sending midi to external keyboard changes the preset/ how to make instrument-less parts

• Dec 9, 2019 - 01:35

Hi, I'm using Musescore 3.3.0 on Manjaro.
I'm sending the midi data from Musescore to an external keyboard but when I press play Musescore resets the preset in the keyboard.

I think it happens because there is some kind of instrument info in the midi files, so how do I remove the instrument info from the part?

ps. It would be nice to be able to route out the midi of the parts independently.

Thanks


Comments

I don't think there is a way to prevent MuseScore from sending the MIDI program change message, the trick will be to send the right one. So use View / Mixer and choose the sound corresponding to the patch in your keyboard.

In reply to by KjbF

You mean, even though your score is set for piano, your keyboard interprets it as something else? Sounds like your keyboard may use non-standard numbering for its patches. Maybe it has an option somewhere to use the standard (General MIDI)) numbering? Or an option to ignore program change messages?

In reply to by KjbF

The standard as far as I know is to always send a program change, and MuseScore doesn't have any options to do anything different from that. But if enough people request it (maybe others who use non=standard keyboards?) then it could certainly be added someday, assuming it doesn't literally violate the MIDI standard.

In reply to by Marc Sabatella

I'd like to also chip in that to provide any real versatility for people who design their own sounds rather than going by GM standard (I've actually never met someone who does use GM standard for their music creation), then the option to not send the program data is essential.

I have a few modules connected up with my computer and the program change info completely messes with them -- have to spend 20 minutes setting up the gear again every time I forget using a MIDI keyboard to send data (luckily I have notes on paper to remind me what should be set to what) and then a few more minutes putting together complex MIDI routing to filter out the messages.

I'd expect that anyone who uses programmable gear and works from banks of their own patches will suffer from a variation of this. A simple toggle to omit the control data would solve it immediately.

In reply to by OscarSouth

My name is Marc Sabatella, I'm pleased to meet you - and I use General MIDI, as do most other professional composers I know :-)

But feel free to submit a formal "Suggestion" for this feature to the issue tracker. As you may have seen here, there are big plans to introduce more sequencer-like capabilities and better interfacing with DAW software for MuseScore 4. So if this is something you feel would be important, the issue tracker is the best place to log the request.

Update: I found a workaround. I can export the midi file with an empty bar, import the midi in the DAW and remove the first part of the midi. That seems to remove the patch info.

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