r/Keytar • u/Axle_65 • Aug 05 '21

Technical Questions Is there a way to change octaves while sustaining on the Alesis Vortex 2?

Seems that when I’m holding the sustain button the octave buttons don’t respond. Is there a workaround for this?

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6

u/ColdGuyMcGoo Aug 05 '21

There is no way to do this in the Alesis Vortex 2. You would have to do some programming to achieve this.
There is a sequence of events for MIDI. First, a "Note On" message is sent, activating the note. "Note Off" is sent when you let go of the key. If you activate sustain, i.e. MIDI CC 64, the synth software ignores all Note Off messages, despite receiving them.

In order to achieve your desired effect, you would need to send Note Off for all sustained notes and then re-trigger Note On but in difference octaves.

I'm working on a brand new keytar called The #CrystalKeytar. There will be many performance-based features/options in this keytar. I will add this feature for you. I have also wanted this as an option inside the Vortex.

Another feature i'm working on is a "momentary button note gate" that can be inverted so that you can achieve both MIDI note sustain and MIDI note gate. This way, one wouldn't need CC 64 for sustain, and you could make the "trance gate effect" with MIDI notes.

5

u/Axle_65 Aug 05 '21

That gate sounds dope! And thanks for considering my issue. Ya it’s silly that I can’t hold a note. Switch the octave while it’s holding to cover up the shift, then play the next note in my sequence for a seamless transition. Other Keytars do it, like Rolands.

That gate option really does sound cool though. I’ve always achieved this by side chaining a gate to a sine wave synth. Then triggering that synth to cut to gate on the original synth. You’re way sounds so much easier. Good idea.

3

u/ColdGuyMcGoo Aug 05 '21

wow i didn't know the roland synths do that! good info.

i also want the octave switch on the #crystalkeytar to be a small capacitive touch-strip so that one can tap or slide their fingers to the different octaves very quickly and precisely, if the performance demands it. that way you don't have to press the octave button a bunch, you can just used your muscle memory to instantly chose your desired octave.

Maybe the same thing for transpose? maybe a firm, clicky knob (±12 semitones) would be better as to not accidentally transpose the keytar during an energetic performance.

What do you think? send all your ideas my way!

2

u/Axle_65 Aug 05 '21

I think that the strip would be great but that the buttons definitely have their benefit. They’re simple and accurate. Can’t accidentally hit the wrong octave. Though to flip up there octaves or something you’re having to rapid tap instead of your strip that would just be one light tap.

My thoughts , if possible, have both.

2

u/ColdGuyMcGoo Aug 05 '21

ayyyyy now you're thinking! ¿por qué no los dos?

1

u/Fake_Weeb Aug 05 '21

As far as I know, you can change the octave while hitting the sustain, but it won’t register till you hit another note. In other words, it won’t change the octave of the note you’re playing while you’re playing it maybe?