A parameter found on most MIDI keyboards that have built-in sounds. Local Control can be set on
or off, and is normally found in the global parameters for a particular instrument. When enabled
the keyboard is electronically connected to the internal sounds of the instrument. This is the
“normal” or default mode for most instruments. When turned off the keyboard only transmits MIDI
to the MIDI out jack. The built-in sounds can then only be accessed from a MIDI input (or an
internal sequencer where applicable). When people use keyboards with external sequencing
equipment local control is normally turned off, and the sounds are just driven through the
sequencer. This prevents a phenomenon known as MIDI echo, where a sound is triggered directly by
the keyboard, and then a very short time later the same note is played again due to the data
being passed through the sequencer.