7.2 Setting the MIDI functions. Viscount DB-5

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Control Change: these are control messages (often associated to sliders or pedals) used to add expression to the performance, by allowing definition (and real-time control) of the timbre parameters, such as the volume (CC n.7) or the amount of reverb (CC n.66), etc.

As already mentioned, the system messages are independent of the subdivision of the channels, and once processed, they take effect on the entire system.

There are various types of system messages, including the exclusive system messages

(SYS-EX), meaning those instructions which can only be interpreted by a device identical to the one which generated them. These messages include the BULK DUMP data, i.e. the instrument programming instructions. These instructions contain the programming parameters normally saved in a memory location. They are used to transfer these parameters from one device to another of the same type, or to save them on a remote memorisation unit, such as a computer or sequencer, which allows them to be restored if they are accidentally lost or deleted. Another function of the exclusive system messages is identification of the transmitter instrument if the receiver device requests this.

7.2 SETTING MIDI FUNCTIONS

As we have seen, after the [UTILITY] button is pressed the display will show: now select the

[MIDI]

field using the [UTILITY] or [ENTER] buttons; the display will show the first page of the MIDI section:

In this page, channels (from 1 to 16) can be enabled for transmission of MIDI messages as output on the MIDI OUT port. The display shows the three sections to which the channel in question can be assigned:

- Upper

: for events on the upper manual

- Lower

: for events on the lower manual

- Bass

: for events on the BASS section of the lower manual or on the optional pedalboard.

If the parameter is set with the

** symbol, the channel will be disabled and it will therefore be impossible to send the MIDI messages.

Pressing [UTILITY] again displays the second page of the MIDI menu:

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which relates to the reception channels for the message arriving on the MIDI IN port.

Since this video page is identical to the previous one (setting of the channels for the transmission of MIDI messages), refer to the information above for the parameters found in this video page.

When the [UTILITY] button is pressed to move on to the next video page, the display will show:

In this page, the user can enable or disable the filters for transmission of MIDI messages.

When a filter is enabled (

ON set as

OFF for:

) the message concerned is not sent, while if the parameter is

, the message will not be filtered and will be sent. The filters can be enabled

- CC

: filter for the Control Changes transmitted

- PG

: filter for the Program Changes transmitted

- SysEx

: filter for the exclusive system messages transmitted

The next page will display the filters for the MIDI messages received:

The procedures and settings are identical to those for the previous page (filters for messages being transmitted).

The fifth page (accessed using the [UTILITY] button, as usual) allows a Program Change to be sent as output on the MIDI OUT port:

You can use the

Send PG

(Send Program Change) parameter to set the number of the

Program Change, from 0 to 127, which you wish to transmit. The message will then be sent when [ENTER] is pressed.

This function is useful when you wish to change a program or a patch in an instrument connected to the OB5 by MIDI. Sending this message allows the program to be changed on the receiver instrument without having to make any physical changes to its settings.

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