Hi everybody! I'm an absolutely newbie on this forum and I apologize in advance for my (poor) english... I read some topics and posts on this site and I note that the level of discussions is pretty high, so I think (hope) that this is the right place to find some help for me, too

THE PROBLEM: I need to work with my Ketron SD1 and a MIDI sequencer on a Macintosh PowerBook G4...
I'm friendly with MIDI protocol: I worked with MOTU Performer and MIDI Time Piece and a variety of synthesizers and sound modules for many years, but now I got a big confusion in my mind...

THE FACTS: I buy a Midiman 1in/1out MIDI interface, then I download a number of MIDI sequencers' demos from the web and try to work with it... What I need is to play my SD1 and record in real time all what I'm doing (included program changes, styles, with fill-ins, arrange, etc., and on separate channels) on a good MIDI sequencer; then edit, add/delete notes, quantize, overdub, change sounds, add singles drum sounds and/or create a totally independent rhythm or bass line on the sequencer, in five words "all usual MIDI sequencer stuff" (using SD1 as master keyboard) and finally play and/or save my work on SD1... So I try, I try, I try but, no way: I don't understand how to do it!!! And, sincerely, owner's manual doesn't help me...

THE S.O.S.: I can't believe that a masterpiece like SD1 can't do it: can someone suggest some idea, software, hardware, how-to-do-it, tips... Any help will be hugely appreciated!

Thank you in advance and Good Music!

Bicius

Gutenmorgen Bucius,

Welcome on this very nice forum.
I myself own the SD1 and can't detect what your REAL problem is :
a. Your SD1 does not send MIDI-data ?
b. Your PC does not receive MIDI data ?
c. The sounds sound messed up ?
d. .....

Please be more specific in explaining.
(If you like, in German to my personal email-box )

Important setings on the SD1 are the MIDI-transmit channels.

The SD1 has two MIDI-in :
The General MIDI one-, and the Ketron-one that is specially suited for Ketron/SOlton sysex-commands/programchanges etc.

I think for you, the best choice is the Ketron input.

What sequencer do you use ?

Since I own the SD1 I hardly use MIDI anymore but the SD1 is absolutely capable to do whatever you want.

Roel
The Netherlands

Hi Roel

Thank you very much. I'm sorry but I don't speak German! Only Italian, French and English...

Anyway, it's a little difficult to be more specific 'cause I am really at the bottom of the mountains, but I'll try to answer to your questions:

I start telling you that I use SD1's MIDI-in 2 (the one you suggest, I suppose, so the problem seems not to be here).

I don't use (yet) a specific sequencer. I tried with a lot of downloaded demo-ones just to know if and how I can work with SD1. My intention is to buy an update for my Performer (maybe Digital Performer) cause the one I own isn't compatible with my new computer, but ONLY if I'm SURE that this will not reveals simply a loss of money...

Then...
a. My SD1 DOES send MIDI-data.
b. My Mac DOES receive MIDI-data.
c. I don't know what you mean with "messed" (I think 'cause my problem appears before this step)
.....

A problem that I notice almost every time is a kind of "loop" that get my computer to give an error message ("too much notes" or something similar). I try turning off "Local" switch but this causes other problems: I can't hear what I play (always because setup isn't correct, I suppose)...

I try now to explain, step by step, with A STUPID EXAMPLE, what I need to do:

a. I start recording on my sequencer.
b. I start to play a song on SD1 (with styles, fill-ins, stops, automatic accompaniments and bass on left hand/kbd, program changes, harmony, control wheels, etc. on the right hand,... all what I can do with SD1, TOTALLY LIVE)
c. I stop recording
d. I push PLAY on my sequencer and I can hear exactly what I played before.

AND THIS WILL BE ALREADY THE FIRST BIG GOAL, FOR ME!!

e. At this point I need to find:
- On Track 1 (channel 1) = all events related to Styles control, i.e. start / stop / intro / fill / arrange / end, etc...
- On Track 2 (channel 2) = all events related to what I play with my left hand (notes, program changes, effects, etc...)
- On Track 3 (channel 3) = all events related to right hand (again notes, prog.gh., harmony, drawbars, programs, etc...)
- On Track 4 (channel 4) = here I will later RECORD additional percussions to play with or, maybe, in some specific point of the song, as a substitute of the original groove and maybe with different sounds (drum sets)...
- On Track 5 (channel 5) = same thing but related with bass line, also with prog.ch., etc......
- On Track 6 (channel 6) = I will record an additional, 2nd voice or accompaniment with chords, also with prog.ch., etc...
- On Track 7-16 (channels 7-16) = ........Other instruments, other notes, other commands, etc......

Everyone of the data above should be added, edited, quantized, moved, cutted, copied and pasted or deleted in any moment. I need to use my SD1 & seq as a complete recording studio! But I still not know how to do it!

Can you (or someone else) try to send me an example of basic, working setup?

I know that I'm really confused and confusing but I can't do better, yet...

Thank you again!

Bicius

I’m glad to see another Mac user on the forum. I use a Mac G4 with Digital Performer v3.02 and my SD1. It works great.
If you’re tring to record MIDI (out) directly on the G4 sequencer, you need to come out of MIDI 1, not the GM out. You set the Utilities to send the info you want on the channels you select.
I found it easier to use a serial : usb converter, the SD1 cable, and KetronFT program. It eliminates all the MIDI cables, and you can record, playback and copy files thru the USB port (on the G4) and computer/serial port (SD1).
I set both MIDI ports to GM.
I record my sequence using the SD1 Song Record. It saves it as a SMF. Using the KetronFT program I copy the SMF to my G4, and open it with Performer. (Remember to set the SD1 Computer setting to “PC” when using Ketron FT, and to “Mac” when running Performer. Also, you can’t have both programs open at the same time- the G4 usb port only recognizes one at a time.)
You now use the keyboard and Performer to finalize the sequence. Save it as a SMF, type 1, and copy it back to the SD1. I play it back (using Song Play) and tweak the sounds, volumes, etc, and save it. That also puts the correct SysEx codes on the sequence.
I hope this helps. For more specifics, email me directly.
Don Kane

Hi Don!

I thank you a lot for your help!!!

It's amaziing: you remember me that, the day I buy my SD1, my thought was exactly the same: to use a serial/usb converter to work with SD1 computer interface! But, you know, I asked everybody about a good converter for Macintosh... I tryed with friends, with my SD1 dealer, various Apple dealers, I also called twice Ketron DIRECTLY, I spoken with one or two of their technicians and I given my email, my phone number hoping to be called back with a solution but...NOTHING!!! NOBODY seemed to know what to say!!! Incredible (you'll think), but truth! So, I thought that this couldn't be the right way and I bought this little Midiman MIDI interface...

So, first question

- CAN YOU TELL ME THE BRAND AND MODEL OF YOUR SERIAL/USB CONVERTER AND CABLE?

Some other questions:

1. Based on your word I think to be right supposing that, in effect, you DON'T work in "real time" but in a sort of "batch" way, recording and editing music parts on your computer. You record on SD1 with "SONG RECORD" and then copy the .MSF file in Performer, you do NOT record directly on sequencer!?! (This was my dream )

2. When you say "You now use the keyboard and Performer to finalize the sequence", what do you mean with "keyboard" (G4's kbd or SD1)? ...And, if you mean SD1, are you tell me that you can add, for instance, a new track with a new instrument (i.e. pizzicato strings), playing it from SD1, directly in Performer's tracks and then, immediately after, hear the results? And if I'm wrong, WHERE I'm wrong?

3. If I want to put an audio track such voice, live instruments or special f/x (i.e. on Digital Performer) therefore I'll need to play (or sync?) my sequence from the G4... Can I do it? How? Or I'm wrong again?

4. Naturally, I use my Mac for audio editing, final cutting and CD burning procedures, too. So, I need to use an audio editing/recording application (i.e. Pro Tools or simply Coaster or Sound Studio) and record my final SD1 audio on Mac, via USB... Is it (easily) possible to pilot SD1 playing sequences from my Digital Performer with audio tracks actives and, at the same time, record the final result on my G4 (I'm crazy, uh) ? Or can this cause conflict problems?

...I think my problem is a question of habits: I really LOVE SD1 but I worked in the past in a so confortably way with Macintosh, Performer and Midi Time Piece (128 MIDI channels) piloting a dozen of keyboards at the same time without any kind of problem, that now I've the sensation to be back in the stone age ...But probably I'm wrong again!

Thank you again, Don!!!

Bicius

[This message has been edited by Bicius (edited 03-23-2003).]