CSF MIDI Processor
Channel Shifter and FilterThe CSF MIDI Channel Shifter and Filter is an uncomplicated compact hardware-based MIDI processor unit with a built-in mains power supply.
This versatile gadget allows you to selectively pass or reject MIDI messages by channel, or to alter their channel assignments. It also makes it possible to mute a specific message type on a specific channel, or on all channels. MIDI System messages can also be selectively muted.
The MIDI messages that relate to performance events are tagged with channel numbers. This means that one MIDI datastream can carry up to sixteen independent lines of musical performance (parts). MIDI channels can be selected on receiving devices in a manner comparable to tuning a radio or television set to the desired channel. Some messages are not assigned to MIDI channels, and these are called System messages.
The straightforward set-up interface of CSF consists of two rotary switches on the front panel. The two controls combine to select the operating mode for the MIDI processor. The sixteen-position switch is generally used to select a MIDI channel number. The twelve-position switch is then used to select the function. Eleven MIDI channel processing functions are available, as follows:
The twelfth position selects the System and Global mode. When the function switch is in this position the sixteen position switch is available as a subfunction selector. The sixteen System/Global subfunctions are:
The functions and subfunctions are also summarised in the following table:
| L H switch | R H switch | Description |
| N SOLO | MIDI CHANNEL | Only messages on the selected channel are passed. |
| N MUTE | MIDI CHANNEL | Only messages on the selected channel are rejected. |
| >N MUTE | MIDI CHANNEL | All channel messages above, and NOT including, the selected MIDI channel are rejected. |
| <N MUTE | MIDI CHANNEL | All channels messages below, AND including, the selected MIDI channel are rejected. |
| N SOLO TO 1 | MIDI CHANNEL | All messages on the selected channel are put out on channel 1. All other channel messages are rejected. |
| 1 SOLO TO N | MIDI CHANNEL | All messages on channel 1 are put out on the selected channel.. All other channel messages are rejected. |
| SHIFT 1 TO N ETC. | MIDI CHANNEL | Channel tags of all channel messages are bumped 'round-the-clock' by the selected offset. |
| N CONTROL MUTE | MIDI CHANNEL | All Control Change messages on the selected MIDI channel are rejected. |
| N BEND MUTE | MIDI CHANNEL | All Pitch Bend messages on the selected MIDI channel are rejected. |
| N PROG MUTE | MIDI CHANNEL | All Program Change messages on the selected MIDI channel are rejected. |
| N TOUCH MUTE | MIDI CHANNEL | All polyphonic and channel After-Touch messages on the selected MIDI channel are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 1 BYPASS | All MIDI data is passed through unaltered. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 2 ALL SYS MUTE | All System messages (Exclusive, Real Time, and Common) are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 3 SYSEX MUTE | All System Exclusive messages are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 4 MTC 1/4 FRM MUTE | All MIDI Time Code quarter frame messages are rejected. The full message is, however, passed. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 5 S SEL MUTE | All Song Select messages are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 6 SPP CK ETC. MUTE | All Clock, Start, Stop, Continue and Song Position Pointer messages are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 7 ACT SENSE MUTE | Active Sensing and System Reset messages are ignored. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 8 ALL CHAN MUTE | All types of Channel Voice and Mode message on all MIDI channels are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 9 ALL NOTES MUTE | All Note On and Off and polyphonic After-Touch messages on all MIDI channels are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 10 FIX NOTE-ON VEL | All notes are put out at a fixed attack velocity of 100. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 11 ALL CTRL MUTE | All Control Change messages are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 12 ALL A-N-O MUTE | All All-Notes-Off messages are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 13 ALL BEND MUTE | All Pitch Bend messages are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 14 ALL PROG MUTE | All Program Change messages are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 15 ALL TOUCH MUTE | All poly and chan After-Touch messages are rejected. |
| SYS & GLOBAL | 16 OMNI TO 1 | All messages on all channels are put out on channel 1. |
Examples of CSF functionsThe diagram (right) shows an example application of one of the channel functions, N SOLO TO 1:
Under the SHIFT 1 TO N ETC channel function, all MIDI messages are retransmitted. However, before retransmission, the channel tags of all Channel messages are increased by one less than the number selected by the right-hand rotary control (if the sum is greater than sixteen, subtract sixteen from the sum). In other words, the channel tags of all Channel messages are shifted or bumped "round the clock". For example, messages received on channel one are mapped to the selected channel. Note that, if the right-hand control is set to channel one, the channel tags will not be altered.
The unit is a neat 109mm x 109mm x 40mm. MIDI In, Out and Thru ports are provided and the integral mains lead (ac power cord) comes with a plug. An LED power indicator is provided. There is also a lamp which flashes to indicate MIDI received DATA.
As with all our mains (ac) powered products versions are available for 110 V ac as well as 230 V ac. Plugs for various international standards are also available.
This product has been discontinued.
The CSF information on this page is also available as an Acrobat .pdf file - size: 312K bytes.
About MIDI channels, voices, timbres and Modes
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