Stupid Roland / Midi question

[Matt Butcher]

I get a bit confused with midi: if I connect a Roland to a midi keyboard with a Midi cable, and then set the keyboard going on a preset rhythm, can I then use the Roland to trigger chords on the keyboard? Or is there some stage to go through in between?

Alternatively does anyone know somewhere I can find out how midi can be used, an idiot's guide - I keep finding info that assumes you have some idea what is going on. Thank you.

 

[simonking]

I suppose it depends on what the keyboard does with incoming MIDI messages when it's playing its own rhythm as well. Must be a way of doing it I suppose. I assume the Roland can ouput the left and right hands on different MIDI channels? I used to love getting involved with MIDI hooking keyboards and sound modules up to my Amiga 500 when I was a teenager, more as a computing/electronics experiment though rather than doing anything wildy creative!

 

[JIM D.]

If your keyboard is not an Orla or a Roland with the "Music Intelligence" feature the keyboard will not recognize the signals your accordion bass chord buttons send. Orla, Roland and Lowrey are the only brands that have and use "Music Intelligence". This feature hears the 3 notes your chord buttons make and then reproduces this as a 4 note chord. If your keyboard or expander has this feature, you should be sending on MiDi channels 2 and 3 .

 

[Matt Butcher]

Thanks Jim, you've saved me some wasted time. I seem to remember you mentioning this on a previous thread so sorry to make you repeat yourself. The keyboard that I've inherited has not got musical intelligence, in fact in my hands it may have musical stupidity. In the meantime even the phrase "sending on MIDI channels 2 and 3" is a bit mysterious to me, I really need to make the effort to find out. Thank you.

 

[JIM D.]

Your Roland came new with MiDi settings 2 and 3 to send to an accordion expander, and will remain on these channels unless you change them.