Changing Program/Patch on 5D with MobileSheets Pro

[Rufus8102]

Hi folks,
I have a question about program/patch changes made with the MobileSheets Pro (MSP) app Hopefully there is someone out here who is using it and can be of some assistance. I am using an Electro 5d which is midi'd to a Yamaha Motif 6. The Electro is first in line and sending out to the Motif. I would like to use the MobileSheets Pro app to change sounds in both keyboards when I select a song from my tablet.

First of all, is it possible to have the MobileSheets Pro app send program change messages to BOTH keyboards? If so, can someone walk me through it?
The MSP app can send via usb or bluetooth. Since both my keyboards don't have bluetooth, I would need to send via usb. Can I send with a cable from the tablet to the usb port in the Electro, or do I need a cable from the tablet to go to an actual midi plug into the Midi IN of the Electro?

Once connected, I can add Midi Commands within the MSP app for each particular song. Do I choose "Patch Select" or "Program Change"? If I chose Program Change, It then asks for a Channel and a number for a Command. If I choose Patch Select, It asks for a Channel and Bank Select (MSB and LSB) numbers, and also Program Change Value/Patch. Where do I find MSB and LSB numbers?

Lastly, would I be able to create 2 different MIDI commands for each keyboard (I would assume on different channels) so that when I select a particular song in the tablet, it will change both keyboards to the sounds I have programmed?

Sorry for all the questions, but I've never really used midi to change programs/patches. I've alway just selected a patch manually for each keyboard. Now that I'm using the MSP app, it would be great to have my patches pulled up as soon as I select a song. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Tasten-Bert]

Hi Rufus,

that should be possible, at least if you do it by cable. I have this MIDI cable:
https://www.musicstore.com/en_US/USD/ES ... 014541-000
connected via apple camera adaptor to my iPad and each of the two MIDI plugs in the MIDI inputs of the keyboards. It can send simultaneously to both keyboards. Your idea to use different channels is the right way then.

As far as the program codes for my nord are concerned there is an app „MIDI Mapper for nord keyboards“ at around 3 Euros which gives you all you need for the MobileSheets programming. For the Yamaha I don‘t know, but try.

Hope it helps.

Cheers and good luck

[FZiegler]

I have the MIDI cable suggested by Tasten-Bert. But never tried to send a MIDI command on both ports at the same time. That would be something you need to achieve.

I don't think your Electro 5 has soft MIDI thru, so I don't see a daisy chain (tablet > Electro > Motif) being a solution. Nor are you able to send a PC command to the Electro which would in turn send another command to the Motif - that's what the Extern section on the Stages is made for.

[Rufus8102]

I've been able to create Program Change commands for both keyboards on MobileSheets Pro for each song. If I connect the tablet to the Electro via usb, the Electro responds and the programs change. If I do the same with the Motif, the programs also change on the Motif. I tried connecting the tablet to the Motif via usb and using the Thru on the Motif to send to the Electro, but in doing so, it makes all the midi jacks inoperarable becasue you can only select USB or Midi IN/OUT from the menu.

One problem I have is that the Nord is being used as a controller for the Motif, so the Midi IN on the Motif is already being used. I was thinking, if I used the cable you and Tasten-Bert suggested, I would be able to send one line to the Electro Midi IN with Program Change mode set to "Receive", and send the other line to a Midi Solutions Merger along with the line coming from the Electro Midi OUT. The Merger would combine both, and I could then send it to the Motif's Midi IN. I would assume that even though both commands that I created are being sent to both keyboards, each keyboard would respond to the appropriate command and ignore the other. Am I correct?

This has been driving me crazy for days and it would be cool if I can get it to happen!

[Tasten-Bert]

Yes, I tend to believe a MIDI merger can do the job at the Yami‘s input. Try, and keep us informed please.

Cheers from rainy Germany

[Rufus8102]

UPDATE:
So I purchased the ESI MIDIMATE eX cable and attached it to my tablet and attached one side to my Nord Midi IN. I attached the other side to my Midisport 2x2 "A" IN and the line coming from the Electro Midi OUT to the "B" IN of the Midisport. The Midisport is set to "merge" so that the A and B inputs merge together and that seems to be working correctly. The Midisport has lights to show signals in and out. It is showing signal going IN A and IN B and also showing signal coming out of OUT A which I have going to the Motif. It also shows input signal when I play the Electro and it is passing it through to the Motif. So up to that point everything is good. However, neither keyboard is receiving the program change messages sent from MobileSheets Pro. I have Nord Global channel set to 1. The Motif Basic Receive channel also set to 1. I also have the Electro's Program Change Mode set to "receive" and the Motif's Bank Select and Program Change both set to ON.The Mobilesheet Midi Send Channel is set to 1.

Any idea why the keyboards are not getting the message from MobileSheets? I'm stumped! HELP!!!

[maxpiano]

Because the Electro does not forward the MIDI messages received... the connections to be done, if you want both Motif and NE to receive MIDI messages from MobileSheets, are:

- ESI MIDI OUT to Midisport A
- Nord Electro OUT to Midisport B
- Midisport OUT to Motif IN
- Motif THRU to Nord Electro IN

of course taking care of MIDI configuration, particularly to use different global channels for Motif and NE and use NE Upper Split mode on a specific channel, when you want to play a Motif part from the NE.

[Tasten-Bert]

@Max: Ciao. I don‘t think that the chain cabling and routing is a problem here, particularly since Rufus has already reported that the MIDI LEDs are flashing, so signal comes in.

@Rufus: Hi. I am not familiar with MobileSheets since I use Setlistmaker, but I do believe that they can‘t be too far away from each other as far as MIDI function is concerned because MIDI code is standardized. I can still remember my main error as I started with it, I just didn‘t set the right MSB LSB PC combi. If at the electro 5D I want my program 1:28 to be set for Bonjovi Runaway Synth it is
MSB: 0
LSB: 0
Pr: 27
Another example for electro‘s program 2:36 is 0-1-35

Good luck and would be nice hearing your findings. Cheers from rainy Germany

Edit, forgotten: In Setlistmaker I also need to define MIDI DEVICES whether you use plug 1 or plug 2, and the respective one as IN- or OUTPUT. It might be similar in MobileSheets.

And I would not set both keyboards at the same MIDI channel. One day a problem or loop may occur and you don‘t find why.

[maxpiano]

@Tasten-Bert: of course NE receives daya because the ESI OUT is connected to its IN, but then he connected the ESI "other terminal"=IN to the MIDI Merge... how can the Motif get Program Changes from MobileSheets this way??

The cabling I suggest is the only way to fulfill the need, with that hardware

[Tasten-Bert]

... how can the Motif get Program Changes from MobileSheets this way??

@Max: Rufus gave the answer himself: „… and also showing signal coming out of OUT A which I have going to the Motif. It also shows input signal when I play the Electro and it is passing it through to the Motif.

I‘ll keep my fingers crossed that it comes to a good end.

Cheers again.