Ableton Forum

Hi,

does anybody know about a free midi file editing tool? I want to make some empty midi tracks only containing program change messages. Just to trigger them during live performances to send program change messages to my external synths. As far as I know, midi editing on this level can (sadly) not be done directly in live - if it can, please correct me

thx

john

Midi clips can send Program Changes.

If you need to do something more complicated, there's MidiPipe for Mac, and there various options for PC. MidiOX and MidiYoke are the ones I can remember.

lives midi clips can do this in 5 and 6. have a look in the manual, it's pretty straight forward - look at the notes section of the clip view, theres a bit saying 'bank', 'sub-bank' and 'program' which is specifically for this. each clip only sends the program change when it plays though, so if you want to change program half way through a clip you need to split it for it to happen.

Hi,
I made a Live set filled with just program changes 1-127 for our old website - I don't think it has made the transition to our new one, but I'll see if I can dig it out and upload it tomorrow - it makes things even easier, as you can just drag and drop program change clips from the Live browser into any midi track.

Cheers,
Andreas

- By the way; I'm a big fan!

Machinate wrote:Hi,
I made a Live set filled with just program changes 1-127 for our old website ... it makes things even easier, as you can just drag and drop program change clips from the Live browser into any midi track.

Great idea!

I find it really strange the way Ableton is set up for program changes. Why couldn't they just have program changes editable the same way as the control change parameters? It makes things so much easier when trying to send or recieve changes to an external device.

hardshell wrote:

Machinate wrote:Hi,
I find it really strange the way Ableton is set up for program changes. Why couldn't they just have program changes editable the same way as the control change parameters? It makes things so much easier when trying to send or recieve changes to an external device.

I agree.....implement program change INTO the midi sequence...not some handicap manual sent at beginning of a clip.

An example is one song.....I've already recorded midi automation (patch changes) for a guitar fx processor into a midi track in another application. There are about 6 patch changes in the song (intro, verse, chorus & the corresponding "return to verse" patch change) This isn't rocket science......all I do is drag the audio (backing tracks) for that song into a clip in session view, then drag the corresponding midi track with the automation into a midi clip......then launch the song. The outboard guitar fx would be completely automated for a LIVE PERFORMANCE. ANd this is a very simple implementation.

In this instance, the way Live implements program changes wouldn't work...I need several within the song at specific times. In digital performer, I just hit record, and at the right point in the song I hit the patch change on a footswitch and DP records the patch change.....simple, easy intuitive. All I have to do is export that, and dump it into live and I can cue the song and have automation at a live gig.

Makes me wonder if Live is more for DJ's and guys that like to push buttons and fiddle with interfaces.......and less for entertainers that need to work the crowd and automate their gear.

Anyway, I'll shut up and move on....rant done.

solo-act wrote:

hardshell wrote:

Machinate wrote:Hi,

In this instance, the way Live implements program changes wouldn't work...I need several within the song at specific times. In digital performer, I just hit record, and at the right point in the song I hit the patch change on a footswitch and DP records the patch change.....simple, easy intuitive. All I have to do is export that, and dump it into live and I can cue the song and have automation at a live gig.

Ahhhh....DP....I love that program so much, it ALMOST makes me want to get a mac! Why haven't they made that program cross platform? They would blow cubase/sonar/tracktion & the like out of the water...Live would be the only survivor!

But re: your comment, WORD! Whats up with live's midi imlementation? Live must at some point turn the sequence and the stupid little patch/bank change box info into midi code, so why the hell can't you edit it???? You should be able to toggle from the grid view of a midi clip to a list of the midi data where you can move/insert/delete midi commands.

I want my....I want my......I want my MTC!!!!