Starting and stopping playback via MIDI?

[ark]

Is there a way to use MIDI to tell the MC-808 to start playing a pattern or to switch to another pattern?

[yungxcraven]

midi from {what} to the 808 ? Are you talking midi sync ?

[ark]

No -- I mean to ask whether there is a MIDI signal that I can send to the MC808 that is the same as pressing the play button. Also, is there a MIDI signal that will trigger a change to a different pattern?

[proaudiodvds]

You can start the MC-808 remotely by sending it a MIDI start command. You'll just need to set the MC-808's sync to be external. Then a MIDI cable from the transmitting device into the MIDI in of the MC-808 and all should be fine.

You should be able to send in PC (program change) messages to change patterns too.

David Wills
(Host of Roland DVD Owner's Manuals)

www.ProAudioDVD.com
Home of the Pro Audio Academy...
A free weekly video training course for serious Musicians.

[ark]

I don't think that PC messages change patterns -- I think they change the instrument associated with a particular track. I want to know if there is a MIDI message I can send to get the MC-808 to switch from whatever pattern it is playing at the moment to a different pattern.

[Re-Member]

You can set the MC-808 into Pattern Call mode (see page 49 in the manual). With Pattern Call, you can assign a different Pattern to each of the 16 keys. When you press a key, it will switch to that assigned Pattern after the current Pattern has finished cycling through all it's measures. My guess is that you can have your PC transmit notes for the 16 different keys which will trigger and switch through the Patterns that way.

[ark]

Aha -- so at least I can select from 16 different patterns. Well, that's a start