drummer hears a MIDI click track from his electronic drum pads (Yamaha Multi-12). The Multi-12 unit sends the MIDI Clock tempo for each song to a tablet PC with Suite 2 (placed next to the drummer). In the Suite2 Master page, a set of buttons named after each song is sequenced to match the set list. The drummer selects the next song using drum pads on the Multi-12 to activate Suite2 console buttons: (Select next/previous master page button, Activate selected button to start the right EasyShow, Close EasyShow). In the EasyShow for each song, multiple scenes control moving heads in sync with the MIDI Clock.
My task
The band’s setlist changes during the concert (so the next song might be far away from the "next Master page button"). The drummer needs to pick the next song by selecting the button with the song’s name in the Master page (on the tablet's touch screen). To keep the Multi-12 in sync with this song choice, Suite2 must then send the correct MIDI "Program Change" to the Multi-12. The Multi-12 will in return switch to the right song with the right tempo and click track, start transmitting the right tempo to Suite2, and start the corresponding EasyShow.
Attempts so far
While monitoring the MIDI Out window, I managed to get a console button to send most of the right data. (The required data to select for example song 35 is: Command=0, Channel=10, Status=12-Program Change, Level=35). Issue: I can’t find a way to specify the Level for a Program Change command, not even when experimenting with editing the file “MidiCommand.xml”. It is the Level that selects the program number.
Question
How can make a set of buttons/scenes/EasyShows or other elements in Suite 2 send a MIDI Program Change command with a Level? (Each will send a different Level to pick a different drumpad program).
Thanks!
Morten
For a touring band, I developed 35 EasyShows (one for each of 35 songs) and a MIDI integration. The band’s drummer controls the lighting during each night’s show. The drummer hears a MIDI click track from his electronic drum pads (Yamaha Multi-12). The Multi-12 unit sends the MIDI Clock tempo for each song to a tablet PC with Suite 2 (placed next to the drummer). In the Suite2 Master page, a set of buttons named after each song is sequenced to match the set list. The drummer selects the next song using drum pads on the Multi-12 to activate Suite2 console buttons: (Select next/previous master page button, Activate selected button to start the right EasyShow, Close EasyShow). In the EasyShow for each song, multiple scenes control moving heads in sync with the MIDI Clock.
My task
The band’s setlist changes during the concert (so the next song might be far away from the "next Master page button"). The drummer needs to pick the next song by selecting the button with the song’s name in the Master page (on the tablet's touch screen). To keep the Multi-12 in sync with this song choice, Suite2 must then send the correct MIDI "Program Change" to the Multi-12. The Multi-12 will in return switch to the right song with the right tempo and click track, start transmitting the right tempo to Suite2, and start the corresponding EasyShow.
Attempts so far
While monitoring the MIDI Out window, I managed to get a console button to send most of the right data. (The required data to select for example song 35 is: Command=0, Channel=10, Status=12-Program Change, Level=35). Issue: I can’t find a way to specify the Level for a Program Change command, not even when experimenting with editing the file “MidiCommand.xml”. It is the Level that selects the program number.
Question
How can make a set of buttons/scenes/EasyShows or other elements in Suite 2 send a MIDI Program Change command with a Level? (Each will send a different Level to pick a different drumpad program).
Thanks!
Morten