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I'm using the vmpk software so I can use my computer keyboard as a controller for my drum VI (Audio Assault Westwood). I want to assign one MIDI note to two keys so I can perform more realistic and fluid rolls. The problem is that vmpk doesn't support this feature. Worse yet, the Drum VI I mentioned above doesn't allow you to assign samples to empty MIDI Notes, so I'm screwed on both ends.
However, I was reading a thread on the vmpk forum about someone who modified a .xml files that allowed him to have two keys play the same MIDI note. I'm not a programmer, so his info went right over my head. Here's a link to the thread (his post is the last one): https://sourceforge.net/p/vmpk/discussion/854991/thread/04950eef/
For whatever reason I don't have the permission to post in the vmpk forum and the support over there is dreadful. I was hoping someone on this site might have figured out a different workaround, or could help me out with this .xml file. I don't have the cash to buy one of the expensive drum VI's that have the features for what I want to do. I don't even have enough to buy as USB keyboard for a controller, hence vmpk.
Thanks,
-Adam
Posted : 21/02/2018 10:25 pm
Hello Adam,
This is a repeat of your earlier thread. I assume you have checked the replies to that?
I note your comments about the 'support' from the other forum you mention. I would assume that there is some connection between that and the reply from 'Pedro' on the earlier thread here, who for some reason provided some useful information but in a decidedly strange way?
I am somewhat of a programmer, and if I can help a bit I'll try. I do not have the software you mention, so it would help if you could put the .xml files into a .zip file and attach them to your reply, then I can see them, and prob make the change(s) you need. Or is even that getting beyond your 'comfort zone'?
From the earlier postings, I understand that the .xml file (which is just simple text) can be edited with any standard text editor (like the NotePad program that comes with WinDoze). I've not seen it, but I'd assume that this file will contain a table, comprising a lot of pairs of codes. Each pair will connect a key with a note. The note will be a simple number, the midi number, where middle C is 60 (decimal) but it might be shown as 3C (hex, 16 base) instead.
The complication that 'Pedro' noted is that some of the .xml files may be showing keys as 'A', 'B' etc, while others may be using Scan Codes, which are more complicated. Whenever you press ANY allowed key or key combination (i.e. Alt+G) the computer system actually gets a Scan Code, which is a two byte number. Every key combination supplies a unique code, so the computer can distinguish between G, shift+G, Ctrl+G, Alt+G, etc. Having got the Scan Code, the computer then translates this into the relevant character, or action (which is how computers handle international character variations).
Evidently (according to 'Pedro') a supplied .xml file for a German keyboard already includes an example of two keys being attached to the same midi note, but I certainly would NOT have thought to look in such a file. Not sure why 'Pedro' was expecting you to?
So, that's enough for starters. Where do we go from here?
Geoff
Posted : 22/02/2018 5:40 am
Adam,
Well, I got inquisitive....
I've downloaded vmpk, installed it with CoolSoft Virtual Midi Synth, and all working.
I've looked at the files with vmpk, and looked at the default .xml, this one uses 'keycodes' for the link (which will be the Scan Codes' I referred to above, I believe. Oh, the default being PC102WIN.XML. This one has no duplicated notes that I've seen. I've also looked in GERMAN.XML, this one uses a slightly different format and uses key instead of keycode, where key is 'A' or 'B' etc instead of a number. As noted before, this file DOES show some duplicated notes, although I've not spotted if there's any logic for these. The links show that '2' and 'K' both sound note 32, while '3' and 'L' both sound note 34. Note 37 is also dup, but the keys are weirder. I assume this has been done for illustrative purposes rather than instrument logic??
I need to have further play, but I could amend the files as per your exact requirements, send back for you to copy onto your machine. I'd have to send you some detailed instructions, allowing for the fact that your files will be in a different directory to mine (F:\synth\vmpk\)!!
Anyway, I'll play further, using vmpk to 'test' the samples loaded into CoolSoft!!
Geoff
Posted : 23/02/2018 4:44 pm
