Creating MIDI Patch Names from scratch?

[Eric Lambert]

I have a Yamaha DX (the smaller iteration of the DX7) and I'd like to allow patch changes within PT. In the past, I could take a similar keyboard, duplicate the .midnam file and edit the patches. Nothing I've tried so far has allowed me to edit patches for this keyboard (or my Moog Voyager). It states that the names don't match (something like that) and/or that the configurations don't match. It's a bit confusing to me.

What's the best way to allow PT to handle patch changes for these hardware keyboards?

[ChuckS]

Have you created the .middev entry for the unit?

[Southsidemusic]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Have you created the .middev entry for the unit?

Our hardware synths have the .middev set up and for example our Moog Voyager limited edition works great with the patch names now

Here are some info if you haven't seen that page yet.

http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/...pps/7605/7729/

[Eric Lambert]

I guess I'm still confused because I have no .middev files for any instruments. Where are these located?

[Southsidemusic]

Mac or windows?


For information on using MIDI Patch Name files in Pro Tools, please read this document first:

Mac OS X Patch Names & MIDI Device Definitions

There are 2 things that you will need to get a MIDI patch names file to work properly in Pro Tools - the patch name file itself (.midnam) and a MIDI Device file that includes information on the device itself (.middev).

Once you have the MIDI patch name file, place it somewhere in the following folder:

MacHD>Library>Audio>MIDI Patch Names>

You can place it in the proper manufacturers folder inside the Digidesign folder located there or you can create a new folder - it won't matter which as long as it's in the MIDI Patch names folder it should work properly.

Next, you will need to edit a MIDI Devices file to include information on the device itself. The easiest way is to copy and paste the data for a similar device within the current MIDI Devices file. This file is located at:

MacHD>Library>Audio>MIDI Devices>Digidesign Device List.middev

You can edit any .middev file located in this folder - you do not have to use the Digidesign file.

If you open the .middev file with TextEdit, you will see a list of MIDI devices. Simply copy and paste the definition for one device, then edit the name of the copied section so that it reflects the EXACT name of your MIDI patch name file.

Here is an example:

<MIDIDeviceType Manufacturer="Access"

Model="Virus"

CanRoute="false"

SupportsMMC="false"

Image="OMS1039">

<DeviceID Min="1" Max="16" Default="1" Base="1" />

<Receives MaxChannels="16"

MTC="false"

Clock="false" />

<Transmits MaxChannels="0"

MTC="false"

Clock="true" />

</MIDIDeviceType>



<!-- ADA -->

<MIDIDeviceType Manufacturer="ADA"

Model="MP-1"

CanRoute="false"

SupportsMMC="false"

Image="OMS1026">

<DeviceID Min="1" Max="16" Default="1" Base="1" />

<Receives MaxChannels="1"

MTC="false"

Clock="false" />

</MIDIDeviceType>


The above section is from the Digidesign Device List.middev file and shows 2 devices - the Access Virus and the ADA MP-1. Each device is enclosed by the definition tags <MIDIDeviceType> and </MIDIDeviceType> (notice the forward slash in the second, closing tag.

You must copy and paste the text between and including those tags, then change the Manufacturer and Model to reflect the manufacturer and model of the midi device .midnam file you want to use. The manufacturer and model must be EXACTLY the same as what's used in the .midnam file. By copying and pasting the definition for a device that is similar to the device you're using - for instance, using the Roland JV-1080 definition for a JV-2080 - you will assure that at least most of the parameters will be set correctly in the definition.

Once you've copied, pasted and altered the mfr/model, save the .middev document.

[Southsidemusic]

Here are midnam files all done for a lot of synths should anyone need it

https://digicake.com/midnams/

[ChuckS]

Other resources available.

Here's a resource for a few newer units: http://digicake.com/midnams/

For Roland: http://www2.rolandus.com/support/patch_script_builder/

Over on Motunation there's a link to an updated version CherryPicker that runs on Intel boxes without Rosetta. CP allows you to edit your own .midnam and .middev files. Search the site for the link.

Also if you want to give DP9 a look, download the demo and check it out - a very capable MIDI DAW in its own right. It also gives you the added benefit of Motu's patch lists. They've also quit updating, but they created a larger selection before stopping development.

[musicman691]

You mean Avid finally got this to work right in PT12? I've tried all the resources linked to here some time back and nothing ever really worked right. I would get error messages; don't remember what they were but it was consistently no joy. This was for my Motif7 and Moog Voyager RME.

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by musicman691

You mean Avid finally got this to work right in PT12? I've tried all the resources linked to here some time back and nothing ever really worked right. I would get error messages; don't remember what they were but it was consistently no joy. This was for my Motif7 and Moog Voyager RME.

Yeah, they fixed patch lists in 12.1 - broken in 11.* through 12.0

[Eric Lambert]

Wow, all of this is necessary for patch switching in PT? It reminds me of trying to solve simple problems with DOS on an Apple ][ in 1982. Unnecessarily difficult for a basic end product.

Thanks again guys! I'll look into this. I'm just frustrated that this isn't more plug-and-play. It should be. StudioVision was easier, and that was 20 years ago.