is it possible to run 10 MIDI drum channels at once

[Rock Star 87]

is it possible to run 10 drum channels on MIDI at once on pro audio 9. in order for it to be percussion, i must run all the drums on channel 1, but then one slider controls all the volumes. is there an easier way. i would assume there is, it seems pretty practical. thanks, and any input is appreciated.

[James Argo]

It's a bit funny, because usualy you won't hear drums / percussion until you set to channel 10. Anyway, Yes, it's possible to play 10 tracks of drums on different channels . What do you use to playback MIDI?


Jaymz

[Rock Star 87]

i use my synth on my souncard, a SBPCI creative soundblaster card. on MIDI, one percussion knob controls all the volumes on channel 10.

[James Argo]

You mean soundfonts, eh? You can use drums on channels other than 10! I assume you have used GM drum sound (bank 0). Well, you better don't!

Make sure you have tweaked Creative's AudioHQ and reserve enough memory for soundfont.

Google for free drums soundfont, download 'em. There's alot ones with much much better sound than standard GM drums. Then simply load the drums soundfont on any bank but bank 0. In Cakey, go Options --> Soundfont. Set your MIDI track to use it each track assigned to their own channels. This way, you're not "canned" to use channel 10 for drums sound. Free control for every track...


Jaymz

[Rock Star 87]

hey man. my soundcard is tweaked to work good, but if i turn any MIDI drum track to any other track, it plays some other instrument. what are soundfonts, and can i use my existing cakewalk file on it.

[James Argo]

Originally Posted by Rock Star 87

hey man. my soundcard is tweaked to work good, but if i turn any MIDI drum track to any other track, it plays some other instrument.

That's because you use the GM soundfonts. You can only play drums on channel 10, and won't allow use channel 10 to other than drums. Your soundcard is fine. It's just you *can* make a better use of it if you know how

Originally Posted by Rock Star 87

what are soundfonts, and can i use my existing cakewalk file on it.

Well, to make it short, soundfonts is sample/synth in file shape. Creative cards will allow you to load soundfonts into your PC's memory, and use it as MIDI sound generator. What I mean by "tweaking" is to set an amount of your PC's memory to store soundfont files. You need AudioHQ application to access this setting. After that, in Cakewalk, go options --> soundfonts, select bank 1 (for example), and load any soundfont file you have. Once it loaded, the bank will appear on your MIDI track if you use SB as playback device, ready for used. A little google on soundfont will clear things for you.


Jaymz

[Rock Star 87]

will it work if i don't have SB live, because i read that when i searched for it in google.

[James Argo]

Hmmm, I would think so, but you better try your self. If soundfonts can be used in older Creative's cards (AWE32, AWE64, etc), I didn't see any reason why newer SBPCI couldn't handle it.


Jaymz