Editing Instruments

To add or edit MIDI instruments, open the Instruments window by selecting "Instruments" from any Windows menu.

To add a new instrument, select "New Instrument" from the Instrument menu. A new instrument named "Unnamed" is created, and appears in the list of instruments.

To edit the settings of a MIDI instrument, open the Instruments window, then click on an instrument name and select "Open Instrument" from the Instrument menu. You can also double-click on an instrument name.

The dialog box that appears contains all of the settings that describe the instrument.

Close the dialog box by clicking either "Cancel" or "OK".

Instrument Name

Is A Controller

Is Multitimbral

Program Numbers Start At 1

Some MIDI instruments start counting their program change commands from 0 (like MIDI does) and some start counting from 1 (like the Yamaha DX-7). You can let The KeyMaster know which way to count so it will send out the correct program change command for each MIDI channel and display the right program change numbers.

If you enter a program number of 3, The KeyMaster normally sends out MIDI program change number 3. This is fine for a device that starts counting from 0. But if you type in a 3, you want The KeyMaster to send a 2 to your DX-7 (MIDI program number 2 equals DX-7 program number 3). By telling The KeyMaster what to do, you don't have to think about this problem at all.

Send Channels

Select the MIDI channels that this instrument sends. These check boxes are disabled if "Is A Controller" is not checked.

Only one channel at a time is allowed if "Is Multitimbral" is not checked.

Receive Channels

Select the MIDI channels that this instrument receives.

MIDI Input/Output Port

Select the MIDI input and output ports to which this instrument is attached.

Editing Messages

To see all of the MIDI messages, open the Messages list window from the Windows menu.

Right now, editing a message is a horrible task. The message is displayed as raw hex data.

The small icons in the message editing window represent MIDI messages like patch changes, controller changes, and sysex messages. You can drag any icon into the text area to insert one of these messages. You will probably have to change the MIDI channel and values of most messages.

I want to add pop-up menus for program change names and for controller names.

This sucks. I know. I'm working on a much better editor.

Tiny floating help text windows, some day.

Some day, you will be able to open MIDI files, drag MIDI files onto the editor, etc.