Reference Guide

740 Editing MIDI events and continuous controllers (CC)
Controllers, RPNs, NRPNs, and automation data
Your computer can work the controllers on your electronic instrument by sending MIDI Controller
messages. The MIDI specification allows for 128 different types of controllers, many of which are
used for standard purposes. For example, controller 7 is normally used for volume events, and
controller 10 is normally used for pan. Every controller can take on a value ranging from 0 to 127.
The Piano Roll contains several drop-down lists that let you choose the controller you want to see
and edit. The contents of these lists depend on the output and channel settings and on the
instrument assigned to that output and channel. Different instruments use controllers in different
ways. See “Instrument definitions” on page 1117.
RPNs and NRPNs
RPNs (Registered Parameter Numbers) and NRPNs (Non-Registered Parameter Numbers) are
similar to controllers, except that both the parameter number and data value can be any number
between 0 and 16,383.
When RPNs and NRPNs are transmitted via MIDI or stored in a standard MIDI file, they are
converted into four separate controller messages. SONAR detects incoming xRPN messages from
MIDI inputs or files and reassembles them into a single RPN or NRPN event. This provides the
convenience of single RPN or NRPN events in SONAR plus compatibility with existing files,
equipment, and software. The following table shows the controller numbers SONAR uses for RPN
and NRPN events.
Note: SONAR has automatic searchback for all continuous controller data to ensure that the
correct controller values are in effect regardless of where you start playback. Suppose you start
playback halfway through a project. SONAR searches back from that point to find any earlier
controller values that should still apply.
Message
Parameter
number MSB
Controller
Parameter
number LSB
Controller
Data value MSB
Controller
Data value LSB
Controller
RPN 101 100 6 38
NRPN 99 98 6 38
Table 135.