Posted
I created a private midi set-up and imported a song it, forgot about pitchbend in, so it was not desireable
Is there a way to delete or minipulate pitchbend data?
I saved the private MIDI device. Hoping that SFP would boot up with that.. Instead it wants to open with a shared rack.
Some channels are Tyros dynamic, and some are internal GM) . Since I'm using Tyros 4 in direct channel (at least for now). I want to be able to have SFP open Tyros 4 in direct mode.
I selected the private midi device I made, I usually use Yamaha's midi set up (each midi channel is designated for individual instruments (1, 3, 4 - right hand voices, MIDI 2 left or chord detect channel,MIDI 5 = 8 Tyros Multipads, MIDI 9, 10 rhythm, MIDI 11 bass, MIDI 12, 13 Chords, MIDI 14 pads, organs, MIDI 15,16 phrases,
If SFP always opened with a setup like this I would be happy. Instead SFP opens with a shared rack, where some voices are internal GM, some dynamic Tyros 4. ( Tyros 4 dynamic is not good, because of the re-assignment of sounds, Tyros DSP effects are assigned by MIDI channel alone, and cannot change unless you manually go in and adapt them, hence dynamic not for me.
I opend SFP and set to Direct Mide device, yet when I imported a mide file, device switches over to a share rack..
So when I start a new project I must spend 10 or more minutes re-assigning them.
NAMING = When you select a sound for a track, SFP should automatically use that as name of track. If you are in Direct mode, the MIDI channel should also be used. (Mega Bass - MIDI 11) It should be able to be overwriten right on the arrange page.
Also when you're importing you should be able to rename right from import window, rather than having to go to CHANGE command.
Just tried importing using my saved MIDI device, all sounds come up as a shared rack assigned to Tyros 4, but all the channels are dynamic..
I want SFP to see a midi channel on the import file and assign it to a track set to same MIDI in the arrange page.,
Thu, 2012-07-19 - 09:28 Permalink
Is there a way to delete or minipulate pitchbend data?
Yes. It's the Bend parameter. In case it's not visible, go to preferences and enable Experimental Features. Although it should be a regular feature already.
If SFP always opened with a setup like this I would be happy.
You are repeatedly experiencing difficulties because you only have one Tyros hardware (= a single midi port) that you want to use for both shared and private sounds at the same time. This does not work. After you patched your hardware to a particular arrangement, you can no longer use the same port for shared sounds. For example when browsing a library, importing new midi files, etc.
For shared sounds, you should use an instance of DSLMusicDevice (AudioUnit) in Logic, the GM Synth MIDI Port, or any other synth you have, and assign it to the Internal GM Synth device. This will keep the "browsing" and "draft" temporary sounds away from your current project.
I opend SFP and set to Direct Mide device, yet when I imported a mide file, device switches over to a shared rack.
We've had this already, multiple times: Use File >> Import >> MIDI File Using My Sounds from within any arrangement that uses the sounds you need. This will copy its entire instrument setup over to the imported arrangement and assign the imported sounds according to that.
Thu, 2012-07-19 - 15:33 Permalink
I'm still struggling with imported midis in with private instruments. I have repeadly imported with private midi yet, I still get shared racks, some insruments, direct, some dynamic.
see start up bug jpeg
While the dynamic idea is nice. it assumes you are only going to work from inside SFP alone. Or it assumes you have a large arsonal of virtual instruments, like for orchestral work. Regarding working with MIDI hardware, it's a definite obstacle.
As every good recording engineer knows you assign the tracks on your mixing board in a logical order, always. The first 6 - 10 tracks will be drums, followed by Bass, Guitars, keyboards etc. You'll always know that track 3 is a hi-hat already patched thru an EQ and limiter. You'll know the bass guitar is on track 11, with a limiter-speaker cabinet emulation, and EQ already patched up. The dynamic mode throws all that completely out the window. Basically each time you add an instrument you are changing the assignments of your instruments. This rapidly becomes impossible to follow. You need continuity and a direct chain for each instrument. Otherwise you''ll waste hours tracking down where a particular instrument is at a particular place in the song.
I think I tried once - used 20 instruments with 16 midi channels (all Tyros 4). In the end your not gaining anything cause one must go into his DAW find space in another track to insert each of the 4 different instruments, you must assign a new instrument, then after the phrase is over, reassign instrument again to be ready for next phrase of the original instrument.
The last SFP arrangement I made and saved was private midi. When I open SFP, it goes thru this process of asking for my shared rack with DAW host. This time it asked me twice, each time it pauses for a number of seconds before moving on. other times it asks more times. I say cancel and it continues. I have done at least 6 different sessions, since I attempted to use Logic as host and drones. All the other sessions have been private midi
I thought you said it would open with the last saved project. I think it's a false assumption to think everyone is going to use a shared rack when they start up..
I created a new arrangement and made it private midi. It seems you must have a private midi arrangement open for the Import command to allow you to open with my private sounds (otherwise it's greyed out). I imported a midi file as static. You will see some tracks are private midi, some shared racks, some tracks direct channel, some tracks dynamic.
see import bug cognac file
Am I supposed to select my desired private rack before I import a file I want to be private?
Tyros 4 has two ports A and B. You have no direct control over B, from T4 face panel, you must adjust parameters thru your DAW of SFP in this case. I should be able to set that up right? Tyros also has 8 style generators. I can assign these to also respond to port B when they are not generating styles. (also giving me another 8 MIDI channels). The style generator parts can be accessed from front panel. In fact T4 will also save any DSP settings that are on style generator parts. This could be a solution. I want to audition sounds from the instrument that I'm using in the piece. (T4).
Another problem is ever since OSX 10.7.3 General MIDI instruments and any midi file played from finder are about 1/10 the volume they used to be. You have to turn gain up so high, the GM is almost drowned out by hiss. Or if you go to play piece without turning down volume, you run the risk of blowing your speakers. This is not a SFP problem, but of OSX itself (I believe). I have not found a way to adjust the volume. Is anyone aware of how to rectify this?
Yes I still continue to have this problem. How does SFP know what my private sounds are? I've saved a private rack, and selected it before importing. didn't seem to work. Am I supposed to leave an arrangement open with my private sounds?
Yes, it's probably 'pilot error', but the whole audio-midi setup with different racks is extremely unintuitive. I hope there's some way you can streamline it. I'd much rather it be like any DAW, I tell it what port, channel and program. I hate the way it demands for me to pick a category, and then a sound from the template. It seems I'm constantly doing that.
I often can get only some sounds when trying to audition a library phrase. Sometimes I want to audition with pre-existing sounds, othertimes with new sounds.. Again sometime the audition command will let me select T4 and I can hear it, other times I select an instrument and I hear nothing. You also want to control volume of audition instrument.
Where do you find and set global instrument? I couldn't find it.
Thu, 2012-07-19 - 17:52 Permalink
Mark, no offense, but your post contains multiple subjects, many of which we already discussed in earlier topics, many times. Rest assured that I don't forget suggestions and concerns once they came up. I am taking notes in a long list.
I have repeadly imported with private midi yet, I still get shared racks, some insruments, direct, some dynamic.
While the import dialog is open, you should check if the sound suggestions per midi track are ok. Synfire attempts to find the best matches, but this is not always possible. Verify them before you run the import.
I think I tried once - used 20 instruments with 16 midi channels (all Tyros 4).
You can't use more than 16 instruments per MIDI port. This will mess everything up.
The last SFP arrangement I made and saved was private midi. When I open SFP, it goes thru this process of asking for my shared rack with DAW host.
It does so only if you hosted a shared instrument on a DAW. Remove that plug-in or MIDI drone from your shared rack and Synfire will no longer ask you to start the DAW on startup.
I think it's a false assumption to think everyone is going to use a shared rack when they start up.
Working without a shared rack is impossible. It is an integral component that ensures you can browse palettes and libraries and open midi files and everything. You NEED to have a shared sound resource available, or Synfire would be useless. Sequencers and DAW play to instruments in your currently open project exclusively. Synfire however plays to instruments all the time, even if you do not have a project open.
The shared rack is the "sound output" Synfire uses to talk to you.
Where do you find and set global instrument?
In Audio & MIDI Setup
Another problem is ever since OSX 10.7.3 General MIDI instruments and any midi file played from finder are about 1/10 the volume they used to be.
Yes, this is an issue with Apple. Although we fixed it many updates ago, to some extent.
Am I supposed to select my desired private rack before I import a file I want to be private?
How does SFP know what my private sounds are? I've saved a private rack, and selected it before importing. didn't seem to work. Am I supposed to leave an arrangement open with my private sounds?
Actually you can't "save a private rack". In fact, there is no such thing. You are probably confusing this. Setting up a private plug-in or MIDI instrument in an arrangement is all you need to do. When you save it, that setup is saved with the same file. No need to "save a private rack".
As for your question: Yes, leave the arrangement open while you import the new MIDI file with File >> Import >> MIDI File Using My Sounds. You can close it once the new imported arrangement appeared on screen.
Thu, 2012-07-19 - 20:38 Permalink
Thanx for all the answers, I will remember from now on to ask one at a time.. The reason I ask a question again, cause I'm still not getting the expected results. I'll try not to repeat myself, but I do get stuck, and can't seem to solve the issue myself.
The more I read the posts here and reread the manual, some aspects are becoming clear to me, other issues not so much
Fri, 2012-07-20 - 10:39 Permalink
Dont get me wrong. It is perfectly ok to restate a question until it is fully answered and understood. The terms and workflows we use are new and may lead to confusion. Repeating a question or problem description in other words or supplying new examples can be very helpful to point this out! So please do not hesitate. Your input is highly appreciated. As I mentioned, I am taking notes on a list almost daily. This list gets reviewed every time we get around to working at a certain component of the software.
My only concern is about multiple general topics in a single post. This makes it difficult for us and other users to follow and respond. Writing a reply to a long post can easily take 20 minutes and longer. Due to the multiple topics in it, the discussion will likely pick up only one of them, leaving the others orphaned. And making those 20 minutes a very bad investment.
The more focussed a subject and short a post, the more likely it will be answered, picked up by others and discussed in full. Also, if a year later or so someone adds a new comment to it, the topic will be bumped up and new readers will easily get into the discussion.
Fri, 2012-07-20 - 11:30 Permalink
Yes, it can be a learning principle to repeat the subject.
But at a certain point you must learn from it ;)
So study the flowdiagram for the soundassigning in SFP, that is you beacon
Once you understand this all, than it must be easier to understand how it works with the tyros hardware keyboard
As user i am confronted with the soundassigning..but it is in fact a minor issue
Fri, 2012-07-20 - 13:47 Permalink
Got it Captain. I will obey and follow your commands (dry humor there). Yes one issue at a time so that one may able to search for information on it later. I seem to remember you mentioning the multiple topic question 2 or 3 times..
Hey, I'm 64, and like any self respecting rock/roll musician, did a lot of drugs in my day, so there are multiple patches of 'badlands' in my brainmap. (thankfully clean for quite a few years now).
Joyful and relieved..