Hi all
This is my first post and I am looking for advise please.
I sold my E86 keyboard to give me more space and I recently aquired a Roland SC 88 VL sound module for playing back SMF's from my pc.
After purchasing I now see that there is Midi in A and Midi in B in order to play all sounds.
My sound card is a Audigy 2 ZS platinum which has one midi in and one out.
What's the best way to hook it all together and do I need software for the pc to talk to the module.I am running XP with sp3 and Cubasis 4 SE.
Probably on reflection I might have been better off with Sonic Cell.
Any help would be much appreciated
Your SC 88 VL will work just fine for your application as your SMF's will be set-up for no more than 16 channels of MIDI data.
So just connect it up to the A MIDI port, and away you go.
Although there is a host direct connection, you will need a 'special lead', and driver software.
I found very little information on the SC-88, so I doubt you will find either.
Best stick to using the MIDI ports.
If you wanted access to 32 separate MIDI parts, you would need to upgrade your MIDI interface, to one with multiple MIDI outputs. Then you could connect both MIDI A & B ports.
Thanks for your reply but unfortunately some instruments come through the B channel.
In the manual it shows all connections via midi with both A and B in use and using a midi interface board also unfortunately I have no joystick port on my sound card.
The manual says:- Midi messages received in midi in A are passed to group A parts and likewise for group B parts.I have tried it just using the A input but am not getting all instruments on midi file playing.
As there are no drivers available even if I had a MIB I am at a loss as what to do next. Would a midi through box with 1 in and 2 out be any good ? I've had a look round but can't find anything.
Thanks again
Suggest a try resetting your SC-88:
While holding SELECT, press both INSTRUMENT buttons, then press ALL
Your old E86 would have played these files correctly I assume?
I can't see why your SC-88 should behave differently.
I feel a 'proper' MIDI interface, perhaps using USB might be the way to go. One with more than 1 MIDI output.
A MIDI thru box is not going to help you here, as all it will do is copy what ever is recieved at the MIDI input to it's MIDI outs. All you will get is the same parts on each MIDI port of the SC-88.
Thanks Sr Member
I tried reset already but no luck.
My old E86 had only 1 midi in and played no problem.
I gather from reading posts on a few sites that USB can cause problems with drop out.
The annoying thing is I bought this unit off Ebay and would have appreciated something in the description ref the 2 inputs and what I would need to make it work with PC. I might have to spend quite a bit to buy a midi interface which will make the cost a bit OTT.
I have emailed seller for further advise. Let's hope he can help
Thanks again
Happy Shopper USB MIDI interfaces I wouldn't recommend.
If it worked fine with the E86, I would expect the SC-88 to work too. The SC-88 will work stand alone, as did the E86.
It doesn't need 2 MIDI inputs to work, that's only required if you want access to 32 separate parts.
Is the file GM / GS / XG / other?
If it's a GM file it should be 100% compatible. GS was an extended version of GM by Roland, so again, I would say there is a high percentage it would work (I'll give 90%).
XG was devolved by Yamaha, I would drop it down to 50% compatible.
Let's hope the seller can help. Perhaps he might have that 'special cable' for a direct host.
Then there's getting hold of the driver software.
There's 'serial' drivers here, one for NT which "might" work with XP, but I personally I think it's a dead end.
http://www.roland.co.uk/support/downloads_updates/General_Apps.aspx
Hi Sr Member
Had reply from seller.
He has xp drivers and he uses serial to host connector cable to com port.
Trouble is I have no com port. Have asked if there is any other way to do it and awaiting reply.
Thanks again
Hi Paul
Sorry for the delay in replying
I've had serial port fitted and am in the process of obtaining a serial to host connector (9 pin serial female to mini din 8 male ) which are like rocking horse manure.
I've tracked one down on ebay and am in the process of confirming it's the right cable and then I'll send for it.
Did consider usb to midi interface but seems it's not very reliable.
Thanks for your help.I will update you soon as.
Regards
Trevor
Hi Paul
Seller still has several sc 88's still in use, but has been very helpful with phone call and emails. He even offered me a serial port for computer.
Have downloaded and installed xp drivers from seller which are now showing in Cubase.
Just waiting now for cable to arrive so I can get going.
Hi Paul
Just going off topic if you don't mind
I am coming back into doing a bit of home studio recording after 10 years out.
I am using cubasis 4 se which came free.
I have always used cubase for playing with midi files from years ago.
Obviously now coming back after such a long time evrything has changed.
What do you think to using an alternative software programme such as Sonar.
Is it easy to change from one prog to another.
I would be looking to incorparate some of my hardware with the computer.
Any advice would be much appreciated
Regards
Trevor
Good that the seller is helping you, sounds as if he's an expert on these if he has several.
Regarding the off topic points:
I was running a program on the Amiga, worked wonderfully. When I jumped ship and finally went the PC route my music making went backwards.
I ran with Logic Audio (then they got bought by Apple DOH!). It was good, but I never quite mastered it, and there was parts of the program I never touched.
I've had no experience with Cubase.
I recently decided to moved to Sonar, I've not had too much time with it, but it seems functional.
Somehow I've got to find a way to take what I have in logic, and get it into Sonar.
So, I'm in a similar position to you, it's a whole new learning curve.
I know once you decide, it will involve spending money, and that's why making the decisions are so hard.
All decent sequencer packages will have SMF import. Most work in the 'track' style of recording.
If you are comfortable with Cubasis, I think the most logical route would be Cubase, you should be able to move your files over more easily, and you should be familiar with the way it works.
Best check your specs of your PC against what Cubase needs.
In terms of hardware..
If you want to record from the outside world, you may need an audio interface.
If you want to record more several things at once from the outside world, you will need an audio interface that can cope.
Many people are using software for their instruments, these rely on powerful CPU's, low latency soundcards, or audio interfaces, RAM, 64 bit OS, etc. (you'll need an understanding Bank manager)
I would be 'old school', I have a collection of MIDI instruments, & modules. Even my humble Amiga can drive them. I'm not doing this for a living, it's a (expensive) hobby.
I have a reasonable PC, but it's not 'cutting edge', I'm currently unemployed, so funds are tight.
Basically you can spend as much or as little as you want these days, you have to decide how far to take it.
You have a MIDI module, and no doubt some form of control keyboard too.
If your PC is up to it, you can supplement it with the VST's on offer from Cubase.
One thing I will point out, if you upgrade your PC in the future, it will no doubt come with Windows 7.
I think I can safely say you will not find any drivers for your SC-88 for Win 7.
It will not prevent you form using it. You would have to use it's MIDI connections that's all.
Hi Paul
Sounds like you're in a similar position to me although apart from putting down a midifile I've not had much experience of PC music making.
I've got a Tascam 564 4 track digital minidisc recorder, it's a few years old but not had much use along with a TL audio 2051 valve voice processor, a compressor and Alesis reverb unit and some other bits and bobs. I've been thinking of using the recorder as a mixing desk, it's got a digital out. I've usually put down a midi file as a base then added my own instruments.
I play bass and rhythmn guitar and do vocals.
Just thought that using the computer would enable me to play about a bit more with tweaking the tracks and mixing down to cd but as with a lot more musicians you find that when you enter the computer world you spend more time fiddling with the computer than making music.
Still it all helps to pass the time.
Thanks for the chat.
All the best
Trevor
The Tascam could be used as a mixer, the first 2 channels have an insert point, useful for the compressor.
The digital out might be useful in the future, but I don't think there is a digital in on your PC's soundcard.
The reverb could use the effect send, and be returned using one of the stereo channels. Perhaps use the other to connect to the SC-88
The TL audio unit, very useful, & not just for your vocals..
The computer will give you many options, more tracks, automated mixing, and so forth.
Yes you will need to do some tweaking, to get it all working, but once that's done you should be fine.
Remember.. Back-up, back-up back-up.
I try and have 2 hard drives, one for OS / data. One for audio.
I try to have the desktop PC with as little 'other stuff' as possible, just keeping it for music.
For 'general use' (internet, email, etc) I use the laptop.
Update
Well got the cable at last, serial to host 9 pin to 8 pin mini din, and it fits !!!
Had a serial port installed on pc.
Connect up, set params in cubase and sound card midi out etc.
Still not working.
Now find that pc shop has installed a pci serial port card, which show in device manager as com 4 and com 5. The driver will only recognise com 1.
So now it likes a visit back to pc shop.
