Cloning again

Using Zynthian
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Hi, cloning again.
I’m still in the process of rewriting my snapshot collection to the new Oram OS. And I’d like to ask for a recommendation on the easiest way to recreate the old cloning function when working with multitimbral controllers (each on a different midi channel) and - for example - trying to use an engine on channel 1 already used by one chain for another chain by a controller set on channel 3.
Especially for single instance engines like setBeeFree.

Best regards
Adam

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I liked the clone function but it was just too limited and a more involved mechanism was required.Daphne Spoke.

There are two MIDI modes the zynthian runs in selected by an Active MIDI channel toggle option in the admin section…

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Going to the wiki
https://wiki.zynthian.org/index.php/Zynthian_UI_User's_Guide_-_Oram#MIDI_input

And as it says…

2.2.1 Active mode

When an MIDI input is configured in active mode, the active chain (the highlighted or selected chain) receives all MIDI input from it and all MIDI events are translated to the active chain’s MIDI channel. This is the default mode for all MIDI inputs. When using active mode you don’t need to worry about the MIDI channel your keyboard or controller is using. You change which instruments are played by changing the active chain in your zynthian (see below).

Active mode’s behavior can be modified by the Active MIDI channel global flag (see admin menu):

  • Active MIDI channel Disabled => Only the active chain receives data from the MIDI input in active mode. This is the default setting.
  • Active MIDI channel Enabled => All chains with the same MIDI channel as the active chain receive data from the MIDI input in active mode. This is very useful for layering sounds without any extra routing. You simply create several synth chains with the same MIDI channel and they will play in unison. You can also create keyboard splits by adjusting note range and transpose for each chain.

2.2.2 Multitimbral mode

When a MIDI input is configured in multitimbral mode, only those chains matching the input’s MIDI channel will receive data from this MIDI input. No MIDI channel translation is performed. Multitimbral mode allows receiving and managing each MIDI channel individually. Each MIDI input selects the chains it drives using the MIDI channel. If you are using an external sequencer or a MIDI controller that can sequence multiple tracks (Beatstep Pro, Keystep Pro, Novation Circuit, etc.), you may want to use multitimbral mode.

To copy the clone function you probably want to be in Multitimbral Mode ( Active MIDI Channel Off). and then each sound you wish to layer should be in in’ts own chain and then select the appropriate MIDI channel you wish to control the layer with.

And you will need to reboot the zynth to get it updated. This makes large changes down in the engine room.

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Ok, @wyleu thanks very much for this detailed explanation.
Mostly I’m already using this features but still I do not know how to effectively
use MIDI input configured in multitimbral mode on specific channel to drives engine on another channel. That was easy with channels “cloning”. Setup of my musical corner setup is set to work specialy in multitimbral.
It is important when multilayering sounds need to use one engine sound on different channels. There is a way to run specific engine with the same preset individually on different channels (and it works of course except single instance engines) but still looking for the more elegant way.

Adam

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Hi @ejdzi !

  • Configure your MIDI keyboard as “Multi” from the MIDI Input dialog.
  • Put all the chains you want to play unison in the same MIDI channel

That’s all. Don’t worry about the “Active MIDI channel” flag because this only applies to devices configured as “Active”, what is not your case.

Please, read the documentation because there it’s explained in detail:

Regards,

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ok, thanx. I once again read carefully and - returning to my case- I understand that if I want to drive the same engine with the same preset by different midi source on different midi channel I must put the engine chain twice on different channels, right? I can do that way without a problem but it’s a matter of few years habit and I’m continually trying to recall old cloning way :wink:

Best regards
Adam