Can amsynth change presets using midi buttons or knobs?

[spiritualmachines]

Hi, this may seem like a really dumb question but I've googled it a lot and haven't found anything. I'm currently running amsynth 1.5.1 on Ubuntu 14.04 and I want to be able to use it for live performances. I know about the midi learn function and how to assign it to different parameters, but I would like to be able to change the preset with a button on my midi controller. If amsynth can't actually do that, could you perhaps suggest a linux soft synth that is able to do something along those lines? Thank you

[lazyklimm]

Any button that can send program change will do the work.

[spiritualmachines]

Could you please elaborate on that? My problem is that I can't figure out how to set amsynth to change presets when I hit a button on my midi controller.

[ssj71]

Midi has different kinds of messages. Most often buttons and knobs are mapped to CCs (Control Changes). You want the button mapped to a PC (program change) which is a different type of message. Amsynth won't need to midi learn anything since PC is meant just for this purpose. So the thing you need to figure out is how to assign that button on your midi controller to send a PC instead of a CC. I can't really help you with that since I don't know what controller you are using (and I probably haven't used it before either).

[spiritualmachines]

Oh, I didn't know there were multiple kinds of midi messages. I've got it now, thank you.

[briandc]

Yes; for example, on my Behringer UMX490, the simplest (quickest) way to do what you want, is to use the octave keys. Press and hold the "assign" button, press one of the octave keys, then let go of both and press the note with the "prog change" indicator above it, then the notes that make up the starting point, such as "0-0-1" to start at patch 001, then press the top note for "enter." Now you can scroll through presets using the octave buttons.

Your midi controller will probably be different, but maybe not too much.


brian

[khz]

http://www.midi.org/techspecs/midimessages.php#3 :: Table 3 - Control Change Messages

[spiritualmachines]

Yeah, I just checked my midi controllers manual, it's a lot more helpful when you know what you're looking for. Thank you so much for your help.