convert SysEx to assignable CCs

Hello, I've been researching a solution to the following which led me here. I just got a Roland VR-730 to use as a controller for my MainStage rig - I was drawn to its Hammond-style waterfall keys and drawbar controllers since I play a lot of virtual B3 parts as well as synth, so I was counting on assigning the Roland's controllers to my MainStage rig. However, I was shocked to find that the Roland only sends SysEx - no MIDI CCs whatsoever! Ugh!

So, before sending it back, I thought I'd check to see if MT Pro can convert incoming SysEx to whatever CCs I want, and pass everything on to MainStage in real time as I play - without adding any noticeable latency. I run a high-end rig for major artists on concert tours, so this needs to be bulletproof.

Please advise - fingers crossed!

Thanks,

Jim Daneker www.jimdaneker.com

Hi Jim,

This is possible. Please share an example SysEx message your keyboard is sending and describe what you want to convert it to.

Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
bome@sniz.biz

Hey Steve, thanks for the reply. Here’s the text as well as a screenshot which might be more readable. First up is the SysEx each drawbar sends for a value of 7 (out of a range from 8, all the way out, to 0, all the way in):

DRAWBAR NUMBER

  1. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 07 74 F7
  2. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 04 07 73 F7
  3. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 05 07 72 F7
  4. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 06 07 71 F7
  5. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 07 07 70 F7
  6. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 08 07 6F F7
  7. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 09 07 6E F7
  8. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 0A 07 6D F7
  9. 00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 0B 07 6C F7

Now here are all 8 values that drawbar #1 sends:

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 08 73 F7

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 07 74 F7

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 06 75 F7

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 05 76 F7

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 04 77 F7

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 03 78 F7

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 02 79 F7

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 01 7A F7

00 F0 41 10 62 12 02 00 03 00 7B F7

So, I need to convert 9 SysEx streams to MIDI CC numbers 70 thru 78, ideally. Thanks again for looking at this!

Jim


Attachments:

Although I have no way to test it, I believe something like the attached should work. My guess is the second to the last character (which I assigned to variable qq) is a Roland checksum so we can safely ignore it. We use the value of the local variable pp to send on to the outgoing CC message.

You could probably do this with a single translator by changing the value left of pp to a variable and then use that variable to assign the controller number (or make a rule to calculate the output controller number you want).

Good luck!

Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
bome@sniz.biz


Attachments:
1534457918244_VR-730-Drawbar-to-CC-2018-08-16.bmtp

Thanks so much Steve! I’ll give it a shot and report back. Much appreciated!

My pleasure, Jim. I have a VR-09 which I think is the predecessor tot the 730 but I never checked what types of messages it sends out. Albeit I was pretty disappointed that sending it PC messages from an external source only affects the GM engine and not the instrument itself (Organ,synth, Piano). So I can set up a preset on the VR-09 and change it locally but I can’t call it up externally. I’ll bet the 730 is the same.

 

Well, we’re close – this is working in terms of getting into Logic/MainStage. However, the remaining issue is that the Roland is sending just 8 values across the drawbar’s range, but the destination (GSI’s VB3 organ plugin) is looking for the full MIDI range of 0-127. Is there a way to scale the output range? Thanks again – I’m getting excited that this could solve my problem – and you guys rock for making something like this!

Put the following in rules of each translator.

pp=pp*16
if pp>127 then pp=127

Here is a version that uses 1 preset and with rules handles all 9 drawbars. I disabled the original preset.

 


Attachments:
1534513646778_VR-730-Drawbar-to-CC-2018-08-17.bmtp

Steve, you’re awesome. Thank you so much! I’m slammed prepping a big show for the next few days, but I’ll check this out ASAP. I can’t thank you enough!

My pleasure, Jim! Have a great show!

Hi Jim,
If this did it for you, could you please mark as resolved?

Thanks!

Hey Steve, my apologies – I’ve been out in Wyoming off the grid for the last week on vacation. I will test this ASAP – probably Monday when I’m retooling a big touring rig. I will holler back! Cheers…

WOOHOO… it works! The additional rule you posted below made it all work perfectly. You guys are my new heroes! What a lifesaver this software is! Off to buy my copy ?

Glad to have helped!

Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
bome@sniz.biz

Just want to thank you again for all the help Steve! LOVING MIDI Translator!

Glad to help, Jim!