Disklavier

Greetings uhhmmmmmmmmmm et al,

I have a utility that I wrote that sends sysex to the WIDI from the command line so you could wrap it in a batch file and add it to startup. 

Here is the way it works. There are two programs posted at the following locations: widi_send is the program that sends the sysex to the WIDI-XU and the other is a tool for listing your MIDI out devices. The exact URL is critical as it is case sensitive but I think it doesn't matter in the command line. Of course, you can change the names of the exe files to anything you want in order to run them with 8/3 names for example.

http://www.spencerserolls.com/WIDI_send.zip
http://www.spencerserolls.com/Show_MIDI_out_devs.zip

The program works from the dos command line (run from XP or maybe even Vista?) You run widi_send with two parameters which are: 1 the device, either as the device number as listed in your MIDI devices list (Use the Show_MIDI_out_devs utility that will list them all out along with their names) or you can just enter a unique text identifier as the first parameter such as USB. If the only device that has USB in the name is the WIDI (USB audio device) then this would work. You can enter the full name if there is any ambiguity such as having both USB audio device and USB audio device 2. 2 the second parameter is the channel you want to set the WIDI to or other options. You can use any number from 1-64 for channel. Autosearch use AF autoselect use AS Enable RF use ER Disable RF use DR. Not really sure what the difference is between autosearch and autoselect but they listed them in the manual along with the required sysex so I just use what they give. 

In summary a command line would be C:\miditemp\widi_send USB 64 which would select channel 64. I have not tried making a batch file and running it at startup so I would be interested in hearing from anyone as to whether they can get this to work. Will try it if I ever have time. I spent 3 days writing this utility for someone who wanted it so it would be great if others could make use of it to justify the time I wasted. 

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 8:49:02 PM, you wrote:
> Hi Spencer,

> I just installed my WIDI-XU and WIDI-X8 pair.  They work but I have 
> to manually execute the "Auto Search" command from the WIDI-Control 
> program that CME has as a download.  The WIDI-XU is supposed to 
> automatically scan for an available WIDI device and establish 
> communication, but mine doesn't seem to do this (the LED on the WIDI-
> XU just stays red).

> When I was using 2 WIDI-X8 boxes (one on the piano and one on the 
> pc), they would auto connect each time.

> Does your WIDI-XU auto connect?  I'm really disappointed with this 
> shortcoming.  I suppose I can workaround this by sending a sysex 
> command "f0 00 20 63 00 07 02 02 10 50 f7" to the device.  Do you 
> know how I can do that from a batch file?  I could call this each 
> time my computer boots up.  Otherwise, I'll have to manually start 
> the WIDI-Control and click on "Auto Search". :(

> Thanks for any help you can provide.

> --Ron


-- 
Best regards,
Spencer_Lists Chase        mailto:lists@...
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville,  CA 95542    Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454    UPS only.
Spencer@...
http://www.spencerserolls.com
http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm
(707) 984-8356

Spencer --

I'm a real computer novice about to do the widi-xu thing, too.  Would your programs work 
on a mac?

Thanks,
Joel



In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, Spencer_Lists <lists@...> wrote:
>
> Greetings uhhmmmmmmmmmm et al,
> 
> I have a utility that I wrote that sends sysex to the WIDI from the command line so you 
could wrap it in a batch file and add it to startup. 
> 
> Here is the way it works. There are two programs posted at the following locations: 
widi_send is the program that sends the sysex to the WIDI-XU and the other is a tool for 
listing your MIDI out devices. The exact URL is critical as it is case sensitive but I think it 
doesn't matter in the command line. Of course, you can change the names of the exe files 
to anything you want in order to run them with 8/3 names for example.
> 
> http://www.spencerserolls.com/WIDI_send.zip
> http://www.spencerserolls.com/Show_MIDI_out_devs.zip
> 
> The program works from the dos command line (run from XP or maybe even Vista?) You 
run widi_send with two parameters which are: 1 the device, either as the device number as 
listed in your MIDI devices list (Use the Show_MIDI_out_devs utility that will list them all 
out along with their names) or you can just enter a unique text identifier as the first 
parameter such as USB. If the only device that has USB in the name is the WIDI (USB audio 
device) then this would work. You can enter the full name if there is any ambiguity such as 
having both USB audio device and USB audio device 2. 2 the second parameter is the 
channel you want to set the WIDI to or other options. You can use any number from 1-64 
for channel. Autosearch use AF autoselect use AS Enable RF use ER Disable RF use DR. Not 
really sure what the difference is between autosearch and autoselect but they listed them 
in the manual along with the required sysex so I just use what they give. 
> 
> In summary a command line would be C:\miditemp\widi_send USB 64 which would 
select channel 64. I have not tried making a batch file and running it at startup so I would 
be interested in hearing from anyone as to whether they can get this to work. Will try it if I 
ever have time. I spent 3 days writing this utility for someone who wanted it so it would 
be great if others could make use of it to justify the time I wasted. 

> 
> Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 8:49:02 PM, you wrote:
> > Hi Spencer,
> 
> > I just installed my WIDI-XU and WIDI-X8 pair.  They work but I have 
> > to manually execute the "Auto Search" command from the WIDI-Control 
> > program that CME has as a download.  The WIDI-XU is supposed to 
> > automatically scan for an available WIDI device and establish 
> > communication, but mine doesn't seem to do this (the LED on the WIDI-
> > XU just stays red).
> 
> > When I was using 2 WIDI-X8 boxes (one on the piano and one on the 
> > pc), they would auto connect each time.
> 
> > Does your WIDI-XU auto connect?  I'm really disappointed with this 
> > shortcoming.  I suppose I can workaround this by sending a sysex 
> > command "f0 00 20 63 00 07 02 02 10 50 f7" to the device.  Do you 
> > know how I can do that from a batch file?  I could call this each 
> > time my computer boots up.  Otherwise, I'll have to manually start 
> > the WIDI-Control and click on "Auto Search". :(
> 
> > Thanks for any help you can provide.
> 
> > --Ron
> 
> 
> -- 
> Best regards,
> Spencer_Lists Chase        mailto:lists@...
> 67550 Bell Springs Rd.
> Garberville,  CA 95542    Postal service only.
> Laytonville, CA 95454    UPS only.
> Spencer@...
> http://www.spencerserolls.com
> http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm
> (707) 984-8356
>

Greetings Joel,

Only if you have an intel mac and can run windows programs and I don't know if the widi would stay configured when you changed operating systems.

I haven't tried any Mac programming because I seem to be stuck with windows for programming. When I wrote the WIDI program it looked like it would be trivial for the mac whereas it was a bitch for the PC. Although I have the tools for Mac programming and own 3 Macs, I have never tried it and am sure it would be a lot of learning.

Some day, I will be using the WIDI on a Mac notebook and might want to try something but that is way down the list.

The WIDI is supposed to have its own tool for the Mac. Also there are tons of programs for sending sysex on the Mac and there might be something that you can configure to do what you want. There certainly wasn't anything for the PC which is why I wasted 3 days writing it. 

Tell me exactly what you want to do and maybe I can find something.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 6:54:53 PM, you wrote:
> Spencer --

> I'm a real computer novice about to do the widi-xu thing, too. Would your programs work
> on a mac?

> Thanks,
> Joel

> In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, Spencer_Lists <lists@...> wrote:

>> Greetings uhhmmmmmmmmmm et al,

>> I have a utility that I wrote that sends sysex to the WIDI from the command line so you 
> could wrap it in a batch file and add it to startup. 

>> Here is the way it works. There are two programs posted at the following locations: 
> widi_send is the program that sends the sysex to the WIDI-XU and the other is a tool for
> listing your MIDI out devices. The exact URL is critical as it is case sensitive but I think it
> doesn't matter in the command line. Of course, you can change the names of the exe files
> to anything you want in order to run them with 8/3 names for example.

>> http://www.spencerserolls.com/WIDI_send.zip
>> http://www.spencerserolls.com/Show_MIDI_out_devs.zip

>> The program works from the dos command line (run from XP or maybe even Vista?) You 
> run widi_send with two parameters which are: 1 the device, either as the device number as
> listed in your MIDI devices list (Use the Show_MIDI_out_devs utility that will list them all
> out along with their names) or you can just enter a unique text identifier as the first
> parameter such as USB. If the only device that has USB in the name is the WIDI (USB audio
> device) then this would work. You can enter the full name if there is any ambiguity such as
> having both USB audio device and USB audio device 2. 2 the second parameter is the
> channel you want to set the WIDI to or other options. You can use any number from 1-64
> for channel. Autosearch use AF autoselect use AS Enable RF use ER Disable RF use DR. Not
> really sure what the difference is between autosearch and autoselect but they listed them
> in the manual along with the required sysex so I just use what they give.

>> In summary a command line would be C:\miditemp\widi_send USB 64 which would 
> select channel 64. I have not tried making a batch file and running it at startup so I would
> be interested in hearing from anyone as to whether they can get this to work. Will try it if I
> ever have time. I spent 3 days writing this utility for someone who wanted it so it would
> be great if others could make use of it to justify the time I wasted. 

>> Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 8:49:02 PM, you wrote:
>> > Hi Spencer,

>> > I just installed my WIDI-XU and WIDI-X8 pair. They work but I have 
>> > to manually execute the "Auto Search" command from the WIDI-Control 
>> > program that CME has as a download. The WIDI-XU is supposed to 
>> > automatically scan for an available WIDI device and establish 
>> > communication, but mine doesn't seem to do this (the LED on the WIDI-
>> > XU just stays red).

>> > When I was using 2 WIDI-X8 boxes (one on the piano and one on the 
>> > pc), they would auto connect each time.

>> > Does your WIDI-XU auto connect? I'm really disappointed with this 
>> > shortcoming. I suppose I can workaround this by sending a sysex 
>> > command "f0 00 20 63 00 07 02 02 10 50 f7" to the device. Do you 
>> > know how I can do that from a batch file? I could call this each 
>> > time my computer boots up. Otherwise, I'll have to manually start 
>> > the WIDI-Control and click on "Auto Search".  

>> > Thanks for any help you can provide.

>> > --Ron


>> -- 
>> Best regards,
>> Spencer_Lists Chase mailto:lists@...
>> 67550 Bell Springs Rd.
>> Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
>> Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
>> Spencer@...
>> http://www.spencerserolls.com
>> http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm
>> (707) 984-8356


>  

-- 
Best regards,
Spencer_Lists Chase        mailto:lists@...
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville,  CA 95542    Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454    UPS only.
Spencer@...
http://www.spencerserolls.com
http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm
(707) 984-8356

I suspected a driver problem.  All the same, I tried the XU/X8 again this morning.  This 
time, instead of using Qmidi, I downloaded Rondo (which I'd seen Spencer mentioned inan 
old email) -- AND IT WORKED!  The Audio/Midi setup in Mac still says nothing about 
sending to a usb, but the WIDI hookup works!  And I, as you can tell, am happy.  If anyone 
has an explanation I'd love to hear it.  (And, by the way, should the WIDIs have come with a 
set of drivers that I can access?)

Thanks again,
Joel


--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, ISKI1@... wrote:

>
> It sounds like the drivers are not installed or you have not selected the  
> device output in your midi player.
> 
> 
> 
> **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.    
>   (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)
>

Her is the link for the Yamaha USB to midi drivers.
 
_http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe/download/products/30_computer_rela
ted_products/Drivers_Utilities/Drivers/USB_Driver/index.php?country=uk_ 
(http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe/download/products/30_computer_related_pr
oducts/Drivers_Utilities/Drivers/USB_Driver/index.php?country=uk) 



**************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.    
  (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)

And now, even though both devices have their green "good signal" lights on, the piano is 
not playing again.  I don't want to keep boring the whole group with my confusion.  I'm 
hoping some brave soul might let me contact them privately for some advice.  Thanks.

Confusedly yours,
Joel



--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "Joel" <joel@...> wrote:
>
> I suspected a driver problem.  All the same, I tried the XU/X8 again this morning.  This 
> time, instead of using Qmidi, I downloaded Rondo (which I'd seen Spencer mentioned 
inan 
> old email) -- AND IT WORKED!  The Audio/Midi setup in Mac still says nothing about 
> sending to a usb, but the WIDI hookup works!  And I, as you can tell, am happy.  If 
anyone 
> has an explanation I'd love to hear it.  (And, by the way, should the WIDIs have come 
with a 

> set of drivers that I can access?)
> 
> Thanks again,
> Joel
> 
> 
> --- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, ISKI1@ wrote:
> >
> > It sounds like the drivers are not installed or you have not selected the  
> > device output in your midi player.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.    
> >   (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)
> >
>

Good morning, everyone.

Joel, I don't have WIDI XU, but I can tell you a few things about how  
MIDI devices work on the Mac.

First of all, System Preferences : Sounds has nothing to do with MIDI.  
That Preference pane has only to do with the volume level of various  
AUDIO input and output devices as well as system sounds.

The Audio Midi Setup program is a useful program for determining which  
MIDI devices are available to your system. If a device does not show  
up, you can use the Scan feature to try to make it show up. And, you  
can use the Test feature to test input and output. Many devices  
require a driver to be installer; others do not.

Assuming that WIDI XU shows up in Audio Midi Setup, it should be  
available to any program that communicates with CoreMIDI, which is the  
system-wide programming interface for MIDI. If a MIDI software program  
communicates directly with CoreMIDI, it will have a MIDI Setup or MIDI  
Preferences window in which you choose your desired MIDI Input and  
Output devices. The choices available are the choices that you see in  
the Audio Midi Setup program.

A few of the most sophisticated professional MIDI software programs  
for the Mac will require you to configure "endpoints" in Audio Midi  
Setup. To configure an endpoint, you have to add a New Device within  
Audio Midi Setup and then connect its inputs and outputs graphically  
to the inputs and outputs of your MIDI interface, such as the WIDI XU.

Hope that helps.

NOTE: There are a variety of software programs that will play MIDI  
files but which do not communicate with CoreMIDI. Such programs, like  
Safari, do not have a MIDI Setup option and simply output MIDI data to  
QuickTime GM Synth, which means that you hear the sounds coming out of  
your computer speakers.

Regards,
George

On Apr 6, 2008, at 2:54 AM, joel@... wrote:
> So I just got my WIDI XU and X8 combo and I definitely need some  
> help getting it to work with my Mac.  I hope someone can help.   
> Here’s the situation: I plug the XU in my computer with the X8’s  
> power on and both signal lights turn green.  BUT I can’t seem to  
> play a MIDI to any output except my computer’s own speakers.  When I  
> go to System Preferences/Sounds the only option listed there is  
> Internal Speakers.  The XU appears in Applications/Audio Midi Setup  
> but there didn’t seem to be any other sort of instructions or pop- 
> ups when I first put it in the USB port.  Should there have been?   
> Can anyone help me figure out how to tell the computer to send midi  
> files to a USB device?
>
> Forever grateful...Joel

My saga ends: I am now officially up and running.  I have no idea what I did or what 
changed, but now my widi-xu to widi-x8 connection runs perfectly from my mac.  Thank 
you to everybody for your help.  I'd be lost in silence without this group.

-- Joel

--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "George F. Litterst" <PianoBench@...> wrote:

>
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> Joel, I don't have WIDI XU, but I can tell you a few things about how  
> MIDI devices work on the Mac.
> 
> First of all, System Preferences : Sounds has nothing to do with MIDI.  
> That Preference pane has only to do with the volume level of various  
> AUDIO input and output devices as well as system sounds.
> 
> The Audio Midi Setup program is a useful program for determining which  
> MIDI devices are available to your system. If a device does not show  
> up, you can use the Scan feature to try to make it show up. And, you  
> can use the Test feature to test input and output. Many devices  
> require a driver to be installer; others do not.
> 
> Assuming that WIDI XU shows up in Audio Midi Setup, it should be  
> available to any program that communicates with CoreMIDI, which is the  
> system-wide programming interface for MIDI. If a MIDI software program  
> communicates directly with CoreMIDI, it will have a MIDI Setup or MIDI  
> Preferences window in which you choose your desired MIDI Input and  
> Output devices. The choices available are the choices that you see in  
> the Audio Midi Setup program.
> 
> A few of the most sophisticated professional MIDI software programs  
> for the Mac will require you to configure "endpoints" in Audio Midi  
> Setup. To configure an endpoint, you have to add a New Device within  
> Audio Midi Setup and then connect its inputs and outputs graphically  
> to the inputs and outputs of your MIDI interface, such as the WIDI XU.
> 
> Hope that helps.
> 
> NOTE: There are a variety of software programs that will play MIDI  
> files but which do not communicate with CoreMIDI. Such programs, like  
> Safari, do not have a MIDI Setup option and simply output MIDI data to  
> QuickTime GM Synth, which means that you hear the sounds coming out of  
> your computer speakers.
> 
> Regards,
> George
> 
> 
> On Apr 6, 2008, at 2:54 AM, joel@... wrote:
> > So I just got my WIDI XU and X8 combo and I definitely need some  
> > help getting it to work with my Mac.  I hope someone can help.   
> > Here's the situation: I plug the XU in my computer with the X8's  
> > power on and both signal lights turn green.  BUT I can't seem to  
> > play a MIDI to any output except my computer's own speakers.  When I  
> > go to System Preferences/Sounds the only option listed there is  
> > Internal Speakers.  The XU appears in Applications/Audio Midi Setup  
> > but there didn't seem to be any other sort of instructions or pop- 
> > ups when I first put it in the USB port.  Should there have been?   
> > Can anyone help me figure out how to tell the computer to send midi  
> > files to a USB device?
> >
> > Forever grateful...Joel
>

Greetings Joel,

Sounds like you are OK, but a couple of things. WIDI does not need to have any drivers installed. They are within it and are loaded "somehow" when you plug and play.

If you do have any other problems, I have both WIDI and Mac and can do some experimenting if necessary. 

Sunday, April 6, 2008, 5:11:31 PM, you wrote:
> My saga ends: I am now officially up and running. I have no idea what I did or what
> changed, but now my widi-xu to widi-x8 connection runs perfectly from my mac. Thank
> you to everybody for your help. I'd be lost in silence without this group.

> -- Joel

> --- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "George F. Litterst" <PianoBench@...> wrote:

>> Good morning, everyone.

>> Joel, I don't have WIDI XU, but I can tell you a few things about how 
>> MIDI devices work on the Mac.

>> First of all, System Preferences : Sounds has nothing to do with MIDI. 
>> That Preference pane has only to do with the volume level of various 
>> AUDIO input and output devices as well as system sounds.

>> The Audio Midi Setup program is a useful program for determining which 
>> MIDI devices are available to your system. If a device does not show 
>> up, you can use the Scan feature to try to make it show up. And, you 
>> can use the Test feature to test input and output. Many devices 
>> require a driver to be installer; others do not.

>> Assuming that WIDI XU shows up in Audio Midi Setup, it should be 
>> available to any program that communicates with CoreMIDI, which is the 
>> system-wide programming interface for MIDI. If a MIDI software program 
>> communicates directly with CoreMIDI, it will have a MIDI Setup or MIDI 
>> Preferences window in which you choose your desired MIDI Input and 
>> Output devices. The choices available are the choices that you see in 
>> the Audio Midi Setup program.

>> A few of the most sophisticated professional MIDI software programs 
>> for the Mac will require you to configure "endpoints" in Audio Midi 
>> Setup. To configure an endpoint, you have to add a New Device within 
>> Audio Midi Setup and then connect its inputs and outputs graphically 
>> to the inputs and outputs of your MIDI interface, such as the WIDI XU.

>> Hope that helps.

>> NOTE: There are a variety of software programs that will play MIDI 
>> files but which do not communicate with CoreMIDI. Such programs, like 
>> Safari, do not have a MIDI Setup option and simply output MIDI data to 
>> QuickTime GM Synth, which means that you hear the sounds coming out of 
>> your computer speakers.

>> Regards,
>> George


>> On Apr 6, 2008, at 2:54 AM, joel@... wrote:
>> > So I just got my WIDI XU and X8 combo and I definitely need some 
>> > help getting it to work with my Mac. I hope someone can help. 
>> > Here's the situation: I plug the XU in my computer with the X8's 
>> > power on and both signal lights turn green. BUT I can't seem to 
>> > play a MIDI to any output except my computer's own speakers. When I 
>> > go to System Preferences/Sounds the only option listed there is 
>> > Internal Speakers. The XU appears in Applications/Audio Midi Setup 
>> > but there didn't seem to be any other sort of instructions or pop- 
>> > ups when I first put it in the USB port. Should there have been? 
>> > Can anyone help me figure out how to tell the computer to send midi 
>> > files to a USB device?
>> >
>> > Forever grateful...Joel


>  

-- 
Best regards,
Spencer_Lists Chase        mailto:lists@...
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville,  CA 95542    Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454    UPS only.
Spencer@...
http://www.spencerserolls.com
http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm
(707) 984-8356