Using the D-Beam to Trigger External Devices

We can make a few modifications in the above steps to trigger an external MIDI sampler, sound module, or keyboard. Needless to say, waving your hand in mid air to trigger a sound or phrase can be very cool. Use the following procedure to trigger a sample from the Boss SP-202 Dr. Sample using the D-Beam:

0. Connect audio cables from the L/R LINE OUT jacks of the SP-202 into the corresponding inputs of your external mixer, amplifier, or receiver.
1. Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT jack of the MC-505 to the MIDI IN jack of the SP-202.
2. Power on the SP-202 while holding PAD 1 to set it to receive on MIDI channel 1.
3. Verify that a sample has been recorded and assigned to PAD 1 of your SP-202.
4. On the MC-505, press PART SELECT and use the PART SELECT buttons to select Part 1.
5. Use the OCTAVE – and + buttons to select “OCT -2” in the LED display.
6. Verify that KEY PAD 2 on the MC-505 triggers the sample assigned to PAD 1 on the SP-202.
7. While holding the D-BEAM CONTROLLER SELECT button, use the VALUE dial to select “26:Note+Bend [A4].”
8. While continuing to hold the D-BEAM CONTROLLER SELECT button, use the OCTAVE – and + buttons and KEY PAD 2 to select “26:Note+Bend [C2].”
9. Release the D-BEAM CONTROLLER SELECT button.
10. Press the D-BEAM CONTROLLER ON/OFF button so it is lit.
Tip: When the octave is set to “OCT -2” on the MC-505. KEY PADS 2-9 will normally trigger pads 1-8 of the SP-202. Keep this in mind if you have multiple samples assigned to the pads of your SP-202.

As you move your hand over the D-Beam Controller, the sample assigned to PAD 1 of the SP-202 will be triggered. Now, we will set the Part that is playing the MC-505 Patch so only the external sampler will be played.
12. On the MC-505, hold SHIFT and press KEY PAD 12.
13. Use the PAGE < / > buttons to select “SYS:MIDI LocalTX.”
14. Press PART SELECT and use the PART SELECT buttons to select PART 1.
15. Use the VALUE dial to select “EXT.”
16. Press EXIT. Now, the D-Beam controller of the MC-505 will only play the external sampler for Part 1.
Note: Some samplers receive MIDI pitch bend messages. Therefore, your samples may speed up or slow down (and change in pitch) depending on the distance of your hand from the D-Beam controller lens. If this is not desired, set both the Pitch Bend Range Up and Pitch Bend Range Down in the Patch section of the MC-505 to a value of 0 (as previously described). Once you have made these settings, the sample will always play back at a standard default tempo and pitch.

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