Automating Program Changes: Focusrite->Yam S70XS

Cantabile
1

I’m trying to automate program changes to my Yamaha X70XS.

I’ve a recent Focusrite 4i4

I’m modeling my approach after the recent MODx thread, though I’m playing the S70, not just using it as a tone generator.

Binding Song, OnLoad sending program change as MSB.LSB.PN 63.03.36. Testing the binding with the monitor using the test button shows what appears to be the correct data.

Binding is routed to “External Synth” which is routed to the Focusrite 4i4. I’m using a cable that works correctly as Input, swapping the ports at both ends. Swapping it back, it still works.

So naturally the synth isn’t responding.
MIDI connection is “MIDI” not USB
Receive channel is Omni

Any detail I’m missing, either on the Yamaha or the Focusrite that could be tripping this up?

MIDI implementation sheet seems to say it should work, but I know sometimes the synth OS can be quirky to say the least.

I Haven’t tried using the USB interface, as I’m more than a little paranoid about putting things on USB that I need to be reliable.

Thanks

2

Okay, I had some time to be methodical.

  • To the best of my ability to determine I had the connections correct.
  • It LOOKS like you can’t select the overall mode (Voice/Performance/Master) via MIDI.

I can’t find anything in the MIDI chart that states this, but I also can’t find a SysEx command to do it, though for some reason pdf search isn’t doing what I think it should.

  • If I’m in Voice mode my program changes seem to be working..at least the ones where I didn’t botch the input.
  • If I poke myself into Category Search mode, as I might do if our singer calls an Automatic, I need to get back into Voice mode otherwise it Doesn’t respond to Program Change commands.

That last bit I can’t find documented anywhere, but it seems to be the case, regardless of whether the overall mode is Voice or not.

I’ll grab the PDFs on a different device and search these particular behaviors, but I’ve enough to go by for now.

3

Sorry i passed this by. I know some of the older synths have some issues but sounds glike you’re heading the right direction.