Hey guys,
Been using the S2400 for a few years but it’s only now that I wanna spend some time dialing in the midi stuff to control my external FXs, synths and drum machines. I looked at the tutorials from Brad and other midi tutorials but I have to say it seems like there’s some basic stuff in MIDI that I just can’t wrap my head around. Does anyone have any resources to a MIDI explanation book/video/forum, etc, something like glossary or MIDI 101 thing that explains all there is to know about MIDI?
For example, I managed to control my external synth with a MIDI bank pad, just sending notes with the multimode/pitch (I know, pretty easy hehe). But what if I wanna switch to a specific preset on my synth, in a live situation let’s say?
What about recalling settings or changing to a specific preset on my external FX (Ensoniq DP4 in that case), or changing drum machines patterns for example?
I know it’s a super wide question but that’s how far I am from mastering MIDI haha. 
Thanks all!
Hi bro, the things that you need to research are called, " Midi System Exclusive messages. They will allow you to switch presets from one machine on to another. That’s why I say research… you have to look up the Midi charts on both individual machines. For instance… Google: Isla Instruments S2400 Midi Implementation Chart. Also, Enoniq DP Effects Midi Implementation Chart. Then compare notes on each chart. See if both machines can send and receive the System Exclusive Messages. If theres a check 
mark on preset changes on both machines and they are able to Send System Exclusive and Receive System Exclusive Changes. The next thing to figure out on each machine is how each individual machine can do what you want, such as Changing Presets via System Exclusive Midi Preset Changes. Another words, which button on each machine to set up or can me set up to make preset changes on each individual machine and also which midi system exclusive number code to use on each machine to switch presets on another. I hope this helps you to understand. Midi System Exclusive Messages. You may also want to look up how to setup Midi system changes. Each machines specific button will have a number like for example code 144 would need to be used for program chnge or preset change for example and the other machine would need to be setup to receive code 144 for midi system exclusive program change to swich it’s presets from the other one used to send the program change. Good luck! Sincerely, Michael at: Electronique Workshop
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Hey Michael, thanks so much for your message! Definitely gonna dive move into that. Is there ‘standards’ for certain parameters? Like is, let’s say the cutoff parameter, always setup as the same number on different machines? For the most common parameters of course.
Thanks!
I’m not sure if the cutoff is set to the same # on different machines. Like a common standard would make sense if all companies had a brain but then again common sense isn’t that common lolol. I would check out which machines your using individually just to make sure 100% The midi implementation charts are also usually at the back of the machines owners manual. Maybe you can download each machines PDF owners manual from the companies web site or just try a Google search for the owners manual. I’ve found many this way.
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Amazing, thanks for taking time to answer this mate!
Midi can be a bit of a headache at times , sometimes choices of doing things are multiple.
I’ve found ChatGPT to be really great with its knowledge on midi and even the options specific gear has.
It gave me several options for my setup choice because I needed to be able to route midi via my daw and midi interface , but also wanted it to work the same when not switching on my mac.
It gave me options and routing I hadn’t considered , plus settings I needed.
It will probably be quicker than waiting for an answer on forums.
Also to address midi standards , there are some , like cutoff is usually CC74 on most things I’ve used.
There is General Midi as well, probably a lot of standardised settings , but I’m not really the person to ask on that. I know as little about midi as I need to.
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