My hope is that the 2nd keyboard (the one with only 25 keys) will actually make things less messy. The keyswitches can then be assigned to sub-bass notes (MIDI keys 0 to 20) which is below the lowest instrument in the normal playing range, so the keyswitches can be in the same place for all instruments. I am designing a set of matrices that are as consistent as possible across all instruments. So I'd like to hear other people's experience with such a set-up (if technically feasible in the first place).
A.
I used to use a second keyboard for keyswitches and it worked very well. However, as my template grew in complexity I moved over to using a Lemur instead (a proper Lemur; not that iCr*p). It still sends KS MIDI data, but has just allowed me more options.
As far as what KS I use, they are pretty much the same for all instruments. Obviously somethings don't translate, but most settings do, so I know, for example, that anything on C is legato, C# sustain, D staccato etc. I thine use KS an octave above in order to select what variation or the particular articulation I want.
DG