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10.3. Using MIDI to Control Modules in VCV Rack
In the example below, we'll use a KeyStep Pro arpeggiator to control an oscillator in VCV
Rack, a free virtual modular system that you can download from
install on your computer.
•
Connect the USB output on your KeyStep Pro to a USB port on your computer.
•
Open VCV Rack. The first time the program launches, it opens a simple demo
patch, which is perfect for our example.
•
In the first position (top left), you'll see a MIDI-CV module. We'll use this module
to get MIDI Note Numbers from the KeyStep Pro, and we'll use them to control
the pitch of a VCV Rack voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). We'll use the
corresponding Velocity values to control the ADSR envelope generator module.
•
In the upper menu of the MIDI-CV module, select "Computer keyboard" and
change the value to "Core MIDI" or "Windows MIDI", as appropriate). Then, in the
middle menu, Click on "(No device)" and change it to "Arturia KeyStep Pro". We've
now set up the MIDI-CV module to receive pitch and velocity values from the
KeyStep Pro.
•
Now, in the middle menu of the Audio-8 output module, click on "(No device)" and
change it to the computer audio output (i.e. internal soundcard or external audio
interface).
Now, when pressing a key on the KeyStep Pro you should hear sound from VCV Rack
through your speakers or headphones. Congratulations! You can now use the KeyStep
Pro keyboard, the arpeggiators and the sequencers to control oscillator(s) and envelope
generator(s) in VCV Rack.
10.3.1. KeyStep Control Mode and VCV Rack
As we've seen previously in Chapter 8 - Control mode, MIDI CC# (control change) messages
can be used to control/modulate parameters of external synths and modular systems.
These MIDI CC# messages differ from note-related MIDI messages (for example, Note ON
and Note OFF). CC# messages are specifically designed to control/modulate parameters on
an external MIDI device such as a hardware synth, a hardware modular system, a software
virtual instrument loaded in a DAW, or a software modular system such as VCV Rack.
10.3.1.1. Sending CC# messages from the KeyStep Pro
To send CC# messages to external devices, the KeyStep Pro has to be in Control mode.
The moment you press the Control button, the five main encoders take on a different role:
they transmit CC# messages over MIDI (via USB, MIDI Out 1 and/or MIDI Out 2).
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Arturia - User Manual Keystep Pro - KeyStep Pro and your Modular system
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