MIDI Designer Q&A - Recent questions

LAYOUT: 24-TET by mlafontaineca

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:59:22 +0000

This layout enables the performance of 24-TET music on any MIDI keyboard. Keyboardists can now play music by the band Angine de Poitrine using a standard MIDI keyboard.

The pitch bend range must be +2 and -2 on your instrument.

Enjoy!

AUv3 is great, but VST3 would be greater!

Wed, 20 May 2026 10:22:00 +0000

Being able to run MD as an AUv3 plug-in is certainly welcome (thank you, Dan!), but if it could run as a VST3 plug-in the whole world of DAWs would be open to it. Oh, to be able to bed MD into my Cubase projects! Sigh...

Just thought I'd throw the ball out there...

LAYOUT: Teenage Engineering Choir

Mon, 04 May 2026 22:02:28 +0000

Here's a little phoneme keyboard for the Teenage Engineering Choir.

Wireless Options with Chase Bliss Pedals

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:37:22 +0000

See Yasir's notes on the Chase Bliss Group.

LAYOUT: Ghost Notes Swirls

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:42:43 +0000

This is a Layout for the Ghost Notes Swirls pedal (which is actually a firmware version of the Daedalus pedal).

It is necessary to press the 'INIT' button in the Layout to initiate a two-way conversation with the pedal. If this is not done, then the pedal will not update the knob values in the Layout.

Load this Layout, press the 'INIT' button, and toggle the A/B buttons - the Layout and pedal will stay in sync from this point forward until the pedal is turned off/on again.

Problem Layout: Ghost Note Swirls

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 15:00:26 +0000

I'm trying to create a Layout for the Ghost Notes Swirls pedal.

Finding the CCs and the Sys-Ex has been relatively easy, but this pedal has a quirk I've not seen before. It has two 'Presets', Red and Blue. There is a CC to switch between them. However, the two Presets respond to the same CC numbers.

When I request a Sys-Ex dump, both Presets are contained in the one dump. I can pick them out and re-assign different CCs to each to populate two sets of Layout knobs, but... when the control CCs come in I have no way of deciding which set of controls to send them to. Neither do I have a way to flip the Layout knobs between two sets of values.

Any ideas gratefully received...

Sequential Prophet VS - ability to reverse NRPN order?

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:35:50 +0000

Hello all,

I am working on creating a Layout for the Sequential Circuits Prophet VS. However, I ran into a bit of a snag.

Symptom: When I go to edit LFO 1 shape using MDP sent to the VS, it also causes LFO 1 rate (on the unit itself) to change to a number that matches the original location of the knob I am moving. This is true whether I send continuous movement or have it send on release only. This issue happens with MANY settings, not just LFO 1 shape/rate (i.e., it happens for both LFOs and ADSR time and levels, etc). I'm just simplifying here.

MIDI settings: I am using the 7-bit NRPN (which is required). For LFO 1 shape, the manual states using MSB: 00, LSB: 0F (which is 15). So my setting is Channel - MSB - LSB or 1 - 0 - 15.

Question for the group: From someone who knows about a bug related to the synth, they stated this:

Your symptom sounds like the reversed MIDI NRPN packet problem in the original VS OSes. Most controllers will act that way with VS OS 1.0-1.2 unless they give you the option to flip the NRPN order.

Is this possible to reverse the order? Or is there another solution to this that might work? I do not see a way to do this in the unit. I could also conceivably have a knob that sequences LSB first then MSB and just use regular CCs for this, though I'm not sure that's possible unless I have two knobs and knob 1 controls LSB and knob 2 controls MSB and I send them together... but then I have to make two controls for each parameter, which does not sound great.

Any thoughts?

[Bug] Control snaps to grid when just editing props

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 01:02:03 +0000

User says

There is a other issue…normally I use „snap to grid“, but sometimes I have to place a button without grid…if i edit later the button while „snap to grid“ is active, the button snap to grid without moving...

ZD3924

SysEx select variable options button missing text - appears a blank box

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:13:13 +0000

In beta Version 10.10.0 (202602141940) and current release.

Button is present, has no text. If you know to press it to select settings, it will work.

Editing subcontrol sequence with named ticks overwrites named ticks text with subcontrol labels

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:56:44 +0000

Variable supercontrol with named ticks - go to the subcontrols panel, edit the subcontrols by dragging one to a new position - all existing names are overwritten with the labels of the subcontrols.

This is potentially a feature when the named ticks are vacant - populates the named ticks field with the subcontrol names. But not so much when you have entered other names.

ZD 3924, confirmed in beta 10.10.0 (202602141940)

Help needed: updating app URL schemes for MIDI Designer

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:29:25 +0000

Hi All,
I am trying to help the engineering team at MIDI Designer updating the list of URL schemes that MD provides. "Open URL" is explained here:
https://mididesigner.com/wiki/doku.php/manual:14_more_advanced_2
I went through the complete list (nearly 900 apps!). I only know a small number of them, since I have those apps installed and can test the URL schemes myself. Some others I found via the Launcher app, but I cannot test those. I don’t know of any other way to obtain information that is at least reasonably reliable.
The summary of this collection — tested and untested — is here:
App URL Schemes
There is a column “Source & Notes”. For the apps in question, it says:
from https://www.cromulentlabs.com/launcher unverified
If you have any of the apps marked as unverified, could you please test them and report back whether the URLs work?
Either in MIDI Designer (as described in the documentation) or simply in any text editor, e.g. Notes or Pages. It is easy, you just need to make a hyperlink.
Thanks!

I need help with making a crossfader in midi designer

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:34:07 +0000

Hi im working in AUM app for ipad where i want to be able to crossfade between two channels/tracks. I understand that i need to send a negative value (volume of course) at thesame time i send a positive to the other track. In midi designer i found a crossfader but cant set it to positive/negative. Only 0-127 or relative 0-1.

Any idea on how i should proceed?

Best from Sweden

Peppe

[macOS] MIDI Designer Pro X Won't Launch on M1 Pro Max Ventura

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:32:52 +0000

My Mac

MacBook Pro
16-inch, 2021

Chip: Apple M1 Max
Memory: 64 GB
Startup disk: Macintosh HD
Serial number:
macOS: Ventura 13.7.8

App Store Says

Compatibility

Mac
Requires macOS 13.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.

iPhone
Requires iOS 18.6 or later.

iPad
Requires iPadOS 18.6 or later.

Is it possible to have knobs change their color when they reach a specific value?

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:52:21 +0000

I’d like to be able to set up a knob that changes its color when it reaches a value of 0 or 127. Is that possible?

How do I create “shift” functionality?

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:51:10 +0000

I’ve read through the manual but I can’t quite suss out how to do this with supercontrols. What I want is to have a button on my MDP layout which, when pressed, will allow all the other controls to send out a different midi CC. Is that possible? I apologize in advance if this has been covered before but I just don’t know exactly what to search for. Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers MDPXers!

LAYOUT: Venko KORG M3

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:42:32 +0000

LAYOUT: Tonex Pedal

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:45:17 +0000

Full Layout for Tonex Pedal. You have to set your MIDI Chanel to Chanel 2.

Numeric Input Keypads

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 02:35:54 +0000

Onscreen keypad to select exact control value
- Additional precision for large range controls
- Alternate input method

NO StreamByter coding required - just configure two additional controls
- action button - sends the entered numbers to StreamByter module
- unique ID
- min, & max values
- SreamByter calculates the scaled MIDI value
- receive control - receives the scaled value
- match action unique ID
- supercontrol of layout object control

Custom keyboard actions can be defined
- e.g., split single input to Bank MSB and Program Change (included)
- custom actions do require SB coding

This version replaces the beta version previously shared. Compared to beta,
- uses standard MD supercontrols - (make similar, update MIDI values, select desired subcontrols)
- can configure controls on the fly
- no SB knowledge required other than pasting the provided code into the SB output rules field (if needed)
- matters only behind the scene, but greatly simplifies the SB code - all the special cases collapse into a general case.

Thanks to willspence for asking a question about input keypads.

https://youtu.be/VLHC3rWjbes

(Note - the headers were simplified in 1.01, after the video)

Tap Tempo Input

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 18:16:32 +0000

I am trying to add a digital knob or slider that shows the BPM of the TAP Tempo on the Helix unit. I can change the BPM using a Momentary button in MD but can't seem to add a Rotary or Slider that does the same thing. I was going down the path of Super/Sub controls and have no problem connecting them together in the interface but turning the dial or sliding the slider does not change the BPM value. While I can tap on the momentary button and see the numbers change on the Helix I'd like to not have to tap but drag the slider to 100 BPM or 75 BPM.

Increment Stepper

Create a button
Set its subtype to Momentary
Make it a supercontrol
Make it a supercontrol of the knob/slider etc. that you wish to increment

[Page] Look-Ahead Looper (with ValhallaDelay)

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 22:24:37 +0000

[explanation coming soon]

Named Ticks in Google Sheets

Numeric Keypad to Send Channel-Bank-Prog Change (for Kurzweil K2700)

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:54:46 +0000

Basic need is to have a way to send a random program change with a single keystroke. (Tap)

I envision a 10 key numeric keypad, with CLEAR and ENTER buttons, and a display field. You to type in a patch change number, have the display field show the numbers as typed, then tap the “enter” button to send the patch change. it would basically look like a calculator

Ideally be able to enter a four digit number and have the app parse it into bank followed by program change, to mimic the patch numbering system of my Kurzweil K2700.

it would also be nice to have a mode where you could enter channel, bank, program change which will allow you to send the change to any destination in a complex midi rig. You would enter a decimal or similar as a separator character…

Grok was telling me that this app can do it, kept referring to being able to have a button send a character to a display control and also kept mentioning being able to use scripting but I couldn’t find any mention of that in the manual…

Guidance appreciated, thank you

How or where can I configure the connection THRU Mac (source) -> Mac (destination)?

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 19:56:07 +0000

Midi designer Pro X 10.7.1 on IPHONE ios 26, to MacOS 26 (Reason e.o.).

I am unable to retrieve (repeat) the connection

THRU Mac (source) -> Mac (destination)

which appeared below the Bluetooth LE menu in the Config-connections page.

And also unable to find the menu "MORE" where the User's manual says i could fix this.

Thanks a lot for help!

LAYOUT: Behringer Wave

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:12:36 +0000

Background

I bought myself a Behringer Wave recently. I love it, but I was confused by the menu diving. Behringer decided to emulate the synth in perfect detail, but I think they copied its menu system a little too closely - as in it can be frustrating to program (like any 80s synth). The problem is that many of the controls are complicated and you need a "legend" to help transcribe the single letter menu commands with the complex functions they actually perform.

MidiDesigner To The Rescue!

Behringer mapped all the controls to CC commands so I was able to quickly build a nice layout. There is nothing complicated here. MidiDesigner lets us easily build nice big picker box descriptions which helps to transcribe the controls to "english". It's a great example of how a good interface can speed up sound design. Once I finished the panel I was creating new sounds way faster. Although MidiDesigner can let you do some very complex coding and control, sometimes its best utility is acting like a Rosetta Stone (converting one language to another).

Controls are self explanatory. The panel is setup similar to the Behringer Wave menu.

Cheers

PS Thanks Dan for this brilliant application! I'd be lost without it.

[Bug][10.7.0] New users crashing on app start

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 18:39:15 +0000

MD Users: We've identified and fixed the crash bug that's been hitting new users in the zero-state experience.

WHAT: The fix is packaged in version 10.7.1 and already submitted to Apple for review. We're expecting approval well before August 28th. and already released.

WORKAROUND: If you select a layout option quickly when you first open the app, you can beat the bug and it won't happen again. Alternatively, you can load a layout from our QA site (mididesigner.com/qa) and start the app with that layout.

SORRY: For the crash that broke the app for new users. We know there's nothing worse than an app that doesn't work at all.

The fix is on its way - you'll have a proper working experience very soon!

Public List of Custom URL Schemes and AUv3 Plugin

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:29:59 +0000

Hi All,
I hope this post will not be considered an abuse of the forum.
Many years ago, I discovered that custom URLs can be assigned to buttons in MD to open other apps, and I was immediately fascinated by this feature.
I am using this extensively to switch between my most frequently used apps, MD and PdParty, which can do this also. But another app that is essential for me too does not have this feature: as soon as I am arriving in AUM, there is no way back. So I made a litte AUv3 plugin with hyperlink buttons that can be inserted in any host. Then I thought it might be useful to others as well, so I decided to share it.
A special feature that is unique, I think (only when used as a plugin):
When the URL buttons are remotely controlled (via MIDI), they can open other apps at any time, regardless of which app is in the foreground.
This is the information about the app (sorry for the advertisement):
URL Beamer – Support & Info
But I soon realized that there is a huge problem. For my personal use, I need only a couple of URLs, but how could other users find them?
So I created a platform where users can view URL schemes (not many yet) and contribute to the database.
I think this will also be of benefit to users of MIDI Designer Pro X. That’s why I am posting it here.
It is fantastic that MD includes an extensive set of pre-configured custom URLs. But unfortunately, developers sometimes change them in major app updates. This database could be used to stay up-to-date by exchanging information. You also have the option to enter the URL string manually in MD, explained here: https://mididesigner.com/wiki/doku.php/manual:14_more_advanced_2
Finally the links to these pages, I quote it from my user guide:

There is now a public platform to collect user-submitted URLs.
App URL Schemes
You can help expand the database by adding entries on this page:
Submit an iOS URL Scheme

From Helpdesk Files - Play Mode Dynamic Control Settings

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 21:57:16 +0000

From helpdesk files: User asks if it is possible to change control settings in play mode without having to go to design mode:

- Min

- Max

- Default

- Cc #

This answer limited to MD control relationships - you can control everything in SB - but lets stick to our organic MD relationships for now.

Answer: we can get most of these:

- Channel changer can set the channel

- Transpose can set the Cc (transpose changes second byte of midi message, which for a Cc message is the Cc number)

- You can simulate default with a momentary switched supercontrol

Coding notes:

- all helper controls are set to NO MIDI SEND / RECEIVE

- the base control is set to Cc 0 (you can choose a higher Cc, but that will offset the "transpose")

- Channel selector is type Channel Changer (1-16), supercontrol of base control

- Cc is type Transpose (0-127), supercontrol of base control

- Default is normal control, supercontrol of base control, return to default button selected in Relationships / Enable/Disable Button

- Return to Default is momentary, supercontrol of Default, options as supercontrol - send current value

When a supercontrol only has one subcontrol, moving the sub back-drives the supercontrol. We do not want changes to the base control to change the default setting, so we add a "dummy" subcontrol to the Default control. This is hidden in play mode - all it is doing is preventing the back drive.

I am still thinking on how to do the min and max with relationships, maybe another user has an idea

Why not use this structure, then use SB to capture the min/max? Answer this question - what Channel / Cc are you controlling? To do part in SB, you have to send ALL the data to SB. Maybe an exercise for another day.

Send two CCs with one button - how?

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 11:20:14 +0000

I cannot figure out how to *simply create a button that sends its own MIDI CC plus a second MIDI CC. Nothing I try with super- or subcontrols works or makes any sense to me. Assistance appreciated.

Specifically, I want to send PC 0 on channel 2, and CC 1 value 2 on channel 1.

I could probably do this with StreamBbyter, but surely there must be a way to do this simply with controls inside MDP?

A control area situated on top of an Image Panel doesn’t work when Hide in Play Mode is turned on.

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:23:56 +0000

Greetings fellow MD users. I’ve searched the forum and can’t find an answer. This issue is simple. I want to use my own created image (which displays its own graphical buttons, switches) in an Image Panel. Then I want to create “invisible” control areas atop the image panel I created. The problem I keep running into, is that when you select Hide in Play Mode for any control areas, they no longer work in Play Mode. Please see the attached image which illustrates what I want to accomplish visually.

Is it possible to change patches on GX-100, GM-800, VG-800) and triggering samples on a sampler (SP-404) in this way?

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:26:28 +0000

Hi, I am planning on switching patches on my guitar processors (GX-100, GM-800, VG-800) and triggering samples on a sampler (SP-404 mk2).
I hoped to use MIDI Designer (on iPad) to send PC and CC messages to those units.

Basically, I wonder if it's possible to have a layout with:

-16 pages (8 above and 8 below) of

-16 buttons (which switch patches on GX-100,GM-800,VG-800),

-4 buttons for favorite patches (same on all 16 pages)

-4 sample trigger buttons (SP-404 mk2)

Can I send a sysex message with button push whose value is set by slider?

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 11:50:17 +0000

Hello all,

I am working with the Korg DW 8000. I’m trying to create a control to send a write command (see syntax below)

I have successfully created a slider which sends the system exclusive message upon release.

However, this is a little risky due to the possibility of accidentally sending a write command to the wrong program number. (fat fingers)

I would prefer to be able to set the value of the program number with the slider and then send the system exclusive message with the press of a momentary button.

As it is now, the sys ex command sent from the slider is “42 L 03 11 V” where “L” is set by Supercontrol with range of 48-63. “V” is a series of 64 named ticks (MIDI values 0 to 63)

Thanks!

andyv

Switching pages using incoming MIDI

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:07:26 +0000

Hi!

I´m new here and I´m hoping to get some help. I basically want to use the MIDI designer pro X on Iphone as an extension monitor of my Line6 Helix guitar processor. I want to display 4 helix- presets per page on MD and making them glow when the preset is selected (when I press the button on the Line6 Helix). I have managed to do this with a 4-tick knob on each page (reacting to the PC from the Helix) set as supercontrol for 4 buttons. Each button lights up when its PC value comes in. Works great!

But now I want to add a function where the MD switches pages automatically so that when the buttons for preset 1-4 are pressed (on the Line6 Helix) MD stays on page 1, when presets 5-8 are selected MD jumps to page 2. etc. I have tried to do this by using 4 buttons on each side with jump to page reacting to incoming CC but I can´t get anything right an would be very thankful for any help.

From Help Desk Files - Can Global Preset select a different set of Group Presets

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:59:02 +0000

From the help desk files - a user wants a GLOBAL preset to select a different collection of GROUP preset settings.

GLOBAL presets save the current position of every control on the layout. There is no relationship to GROUP presets.

GLOBAL presets do NOT save all of a GROUP preset settings. They just save the current values of the GROUP PRESET and all subcontrols.

The GLOBAL setting can potentially override the GROUP preset settings, depending on when the GLOBAL setting was saved.

Some alternate approaches to get a different set of GROUP PRESETS based on a GLOBAL PRESET selection.

These approaches presume a single variable control, such as a picker, is being used for the GROUP PRESETS. If you are using a more complicated configuration, such as dedicated buttons selecting picker presets, the approaches below do not work directly.

Approach 1: Make multiple instances of the preset, then use show/hide to reveal only the correct set for the current global preset.

For the GROUP PRESET that you want to have different behavior depending on the GLOBAL PRESET, create multiple "make similar" of the GROUP PRESET, along with necessary store / recall controls. Put these on separate panels, use SHOW/HIDE so only the correct GROUP PRESET is shown for the GLOBAL PRESET.

To build the show/hide functionality, create each panel, with a button for show / hide, put the preset on the panel.

create a new variable control, (the preset group selecter), supercontrol, group all the show/hide buttons under this supercontrol

Once tested and working, hide the show/hide buttons, and stack up the show/hide panels.

Approach 2: If the presets are used linearly, e.g., 1-20, then all presets can be stored in one GROUP PRESET. 1-20 for Global 1, 21-30 for Global 2, etc. A separate control is used to jump to the correct starting location for the GLOBAL PRESET.

These are a few staring ideas, maybe some other users will have additional approaches.

PreenFM2 Editor

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 09:24:42 +0000

This is my Editor for the preenfm2. The „DIY frequency modulation sound generator“ Project.

Still in progress, but already usable for Instrument 1.

Edits for the other 3 instruments are following.

Patch select for all 4 instruments is possible.

Help with SysEx Strings

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:10:53 +0000

I'm wondering whether I can use the SysEx String facility to receive and display my scribble strip text for my MCU Layout, as per jkhiser's 'Two SysEx String hacks'.

To give myself a start I created a picker, but it only seems to transmit the first character of my tick names. Clearly I'm a long way from being able to get to where I want to be, but to be stuck at the first hurdle is a bit daunting.

Any help to get me started gratefully received.

(I'm using my JT-4000 Layout as a working example. Here you can see my picker, its SysEx definition and the resulting log output.)

Two SysEx strings hacks

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:10:42 +0000

SysEx strings is designed to store patch names in a picker for display and recall.

A little bit of hacking can give us two other use cases:

Display a single string, such as current patch name

In this case we want to show just the current patch name from a fixed memory location. But we can only load SysEx strings into a variable or continuous control. No problem.

Example - in the RD 2000, we find current Program name at memory location 10 00 00 00, 16 bytes

The SysEx message is: F0 41 10 00 00 75 12 10 00 00 00 (16 bytes of Name Data) cs F7

We choose one of the fixed numbers as a pseudo V, making our MIDI SysEx settings:

41 10 00 00 75 12 10 00 00 V S, Roland three byte checksum, V = 1, S = 16

V = 00 is the valid report, but need at least two named ticks - set the MIDI value of the second to 127, (There is no SysEx string to arrive from location 10 00 00 7F, so no confusion).

Build a picker, two Named Ticks, with the settings above. Select Hide n Play Mode - this is only an intermediate control, and you do not want interaction with this control sending data to the hardware, overwriting the program name.

Now make a label with the Label Value Source set to the picker.

There is a side benefit from this - at initialize you can set the picker to the second value, blanking the program name. When a valid name string is received, it will flip to the correct value.

Edit program name

Most hardware has painful ways to enter patch names, such as scrolling letter by letter. With SysEx strings, we can use our computer keyboard instead.

Build a momentary control, No MIDI Send Receive, supercontrol, "Send Patch Name"

Build a second instance of the picker above, call it your Namer. Under Relationship tab, Enable/Disable Button, select "Send Patch Name" control.

Back to "Send Patch Name", select Namer as a subcontrol, in Options as SuperControl, select Send Current Value, and Force Not Stepper.

Use:

To enter a name, go to design mode, edit the 00* named tick value to your desired patch name. MD will let you enter any character here, you need to stick to valid ASCII data.

Exit design mode. Ensure the 00* tick is selected, press the "Send Patch Name."

A couple extra steps going to design mode, but still much easier than scrolling character by character, especially for a 32 byte Scene name.

* or the correct value selected for the valid pseudo V tick

Some notes and thoughts

SysEx strings is the most advanced concept in MIDI Designer, but also very capable. This is not the third control you want to build. I recommend some prerequisites for tacking SysEx strings are proficiency in supercontrols, scaling supercontrol values, and managing SysEx controls, including loading individual patch name characters. Once you are ready, we are here to help.

SysEx strings depends on the hardware capability. Roland and Yamaha hardware typically include SysEx capability to transmit patch names, etc. The hardware has to have the ability to transmit the data on request for MIDI Designer to display the data. Start by looking at the MIDI Implementation guide for your hardware.

Synchron Smart Orchestra 2

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:29:44 +0000

Hi,

Play the entire orchestra at once, including choir and percussion, focus on individual sections and solo instruments – or do both at the same time!

I had the best results by recording the notes first and orchestrate after with the layout.,

Enjoy!

https://www.vsl.co.at/products/synchron/smart-orchestra

Undocumented feature - Color Picker remains active on last control in Play

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 13:32:04 +0000

When you open the custom color picker on a control in design, if you do not close it, it remains active on the last color edited control when you switch back to play mode. This is good when you are trying to fine tune a control's color - lets you adjust colors and see real time impact in play mode.

I was trying to generate an "invisible" control, this was perfect as it lets me cycle through until I have a match close enough that the control is barely visible

Obscure - SysEx messages with space (20h) in position 14 are fragmented

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:33:41 +0000

Obscure, but sharing to ensure folks don't loose as much time as I did trying to get a layout working right.

SysEx messages with a space (20h) in a particular position are fragmented in MD - in this case, position 14.

The log shows a fragment of the message

In one sample case, what is received:

← 13:04.520 Length=6: 00 00 53 6F 20 6F

What should have been received, highlighting the fragment in the true string

← 14:23.889 Length=29: F0 41 10 00 00 75 12 10 00 00 00 53 6F 20 6F 20 4A 61 7A 7A 20 47 72 61 6E 64 20 68 F7

Controls are not responding, so it is not just a log issue.

Workaround - In this case, I can change the fourteenth position - which is the third letter of program name - to _ or . (What I did to get the correct output above, then edited to put the space back.)

I have not done troubleshooting to see if this is unique to the Roland header above, or if there are other issues at work. It does not appear to be related to having a target with SysEx strings - started with a new layout, only a single control to request the SysEx, same behavior.

Problems with SysEx Property Boxes (all OS)

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:51:15 +0000

Problem 1: (MacOS & iPadOS)

The SysEx property inspector box does not reliably populate Variable Options settings. The box will save settings. If you reopen the box to check your settings, it may not bring up your current settings, instead showing default settings. If you cancel out, your existing prior settings will still be viable. If you APPLY CHANGES, ensure that the variable options settings (V length, MSB first, S length) have been correctly entered.

You don't have to open the variable options box to loose the settings. If you change the SysEx characters, it will reset the variable options even if you never open the variables inspector.

(After having MD open for a while, MD might start reliably populating the box. Once that happens, it appears to continue working properly until the app is closed and restarted. I have not been able to recreate the stimulus that causes it to start behaving properly.)

Workaround: none. There is no workaround to check variable options settings, you can only reenter what you believe are the correct settings.

Problem 2: (iPadOS)

When you open the SysEx property inspector, the save / apply option does not initially appear. The box will (mostly*) NOT save settings in either sticky or non-sticky modes.

If you enter a V or S, the variable options box will not appear to make settings.

(*Occasionally, if you enter or change an L, V, or S, the properties will save correctly.)

Workaround: If you move to the Checksum box and make a change, APPLY CHANGES (and Variable Options, if a V or S has been entered) will appear, and the settings can be saved. If you don't need/want a checksum, change anyway, then change back to none. Then make any desired Variable Options settings and APPLY CHANGES.

Increase number of Presets?

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 08:09:45 +0000

I've been singing the praises of MD to a potential user, but I've come up against the limitation of the 20 Presets in MD. For someone looking to create sufficient Presets as 'scenes' for a live show 20 isn't going to go much beyond a couple of songs.

I realise that there is limited space in MD's menu system, so 20 is a not unreasonable limitation there, but when creating a Preset recall button in a Layout, maybe a larger number could be accessed? I realise that this would require a way of storing those Presets, but maybe a creative way could be found to add this function?

midi designer on macos big sur

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:32:09 +0000

If I bought a licence for a mac and ipad... is it possible to obtain from the apple store a version of MD compatible with may OS?

obviously an old version, I got Big Sur installed and i can't update

How to Set Up Show/Hide Panels With Dynamic Labels Fed Via A Picker Super

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:02:49 +0000

I looked around and didn't find a subject exactly like this...I don't know if this is a basic or advanced concept, so I chose basic.

What I want to do:

(Somewhat) Mimic the display of Fender CyberTwin amps, yet with more info.

I have three pickers set up that select Programs sending Bank/ PC;

three because there are three program types: A & C (ROM progs), and P (RAM)

In use, the picker text is far too small; so I have set up hidden panels with dynamic labels with much larger text. The larger text means the syntax is too long, so I have set up three dynamic labels which allows much more info to the display as well as being easier to read.

The three dynamic labels are fed from three pickers which are subcontrols of the picker sending the Bank/PC messages. This one picker super over three pickers scenario works until I try to show/ hide the panels with a radio button; button as another sub to the Bank/ PC control. Once that scenario fouls, it stays broken and has to be rebuilt from scratch.

Then I tried a knob as the Bank/ PC control and get more reliable performance than with the picker as super. Once I add the radio button group, the mechanism is broken. I've tried building a panel and make similar; which is a time saver; but still I'm not getting where I want to go.

Further, I notice some behaviour from the buttons which I don't know if is by design. The buttons seem to have three states: Off, On with White Text and On with Black text.

Creating these guts once will work; it is my desire to create three versions of this same mechanism and show/hide one of the three panels.

When I get two of these panels close to working, the 0 value of the Bank/ PC picker or knob sets its radio button to off and then, subsequently the concatenating pickers foul as well and only send one value and later appear to be non responsive to further inputs.

I should also say I have tried with controls set to CC or Send No MIDI and the mechanism doesn't work.

I'm probably just overlooking a simple thing; any help greatly appreciated. I'll dive into the Master Course and see if I can find a solution there; I just thought I'd ask here.

OK, crude images:

left side Bank 3

One panel with three dynamic labels fed from three pickers-this isn't what I want, but where the idea came from

Right panel Bank1

one panel with 3 dynamic labels; each dynamic label fed by the three pickers>

Knob 46 is the super of the 3 pickers- turn the knob, dynamic labels follow.

I want three panels in a stack: touch A or C or P knob / picker and corresponding Panel of dynamic labels show...I have it partially working...but when variable control sends off: buttons turn off and hides the panel.

Looking at the manual I might need to do this sequentially in one big picker...which is not what I want to do because there will be 204 program slots...add a button to jump to A, C or P...

supercontrol of the pickers drops connection afaiaa when editing the the supers and the subs...so a lot of re-starting from scratch

I need to show the logic better somehow in an image or layout...

How to make a rotary return to previous value and send?

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:16:45 +0000

I'm setting up controls for a Mosaic applet for an arpeggiator (hosted in AUM). My ultimate goal is a single on/off button that starts and stops the arp at the speed it was last set at--for example, 1/4 note>OFF>1/4 note. Sounds simple, but the problem is that within the Mosaic program, CC 127 is the trigger for off, while the rest of the range (CC 0-126) triggers 15 different speeds (1/2 to 1/32, etc.). When I send 127 it turns off, but it's a toggle and CC0 sets the speed to 1/2.

I think the solution is to have a rotary with named steps that send the 16 commands, including 127 for OFF, but that will automaticall revert to the last speed I set it at (e.g. 1/4 or 1/8dotted). I tried many variations of the super-/sub-options and radio buttons but I can't get it to work. I can get radio buttons to work using "Bounce to Previous Button," but only if I press the buttons on the screen, not with a supercontrol. Is there some way to save and recall the last speed value automatically and control it all from a button (that I can copy and put on other pages)?

I can't just bypass the arp because the midi signals for the target synth go through the arp: When OFF it's passing all notes through.

I could solve the problem by routing the signal around the arps, but I have four separate Mosaic arps receiving separately from two hardware keyboards in my setup and that would add eight tracks to an already complex setup. Which is why I'm hoping for an elegant solution in MD. Also, I'm using this question to learn more advanced features of MD. I'm intrigued to see the solution that's been eluding me.

The truest solution would be a programming tweak to the Mosaic program to add a separate OFF function separate from the speed controls. If anybody here knows Mosaic (I'm not a programmed), I'd love to hear from you. As far as I can tell, this arp applet is public domain and this fix could help other users, not just me.

But for now, I'd just like some tips as to how to get MD to do this. I'm confident it can, I just don't see it.

Thanks,

Steve

"Copy Pedalboard Supercontrols to Page" missing in 10.6.6

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:32:54 +0000

"Copy Pedalboard Supercontrols to Page" does not exist in my 10.6.6 version of MD. It's a feature I need because I'm just starting to learn pedalboards. I'm comparing the screenshot in the manual with my screen Right Page > Controls.

Do I not have the latest version? If so, what do I do. From all I see, this is the latest. Perhaps this is a bug that I'm reporting.

Thanks,

Steve

Flexible Setlist Manager

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 01:35:04 +0000

I had done a very simplistic setlist manager a while ago (Setlist Manager), but a recent user question reminded me that it could be updated for more flexibility.

Flexible Setlist Manager

Simple setlist manager for MIDI Designer
Store programs that include settings for all your devices, plus optional jump destination
Step through saved programs +/-, or jump to non-contiguous programs
Optional remote control of step+ and jump via Cc or Note
"Set" picker provides shortcuts to specific programs

Add to your existing layout or use stand alone

Layout has MIDI Channel, Bank MSB, Bank LSB, and Program Change for four devices
Add or replace with controls necessary for your devices
Controls should be assigned as subcontrols of “Program Title”
If order of messages matters, adjust in “Program Title” relationships / subcontrols properties

To add to your layout, save then import the two pages, then copy StreamByter input rules

There is a bug in stepping -1 from program 002, bypasses 001 and rolls to 1024.

StreamByter handles two items - “flexible” remote controls and “jump”. If you hard-code the +/- controls and delete the jump functionality, SB is not needed.

To handle both the jump (relative) functionality and store program names & settings means we need both a traditional super/sub relationship and a preset relationship. This means the preset names are not functional for scrolling - you have to scroll in the program numbers picker.

If the relative jump is not needed, then the extra Program Numbers pickers is not needed - Program Names could then be enabled for scrolling.

===

Dan had asked a question a while back about "modules" that can be added to multiple layouts. This is two modules - the setlist manager, plus two instances of a module for flexible remote controls - to dynamically select a channel and cc or note for remote operation of a MD control.

There are two advanced "techniques" in this layout that may prove useful in other situations:

programmable (or relative) jump for a control (in this case, we use an absolute program number for the jump target, but it can also work with relative values (+10 or -5, etc.)
dynamic configuration of input controls (vs having to edit the layout to change the control settings)

Future: this functionality can be extended to a basic program "sequencer," with repeats, etc. Not a note sequencer, but you could sequence drum machine patterns, etc.

Surimposing buttons and cursors on photo/image

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:13:38 +0000

Hello,

Here's what I'm trying to do with Midi Designer :

I've imported a photo of Logic Pro's EFM1 into Midi Designer.

I enlarged the photo to a fairly large size. I've taken some rotary knobs from Midi Designer and put them on top of the rotary knobs in the photo.

The problem is that as there are two pages I manage to superimpose the buttons on page 1 (left-hand page) but when I try to superimpose the buttons on page 4 (right-hand page) the rotary knobs disappear behind the photo. I think the problem is that the photo straddles two pages.

Is there any way I can superimpose the buttons over the whole photo? Maybe with only one page on the whole screen ? ( I’ve tried the option « only one page « and the same page on left and right but it does not work )

It would be so nice if there was a solution to my problem

Thanks !

Tieri

TAL-U-NO-LX (ROLAND JUNO-60)

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:44:39 +0000

Layout for VST TAL-U-NO-LX control. MIDI control corresponds to the commands of the SFC-60 controller.

[Bug] Cannot adjust page background properties on iPhone

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 07:19:06 +0000

[Fix queued for 10.6.6]

[Fixed] Menus missing on macOS

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:52:01 +0000

[Original Title: The Save Layout in Mac OS File is gone. How do I save my layout?]

HELP! The Mac OS File Menu no longer has the Open Recent and Save Layout options. They are not present in the Configuration Menu. I have a Layout I need to Save, but can't find anyway to Save it. I have Midi Pro X, Premium Legacy, Build 241222. The same issue in MD Pro X Next 10.7.0.. I have Mac OS Sequoia 15.2.

Send bytes in hex from iPad - via usb C - to Tonex One pedal?

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 20:27:57 +0000

I have a Tonex One pedal (https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/tonexone/). Its not possible to send midi to this pedal. But it is possible to send packages of bytes in hex format to change presets etc. Example: 7e b9 03 00 82 06 00 80 0b 03 b9 02 81 06 03 0b 44 66 7e. I have tested this by an small C# code with Visual Studio - and it works.

The question is: Can MidiDesigner send the same example as above from iPad via usb c - or BLE- to the Tonex One pedal? (without the MidiDesigner sysex F0 - F7 framing).