FL Studios to play midi file with DR770 not working...

[sidecarjoeg]

I'm basically trying to use my Boss DR-770 as a drum sound unit and drive it from FL Studios playing pre-written midi files. So that means that I want the DR-770 to play the "notes" that FL Studios is sending. I have both FL Studios midi track and the Boss DR770 on channel 10. When I play a midi file, the DR770 gets the start, but it starts playing the song or pattern that I have selected and won't play what's being sent to it. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?

 

[Toddskins]

Checklist

1) Make sure both units are communicating on the same global channel (not necessarily ch. 10).

2) If you are using both MIDI cables, you might try disconnecting one of them (the one that SENDS from your BOSS machine, since that one is not totally necessary for what you are doing at this moment). Though this is not a true solution, for now, it may be sending signals that may be causing an echo... so rather than address that problem now, simply pull that cable off, for now.

3) Without knowing the BOSS equipment, you may be in SONG mode which you do not want. Meaning, is there a way to set up the right drum kit you wish to use in Patch mode, without resorting to the SONG or SEQUENCER mode. If it is in Patch (program) mode, then you should be able to hear that program when your FL Studio sends the MIDI notes. FL Studio is your main sequencer at this point, and you do NOT want the BOSS to be acting like a sequencer.

4) There may also be an echo happening between the 2 devices. Roland is known for having problems with Echo with other companies equipment. Many manufacturers take the time to write about it in their own manuals. An echo is like sending the data twice (bouncing) and well, the bottom line is it causes communication problems. So read your manuals that address the term "echo" and make sure this is not happening.



Don't know what else to add at this point.

 

[sidecarjoeg]

I tried a few things and to respond to your suggestions, here's what I came up with:

1) There isn't anything in the manual about global channel settings and I can't seem to find anything in the menus on the drum machine either.

2) I was just using one midi cable, from the out on my Layla 3G to the In on my Boss.

3) I agree with your statement but I don't know how to get out of song mode. The funny thing is that I tried, just for the fun of it, to import a midi into Cool Edit Pro and it works fine, so its not a hardware issue. I'd prefer to use FL because the midis can be edited, but I guess for the moment CEP works, its just not ideal.

4) I've never heard of the echo issue, then again I'm pretty new to midi for anything other than changing patches on a group of guitar preamps / effects units at once.

I'll try digging some more to see what I can find in the menus on this thing. I am glad that it works in CEP, but it is really strange that it doesn't in FL... could be an FL only thing.