Can't get Waveform 12 to accept Midi program changes

[mikedingas]

I'm using Waveform 12 Free with a Presonus PS-49 midi controller. I cannot get a midi track to accept a program change whicc shows 128 different programs.

If I add 4OSC to the track I can change its program and hear the different instruments as they are selected. I loaded FM Synth from Waveform 11 and all of its 'voices' can be played.

I suspect I need a specific synth plugin but don't know which one. None of my current plugins seem to work. Are these program selections in some way tied to the Collection add-on?

Any insights are truely appreciated. I've only got several months of DAW experience and find myself flailing about and not making any progress.

[pough]

I don't get it. First paragraph: "program change doesn't work". Second paragraph: describes situations where program change is working. Third paragraph: "program change doesn't work". At least, that's how I'm reading it.

Having said that, I will say that program change is a part of the MIDI spec and not the VST spec. It doesn't really apply anymore when a VST can have zero presets or a thousand presets or presets in folders. So if program change is something you're truly passionate about then you will have to track down VSTs that specifically work in that way. I've never looked into it, but my guess is that there are very few of them. (And I'll bet most of them will be 32 bit only.)

[Watchful]

For some hardware-based synths, you can still do program changes--this is done at the clip level. But unless you're dealing with some older hardware, you need to put in the bank, MSB, and LSB as controller information which tends to be a really big hassle. I concede Waveform doesn't make it easy to do as MIDI controller information, but I'm guessing that's not what's being asked here--looks like it's plugin only.

[mikedingas]

I don't get it. First paragraph: "program change doesn't work". Second paragraph: describes situations where program change is working. Third paragraph: "program change doesn't work". At least, that's how I'm reading it.

the first instance is without a synth-type plugin added to the left of the Vol/Pan control. In other words I can't find a plugin that will work with those programs. I added one of the two plugins mentioned just to determine if ANY program change can be successfully implemented as a troubleshooting aide. Clearer?

[mikedingas]

For some hardware-based synths, you can still do program changes--this is done at the clip level. But unless you're dealing with some older hardware, you need to put in the bank, MSB, and LSB as controller information which tends to be a really big hassle. I concede Waveform doesn't make it easy to do as MIDI controller information, but I'm guessing that's not what's being asked here--looks like it's plugin only.

I did put in a bank number for the FM Synth plugin in order for the keyboard to work and enable one of its programs via the Waveform GUI (i.e., not at the plugin interface). Don't know how or where to twiddle with MSB/LSB. The two plugins mentioned do (as I'm sure you know) include their own programs.
I should have also mentioned that the Ample Sound ABPL2 (string bass) works with the controller so I know the keyboard can interface with a plugin (i.e., not broken).

Perhaps the paid version of Waveform includes a plugin that understands the 128 programs.

[pough]

Clearer?

Unfortunately, no.

the first instance is without a synth-type plugin added to the left of the Vol/Pan control.

You sent a program change to nothing and expected something to happen?

What is it that you are trying to accomplish that you need program change to not only work but have exactly 128 programs? Is it a General MIDI thing? Do you want to set a specific instrument (eg. Program Change 4 = Honky Tonk Piano) at the start of the song? That method is not really used any more.

By the way, Program Change data can be stored in a MIDI clip in Waveform, but as I mentioned not all VSTs will bother to pay attention to it and almost no VST instrument conforms to General MIDI.

No Waveform plugin conforms to General MIDI that I am aware of. Modern music software just isn't designed to work that way any more.

[mikedingas]

Thanks to both of you for your input. As a newbie to DAWs and a recent acquisition of a midi controller, I was unclear how make use of the controller to play various instruments. I found Surge from the Surge Synth Team which has a ton of programs to choose from. I'll experiment with this and have some fun. Thanks again.