How to change pa4x midi file sounds using a pc

[breeze]

Goodmorning everyone,
I need to change the sounds of midi files that I play on my pa4x (I want to play the main sounds of pa4x and not the GM sounds).
Is there a way to do it from pc? If I do it from pa4x, it is very slow.
It would be nice to have a software sequencer mapped to the key sound connected via midi.

Thanks to those I will help.

Regards

[jazzmammal]

I don't have a Pa4x but I do know a bit about midi files. I would open the midi file in a DAW program and change the program change numbers to match the PC numbers in the Pa4x, save it with a new name indicating it's for the Korg and then import it to the Korg. All the midi PC numbers should be in the midi implementation section of your owners manual.

You're saying it's slow to edit that from within the Korg but at least you don't need to know what the actual PC numbers are, I assume you just click on the instrument and the Korg will automatically assign the correct PC number.

I don't know which way would be faster.

If there is a better way to do this maybe someone will tell us about it.

Bob

[Sam CA]

If it's just a basic program change then you don't really need a DAW to do this, but if you're going to edit bunch of Program Change events amongst other things, then yes, it's a lot faster to use a DAW.

For one thing, you can see whole bunch of controllers on one screen, whereas you only have access to limited information when you use the keyboard. Again, it really depends on what it is you want to do.

In any case, Korg has some Prog. Templates on this site for the most common DAWs. If your DAW is supported, then you can access those sounds from within your DAW.

Something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fCiZ02jcs0

[siebenhirter]

I don't know which way would be faster.
If there is a better way to do this maybe someone will tell us about it.

Optimizing standard midi files (SMF) I do in four steps - but it is not faster, but seems get better SMFs becaus also take into account of all Pa-parameters (effects, equalizer etc)
*
Best way of first step seems to do it like Jazzmammal, but additional I would use INSTRUMENT DEFINITION (ins-File). Ins-files describe instruments with same name as existing in ones Korg Pa-Keyboard - so it is easier to select program-names.

If one do not have such an instrument division for his instrument - it once can be edited like a simple textfile (with suffix .ins). Such an INS-file is used furthermore each time you want to optimize SM for program-changes with Korg-Pa-keyboard.

Most software sequencer (also freeware like Cakewalk 3.01, PSRUTI etc, also Midi-OX) uses Ins-files, containing name and adress (MSB, LSB, PrgChg) of program-change to access those sounds from within your DAW.

First step is saving SMF with program-changes selected and optimized for Pa-Keyboard in your DAW.
*
Next step is to write GENERAL PARAMETERS for Mode-Preferences-SongPlay-Sequencer (GPseq) to prepare various general parameters you just used for the Song. That is necessary in case one saved SMF in DAW, but than want to play with built-in-sequencer of Pa-keyboards.

To set various GPseq can not be done with DAW, because missig software for that step. It is done with your Pa-Keyboard to add:
• Play/Mute status of the Song tracks
• Effect settings
• EQ settings for the Song tracks
• Internal/External status of the Song tracks.
*
Last step load your SMF played and optimized with Pa-Prog-numbers of DAW into your Pa-Sequencer; also load your GPseq - now if you save your SMF, it contains best programs (made in DAW), effects, Eq-settings etc (saved in GPseq) you have decided for to be Pa-optimized.

[mintjamman]

What I tend to do is to load up a .mid file and have a listen to see what it sounds like. Most benefit from editing so I then import the .mid file into the sequencer on the Pa4x, from here you can either save the sounds of the PA into the file or in some cases you need to edit each track, delete any PCs in the track and then select the sound you want and then save.

Effects can also be save this way and once you get your way around the sequencer it does not take long to edit

[Sam CA]

... it does not take long to edit

It depends on the file and the sequencing techniques that were used to program or record... If you're just deleting and editing few program change messages then obviously there's really no need to leave the keyboard at all. Other than simple edits, nothing beats a DAW especially if you know what you're doing.