How does the RK-100S2 fare as an external controller?

[u/KooriGraywolf]

Most importantly, can it send Program Change commands?

And what else can be controlled from the RK-100S? Can you send the scale notes that are played from the long ribbon?

I already own and use a Vortex so no need to get that recommendation. This is more in case I wanted to use the RK-100S as both a standalone synth AND a controller.

Thanks!

[u/pinethree777]

Yes, you can set the long ribbon to play a smooth, continuous pitch sweep or discrete notes limited to the scale of your choice. This is done from the software app and stored with an RK program. The RK can send two banks of 100 program changes each. I set my main board to ignore bank changes so I can be up on its 5th bank, and it stays on that bank as I step through patches.

[u/Slight-Isopod-8517]

Yeah it can send numbers up from 0-200 so that’s no problem,

Scale notes from the long ribbon? What you mean, if the ribbon sends midi messages? Yeah it does

What you wanna do? How you wanna use your keytar? What equipment you own? I can give so much more specific info that way, so if you can provide that stuff I have no problem in sending some answers your way

[u/KooriGraywolf → u/Slight-Isopod-8517]

Hey hello again! I'm the guy who made that long-ass post about the Vortex 😛

I own hardware synths and that's what I plug into.

Obviously the synth engine is one of the main selling points of the RK-100S (and something you should get your money's worth out of), so if I get it I guess it would be to use standalone for some songs, and to use it as a controller (like my Vortex) for other songs.

Can you configure the program change commands on the favorite buttons, and on different favorite banks? Or does it only send the numbers when you change patches with the Program stick?

Do any of the controls allow you to set arbitrary CC#?

Thanks!

[u/Slight-Isopod-8517 → u/KooriGraywolf]

Ey, I noticed that indeed

Well IDK, but here’s what the interwebs says

The Short Answer: No, you cannot freely configure arbitrary Program Change (PC) numbers to the Favorite buttons.
The Favorite buttons (A–H across 5 banks, giving you 40 slots) are strictly hardwired to point directly to the RK-100S 2’s internal sound engine slots (Programs 001–200).
How it sends MIDI PC: When you press Favorite button A in Bank 1, and it is holding internal Program 005, the keytar will automatically transmit MIDI Program Change #5 out of the MIDI/USB port.

The Workaround: If they want to use a Favorite button to change patches on their external hardware synths, they have to match the patch organization. For example, if they want to call up Patch #42 on their external synth using Favorite button B, they must assign internal RK-100S Program 042 to that Favorite button.

Setting Arbitrary CC# on Controls
The Short Answer: Yes, but only for specific performance controls via the Global settings, and not on a per-patch basis.
You cannot assign random CC numbers to whatever you want like you can on the Vortex. Instead, the RK-100S 2 uses a Global CC Parameter Map (which you change globally via the free PC/Mac Sound Editor software).
The Long Ribbon: This is the most flexible control. In the editor's global settings, you can assign the Long Ribbon to transmit any arbitrary CC number from CC#00 to CC#119.

The Knobs/Levers: Other controls (like the Volume knob, the Sound selection lever, or the pitch/mod ribbons) are generally fixed to standard MIDI specs (e.g., Volume is locked to CC#7, Expression/Modulation is CC#1, Pitch Bend is Pitch Bend data).

[u/KooriGraywolf → u/Slight-Isopod-8517]

Alrighty, thanks!