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Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 16:06, 14 March 2017
by Tothead
Anyone knows if it is possible to use an externeal midi controller (without a computer) to controll various functions of JUNO DS ?

Juno DS has 4 knobs, which by default can be assigned to 12 different functions. I am very new to midi, but from what I red, JUNO DS receives midi and can be controlled by DAWs etc. What about hardware controllers? It would be great to be able to have 12 separate external knobs... Just being curious :)

Re: Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 22:04, 14 March 2017
by gris
Yes any assignable midi knob controller should work, for example behringer bcr2000 has lots of knobs, but maybe cheaper simpler ones like korg nanocontrol could be used too.
I have not tried it with my Juno DS, but have done it with other synths, and I see no reason why it not should work with the DS.

Cheers

Re: Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 15:51, 7 April 2017
by pgreco
I have successfully used:
1. an Android app (Midi Controller) in conjunction with a cheap USB-to-midi adaptor, add an OTG adaptor (micro USB to USB).
2. a Behringer FCB1010 foot controller (for expression).

The Behringer BCR2000 should work.

FYI if you haven't seen it there is a supplemental "midi implementation" on the download page at Roland, which tells you which MSB/LSB values to send to select various presets (among other things).

https://www.roland.com/global/support/b ... s_manuals/

I'm pretty sure that you have to send the MIDI commands to the "midi in" (DIN5) port on the Juno DS; i.e. you cannot just plug a USB-only midi controller such as the Korg into the Juno DS (the square USB port is for a PC connection and the rectangular one is for a memory stick).

To use a USB-only controller you would need something like the Kenton USB Midi Host, which essentially functions like a PC. You would plug the USB-only controller into the Kenton, and then connect the Kenton to the Juno DS via a standard midi cable. From what I have read, if the USB controller is "class compliant", this will work just fine.

Re: Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 00:36, 20 April 2017
by pgreco
Also I can confirm that the Kenton USB Midi Host lets you control the Juno DS using a USB MIDI keyboard (I have a Korg Micro Key 37). Just connect the USB keyboard to the Kenton, and the Kenton's MIDI out to the Jon's MIDI in. This should work with any "class compliant" USB MIDI controller.

Re: Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 14:05, 9 June 2017
by klar_kinelis
Do such gear like bcr2000 or Nanocontrol - can I use them without a PC? You know, just to put a nonoctroller on Juno DS nad voilla - access "all the knobs" ?

Re: Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 21:50, 11 June 2017
by gris
Nanocontrol may have to be mapped thru software on a computer but bcr2000 should be able to do it on it's own.

Re: Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 13:20, 13 June 2017
by klar_kinelis
gris wrote:Nanocontrol may have to be mapped thru software on a computer but bcr2000 should be able to do it on it's own.
Many thanks.

Re: Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 09:36, 1 September 2017
by tmcmeso1984
By any chance, has anyone had any experience / luck at controlling the DS with an Arturia Beatstep? I have both the DS61 and the DS88, (as well as a Korg Krome), and I have been using the BeatStep with Massive and Absynth5 but have some specific patches that I want to control through the BS. It has both USB, and MIDI out.

Thanks,

T-

Re: Hardware midi controller for JUNO DS

Posted: 03:56, 24 October 2017
by Andrew M
I have a JUNO DS88 and got an RPU-3 at the same time - not realising, of course, that the DS-88 had only 2 pedal jacks. Not to be defeated, I decided to use an Arduino as an analogue pedal to MIDI footswitch interface. I have pedal jacks wired directly into the Arduino - circuit adapted from here:

http://manoreken2.blogspot.co.uk/2015/0 ... teq-5.html,

but instead of a wired MIDI out (which I found exceptionally difficult to solder - being a novice at it), I cheated and used a USB-Host Shield and a USB to MIDI cable.

Remarkably, it works.

In this setup, I can send any MIDI message I want by programming the Arduino appropriately (in my rudimentary C++ code - using appropriate C++ 'libraries'), and the JUNO-DS88 has recognised (in SOME form) the signals that it should have according to the MIDI implementation.

BUT CC64 Hold and CC65 Sostenuto do NOT affect the keyboard section of the instrument. They only affect incoming MIDI notes, so when I play a note, I get no sustaining effect, even if the SAME note sent via MIDI IN is ALREADY being sustained. This is in contrast to, for example, a note sent by a note ON MIDI event which prevents me from playing said note again until a note OFF event, and is also in contrast to other CCs which work.

I CAN however make the CC64 Hold sent from the Arduino do OTHER things which affect the keyboard section via the MTRX CTL and Effects CTL.

Now, of course, I COULD just plug the rightmost pedal into the Hold jack and use the other 2 through the Arduino for whatever else, but I like the idea of using all three as control pedals controlled themselves by a fourth pedal (which is a very cheap pedal I bought to plug into a fourth jack wired into the Arduino) so that I could switch functions dynamically (either individually or as a set).

I can also receive anything the MIDI OUT outputs.

Anyone know if it's possible to get CCs 64 and 65 to work "properly" (within the context of a footswitch and according to the DS-88)? Am I sending the wrong, or too simple a message? Do I need a system exclusive? Or is it just not possible at all?

Thanks.