Problems assigning a MIDI channel to a sound

Tekno Man · Post by **Tekno Man** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:52 pm

I thought the MS-2000 was supposed to be a multi-timbre instrument. I am using the MS-2000 with a sequencer and I am having problems assigning a channel to a sound. How is this done? the manual doesn't explain it clearly. Right now I can only sequence one channel at a time. Anybody??

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X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:34 pm

you can only control one program at a time. programs are in a way up to two-part multi-timbral, but you can't assign timbres to different MIDI channels - only layer or split the two timbres. plus if you run two timbres the polyphony is reduced to two (or three if the other timbre is monophonic). the multitimbral operation is more designed for creating more complex sounds, rather than for sequencing purposes.

the best solution to this is to record the audio from the unit into your sequencer. create an audio track, then when you record the MIDI will be transmitted, causing the unit to play and you will get audio back. then mute the MIDI track once you have your audio recording. It is best to keep it in case you need to change it in the future - you can always go back and re-record the audio after altering the MIDI.

Tekno Man · Post by **Tekno Man** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:28 pm

Oh well, I was expecting the MS-2000 to be more like the Nord Lead where one can assign different instruments to different channels on the fly. Why have 16 channels available if only one can be used at a time?? I am using a Doepfer MAQ sequencer that has three different sequences on 3 channels and I like to hear how they mesh together simultaneously. I am more of a hardware based musician, I don't use a computer to sequence things.

plosive · Post by **plosive** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:09 pm

but you can't assign timbres to different MIDI channels

.. each timbre most certainly CAN respond to it's own MIDI channel in Dual mode.

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:52 pm

From the Microkorg Manual p. 66:

Can't control two timbres on separate MIDI channels
❏ The microKORG uses only one MIDI channel to transmit and receive. You cannot use two MIDI channels to play the two timbres independently.

plosive · Post by **plosive** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:04 am

I am using the MS-2000

no one asked about the microkorg.

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:13 am

Ah yes, sorry bout that. My fingers were on autopilot ahead of my reading. Nevermind....

plosive · Post by **plosive** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:15 am

I raised your bold with a large

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 4:05 am

plosive wrote:I raised your bold with a large

The bold in my message was the style pasted verbatim from the manual, not an emphasis that I added. I wasn't trying to overemphasize the point, which turns out to be irrelevant for the MS2K. No biggie.

magicd · Post by **magicd** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:09 pm

As far as I can tell, yes you can assign two different MIDI channels to two timbres in the MS2000.

The MS2000 has four voice modes:
Single
Split
Dual
Vocoder

Only Dual mode allows you to set different MIDI channels for the different timbres.

Dave

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:08 pm

It is still not the ideal solution though. as I said before, the dual mode is much more suited to making layered or split programs or programs controlled by two seperate keyboards. there are still several severe limitations:
- only two timbres
- four note polyphony has to be split between both timbres. so you can only realistically use two mono/unison leads/basses, or a poly limited to three note chords and a mono lead/bass or arp.
- both timbres have to go through the same EQ and effects

It was never really designed to be used as a multitimbral sound module - it is a straight VA synth. a workstation or derived product (e.g. X50, MicroX) would be more suited to the job. doesn't apply to all synths though, for example I do use the Radias as a multitimbral sound module for live performance, as well as a Virus B which has up to 16 timbres limited to monophony.

rawrooo · Post by **rawrooo** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:32 pm

ok old thread but im trying to figure this out -

how exactly DO you set a dual program to use two midi channels?

thx!