Hi Lars,
lars.l.arnwald@... wrote:
>
> Hi Jon!
>
> I haven't been able to follow the earlier comments about the
> synchronization delay problem you're mentioning, but since I'm on the
> verge of adding a PLG150-AN card to my MU1000R I have to ask you
> about
> some points out of the answer given by the Yamaha product manager Mr.
> Burdette. I suppose he should answer my questions, but I start with
> trying to get your opinion.
>
There are actually a couple of issues here.
I've had about four or five emails since I put up my site last year from
AN1x Users complaining of Note Event delays. One was using an Ensoniq EPS16+
Sampler which has an internal sequencer. Another used Cubase and the
others used Logic. I still use VisionDSP but I hope to move off as soon
as I make up my mind which to go with. I've noticed the occasional note
on delay with the AN1x but I found (with help from the old AN1x Mailing
list) that the MIDI Program Change Control message imbedded at the start
of my sequence is usually the culprit. The best solution for me is to
begin recording on the 2nd or 3rd measure - well after the MIDI CC has been
transmitted to the AN1x and it has responded.
The second issue - and the more annoying of the two - is the 32nd note
delay in Note On Events transmitted by the AN1x ARP/SEQ. I've been able
to replicate this problem time and time again either recording it's
output directly into my sequencer or triggering my sampler. If you
layer the two sounds you can hear they are not in sync :-( If you don't
layer the AN1x with a second instrument you ∗might∗ not notice - depends
on how good your sense of timing is I suppose. This can easily be
worked around in a sw sequencer by quantizing the note on events to the
same grid. No big deal. For live performers it's very annoying if you
are working on tightly synchronized, layered tracks.
The problem Kevan describes is similar to that of the AN1x but not
identical. In all honesty, I've had few problems with the AN1x Arp/Seq
synchronizing to my sequencer. As I mentioned above, I've developed a
habit of
beginning my recordings on the 2nd or 3rd measure of a sequence. This
usually precludes any problems.
BTW - As an alternative to the above you can to record your SysEx and
Patch Changes into a ∗seperate∗
sequence which is triggered just to pre load your synths prior to
playback of a subordinate sequence. Example: Sequence A contains all
your patch changes and SysEx while Sequence B contains the actual
recording and MIDI CC information. With VisionDSP this usually works
for. Cubase VST is a bit dodge for me. Haven't tried it with Logic yet
- that's on this weeks agenda
;-) BTW - I'm ∗very∗ impressed with how fast Logic feels on my Power
Mac. Yahoo!
I'll upload a standard MIDI file with some background text so anyone who
is interested in can see what I mean regarding the Note On Events
transmitted my the AN1x ARP/SEQ.
> "....the triggering implementation (both internal and through MIDI)
> is
> a little different from previous instruments. But it does synchronize
> perfectly with external MIDI clock messages recieved by the MIDI in
> of
> the CS6x®, S80 and S30...."
>
> I really don't know which previous instruments he refers to. What is
> different here?
He's probably referring to the CS1x, CS2x and AN1x - but I don't own
either CS1∗ instrument so I can't say for certain.
>
> "....The reason that it doesn't seem to sync properly is that the
> actual arpeggio pattern is offset (delayed) by a 32nd note
> (independant of tempo as it must be, to be in sync). This is a
> predictable musical value that represents a "window" of
> opportunity
> that the arpeggiator gives you in order to determine how many and
> which notes you wish to arpeggiate...."
>
> I intend to slave the arpeggiator to an external tap tempo function.
> Will I always be a 32nd note late? The last sentence seems a bit
> cryptic. What do you get out of it?
>
Is the Apr on the PLG150-AN internal or triggered by the host
application - or host hardware? I didn't think the MU1000 had an
Arp/Seq. Maybe I've misunderstood the specifications for the PLG150-AN.
Can anybody clarify this?
> "....When you are aware of this 32nd note offset, it is possible to
> trigger manually (by anticipation of a 32nd note) to achieve the
> desired result, and through MIDI by offsetting the arp trigger
> note[s]
> by a 32nd note...."
>
> I guess I could learn to tap a 32nd early, but if precise results are
> required this may not be possible. What if I slave some other unit to
> the tempo tap, will there always be a glitch between them?
>
> Just a few ago I tried a PLG150-AN sitting in a CS1x. Even though I
> could only use earphones I could definitely hear the might of the
> sounds and I really liked the arpeggiator. My two trusty Cyclones
> I've
> had for over ten years are great but hard to program. This one seems
> so much easier and all the patterns I tried sounded musical. OK I
> shouldn't panic, but these news dishearten me a bit.
I empathize with your concern - these kind of things can really nag at
you during the decision making process - but I don't believe the problem
negates the usefulness of the ARP/SEQ function. Again, the only ∗real∗
sync problems that have crashed my AN1x have been with Cubase but 1) I
was trying some really whacked ideas and 2) I'm novice at Cubase (Vision
has been my tool for some time now.)
Hope this helps. I'll upload that file tonight or tomorrow.
Regards,
Jon
--
http://www.jdlx-musique.com/Featuring support for the Ensoniq ASR-X Pro Sampler and Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer