Using an External Controller to Record in Song Mode

Question:
I am trying to use an external MIDI controller (alternate keyboard, drum/trigger pads, etc.) to record tracks in Song mode but I am unable to record on more than just one track.

Answer:

The Quick Answer:

You need to:

1) Go to the MIDI / [RECV ] page.(MASTER / [RECV ] for PC3LE models)

2) Set the “LocalKbdCh” to match whatever MIDI channel your master controller is transmitting to the Kurzweil on.

Understanding the Quick Answer:

This issue revolves around the use of the Local Keyboard Channel parameter (LocalKbdCh), found on the MIDI Receive page (Master Receive for PC3LE models).

Working in the same manner that an Auto Channelize Patch Thru function works in a software sequencer, the LocalKbdCh parameter re-channelizes the incoming MIDI data stream and routes it to the currently armed track in Song mode. If you are in Song Mode, and do not use the Local Keyboard Channel, then you must always manually change the transmit channel on your keyboard to match the channel of the sequencer track you want to record on. A hassle. But if you set the Local Keyboard Channel to a specific channel, and then leave your keyboard on that same channel as you switch through the tracks on the Kurz, the incoming messages are rerouted to the corresponding track.

The Local Keyboard Channel parameter is also used for properly routing incoming data to Setups in Setup mode and can be employed to turn incoming controller messages into different controller messages (aka Controller Remapping). For complete details, check out the MIDI Mode chapter in your unit’s Musician’s Guide.