2016-04-01 by smw-mail@...
Yesterday I used Scala 2.2 to simply open some *.scl files and export them to *.mid files--both are under "File" menu options. Not sure if that much will work in OSX, possibly under PC emulation. I then used X-Loader 1.1 to upload them to my P2500. This weekend my plan is to create some embedded sysex (tuning tables and tuning table parameter tweaks) along with maybe a few scales to test how the sysex can change the table--i.e., are there audible glitches. Let me know if there are tests you'd be interest in.
If Scala doesn't work under Mac OSX at all, I could convert a bunch of *.scl files to *.mid files, but then you'd have the problem of how to get them into your sequencer. But that's using the embedded sysex technique. It should be easy enough to extract the sysex bank (408 bytes, IIRC), which could simply be used to send the table as a table.
One thought is to test sending either (1) sysex tuning tables from a javascript page using the Jazz-Soft plug-in (I'm believe it's available for Mac) or (2) *.mid patterns as a sysex sequence--for the embedded sysex option.
I have already tested getting a pattern as sysex, though I have not automated handshaking; in order to get sysex packets after the first one, I have to click the ACK button in the web-browser. I know I can send sysex to gear from the web page, but I'd have to see if I can send a tuning table as a sysex song [pattern] so it gets stored in the E-Mu sequencer as a pattern.
Unfortunately, I don't know enough javascript to do anything more than code buttons in the web page. In other words, the sysex and target pattern would be coded into the page; I don't know enough to have a drop down menu to select tuning tables or a button to set the target pattern.
It might be nice to have a web page that would let users select the *.scl files themselves to send as embedded sysex. Once in the sequencer, at least in theory at this point, you could change a tuning table by dialing up a 408 byte pattern! If it works, you could even have a set of 128 patterns that change tuning table 1.
Also, I am thinking it might be possible to have that embedded sysex at the start of a pattern in such a way that it only gets send once--when the pattern is first played (or when RTZ is used)--not each time the pattern loops. If so, the pattern can then have up to 32 bars of note and other midi data.
Here, I am also thinking of those who might like to use force-to-scale tuning tables for arp patterns.
Anyhow, I will see how much I can test this weekend. If you have any specific *.scl files you'd like me to use for my tests, let me know. I will give the tunes a listen later. Thanks for the links
Steve