# Navigate the ui with piano touch and export midi by usb

**URL:** <https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954>\
**Category:** Using Zynthian\
**Created:** [March 26, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954 "2020-03-26T17:49:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Boc](https://discourse.zynthian.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Boc](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Boc)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/1 "2020-03-26T17:49:47Z")

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Hello,  
Sorry for my english, i’m a new french user of Zynthian.  
I have two question.

First question :  
I have no keys with my Zynthian box, so i would like to use my piano key to navigate into the UI.  
It’s a 88 key so i want to use the first touch for the UI.  
In zynthian.local/ui-midi-options, there is Master program change ans master banc change but nothing for the UI…

Second question :  
By piano is plug by USB to the zynthian box. Is it possible to send midi to any android tablet?  
Piano -\> USB midi -\> Zynthian box -\> USB midi -\> android tablet

Thanks

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**Author:** ![jofemodo](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/jofemodo/32/2_2.png) [@jofemodo](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/jofemodo)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/2 "2020-03-26T22:42:55Z")

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Hi Boc!

Nice to meet you! Welcome to the zynthian community!!

> [@Boc](#):
>
> First question :  
> I have no keys with my Zynthian box, so i would like to use my piano key to navigate into the UI.  
> It’s a 88 key so i want to use the first touch for the UI.  
> In zynthian.local/ui-midi-options, there is Master program change ans master banc change but nothing for the UI…

You should take a look to MIDI CUIA:

> [Zynthian UI Users Guide - V1/V4 - ZynthianWiki](https://wiki.zynthian.org/index.php/Zynthian_UI_Users_Guide#CUIA:_Callable_UI_Actions)

> [@Boc](#):
>
> Second question :  
> By piano is plug by USB to the zynthian box. Is it possible to send midi to any android tablet?  
> Piano → USB midi → Zynthian box → USB midi → android tablet

I think no, because zynthian is a “USB-MIDI Host” and can only communicate with USB-MIDI compliant devices. Sending MIDI by network is difficult too, as no QMidiNet nor RTPMIDI can be used easily with an android device …

The best option would be using a USB-MIDI cable …

Regards,

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**Author:** ![Boc](https://discourse.zynthian.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Boc](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Boc)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 10:56am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/3 "2020-03-27T10:56:57Z")

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Thanks you for taking time.  
For the USB midi out, i couldn’t because i have juste a simple raspberry with only a waveshare screen.  
But it’s not primordial.

For the MIDI CUIA, i’m not sure to understand.  
In the midi option menu, master midi bank is set to 16.

Heres my midi filter rules :  
MAP CH#0 NON#11 =\> CH#15 NON#53  
MAP CH#0 NON#9 =\> CH#15 NON#52  
MAP CH#0 NON#10 =\> CH#15 NON#51  
MAP CH#0 NON#12 =\> CH#15 NON#65  
MAP CH#0 NON#13 =\> CH#15 NON#67

The 5 left key on my 88 keys piano must do in order SELECT, SELECT\_UP, SELECT\_DOWN, SWITCH\_SELECT\_SHORT, SWITCH\_SELECT\_LONG.  
It’s not working…

Two others question :  
With my waveshare sreen, i have a cursor. In the UI options the case “Enable cursor” is not check.  
And when i shut down raspberry, the screen is the screen stays on. Is it normal?

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**Author:** ![opus.quatre](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/opus.quatre/32/700_2.png) [@opus.quatre](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/opus.quatre)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 11:16am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/4 "2020-03-27T11:16:33Z")

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Bonjour Boc… si ce que tu veux, c’est piloter ta tablette à partir de ton piano USB, il te faut juste un câble OTG…  
Piano 》 cable USB 》 cable OTG 》tablette

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**Author:** ![Boc](https://discourse.zynthian.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Boc](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Boc)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 11:32am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/5 "2020-03-27T11:32:18Z")

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Salut Opus,  
Piloter ma tablette, pour utiliser SImply Piano et Synthesia par exemple, j’y arrive déja en branchant le piano en usb sur la tablette, sans câble OTG d’ailleur. Le truc c’est que maintenant la sortie usb du piano est branchée sur la zynthian box. Ce n’est pas dramatique mais quand je voudrais utiliser la tablette je devrais débrancher la zynthian box.

Hi Opus,  
Driving my tablet, to use SImply Piano and Synthesia for example, I already get there by plugging the piano into USB on the tablet, without OTG cable from elsewhere. The thing is that now the usb output of the piano is plugged into the zynthian box. It’s not dramatic but when I want to use the tablet I should unplug the zynthian box.

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**Author:** ![ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/ivanmonterosso/32/503_2.png) [@ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/ivanmonterosso)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 11:41am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/6 "2020-03-27T11:41:39Z")

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> [@jofemodo](#):
>
> You should take a look to MIDI CUIA:

Hi @jofemodo , regarding midi CUIA i was trying to map my Novation Impulse as @Micki did (but still without using dremel 😁 ) But i’m experiencing mismatches: list reported on zynthian wiki is old? i would create a Novation Impulse Template working with any zynthian attached, so would not change on mine but would followi official mapping…

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**Author:** ![Jtunes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/jtunes/32/16402_2.png) [@Jtunes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Jtunes)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 11:52am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/7 "2020-03-27T11:52:02Z")

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> [@ivanmonterosso](#):
>
> list reported on zynthian wiki is old?

I personally think so. I also went to do some mapping, and I was getting mismatches. See this post for more.

> [@Desktop HDMI screen, no encoders, only USB MIDI controls - what settings should I use?](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/desktop-hdmi-screen-no-encoders-only-usb-midi-controls-what-settings-should-i-use/3939/10):
>
> [Already implemented!](https://wiki.zynthian.org/index.php/Zynthian_UI_Users_Guide#Controlling_the_UI_with_MIDI_messages) But I think the info is a bit incorrect. I tried mapping some pads on my keyboard to Audio and MIDI record, and the actual mapped keys are something like an octave higher or lower. Somebody should update that… @jofemodo Where in the code are the CUIA-MIDI mappings listed?

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**Author:** ![wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/wyleu/32/514_2.png) [@wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/wyleu)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/8 "2020-03-27T12:02:13Z")

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> [@Desktop HDMI screen, no encoders, only USB MIDI controls - what settings should I use?](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/desktop-hdmi-screen-no-encoders-only-usb-midi-controls-what-settings-should-i-use/3939/10):
>
> Where in the code are the CUIA-MIDI mappings listed?

/zynthian/zythian-ui/zynthian\_gui.py from memory. . .

 ![image](https://discourse.zynthian.org/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c9fca8939037bcf562039d190aa59a59e2e9ad4e.png)

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**Author:** ![ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/ivanmonterosso/32/503_2.png) [@ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/ivanmonterosso)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 1:34pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/9 "2020-03-27T13:34:34Z")

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ok, now a pair of questions:

1. why “BACK” switches are mapped backwards (64-63-62)

and “LAYER” switches are mapped back and forth (60-61-59) 🤣 ?

1. To be sure not to make mistakes, on Impulse i’m assigning absolute note codes to buttons, not trying from keyboard, who could be transposed and so could mismatching notes.  
The result is always an octave down. Actually on wiki the zynthian note number table has 4th octave marked bold. Assuming it’s a choice to have different center octave from others, but note number should be the absolutely the same… don’t understand 🤔

anyway yes, CUIA midi list on wiki is outdated.

Going logical, CUIA mapping related to encoders should be strictly sequential.  
like this:   
(except for “select”, who has priority on up-down selection despite others)  
“51”: “SELECT”,  
“52”: “SELECT\_UP”,  
“53”: “SELECT\_DOWN”,

“59”: “SWITCH\_LAYER\_SHORT”,  
“60”: “SWITCH\_LAYER\_BOLD”,  
“61”: “SWITCH\_LAYER\_LONG”,

```
	 "62": "SWITCH_BACK_SHORT", 
	"63": "SWITCH_BACK_BOLD",
	"64": "SWITCH_BACK_LONG",
	
"65": "SWITCH_SNAPSHOT_SHORT",
	"66": "SWITCH_SNAPSHOT_BOLD",
	"67": "SWITCH_SNAPSHOT_LONG"

```

“71”: “SWITCH\_SELECT\_SHORT”,  
“72”: “SWITCH\_SELECT\_BOLD”,  
“73”: “SWITCH\_SELECT\_LONG”,

@Micki would forgive me… this could mess up your mappings 🙄

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**Author:** ![Boc](https://discourse.zynthian.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Boc](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Boc)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/10 "2020-03-27T22:31:48Z")

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I have solde map problem :  
MAP NON#23 =\> CH#15 NON#53  
I was 1 octave out of my piano, and i have removed CH#0. I have also uncheck Single Channel Mode.

Can someone tell me if your screen stays on if you power off raspberry by the UI?

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**Author:** ![jofemodo](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/jofemodo/32/2_2.png) [@jofemodo](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/jofemodo)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/11 "2020-03-27T23:58:25Z")

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> [@ivanmonterosso](#):
>
> Going logical, CUIA mapping related to encoders should be strictly sequential.  
> like this:

I can’t remember exactly why i use this bizarre mapping. I suppose i was using my keyboard for testing and i thought that this was better, although currently i don’t see much sense, apart from having short select aside short back…

I have no problem with changing this, but i don’t want to cause headaches to people currently using this mapping and to be honest, i don’t think the order is really important in this case.

Regarding the wiki, i just updated the list 😉

Regards!

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**Author:** ![Micki](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/micki/32/3872_2.png) [@Micki](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Micki)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 10:13am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/12 "2020-03-28T10:13:39Z")

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Impulse Note Names are 1 octave deeper. C3 instead of C4.  
KeyNo 71 has to be B4 (B3 on Impulse) and not B5

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**Author:** ![ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/ivanmonterosso/32/503_2.png) [@ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/ivanmonterosso)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 10:45am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/13 "2020-03-28T10:45:36Z")

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yes, actually me too just finished mapping with this setup shifted 1 octave down 😁

The question of shifted octave: Now i read there are 2 standards:  
c3=60 and c4=60 oook… after 30 years of digital music approach i discovered it now 🤣 😆

Zynthian= C4=60  
Novation=C3=60

Anyway: i think CUIA it’s one of most wonderful options implemented in zynthian.  
Is there a way to use it with CC ?  
for example for audio/midi recorder would be useful instead of wasting keys or pads. there are transport buttons available on most keyboard controllers, but obviously their custom mappings are fixed to specified CCs.(at least on Impulse…)

kindly warm regards 🙂

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**Author:** ![Micki](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/micki/32/3872_2.png) [@Micki](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Micki)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 12:47pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/14 "2020-03-28T12:47:46Z")

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The zynthian has a "midi-learn-"function. You can adress the most controllers to CC-Numbers.  
Then you can edit the Impulse-controllers to that numbers.  
The Zynthian has a Audio- and Midi-Recorder-function. You can Midirecord all commands comming from the Impulse.

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**Author:** ![Micki](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/micki/32/3872_2.png) [@Micki](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Micki)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 2:06pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/15 "2020-03-28T14:06:12Z")

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Hi Jose,  
please update the key 71. Its not B5, its B4!  
And perhaps you can notice, that the Impulse has another kind to count (1 octave deeper)  
keep healthy

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**Author:** ![ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/ivanmonterosso/32/503_2.png) [@ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/ivanmonterosso)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/16 "2020-03-28T15:04:56Z")

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Yes Micki I know it. But my goal would be to map transport buttons to audio or midi recorder instead of wasting drum pads or keys. Transport controls on impulse can be set in MMC or cc mode, but their parameters are read-only. (And maybe wouldn’t be editable as note numbers) for this Reason asked about using cuia with cc instead of notes. From rewind to record button they cover cc112\>117. If there was a way to adapt cc numbers to audio-midi recorder section using Zynthian ui script… Would give a try (even if not familiar with python)

[EDIT]  
In theory the option “system message” on midi options should satisfy use of transport protocol, but for a reason i don’t know i noticed it works with DAWs only…

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**Author:** ![wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/wyleu/32/514_2.png) [@wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/wyleu)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/17 "2020-03-28T15:56:52Z")

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> [@jofemodo](#):
>
> I can’t remember exactly why i use this bizarre mapping. I suppose i was using my keyboard for testing and i thought that this was better, although currently i don’t see much sense, apart from having short select aside short back…

I think that was probably me !  
The original concept was driving the GUI interface entirely from a MIDI keyboard, as you could pretty much guarantee they might be available. The keys where mapped so the select or back,or its nearest equivalent sat under the thumbs . . .

[MIDI GUI Control.](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/call-for-discussion-encoders-via-gpio-and-or-via-usb-microcontroller/791/32)

 ![](https://discourse.zynthian.org/uploads/default/original/1X/962ae12647a740ad3809438ca9fa4cee2ee4dbe6.gif)

> [@ivanmonterosso](#):
>
> But my goal would be to map transport buttons to audio or midi recorder instead of wasting drum pads or keys.

You make me look at the Motor61 Transport buttons in light of this. 😃

 ![IMG_20200328_160557](https://discourse.zynthian.org/uploads/default/original/2X/6/6784e0ac5aeacb30ceeaefebaf3dca15d16e026d.jpeg)

And pushing the buttons from left to right, twice each, produces

 ![image](https://discourse.zynthian.org/uploads/default/original/2X/3/340cfe228296b6d2c661df318bc3c4b1463fa9a9.png)

zynthian-ceed.local is on MIDI Channel 3

So we have:  
Control 115 \<\< 127 on each press Rewind  
Control 116 \>\> 127 on each press Fast Forward  
Control 117 [] 127 on each Press Stop (red Square)  
Control 118 \> 127 on each press Play  
Control 120 @ alternates 0 (Not Lit) ,127(Lit) Loop  
Control 119 O alternates 0 (Not Lit), 127 ( Lit) Record.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/ivanmonterosso/32/503_2.png) [@ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/ivanmonterosso)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/18 "2020-03-28T16:15:01Z")

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> [@wyleu](#):
>
> You make me look at the Motor61 Transport buttons in light of this

cute,ah? 🤣  
Anyway, midi filter mapping on webconf should do the trick, routing uneditable CC to note numbers corresponding tu CUIA but… master channel seems to be protected. if i set ch#16 (my actual master channel) nothing happens. and if i set ch 16 in wizard, the result is #ch15 . is it normal?

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**Author:** ![edgargoncalves](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/edgargoncalves/32/1778_2.png) [@edgargoncalves](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/edgargoncalves)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/19 "2020-03-28T16:27:01Z")

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Chipping in as I have an impulse, and while i don’t have a solution for this without changing zynthian itself, I can share the idea I’d prefer to use:

- zynthian ‘transport functions’ (rec/play/pause of audio and midi) could be remapped to whatever CC codes an instrument uses (as stated, at least the impulse has them hard coded, so can’t use MIDI learning for it)
- the 8 knobs in the Impulse can be MIDI-taught. But it would be great if we could map those to the 4 zynthian knobs main function - maybe using channel 16 for that.
- we have 8 (+1 for master) assignable buttons+sliders and 8 pads on the impulse. While we could map 4\*3 buttons/pads to get the equivalent functionality of the zynthians short/medium/long presses, it would be great if the same MIDI CC could achieve the three presses based on durations.

I’ve been reading these forums a lot, and I don’t think these are possible - but does anyone knows if there’s a technical reason, or is it just because nobody has shown interest for it?

Finally - I’ve been using a nanokontroller2, just because it’s easier to map all those 4\*3 zynthian push button functions, and the transport buttons are assignable in that one. But I’d love to have everything in just the impulse, one day!

@ivanmonterosso suggested using midi filter mapping - I’ve never tried, maybe some of the above are already possible. Will report after trying that! Thanks

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**Author:** ![ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/ivanmonterosso/32/503_2.png) [@ivanmonterosso](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/ivanmonterosso)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 4:36pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954/20 "2020-03-28T16:36:29Z")

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> [@edgargoncalves](#):
>
> we have 8 (+1 for master) assignable buttons+sliders and 8 pads on the impulse

hi edgar, actually i mapped CUIA related to encoders action exactly on those buttons instead of drumpads (they accept note number, surprise!! ) decided to map just some of switches (ignored some bold-long) but enough to control a touch-only zynthian.

 ![15854131697835555784374797478803](https://discourse.zynthian.org/uploads/default/original/2X/d/dac7d5a5ccd6b0079d6908f27caa4cdf1f45f84b.jpeg)  
These can be enough.  
Regarding zynthian knobs, actually just one is important for UI navigation: select knob.  
As you can see, a special select knob emulation exists (value up/down) not useful in others.  
The others are mainly used on instruments and that stuff is completely midi cc assignable, so impulse knobs know their job very well 😏.  
Seriously, Midi filter works. but not on master channel. doing a scan with midi log, discovered channel 16 is totally masked…by now i tested other channels and works… play button now plays a note on synth over channel 1 😆

[Next page](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/navigate-the-ui-with-piano-touch-and-export-midi-by-usb/3954.md?page=2)