M-Audio Axiom Pro manual Why are BankLSB/BankMSB messages needed?

Axiom Pro User Guide		28
	Parameter:	Program
	Value Range:	0-127
		This parameter sends Program Change MIDI messages on your selected Global channel and can
		be used to select the different sounds contained within your sound module (or virtual instrument).
		For example, if you set this parameter to “20,” your connected software or sound module will
		immediately load program number 20.
	Parameter:	BankLSB
	Value Range:	0-127
		This parameter sends Bank LSB messages on your selected Global channel. In other words, a Bank
		LSB message is transmitted as soon as you set this parameter to the desired number. Note that
		Bank LSB messages will not have any effect until a Program Change message is sent.
	Parameter:	BankMSB
	Value Range:	0 - 127
		This parameter sends Bank MSB messages on your selected Global channel. In other words, a
		Bank MSB message is transmitted as soon as you set this parameter to the desired number. Note
		that Bank MSB messages will not have any effect until a Program Change message is sent.

✓Why are BankLSB/BankMSB messages needed?

The MIDI protocol generally uses 7-bit messages to exchange data, giving parameters a numerical data range from 0 to 127. This explains why MIDI CC values usually range from 0-127, or why many early MIDI modules have 128 sounds (i.e., sounds 1 through 127, plus sound number “0”).

Nowadays, many MIDI devices contain hundreds (or even thousands) of sounds and a simple 7-bit “Program Change” message cannot address any instruments beyond number 127. If this is the case, the sounds are usually separated into “banks” of 128 instruments that are accessed using “Bank LSB” and “Bank MSB” messages.

Axiom Pro can generate Program Change as well as Bank LSB/MSB messages. However, your device must be capable of receiving and interpreting these messages for bank changes to take place. Please consult the user manual of your MIDI device to see how the bank change numbers relate to the sounds on your device.

✓NOTE: Program change commands, as well as Bank LSB/MSB messages are sent to all active keyboard zones. For example, if two zones are selected and set to transmit on different channels, any Program or Bank LSB/MSB messages you generate will be sent on both channels. This means you may inadvertently override one zone’s current program or Bank LSB/MSB setting when trying to change the other zone’s program.

If you would like a zone not to receive a Bank LSB message, disable that zone before sending the message

(disabling of zones is described in the

“Edit Mode > Zones” section of this guide).