I am new to the forum and recently purchsed a Korg M3 module. I am using a Yamaha Midi-88 Key Controller Keyboard in conjucntion with the M3.
I have a simple question. If anyone would care to comment--would be appreciated. I attempted to import a midi file (.MID) from Band In The Box into the M3 and opened the file in Media. The file basically assigned itself to a track in the Sequencer.
My question or problem is this. The file seems to have a mind of it's own in terms of whatever info is stored in the file. It will not allow me to build a composition on other tracks around the file. My intent is to import a midi piano part and compose around this. Any suggestions on how to assign the file and be able to successfully build other tracks around it?
Is there a particular way to use midi files in the M3 and how can I build other live tracks around the file.
You must have done this a thousand times yourself. My writeup is very sketchy and inaccurate and I don't really want to make it any more complicated by dotting the i's and crossing the t's at that level of detail.
How about you and I together "perfect" a GM COMBI that is suitable for playback of GM from an external sequencer, and then we publish it as a joint effort on the Karma Wiki site as a free download, also made available on your site and distributed free of charge in your packs if you like. I can email you my current GM Combi, but it can be improved.
We also need instructions how to quickly copy that Combi into the Sequencer so the Sequencer can be very quickly set up for MIDI file playback. Can you write the detaails on that?
What EFX configuration would you advise as the best default for GM file playback? Mine is a bit boring, just all tracks routed to a Room Reverb MFX, then to L & R, nothing else. I'm sure this could be improved especially by someone with your experience. There's scope to add in the full equalizer and an enhancer if you think that's wise.
I think in your case you have a stuck "pedal on" event or a stuck note in your MIDI file. That locks everything. You might have to edit the file externally to clean it up before importing it.
I suggested to you in an email that you start with a commercial MIDI file that is known working, and then branch out into the vagaries of BiAB afterwards. As you will see from my preceding message, I hope in the next few days that Kid Nepro (Orpheus) and/or I will be able to provide you with a GM Combi that sets up everything automatically for you. Although my GM Combi works I want to improve it before it goes into general circulation.
There is a lady called RikkisBears on Korg Forums and CreateSongStyles who has a lot of experience with BiaB and she may be able to help you when you are ready to try BiAB exports once more.
How about you and I together "perfect" a GM COMBI that is suitable for playback of GM from an external sequencer, and then we publish it as a joint effort on the Karma Wiki site as a free download, also made available on your site and distributed free of charge in your packs if you like. I can email you my current GM Combi, but it can be improved.
We also need instructions how to quickly copy that Combi into the Sequencer so the Sequencer can be very quickly set up for MIDI file playback. Can you write the detaails on that?
What EFX configuration would you advise as the best default for GM file playback? Mine is a bit boring, just all tracks routed to a Room Reverb MFX, then to L & R, nothing else. I'm sure this could be improved especially by someone with your experience. There's scope to add in the full equalizer and an enhancer if you think that's wise.
Best regards,
Rob
Hi Rob,
I admit I haven't tried to playback GM MIDI files on the M3 so far. I always use my Yamaha Motif Rack for MIDI file playback
The Motif has a superb GM multi (btw Yamaha calls them multis and not combis, but it is almost the same concept).
But hey, why not give it a try: if you send me your GM combi, I will try to knead & tweak it so it comes close to the quality of the YaMo-Rack GM multi. I don't know if that's possible but lets see if the M3's GM bank is worth a penny . I would then hand it over to Kid Nepro so he can further improve it, and then you could have a final touch and put an "approved"-stamp on it.
Alternatively, Kid Nepro could start with the initial tweaking. In this case, I would volunteer to do an AB-comparison with the Motif (and eventually come up with some suggestions for improvement).
What do you guys think?
Disclaimer (there is always one ):
My only problem is time: Firstly I'm on vacation in August, I have (in general) a demanding full-time job and last but not least, I have a family of four who sometimes demand attention, too. So it will take a while before I can get this task accomplished. But we do not have time pressure, do we?
Sorry about that, I thought you and the Kid were synonyms.
Send an email to "rob dot sherratt at gmail dot com", and I'll reply with the GM combi I've got at the moment. It's just the EFX that need tweaking, nothing else.
Thanks a lot for being willing to help - you've got the whole of July then?
Send an email to "rob dot sherratt at gmail dot com", and I'll reply with the GM combi I've got at the moment. It's just the EFX that need tweaking, nothing else.
Often in MIDI files there are all sort of control changes to make sure that the midi file plays back the way the author wanted it. Like program/bank changes, CC7 volume, or CC11 expression, and a lot more of those like panning, FX send etc... and sometimes even SysEX messages. (GM on/off)
Be sure to examin the imported midi file with event edit en delete all those "unwanted" Control Changes on all the other MIDI channels than the piano part is on. (if the piano part is on MIDI channel 1, don't delete any CC's on that midi channel)
I hope I made myself clear an helped you a little bit in the right direction.
This is an interesting project. I'ld be willing to give it a try to.
I'll make a GM combi. I think MFX should be Reverb Hall and a Stereo Chorus, fo rtotal FX I would use a master limiter.
Then we have still have 5 IFX's to be used. I'll have to make assumptions in the tracks to make the most out of the IFX. So let's say that in most MIDI files (that I have) the Drumpart is on MIDI channel 10, i'll put a multi ban limiter with preset Drum Snappy on it.
Bass part is on MIDI channel 2, so I'll put a Bass Amp + cabinet on IFX2
Piano part is on MIDI channel 1, I'll put a ST parametric EQ with preset Piano Enhancer on IFX1
hmmzzz, not so easy, seems that most GM MIDI files resets the routing to L/R no IFX at all..
It's the sysex in some MIDI files that resets the M3. So you have to manually delete in the midi file F0.41.10.42.12.40.00.7F.00.41 (I thinks it's GM on...)
Last edited by a.schemkes; 31-Jul-09 at 04:48 PM.
Reason: experimenting
I've based the comby on the I-018 Studio Standard drumkit with the IFX. There is also a Bass + cabinet IFX so I routed MIDI channel 2 to that IFX, because that's where in my MIDI files most of the time the baseline is.
I've got a Supoer Chorus and a Large Hall and a Mastering Limiter.
This give you with most Pop related MIDI files a good solid sound.
I've based the comby on the I-018 Studio Standard drumkit with the IFX.
Do you transpose the Drum Track then?
All GM files I have rely on a different drum map.
My first expeience with Rob's GM setup: it works in general, but when I compare it with the sound of the Yamaha Motif Rack, the M3 is clearly behind. But I haven't yet started to experiment with the effects.
Yes I have transposed the drumrack +12 in the combi so it's compatible with GM now. The standard studio set (IA018) is so much better than the standard GM set. I agree that the Motif's (XS) are better in playing standard GM Midi files, or the PA2xPro from Korg.
The combi is attached to this mail, please unzip first.
Oh and the baseline track should be on MIDI channel 2 for best result.
Better results are gained by changing GM MIDI programs to internal programs and use the IFX's to enhance the programs/channels
Last edited by a.schemkes; 01-Aug-09 at 06:38 AM.
Reason: attached combi
There is still a little work to do. I need to re program the IFX's and the MFX levels.
Now the DRUM IFX's are controlled by the global channel in stead of MIDI channel 10 . So I have to change that, and adjust the return level of the MFX2 (so other programs have a little more MFX2 (strings and choir will be better). I'll post a new version soon as possible.
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. I would then hand it over to Kid Nepro so he can further improve it, and then you could have a final touch and put an "approved"-stamp on it.
):
in stead of MIDI channel 10 
. So I have to change that, and adjust the return level of the MFX2 (so other programs have a little more MFX2 (strings and choir will be better). I'll post a new version soon as possible.
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