The BCR Performer application is something I wrote because the BCR2000 doesn't work like I want it to work.
Why?
Say you're using 2 BCR presets. One preset has its messages sending out on MIDI channel 1 and the second preset is sending out messages on MIDI Channel 2. You currently have preset 1 selected, this means that anything assigned to preset 2 won't receive any updates from Live.
So when you load a set, the BCR is only updated on 1 preset. And if you change MIDI Learned parameters that aren't currently displayed on the BCR, they won't be updated.
How?
The application I wrote, sits between Live and the BCR2000. It collects all the values that Live sends out when a set is loaded or when parameters are changed.
Instead of using multiple presets on the BCR2000, only 1 preset is used. The application itself will store up to 16 presets. Since only 1 preset can be controlled at a time, the application takes care of storing and recalling ALL the values of the assigned parameters in Live.
The application has 16 presets in total that will send out messages of 16 MIDI channels. Presets can be selected with MIDI or the mouse.
The Looks
The GUI is not essential to this application. If you're just interested in the functionality described above, you can hide the GUI and use the BCR like it should have been built.
The GUI shows the state of all the knobs, which preset currently is selected and it will store text labels for each of the 16 presets. This means you don't have to remember what everything is assigned to.
Installation
2) Download the BCR Performer application.
3) Unzip the package and place the BCR Performer folder anywhere on your computer.
Setup
1) Turn on the BCR2000
2) Open the BCR Performer Application (BCR Performer.maxpat) in Max Runtime.
3) Open Ableton Live
4) Set up the MIDI for Live and the Application
The MIDI goes from Live's Remote Output to the application on a virtual MIDI Driver. The application sends MIDI back to Live's remote input over a different virtual MIDI port.
On OSX there are plenty of virtual MIDI drivers available for this. On Windows, you will be required to use an application such as MIDI Yoke.
5) Set up the MIDI for the BCR Device
The BCR only needs to send and receive messages from the application, not from Live. In the preferences of the BCR Performer, set the 2nd and 3rd MIDI options to "BCR2000 Port 1".
Depending on your system and which drivers you did or did not install, the BCR MIDI Port names may show up differently. For example, Port 1 may show up as Port A. In some cases people will only see 1 Port.
6) Program the BCR Preset
The last thing required to make this work is having the correct preset on your BCR Device.
- Select the preset you wish to use
"BCR Performer 1.6 Knob 56.syx"
Select presets using the bottom-right knob on the BCR.
"BCR Performer 1.6 Button 33-48.syx"
Select presets using the 2 rows of 8 buttons.
That is it, after you installed one of these presets on your BCR, you should be able to see the knobs in the GUI move as you move them on the BCR. If this is not the case, the application isn't receiving MIDI from the BCR.
The 3rd Sysex file is for advanced users. And with advanced I mean: You know how to program your BCR. Preset selection is done with CC0 on MIDI Channel 1. Value 1 to 16 selects a preset.
"BCR Performer 1.6.syx"
This preset has no controls assigned for preset selection on the BCR Performer. Refer to the F.A.Q. chapter to learn how to program your BCR manually.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I send a Sysex file to the BCR2000?
- On Osx, you can use an application such as "Sysex Librarian". Simply load a Sysex file into the application, select the BCR as MIDI destination, press play and wait till all messages are sent and when that is done just press the Store button on the BCR twice, so that this Sysex preset is stored into the BCR. On Windows there are multiple applications for this. MIDI Yoke does this I think.
How do I change the CC of a knob or button on the BCR?
- Hold the edit button on the BCR and touch the Knob or Button you wish to change.
- The 3rd Knob (PAR) allows you to select the CC number. (CC0 on Channel 1 for Preset Selection)
- The 4th (VAL 1) and 5th (VAL 2) Knobs allow you to set the range. The range is 0 to 127 by default. (1 to 16 on CC0 for Preset Selection)
- For buttons, you may want to alter the Toggle Mode. The 6th knob (MODE) allows you to turn toggle mode on or off. There is also the option for increment mode, which will make the sent out value rise at each button press. Set the range from 1 to 16 if you wish to cycle presets with one button.
- The 1st knob (TYPE) lets you select wether you use a CC or Note message.
- Press the Store button twice, once you have everything set up to your liking. This will make the preset available after you turned the BCR off and on.
Can I have parameters that stay the same regardless of the chosen preset?
Yes, change the CC of the Knob or Button you wish to alter to any CC between CC 112 and CC 127 on MIDI Channel 1. Don't forgot to store your preset. Global controls will not move anything on the BCR Performer GUI. So there is no visual feedback for these parameters, except for on the BCR itself that is.
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