Best way to change sounds within one instance of a Kontakt (or other instrument) Multi?

[djmd14]

I am trying to wrap my head around the midi implementation of my newly acquired Receptor.

Currently, I have about 5 or 6 synth and sample-based bass sounds loaded into a Kontakt multi-instrument (not to be confused with a Receptor multi). Normally, the Kontakt multi-instrument would respond to program changes on its channel to switch between sounds (say, running as a VSTi on my laptop). However, this does not seem to be the case on the Receptor.

Snapshot multis and singles on the receptor are a possible workaround, but the language used to describe them is a little confusing. I'd rather not load six instances of Kontakt onto separate tracks (whilst muting and un-muting the instruments that I'm using/not using), as I am loading other sounds onto other tracks as well (and want to leave room for more in the future). Ideally, for starters, I need to have a few multi-instruments (either in Kontakt or Electrik Piano) that can switch between pre-loaded sounds.

NRPNs don't seem to cover this particular option (switching pre-loaded sounds) in either Kontakt OR Electrik Piano. The parameters just don't show up.

Switching the VSTi source patch via PGM CHG and MSB/LSB doesn't seem to work either (unless I have a setting wrong or something).

Quite frankly, and maybe I'm a little late to the discussion on this topic, it would behoove Muse to come up with a much easier and quicker MIDI mapping scheme for normal 'non-programmer' musicians to deal with. I've actually spent a little bit of time studying midi programming and have a pretty good understanding of how it works. What I can't understand, is why Muse would make such a 'deal-breaker' box, but make it limited in how most people would probably want to use it? Or at the very least, make it very difficult to figure out how to switch sounds (something that is absolutely necessary in a live setting)?

In the end, in order to switch sounds using a foot controller, I have to program a complicated Max patch and use my laptop to implement it (something that I'd like NOT to have to rely on in all LIVE situations). As I come to accept this, I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach this.

So my questions are,
1: What messages, if any, can I send to a Kontakt 3 multi-instrument (not a Receptor multi) in order to change between pre-loaded sounds?

2: Which settings, if any, need to be set for how Receptor handles the midi messages?

[standalone]

Maybe this helps:

http://www.orangetreesamples.com/mind-control

[standalone]

Oh, and it needs Kontakt 4 but:

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/sp ... ur-summer/

[Kevin@MuseResearch]

djmd14:

Unless I missed something in your post, it seems like there are a couple of very reasonable work-arounds (that do not involve max/msp running on your laptop).

1) Use the Kontakt instrument multi as you are, but change the program change settings on Receptor. To do this go to the 'setup' page on Receptor viewer. On the right hand side where it has midi info, find the 'use channel' field. usually this defaults to ALL. What you want to try is changing it to something arbitrary (like channel 16) where you won't be sending any MIDI program change info. Once this is done go ahead and check the box below it that says 'Route all other channels to soure plugin". This will allow program changes sent on the channel where you have Kontakt to change between the presets within your Kontakt multi (this means you send program changes on MIDI channel 1 if Kontakt is in Receptor channel 1).

2) If for some reason your looking for another option, another thing you can do, is load up all the instruments you need for Kontakt on different MIDI channels within Kontakt. Save a series of snapshot patches in this setup and change the 'send midi to' field in the MIDI filter to different midi channels (depending on the instrument you need to play in Kontakt).

So there are indeed options. If some of this seems confusing to you, or you just want it explained further let me know, or you can open a support ticket at www.plugorama.com/hd.php


- Kevin

[djmd14]

Kevin,

The first suggestion above seemed to work. Thanks! I suppose I was a little confused as to how all of this is documented: between the Receptor Manual, the Release Notes for the updates, and the Uniwire Supplement, there is a lot of information spread out in multiple places. It is not very clearly stated what each option in the setup menu actually does. Add to that the complexity of banks and patches between the receptor and the plugins, and well, you have yourself a good hot mess.

I have some other issues I'm trying to iron out regarding NRPNs, but I will start that in a support ticket, so as not to add to this thread.

Thanks again,
MD

[stk]

1) Use the Kontakt instrument multi as you are, but change the program change settings on Receptor. To do this go to the 'setup' page on Receptor viewer. On the right hand side where it has midi info, find the 'use channel' field. usually this defaults to ALL. What you want to try is changing it to something arbitrary (like channel 16) where you won't be sending any MIDI program change info. Once this is done go ahead and check the box below it that says 'Route all other channels to soure plugin". This will allow program changes sent on the channel where you have Kontakt to change between the presets within your Kontakt multi (this means you send program changes on MIDI channel 1 if Kontakt is in Receptor channel 1).

I know this is an old thread, but I would like to know whether this method is applicable to Receptor v1.1 (ie Receptor 1, not 2).

Thanks, sk.

[djmd14]

Yes, I have Receptor 1 and it works as stated. Sorry I am replying 3 months later!