Zero experience - Trying to write a script for multi for round robin of 8 instruments

vogelscheiss

I'm trying to write a script that will send incoming MIDI notes sequentially to 8 separate instruments in a multi. I keep getting errors. I'd be grateful for pointers.

I started by trying with 2 instruments.

Here's my bad script:

on init

  declare $currentInstrument := 0

  declare $numberOfInstruments := 2 { Assuming 2 instruments in the multi }

end on

on note

  $currentInstrument := ($currentInstrument + 1) % $numberOfInstruments

  if ($currentInstrument = 0) then

    { Send note to the first instrument in the multi }

    play_note(0, $EVENT_NOTE, $EVENT_VELOCITY, -1) 

  else

    { Send note to the second instrument in the multi }

    play_note(1, $EVENT_NOTE, $EVENT_VELOCITY, -1)

  end if

  ignore_event($EVENT_ID)

end on

Where is this getting screwed up? (Throughout?) I'd be grateful for any thoughts/corrections.

medusa

You can't use play_note in a multi script.

I reckon the best way to do this would be with MIDI channels

stephen24

You need to be clear about the difference between Instrument Scripts and Multi Scripts. Instrument Scripts can apply to only one instrument. Multiscripts require some understanding of the MIDI protocol (not rocket science)

You need to programme precisely as in the manual (your syntax for play_note is wrong, as well as its use)

As medusa says, you could have your round robins in different instruments on their own channels with a multiscript, but only if your note-off messages are to be ignored (e.g. one-shot samples) otherwise you'd have to keep track of which note was played on which channel for the note-off, which would be very complicated.

something like

set_event_par($EVENT_ID, $EVENT_PAR_MIDI_CHANNEL . . . .)

with a variable which you increment with each note.

Be a lot simpler to use groups within an instrument. You probably wouldn't even need a script.

vogelscheiss

Thanks!

The goal is to arrive at a round robin whereby successive MIDI notes are played on successive instruments. e.g. instead of 1 (piano) 2 (same piano) 3 (same piano) 4 (same piano) etc. it would be 1 (piano) 2 (banjo) 3 (electric guitar) 4 (marimba), or whatever. This would be much like using a MonoPoly in revolving mode or a modular synth with sequential switches.

If you know of a simple way to achieve that I'd be very interested!

The brute force method would be splitting up my MIDI into 8 tracks, but definitely not preferred. I'm sure a good script is possible.

Your "be a lot simpler to use groups within an instrument" is interesting. Guessing wanting different instruments altogether per MIDI note makes that impossible?

vogelscheiss

Now I'm trying an instrument specific script to do the same thing. For simplicity I'm just doing a 2-instrument round-robin.

I would put the script in the instrument @ MIDI ch1 and no script in MIDI ch2.

This is the script:

on init

 make_persistent($RR_chan)

 $RR_chan := 1

end on

on note

 if ($RR_chan = 1)

  play_note($EVENT_NOTE, $EVENT_VELOCITY, 1, -1) { Route to Instrument 1 on MIDI channel 1 }

  $RR_chan := 2

 else

  play_note($EVENT_NOTE, $EVENT_VELOCITY, 2, -1) { Route to Instrument 2 on MIDI channel 2 }

  $RR_chan := 1

 ignore_event($EVENT_ID)

end on

It throws off an error @ the last line, "end on". Any ideas? I'd be grateful.

Gablux

you are missing an "end if"

vogelscheiss

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/111916#Comment_111916

Unfortunately if I add "end if" it throws off an error:

When I removed "end if" it passed that line but threw off an error on the last line:

Gablux

read the errors

stephen24

You really do need to study the parameters of play_note in the KSP manual. In your script the third parameter (your 1 or 2) is the sample start. In microseconds.

Others may correct me, but I don't think there is any way that a script in instrument 1 can trigger activity in instrument 2. You would have to use a multiscript, which would have the complications I mentioned above unless all your notes are one-shot (when it would be easy). You could set the channel for a note as I suggested, but its note-off must be on the same channel, so you would have to make a record of each note's channel to recall when its note-off is received. You could set up a 127-element array and do it.

Why not do it with groups? No reason why you shouldn't have piano banjo guitar internal combustion engine etc in separate groups in a single instrument - you can copy/paste groups - then give them RR numbers in Group Start Options. If one of your instruments has lots of groups, do the Group Start Options bit (Edit All Groups) before you copy them into the composite instrument.

vogelscheiss

Thanks for that feedback. I'm going to take a close look at whether I can make that work for me. Good stuff, much appreciated.

stephen24

Actually not as complicated as I thought. Try this (untested) multiscript - assumes 4 instruments (line 11)

on init
 declare %nofchan[128] :=(0)
 declare $rr :=0
end on

on midi_in

 if ($MIDI_COMMAND = $MIDI_COMMAND_NOTE_ON)
  set_event_par($EVENT_ID, $EVENT_PAR_MIDI_CHANNEL, $rr)
  %nofchan [get_event_par ($EVENT_ID, $EVENT_PAR_MIDI_BYTE_1)] := $rr
  $rr := ($rr + 1) mod 4
 end if

 if ($MIDI_COMMAND = $MIDI_COMMAND_NOTE_OFF)
  set_event_par($EVENT_ID, $EVENT_PAR_MIDI_CHANNEL, %nofchan [get_event_par ($EVENT_ID, $EVENT_PAR_MIDI_BYTE_1)] )
 end if

end on

Paste into empty multiscript slot (KSP button top R of Kontakt window) and click Apply. If I've got it right, notes-off should be dealt with correctly.

vogelscheiss

Stephen, you nailed it! That works! Lives up to my hopes too.

Thanks so much, really very appreciated.