Can't pick exact sound - MSB/LSB/PROG

The parameters are all editable, just not if it's a global device. Synfire prevents accidentally modifying a global device in an arrangement, because that would have unwanted side effects on other arrangements.

Check out the menu item "Copy to Arrangement Rack" at the bottom of the first menu. This will add a copy of the device to your arrangement. Make it editable from the inspector by disabling its write protection.

Write protection is disabled for devices that you started on-the-fly in an arrangment (by picking a port, channel, etc). Other devices need to be write-enabled first.

Or if you want to modify the global device, click on the Edit icon (paper and pencil).

I understand your points, but don't think you need to be worried that much. The new organization is really straight forward. I am confident you will get used to it quickly. You just did not yet find the shortest paths to what you want to do.

I still don't get WHY there are Global racks.

Because a minimum selection of sounds is always needed, even if you don't have any arrangement open.

Unlike a DAW, the scope you work in is not a single arrangement at a time, but rather an open environment that allows for multiple arrangements, libraries, palettes, etc to be used together as the composer sees fit. Most importantly for copy/paste and drag/drop. This is one of the key strengths of Synfire.

There should just be templates one can start from or create new instruments as you need with a new piece.

You can do that: (https://users.cognitone.com/content/setting-sounds-without-devices)
Instead of creating a new Engine port, as is shown in the video, just select a MIDI hardware port and then proceed the same way:

If you already have a device, copy it to your arrangement using the menu. Then you can modify it.

Also I'd like to be able to see what MIDI channels are still available when I start a new instrument (using MIDI hardware from the arrange page, like it was a few months back).

Just open the channel menu (2nd menu) and you'll see which channels are used or available. If you want a sound to be tied to a particular channel, select it as the preferred channel.

Perhaps people with huge virtual instruments with tons of articulations use these feature

Many Synfire users have this requirement. I'm still always open for suggestions how to dumb down things, though. But that must go without sacrificing the flexibility that a considerable number of composers need and appreciate.

That "too_much_data.jpg" is really frightening. Never seen such a long list. Didn't realize it could grow that big.

Just ignore it. I'll think about removing it.

Global Rack can be used by many arrangement files..you can assign more than one arrangementfile to this global rack
It is a instrument template what can be used by more than one arrangement (file).

  I still don't get  WHY there are Global racks.. There should just be templates one can start from or create new instruments as you need with a new piece..

Once you have setup a global rack ..these instruments can be over and over used in arrangementfiles.
There is no need to chance the global rack anymore, but as soon as you chanced something from a global rack Synfire comes with a popupscreen and ask if you want to save the new global rack configuration.

Keep your hands of a global rack once made in Synfire, but ofcourse you can always chance it.
Make a new global rack and don't bother anymore about assigning sounds.. load a empty arrangement  and connect this with a global rack( probably there is no need for this, once assigned to a arrangementfile ... a new arrangementfile will be automatically assigned to it ) and if you are not satisfied with your song ..load a new empty arrangementfile and assign the global rack again to it. ( probably not necessary to assign the global rack again ..try it out )

You can make variations on your song if you like with the same global rack.( the same instruments )

Mark,

I know I've suggested this in the past.. Setup a global rack using the inbuilt gm synth. It sits there used when you check out some library stuff but downt use it in your arrangements. Use the method Andre linked to in his most recent reply. Persevere, the new methods really do streamline the workflow.

General Midi sounds ... you can use the Tyros GM soundbank and make a Global rack for this ( also needed for listening library with GM )

Is this possible do you think ?, at least you have than a start.
You must make for this a Device description by hand for a multi timbral soundmodule ( dynamic channel assigning )
Can you make this first ?

A other global rack you can make for fixed channels ( not dynamic ) as step two for your intended arrangement(s)
In this process you must get more help ..--> a new video ?

Also you can make a "template" only for one arrangementfile ( this seems to be easier than making a global rack, but that doesn't differ so much )
If you want to use this (root)template arrangement (file)(as basis ) you are forced to make a copy from it as arrangementfile and save this under a new name for new use  --> see video for this

You can also make a arrangement rack ( only to use for one arrangementfile) out of a global rack 
One global rack is needed at least for GM sounds and you are not forced to make use of a global rack further all the time..it is up to you
 

And do away with global instruments..   Make the instruments particular to that song.  Got a nice set-up, save as a template,, you're just making it more complicated than it needs to be.. Call up the template.. or automatically call up a global, and make it a set-up for that song.. 

Here's the midi pref window I get.... no midi channel and no instrument name.

Ok, that's the menu for setting the preferred channel. By "channel menu" I was rather referring to the menu above it. My fault. To learn which channels are yet unused, take a look at that other menu. It's just one click.

And when I go to pick a channel, I get a global conflict message, the channel is already being used.

This and many other issues you have (and had before) occur because you are using the same MIDI port for multiple devices at the same time. In order to get rid of this confusion once and forever, you need to make a decision whether

1. You want to use your Tyros as a global device, shared by all songs, or
2. Use a copy of the Tyros device, ready to be modified in each song.

Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages. You can't mix them.

To make solution 1 work, simply add a module for the Tyros to your global rack and save it once. In a song, pick its sounds from the browser. Solution 1 will also allow you to use the Tyros for global instruments AND multiple songs at the same time. The "Preferred Channel" setting per instrument will ensure an individual track layout per song without modifying any device. Import will also be easier.

Although I would not recommend it, to make solution 2 work, please follow this check list:

1. On the global rack, remove all modules that use the Tyros device. Do NOT remove the Tyros device itself, as you need a copy of it for each song.
2. Find some GM plug-in or synth that you can use for the 6 global instruments. Make all global instruments use this device. The "Reset to Defaults" button does this trick. Do NOT use the Tyros for this. Don't worry about the global instruments sounding crappy. You will not use them for your songs. They just provide a metronome and basic sounds for the harmonizer, etc.
3. Save the global rack.

Now when you start a new song, add a module to its rack and select the Tyros device for it. This will add a copy of it to your song. If you want to modify its sounds in-place on the inspector, disable write protection for the device.

The issue with disabled write protection is: By editing a sound in-place, you modify an already existing sound, rather than add a new one. Unless the person who created the device made a mistake, the MSB/LSB/PROG stuff should be correct already.

Therefore your first step should always be to lookup the sound from the browser (looking glass icon) and see if it already exists. Only if it's not there, you can add it to the device and hack MSB/LSB/PROG and the other properties by hand:

1. Jump to the editor (pencil and paper).
2. Press "+" on the sounds list.
3. Enter your desired sound and its MSB/LSB/PROG and category.
4. Jump back to the arrangement and pick the new sound from the browser (looking glass).

Note that this procedure is exactly the same, regardless whether you use one global device, or a copy per each song. Solution 2 does not give you any advantage, just more hassle. Since the list of sounds is growing over time, it is more reasonable to use one global device that collects all your additions. Eventually you might get a complete device description this way. 

This is what I learned now:

I acknowledge that the steps 1-4 above could be simplified in a way that also works without jumping to the device editor and back. It could possibly be as simple as adding a "+" button the inspector. I'll think about it. Thanks for bringing this issue to my attention. We are only a small step away from perfection ;-)

Also, I will review the warning message that is shown when closing an arrangment and that frightens you so much. It should be more clear about what is affected and why. Maybe it could be omitted in some cases.

I was thinking about using a program what can take over a remote computerscreen from someone else!

Than you can look under the hood self.

I was thinking about using a program what can take over a remote computerscreen from someone else!

Than you can look under the hood self.

Yes, there are companies that use netviewer for online support. Sounds interesting. But I have no experience with it.

Ive used Teamviewer before... worked well and was able to help out the guy at the other end with their webserver..

(http://www.teamviewer.com/)

Free and web plugin based although you have to sign up for an account i seem to remember. Session is password protected and encrypted.

FYI: I hacked an "Add Program..." menu item today, so the 4 extra steps will be history soon.