Sustain and Volume MIDI control for external instrument

[mahauert]

Hi
I use the NS4 for everything else than Hammond sounds. For those I play a Hammond XK-1C on top of my NS4 (because I love the keyboard and I know this instrument by heart). I want to use the NS4 to control the following Hammond functions: 1.) program change (works perfect); 2.) Using the sustain pedal and 3.) Volume control (Control pedal).
I don’t want (if possible) to sacrifice a Synth layer on the NS4 to send instructions to the Hammond as External instrument, because I don’t use the NS4 keyboard to play it. In short: I would like to only send program changes, using sustain (from NS4 sustain pedal) and volume change (from NS4 Control pedal). I know that CC 64 on the Hammond is the Sustain and CC 7 controls the Volume.
Any ideas and support is highly welcome, thank you!

[maxpiano]

If you don't want to sacrifice a Synth Layer as External, the only way is to use some external MIDI Routing/Processor (a dedicated HW box or a computer tablet running apps like Mainstage, Gig Performer, Camelot Pro...) between the 2 keyboards.

[changearound]

I seem to remember somebody reporting that MW could be sent via midi on the external channels even when in synth mode. To do this MW needs to be set to On in the External Menu. It's worth trying the same with Control Pedal. If it works it will be sent as cc11 which should be better for controlling the XK1c than cc7 as according to the manual it will be interpreted as 'Expression'. I presume this is the same as Swell where Drive is increased along with Volume just like the real thing. Let us know if it works.

Unfortunately Sustain isn't something which can be switched on or off in the External Menu so I don't think the same trick is possible here.

[mahauert]

@maxpiano I am using BandHelper to change programms on the NS4 but I can‘t imagine how this should help soving my issue?

@changearound thank you unfortunately I would need the sustain the most! I could life without volume pedal on the Hammond but the sustain is for me as „Piano player“ a real need.

Thank you both for your Input anyway.

[maxpiano]

@maxpiano I am using BandHelper to change programms on the NS4 but I can‘t imagine how this should help soving my issue?

@changearound thank you unfortunately I would need the sustain the most! I could life without volume pedal on the Hammond but the sustain is for me as „Piano player“ a real need.

Thank you both for your Input anyway.

BandHelper is not suitable (and I didn't mention it in fact) as it has no MIDI processing capabilities;

Take a look at the app I mentioned, for example if use a tablet start from Camelot Pro which can do what you do with BandHelper for Stekusts etc and also manage MIDI over HW (and SW) synths, from basic tasks (just send Program Changes and Song/Scene change) to complex (MIDI Filtering/Routing/Transforming).

You can download the Camelot Pro free version for PC/Mac (identical to tablet one) to give it a look and try it https://audiomodeling.com/camelot/downl ... elot-free/

[mahauert]

Indeed, you are right. We as band just evaluated and bought BandHelper (I checken out as well Camelot and thought that this tool can way too much compared to what we need as a band).

Thank you very much for the hint, Iˋll check it out for sure!

[mahauert]

Indeed, you are right. We as band just evaluated and bought BandHelper (I checken out as well Camelot and thought that this tool can way too much compared to what we need as a band).

Thank you very much for the hint, Iˋll check it out for sure!

You are welcome, actually BandHelper and Camelot can also coexhist and work in parallel (BandHelper may send PCs to Camelot to trigger the change in its Song/Scene for example and then Camelot manages all the rest towards the keyboards)