That's going to depend entirely on the MIDI implementation of the Electro 6, which I'm not familiar of, in terms of how much splitting capabilities, and MIDI channels routing capabilities, it has.alexanderlyon wrote:Thanks for the help, everyone!
After poking around a bit, I'm going to stick with something that sends MIDI but doesn't generate its own sounds, like the MP-113 or MP-117.
I'm primarily interested in using the pedalboard to trigger the low-end organ sounds that I would normally play with my left hand, but would love to be able use it to trigger other fun low-end sounds (like Rhodes, clavinet, etc.).
And now I'm really intrigued by the idea of triggering some kind of synth bass sound. I didn't know Dennerlein did that!
It seems like this should all be possible, right?
Am I correct in understanding that if I am using organ sounds all around, there will only be one "split", i.e., the pedals will control the low end, and there will be one other "zone" on the keyboard that I will play with my hands? But that if I use the pedals to trigger a synth bass sound rather than the B3 sound, I can still do upper/lower manuals in organ mode?
And what is the significance of the split keyboard only receiving external MIDI on the Upper part? To an ignoramus like me, that sounds as if I could only use the pedalboard to control the upper (i.e., right-side or higher-pitched) portion the keyboard--but that can't be right, can it?
That said, something that I'd like to point out is that, in general, you don't want two physical controllers sending the same note messages on the same MIDI channel to the same sound module -- unless you make sure you don't cross in the same notes range with feet and hands, otherwise the sound may cut. This is what happens:
- Note-on message sent from the pedal (consider you're holding down a note).
- Another note-on message sent from the keyboard (does nothing, as the note is still playing).
- When you release the key, note-off message sent, which then mutes the note.
- When you release your foot, a note-off message will be sent, but that'll do nothing since the very same message has already been sent from the keyboard.
- Result: note will cut as you'll still be holding down your pedal.
I can see three ways to avoid this:
1) If the E6 allows for receiving on separate MIDI channels, and have both operate the organ engine (or the organ engine and the "B3 Bass", or the sample synth), that would be ideal. This is what I do on the Stage 3. But from what I know of the Electro I'm afraid this setup would come with limitations.
2) If 1 isn't an option, you set the pedals to transmit an octave (or two) lower than the lower end of the keyboard. The sound you'll hear is going to be the same because of foldback (provided it's the organ you are playing, otherwise it will sound an octave lower), but you'll avoid the accidental note-off described above, because note-on and note-off messages will be coded for different notes.
3) If neither 2 is viable, you'll have to make sure you never cross in the same range of notes with your foot and hands, as I said before.
Both 2 and 3, however, have the disadvantage of possibly making percussion unusable, since the envelope is basically never going to be recharged, giving that pedals will be triggering percussion as well. Not to mention you'll have to share same drawbar and V/C settings...
P.S. Barbara Dennerlein and Rhoda Scott are possibly the best at pedals... that's as traditional organist as you can get as far as "limbs displacement" is concerned,
and it's musically much more beautiful than the (very questionable, in my opinion) trend started with the nonetheless great Jimmy Smith of playing the bass with the left hand and just "poking" bass notes on the pedalboard, thus giving up playing more harmonically complex comping / counter melodies with the left hand. That said, to JS's credit, his bass lines were fast, and it's true that what you can accomplish with feet, in terms of bass lines complexity and articulation, will always be less than what you can do with a hand - or a real bass player for the matter. Still, Barbara and Rhoda have managed to master unbelievable walking basses with their feet, making the organ yet again the "solo" instrument par excellence, only needing a drum kit to be complete.