Gurus, read in plz

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ZZWave

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Hello all,
I am getting interested in softsamplers. I notice some allow you to load samples (soundfonts) in to multiple midi channels (16). I am currently using a Roland Alpha Juno 2 which only transmits on one channel at a time. I want to load up a few channels to layer some soundfonts. Are there keyboards that transmit on multiple midi channels simultaneous? I d/l the Yamaha SO3 manual and it receives omni ,but it looks like only one channel transmit. Is there a reasonably priced keyboard these days that will do that? Or what would I look for in a used one? I don't want to spend a fortune here, so any input would be greatly appreciated. Wouldn'y mind a few new sounds, so what are my options besides a controller. And can a controller do this or am I limited to just a keyboard split? Thanx for your time....Peace ....ZZWave
 
Are you planning on using this for live performance? If so you should expect some latency from the softsynths. If you are just doing this for recording then you can add as many layers as want with a few tricks.

I would be surprised to find that softsynths actually restrict you to one patch per midi channel. There isn't any reason to be that restrictive. I'm more oldschool and I don't use softsynths so I could be completely mistaken.

Most midi controllers different modes. OMNI, POLY, and MONO (I think). When set to OMNI they transmit and receive on all channels. My midi knowledge is getting rusty so if I'm wrong somebody please jump in.
 
Indeed, no need to use a different channel if you want to layer sounds! Just put a different sound on the same channel, and you got a layered sound.

The other way to do this is indeed with a 'split'. Define your zones to overlap on the keyboard. The number of midi channels is limited by the number of zones on your keyboard.

On my A90 (roland) I can have up to 8 zones (which is a rather extensive controller). I never use over 3 at the same time, and mostly it's a true split. But that also depends on what kind of music you play I guess...
 
Sorry, but I don't think so Roel... :(
It is imposible putting a different sound/patch in the same channel, doesn't allow you to control 'em each freely. You better look for KORG. If you're on tight budget, look for second hand M1, fairlly very cheap by now. Even the oldest M1 can send & recieve multi channel MIDI message. The Combi. mode allows you to use 8 midi channel at once,--> layering, spliting, velocity switch, or combinations of 'em. Each controlled in realtime. Go for newer like KORG's X-series, N-series, or some new liner if you could afford... :)
 
Hey all,
I thank you all for your replies. I have spent a week downloading PDF manuals for controllers and various keyboards. Have been to synthsite etc and still can't find any info on a board that will do what I am looking for. Does anyone have a specific model that they use and are positive it can transmit on multiple channels simultaneosly? Prefer a low cost model or the cheapest one out there. Again, THX for all your help...PEACE..ZZWave
 
...You will need KORG. I use it. It does, up to 8 chanels at once. :) Specific ? KORG N364. You only have to assign each timbre to eight different chanel in Combi Mode. 1 to 1, 2 to 2, etc... How tight budget do you have buddy ? :D
 
Hey James,
I'm not following the assign each timbre to differnt midi channel. Remember, I am not trying to play multiple internal sounds of the say, Korg N364.I just need it to transmit on multiple midi channels so as to play soundfonts loaded up in multiple midi channels in a softsynth/softsampler such as Samplerchan.
Looked up the N364 @ http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/_inc/specs_only.cfm?synthid=348
My budjet is very tight. Avg price for the N364 used is around $700. Way too high for me. There must be a crappy sounding synth that does the transmit thing, so I don't need to use the internal sounds. This is not for live use. Just foolin at home stuff. Ain't even a keyboard player. Guitar was my main instrument.
Thanx for the reply, and sorry for the repeats of my question. Not to good a words here. Peace..ZZWave
 
I think James is talking about receiving channels. I don't recall the Korg's sending on seperate channels. That is a pretty rare feature because you don't really need to do that.

Why can't you put the patches all on the same channel? If you want to do complex splits and velocity switches you just program it into the patches.
 
And I'm pretty sure that I can set my 8 zones on the A90 to the same channel, and route them to the same output.

I can only play 4 sounds at the same time on the internal soundgenerator, and although I cannot assign these sounds to the same zone (one zone per sound on the internal soundgenerator), I can just put them on the same range of the keyboard, and even have the zones react on the same incoming midi channel....

There's nothing mentioned in this thread that I cannot imagine doing with the A90...

It is imposible putting a different sound/patch in the same channel, doesn't allow you to control 'em each freely.
Click to expand...
What do you mean with this James? You can edit the sounds seperately, and all the control you want when layering sounds is them reacting to the same keypresses... So, you really don't need to control them seperately when layering, right?
 
this is weird.. i don't in any way understand what you want to do... you want a synth that transmit on more than one channel??? what channel? midi channel or audio track? and why? if you have a sampler... :confused:

if you want to be able to transmit the same midi data on several channels you should get a midi merge/split box, if you want to get a synth that delivers audio and midi on more than one channel you're gonna need a synth with more than one part, like the Waldorf MicroQ, which is the cheapest you can get...

if you're talking about using your synth as a controller on other channels than what it's allready playing, then it should be sufficient to enable you midi data to "thru" in your sequencer and select the track you have in mind...

i simply don't get what you wanna do...
 
and the winner for the most confused thread ever goes to.................................................
 
Ok... Maybe I can make it a little bit clearer :D

First : ZZWave
Am I right, that you want some "KEYBOARD" (... lets dont call it synth, it has diferent meaning here, it could be confusing everybody.) that sends multiple MIDI message by multi MIDI chanel, to be received by your PC runing sampling software loaded soundfont fles assign to multi chanel, to be trigged at once keypressed ? If so, you may try my suggestion, try some older second hand KORG M1. Trust me, it's cheap now. And it can SEND multi MIDI message at once. Edit the Combi, set each timbre's chanel to EXT, It'll work. I tried it, it worked before. OR, YES !!! you may try what Roel said. Use Roland A90. It is also a good way to do that, I just don't know the price now. But I know it works. Perhaps Roel can explain how to do this.

2nd : TexRoadKill
It's not only receiving, but also sending. If I was right about what it's all about, then it must work, I tried before and it worked. :)

3rd : Roel
:D Sorry brother, I took it too hard :D I must forget that... :) He use sampler. You were right, we don't really need to control 'em separatelly when we do layering...

The only confusing here is what the exactly software ZZwave uses ? There so many softsynth/softsampler on the market with their own capability, setting, pros and cons.
Thank's all...
 
Hey all,
I think James has hit the nail on the head. The software I am using is SAMPLERCHAN. It allows you to load up to 16 soundfonts in to the midi channels 1-16. I think Halion can do this also. What I want to do is say load a cello into Midi Channel 1 of the software, violin into channel 2 etc. This way I can edit and tweak each sample loaded into it's own midi channel in the software. I need a "KEYBOARD" that transmits on multiple channels(or OMNI Transmit), so when I play the "keyboard" all the soundfonts play at the same time.
As far as I know , you can't load multiple soundfonts,or samples, into the same midi channel in a softsampler.
Also James I went here:
http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/_inc/specs_only.cfm?synthid=336 and it says :Can send on 1 simultaneous MIDI channels for the Korg M1.
Don't know how to "layer" samples or soundfonts in a softsampler.
I am not talking about ANY internal sounds of the "keyboard" here" or incoming midi.
Geez, you guys have gone over my head with this. Hehe. I thought it would be pretty common thing to find a cheap 61 key board, with some crappy sounds and just use it as a controller to send the same message when I hit key to the 16 channels in a softsampler/softsynth. I guess not and that's what this board is for: to learn.
I really want to thank all of you for your input and for being so patient with my questions. I appreciate it.
Now if I could only find one that doesn't cost a small fortune.....Peace... ZZWave
 
aha...

... thanx for the explanation...
James Argos thing wont work here i think, since it is a "split" function... but i know samplerchan is build up in parts, and each part can be assigned to a midi channel... the part 1 - ch 1 ... part 2 - ch 2 ... ...
setup is only the default, you can simply assign all parts to, say, channel 1, and it'll save you the trouble of buying an extra midi controller....
problem solved...
 
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