MIDI Devices

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MIDI devices
Definable values as variables
The definable values (Var 1 and Var 2 in this example) are
just that – definable as you like. This is done in the For-
mula column of the Add Parameter window.
You can enter parameters, mathematical fomulas with or
without parameters, and static values.
The allowed mathematical operations are
• “+” (addition)
• “-” (subtraction)
• “*” (multiplication)
• “()” (parentheses, for small calculations)
Ö Note that the values in the Formula column have to be
entered as decimals!
Some examples for formula entries:
• “(2*para5)”, where para5 is a parameter defined in the
subnode.
The parameter definition can also be done after using it in the fomula, you
just have to ignore the error message at this point.
• “(1+P)”, where P is a multiple parameter defined in the
Variable area of the Add Parameter dialog.
For this, check the Create Multiple Option, define a Variable Name “P”
and a range from e.g. “1–10” and click OK. This way, you have a multiple
parameter in your formula, which is helpful e.g. if you want to use the
same basic SysEx message with variance in the parts (MIDI channels),
see below.
• “11” as the decimal value of the “0B” function given in
the manual of your device.
When you enter a decimal value as formula, check the resulting hexa-
decimal string above the table to make sure the entry is correct.
Using definable values to set up a more flexible SysEx
design
Using definable values with formulas allows for a more
flexible SysEx definition because you can set up one com-
mon SysEx string for a whole set of SysEx messages. For
this, look out for SysEx strings with minor differences in
only a few bytes in your manual to define a common SysEx
string.
Example:
F0 23 12 rr zz PT Fn XX F7
is a common SysEx string with
rr and zz = address map
PT = part (sometimes midi channel), 1–16 as decimals
Fn = function code, e.g. filter
XX = actual value x to be sent to the panel control
When you now keep these five bytes as definable and set
the others to static values in the Create SysEx window,
you can play around with the definable values in the Add
Parameter window.
For example, as we learned above, it is possible to define
the PT value as a formula like “(1+P)”, including a multiple
parameter that allows for sending the same message to
several MIDI channels at once.
However, if you want to send the message only to one
channel, you can simply enter a defined value for the PT
value in the Formula column.
Therefore, while SysEx messages can’t be edited after the
first set up, definable variables allow for trial-and-error and
can still be set to a defined value any time. This makes
handling SysEx messages a lot easier.