Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Thread

E-Mu Command Station As Module For AN1x

2014-02-26 by <jammesluckett@...>

Hello, there!
From attempts to search the forums to see if a solution was posted (and on the Web in general), I confirmed that there are a number of AN1x owners who also own E-Mu Command Stations (PX-7, MP-7 or XL-7). I'm one such person, but am having trouble with MIDI between the two.

My previous experience with MIDI has been mostly limited to plugging in MIDI Controllers to an USB audio interface. I never had to set channels; just plugged and played. I'm eager to learn a good deal more and get into more complex setups. Having read both my AN1x manual and my Command Station module, I feel no closer to the goal. As thorough as both manuals are, I feel like steps are missing; or at least strong instructions for accomplishing things such as this, to someone who's not done it before. What I'd like to do is occasionally be able to use the CS as a sound module, with AN1x as the controller. I've attempted settings in the manual, and I also followed a video on YouTube, pertaining to the CS. In every combination of settings and cable routing that I've tried, the CS is treating the AN1x as the sound module, instead of the other way around.

Is there anyone who is using the AN1x to control their CS; and if so, would you please advise me on what the settings should be? I feel like I've tried everything, but I'm surely overlooking something simple. I've now done the settings over so many times that I don't even remember what the default settings were. It's really not the end of the world if I don't get it working, but I really would like to deepen my knowledge in this area so that I can experiment a bit more. Keys vs. pads often yield different types of inspiration, so I want to take full advantage of that.

Thanks very much for any advice you can provide.

Re: [AN1x] E-Mu Command Station As Module For AN1x

2014-02-27 by Michael Brien Lane

CS MIDI Port A Out -> Yamaha MIDI In

AN1x MIDI Out -> CS MIDI In

On the Command Station, go into the MIDI menu and set RECHANNELIZE INPUT To Track Dest: always. This will re-route the MIDI from the AN1x to the currently selected track on the CS.

Set the AN1x TX Ch and TX Ch to 1, and then have Track #1 on your CS be the AN1x track. Go into Pattern Edit on the CS to the Channel Assign screen and set Channel:01A to Dest: ext. Every other channel can stay “int” to play CS patches.

Turn “Local” to “off” in the System grid on the AN1x so your AN1x will only play what it gets from the CS.

The AN1x should now only play itself when you have selected Track #1 on the CS. All other tracks will play whatever patch is set for that track on the CS.

Channel Assign on the CS is saved with the pattern, but the Global and MIDI settings are saved with Setups (if you want) in the Global menu. I have different setups saved for when I’m sequencing on the CS (rechannelize on, MIDI clock sending on both MIDI Out ports, effects to preset on channel 16A) and for when I’m using it as a module (rechannelize off, external MIDI clock, effects use master settings).

I hope this helps.

Michael Brien Lane

mibrilane@...

On Feb 25, 2014, at 11:41 PM, jammesluckett@... wrote:

Hello, there!
From attempts to search the forums to see if a solution was posted (and on the Web in general), I confirmed that there are a number of AN1x owners who also own E-Mu Command Stations (PX-7, MP-7 or XL-7). I'm one such person, but am having trouble with MIDI between the two.

My previous experience with MIDI has been mostly limited to plugging in MIDI Controllers to an USB audio interface. I never had to set channels; just plugged and played. I'm eager to learn a good deal more and get into more complex setups. Having read both my AN1x manual and my Command Station module, I feel no closer to the goal. As thorough as both manuals are, I feel like steps are missing; or at least strong instructions for accomplishing things such as this, to someone who's not done it before. What I'd like to do is occasionally be able to use the CS as a sound module, with AN1x as the controller. I've attempted settings in the manual, and I also followed a video on YouTube, pertaining to the CS. In every combination of settings and cable routing that I've tried, the CS is treating the AN1x as the sound module, instead of the other way around.

Is there anyone who is using the AN1x to control their CS; and if so, would you please advise me on what the settings should be? I feel like I've tried everything, but I'm surely overlooking something simple. I've now done the settings over so many times that I don't even remember what the default settings were. It's really not the end of the world if I don't get it working, but I really would like to deepen my knowledge in this area so that I can experiment a bit more. Keys vs. pads often yield different types of inspiration, so I want to take full advantage of that.

Thanks very much for any advice you can provide.

Re: [AN1x] E-Mu Command Station As Module For AN1x

2014-02-27 by <jammesluckett@...>

Michael,

Thank you so much for your generous response! It really is a big help. I had gotten determined enough to pull an all-nighter; continued tinkering around with the settings and eventually got the AN1x to work as the controller. That CS "Rechannelize Input" setting was what I had been missing before; I wrongly assumed that it was setting on the Yamaha. I wrote down the settings from both devices at that time, but I'm going to go back in and follow your instructions for a clearer understanding; and to make sure I'm not making more work for myself than needed. Thank you for laying out the routing steps, what's actually happening with the data, and also the information on how to use the CS as the sequencer (which I secretly hoped to figure out as well). I really appreciate you having taken the time to do all of that.

I'm making a lot of progress in learning about some of the more advanced functions of both the AN1x and the Command Station, thanks to the manual and experimentation. But understanding more about MIDI has been a longtime goal which has eluded me; just couldn't find anything straightforward; or anything practical or specific to any of the equipment I had over the years, to allow me to wrap my head around it in real-world use. After I got things working this morning, I've been blown away by the possibilities I now have access to. If I had any level of understanding all this years ago, I would not have come to rely on software as much as I had over the past 15 years. Going back to a primarily hardware-based setup, I'm enjoying my workflow much more. This time around, though, I'm learning more about synthesis and trying to get to know my instruments and devices on a deeper level. I'm grateful to all of you who have more experience in that area and who have been so kind to share with the rest of us. I plan to contribute more as I gain experience and confidence with them, too. Thanks so much!

- Jammes