Use of external MIDI pitchbend controller

[StuartR]

Support for MIDI pitchbend commands were added in a recent firmware update for the electro 6 when used on an external keyboard. While i haven't tried this personally, I wonder if "Local On" is still in effect so you could play the external keyboard split on the electro and just use a standalone pitchbend controller.

*UPDATE*

just found articles here that prove it can indeed be done.

[maxpiano]

The PB is received via MIDI only on the ExternToLo channel so it doesn't work when that is not active, but if you have a MIDI Router (HW or SW) you may also redirect the NE6 own MIDI data (from Global channel) to the ExternToLo channel. Some guy posted on NUF a DIY box with a PB joystick and programmed to do exactly that. Need to search for that thread... found! post146767.html

PS: there is no such thing as a standalone PB controller in the market, at least afaik or anyway not so common (if we exclude stuff like the e-Touchè)

[StuartR]

The PB is received via MIDI only on the ExternToLo channel so it doesn't work when that is not active, but if you have a MIDI Router you could also redirect the NE6 own MIDI data (from Global channel) to the ExternToLo channel. Some guy posted on NUF a DIY box with a PB joystick and programemd to do exactly that. Need to search for that thread...

PS: there is no such thing as a standalone PB controller in the market, at least afaik or anyway not so common (if we exclude stuff like the e-Touchè)

Actually there is and I just got one:

https://mitxela.com/projects/tiny_joystick

[maxpiano]

The PB is received via MIDI only on the ExternToLo channel so it doesn't work when that is not active, but if you have a MIDI Router you could also redirect the NE6 own MIDI data (from Global channel) to the ExternToLo channel. Some guy posted on NUF a DIY box with a PB joystick and programemd to do exactly that. Need to search for that thread...

PS: there is no such thing as a standalone PB controller in the market, at least afaik or anyway not so common (if we exclude stuff like the e-Touchè)

Actually there is and I just got one:

https://mitxela.com/projects/tiny_joystick

That's a project/DYI as well, not a commercial product (what I meant by "in the market") and anyway it is a USB only controller (USB device, Type B connector, no MIDI DIN), so you cannot connect it to the NE6 directly, only via a computer/tablet.

Take a look at the thread I added to my previous post

[StuartR]

The PB is received via MIDI only on the ExternToLo channel so it doesn't work when that is not active, but if you have a MIDI Router you could also redirect the NE6 own MIDI data (from Global channel) to the ExternToLo channel. Some guy posted on NUF a DIY box with a PB joystick and programemd to do exactly that. Need to search for that thread...

PS: there is no such thing as a standalone PB controller in the market, at least afaik or anyway not so common (if we exclude stuff like the e-Touchè)

Actually there is and I just got one:

https://mitxela.com/projects/tiny_joystick

That's a project/DYI as well, not a commercial product (what I meant by "in the market") and anyway it is a USB only controller (USB device, Type B connector, no MIDI DIN), so you cannot connect it to the NE6 directly, only via a computer/tablet.

Take a look at the thread I added to my previous post

Just add something like this:

CAMOLA USB MIDI Host Box High Speed USB to MIDI Converter MIDI Interface( UMH-21) https://a.co/d/gFCtWO3

[maxpiano]

Yes, you can use a USB MIDI Host but it is one more element to be powered and connected, at that point I wonder if I'd rather get a (even small) second master keyboard with MIDI DIN instead or use a computer/tablet as MIDI Router between NE6 and the controller (another option and much more versatile).

A matter of personal choices of course, so if you are happy with your solution that's fine (just remember the MIDI routing thing)

[Nordi]

Here you can see how it works

[vcfvca]

For those who don't want to carry another keyboard around I am working on a MIDI box that will give you Pitch Bend and Mono functions. The basic version will just have MIDI in and out. The deluxe version will have a standard Pitch Bend wheel and a few extra switches for changing modes like Mono/Poly and Upper/Lower split. The "XeBoX" will sit on the left of the Electro and uses standard MIDI cables plus USB power.

The Mono function is great for leads and bass parts. So you can do fast trills and stuff like that. Pitch Bend is fixed by Nord to a max of 2 semi-tones up or down. I might be able to add a function to change the range.

I will post some videos in the next couple of weeks.

[StuartR]

For those who don't want to carry another keyboard around I am working on a MIDI box that will give you Pitch Bend and Mono functions. The basic version will just have MIDI in and out. The deluxe version will have a standard Pitch Bend wheel and a few extra switches for changing modes like Mono/Poly and Upper/Lower split. The "XeBoX" will sit on the left of the Electro and uses standard MIDI cables plus USB power.

The Mono function is great for leads and bass parts. So you can do fast trills and stuff like that. Pitch Bend is fixed by Nord to a max of 2 semi-tones up or down. I might be able to add a function to change the range.

I will post some videos in the next couple of weeks.

This sounds great I'm currently exploring another solution using a 3.5v MIDI Merge box, a tiny USB joystick and midi USB to 5 pin DIN converter. You need to merge PB data with electro global midi data and change it to the channel used by the electro external lo setting. Total cost less than $200.

[vcfvca]

That’s an interesting idea. But my build cost is a lot less. Its based on Arduino, The most expensive part is the Pitch Bend wheel. Waiting on parts at the moment. Most of the code is written. Parts should cost less than 40GBP.