From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Wed Oct 19 19:17:14 2005
Subject:Zoning out

Hi All,

Here are a few thoughts on keyboard zones, taken from an alternative perspective:

While zones on a master controller often make it easier to set up complicated collections of gear (or soft-synths), they aren't absolutely essential. I used to use a Yamaha AN1x as my "master controller," and it only has ONE zone.

So, how did I create zones and turn keyboards and modules on and off? 1) I used the MIDI transmit channel of the AN1x to select the device. The AN1x happens to make the Tx Channel easy to access through a (semi-)dedicated button on the main panel. So, I would set one module on CH1, another on CH2, and the AN1x itself on CH3. 2) I used the zone-creation abilities of the keyboards and modules themselves. Most modern keyboards/modules are multitimbral, and any decent multitimbral sound source can define upper and lower limits to each sound. 3) I used a MIDI translator -- technically, a MIDI Solutions Router -- to create special layers and splits, either by duplicating incoming notes on another MIDI channel, or by using a "dummy" channel -- ex: if I hit a key on CH5, the Router sent the data below Middle C to CH1 and the rest to CH2; if I hit a key on CH6, the Router reversed the destinations. I suspect that a general patching program like MidiOx might be able to do something
similar.

Bottom line: a keyboard with great feel and a bunch of programmable knobs probably overcomes the need for a lot of zones. It's not a BETTER way to do it; it's ANOTHER way.

Just my $0.02USD ...

Regards,

-BW
--
Bruce Wahler
AshbySolutions.com™ http://music.ashbysolutions.com
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com

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