Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Thread

Multitimbral access without a sequencer.

2017-01-08 by phillipcaiken@...

I'll start with my goal, and work backwards.

I'd like to control my newly acquired Polaris with a ROLI Seaboard. To take full advantage of its capabilities, I need to send on 6 separate midi channels, and be able to apply expression separately on each voice.

So simply putting the Polaris in Omni mode is not enough, as say bending a note bends all notes, etc.

Some modern instruments can accommodate MPE, and allow that all with one program. I am going to need 6 copies of the same program, each receiving a voice.

So let's say I have copies of the same program from A1through A6. How do I receive midi channels 1-6 on those programs?

The menu talks about sending program information on that channel. Not possible using just a controller, but would be willing to jump through hoops by doing that through a sequencer and then playing on the ROLI. But even then, am unclear. And if I do that, can I save the root program and not have to repeat the process every time?

Hope this makes sense!!!!!

Re: [chromapolaris] Multitimbral access without a sequencer.

2017-01-08 by David Clarke

> I'll start with my goal, and work backwards.
> I'd like to control my newly acquired Polaris with a ROLI Seaboard. To
> take full advantage
> of its capabilities, I need to send on 6 separate midi channels, and
> be able to apply expression
> separately on each voice...

Your Polaris already has the ability be opeate multi-timbrally over
MIDI.

Specfically, the Polaris already internally has the concept of separate
'instruments.' Each 'instrument' is assigned to a MIDI channel - and so
if you have the Polaris set up to listen to 6 MIDI channels (for
instance) then the Polaris will respond like 6 different instruments
over MIDI, each one assigned to a different MIDI channel.

This behaviour already does much of what you'd need for basic MPE
operation.

The one thing that is 'missing' though, is that MPE is set up so that
there's a MIDI control channel such that if you do a 'program change'
message on that single channel, then that program will be used for all
of the 'channels' in the device.

As the Polaris will behave like 6 different 'instruments', this 'one
program change for all channels concept' isn't there. That said - you
can mimic this by externally sending extra program change messages from
an external sequencer/controller/host.

So the general idea would be:

- Set up the Polaris in 'normal' mode (e.g., _not_ Omni mode)
- Set up the Polaris to listen to as many MIDI channels as you'd want
- On your sequencer/controller, send a Program Change message on EACH of
the MIDI channels you've assigned to the Polaris.
- Use your MPE instrument as you'd otherwise like.

That's it. Note - you can use 6 different copies of the same patch (if
you want), but strictly speaking you don't have to. Instead, you can
have one program/patch on the Polaris be used to define all the
instruments you're going to use.

As an example, let's assume you're going to define 6
channels/instruments, and you're going to want to have these assigned to
MIDI channels 1 - 6.

To configure the Polaris to listen to these 6 channels:

1) Set up Polaris MIDI so that you're listing to 6 channels, and will
allow the receipt of program/parameter data. Quickly looking, this
would seem to be:

Lower Function, Cassette 6 = ON (turn on receipt of program changes)
Lower Function, Cassette 8 = ON (turn on receipt of MIDI 'panel' info)
Lower Function, Cassette 9 = OFF (turn off OMNI mode)
Lower Function, MIDI Channel 1 = ON
Lower Function, MIDI Channel 2-6 = OFF (MIDI base channel = 1)
Lower Function, MIDI Channel 10 = ON (additinally listen to 3 extra MIDI
channels)

2) Determine which Polaris patch you want (say, A2)
From the sequencer send Program Change "2" on MIDI Channel 1
From the sequencer send Program Change "2" on MIDI Channel 2
From the sequencer send Program Change "2" on MIDI Channel 3
From the sequencer send Program Change "2" on MIDI Channel 4
From the sequencer send Program Change "2" on MIDI Channel 5
From the sequencer send Program Change "2" on MIDI Channel 6

Play the ROLI as you'd otherwise want.

Your MIDI settings will generally be saved after you sent them once. If
you want to use the ROLI with a different patch, then the only 'extra'
thing you will need to do is to otherwise ensure you send a Program
Change for at new patch on channels 2-6.

Re: [chromapolaris] Multitimbral access without a sequencer.

2017-01-09 by phillipcaiken@...

Thanks for laying that out!!!!

I guess I will have to get a sequencer involved - or maybe I can just send program changes via midi from my iPad or another controller.

To avoid repeating the process for different patches, I think if I designate an open program as my Seaboard "slot", I can pop various programs in there. So set up as you describe, pointing all channels to program 2, if I want to use something else, just swap it into program 2.

I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again,

Phil

Re: [chromapolaris] Multitimbral access without a sequencer.

2017-01-09 by phillipcaiken@...

It works!!!!

I can send the program changes from a controller and not get sequencer involved.

I will need to do some intermediary remapping of some cc#'s, both to map to Polaris parameters, and also to be able to control all 6 copies at once - i.e.....if I want to lower the cutoff freq, need to do it on all 6 channels.

But proof of concept completed, and very cool indeed.

RE: [chromapolaris] Multitimbral access without a sequencer.

2017-01-09 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: Phil
>
> To avoid repeating the process for different patches, I think
> if I designate an open program as my Seaboard "slot", I can
> pop various programs in there. So set up as you describe,
> pointing all channels to program 2, if I want to use
> something else, just swap it into program 2.

Storing a new program under a particular number will not change the sound of instruments playing that program, because they are playing copies of the program. You'd still have to repeat the Program Change series. So there's no point in re-using a single program number.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] Multitimbral access without a sequencer.

2017-01-10 by Phil Aiken

Thanks. I have a handle on that now that I have played with it. I thnk I will either write a Logic script or perhaps just map program changes on my base channel to all 6 channels within iconnect, and then send a program change from my iPad. Or something.....but proof of concept has been acheived. Would likely do the same for a few key parameters so I can edit the sound on the fly for all channels.

Thanks for the help, all!!!!

On 1/9/17 3:30 PM, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris] wrote:

> From: Phil
>
> To avoid repeating the process for different patches, I think
> if I designate an open program as my Seaboard "slot", I can
> pop various programs in there. So set up as you describe,
> pointing all channels to program 2, if I want to use
> something else, just swap it into program 2.

Storing a new program under a particular number will not change the sound of instruments playing that program, because they are playing copies of the program. You'd still have to repeat the Program Change series. So there's no point in re-using a single program number.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

--

Phil Aiken Senior Consultant O: 781.806.0431 M: 781.910.0345 paiken@... www.j2interactive.com