1. Assign them to different channels? and..

Yes.

2. Can you create keyboard zones and assign them to midi channels?

You can create as many as eight Zones, which can be for internal or external Parts. The external transmit channel can be set to any channel as required.

Can you recommend a good midi-keyboard that I can use to control multiple parts on my Montage? 49-61 keys.

Not a dedicated controller, but the Kurzweil PC3K6 61-Key Workstation supports 16 zones and Kurzweil has a good reputation for MIDI flexibility as well as complementary string sounds. Coming in at about $1k less expensive is the Kurzweil PC3LE6. This board features 16 zones but uses knobs instead of sliders - which tends to be regarded as a con. The Kurzweil PC3A6 - another high ticket item (w/sliders) also supports 16 zones. Earlier generations/used versions of these keyboards also support 16 zones.

On the used market, the Alesis QS6 (... 6.1, 6.2) supports up to 16 zones.

Physis K5 - 8 zones only goes down to 76 keys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH68yLkecwE This keyboard is reported to have 5 ports for connecting different kitchen sinks.

Okay! I just need a MIDI-keyboard, no internal sounds and I want to keep the $ down to $200 or something similiar. I don't need 16 zones, maybe 2.
Can I control multiple PARTS in the same ZONE when only transmitting on 1 channel? Or is it 1 transmitting channel per PART?

This depends on how you have the keyboard setup. In my opinion, it's best to have at least 8 zones so you can keep the keyboard MIDI mode to "Multi". But you can scratch that and use single-channel mode leaving it up to key-range instead of MIDI channel to filter what notes Montage responds to.

The Alesis and Physis are controllers only. Although Alesis is the only one that fit the 61 key (or smaller) requirement. Physis can be a keyboard with internal sounds with an add-on, but does not come this way (MIDI controller only).

The main limitation in having less zones will be for real-time controls like mapping an external controller to the assignable knobs or other parameters that you would otherwise want to affect one PART vs. all PARTs at the same time. This can be managed, but it limits the amount of simultaneous knobs you can map for control.

I don't care very much about the controllers, I just want more keys so I can put for example a solo-organ on the top (midi) keyboard.
I guess M-Audio Oxygen and similiar doesn't transmit on more channels than 1? Let's say I buy a MIDI-keyboard that only transmitting on 1 channel, can I make several Parts on my Montage answer to that MIDI-channel?

I guess M-Audio Oxygen and similiar doesn't transmit on more channels than 1? Let's say I buy a MIDI-keyboard that only transmitting on 1 channel, can I make several Parts on my Montage answer to that MIDI-channel?

Yes, a controller that transmits on just a single Channel can be used to control the Montage, you simply need to place it in MIDI I/O = Single

Robin, I saw a picture of a keyboard that would fit your needs and then some. It may have more zones than Montage can support.

?r=899503721" alt="" />
Source: MIDI Association's latest "The MIDI Message" article.

Jason wrote:

Robin, I saw a picture of a keyboard that would fit your needs and then some. It may have more zones than Montage can support.

?r=899503721" alt="" />
Source: MIDI Association's latest "The MIDI Message" article.

Haha that's awesome