Roland PG1000 programmer - connections to use with D-50

Connecting the Roland D-50 with its PG1000 programmer can be a bit confusing.

These are my notes of how I'm using it with my DAW (Abelton)

The midi merge box I'm using is a simple   ... 3 in / 1 out box

It mixes MIDI from the DAW and PG100 & sends this info to the D-50.

There is one final connection from the D50 back to the programmer.

Here is a pick of the rear of the programmer:

The PG 1000 is a brilliant machine

For the record, here is the rear of the D50

How to Sync Abelton with Arturia's Keystep 32

Some brief notes on my setup for syncing Arturia's Keystep 32 to Abelton.

I thought this is a quite useful & practical post as the Keystep is a really cheap and reliable

way to integrate old pre MIDI/USB vintage gear into a modern DAW.

The Keystep is very flexible ... has DIN MIDI, USB MIDI, Analog clocks, sync, CV/Gate

etc etc.

The Beatstep, Keystep Pro and Keystep 37 will probably all work the same.

My aim was to combine a Roland Jupiter 4 & Promars and record into a DAW.

The J4 only has a ARP and I have no intention to add MIDI.

The old Keystep clocks the J4 really nicely.

You need at least a 5V gate.

It also sequences & adds a basic Arpeggiator to the Promars.

The Promars has CV/gate. No MIDI or ARP.

The CV is 1V/Oct. Gate is 10V

(the Arp on the Jupiter 4 is fabulous, and Ive always wanted one on the Promars).

The keystep is plugged into my PC using USB

I've set the keystep to internal Sync.

Thus, it can still be used if the DAW is off.

I have a Mio XL MIDI interface with plenty of USB hubs.

1. Connect the Keystep 32 to your computer via USB.

2. Launch Ableton Live and open the MIDI preferences.

Double click the Ableton Live icon to launch the software. 

Then, in the top menu of Ableton, go to the Preferences menu by opening the ‘Live’ menu and clicking ‘Preferences’.

3. Select the Beatstep from the list of available control surface devices.

    (ableton doesnt has the keystep as an option in the settings so I choose Beatstep 

     like its written in the manual).

My MIDI interface can host up to 8 USB devices.

Ive picked HST 1

Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Keystep are checked.

4. In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked 

    for both the Input and Output of the Keystep (Sync can also be optionally checked).

5. Activate the Ext tab in the top left corner.

Note that after an external sync source  has be enabled, the EXT button in the Control Bar 

next to the TAP button appears.

You can then activate external sync either by switching on this button or by using the external sync command in the Options menu.

The upper indicator LED next to the EXT button will flash if Live receives usable sync messages from the Keystep. The keystep will also send MIDI notes, etc.

The Keystep is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

Connecting the KO II to external gear.

\\\

Links:

+ TE website

+ KO 133 website

+ KO II 133 online manual

+ KO II online sample tool / editor

Eurorack & Analog 16' Clock

This is an analog trigger. It's equivalent PPQN is 4.( ie four pulses per quarter note
or 1⁄4 the duration of a quarter note.)
It's also called 16th because a note is sent or received every 16th note.

enter system settings by pressing (shift) and (erase).

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to the sync settings, then press (enter) on the pads.

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to ‘in’ or "out", then hit (enter). 

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to ‘16’, then hit (enter)

The K.O.II will now listen for or send out  a 16 clock pulse on it’s sync-in/out jack, 

The output clock pulse is 3.3V

RING: Start/Stop

Sync input

max level: 10 V

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pocket Operator, Korg SQ-1, Volcas (8' clock)

(POs sync on audio pulses... essentially a click track).

Korg SQ-1 sequencers and the Korg Volcas use this standard.
A single KORG pulse is equivalent to just 2 PPQN.

It's also called 8th because a note is sent or received every 8th note.

enter system settings by pressing (shift) and (erase).

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to the sync settings, then press (enter) on the pads.

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to ‘in’ or "out", then hit (enter). 

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to ‘8’, then hit (enter)

The K.O.II will now listen for or send out  a 8 clock pulse on it’s sync-in/out jack, 

The output clock pulse is 3.3V

RING: Start/Stop

Sync input

max level: 10 V

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roland Drum machines (Sync 24)

In the case of MIDI (and Roland DIN Sync), the standard is 24PPQN.
Lots of old Roland Synths such as the TB303 & TR606, 808, 909 use this standard.
Most DAWs will also use  a 24 PPQN signal

enter system settings by pressing (shift) and (erase).

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to the sync settings, then press (enter) on the pads.

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to ‘in’ or "out", then hit (enter). 

use (minus) and (plus) to navigate to ‘24’, then hit (enter)

The K.O.II will now listen for or send out  a sync24 clock pulse on it’s sync-in jack, 

---------------

MIDI (in)

Teenage E use TRS MIDI type A connectors These transmit MIDI over standard Stereo cables

+ Midi/DIN  to TRS 3.5mm

control K.O.II with a midi keyboard

once you have your midi keyboard connected, K.O.II will detect any notes and light up the MIDI or usb icon (depending on what input is used) on the screen.

Each note of the keyboard will play a different pad

If you want to play one pad transposed across the keyboard just press (keys)!!

MIDI (out)

To control external synths with the KO II

Go into EDIT

(Shift + Sound)

Press the +/- key till you arrive at MID

Each pad sends MIDI on its own channel.

Select a pad and Use the orange knobto change the midi channel.

MIDI CC - Guide

 MIDI CC List – Most Common Parameters

CC = continuous controller.

Most MIDI instruments will come with a MIDI implementation chart.

1 = Modulation wheel (in most cases this is Vibrato depth)

2 = Breath Control

7 = Volume

10 = Pan

11 = Expression

64 = Sustain Pedal (on/off)

65 = Portamento (on/off)

71 = Resonance (filter)

74 = Frequency Cutoff (filter)

------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the number of MIDI continuous controllers?

0-127

In MIDI terms, a continuous controller (CC) is a MIDI message capable of transmitting 

a range of values, 

usually 0-127.

--------------

Why does MIDI have 127 values?

Midi technically goes from 0-127, giving it 128 unassigned values. The maximum value that can be expressed by one 7 bit byte is equal to 2 to the power of 7. This provides us with a total of 128 values that can be assigned. This is the reason that Midi goes to 127 and not any higher.

----------------------------

Half of these MIDI CC values are assigned to on/off switches. 0-63 = off, 64-127 = on.

----------------------

MIDI CC List – Complete List

0 Bank Select (MSB)\

   use this to switch preset banks, so you can select presets. 

   MIDI allows 16,384 patches per MIDI channel.

1 Modulation Wheel

   It controls the parameter(s) it's mapped to in your synth, instrument or effect. 

   Commonly used for filter cutoff or vibrato.

2 Breath controller

   Originally for use with an electronic breath MIDI controller that could read 

   changes in pressure of breath. 

   Can be used for modulation in performances, and is often used with aftertouch.

3 = Undefined

      Early DX7 Aftertouch

4 Foot Pedal (MSB)

5 Portamento Time (MSB)

6 Data Entry (MSB)

   Data Slider

   Controls SYSEX, NRPN ( Non-Registered Parameter Numbers) and RPN values.

7 Main Volume (MSB)

8 Balance (MSB) 

   0 = left, 64 = centre, 127 = right.

9 = Undefined

10 Pan position (MSB)

     0 = left, 64 = centre, 127 = right.

11 Expression (MSB)

12 Effect Control 1 (MSB)

     For controlling effects in an instrument.

13 Effect Control 2 (MSB)

      For controlling effects in an instrument.

14 = Undefined

15 = Undefined

16 = General Purpose #1

17 = General Purpose #2

18 = General Purpose #3

19 = General Purpose #4

              Slider, Knob or Ribbon Controller

20-31 = Undefined

32=Bank Select (LSB)

       If you are using Abelton Live for example, using the Program Change option makes

       Live send MIDI CC 32 commands. 

       This is the reason why MIDI CC 32 does not appear as available MIDI control data

       in the Envelopes section of a Live Clip.

33= Mod wheel

       Used alongside CC1 to send a modulation command for instruments with higher mod resolution.

       Thus if the resolution of 128 increments (from CC1)  is not fine enough to provide a

       smooth transition through this range, the manufacturer can opt to add more resolution 

       by using a second byte to define the range. 

       Controller #’s 33 through 63 are used for this purpose.

34= Breath controller

       Used with CC2 to send modulation commands for instruments with higher mod resolution.

35=undefined

36-40

41=undefined

42=pan

      Used with CC10 to send modulation commands for instruments with higher mod resolution.

43=expression

44=effect control 1

45=effect control 2

46-63 = undefined

64 Sustain - Hold Pedal (on/off)

65 Portamento (on/off)

66 Sostenuto Pedal (on/off)

67 Soft Pedal (on/off)

68 Legato Pedal (on/off)

69 Hold 2 Pedal (on/off)

70 Sound Variation

71 Resonance (Timbre)

72 Sound Release Time

73 Sound Attack Time

74 Frequency Cutoff (Brightness)

75 Sound Control 6

76 Sound Control 7

77 Sound Control 8

78 Sound Control 9

79 Sound Control 10

80 Decay or General Purpose Button 1 (on/off) Roland Tone level 1

81 Hi Pass Filter Frequency or General Purpose Button 2 (on/off) Roland Tone level 2

82 General Purpose Button 3 (on/off) Roland Tone level 3

83 General Purpose Button 4 (on/off) Roland Tone level 4

84 Portamento Amount

85-90 = Undefined

91 Reverb Level

92 Tremolo Level

93 Chorus Level

94 Detune Level

95 Phaser Level

96 Data Button increment

97 Data Button decrement

98 Non-registered Parameter (LSB)

99 Non-registered Parameter (MSB)

100 Registered Parameter (LSB)

101 Registered Parameter (MSB)

102-119 = Undefined

120 All Sound Off

121 All Controllers Off

122 Local Keyboard (on/off)

123 All Notes Off

124 Omni Mode Off

125 Omni Mode On

126 Mono Operation

127 Poly Mode

--------------

Note that MIDI technology was only standardized in 1983 by a panel of music industry representatives

so synths before this time need to be modified if you wish to use the full range of CCs.

Unfortunately many 80's synths that have MIDI, have a sort of limited version of it

as the finer details of the MIDI spec were still being ironed out during this period. 

The earliest trailblazers like the JX-3P (1983), Jupiter-6 (1983) and the Prophet 600 (1982) have only really basic MIDI. (The P600 was the first commercially available synth to implement MIDI).

It's pretty much note on/off, pitch, maybe pitchbend, and not much else.

(There are a few vintage synths that let you modulate some other settings with the 

pitch bend MIDI CC).

Even synths like the JUNO-106 which has MIDI doesn't respond too well to MIDI continuous controllers. Remember that the Juno 106 was only released in 1984.

MIDI SysEx data can be transmitted/received from all the sliders and buttons for total remote control and sequencing capability. 

At the rear of the synth, next to the MIDI ports, there is a switch with 3 positions.

a]Keyboard and Hold data only

b]Keyboard, Hold, Bender, Patch selection data

c]All data (including SysEx).

It needs to be set to the last for sysex to be enabled.

-----------------------------------

My Roland Super Jupiter MKS-80 (released in 1984) responds to a few CC messages :

1 Modulation Wheel

7 Volume (MSB)

31 Bender sense

64 Sustain - Hold Pedal (on/off)

The old Roland also responds to patch changes from Abelton

Only the Pgm list works.

Leave Bank & Sub empty

----------------------------

My old Studio Electronics MIDI-MOOG (1989) (https://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/midimoog.php)

uses these MIDI CC:

1 Modulation Wheel

5 Portamento Time

7 Channel Volume

64 Sustain Pedal

65 Portamento On/Off

-----------------------

I found that  good way to discover what CC's your synth is using is to record the CC's that enter the computer with your DAW while twiddling the various knobs/wheels etc

I'm using abelton:

These are the CC's that my Alesis andromedia A6 uses:

pitch bend (right)- ??

modulation wheel (left) - 1

left - 20  28 52

right 20 , 52

you should be able to route these controllers to things like filter cutoff etc

The A6 was produced in 2001 and still has really basic MIDI

I think the best chance to get a modern MIDI implementation in vintage synths are with mods. 

   Links

+ Universal MIDI Sysex CC programmer

+ http://www.2writers.com/eddie/tutsysex.htm

+ http://www.music.mcgill.ca/~ich/classes/mumt306/StandardMIDIfileformat.html

+ http://www.music-software-development.com/midi-tutorial.html

+ https://ctrlr.org/

+  David Konsumer's "junosex" CC converter: an arduino based CC to SysEx converter that let's you use a common non-SysEx MIDI controller to speak with your SysEx-ready synth

AKAI Force - MIDI clock

 The setup for MIDI clock.

I'm sending midi clock from a AKAI Force to a Korg SQ-64 sequencer.

Both the sq64 and the FORCE use the same MIDI system.

MIDI A

+ Midi/DIN  to TRS 3.5mm

So you can connect them with a simple 3.5 stereo cable.

A 5 pin DIN isn't needed.

The KORG setup is simple.

Press GLOBAL and set the clock source to MIDI

The FORCE also needs to be setup.

1. MENU

2. Go to the gear icon

3. MIDI/SYNC

4. Enter Matrix/session view

    You dont need to load or start playing any clips.

   Just press the PLAY transport button on the force.

   Make sure that the play button is also pressed on     the SQ64.

   The SQ64 should now be running in sync with         the force.

You can now start playing clips etc etc

Elektron - Program Changes

Generally, Program Change messages are used to specify the type of instrument which should be used to play sounds on a given Channel. 

This message needs only one data byte which specifies the new program number. 

MIDI Control Change messages in comparison  are used to control a wide variety of functions in a synthesizer.

In Elektron terms “program change” means pattern change. 

So, for example, an Digitakt and a Digitone can step in sync to the next pattern.

This is how I set up Program Changes on a Octatrack-Digitakt-Syntrakt system.

Many thanks to EZBOT for his great sync video.

https://youtu.be/i69tj48vfxM

The OT is the master.

Its sending Program Changes on channel 10

Both the Digitakt & Syntrak are slaves.

Make sure they both are also receiving clock, transport & Program messages.

They receive Program changes on channel 10 in this example

Now when you change a pattern on the OT, the ST & DT should change in sync.

Korg Volca FM 1 - Internal & external sequencer

External Sequencer

If you are using an external sequencer:

1. make sure MIDI RX ShortMessage  is On.

    The LED above pad 7 needs to be lit.

    To do this, while holding down the MEMORY button, turn the volca fm on.

     When you have finished, press the  (REC) button.

2. set the MIDI channel

    While holding down the MEMORY button, turn the volca fm on.

    Keyboard buttons 1 to 16 correspond to the MIDI channels 1 to 16. 

    Press the button that corresponds to the desired channel, and the LED

    below the keyboard button will light up.

    When you have finished, press the  (REC) button.

3. make sure you clear the pattern stored in the Volca, otherwise this will play when

    you start the external sequencer.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  

Internal Sequencer  

The Volca FM comes with 16 default sequences

To select a default sequence press:

[Memory] & [1-12 touch pad]

To erase (clear) whats in the memory of that sequence press

[func] + [16 - All] 

All sequence data will be erased.

or press

[func] + [Act step]  

 All values in the active step will be deleted.

------------------------

To rec something:

press [play] + [rec]

play your tune.

To save to memory press

[func] + [memory]

This is the save-ready condition. 

Now press one of the 1–16 buttons to

save the currently selected program number and sequence 

to your chosen memory slot.

If you turn the volca off / on, your settings should still be in memory

Arturia Beatstep Pro with Korg MS20 / MS10

 The beatstep pro is a cheap and excellent device to sequence all your old Korg Gear.

Here is part of my current Korg setup

The two SQ-10 sequencers are tricky to clock.

The one on the right clocks nicely from a SQ-1 (though the rate is a bit fast), 

but the left one takes a little more encouragement.

I'm not sure why they are different.

These are the Beatstep pro settings I came up with that clock both the SQ-10s

They seem to require a old fashioned analog clock.

(1 step). 

This is great for Eurorack gear, but much of the more modern Korg devices  such as the SQ-1

prefer 2ppqn

As far as polarity .. both a positive and neg trigger worked,

But I think old Korg is all about shorting triggers so I left it negative for now.

So in order to clock both SQ-10s, I used a 1step setting (in the Sync section).

This however led to any volca gear and the SQ-1 running at twice speed.

Luckly the Korg MS-50 has a clock divider.

Note, that if you do use the 1step setting you may not be able to trigger your Volca drums via midi.

the 2ppqn setting seems to be needed for that to work.

New Programmable MIDI Mute from Elk Elektronik!

....

More information at https://www.elkelektronik.com.au/midi-mute

Elk Elektronik - Shop 3, 266-268 Crown St Wollongong

https://www.elkelektronik.com.au/ 

https://www.facebook.com/elkelektronik/  

Youtube

Instagram

Midi clock using the Kenton Solo Eurorack module

 Some settings of a very useful Eurorack module. ... the Kenton Solo

 

I think this is ideal for use with a Modular - 

eurorack

 

Preset 70 has too fast a clock.

Use P.71 instead 

available values c24, c48 & d2 to d24,
- sets the ratio of MIDI clocks to output pulses from the Clock1 output.

 

 D12 seems about perfect.

If set to d2, there will 12 pulses from the clock1 output 

for every 24 MIDI clocks = 12 cpqn
If set to d24, there will be 1 pulse from the clock pulse output for every 24 MIDI clocks = 1 cpqn
(Note there are 24 MIDI clocks per quarter note)

 

So d12 = 2 pulses from the clock output for every 24 MIDI clocks

Korg Wavestate - MIDI out (DIN)

Some setup notes.

 

Ive been using the Korg Wavestate for a while and never managed to sync it successfully to my

modular eurorack till today.

Maybe in the past I was using the wrong connectors/ Midi to CV converters etc .. don't know.

 

Anyway, today it finally worked.

 

The CV.OCD did the trick.

Use gate output 10 .... send the clock (4th notes) to your sequencer 

Using the DIN midi plugs. (no usb)

These were my global settings.

 WaveState

   + Korg WaveState & TR-707 drum - Midi Clock

   + Korg Wavestate - editing, creating and varying wavesequences 

   + Korg WaveState - Modulation Matrix, Routing & Assignments

   + Korg WaveState - Arpeggio

   + Korg WaveState - category selection, set lists  

 

Clocking the Buchla 252e (with a 225e)

 

 The Buchla 252e has no midi or analog clock input as it was designed to be THE master clock.

 

 The 252e manual says it supports MIDI clock, sync receive and sync transmit.

Transmit is straightforward, but syncing and receiving MIDI from something like a DAW,

needs a module like a 225e.

There may be other modules which could do the same job but I think the 225e module is a great pairing for the 252e. They communicate with each other using i2c.

 

The 225e has 16 busses, but the last 6

are impt in syncing things. These are busses J to P.

These handle controller and clock messages. They are translated into 0-10V CVs

Each controller Bus is divided into 2 groups: (a) or (b).....(two controllers for each of six busses).

Controller output bus P(b) is actually not a controller, but is a dedicated MIDI Clock output.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Channel is set to “Clock” (after 16 and before 0) a different interface is displayed:

 

The Div fields allow the 225e to generate 10 volt pulses based on rhythmic divisions of an incoming MIDI clock. The numerator represents a count; valid values are 1-8. The denominator represents a note length.

1: Whole note                                                     8: Eighth note
2: Half note                                                        12: Eighth note triplet
3: Half note triplet                                               16: Sixteenth note
4: Quarter note                                                   24: Sixteenth note triplet
6: Quarter note triplet                                          32: Thirty-second note

 

 

Str = Sync Transmit

Src = Sync Receive

So if you wish the 252e to receive and be controlled by external midi clock follow these steps:
1. On the 252e, press and hold the Master BPM knob until the display reads Off.
2. Turn the Master BPM knob on the 252e until it reads Src (Sync receive).

 ----------------------------------

 

If you are trying to clock a larger modular system from the 252e  (without a 225e) use Cell1 output.

This will supply a pulse every time  the cells return to step 1.

 

Use a clock multiplier like the  Northern Light Modular 2TT.

Set an output to be a multiple of 2, 4, 8, 16 etc and you have a master clock while retaining the pulse outs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also use the 256e  as a clock multiplier

 Buchla Quad voltage processor

You can of course  use any of the pulse outputs on the 252e as a clock.

Personally, I just think the 225e is the easiest module to use. It allows you to add a midi clock input

to the 252e, is a perfect and flexible clock multiplier/divider and is a preset manager to boot.

Here, bus P is supplying the clock.

P(b) is your unmodified clock.

P(a) is the clock multiplied by 2.

I'm using abelton as the clock source.

Remember to set it up to transmit midi.

Options/ preferences/ midi

+ 252e

      * Notes on the 252e

      * 252e & Synthstrom Deluge 1 

      * Buchla 252e & 266r

 *My notes re the 225e