Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

Hi, Boris.  

I have been trying to duplicate the disabled channel buttons problem using SONAR and Prodatum at the same time. I am using Beta 0.38 on an XP machine with Service Pack 3 with a P2500.

What version of Prodatum are you using? In earlier versions I experienced a lock up when switching channels and the buttons became disabled.

Are you using an external controller or just the XL-7 controls?

Also, see comments below.

--Steve


--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "gutman75" <bgutman@...> wrote:
>
> 
> Greetings all,
> 
> I've been using hardware sequencers for years (Yamaha RM1X, then E-mu MP-7 and XL-7, then AKAI MPC1000), but now I want to base my workflow around PC running Reaper, with all hardware synths connected via Midiman MIDISport 4x4. The idea is to use the XL-7 as a 16-channel multitimbral synth, and to edit patches directly on the PC using Prodatum. However I'm having some problems making this setup work:
> 
> - when I switch Prodatum to Multi mode and select a channel (e.g. 1), all channel selection buttons (1-16) become disabled. Why does this happen? What is the correct way to use multi mode in Prodatum?

STEVE: I could only duplcate this in Beta 0.38 by (1) powering down my E-Mu or (2) changing Prodatum a port that disabled two-way communication. Is there something in the software or interface setup that inhibits sysex flow?


> - how do you audition your patches while editing in Prodatum? Does it have some kind of MIDI thru, or do you use a separate program (like MIDI-OX) for that?

STEVE:
(1) Prodatum has an audition button that simulates pressing the audition button on the box.
(2) Prodatum also lets you assign/unassign a control device, such as a usb keyboard. If you have an external controller, this presents two options:
[A] Go to File --> Open Device and select whatever port you want to play thru to test your presets. So far as I can tell, Prodatum simply passes thru that data; it does not reassign the channel to coincide with with the editing channel. So if the device is set to transmit on Channel 1, you can only audition the preset on Channel 1.
[B] If Reaper has echo/thru, use that feature. SONAR lets me turn on and off echo/through on a track-by-track or track folder-by-track folder basis. Midi I/O is assigned for each track.
(3) Midi-ox (or other routing software/utility) might help if either of the above don't work. I don't think you need something like Midi-Yoke to do what you want to do, but that might be an option as well. 
(4) If the XL-7 is your only controller, I don't think you would need any of the above since the box would be playing its own sounds.
(Did I cover all the possibilities here?)
 
> - is it possible to have both Reaper and Prodatum running, so I could hear the patches I'm making in project context? 

STEVE: I have had SONAR, Prodatum, and e-loader [using the midi monitor) up and running at the same time; again, this is with Windows XP Service Pack 3.

> Of course, the MIDI driver must be multiclient for this to work, but if it weren't, I expect one of the programs to fail to open the MIDI port. As it is, Reaper appears to open all MIDI ports, but does not send anything to the XL-7. I need to experiment more to see if it's a strictly Reaper problem, or some kind of conflict between it and Prodatum.

STEVE: My guess is you need to figure out midi wiring, hardware configuration, and software configuration. I would assume Reaper lets you route data to different midi ports and channels, so it should let you send midi data to the XL-7. I would also assume that the latest drivers for your interface are multiclient, but it wouldn't hurt to check. Here's a quick test--get some software up and running and then use e-loader's midi monitor. For example can you record midi data into Reaper and see the data in midi monitor at the same time?

> - could my problems be related to the fact that the MIDI interface is connected via USB hub?

STEVE: It shouldn't.

> 
> I'd like to thank Jan again for his great work on Prodatum. From user responses here on the list, it appears to work for everybody - so something must be wrong in my setup. Please help, I'm stuck! ;)

STEVE: I would first make sure you have two-way midi communication between Prodatum and the XL-7 so you can edit presets on the basic channel and play them directly on the XL-7. (Be sure you don't have midi feedback loop set-up!!!) 

Next, I would boot up e-loader and use midi monitor to watch the data on the port with the XL-7. Open midi monitor up to make sure sysex it is sending sysex data. (Try sending a preset.)

Next, I would boot up Reaper (only after being sure this will not cause a midi feedback loop). Then I would check to make sure all data is flowing where you want. (You might want shut e-loader down and just check recording and playing midi data in Repear.)

If you can record channel 1 data and then play it back, I would then try lopping the playback and editing a preset with Prodatum.

To test this out, I routed all channels on a pattern to external [Pattern Edit --> CHANNEL ASSIGN Dest:ext] from the P2500 to SONAR with echo/thru on routed back to the P2500. At the same time Prodatum is open and I can edit presets in real-time. (Now I really wish Prodatum had a panel with Controllers M-->P!!!!!!!)

To isolate tracks, use mute buttons. Then edit your preset on the fly with Prodatum. When satisfied, save the preset using prodatum.

With the usb keyboard sending out on a non-used channel (in my test case, channel 16), I can basically use Prodatum to edit or even "play" a preset in realtime along with the pattern.

[DREAM: Jan adds additional functionality to Prodatum--real-time performance features, with Prodatum storage and recall capabilities--infinte preset banks stored on your computer, etc.]      

ADDED BONUS (in case you haven't figured this out, yet)
The Controllers sub-panel has a PLAY and a STORE button. You can play with the controllers all you want. When you press STORE, Prodatum puts them in the preset being edited as INITIAL CONTROLLER AMTs. (Of course, you still need to save the edited preset, if you want to keep it.) 

Thanks for posting the problem; I learned a whole bunch about how to integrate Prodatum. I had not really thought of it as a realtime controller, but I see how it can be used that way. 

Just wish there were a Command Station sub panel (for Controllers M-->P as well as Beats triggers, mutes, arps triggers, etc.). BTW, software buttons on paralleling the 16 Command Station buttons need not be limited to Command Stations. For example, Keith Young's Proteum has implemented Beats Buttons which give non-command station owners the funtionality of Beats Triggers.
 
Anyhow, Boris, I hope all this helps you integrate Prodatum into your setup. 

--Steve 

 
> thanks in advance,
> Boris.
>