Bc2000 (for the BCF2000 & BCR2000)

I just got a bcr2000 and want to use it with my Roland MKS-50

I am totally lost, never really messed with sysex and don't know too much about it, read a little bit online about it, but still lost.

So basically i want to use a preset with the bcr that lets me control my mks-50

I have 3 noob questions:

1. Is this the process for setting up a preset with the bcr:
install some kind of software for downloading the preset/sysex,
download the preset and use the software to get the preset onto the bcr?

2. I am using mac, what would be a good program to download the presets/sysex?

3. Do you recommend using the MKS-50 Preset or the PG-300 Preset?

Thanks a lot.

Welcome

> I just got a bcr2000 and want to use it with my Roland MKS-50
 
> I am totally lost, never really messed with sysex and don't know too much about it, read a little bit online about it, but still lost.

Stick with it. It gets easier.
 
> So basically i want to use a preset with the bcr that lets me control my mks-50

> 1. Is this the process for setting up a preset with the bcr:
> install some kind of software for downloading the preset/sysex,
> download the preset and use the software to get the preset onto the bcr?

There is a MKS50 preset in the PRESET files area. Go download it.

I just downloaded them and noticed that there were errors in the files ($rev F1 instead of $rev R1). 
The preset is for the BCR2000 not the BCF2000.
These files have been replaced with corrected ones.

There are two files of the same preset 
The second one is a sysex version which you can use my downloading program in the APPLICATIONS area called "Sysex Loader.zip" or MidiOx if you are a PC user to send to your BC. 

The other file (MKS50.bc) is a text file that can be loaded into Mark's or my editor.
Get Mark's editor from his website and then you will be able to modify the preset to suit what you want to do.
 
> 2. I am using mac, what would be a good program to download the presets/sysex?

Ah Mac. I think you need to use a Windows emulator to run any of the above programs, but I'm sure there must be a Mac program to download sysex to the BC.
Anyone help out there?
> 
> 3. Do you recommend using the MKS-50 Preset or the PG-300 Preset?

Try both and see what you like.

All the best
Royce

Thanks for the answer. Here is where I am at right now:

-I downloaded SysEx Librarian, bc i see that it works for mac.
-I downloaded the PG-300 preset

I pull the preset over to the sysex librarian and hit the play button and it says it is sending stuff, but then nothing happens. 
I have the bcr hooked up to the comp through a midi interface, i tried it on all of the S1, S2, S3, S4 and U1.

I'm I doing everything right?
I am suppose to do something the BCR2000 before hand to get it ready to receive the sysex preset?

thanks

2012/8/11 Royce <rpcfender@...>:
>> 2. I am using mac, what would be a good program to download the presets/sysex?
>
> Ah Mac. I think you need to use a Windows emulator to run any of the above programs, but I'm sure there must be a Mac program to download sysex to the BC.
> Anyone help out there?

C6 from Elektron:
http://www.elektron.se/sites/default/files/products/files/Elektron_C6_OSX_v1.4C.dmg
Manual: http://www.elektron.se/sites/default/files/products/files/Elektron_C6_Users_Manual_v_1_4d.pdf

Cheers,

Bruno

I can't open up the file for C6.

I am having a all around horrible experience with my BCR2000 so far. Its not mac friendly, or very user friendly, for me at least. I was sooo excited to get this too.

Since I can't get ANY sysex editors to work with my mac osx, I tried to use the learn function and just program the BCR myself to my mks50...and that has been a total mess too. I think something might be wrong with my bcr, you move one of the encoders it don't matter which one and always the 2nd encoder on any of the rolls will light up too and follow what the other encoders are doing, its strange and when i hit the learn button and move an encoder it doesn't solo it so I can send midi data too it idk.... i think it might be broken. I watched a couple of vids of people using it and I don't think it is suppose to act like this.

So I am having hardware and software problems it seems.

I think I am going to exchange it, probably just return it. I have no problems reading manuals, searching online for answers, asking questions on forums,etc.. I am pretty computer literate, but wow am I lost when it comes to this thing. I feel like I have spent the past couple days learning about sysex and stuff like that, when all i really want is to make music and have a few knobs to turn for my synth, this shouldn't be this hard.

Has anyone have a Mac running OSX Lion and able to use a sysex editor? if so which one?
Also are you able to just download a preset for your hardware synth to your bcr2000, and your bcr2000 actually works with it? without doing any additional sysex type of programming? 

Sorry for ranting a little, just very frustrated and did not think this was going to be this hard, I don't mind a steep learning curve but if you don't have windows it feels like you out of luck.

2012/8/11 purpledash8 <purpleb@...>:
> Has anyone have a Mac running OSX Lion and able to use a sysex editor? if so which one?

I downloaded C6, opened it, copied C6 to Applications folder and ran
it. No MIDI interface connected, so could not test it. Snow Leopard.

> Also are you able to just download a preset for your hardware synth to your bcr2000, and your bcr2000 actually works with it? without doing any additional sysex type of programming?

If I were you, I would try configuring your BCR from panel to send a
simple CC message to test it. I am not familiar with MKS-50 - does it
accept basic messages, like CC1 (Modulation)? And if not, do you have
any other synth to check the BCR?

Also, do you have any Win-based friend who can help you? I know being
Mac only sucks, that's why I still have a small WinXP box just to run
E-loader, BC Manager and a bunch of other stuff.

I admit BCR is kinda demanding, but it's definitely worth some effort
to tame it.

Bruno

Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) is in the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder.

Open it and click on the MIDI Devices tab. You should see a window like this:

A bit off-topic, but if you have an iPad you could do all the things you want but from a screen using MIDI Designer:
http://mididesigner.com/qa/190/roland-alpha-juno-layout

I've created a pretty comprehensive layout for some of the other Roland 80s synths like the JX-3P, a work in progress (the MKS-50 an \u03b1 Juno must still be added):
http://mididesigner.com/qa/171/roland-with-organix-and-kiwitechnics-update-mks-jx-8p-mks-70

After using the BCR for a long time, I still couldn't remember what button/rotary did what, especially in the four banks, so I had a piece of paper with the assignments lying next to it - really not as user friendly as possible. I now use the BCR mainly as a MIDI interface for my iPad using the Camera Connection Kit.

Rainer


--- In bc2000@yahoogroups.com, "purpledash8" <purpleb@...> wrote:

>
> I can't open up the file for C6.
> 
> I am having a all around horrible experience with my BCR2000 so far. Its not mac friendly, or very user friendly, for me at least. I was sooo excited to get this too.
> 
> Since I can't get ANY sysex editors to work with my mac osx, I tried to use the learn function and just program the BCR myself to my mks50...and that has been a total mess too. I think something might be wrong with my bcr, you move one of the encoders it don't matter which one and always the 2nd encoder on any of the rolls will light up too and follow what the other encoders are doing, its strange and when i hit the learn button and move an encoder it doesn't solo it so I can send midi data too it idk.... i think it might be broken. I watched a couple of vids of people using it and I don't think it is suppose to act like this.
> 
> So I am having hardware and software problems it seems.
> 
> I think I am going to exchange it, probably just return it. I have no problems reading manuals, searching online for answers, asking questions on forums,etc.. I am pretty computer literate, but wow am I lost when it comes to this thing. I feel like I have spent the past couple days learning about sysex and stuff like that, when all i really want is to make music and have a few knobs to turn for my synth, this shouldn't be this hard.
> 
> Has anyone have a Mac running OSX Lion and able to use a sysex editor? if so which one?
> Also are you able to just download a preset for your hardware synth to your bcr2000, and your bcr2000 actually works with it? without doing any additional sysex type of programming? 
> 
> Sorry for ranting a little, just very frustrated and did not think this was going to be this hard, I don't mind a steep learning curve but if you don't have windows it feels like you out of luck.
>