EXB-Radias Vs Roland Gaia SH-01

secmast · Post by **secmast** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:50 am

Having the EXB-Radias I like to start my setup with my Bitstream first then I'm browsing the screen for the final tweak or use the M3 editor.

gjvti · Post by **gjvti** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:16 am

Having the EXB-Radias I like to start my setup with my Bitstream first then I'm browsing the screen for the final tweak or use the M3 editor.

Bitstream user - that becomes is interesting! Is Bitstream capable of sending 16 bytes Korg M3 compatible sysex messages such as these:
Drum Track Button:
On: F0 42 30 75 41 00 00 20 00 0A 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Off: F0 42 30 75 41 00 00 20 00 0A 00 00 00 00 00 F7
for example?

secmast · Post by **secmast** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:58 am

gjvti wrote: Bitstream user - that becomes is interesting! Is Bitstream capable of sending 16 bytes Korg M3 compatible sysex messages such as these:
Drum Track Button:
On: F0 42 30 75 41 00 00 20 00 0A 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Off: F0 42 30 75 41 00 00 20 00 0A 00 00 00 00 00 F7
for example?

Up to 20 bytes per sysex.

This is a massive controller when it come to M3 integration.
The only sysex it can not do is when you have +63 to -63 settings on the M3. Like Virtual patch integer.

Sysex is going in this way
F0 42 30 75 41 03 00 32 00 02 00 00 00 00 XX F7 when XX is for 0 to 63
F0 42 30 75 41 03 00 32 00 02 0F 7F 7F 7F XX F7 when XX is for -1 to -63

You need to use two different control as these are different sysex data. .
Then I'm not using the bitstream for those type of settings.
For the DT and drum pattern I think you have to use RPN or NRPN value which is possible with the Bitstream.

The other down side using a midi controller on the M3 is that for some sysex, I believe the 41 type you need to be at one of the configuration page (does not matter which one) to have the M3 taking the Sysex control into account.

Beside this, it is perfect

Oh, and by the way, you can easily crash the M3 by sending the wrong sysex. I suggest to test everything M3 disconnected (comparing sysex value with a midi monitor). It NEVER happen to me and the Bitstream never failed.

gjvti · Post by **gjvti** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:01 pm

Thanks a lot, secmast, for you explanations! It really looks that it is worth checking this Bitstream controller. I contacted CME twice and also contacted CME distributors/dealer - and newer got any replay about its sysex implementation so the info you provided here is great value, at least to me

secmast · Post by **secmast** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:07 pm

gjvti wrote:Thanks a lot, secmast, for you explanations! It really looks that it is worth checking this Bitstream controller. I contacted CME twice and also contacted CME distributors/dealer - and newer got any replay about its sysex implementation so the info you provided here is great value, at least to me

CME bought Bitstream if I understand well but you can have lot of informations at the following link:

http://www.waveidea.com/en/products/bit ... /index.php

Also, even if the forum is not really active, Jerome is monitoring it and he will help you if needed. I even got him on the phone as I had some trouble setting the midi which is explain on the english forum and not on the french one.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:44 pm

X-Trade wrote:The truth is that there are some features and parameters on some synths which just aren't suited to having dedicated panel controls (not saying specifically in this Korg though). Korg has tried in the Radias to put as many controls as you would need for performance purposes, and then some. But there are interesting parameters behind the screen too that you probably wouldn't want to be tweaking as you play, but make for more expressive sounds when used in programming.

Quite true.

IntrepidPete · Post by **IntrepidPete** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:01 pm

Just thought I would mention that the 3-octave Alesis Micron is a nice VA board for the price. Sure it does not sound like an Access Virus TI, it has no slot for SD card or USB stick, and programming with 1 spin/click dial and tiny LCD is a pain - but it was only $300 USD new, sounds good, has 8 poly, midi, arp/drum patterns, is fully programmable, and has internal memory for user sounds/arps/kits.

I hook it up to my workstation on channel 14, send sequencer start/stop and time sync, and use it for VA sound patches and arp patterns.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:20 pm

IntrepidPete wrote: the 3-octave Alesis Micron is a nice VA board for the price.

For a bit more $$$$, the ION is much easier to program and has a larger keyboard:

secmast · Post by **secmast** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:23 pm

IntrepidPete wrote:Just thought I would mention that the 3-octave Alesis Micron is a nice VA board for the price.

I thought the M3 is a bit of a minimalist design but for sure the Alesis Micron is one of those extreme minimalist stuff.

Talking about that (off topic I know) I do regret those old days with a fat, huge and power hunger modular analog synth.
You just need a few month and of a blink of an eye you got the complete settings in mind.

With my M3 I find my self browsing back and forth from pages to pages as I don't remember that settings. Yes the M3 editor is showing a "summary" of the program but not a complete one and I'm not facing my computer when I am at the keyboard.

I'de like to get those moment of creativity and not looking at something, somewhere to do have that settings in place.

EXer · Post by **EXer** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:41 pm

gjvti wrote:I contacted CME twice and also contacted CME distributors/dealer - and newer got any replay about its sysex implementation so the info you provided here is great value, at least to me

---> Programming Sysexs in the Bitstream 3X (pdf document)

Btw, the Bitstream has been developed by WaveIdea, a French company. I had them on the phone 2 weeks ago, they were very helpful.

CME is only the chinese manufacturer.

apex · Post by **apex** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:59 am

Apresmidi2010 wrote:If you got M3M and if Radias board is still available, get it.

It does amazing thing, for example I learned from alland today how to route EDS sample sound to Radias filters. I am just browsing suitable patches (EDS side) to process with Radias filters, and I am spending like a few hours happily.

I do not know Gaia. I wanted to say that with a bit more investment, it would bring M3M to a different level or simply expand the joy of having M3.

would you mind sharing this information with us? or a link to it on the forum?

gjvti · Post by **gjvti** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:46 am

CME bought Bitstream if I understand well but you can have lot of informations at the following link:

http://www.waveidea.com/en/products/bit ... /index.php

Also, even if the forum is not really active, Jerome is monitoring it and he will help you if needed. I even got him on the phone as I had some trouble setting the midi which is explain on the english forum and not on the french one
..............
---> Programming Sysexs in the Bitstream 3X (pdf document)

Btw, the Bitstream has been developed by WaveIdea, a French company. I had them on the phone 2 weeks ago, they were very helpful.

CME is only the chinese manufacturer.

Thanks a lot for your clarifications - I didn't know that there is other company behind this product. Frenchmen were well camouflaged when I did first google for Bitstream

Now WaveIdea shows up at first line.

Cesarsound · Post by **Cesarsound** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 2:01 pm

Hi folks,
Thanks for all the information. I have just ordered an EXB-Radias, I am looking forward to receive it! Unfortunately at the moment I cannot afford one Radias-R, but certainly in the future I will buy one.

Thanks.
Julio.

Apresmidi2010 · Post by **Apresmidi2010** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 6:08 pm

apex wrote:
Apresmidi2010 wrote:If you got M3M and if Radias board is still available, get it.

It does amazing thing, for example I learned from alland today how to route EDS sample sound to Radias filters. I am just browsing suitable patches (EDS side) to process with Radias filters, and I am spending like a few hours happily.

I do not know Gaia. I wanted to say that with a bit more investment, it would bring M3M to a different level or simply expand the joy of having M3.
would you mind sharing this information with us? or a link to it on the forum?

apex: Hi, see M3 forum, my question Routing EDS to Radias Filter answered by alland.

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=61018