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Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

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Keystep question

Keystep question

2017-02-19 by tim linn

Hi all,
I've been a part of this group for years, but until now have never sent a message (just been learning a lot). But I picked up an Arturia Keystep Friday specifically to sequence and arp my cz. To that end, it's been amazing. But there is one issue related to MIDI — the synth frequently gets stuck on the first preset upon startup if the keystep is connected. Then I have to turn it off and on again a bunch of times to be able to switch to different patches. As far as I can tell, those buttons work fine if MIDI is disconnected. I have the MIDI channel set correctly and program changes enabled. Is there something else I'm missing or is this just a fluke for the CZ?

Re: [CZsynth] Keystep question

2017-03-01 by Daniel Forró

How do you connect MIDI - one cable only or two cables?

If two, then it can be some kind of MIDI loop.

Switch off Local function, or MIDI Thru or MIDI Echo (it can have different names)...

I can be wrong as I don't know this Keystep thing and its MIDI implementation.

Daniel Forro


On Feb 19, 2017, at 2:32 PM, tim linn cc3timlinn@... [CZsynth] wrote:

Hi all,
I've been a part of this group for years, but until now have never sent a message (just been learning a lot). But I picked up an Arturia Keystep Friday specifically to sequence and arp my cz. To that end, it's been amazing. But there is one issue related to MIDI — the synth frequently gets stuck on the first preset upon startup if the keystep is connected. Then I have to turn it off and on again a bunch of times to be able to switch to different patches. As far as I can tell, those buttons work fine if MIDI is disconnected. I have the MIDI channel set correctly and program changes enabled. Is there something else I'm missing or is this just a fluke for the CZ?

Re: [CZsynth] Keystep question

2017-03-02 by Daniel Forró

Have you read my message?

Could you write something more about your MIDI connection? Two cables or one only?

If you want to get good advice, you have to describe your situation more in detail.

Daniel Forro


On Feb 19, 2017, at 2:32 PM, tim linn cc3timlinn@... [CZsynth] wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text

I picked up an Arturia Keystep Friday specifically to sequence and arp my cz. To that end, it's been amazing. But there is one issue related to MIDI — the synth frequently gets stuck on the first preset upon startup if the keystep is connected. Then I have to turn it off and on again a bunch of times to be able to switch to different patches. As far as I can tell, those buttons work fine if MIDI is disconnected. I have the MIDI channel set correctly and program changes enabled. Is there something else I'm missing or is this just a fluke for the CZ?

Re: Keystep question

2017-03-02 by smw-mail@...

OK--I found the manual online. As Dan pointed out, connection and settings could make a difference. If you have the midi out of the Keystep directly into the midi in of the CZ and that's it, then I think you need to look at the midi data that is being sent. The Keystep has a lot of parameters and perhaps it is sending something that confuses the CZ and can be turned off within the Keystep.

One thing to try is to turn on the Keystep, let it boot, and then turn on the CZ. If the problem no longer occurs then it could be that the initiation sequence of the Keystep is sending something the CZ doesn't like.

If I understand what you are saying, when patch 1 get "stuck," (1) you cannot change patches from the buttons on the CZ, (2) you cannot change patches from the Keystep, but (3) the CZ still responds to note data coming from the Keystep. If so, I am hoping the midi data will provide a clue.

I should say that my experience is with the CZ-3000, CZ-5000, and CZ-1, but I can check the CZ midi manual to see if your model might behave differently.

Also, you might want to check with arturia (the company or user forums) to see if anyone else knows of a parameter in the Keystep that would cause that problem.

Steve

Re: [CZsynth] Keystep question

2017-03-02 by Daniel Forró

If you use two cables as I suppose, check MIDI Thru setting on Keystep (OM page 61). It has to be set to OFF.

Maybe this can avoid your problem.

If it's ON, there's a MIDI loop and CZ will behave strangely.

Daniel Forro



On Feb 19, 2017, at 2:32 PM, tim linn cc3timlinn@... [CZsynth] wrote:



Hi all,
I've been a part of this group for years, but until now have never sent a message (just been learning a lot). But I picked up an Arturia Keystep Friday specifically to sequence and arp my cz. To that end, it's been amazing. But there is one issue related to MIDI — the synth frequently gets stuck on the first preset upon startup if the keystep is connected. Then I have to turn it off and on again a bunch of times to be able to switch to different patches. As far as I can tell, those buttons work fine if MIDI is disconnected. I have the MIDI channel set correctly and program changes enabled. Is there something else I'm missing or is this just a fluke for the CZ?


Re: [CZsynth] Keystep question

2017-03-02 by tim linn

My apologies. I haven't had a chance to sit down and check this out. I've tried both ways, and it does seem like it's worse when both and out are plugged in. The midi through is off. I'll try to play with those settings and let you know if that fixes it.


Sent from my iPhone

Re: Keystep question

2017-03-09 by smw-mail@...

If you are playing notes on the CZ, sending them to the arpeggiator, which then plays the arpeggiated notes on the CZ, you need 2 midi connections (a) CZ midi out to arpeggiator midi in and (b) arpeggiator midi out to CZ midi in.


On the other hand, if you are triggering the notes from something else into the arpeggiator or having the arpeggiator serving as a note sequencer source without a trigger from another source, you just need (b).


This assumes you are attempting one of these uses.


I have used E-Mu gear (the Proteus 2000 line) in both of these configurations. I also (way back in the 80s) used a Korg DDD-5 drum machine in the first configuration with the DDD-5 in record mode. So, I played notes on the CZ-5000 which played drum sounds and recorded the midi notes as a looping pattern, which in turn played those notes on the CZ-5000.


I also did something like the first method, but with a twist: CZ midi out to C-64 as a midi data processor to CZ midi in.


Having looked at the Keystep manual, I'd say you should definitely be able to do what you want although the Keystep is more complicated than what I used and you would need to configure it's settings properly. It sounds like a cool piece of gear and I think once you figure out (1) the connections you want and (2) the right settings to use, you should be able to use it for a number of effects.


I hope this helps. I think it would be worthwhile figuring it out.


Steve



Re: [CZsynth] Re: Keystep question

2017-03-10 by Daniel Forró

Yes, and in this case we have to switch off Local function on the synth, or MIDI Through in the other machine (hardware or software sequencer). If not, there's a MIDI loop with all the bad consequences (doubling the note on data, half of polyphony on the instrument, chorus/flanging effect caused by doubling and MIDI latency...).

Daniel Forro


On Mar 10, 2017, at 3:37 AM, smw-mail@prodigy.net [CZsynth] wrote:


If you are playing notes on the CZ, sending them to the arpeggiator, which then plays the arpeggiated notes on the CZ, you need 2 midi connections (a) CZ midi out to arpeggiator midi in and (b) arpeggiator midi out to CZ midi in.

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