Midi changing keyboard main assignment

[Monroe]

Usually I can play along with a midi file using any main keyboard instrument I choose and the midi file does not interfere. Occasionally however the midi file will suddenly change the keyboard assignment. For example I'll be playing along using piano, then will be switched to a saxaphone. Most midis do not do this. Does anyone know how I can modify the midi file to stop this keyboard assignment switching?

[Midi Magic]

Hi Monroe

It sound like the midi file is sending out a Program Change on channel 1.

Press the "Mixer Control" button 3 times until you see channels 1 - 8 and then play the midi file, keeping an eye on the instument icons. If you don't need channel 1 you could turn it off by pushing the "Channel On /Off" button and turning off channel one.

Try that first. The next step would be to take out the Program change within the file itself.

[Monroe]

Thanks Midi. I think I would prefer your more permanent second suggestion. Can you explain removing the program change from the midi file please?

[Midi Magic]

Hi

There are two ways to do it. One is via a PC program or two on the CVP.

What keyboad do you have?

You need to load in the midi file and go to "digital Recording" then "song creator" then

Now press "Next" 3 times until you reach "1-16"

This is the midi data page and it should be on channel 1

Now you can scroll through the song until you see "Prog" with a number.

The first one at the begining is the one you want but as you step through the song it will play. When you reach the Sax sound you will see a "Prog" message just delete this or change the value to 0 for piano.

Hope this helps.

[Monroe]

Thanks Midi, I have a 207. I'll give that a try. Wally, please add the topic of midi file editing to your long list of item for future tutorials. Why would some midi files do this while most do not? Would this be an error in recording or is there some special reason why the originator would want these controls set in the midi file.

[Midi Magic]

Hi

I don't think it's a fault with the midi file. You see, each midi file will set up the keyboard / piano for the various sounds it needs.

Each sound will be allocated a midi channel 1 to 16. Now lets say channel 1 is piano, channel 2 oboe channel, 3 bass and channels 4 to 9 strings. The other channels could be any other sounds. There will come a time when all 16 are used up so to play a new sound the midi file when send a program change part- way through the song.

Now in your case, it seems that they wanted a sax on channel 1 which is the channel the cvp's keyboard plays.

Hope that helps.

[Monroe]

Oh, so rather than a mistake, this is how a clever composer can
get around the limit of 16 channels by re-assigning a new instrument to an unused portion of a channel. Thanks Midi.