MIDI: Can I control an ext. synth with a section of the Wave2's kbd?

[Riboflavin37]

First post. Woopee.

Nice to meet you guys! I brought coffee and donuts

I've read somewhere in here that with the Electro 5D's midi implementation, one can essentially dedicate a portion of the keyboard to controlling an external synth.

If it's possible, I'd love it if I could make the top octave or whatever on the Wave2 be dedicated to controlling a Prophet Rev2 while the rest of the keys are doing their normal Wave 2 sorta thing. Is this possible?

For background, I'm a keys player and I'm on the lookout of a 61 key keyboard I can travel with (I'm frequently going back and forth between 2 countries) that I can play piano on and layer up some great sounds and possibly use in combination with synths. Piano and pads with some mono/polysynth goodness thrown in is my usual fair. This has led me to consider a handful of 61 key (can't be more cuz 61's can be taken into the flight cabin) kbds such as Electro 5/6, Wave 2, Hammond SK Pro, YC61, and Vox Continental 61. With the Rev2, controlling it with aftertouch is highly desirable, hence the Wave2 interest. If i can use a split zone (or whatever) on the Wave 2 like I mentioned above I could use a Rev2 desktop instead of having 2 boards, saving a lot of weight and bulk etc.

After reading all that, enjoy some more

[Ref54]

Yes you can do that.

The Wave 2 has a function in the midi section where you can assign midi channels to each layer (saved on a per patch basis).

On one of my patches for instance, I have some samples on the bottom split (Layer A). I then use layer B set to midi channel 3 to control my Oberheim OB3 organ module. I can then use Layer 3 & 4 at the top if required.

You can choose to have the layer that you are using for your external synth to play a sound on the Wave 2 or just turn it down so you only hear the external machine.

Another great plus point is that you can take your external synths headphone out and plug it into the Wave 2's Audio In. No need for a mixer!

I hope this helps.

One problem I'm running into for next years setup:
When using the Individual Layer Midi Channels function, it switches off the Global Midi Channel. As far as I can tell, you are then unable to send midi program changes. Worst case scenario, you might have to change patches on both synths.

Another option would be to connect both midi ins and outs on both synths (creating a loop) then use something like the CME U6MIDI PRO to filter out all except program change from your external synth to the Wave 2. Then you could use your external synth to change programs, but the wave 2 as the master board.

Good luck
D

[FZiegler]

The Electro 5/6 has a piano engine, the Wave 2 doesn't AFAIK.