Problem using midi keyboard for mixing

[Modelman5]

Good evening,

I'm having a problem using my midi controller keyboard (M-Audio Oxygen 25 Mk V) to mix tracks in LMMS. I can assign faders to the rotary knobs on the midi controller and adjust the volumes with no problem. I then save/exit. When I reload the project I find all the faders have gone to the bottom (-inf dBFS) thus destroying my mix. I find the faders are still assigned to the controller knobs but this is little consolation when my mix has been destroyed after a lot of painstaking work. What do I need to do to stop it happening? I'm using LMMS version 1.2.2 on Windows 10.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[musikbear]

Good evening,

Hi, Welcome to the Forum Modelman5 !
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When I reload a project I find all the faders have gone to the bottom (-inf dBFS) thus destroying my mix. I find the faders are still assigned to the controller knobs but this is little consolation when my mix has been destroyed after a lot of painstaking work. What do I need to do to stop it happening? I'm using LMMS version 1.2.2 on Windows 10.

In essence LMMS MIDI-support is limited to receive note-key-input and as response play the instrument, that has MIDI-focus.
Nothing else!
I do not know your keyboard (M-Audio Oxygen 25 Mk V) and the way you have connected sliders, but the low-value 'advise' would be: Dont connect those sliders to LMMS-mixer.
However..
You should be able to do a trick!
When you have made your mix, you can add one automation for each LMMS-mixer-slider, and simply drag the mixer-sliders into its own automation-track!
It is the same hack that i suggested long ago for VSTs that wont save settings.
Watch this video:

[Modelman5]

Hi Musikbear,

Thanks for replying and for your welcome.

Bad news: I don't think your suggestion will work for me. I've set up the automation tracks as suggested but when a midi controller is assigned, the automation track seems to be ignored. When the midi assignment is deleted, the automation track works. It was a good thought, though!

Good news: I've found a way around it which is deceptively simple if a little clunky. When I've completed my mix, all I need to do is disconnect the midi controller from each fader before I save and exit the file. I find the fader positions are all preserved next time I open the file. If I need to do some more mixing I can re-assign the midi controller as necessary - and then delete the assignment again before I save and exit. That works fine. If I had more than 8 tracks that could become annoying and unmanageable but if I have more than 8, then I just mix using the mouse because I only have 8 rotary knobs on my midi keyboard anyway.

I also use Tracktion Waveform Free and in Waveform the problem just doesn't exist. However, I've been importing downloaded free midi files into LMMS to mix them and turn them into backing tracks to accompany my guitar playing. LMMS handles the import process beautifully, loading the soundfont player along with the default soundfont and even loading the appropriate patch. It means I can produce my backing tracks quickly and with little hassle. Along with a few nice soundfonts and a little collection of VSTs, LMMS does the job simply and perfectly for me.

Finally, a big "thank you" to yourself and the other folks on the forum who spend so much time helping out people like me. Your input is appreciated. Also to the project team and developers who give us this software. It's given me many long hours of pleasure and I'm very grateful for all your efforts.

Ron

[musikbear]

Good news: I've found a way around it

That is good news!
Thank you for your kind words!