How to create a MIDI Track with externally defined instrument

[marktaylor]

Hi,
I'm having problems with creating a MIDI track where the patch/voice/instrument is defined externally using a synth editor. (This is an external hardware analog synth, not a GM synth).

Here's my desired workflow...
1. use a separate PC synth editor to create the patch/voice/instrument
2. in MTStudio, create a MIDI track using the external synth, with external keyboard MIDI input (and MIDI thru enabled, so I can hear the patch/voice/instrument playing correctly)
3. enable record on the track and start recording
4. play the keyboard.

My problem is that at step 3, MTStudio initialises the voice to the GM patch/voice/instrument defined for the track (Grand Piano), and I lose my custom synth patch.
I have the recorded the sysex needed to create the patch/voice/instrument in a file (I did this using MIDI-Ox).

What I need to be able to do in MTStudio is...
1. prevent MTStudio from initialising the patch/voice/instrument at the start of recording.
or
2. edit/insert the MIDI sysex file needed to create the patch/voice/instrument into the start of the MIDI track.
or
3. record the sysex into the MIDI track immediately after pressing the record button (by re-playing the sysex using MIDI-Ox)

I've read the manual, and have been unable to do any of these things. When I tried "playing" the sysex file into MTStudio, it ignored the sysex and did not record it. I can't see a way of importing a sysex file, only a MIDI file. I can't find a patch/voice/instrument setting that equates to "no patch/voice/instrument defined" or "patch/voice/instrument pre-defined externally" or "do not initialise the patch/voice/instrument".

Thanks.

[Support]

Yeah, MultitrackStudio always sends a Program Change message in order to make sure a synth plays what's in the track. Perhaps something can be done about this, I'll add it to the list.

MultitrackStudio doesn't record SysEx, but it does play them back if you enter them in the SysEx editor (see https://www.multitrackstudio.com/controllereditor.php at the end of the page). Note that this won't help while you're recording.

Some ideas:
- Perhaps there's a Program Change value your synth doesn't respond to?
- You could record the synth to an audio track instead. Connect your keyboard to the synth directly.


Giel Bremmers

[marktaylor]

Some ideas:
- You could record the synth to an audio track instead. Connect your keyboard to the synth directly.

Unfortunately, the tune I'm working on requires very precise timing, and after spending several days playing it, I still can't play it accurately enough for an entire take.

But then I also have the problem of adding other tracks, which must also sync very precisely with the first track. The syncronisation is likely to drift if I have some tracks audio and some midi.

And another problem is that I might decide the change the tempo slightly later on.

This is a big problem for any user that is using a non-GM synth, or a custom synth voice that is not on your predefined GM patch list.

[Support]

Hmm, can't think of any other short-term workarounds right now . What synth are you're using?

The syncronisation is likely to drift if I have some tracks audio and some midi.

For what it's worth: syncing audio and MIDI is a core feature of MultitrackStudio.

And another problem is that I might decide the change the tempo slightly later on.

You can change the tempo of audio tracks too, by the way. There's an AUDIO checkbox in the bottom right corner of the tempo editor.

This is a big problem for any user that is using a non-GM synth, or a custom synth voice that is not on your predefined GM patch list.

To be precise: this isn't about GM, it's about program change messages. If you select a non-GM patchmap you still have the same problem.


Giel Bremmers

[marktaylor]

Hmm, can't think of any other short-term workarounds right now . What synth are you're using?

I have several old hardware synths that I'm experimenting with... mostly Yamaha PLG cards inside a Kenton Plugstation.
But it does not matter which synth I'm using; I would have the same problem if I was using a brand-new Access Virus.
Some voices cannot be created/selected with MIDI bank changes or program changes. They can only be created with sysex or an external synth editor.

[Support]

I was thinking: perhaps your synth has an option to ignore incoming program change messages. The Access Virus can do this, I think. Perhaps your synths can do this too.
Alternatively there could be an option to assign a custom patch to a program.


Giel Bremmers

[marktaylor]

There needs to be an option for MIDI tracks... to disable the bank & program selection at the start of the track.
I can't be the only user that has hit this problem?
Another feature I need is to be able to record sysex into a MIDI track from a separate synth editor (via MIDI Ox). Having to enter a large amount of sysex bytes manually is not a realistic option.
Until these features are made available, I'm sorry to say that MultiTrackStudio is useless for me.

[Support]

There needs to be an option for MIDI tracks... to disable the bank & program selection at the start of the track.
I can't be the only user that has hit this problem?

I added the issue to the list.
Most synths have an option to ignore incoming program changes. Another user mentioned the Yamaha tx81z from 1987 in another thread: it can do it.

Another feature I need is to be able to record sysex into a MIDI track from a separate synth editor (via MIDI Ox). Having to enter a large amount of sysex bytes manually is not a realistic option.

I noticed this


Giel Bremmers