Multiple MIDI channel outs on one track

[maxxer]

hey all -
Anyone know if its possible to have dynamic MIDI channel changes on one Protools MIDI track.

I'm trying to us one of those orchestral libraries. To get a 'realistic' sound, I need about 16 different pacthes loaded into a virtual sampler (in this case Kontakt). Each patch is now assigned to MIDI channels 1-16.

THis means i end up having 16 indiviaul MIDI tracks per instrument! (all routed to one instance of the virtual sampler).
You can see how a modest orchestra (even a chamber ensemble) quickly has 100s of tracks which is completely unmanageable.

Anyone have any insight in how i can solve this in protools?
It doesn't look like i can have one MIDI track and change MIDI channel dynamically during playback (although this, or an equivalent is exactly what I'm looking for)

best
maxx

[systemexclusive]

As i remember from Pro Tools Reference guide there is no way to assign channel to concrete note or group of notes. But each MIDI\Instrument track in Pro Tools can be assigned to more than one MIDI out.
If virtual instrument has ZONES feature you can split one MIDI track to several ZONES. Each zone will play its own sound.

On my side i keep dedicated MIDI\Instrument track per sound (with dedicated Audio output). In this way i control aspect of every sound. To prevent "workspace overloading" PT provide features "Memory Locations" and "Window Configurations".

[maxxer]

memory locations is a good idea- but i'm concerned mainly for editing.
I would like, ideally, to right click a note - and assign it a voice (in this case a sample articulation). (i'm pretty sure this is a fantasy - but if anyone knows of software which mght perform this function, please chime in)

Right now I have to compose a line - and then cut + paste ech note to 16 different tracks. It works, its just a slow workflow.

[systemexclusive]

Originally Posted by maxxer

Right now I have to compose a line - and then cut + paste ech note to 16 different tracks. It works, its just a slow workflow.

May be this helps: "Pro Tools Reference Guide" page 188
To assign multiple destinations to a single MIDI
track:
.. Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac)
the MIDI Output selector and select additional
channels from any device.

Also just found: "Pro Tools Reference Guide" page 187
"MIDI tracks in Pro Tools cannot contain
multiple channels of MIDI data."

[maxxer]

thanks systemex
that diffinitively answers that question about mutiple channel outs on one track (sorry should have read the manual better first)!

but my orginal question stands - anyone have input for the best way to organize big orchestral midi sessions?

is markers and keyswitches the way to go? or has someone come up with a better solution?