Sending program change without note info

[Een rose]

Hello! I use a multiple synth setup with a nord e6 as my main keyboard. I wanted to expedite the process of switching settings between songs, without a computer if possible.

Was wondering if there was anyway to send program changes via midi out without the nord playing sound out of the other keyboard(s). Hoping that I missed something in the settings and it is possible with only the keyboards and midi cables, but if not I'd love to hear some ways this can be executed. Thanks!

[Een rose]

Hi, unfortunately you cannot do this on the NE6 (the Nord Stage instead allows you to do that via its Extern section) so in general, in a "keyboards only" setup, it is not a good idea to have the NE6 as a main/master keyboard for Program Changes unless the other (slave) keyboards have a way to filter MIDI messages and ignore any other but the PCs.

[anotherscott]

A MIDI Solutions Event Processor (inserted between the Nord's MIDI Out and another device's MIDI In) can be used to filter out Note events.

But you're still kind of asking, "how can I use a screwdriver as a hammer?" Yeah, you can kinda do it, but it's not built for that purpose and it doesn't do it very well.

Ideally, a controller keyboard should let you specify (for any given patch) what MIDI Program Change(s) you want to send, on what channel(s), and which keys on a patch should play internal vs.external sounds (or both). I understand you don't want to use a computer, but If you're tied to using the E6 as a controller, consider adding at least a "small" computer like an iPad (or even an iPod Touch, or an iPhone), where you can get an app that will turn the board into a more flexible controller.

[Een rose]

Yeah, I think a midi filter is going to be the answer for me. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!