Local Control

A parameter found on most MIDI keyboards that have built-in sounds. Local Control can be set on or off, and is normally found in the global parameters for a particular instrument. When enabled the keyboard is electronically connected to the internal sounds of the instrument. This is the “normal” or default mode for most instruments. When turned off the keyboard only transmits MIDI to the MIDI out jack. The built-in sounds can then only be accessed from a MIDI input (or an internal sequencer where applicable). When people use keyboards with external sequencing equipment local control is normally turned off, and the sounds are just driven through the sequencer. This prevents a phenomenon known as MIDI echo, where a sound is triggered directly by the keyboard, and then a very short time later the same note is played again due to the data being passed through the sequencer.