Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi,

I just got a DTxpress II over the weekend and have been playing with
it nonstop ever since.

I'm trying to transfer some General MIDI files I have on my hard drive
into the module's user song areas.  For some reason, even though the
MIDI sequence seems to get through to the module just fine (it sounds
great when it's playing), once I turn the module off, turn it back on
and try to play back the sequence, it plays without program changes. 
(i.e. all the channels use a piano sound.)

If I go through and specifically assign the right programs to each
channel through the module's UI, it goes back to sounding just like it
did when I was recording the sequence into the module.

I've made sure that the channel 10 PC receive is turned on under
utilities, but it still does this -- lose the PC data once power is
cycled.

Anyone have any clue how to get this fixed?  Having to set all the
programs manually is quite annoying.

Thanks,

Ron Harvest

Hi Ron,

Welcome. What we've found from painful experience pver the past two 
months and, finally, a little help from Yamaha is that the DTXIIPU 
module is in desperate need of a complete factory reset right out of 
the box to get the external MIDI function to work properly, even if 
you haven't so much as changed a single setting. Give the reset a 
try, and if that doesn't do the trick, post again, and let the 
troubleshooting begin.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ronald Rael Harvest" 
<number6@c...> wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I just got a DTxpress II over the weekend and have been playing 
with
> it nonstop ever since.
> 
> I'm trying to transfer some General MIDI files I have on my hard 
drive
> into the module's user song areas.  For some reason, even though 
the
> MIDI sequence seems to get through to the module just fine (it 
sounds
> great when it's playing), once I turn the module off, turn it back 
on
> and try to play back the sequence, it plays without program 
changes. 
> (i.e. all the channels use a piano sound.)
> 
> If I go through and specifically assign the right programs to each
> channel through the module's UI, it goes back to sounding just 
like it

> did when I was recording the sequence into the module.
> 
> I've made sure that the channel 10 PC receive is turned on under
> utilities, but it still does this -- lose the PC data once power is
> cycled.
> 
> Anyone have any clue how to get this fixed?  Having to set all the
> programs manually is quite annoying.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Ron Harvest

Hiya!

Wow, a prompt and friendly response.  I think I'm going to like *this*
group.  :)

By "complete factory reset" do you mean I should trigger the "Factory
reset" function under utilities?  If so, I've done that several times
before I ever tried downloading MIDI sequences into it.  At one point
I thought the module had somehow gotten completely muted and couldn't
figure out how to unmute it, so I did a factory reset...  Turns out I
had the little volume control knob on my new headphones turned way down.

And the MIDI function is actually working alright.  I've got a .syx
file of my customized drum kit generated already and I regularly send
it .mid files to play along with.  I'm just trying to actually
transfer a .mid file into the user song area, so I can play along with
it even when the computer isn't connected.

And it's not getting the PC's.

Also, another thing I've noticed is that when I do a bulk dump over
MIDI, the file always ends up a different size.  Even though I've
changed the MIDI package delay to the maximum value of 300 msec.  At
first I assumed the biggest dump was the one most likely to be
correct, but then I tried sending it back to the kit and got an error
message that said something like "MIDI buffer full."  So apparently
some of them have junk in them.

Is it possible this is happening because the cable I'm using actually
goes from the DTxpress II's out port to my Alesis QuadraSynth 6.1's
MIDI in port?  (Then from the QS6.1's THRU port to the computer, which
is supposed to carry on the signals from the in port in a completely
unmodified manner...)

Anyway, any further help you could offer with either of these topics
would be appreciated.

Thanks again.  :)

Ron Harvest

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus"
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:

> Hi Ron,
> 
> Welcome. What we've found from painful experience pver the past two 
> months and, finally, a little help from Yamaha is that the DTXIIPU 
> module is in desperate need of a complete factory reset right out of 
> the box to get the external MIDI function to work properly, even if 
> you haven't so much as changed a single setting. Give the reset a 
> try, and if that doesn't do the trick, post again, and let the 
> troubleshooting begin.
> 
> Ed
> 
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ronald Rael Harvest" 
> <number6@c...> wrote:
> > Hi,
> > 
> > I just got a DTxpress II over the weekend and have been playing 
> with
> > it nonstop ever since.
> > 
> > I'm trying to transfer some General MIDI files I have on my hard 
> drive
> > into the module's user song areas.  For some reason, even though 
> the
> > MIDI sequence seems to get through to the module just fine (it 
> sounds
> > great when it's playing), once I turn the module off, turn it back 
> on
> > and try to play back the sequence, it plays without program 
> changes. 
> > (i.e. all the channels use a piano sound.)
> > 
> > If I go through and specifically assign the right programs to each
> > channel through the module's UI, it goes back to sounding just 
> like it
> > did when I was recording the sequence into the module.
> > 
> > I've made sure that the channel 10 PC receive is turned on under
> > utilities, but it still does this -- lose the PC data once power is
> > cycled.
> > 
> > Anyone have any clue how to get this fixed?  Having to set all the
> > programs manually is quite annoying.
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > Ron Harvest

Ron,

This is going to require that I put my thinking cap on, and it 
hurts. I may not have all the answers for you in this post, 
especially since the song mode is not my area, but maybe my abject 
stupidity will make someone else look like a genious. 

Correct about the reset; it's the one in the utility menu that 
obliterates all of your elective settings. That's why we try to 
advise people to do it first thing, before they understand enough 
about the module to invest in any serious programming.

Off the top, it does seem like the midi throughput from the Alesis 
could be swelling the data that eventually is coming back to DTX. 
Try taking it out of the loop. 

On the inability to store the song, are you actually in record mode--
that is, operating within a user song number with particular 
recording conditions--while the midi data enter the module, or are 
you somehow playing along with the song as you hear it? It's my 
understanding that once you've recorded on the sequencer, the two 
tracks are saved until you delete one or both.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ronald Rael Harvest" 
<number6@c...> wrote:
> 
> Hiya!
> 
> Wow, a prompt and friendly response.  I think I'm going to like 
*this*
> group.  :)
> 
> By "complete factory reset" do you mean I should trigger 
the "Factory
> reset" function under utilities?  If so, I've done that several 
times
> before I ever tried downloading MIDI sequences into it.  At one 
point
> I thought the module had somehow gotten completely muted and 
couldn't
> figure out how to unmute it, so I did a factory reset...  Turns 
out I
> had the little volume control knob on my new headphones turned way 
down.
> 
> And the MIDI function is actually working alright.  I've got a .syx
> file of my customized drum kit generated already and I regularly 
send
> it .mid files to play along with.  I'm just trying to actually
> transfer a .mid file into the user song area, so I can play along 
with
> it even when the computer isn't connected.
> 
> And it's not getting the PC's.
> 
> Also, another thing I've noticed is that when I do a bulk dump over
> MIDI, the file always ends up a different size.  Even though I've
> changed the MIDI package delay to the maximum value of 300 msec.  
At
> first I assumed the biggest dump was the one most likely to be
> correct, but then I tried sending it back to the kit and got an 
error
> message that said something like "MIDI buffer full."  So apparently
> some of them have junk in them.
> 
> Is it possible this is happening because the cable I'm using 
actually
> goes from the DTxpress II's out port to my Alesis QuadraSynth 6.1's
> MIDI in port?  (Then from the QS6.1's THRU port to the computer, 
which
> is supposed to carry on the signals from the in port in a 
completely
> unmodified manner...)
> 
> Anyway, any further help you could offer with either of these 
topics
> would be appreciated.
> 
> Thanks again.  :)
> 
> Ron Harvest
> 
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus"
> <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> > Hi Ron,
> > 
> > Welcome. What we've found from painful experience pver the past 
two 
> > months and, finally, a little help from Yamaha is that the 
DTXIIPU 
> > module is in desperate need of a complete factory reset right 
out of 
> > the box to get the external MIDI function to work properly, even 
if 
> > you haven't so much as changed a single setting. Give the reset 
a 
> > try, and if that doesn't do the trick, post again, and let the 
> > troubleshooting begin.
> > 
> > Ed
> > 
> > --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ronald Rael Harvest" 
> > <number6@c...> wrote:
> > > Hi,
> > > 
> > > I just got a DTxpress II over the weekend and have been 
playing 
> > with
> > > it nonstop ever since.
> > > 
> > > I'm trying to transfer some General MIDI files I have on my 
hard 
> > drive
> > > into the module's user song areas.  For some reason, even 
though 
> > the
> > > MIDI sequence seems to get through to the module just fine (it 
> > sounds
> > > great when it's playing), once I turn the module off, turn it 
back 
> > on
> > > and try to play back the sequence, it plays without program 
> > changes. 
> > > (i.e. all the channels use a piano sound.)
> > > 
> > > If I go through and specifically assign the right programs to 
each
> > > channel through the module's UI, it goes back to sounding just 
> > like it
> > > did when I was recording the sequence into the module.
> > > 
> > > I've made sure that the channel 10 PC receive is turned on 
under
> > > utilities, but it still does this -- lose the PC data once 
power is
> > > cycled.
> > > 
> > > Anyone have any clue how to get this fixed?  Having to set all 
the

> > > programs manually is quite annoying.
> > > 
> > > Thanks,
> > > 
> > > Ron Harvest

It also occurs to me that contamination from the Alesis may be 
preventing you from recording. Could there be continuous loop from 
the PC through the DTX through the Alesis through the PC when you 
are trying to record a song within the DTX's woefully tiny sequencer 
memory?

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> Ron,
> 
> This is going to require that I put my thinking cap on, and it 
> hurts. I may not have all the answers for you in this post, 
> especially since the song mode is not my area, but maybe my abject 
> stupidity will make someone else look like a genious. 
> 
> Correct about the reset; it's the one in the utility menu that 
> obliterates all of your elective settings. That's why we try to 
> advise people to do it first thing, before they understand enough 
> about the module to invest in any serious programming.
> 
> Off the top, it does seem like the midi throughput from the Alesis 
> could be swelling the data that eventually is coming back to DTX. 
> Try taking it out of the loop. 
> 
> On the inability to store the song, are you actually in record 
mode--
> that is, operating within a user song number with particular 
> recording conditions--while the midi data enter the module, or are 
> you somehow playing along with the song as you hear it? It's my 
> understanding that once you've recorded on the sequencer, the two 
> tracks are saved until you delete one or both.
> 
> Ed
> 
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ronald Rael Harvest" 
> <number6@c...> wrote:
> > 
> > Hiya!
> > 
> > Wow, a prompt and friendly response.  I think I'm going to like 
> *this*
> > group.  :)
> > 
> > By "complete factory reset" do you mean I should trigger 
> the "Factory
> > reset" function under utilities?  If so, I've done that several 
> times
> > before I ever tried downloading MIDI sequences into it.  At one 
> point
> > I thought the module had somehow gotten completely muted and 
> couldn't
> > figure out how to unmute it, so I did a factory reset...  Turns 
> out I
> > had the little volume control knob on my new headphones turned 
way 
> down.
> > 
> > And the MIDI function is actually working alright.  I've got 
a .syx
> > file of my customized drum kit generated already and I regularly 
> send
> > it .mid files to play along with.  I'm just trying to actually
> > transfer a .mid file into the user song area, so I can play 
along 
> with
> > it even when the computer isn't connected.
> > 
> > And it's not getting the PC's.
> > 
> > Also, another thing I've noticed is that when I do a bulk dump 
over
> > MIDI, the file always ends up a different size.  Even though I've
> > changed the MIDI package delay to the maximum value of 300 
msec.  
> At
> > first I assumed the biggest dump was the one most likely to be
> > correct, but then I tried sending it back to the kit and got an 
> error
> > message that said something like "MIDI buffer full."  So 
apparently
> > some of them have junk in them.
> > 
> > Is it possible this is happening because the cable I'm using 
> actually
> > goes from the DTxpress II's out port to my Alesis QuadraSynth 
6.1's
> > MIDI in port?  (Then from the QS6.1's THRU port to the computer, 
> which
> > is supposed to carry on the signals from the in port in a 
> completely
> > unmodified manner...)
> > 
> > Anyway, any further help you could offer with either of these 
> topics
> > would be appreciated.
> > 
> > Thanks again.  :)
> > 
> > Ron Harvest
> > 
> > --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus"
> > <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> > > Hi Ron,
> > > 
> > > Welcome. What we've found from painful experience pver the 
past 
> two 
> > > months and, finally, a little help from Yamaha is that the 
> DTXIIPU 
> > > module is in desperate need of a complete factory reset right 
> out of 
> > > the box to get the external MIDI function to work properly, 
even 
> if 
> > > you haven't so much as changed a single setting. Give the 
reset 
> a 
> > > try, and if that doesn't do the trick, post again, and let the 
> > > troubleshooting begin.
> > > 
> > > Ed
> > > 
> > > --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ronald Rael Harvest" 
> > > <number6@c...> wrote:
> > > > Hi,
> > > > 
> > > > I just got a DTxpress II over the weekend and have been 
> playing 
> > > with
> > > > it nonstop ever since.
> > > > 
> > > > I'm trying to transfer some General MIDI files I have on my 
> hard 
> > > drive
> > > > into the module's user song areas.  For some reason, even 
> though 
> > > the
> > > > MIDI sequence seems to get through to the module just fine 
(it 
> > > sounds
> > > > great when it's playing), once I turn the module off, turn 
it 
> back 
> > > on
> > > > and try to play back the sequence, it plays without program 
> > > changes. 
> > > > (i.e. all the channels use a piano sound.)
> > > > 
> > > > If I go through and specifically assign the right programs 
to 
> each
> > > > channel through the module's UI, it goes back to sounding 
just 
> > > like it
> > > > did when I was recording the sequence into the module.
> > > > 
> > > > I've made sure that the channel 10 PC receive is turned on 
> under
> > > > utilities, but it still does this -- lose the PC data once 
> power is
> > > > cycled.
> > > > 
> > > > Anyone have any clue how to get this fixed?  Having to set 
all 

> the
> > > > programs manually is quite annoying.
> > > > 
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > 
> > > > Ron Harvest

Ronald:

I had a couple of questions b4 I take a stab at answering this:

1. Are the MID file in General MIDI format?
2. Are you recording program change data along with the note data?

It sounds like after you power-cycle the DTXpress mod, it defaults to GM
on Chan 1, Patch 1 (piano). If this is the case, you could try creating a
single measure in your computer sequencer that sends all the correct
program changes. Pre-pend this to the .MID file and make sure the
DTXpress sequencer is recording program changes. This measure could also
include a four quarter-note click to help get u ready to play.

As I haven't used the on-board sequencer (I have a MP3 player plugged in
for my play along stuff) I unfortunately don't have any better
suggestions, however the group is usually very helpful and the response
times will astound you! :) Good luck, and welcome!

Vern

-- 
Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE     | "If the network is down, then you're
Senior Systems Engineer     | obviously incompetent so why are we
Texas Information Services  | paying you? Of course, if the network
vern@... www.txis.com  | is up, then we obviously don't need
Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG



Ronald Rael Harvest said:

>
> Hiya!
>
> Wow, a prompt and friendly response.  I think I'm going to like *this*
> group.  :)
>
> By "complete factory reset" do you mean I should trigger the "Factory
> reset" function under utilities?  If so, I've done that several times
> before I ever tried downloading MIDI sequences into it.  At one point I
> thought the module had somehow gotten completely muted and couldn't
> figure out how to unmute it, so I did a factory reset...  Turns out I
> had the little volume control knob on my new headphones turned way
> down.
>
> And the MIDI function is actually working alright.  I've got a .syx
> file of my customized drum kit generated already and I regularly send
> it .mid files to play along with.  I'm just trying to actually
> transfer a .mid file into the user song area, so I can play along with
> it even when the computer isn't connected.
>
> And it's not getting the PC's.
>
> Also, another thing I've noticed is that when I do a bulk dump over
> MIDI, the file always ends up a different size.  Even though I've
> changed the MIDI package delay to the maximum value of 300 msec.  At
> first I assumed the biggest dump was the one most likely to be
> correct, but then I tried sending it back to the kit and got an error
> message that said something like "MIDI buffer full."  So apparently
> some of them have junk in them.
>
> Is it possible this is happening because the cable I'm using actually
> goes from the DTxpress II's out port to my Alesis QuadraSynth 6.1's
> MIDI in port?  (Then from the QS6.1's THRU port to the computer, which
> is supposed to carry on the signals from the in port in a completely
> unmodified manner...)
>
> Anyway, any further help you could offer with either of these topics
> would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks again.  :)
>
> Ron Harvest
>
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus"
> <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
>> Hi Ron,
>>
>> Welcome. What we've found from painful experience pver the past two
>> months and, finally, a little help from Yamaha is that the DTXIIPU
>> module is in desperate need of a complete factory reset right out of
>> the box to get the external MIDI function to work properly, even if
>> you haven't so much as changed a single setting. Give the reset a
>> try, and if that doesn't do the trick, post again, and let the
>> troubleshooting begin.
>>
>> Ed
>>
>> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ronald Rael Harvest"
>> <number6@c...> wrote:
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > I just got a DTxpress II over the weekend and have been playing
>> with
>> > it nonstop ever since.
>> >
>> > I'm trying to transfer some General MIDI files I have on my hard
>> drive
>> > into the module's user song areas.  For some reason, even though
>> the
>> > MIDI sequence seems to get through to the module just fine (it
>> sounds
>> > great when it's playing), once I turn the module off, turn it back
>> on
>> > and try to play back the sequence, it plays without program
>> changes.
>> > (i.e. all the channels use a piano sound.)
>> >
>> > If I go through and specifically assign the right programs to each
>> channel through the module's UI, it goes back to sounding just
>> like it
>> > did when I was recording the sequence into the module.
>> >
>> > I've made sure that the channel 10 PC receive is turned on under
>> utilities, but it still does this -- lose the PC data once power is
>> cycled.
>> >
>> > Anyone have any clue how to get this fixed?  Having to set all the
>> programs manually is quite annoying.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Ron Harvest
>
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--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus"
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:

> Off the top, it does seem like the midi throughput from the Alesis 
> could be swelling the data that eventually is coming back to DTX. 
> Try taking it out of the loop. 

I'd like to avoid that if possible, it would require disconnecting all
the cables from the modules and moving it to a spot much closer to my
computer, which would be a bit unpleasant at the moment...  I've got
things packed kindda tightly together.

> On the inability to store the song, are you actually in record mode--
> that is, operating within a user song number with particular 
> recording conditions--while the midi data enter the module, or are 
> you somehow playing along with the song as you hear it? It's my 
> understanding that once you've recorded on the sequencer, the two 
> tracks are saved until you delete one or both.

I'm sorry, perhaps I was inaccurate.  

I am indeed in record mode.  The mode reached by hitting the Play/Rec
button while the shift button is depressed.  The display does say it's
recording when the song is coming in through the MIDI port, and the
song does in fact get saved into the sequencer.  But the *program
change* messages that come from the computer along with the song,
while they *are* clearly arriving at the module and being interpreted
by it (because the sounds I hear while I'm recording the song into the
DTX2's sequencer are using the correct instruments), are not actually
being stored into the song bank on the DTX2.  That is, once I cycle
power on the module and try to play the song back, all the instruments
involved sound like pianos.  Unless I go through and set the program
manually for each channel in the DTX2 module itself.

Nothing is preventing me from recording.  The MIDI note events coming
from the computer *are* being recorded by the DTX2.  The program
change events are not.  And I made sure the "channel 10 PC receive" is
set to ON under utilities, yes.  (The messages that tell the module
what instrument to use for each MIDI channel are being received,
interpreted in the playback the module makes while recording, but not
saved into the user song area along with the note events, which ARE
being saved.)

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus"
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:

> 
> It also occurs to me that contamination from the Alesis may be 
> preventing you from recording. Could there be continuous loop from 
> the PC through the DTX through the Alesis through the PC when you 
> are trying to record a song within the DTX's woefully tiny sequencer 
> memory?

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Vernon Graner" <vern@t...> wrote:
> Ronald:
> 
> I had a couple of questions b4 I take a stab at answering this:
> 
> 1. Are the MID file in General MIDI format?

They sure are.  They use the correct instruments when playing on the
OPL3 in my computer's sound card, and when playing on my Alesis
QuadraSynth 6.1 with General MIDI mode turned on.

> 2. Are you recording program change data along with the note data?

Well, apparently I'm *not* recording them, and that's precisely what
my question is.  *Why* am I not recording them?  If you could help me
figure out where the setting is to make sure they get recorded, you'll
have solved my problem.  I *do* have the DTX2 set to receive program
changes in both screens of the utility mode that cover it...  (i.e.
the screen that says "UT MIDI RECEIVE 10PC=on 10=on" and the screen
that says "UT MIDI RECEIVE PC=on SySEx=on" are both set to receive
program changes...)

And yet they aren't being recorded along with the song data.

Are there any other settings that need to be changed that I'm not
aware of?

> It sounds like after you power-cycle the DTXpress mod, it defaults to GM
> on Chan 1, Patch 1 (piano). 

The particular MIDI sequence I'm sending it doesn't actually use
channel 1, but it's defaulting to piano on channels 2 through 7, which
*are* used, and are supposed to be 34, 31, 31, 17, 19 and 64.  So
you're basically right.

Your suggestion for adding a measure to the sequence that'll send the
events is a little off base, though.  I'm not sure if you mean that I
should create this measure on the computer before I send the MIDI file
to the DTX2 or add it inside the DTX2 once it's already been
transferred...  If you mean the first, it would be pointless because
the MIDI file already contains program changes, and those program
changes *are* being sent.  I know this because the sounds I hear
through my headphones while they're plugged into the module's
headphone jack and the recording is taking place correspond to the
correct instruments.  (i.e. I don't hear all pianos during the
recording.)  If you mean the second option, it's also a bit pointless,
as adding this measure would be more work than going through and
setting the beginning program for each channel of the song manually,
which is what I'm doing right now.

What I'm looking for is a way to get the module to record the program
changes which it very obviously is receiving correctly into the song
area along with the actual notes it receives.

Thanks again for the help you've provided, though, you *do* seem to be
the person so far who's come closest to understanding what I'm asking.

Ron Harvest

Okay, Ron. Let's try this. On the Program Change, Bank Select page 
of the Song menu, you have the option of setting "V" to "meldy" 
or "drumV." Make sure that when you play back, you are in "drumV." 
Apparently, however, there's some drift, or at least there used to 
be in earlier versions of the module, so if after you leave that 
page or cycle off/on, it changes, set it back, but also try hitting 
the "plus" button on the module and come back yet again to "drumV." 
The setting, for some reason, used to need reminding of where it's 
supposed to be in order to stay there. Anyway, this method might 
restore the missing drums.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ronald Rael Harvest" 
<number6@c...> wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Vernon Graner" <vern@t...> wrote:
> > Ronald:
> > 
> > I had a couple of questions b4 I take a stab at answering this:
> > 
> > 1. Are the MID file in General MIDI format?
> 
> They sure are.  They use the correct instruments when playing on 
the
> OPL3 in my computer's sound card, and when playing on my Alesis
> QuadraSynth 6.1 with General MIDI mode turned on.
> 
> > 2. Are you recording program change data along with the note 
data?
> 
> Well, apparently I'm *not* recording them, and that's precisely 
what
> my question is.  *Why* am I not recording them?  If you could help 
me
> figure out where the setting is to make sure they get recorded, 
you'll
> have solved my problem.  I *do* have the DTX2 set to receive 
program
> changes in both screens of the utility mode that cover it...  (i.e.
> the screen that says "UT MIDI RECEIVE 10PC=on 10=on" and the screen
> that says "UT MIDI RECEIVE PC=on SySEx=on" are both set to receive
> program changes...)
> 
> And yet they aren't being recorded along with the song data.
> 
> Are there any other settings that need to be changed that I'm not
> aware of?
> 
> > It sounds like after you power-cycle the DTXpress mod, it 
defaults to GM
> > on Chan 1, Patch 1 (piano). 
> 
> The particular MIDI sequence I'm sending it doesn't actually use
> channel 1, but it's defaulting to piano on channels 2 through 7, 
which
> *are* used, and are supposed to be 34, 31, 31, 17, 19 and 64.  So
> you're basically right.
> 
> Your suggestion for adding a measure to the sequence that'll send 
the
> events is a little off base, though.  I'm not sure if you mean 
that I
> should create this measure on the computer before I send the MIDI 
file
> to the DTX2 or add it inside the DTX2 once it's already been
> transferred...  If you mean the first, it would be pointless 
because
> the MIDI file already contains program changes, and those program
> changes *are* being sent.  I know this because the sounds I hear
> through my headphones while they're plugged into the module's
> headphone jack and the recording is taking place correspond to the
> correct instruments.  (i.e. I don't hear all pianos during the
> recording.)  If you mean the second option, it's also a bit 
pointless,
> as adding this measure would be more work than going through and
> setting the beginning program for each channel of the song 
manually,
> which is what I'm doing right now.
> 
> What I'm looking for is a way to get the module to record the 
program
> changes which it very obviously is receiving correctly into the 
song
> area along with the actual notes it receives.
> 
> Thanks again for the help you've provided, though, you *do* seem 
to be
> the person so far who's come closest to understanding what I'm 
asking.
> 
> Ron Harvest

There are no missing drums.  I'm muting all the drum parts.  I don't
care about the drum track. I want to play along with this song myself.
 The 6 melodic channels from the MIDI sequence I'm trying to feed from
my computer into the DTX2's sequencer and store it in one of the user
songs are not getting the *program changes* associated with those
channels saved into the song area, even though those program changes
*are* arriving at the module.  

Instead of sounding like an organ, a guitar, a bass guitar and an oboe
covering the vocal melody, the 6 melodic tracks all sound like pianos.  

I have no idea what's going on with the drum track, I haven't checked
and don't care.  

I'm trying to load The Doors' "Break On Through" into use song 96 on
my DTX2 module, so I can practice playing along with it even when my
computer isn't connected, and so I can change the rhythm of it without
leaving my drum throne.

I'm honestly not sure why everyone keeps misunderstanding the issue
I'm describing.  I really thought I was being quite descriptive of it.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus"
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:

> Okay, Ron. Let's try this. On the Program Change, Bank Select page 
> of the Song menu, you have the option of setting "V" to "meldy" 
> or "drumV." Make sure that when you play back, you are in "drumV." 
> Apparently, however, there's some drift, or at least there used to 
> be in earlier versions of the module, so if after you leave that 
> page or cycle off/on, it changes, set it back, but also try hitting 
> the "plus" button on the module and come back yet again to "drumV." 
> The setting, for some reason, used to need reminding of where it's 
> supposed to be in order to stay there. Anyway, this method might 
> restore the missing drums.

Ronald:

Ok, good info in your reply. As A test to try and pin-point the failure,
could you try recording a program change by itself? i.e.:

Place a MIDI keyboard MIDI out to the DTX MIDI in (no other connections!)
Place the DTX in record mode
Send a patch change to patch 16 on channel 7
hit middle c
send a patch change to patch 35 on channel 7
hit middle c.
Stop the DTX record mode
Play back the recording, should be middle C of one instrument, followed
by middle c of another.
Power cycle the unit
Play back the recording, should be middle C of one instrument, followed
by middle c of another.

(BTW: substitute the patch and channel numbers of your choice, somthing
high contrast like piano then strings... 16/35 and the MIDI channel were
just demo data)

I haven't tried this myself but you have me curious and I just may do it
to see what happens when I do it! Also, you could then play the MIDI
sequence from the DTX out to a sequencer and look at the actual data to
see if the program changes are still there or if they are mangled
somewhow...

Also, the "measure of changes before the song" suggestion was to insure
the patch changes got sent by >themselves<, rather than mixed with a
bunch of other data causing the DTX to try and interpret them while it is
busy trying to produce sound. I had some older gear on occasion that
would not respond reliably to a MIDI change if it was in the middle of
playing a note or was otherwise too busy. By placing all the patch
changes b4, it might eliminate the problem if it is a "can't respond to
that right now, I'm busy" issue.

Also, in any case like this, I suggest you remove as many variables from
the equation as possible. For testing I would have the DTX module and my
MIDI keyboard connected *directly* to each other (no other gear, no patch
panels, just two midi cables). Also, I would only connect one MIDI patch
at a time to avoid any weird "loops" that others have encountered (i.e.
program change that comes from the keyboard is echoed out of the DTX and
then sent back to the DTX by the MIDI through of the keyboard resulting
in a DTX module MIDI buffer crash, quite spectacular to watch, but not
very useful or musical! :)

Anyway, let us know the results of your investigation and I'll let u know
if I can replicate here if I gety a chance to play :)

Vern
-- 
Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE     | "If the network is down, then you're
Senior Systems Engineer     | obviously incompetent so why are we
Texas Information Services  | paying you? Of course, if the network
vern@... www.txis.com  | is up, then we obviously don't need
Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG



Ronald Rael Harvest said:

> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Vernon Graner" <vern@t...> wrote:
>> Ronald:
>>
>> I had a couple of questions b4 I take a stab at answering this:
>>
>> 1. Are the MID file in General MIDI format?
>
> They sure are.  They use the correct instruments when playing on the
> OPL3 in my computer's sound card, and when playing on my Alesis
> QuadraSynth 6.1 with General MIDI mode turned on.
>
>> 2. Are you recording program change data along with the note data?
>
> Well, apparently I'm *not* recording them, and that's precisely what my
> question is.  *Why* am I not recording them?  If you could help me
> figure out where the setting is to make sure they get recorded, you'll
> have solved my problem.  I *do* have the DTX2 set to receive program
> changes in both screens of the utility mode that cover it...  (i.e. the
> screen that says "UT MIDI RECEIVE 10PC=on 10=on" and the screen that
> says "UT MIDI RECEIVE PC=on SySEx=on" are both set to receive program
> changes...)
>
> And yet they aren't being recorded along with the song data.
>
> Are there any other settings that need to be changed that I'm not
> aware of?
>
>> It sounds like after you power-cycle the DTXpress mod, it defaults to
>> GM on Chan 1, Patch 1 (piano).
>
> The particular MIDI sequence I'm sending it doesn't actually use
> channel 1, but it's defaulting to piano on channels 2 through 7, which
> *are* used, and are supposed to be 34, 31, 31, 17, 19 and 64.  So
> you're basically right.
>
> Your suggestion for adding a measure to the sequence that'll send the
> events is a little off base, though.  I'm not sure if you mean that I
> should create this measure on the computer before I send the MIDI file
> to the DTX2 or add it inside the DTX2 once it's already been
> transferred...  If you mean the first, it would be pointless because
> the MIDI file already contains program changes, and those program
> changes *are* being sent.  I know this because the sounds I hear
> through my headphones while they're plugged into the module's
> headphone jack and the recording is taking place correspond to the
> correct instruments.  (i.e. I don't hear all pianos during the
> recording.)  If you mean the second option, it's also a bit pointless,
> as adding this measure would be more work than going through and
> setting the beginning program for each channel of the song manually,
> which is what I'm doing right now.
>
> What I'm looking for is a way to get the module to record the program
> changes which it very obviously is receiving correctly into the song
> area along with the actual notes it receives.
>
> Thanks again for the help you've provided, though, you *do* seem to be
> the person so far who's come closest to understanding what I'm asking.
>
> Ron Harvest
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Ronald Rael Harvest said:
>
> I'm honestly not sure why everyone keeps misunderstanding the issue I'm
> describing.  I really thought I was being quite descriptive of it.
>

Could be that alot of us are just dumb drummers and we aren't
professional technical support people... :) In many cases, we read these
posts during breaks at work or some other situation when we aren't in a
position to give the best advice, the nice part is that everyone tries.

In some cases we, even stop what >we're< doing, and work on a problem for
someone on the list rather than practicing with our own kits. Honestly,
mine is a bit dusty right now since I've been spending time reading and
posting rather than flamming away. :)

Best to have patience and continue to provide information to correct any
misconception we might have while we try to help. Since, if there is a
misunderstanding, you are the only one who can correct it so we can try
and help.

Many of these problems would be easy to explain or demo if we were
standing there, and some of us have trouble visualizing the problem even
when provided with a very clear description. Have patience and you will
find we come up with an answer for you... :)

Vern

-- 
Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE     | "If the network is down, then you're
Senior Systems Engineer     | obviously incompetent so why are we
Texas Information Services  | paying you? Of course, if the network
vern@... www.txis.com  | is up, then we obviously don't need
Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG