Good evening everyone. I’m experiencing a MIDI issue with version 1.0.7 of Scaler 3.
Here’s my setup:
Ableton Live 12.2
APC 64 as controller
Minilab MK3
Midi Fighter Twister
MPC One +
The problem I’m encountering is the following:
I’m using Avenger 2 (but this applies to all VSTs), which I’ve mapped internally with the Midi Twister. This way, even when playing from the MPC One, I have the parameters mapped.
The Midi Twister has all 4 banks mapped to Channel 1, including the switches.
If I use Scaler 3 by placing it on a MIDI track with input set to Channel 1 and using Avenger 2 as the VST, everything works perfectly — except when I enable Key Lock on the white keys. The APC and MPC One are set to the C major scale, so it’s really amazing to play like this. However, the parameters controlled by the Midi Twister stop working.
On the other hand, messages sent from the Minilab 3 are still received by the VSTs.
I hope I’ve explained myself clearly
Thanks a lot everyone!
Just an update: the Minilab Is working only because the CC that i’ve tested have different numbers. So basically some CC are working on all controllerà, and others no.
It seems that Scaler Is blocking notes and CC.
In the MF Utility, the encoders and switches are set to CC.
Thank you!
Hi @RobFuture, we did discover an issue recently where mod wheel data, and possibly other messages are not being sent through to plugins when using the ‘Scale White Keys’ Keys Lock mode. This will be resolved in an upcoming update.
Would you mind please confirming if this issue is only occuring when using the Scale White Keys mode? And not when using other Keys Lock Modes, or when Keys Lock is off?
OK that is interesting. Perhaps there is an issue with some CC messages not being sent with Keys Lock active, which we can look into. Are you able to share the MIDI CC messages with us which you’ve noticed aren’t being sent to the instrument in Scaler? No worries if not.
I noticed you also mentioned:
Are you saying that some MIDI notes are not being sent to instruments when Keys Lock is active? We’ve had no issue sending note data to plugins when using Keys Lock.
Hi Tristan, sorry, i misspoke: what i meant is that it seems that when manipulating the notes with Key Lock enabled, some CC messages get blocked. The notes themselves are all correct and perfectly mapped on the keyboard!
For the midi channel, i refear to the Midi Fighter Twister, and they are mapped in order from CC0. There are 4 banks with 16 knobs, and parameter are incremental.
So basically my first two banks, From CC0 to CC32 are not working properly. The first bank from CC0 to CC16 is not working at all. Hope it helps!
Thank you so much.
Hi @RobFuture, perhaps we need to clarify your use case a bit. You mentioned hardware like the MPC One and APC 64 for example, but it sounds like the main issue you are having is related to your MIDI Fighter where Scaler 3 does not appear to be receiving MIDI CC messages it is sending.
Do you have the Scaler 3 VST plugin (not AU) added to a MIDI track in Ableton Live, then are hosting a VST instrument e.g. Avenger 2 on the main track in Scaler 3? Note that the main track is currently the only track that will receive incoming MIDI data for use with Keys Lock.
In this same scenario, I’m having no issues sending MIDI CC messages e.g. CC16 from my NI Kontrol USB keyboard to Arturia’s CS80V plugin hosted in Scaler with Keys Lock enabled. So perhaps there is a variable related to your hardware configuration that I am not following here.
Hi Tristan, sorry for the delay. I’m attaching an orrible demo video here. As you can see, some CC messages are being transmitted, while others are not. The Minilab3 works because the CCs start from 74. But as you’ll see from the video, not all consecutive CCs are working. Scaler 3 is on the first MIDI track. Thanks so much!
Hi @RobFuture thanks for the update. Would you also mind clarifying please whether or not you are hosting the virtual instrument (Avenger 2 presumably) inside Scaler 3? Or is it being hosted on another MIDI track in Ableton Live? Apologies this did not seem clear in your video.
We just need to be clear whether the Keys Lock MIDI data (including CC messages) is being sent to plugins inside Scaler 3, or if they are being routed out of Scaler 3 back into Ableton Live. Thanks.
Hi Tristan, no worries! Yes, Avenger 2 is loaded in Scaler 3. I love to use knobs while i’m “creating”. For this reason i’ve decided to map VST internally. In this way, no matter where i open the VST, i have the same mapping everywhere. If i send midi from Scaler to other tracks, i can use parameters mapped in a script, but i loose the incoming MIDI message, because the VST track will have as Midi input only Scaler. Don’t know if it makes sense
Thanks @RobFuture. On closer inspection I can see the VST name listed in Scaler 3 on the main track on your video. Out of curiosity, are you using VST2 or VST3 plugins? As mentioned I’ve had no trouble sending MIDI CC#16 to plugins hosted in Scaler 3 using Keys Lock but most of my testing is with VST3 plugins. Regardless it sounds like this is something we’ll have to look into a bit further.
Scaler 3 is VST3, while Avenger 2 is VST2, because Live has terribile issues with some VST3. But i’ll check the VST3 version and see if it makes any difference!
Just an update! I’ve installed the new update (l’et me tell you, night to day ) and now my CC works in the scale mapped on black keys, the first option. So now i can set my APC and MPC to show hidden notes of the C Major scale, and i can play the pad that are turned off. I can’t stop to play.
By the way, now Dynamic Mode doesn’t change velocity of notes and now it’s a pleasure to play.
Great job and let me say another thing: this Is the best support forum at the moment. Believe me, i have a lot of VST and gears, and when i send bug reports or post on forums, i’ll wait days to have a reply.
Thank you to all of you for your great job. Keep it up!
Thanks for your support @RobFuture Really appreciate the positive vibes and feedback. The community and accomplished producers we are fortunate enough to call Scaler users is what motivates us. Lots of great things to come!
) and now my CC works in the scale mapped on black keys, the first option. So now i can set my APC and MPC to show hidden notes of the C Major scale, and i can play the pad that are turned off. I can’t stop to play.