Need to run MIDI track from PT through a sound module

[Amnesiac]

Hello.

I need to run MIDI tracks from Pro tools through a sound module so I can record its main output to an audio track.

My setup.

Recording device: Mbox 1. It doesn't have midi ports.
Sound Module: EMU 1000
USB to MIDI digital interface: M-Audio Axiom 49
Pro tools version: 6.1

Pro tools track configuration:
MIDI track in: ALL
MIDI track out: USB Audio Device

The MIDI notes do get through the Axiom and to the sound module. But when I hit play on pro tools the sound module does not process the MIDI notes. It only shows a message on its screen. It reads: "???? (not installed)" Beside this, some of the proteus´s leds that indicate that a parameter has been modified from its saved value light up. They are always the same ones, the ones for tone, image, dynamic1, dynamic2 and FX A.

I´d appreciate anyone who can shed a ligth on this issue, to post a reply.

Thank you!

[DonaldM]

Try taking the MIDI in out of the Axiom and plugging into the MIDI in on the EMU 1000. Also, make sure your MIDI channels are correct on both the output from PT and the receive on the EMU. Set up an audio track on PT with the output of the EMU going to the input of PT to that track. Hit record on that track to hear what the MIDI track should be playing on the EMU.

One test you might run is run a MIDI cable from the out of the Axiom to the in of the EMU and see if the Axiom can play the EMU. If that works, then a MIDI track played back on PT routed to your EMU should play, also. BUT, if you get the same error messages when connected to the Axiom, you may have a bigger issue with EMU. Not sure what you would do then.

[Amnesiac]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I did set it that way. From Protools MIDI track´s out to the Axiom, from the Axiom´s MIDI out to the sound module´s MIDI in, and then from the sound module´s audio out to the armed audio track´s input. It seems the logical solution right? It must be it. But it doesnt work

The Axiom conected to the sound module is able to play its sound banks with no problem.

I agree with you, it must be a compatibility issue with the E-MU proteus. Tough break for me but thanks for the help.

Anyone able to tell how to deal with this proteus, pls PLS help me. I already tried at EMU and they tell me they cant help me because its such an ond product.

Anything, a link for another forum, whatever you think might point me in the right direction is always welcome.

Heeeelllppppp!!

[accession]

It only shows a message on its screen. It reads: "???? (not installed)"

Ah yes, that would suggest Pro Tools is sending a program change for a sound bank that doesn't exist in your E-MU module, and therefore preventing it from playing back anything.

When you open the program change window for all the MIDI tracks that are sending to the E-MU, are there any preset synth names listed?

Also, are you on a Mac or a PC?

I have a Proteus 2000, and am therefore pretty familiar with the E-mu modules and the way they integrate via MIDI.

[accession]

Just read up on it...

http://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/p1000.shtml

...well it's (near) exactly the same as my Proteus 2000, just with a single MIDI in (16 instrument parts).

Ok, it's got to be an easy one to figure out, and I've got my bet on your MIDI track(s) is telling your module to switch to an non-existent sound bank. Check the Program Change window(s) and I'm expecting you'll see a patch name set that's incompatible with the E-mu.

I'll get the same error message on my E-mu if I accidentally change sound banks on one of my other synths while an E-mu MIDI track is rec-enabled. It simply attempts to recall a bank that doesn't exist.

Making sense?

What sound ROMs are you running in it? Just the Composer set? If so, I can provide you with the appropriate patch name file for it so you can browse/select the presets from Pro Tools.

[Amnesiac]

Thank you so much!

Well, that does seem to be the situation. I'm not at home right now, but I'll check that tomorrow and log back to let you know how did it go.

You're DA man!!

[Amnesiac]

What sound ROMs are you running in it? Just the Composer set? If so, I can provide you with the appropriate patch name file for it so you can browse/select the presets from Pro Tools.

Could you really?? I would appreciate it a lot!

Thank you accession!! My problem isnt quite solved yet but I hope that document can help me to.

[accession]

Ok, I've uploaded 'em here...

http://www.soundpunk.com/index.php?topic=1192.0

Read the instructions (I hope they don't lead you astray) and everything should be sweet.

Let me know if you're still stuck.

[Amnesiac]

Hi again,

I went through the steps just to realize (by reading the PT reference guide) that this Patch Name setting feature is only available on Mac OS´s. So, that patch name importing feature its not available in my Pro Tools version.

That means that yes, Im runnning PT on a PC. If only I had mentioned that before.... Sorry.

The program change window only shows 3 boxes at which you can enter program-change data. Those fields are:

Patch
Controller 0
Controller 32

Logic tells me that either one of the controller fields is the one that controls the bank changes. So, in order to select a bank and a patch, there would have to be two fields with numbers typed on them. With this in mind, I went and tried over and over, reseting the channel at the proteus everytime it displayed the "not installed" error.

After a while, I discovered that controller 0 and Controller 32 are both used in different combinations to recall different banks. XD Its solved!!!

I´m posting this to thank Accession for his help and just in case someone else has the same problem.

This is how MSB values(Controller 0)and LSB values (Controller 32) work with the proteus 1000 to recall bank changes:

...Bank type...º...MSB...º...LSB...º...BANK Recalled...º

.....User..........º...00....º...01....º.......Ban k 0......º
.....User..........º...00....º...02....º.......Ban k 1......º
.....User..........º...00....º...03....º.......Ban k 2......º
.....User..........º...00....º...04....º.......Ban k 3......º
.....Cmpsr.......º...04....º...00....º.......Bank 0......º
.....Cmpsr.......º...04....º...01....º.......Bank 1......º
.....Cmpsr.......º...04....º...02....º.......Bank 2......º
.....Cmpsr.......º...04....º...03....º.......Bank 3......º
.....Cmpsr.......º...04....º...04....º.......Bank 4......º
.....Cmpsr.......º...04....º...05....º.......Bank 5......º
.....Cmpsr.......º...04....º...06....º.......Bank 6......º
.....Cmpsr.......º...04....º...07....º.......Bank 7......º

So, from that point, all that is needed is referring to the preset charts (available in the user´s manual which I had to download since it wasnt included in the package)to know exactly what patches are located within which banks. Enter the patch number at the program change window and thats it!!

Problem solved!!! Thank you very much Accession!

[accession]

Hi again,

I went through the steps just to realize (by reading the PT reference guide) that this Patch Name setting feature is only available on Mac OS´s. So, that patch name importing feature its not available in my Pro Tools version.

That means that yes, Im runnning PT on a PC. If only I had mentioned that before.... Sorry.

That's a shame re no patch names.

Does anyone know when Pro Tools allowed patch name files for PC?

So, from that point, all that is needed is referring to the preset charts (available in the user´s manual which I had to download since it wasnt included in the package)to know exactly what patches are located within which banks. Enter the patch number at the program change window and thats it!!

As I wrote in the other thread, hit the 'AUDITION' button on the synth and it will reveal the MSB (cc00) and LSB (cc32) for the currently selected patch. So if you scroll through them first on the synth, you can then enter the details quickly and easily in to Pro Tools for later recall.

You gotta upgrade your PT software and get the patch name lists working!