I have an akai mpk 49, and since it has 4 banks of 12 drumpads (that kinda suck without modification), i thought it would be great to assign 12 pads (1 bank) of them to various renoise functions i use alot, like pattern loop, block loop, undo, redo, etc these kinds of functions. So, thats exactly what i did, and after some figuring out how to, that part works perfectly now. I like having alot of functions right on the midi controller, and as buttons, these pads work great!
The problem is, i had to set the drum pads to send program changes, (i can choose between playing notes, or sending program changes, so program change is the obvious and only choise.) But these program changes seem to be automaticly mapped to vst’s. So when i press one, it doesnt only activate the function i mapped it to, but it also chooses different instruments (programs) in the loaded vst.
It seems to be renoise causing this, not the vst itself, because i already tried having the drumpads send the program changes on the “B” midi channel, wich requires me to activate the second midi-in channel “Mpk49-2” in renoises midi options to work. And if i don’t activate that channel, the loaded vst does not react to the drum pads either. This tells me the auto-mapping vst programs is done by renoise, or am i wrong?
I tried about everything that i can think of, but i can’t figure out how to use the drum pads just for the functions i want, without changing vst programs. This renders them useless. So far i have just a few vst’s, 5 of them… and only one of these seems to have the option to un-assign all the midi controls, so i have to search for a solution elsewhere. I hope someone knows more than me!
You don’t need to change the Device marker in the Midi preferences, but simply assign a dedicated channel to your controls.
You can simply change the channel for your controls to anything else but 1 (on the midi controller and then remap in Renoise with that channel number) or change the listening channel for your VSTI’s to anything but “1”.
The instruments by default respond to all channels, unless you assign a specific device to it, then you can change the “any” choice to a specific channel number.
I would recommend using a specific channel for the pads to control Renoise and then map those controls with that channel number. Saves you the most hassle.
I just tried it changing the channel number, (i can choose 1 to 16) but it seems no matter wich channel number i choose (the vst one you highlighted in the picture), it still reacts to the drum pads. I don’t understand the “assign a specific device” part you said yet tough, so maybe the channel is not changed because i didn’t do that? How do i assign a device to the vst? (it seems i can change the channel of it without doing that)
Update -
I think i know how to assign a device to the vst now, but it still doesn’t work. I have 2 options of devices, the “mpk49” and “wavetable synth” I tried both and changing the channels (ranging from 1 to 16) but the drum pads just keep on switching the vst instruments. Even while the channels dont match
You probably have changed the “MIDI OUT” properties, while you were probably seeking the “MIDI In” panel. it is hidden (collapsed) on the most left part of the instrument property panel.
Have you tried the Duplex tool? it has an Akai MPK-49 layout for transport controls and probably does a lot better job in splitting note-keys and function keys.
I use the midi in panel now, and I believe i do understand how it all should work now, but yet… any changes do not seem to make the drumpads stop controlling the vst instruments.
I have read something about the duplex tool somewhere, i did not try it yet because i thought it would probably be a pretty complex tool, and im pretty much a beginner, but maybe i should give it a try, thanks for the hint!
Simply select the Akai layout in Duplex, then under settings, select the Midi in port where your akai is connected to then feel free to browse the transport and mixer settings to adjust various behavior settings to your needs.
I think further, stuff should be plug and play.
I don’t understand the “assign a specific device” part you said yet tough, so maybe the channel is not changed because i didn’t do that? How do i assign a device to the vst? (it seems i can change the channel of it without doing that)
I was using the ext. midi panel.