Is it possible to use my Korg NanoKontrol and/or NanoPad to control the Rack-XS?

I was thinking that I might get a USB cable that would allow me to connect either Korg unit directly to the Rack-XS.

OR

Use my DAW to “route” the Korg stuff over to the Rack-XS?

Thanks for all your previous help

Pierre

In order to directly connect the Korg devices, the Rack-XS would have to function as a USB Host - but it doesn’t have that capability. You could buy a USB Host adapter (fairly expensive), or build your own (not expensive, but requires certain skills).

Otherwise, use your computer and software for routing.

5pinDIN - 27 March 2015 08:49 AM

In order to directly connect the Korg devices, the Rack-XS would have to function as a USB Host - but it doesn’t have that capability. You could buy a USB Host adapter (fairly expensive), or build your own (not expensive, but requires certain skills).

Otherwise, use your computer and software for routing.

Hi 5pinDIN,
I’ve been away from my setup for a while. But I did purchased a MIDI USB host from Kenton and I also picked up a used Arturia Beatstep controller.

Using the TIP on page 28 of my rack owner’s manual,

Selecting Voices by receiving MIDI messages
You can select Voices on this instrument from your DAW software
by specifying the following MIDI messages. To do this, the
following three MIDI messages must be transmitted to the
MOTIF-RACK XS.
• Bank Select MSB (Control #0)
• Bank Select LSB (Control #32)
• Program Change
For example, transmit the following MIDI messages to select the
Voice of program number 12 in the PRE2.
1. Transmit a Bank Select MSB (Control #0) value of 63.
2. Transmit a Bank Select LSB (Control #32) value of 1.
3. Transmit a Program Change value of 12*.

I programmed the first 8 pads of the Beatstep with the following bank select/program changes:

1> PRE1 :002
2> PRE1 :006
3> PRE2 :002
4> PRE2 :006
5> PRE3 :002
6> PRE3 :006
7> PRE4 :002
8> PRE4 :006

I initially used MIDI-OX to test my Beatstep programming. Here is my MIDI-OX device setup:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12703104/midi_ox_devices.jpg
And here is the result of that programming:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12703104/midi_ox_beatstep1.jpg

As you can see the bank selection and program selections work.  MIDI-OX has a hard time decoding the different program selections but that’s not an issue.

I have my system connected this way.  My M-AUDIO Keystation 88 normally feeds note on/off data to the rack via the 5pin DIN connector. Now, with the USB Host in circuit, it is connected as follows.  The Beatstep sends it’s data to the USB host via the USB port. The host, then feeds MIDI to one of the inputs of a MIDI merge box.  The Keystation 88 feeds MIDI to the other input of the merge box.  The output of the merge box is then sent to the MIDI IN connector of the rack.

When I am programming and testing the Beatstep programming, the Beatstep is connected to my computer system via it’s USB port and not connected to the USB host.  While testing the programming (still connected to the system and MIDI-OX) I could see the bank and program changes being changed on the rack’s display and the appropriate voice was selected and I could hear it through my speakers.
When I disconnect Beatstep from the present USB connection and connect it to the USB host, I DON’T see or hear anything from the rack.
Once I start the rack editor, start to hear voices… BUTTTTT…
pressing the Beatstep pads only changes the bank and always selects the lowest voice :001 no matter what voice I am trying to select.  The bank changes seem to work but the voices “don’t take”. They stay stuck on the first voice.
Here is my editor setup:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12703104/editor_2.jpg

Thank you in advance for any help
Pierre

From what I’ve found online, the Arturia Beatstep comes with an adapter cable that provides 5-pin-DIN MIDI output. In order to help determine why the Rack isn’t “getting” the Program Change message, I’d suggest that for now you eliminate the MIDI merger and USB host, and connect the Beatstep directly to the Rack via 5-pin MIDI. Obviously, you won’t be able to trigger notes with your keyboard controller that way, but you should be able to see if the Rack responds correctly to Bank and Program Change sent by the Beatstep.

Let us know what happens.

5pinDIN - 29 June 2015 09:26 AM

In order to help determine why the Rack isn’t “getting” the Program Change message, I’d suggest that for now you eliminate the MIDI merger and USB host, and connect the Beatstep directly to the Rack via 5-pin MIDI.

pblais - 29 June 2015 10:03 AM

But I should mention that when the Beatstep is connected to my “system” using a USB cable connected to my computer and NOT connecting it to the USB Host and merge box. With it connected like this and using MIDI-OX, the Rack responds correctly.  It gets the bank change and the Program Change. I can see this on the Rack’s display screen and I can hear it from the speakers.  In this mode, the Rack editor is not running.

Yes, and that’s why I suggested connecting the Beatstep directly to the Rack, without the merger and host. Once you determine what happens that way, it should help to figure out what else to check.

Ok..
I tried a couple of experiments.
I kept the Beatstep programmed like it was last night.
I plugged the Beatstep MIDI-OUT (using that short adapter cable) directly to the Rack 5 pin MIDI-IN connector. No response. I disconnected the USB cable that is connecting the Rack to my system and the Rack started responding as it should. The Rack display was showing the banks and program changes.
So I tried a second experiment.
I connected the same MIDI-OUT of the Beatstep to one input of the Merge box. I then connected my M-Audio Keystation 88’s MIDI-OUT to the other input of the Merge box. I then connected the output of the Merge box to the MIDI-IN of the Rack.  Everything worked perfectly.  The Rack “understood” the 8 bank and program changes from the Beatstep and I was able to actually play and hear them with my M-Audio keyboard.
At this point, it looked like the USB Host was messing things up.
So, I did one more experiment.
I plugged the Rack’s USB connector back to my system and fired up the Rack editor. That’s when the the Rack started acting like it did last night. It only understood the bank changes but not the program changes. You can look at my post from last night for my editor setup.
As soon as I unplugged the Rack’s USB connector, everything went back to working good.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help
Pierre

Since it seems the problem you’re having is due to the Yamaha Rack XS Editor not passing Program Change messages, I decided to check using my Motif XF and its Editor.

I encountered the same thing. It appears that for some reason ("feature" or bug), Yamaha Editors filter Program Change messages. I can’t find a way to change that behavior.

A workaround would be to run MIDI-OX along with the Editor - set MIDI-OX up for Port 3 input. In order to avoid note doubling, turn Thru off on the Editor (lower right corner of the display). That works with my XF, and it should work with the Rack XS and its Editor as well.

Please let us know.

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 07:34 AM

A workaround would be to run MIDI-OX along with the Editor - set MIDI-OX up for Port 3 input. In order to avoid note doubling, turn Thru off on the Editor (lower right corner of the display). That works with my XF, and it should work with the Rack XS and its Editor as well.

Please let us know.

Or don’t use the editor at all.  All I am trying to do is change patches faster than “dialing” them in with the Rack’s front panel buttons and knob while working within my DAW or even outside of it.  Why would I use the editor at all???

But, I will try your idea anyway.  Could you do me a favor and review my MIDI-OX devices setup in my post above and indicate where I would set Port 3 input as you have suggested?  Also, will running MIDI-OX in this way cause a conflict with my DAW?

Thanks
Pierre

pblais - 30 June 2015 10:08 AM

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 07:34 AM

A workaround would be to run MIDI-OX along with the Editor - set MIDI-OX up for Port 3 input. In order to avoid note doubling, turn Thru off on the Editor (lower right corner of the display). That works with my XF, and it should work with the Rack XS and its Editor as well.

Please let us know.

Or don’t use the editor at all.  All I am trying to do is change patches faster than “dialing” them in with the Rack’s front panel buttons and knob while working within my DAW or even outside of it.  Why would I use the editor at all???

It wasn’t clear that you’re not editing. If all you’re using the Editor for is MIDI data routing, then that’s not a good reason to use it.

 

pblais -

But, I will try your idea anyway.  Could you do me a favor and review my MIDI-OX devices setup in my post above and indicate where I would set Port 3 input as you have suggested?  Also, will running MIDI-OX in this way cause a conflict with my DAW?

Thanks
Pierre

If you’re only going to use the Keystation and the BeatStep, I’d suggest connecting both to the merger via 5-pin MIDI (you don’t need the USB host for that), and connect the output of the merger into the Rack XS MIDI-In. Connect the Rack to your computer via USB.

The Rack’s Port 3 is identified as “Yamaha MOTIF-R XS-3” - you can use that for the MIDI-OX input. Port 1 ("Yamaha MOTIF-R XS-1") would be the output, as you already have it.

However, have you tried the same port assignment with your DAW? Perhaps your DAW does a better job of passing Program Change messages than the Yamaha Editor does, in which case using MIDI-OX with the DAW wouldn’t be necessary.

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 10:46 AM

It wasn’t clear that you’re not editing. If all you’re using the Editor for is MIDI data routing, then that’s not a good reason to use it.

I suppose I would use the editor to do offline editing and auditioning, then use my setup without it for actual usage.

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 10:46 AM

If you’re only going to use the Keystation and the BeatStep, I’d suggest connecting both to the merger via 5-pin MIDI (you don’t need the USB host for that), and connect the output of the merger into the Rack XS MIDI-In.

That’s exactly how I got it to work last night :)

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 10:46 AM

Connect the Rack to your computer via USB

Whenever I do that, I don’t get any output at all from the Rack unless I launch the editor.

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 10:46 AM

The Rack’s Port 3 is identified as “Yamaha MOTIF-R XS-3” - you can use that for the MIDI-OX input. Port 1 ("Yamaha MOTIF-R XS-1") would be the output, as you already have it.

Thanks, it gets a bit confusing with MIDI-OX as to what is an input vs output.

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 10:46 AM

However, have you tried the same port assignment with your DAW? Perhaps your DAW does a better job of passing Program Change messages than the Yamaha Editor does, in which case using MIDI-OX with the DAW wouldn’t be necessary.

I’ll give that a try tonight…

Thanks a lot 5PinDin:)
Pierre

pblais - 30 June 2015 12:45 PM

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 10:46 AM

Connect the Rack to your computer via USB

Whenever I do that, I don’t get any output at all from the Rack unless I launch the editor.

That’s normal - using Port 3 with the Rack acting as an interface via 5-pin MIDI requires routing the MIDI data through software. That software could be the Yamaha Editor, a DAW, MIDI-OX, or perhaps something else. Of course, if you don’t want to run any computer apps, you could leave USB disconnected and just play the keys.

 

pblais -

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 10:46 AM

The Rack’s Port 3 is identified as “Yamaha MOTIF-R XS-3” - you can use that for the MIDI-OX input. Port 1 ("Yamaha MOTIF-R XS-1") would be the output, as you already have it.

Thanks, it gets a bit confusing with MIDI-OX as to what is an input vs output.

5pinDIN - 30 June 2015 10:46 AM

However, have you tried the same port assignment with your DAW? Perhaps your DAW does a better job of passing Program Change messages than the Yamaha Editor does, in which case using MIDI-OX with the DAW wouldn’t be necessary.

I’ll give that a try tonight…

Thanks a lot 5PinDin:)
Pierre

You’re welcome, keep us posted.

Don’t yell at me too loud 5PinDin for what I am about to tell you.  After investing all this time, I won’t be writing to you in this part of the forum anymore but will be moving any future posts to the MOXF section.
Guitar Center marked down the MOXF8 to $1399.  They guy is giving me $650 for my Rack-XS and the M-Audio Keystation 88.  That means I will be picking up my brandy, shiny new MOXF8 tomorrow for $749.
Yayyyyyyy

Thanks for all the previous help.

I do have one quick question.  What is the difference between the Mutec FMC-06 1GB flash board and the 1GB Yamaha XF flash board other than the Mutec one is $50 cheaper?  Which is better and would you recommend?

Thanks again for all your help

Pierre

pblais - 03 July 2015 02:04 PM

Don’t yell at me too loud 5PinDin for what I am about to tell you.  After investing all this time, I won’t be writing to you in this part of the forum anymore but will be moving any future posts to the MOXF section.
Guitar Center marked down the MOXF8 to $1399.  They guy is giving me $650 for my Rack-XS and the M-Audio Keystation 88.  That means I will be picking up my brandy, shiny new MOXF8 tomorrow for $749.
Yayyyyyyy

I’m not going to yell at you at all. In fact, I seem to remember back a few months ago suggesting that you trade in what you had for a used Motif XS. Having a keyboard model just makes doing many things a whole lot easier. I think you’ll enjoy the MOXF8.

 

pblais -

Thanks for all the previous help.

You’re welcome, and I’ll try to help if you have MOXF questions as well.

 

pblais -

I do have one quick question.  What is the difference between the Mutec FMC-06 1GB flash board and the 1GB Yamaha XF flash board other than the Mutec one is $50 cheaper?  Which is better and would you recommend?

I don’t have any direct experience with the Mutec model, but from what I’ve read, it performs just like the Yamaha one. The two brands use the same flash memory chips. Since I haven’t seen a single complaint about the Mutec modules, I don’t see why you shouldn’t get one.

They’re available here in the Motifator Shop…
http://shop.motifator.com/index.php/moxf-accessories/1gb-mutec-flash.html
...and shipping is free on orders over $200…

...and no, I don’t get a commission.  :-)