Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

Here's how I use the MPK.
 
These are the Evolver Desktop parameters I have mapped to MPK encoder
knobs:
 
Filter Frequency
Resonance
Hi-Pass Filter Level
Attack
Release
LFO 1 level
Distortion
Volume (the right-most slider)
 
My live rig consists of 2 controllers, an old 76 key weighted Fatar and
the MPK, and two sound sources, a Roland XV-5080 and a Mono Evolver
Desktop.
 
The XV is my main sound source for almost everything. It has two
independent MIDI inputs (A and B), and I have it loaded with expansion
cards. It has great piano, organs, synths, brass, etc. It is capable of
patches that contain many layers and splits. I have the ability to
connect two keyboard controllers and have each play any number of
independent split or layered sounds. I can get quite complicated with it
too. Some songs have a keyboard controller playing layers and splits of
up to 10 sounds. Right now I use the Evolver for a handful of things but
I'm slowly making it more integral.
 
I'm using the MPK to control both my Evolver and MIDI input B of my
Roland XV-5080. By changing setups on the MPK, I can chose which sound
source (Evo or XV) the MPK controls. The Fatar connects to MIDI input A
on the XV. My Evolver is set to receive on Midi channel 2. The MIDI out
of the MPK is routed through the Evolver's MIDI thru. My XV receives on
MIDI channel 1. The setup for the Evo transmits all the program changes
and CCs on MIDI channel 2. 
 
The MPK allows the drum pads to send patch/bank changes instead of
notes, so all patch changes to the XV or the Evo are done through
hitting MPK pads and never by touching buttons on my synths during a
performance. For the Evo setup I have my top 12 patches accessible by
hitting pads on group A. Printed along side the songs in my set list are
the pads I need to hit to initiate a program change. "Every Little
Thing: A6" is for the Police song "Every Little Thing She Does is
Magic." Pressing pad 6 in group A recalls an XV piano for the Fatar and
an XV synth sound for the MPK. "Rosanna: B7/B8" tells me that pad 7 in
group B is what I need to hit for the Toto song "Rosanna." This calls up
a piano for the Fatar and XV organ split with XV horns on the MPK. When
it's time for the solo I hit pad 8, which changed the MPK to play a lead
solo sound in the XV. Pad groups A through C contain all patch changes
for my three song sets. Pad group B contains catch-all patch changes,
like paino on lower keyboard, organ on upper keyboard, etc.
 
It's a little tricky to switch between controlling the XV and the Evo. I
want to use the sounds from the Evo instead of the XV for the Rosanna
solo. After I've set up the MPK, this is what I'd need to do right
before the solo: 1) turn the main data knob to "Evolver" setup and press
knob, 2) press pad group A button, 3) hit pad 10. When the solo is over
I need to change my setup back to MKP playing organ/horns so I: 1) turn
the main knob to "XV-5080" setup and press knob, 2) press pad group B
button, 3) hit pad 7.
 
I hope that helps.
-- Iain

________________________________

From: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of woebot
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 5:18 AM
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [DSI Synths] Re: Controlling a Poly Evolver Rack with a Midi
Keyboard



If anyone else had any experience with controlling a Poly Evolver Rack
with a Midi keyboard (particularly an MPK-49) it'd be *great* to hear
about it.

Thank you.



 


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