I’m using an AstroLab with the KeyStage app on an iPad. Normally with KeyStage and a keyboard where you want to use its internal sound engine, you’d turn local control off so all its audio is via MIDI through KeyStage.
I can’t find anything in the AstroLab or its manual that allows local control to be turned off so I’m just running its audio outputs into my USB interface and into an audio input in KeyStage. This works with a few slight workarounds (mainly turning the AstroLab’s master volume down when I don’t want its patch layered with an iOS instrument) but a direct MIDI connection would be ideal.
There’s no MIDI Control Center implementation for AstroLab (not unexpected given that it’s not intended as a controller) so with no mention in the manual or in the unit’s settings menu, it’s looking like local control may be baked into AstroLab. Anyone know if this is correct?
Assuming you are using the current official AstroLab firmware 1.3.5:
There’s no dedicated Local Off mode on the current version of AstroLab, but there’s a way to make it work the same way as Local Off.
It invovles changing the MIDI In/Out settings and the MIDI channels of the Part(s) for each of the presets that you want to use this way (saved in your User soundbank).
The way I have setup my AstroLab to do this is as follows:
in Settings / MIDI In/Out
Main MIDI Channel: 1 (fixed)
Secondary MIDI Channel: 2
Keyboard Channel: see below
MIDI Out Filter: Keyboard Only
in MIDI (Shift + Split) for each preset I want to use (saved in User Soundbanks)
all my single user presets (Part 1 only) and multi Layer/Split presets (Part1/Part2 on the same channel) to Ch 1,
all my multi “bi-timbral” user presets to Part 1 on Ch1, Part 2 on Ch 2
This way, depending on the Keyboard Channel setting:
Keyboard Channel to Ch 1: it will play all single user presets or Part 1 of bi-timbral user presets internally,
Keyboard Channel to Ch 2: it will only play internally Part 2 of bi-timbral presets.
Keyboard Channel to anything else than 1 or 2 (i.e. 3-16): it won’t play any sound internally (like LOCAL OFF, for the keyboard and modulations only; Macros and FX knobs are always active internally), but it sends out MIDI/USB notes and modulations, and can control either an external sound module/synth on Ch3-16, or be re-routed to the AstroLab’s MIDI/USB input on Ch 1 or Ch 2 via an external MIDI/USB sequencer (or in your case, KeyStage). Note: all factory presets have their Part channels set to All, therefore the Keyboard will still play them on any Keyboard Channel.
There is an exception for B-3V presets that use Channels 1, 2 and 3 by default for Upper, Lower and Pedals.
It is also possible to control either Ch1 or Ch 2 with another MIDI keyboard such as a KeyLab.
For instance the AstroLab keyboard can be set to Ch1 and the external keyboard to Ch 2 to play the 2 different parts. (or vice-versa)
External MIDI/USB Faders (and Macro FX knobs) such as the controls on a KeyLab are only received on Ch 1. Their action is conditioned by the status of the Part 1 & Part 2 buttons (Part 1 / Part 2 / Master), like the onboard Macro knobs, regardless of the MIDI settings.
Functions messages (prev/next preset, etc…) are also only received on Ch 1
Program Change messages for Playlists are only received on Ch 1 and Ch 2 (secondary)