The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

--- In AN1x-list@y..., terryfunken@a... wrote:

> I think one of the major outcomes to this is that I am using a 
Mac and not a 
> PC- and I don't think the Mac version of the AN1x edit is as 
reliable as the 
> PC version (I always become immeadiately suspicious when 
software made for PC 
> has been ported over to work on a Mac)- I mean NO ONE came 
back and told me 
> that they have no problems using the Editor with their Mac. 

Long reply...

If you search the archives you will find many instance of Mac 
user's - such as myself - with serial port MIDI Interfaces using 
AN1xEdit successfully. There have been an equal number of 
reports from Mac users with low cost USB MIDI Interfaces from 
the likes of Opcode, MIDIMAN and even Emagic where SysEx 
transmissions from the AN1x to AN1xEdit via MIDI fail - just as 
you experience. I have tried at least two of the above brands in 
combination with multiple extension sets for USB support on the 
Mac under every Mac OS update since OS 8.6. I met with no 
success and have since forgone any further attempts (I've even 
sold off both my USB MIDI Interfaces.) You'll find many of my 
reports in the archives from this list and, if anybody is interested, 
I'll provide the archives from the 1st incarnation of AN1x-list 
hosted by Teklab - you'll see how long this problem has dogged 
Mac users.

The only USB MIDI Interfaces reported to work reliably with 
AN1xEdit under the Mac OS are the mid and high end models 
from Emagic - specifically, the AMT8 and Unitor MkII. This doesn't 
mean that other models won't work - it simply means no other 
models have been *reported* to work. Here is a thread detailing 
some unexpected problems with the AMT8 so you can see that 
no solution is perfect:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/message/5053

It's incredibly difficult to solicit a response from users once the 
initial question has been answered - seldom do I receive a 
response saying 'yes, this worked' - but you can always rely on a 
follow up question if the suggestion didn't work or if it wasn't 
communicated clearly. My resources are limited too and I won't 
have the luxury of upgrading to an AMT8 this year so I can 
sympathize with your plight.

You did mention that you had a serial port MIDI Interface at one 
point - or am I mistaken? If so, then there is a known bug with 
AN1xEdit & OMS where the AN1xEdit loses its connection to OMS 
and needs to be 'reminded' for it to work reliably. I've detailed this 
procedure in the following document:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/files/Tips%20and%20Tr
icks/tt_an1xedit_not_receive.htm

If this does not work for you then .sit your OMS Set-up document 
and either send it to me direct or upload it to the files sections 
here at Yahoo! and I'll see if I can spot anything amiss. There's 
probably nothing wrong with it since you've never mentioned any 
other issues.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/files

There are many reasons why SysEx transmission over USB can 
be unreliable. For the record, the AN1x is NOT the only MIDI 
device I've had problem with over USB. I use a freeware 
application called 'ASR-X Editor' with my Ensoniq ASR-X Pro 
sampler. This app is simple to use and had proven to be rock 
steady under OS 8.6 > OS 9.2.2 with OMS 2.3.8 and a serial MIDI 
Interface. However, it fails miserably when used with a USB MIDI 
Interface. I have little doubt the problem is inherent to OMS since 
this api has not been updated since Gibson put the nails in 
Opcode's coffin (four years ago.) Nor will it see an update as 
Gibson retained no Opcode programmers and the developer of 
OMS, Doug Wyatt, has been an Apple employee for years now. 
He is a member of the team who developed Core MIDI and Core 
Audio services under OS X which I for one am very excited about 
- now if only I could afford a new Mac that would run OS X without 
pooping out...but don't expect AN1xEdit to be available for OS X:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/message/4584

Have you ever tested a bulk dump from your AN1x via USB to 
Logic or a generic SysEx librarian (such as SysEx v4.52 available 
here http://www.pobox.com/~sgrace/sysex/SysEx452.hqx) I have 
and it seems to work okaaaay. Gary once checked out a dump 
for me (which I still have) and there were some lost bits but most 
of it was intact. You need to exercise caution for this to work 
successfully and stick to '1 vce' or '1-64 vce'. Keep in mind that a 
generic dump to any app does not provide for ANY error checking 
specific to the file headers as occurs with AN1xEdit - therefore, 
you are literally dumping everything all at once - a true hit or miss 
analogy.

The fact that your Nord Micro Mod works with OMS via USB is not 
irrelevant but the problem with this example is the fact that 
System Exclusive data is exactly that - exclusive to each 
manufacturer. The packet sizes of SysEx data for your Nord are 
*probably* much smaller, i.e., more efficient, than the packet size 
transmitted by the AN1x. For details on the SysEx size of AN1x 
data, please review Gary's reply from last winter:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/message/5304
and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/message/5290

If your problems with Logic Audio persist, then upload a .sit of 
your .lso file to the Files section and I'll try it in Logic Audio on my 
end. Maybe there is a MIDI loop in your configuration - you 
already indicated you double checked the Port and Channel 
settings so something else may be going on. If you don't want 
my help then you might email Len Sasso at Swiftkick.com and 
maybe he can help. This man is *the* Environment Guru and a 
real gentlemen to boot. There is also a Mac specific Logic list 
here at Yahoo and a terrific Logic forum can be found at 
http://www.sonikmatter.com/ IF you need help imprting.exporting 
an environment layer, here is a write up I made for ASRXCITE 
that you might use as a starting off point 
http://www.geocities.com/asrxcite/asrx/tt_logicenv_intro.htm 
Otherwise, Chapter 5 of the Logic Manual or the SwitcKick.com 
web site will have ALL the answers. There are some 
EXCELLENT - free - .PDFs for download from SwiftKick.com

Hope this helps.

Jon