Self-patching MIDI OUT to MIDI IN

OP-Z
1

I came across the following when trying to replicate Steevio’s sequencing techniques on the Dream Machine. Just to give some context: In his modular rig, Steevio runs two Step Sequencers with different step counts and sums their CV outputs to get complex single melodies, then he runs a seperate sequencer to trigger gate patterns for the voice.

The first part is simple on the OP-Z, this is what the master track is for. Let’s say we have a 7 step melody on the Bass track which is transposed by 5 steps on the master track, job done. Now you can jam all day simply by adjusting the individual step counts on bass and master tracks.

Now, achieving gate patterns (for the Bass voice in this case) independent from the Bass track sequence presented a bit of a challenge. So I played around with patching the MIDI OUT to MIDI IN on the Line Module (works the same way on the Oplab module, too), set the last track (video/photomatic) to the same MIDI channel as the Bass, activated MIDI IN + MIDI OUT and the video track in the MIDI settings. Now I can control the CC parameters of the Bass voice from the video track. So I programmed parameter locks for volume (CC 16) on the video track and set it to a different step count than the Bass track, then turned volume to 0 on the Bass track. It’s a bit rougher than using the triggers from the original Bass track (as you kinda lose the envelope decay depending on your sound choice and tempo) but totally workable, especially when you slap on some delay anyway.

Using this method, one can think of each track as a potential modulation lane for the 16 parameters of the target track, that can run totally independent of the target track. Of course you can use more than one modulation track, just assign the same MIDI channel to each track that you want to use as modulation track.

Bonus: If you use any of the sample/synth tracks (1-8) or the component track for this, you can also use their LFOs to control parameters of the target track, so you can effectively assign multiple LFOs to a single target track, each controlling a different parameter (not sure yet if this also works the same way with the LFOs on the FX 1 & 2 tracks, may have to tweak their MIDI CC settings).

Keep on modulating!

6 Likes
2

This is a great tip. Do you know if it’s possible to do this without using any of the modules? I’ve tried to mess around with the OP-Z’s midi settings on the device and through the app, but haven’t been able to route midi back in to the OP-Z.

Might be time to pick up one of the modules, especially since they’re on sale due to the Z ending production!

3

you can easily use that via USB but you need something as a midi host so to speak, that could be a raspberry pi, IOS with AUM (of course a lot of other apps) Logic Pro etc.

you need to re-route the incoming midi messages to the input of the OP-Z but it’s basically the same like the modules midi connection but would allow for external sequencing, cc automation and such :relieved_face:

4

I’ve got my hands on one of the modules and I’ve been trying this trick with odd results. I think it generates midi feedback which retriggers the engines multiple times per note. Do you know if you can enable midi output per track, or is there a midi setting I’m missing somewhere?

5

yep you can either do it in the midi config json file while connected to the computer or you can access the midi settings using the ios/android app, or if you remember the key combo you can do it right there with the LED feedback. i forget the details off the top of my head but it is documented in the official manual somewhere.