Using MIDI Shape Shifter in Sonar

Hi all,
 
I have a few external controllers that I’m using for CC control.  They don’t span the full range from 0-127, so I need a utility to "scale" or "transform" the incoming MIDI data.  I found the MIDI Shape Shifter on-line and I think it can do what I want.  (For example, I can scale an incoming value of 35 to produce a CC value of 0, and an incoming value of 90 to produce a CC value of 127).
 
MIDI Shape Shifter is a DLL that configures as a VSTi in Sonar.  So I have inserted the “synth” into the FX bin and created a separate MIDI track to control it.  (See attached screen shot).  I've successfully used this method with other MIDI controlled FX’s like The Finger, etc., but it’s not working in this instance.  The external MIDI controllers work, but only from 35-90, and not over the full 0-127 range.  So I don't think that they are routing through the MIDI Shape Shifter plug-in.

 
Does anyone have any feedback as to what I need to do to get this to work right in Sonar?  I cringe every time I have to do challenging MIDI routing in Sonar.  Do I need MIDI Yoke?  MIDI Ox?  loopBE?  I'm not completely sure what these MIDI utils do.  I understand MIDI, but I don't understand how Sonar “routes” it.
 
Help?
 
Thank you, and much appreciated,
 
Todd

Thanks arachnaut.  So is my issue MIDI mapping (to and from the MIDI Shape Shifter util)?  You've given me some suggestions, but I'm still not sure WHY I am having this issue.  Is there a good resource or reference somewhere that details MIDI mapping and routing in Sonar?  I think I need to get educated!

I did get MIDI Shape Shifter to work. Here is how. After installing taking all defaults.

• Create A New Project
• Insert MIDI Shape Shifter into the project using an instrument track
• Insert DPro into the Project using an instrument track
• Set the input on the MIDI Shape Shifter to my controller Omni
• Set the input on the DPro track to MIDI Shape Shifter Omni
• Load a Program into DPro
• Set echo on both tracks
• Play controller..............DPro should sound
• Pick Transpose (+1 Octave) Preset from MIDI Shape Shifter
• Play controller..............DPro plays 1 octave higher.

The difference may be either using an instrument track to host the plug-in (it is always a good idea to have an audio+MIDI track or instrument track to host synths whether the synth is generating audio or not) or input echo on BOTH instrument tracks (this has tripped me up before).
 
Anyway, glad it is working for you.

Yes, the way I was able to send CC data from MIDI Shape Shifter to an FX is

• Add MSS to an instrument track (input echo on)
• Create a generator in MSS (the LFO-1 preset is a good starting point)
• Add a MIDI track to receive the MIDI output from MSS (input echo on)
• Use LoopBe1 or any other virtual MIDI cable for output of the MIDI track

 
This makes the CC data generated by MSS available for use. To complete the test:

• Add an audio track with a plug-in in the FX bin.
• Add an automation lane for one of the FX parameters.
• Right-clicked on the automation lane fader and selected "Remote Control"
• Set the remote control dialog to Controller 7 (which is sent by the MSS LFO-1 preset)

 
At this point the FX parameter should be oscillating based on the LFO-1 preset.

Actually.... I think I do need to add LoopBe.... Although the process works, my external controllers are spanning the whole range from 0-127 (CC control), which is why I have to use MIDI Shape Shifter. So without LoopBe, the control is working, but it's just not routing through MSS. I'll install LoopBe and report back.

I did not use an external controller, the LFO was done within MSS using the LFO-1 preset. If you need to add an external controller and restrict the range, you may need to use MSS to map the incoming CC data to a different channel or CC so the remote control can be defined to pick up data from MSS instead of the controller.
 
The MIDI event filter MFX may be useful to restrict the range too.

Hi mettelus, thanks for the feedback. Damn, I am feeling dumb lately! I am seriously not getting this virtual midi cable thing in Sonar. I'm tempted to draw out a block diagram or two of what I am specifically trying to do (with the external HW controllers that need the MIDI Shape Shifter VST plug-in to properly scale their ranges). I may do that when I have some time this weekend.
 
I have attempted to look on-line for how-to's on midi virtual cables, and am not finding anything of any substance. I have a feeling that there is something real basic here that I am just not getting.

Hi Scook,
 
OK, I followed your instructions in post #9.  Here's a picture of the tracks in X3e Pro.  Track 2 meter is oscillating, and if I change the amplitude of the LFO in MSS, the meter level changes.  So tracks 1 and 2 look good.  But when I insert the audio track, the FX, and set remote control for one of the FX parameters (including setting it to cc = 7), and then press play on the transport, I don't get the oscillating parameter.  In this case, it's mix amount on valhalla room.  Do I have all of the track I/O's set correctly?

 

Hi Scook,
 
I think I'm almost there, gotten most of it to work. Thank You for your help!!
 
There's an weird anomaly occurring though, not sure what is causing this.
 
I have Diva as my test VSTi.  I am controlling two adjacent controls on Diva from my remote HW box.  The first one I assigned to control directly using the MIDI Learn command, and that control goes from 0% to 100% in Diva.  In other words, full scale.  The second one, however, I set up an automation lane with remote control, and that control goes from ~ 10% to ~ 90%.  Not full scale.  Same external controls, and identical adjacent controls in Diva.  I am missing something in setting up remote control in the automation lane?

Thanks Scook. I'll take it from here. You've really helped a lot, thank you again!!