I'm wondering what is the suggested workflow for working with DAW.

I'd like to be able to use "standalone" mode controls for controlling all the effects, EQ and other sound parameters (via both the touch screen and the physical controls), However once switched to DAW modes, this is no longer possible.

I guess some of sound parameters can be controlled via MIDI control messages and probably I can customise it to some extent, but it looks like a hard path.

Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Daniel,
Hopefully we can help straighten a few things out. Yes, you seem to be missing something... First, “standalone” is a term used for when you are working with the MONTAGE while not connected to an external “host” device. When this is the case, the screen and hardware controls address the internal tone engine — MIDI is not used when the MONTAGE is addressing itself alone (we’ll explain about MIDI a bit later). When the MONTAGE literally, is standing alone, your screen settings and physical controllers address parameters *directly*. MIDI is actually not used when the MONTAGE addresses itself.

When you connect the MONTAGE via USB-MIDI to a computer, or to any thing external via MIDI, this is when you must concern yourself with what specific coded message is sent Out via MIDI — You will discover for many of the physical controllers, you can decide what message they send Out via MIDI. Some have fixed functions — some are freely assignable per Performance.

It is important that when you are recording a MIDI performance made with the MONTAGE, that any and every move you make on the MONTAGE generate a documentable MIDI message. It is the “prime directive” for any synth or Keyboard that has MIDI, that what you perform is transmitted Out via MIDI to duplicate every nuance of your interaction with the Keyboard if that data were captured and then played back.

To best accomplish MIDI recording and to clearly understand it, you work with LOCAL CONTROL = OFF. Local Control refers to the MONTAGE Keyboard being directly in touch with the MONTAGE Tone Generator. When you setup to record MIDI with a DAW, by turning Local Control Off, all interactions with the MONTAGE generate a coded message that gets sent OUT via MIDI. That message arrives at your DAW — If you have enabled a MIDI Track to receive messages from MONTAGE Port 1, and you then “Thru“ the data back to the MONTAGE Port 1 — it will complete the circuit and the MONTAGE Tone Generator will sound.

You, literally, are placing the DAW between the Keys and the Tone Generator. When we refer to the Keyboard this includes the Note-Ons and all Controllers — every thing but the sound. Sound is the Tone Generator.

The Super Knob or any of the Assign Knobs normally address the internal assigned parameters directly. Not with MIDI. You can decide what cc# will represent movement of each Knob. The MID cc# is “attached” to the coded message that gets transmitted OUT via MIDI. (Technically, that message is not communicated internally).

When LOCAL CONTROL = OFF your controllers will not work unless you “complete the routing circuit”.

To see what your assignable Controls are sending:
From the HOME screen
Press [EDIT] > “Control” > “Control Number”
Here those physical controls that can be assigned a cc# for this Performance appear. Understand these cc numbers as the coded message that has been selected to be generated when you physically move this controller. There are three ‘global’ assignments — use the shortcut box in the lower right corner to go to the MIDI I/O screen where you set the FS ASSIGN, the Super Knob CC, and the Scene CC.

REMOTE CONTROL versus LOCAL CONTROL
“DAW REMOTE” is not used as you seem to be thinking; it does not control the MONTAGE. When you activate “Remote” the Knobs, Buttons and Sliders of the MONTAGE front panel become a separate Remote Control Surface to Control the DAW software. All Knobs, Buttons, Sliders are re-tasked with functions to control the DAW.
You can navigate the DAW software, open/close windows, work the Transport, Mute/Solo Tracks, Balance Track levels, Pan Tracks, etc., etc. Additionally, the Remote layer can be configured to interact with any soft synth plugins you wish to use — again the parameters and settings of that plugin will appear in your Remote layer screens

Think of touching “Remote” as replacing the MONTAGE front panel with a Control Surface exclusively for the DAW.
When you want to address the MONTAGE simply tap HOME — The front panel reverts to being the MONTAGE’s Control Surface (as usual).
When you want to address the supported DAW, simply tap “REMOTE” — the front panel reverts to the DAW’s Remote Control Surface.

This is the work path. If the Remote layer were a separate product it would sit next to MONTAGE. By togglIng between REMOTE and HOME, you are turning your chair from the DAW to your Synth.

You can determine what message numbers are used for DAW functions... Notice that the Track names and parameters are identified in the MONTAGE screen represent the Track names and parameters of the DAW — It is a two-way communication. You need not worry yourself with what cc# if you don’t want to... most DAWs feature a “Learn” function... you activate this in the DAW, then you move your Remote Controller - and the DAW parameter then “learns” what message will control its movement. That message is typically a cc number on a discreet MIDI Port.

All this communication with your DAW takes place on USB-MIDI Port #2 (Totally separated from messages for the MONTAGE synth engine)
All communication that address your MONTAGE synth engine takes place on USB-MIDI Port #1
Tip: If these two Ports get ‘merged’ very strange behavior will result (windows in the software may unexpectedly pop open when you play a certain key, or buttons may trigger a Note-On event... this is clear sign that you have crossed the Port assignments somewhere)

Turning Assign Knob 1 by default is cc#17 locally (when the MONTAGE is the surface)... Port 1
Turning Assign Knob 1 could be something completely different remotely (when the REMOTE function is active)... Port 2

When the front panel Surface is addressing the MONTAGE (as normal) being on a separate Port means it has no affect on the DAW.
When the front panel Surface is addressing the REMOTE DAW, being on a separate Port means it has no (direct) affect on the MONTAGE. You will be controlling perhaps tracks that were generated by the MONTAGE but also you are able to control all DAW tracks (both MIDI and Audio, both those made by the MONTAGE and those made by any source connected to the DAW).

Extra Credit:
Link to Article using Cubase as the target DAW: __ MONTAGE New DAW REMOTE Feature _ Cubase

The concepts are the same even if you are using a different supported DAW. Let us know.

Master, thanks for quick and detailed response!

And still, back to my question 🙂
Assuming I have some part with some insertion effect on it, how can I control that insertion effect parameters while working in DAW (MIDI Rec on DAW)?
Both dynamic (in-play) changes and static?

Looks like what I need here is somehow to "feed back" the controller changes into the tone generator engine.

If you need to control one insertion effect parameter - assign that insertion effect to superknob (CC controlled) and record superknob movements with the DAW which will modulate the INS effect parameter. If you need more than one, use common level assignable knobs (instead of superknob) since these are still CC and easier to deal with than SysEx.

If you use PART-level assignable knobs, these transmit/receive SysEx which is harder to deal with inside DAWs. CC automation is often supported and allowable to "redraw" the movements if you want to quickly edit these movements.

Master, thanks for quick and detailed response!

And still, back to my question 🙂
Assuming I have some part with some insertion effect on it, how can I control that insertion effect parameters while working in DAW (MIDI Rec on DAW)?
Both dynamic (in-play) changes and static?

Looks like what I need here is somehow to "feed back" the controller changes into the tone generator engine.

It is all referencing your question.... Your question falls on the side of the MONTAGE Tone Generator... I thought that was obvious... the Insertion Effects are not REMOTE and are not part of the DAW, they are part of the Tone Generator.

In order for your controllers to work, in order for your synth engine to sound, when LOCAL CONTROL is OFF, you must be in touch with an active MIDI Track addressing the MONTAGE. You must complete the circuit through your DAW MIDI Track routing. If you do not, your instrument will not sound, and your controllers will not work!

Make sure Local Control = Off when recording MIDI.

“REMOTE” tap this to work with DAW stuff
At the top of the first column tap “HOME” to deal with the MONTAGE.

INSERTION EFFECTs are apart of the synth PART and are assigned control within the MONTAGE - this has nothing to do with DAW REMOTE... nothing.

Workflow example:
Say you’re recording a MIDI Track to your DAW where you are going to interact with the assigned Insertion Effects... this typically would be done inside that Part... go to the parameter you wish to control in real time... the [CONTROL ASSIGN] button glows when you move the cursor over one of the assignable parameters within this Insert Effect.
Press [CONTROL ASSIGN]
You are asked to move the Controller or select the Control option
You are then taken to the Control Assign screen for that Part where you can define how much and in what direction you want the Controller to work.
STORE this as a function within this Performance.

Now when you select this Part to perform - all of the Control assignments concern this Parts Insertion Effects will be available.
Say you set Part Assign Knob 1 to control the “Feedback” (number of repeats) on a Delay... then when recording this Part to your DAW moving Part Assign Knob 1 will do the trick... this will be recorded to your MIDI Track.

One you are ready to setup to Record...
Tap “Remote” xx this puts you in touch with your DAW
Return to Top to cue the Transport to Measure 001
Select and arm the Track
Press [RECORD]
Press [>] Play
During your DAW count-in

Tap “HOME” to activate your Synth front panel.
Perform on the synth - ignore the studio - you are a musician now.

When you complete the task of playing, twisting Knobs, stepping on pedals, etc.
Tap “Remote”
Press [STOP]
Press Return to Top > then Play

YES. You are going to have to swap front panels. The synth control panel is familiar — it is how your MONTAGE works normally. HOME
The front panel that operates the DAW remotely, is active when you tap “Remote”.

Are you working with Local Control Off?

Thanks, guys! I've got my answers.

Are you working with Local Control Off?

I guess I am. This is the default for "MIDI Rec on DAW" mode, right?

I guess I am. This is the default for "MIDI Rec on DAW" mode, right?

You don’t have to guess. You have to know...
here’s how you can know:

The MIDI SIGNAL FLOW and AUDIO SIGNAL FLOW diagrams are your friend. SIGNAL FLOW is left to right

Learning to read these easy diagrams will take you to the next level. Use the skill to troubleshoot your system. They automatically update to show your current situation. Above you can see “Local Control” = Off (connection is shown broken) — Tap it to engage it... Local Control disconnects/connects the MONTAGE “Keyboard” to the MONTAGE “Tone Generator”. When disconnected (Off) interaction with the MONTAGE Keyboard (including all of its Controllers) generate messages that go OUT via MIDI. They travel to a DAW (like Cubase) and arrive at a MIDI Track... which echoes the MIDI messages back to the MONTAGE’s MIDI IN... you can see how MIDI IN feeds the MONTAGE “Tone Generator”.

EXTRA CREDIT:

MIDI RECORD ON DAW - Use this when you are recording standard MIDI data to the DAW. You will notice the following differences in the SIGNAL FLOW Local Control (that is the Keyboard going to MIDI OUT does not include the ARPEGGIATOR (more on that later). Use this when you’re recording and no arpeggio data needs to be documented. This Quick Setup template also takes care of making the setting so that the MONTAGE will slave to MIDI clock - we will need to setup the DAW to send MIDI Clock to the Montage MIDI Port 1 - in general, the DAW will be the master MIDI clock source. By setting up and using MIDI clock you expand your opportunities to add data at a later time easily. When your music references Measures and Beats, you can ensure synchronization of the Motion Control engine (arpeggios, Motion Sequences, Tempo driven Effects and LFOs, etc.) even if adding this days or weeks later!
Important concept to understand here: Local Control is Off (connection between the Keyboard and Tone Generator is interrupted), key presses travel OUT via MIDI to an active MIDI Track in the DAW, where it can be documented and echoed back to the MONTAGE “Arpeggiator” and “Tone Generator” via “MIDI In”.

The factory default for Quick Setup #1 is “MIDI Rec on DAW” - Tapping that box executes the changes you have stored in Setup #1.
The parameters that get changed do so immediately and are customizable. The Signal Flow diagrams above the setup options will indicate how the physical routing is changed. You can create, name and store your own three Quick Setups — use the “Store Current Settings” box in the lower right corner to STORE your own Templates — Quick Setup templates are then SAVED to your USER Files. These templates remain in your instrument until you initialize them or you load in new Quick Setup templates from a User File.(.X7U)

Once you create a custom template it is automatically saved in all subsequent User Files .X7U

Got ya!

Thanks again!