HX3 mk2 and 2nd MIDI IN

[gabriele]

Hi,
I've bought a second hand HX3 expander equipped with a mk2 board and upgraded to the latest firmware #3.925.
I'd like to use 2 different keyboards to control the upper and lower manual of the HX3 but I don't understand if the mk2 board supports the fuction to transform the MIDI OUT in a 2nd MIDI IN port.

I tried this configuration:
- for upper manual: Nord Stage Compact MIDI OUT (ch. 1) --> HX3 MIDI IN
- for lower manual: Fatar masterkeyboard MIDI OUT (ch. 2) --> HX3 MIDI OUT

...but only the upper manual works.
Should I change something by means the Remote software?

Thanks in advance,
gabriele

[happyfreddy]

Hi Gabriele,
The MK 2 board has no 2nd MIDI IN because only ONE Opto coupler on hardware side
MK 3 and MK 4 boards have TWO Opto Coupler on hardware side and a Jumperfield to change from MIDI OUT to second MIDI IN.
The needed MERGER for this two MIDI IN is integrated only in HX3 MK 3 or MK 4 Board

So if You want to connect two keyboards ( Channel 1 and Channel 2 for both manuals ) You must connect both keyboards with the selected channels 1 and 2 to a separate MIDI MERGER. From Output of this MERGER You connect to the MIDI IN Jack from HX 3 mk 2.
Then it will run as wanted.
The MERGER You need to buy must have two MIDI IN jacks and one MIDI OUT jack

[gabriele]

Hi Happyfreddy,
thank you very much for your reply.
I'll buy a MIDI merger like one of Midisolutions.

gabriele

[happyfreddy]

Hi,
I think it´s the best and easy way.
Your upper key must send on channel 1 and the lower on channel 2
If You want a pedal ( channel 3 ) too You must use a second Merger
Upper and lower merged with first Merger.
Output Merger 1 into one of the inputs of Merger 2 and the pedal in second input of Merger 2.
Output Merger 2 into MIDI IN of HX 3 expander
good luck

[gabriele]

Thanks again Happyfreddy,
anyway I've found the way to avoid the midi merge box with my HX3 mk2.

At present I'm using a Nord Stage Compact (1st model) to control the upper manual of the HX3, and a glorious DX7 II for the lower one (its keybed remember me an Hammond spinet ;) )
Because my old Nord Stage has not Midi Thru interface neither "soft" Midi Thru (as the Stage 2), you can merge incoming midi signals selecting the "dual keyboard" function on the Stage and using the "External" section on both panel A and B.

For Stage's owners, this is my chain solution that works flawlessly:

- DX 7 or other keyboards (trx ch. 2) Midi OUT --> Nord Stage Midi IN with "dual Keyb" on Midi ch. 2
- Nord Stage (EXT panel A ch. 1 / EXT panel B ch. 2) Midi OUT --> HX3 Midi IN

And yes, for the pedalboard I will buy a midi merger box ;)

gabriele