Making styles for Korg Pa4x using Cubase - Markers

FSalomon · Post by **FSalomon** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 9:06 pm

I'm looking for the sections name to use on the markers on Cubase; for instance, how do I mark the intro, the variations, etc. I need to know the right labelling codes.

Anyone?

Thank in advance.

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 10:13 pm

This is really not a DAW specific thing but a mandatory Korg naming structure...

Fast forward to about 6:20 ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_ku8LqsJMs

FSalomon · Post by **FSalomon** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 4:07 pm

Thanks Sam. I got it.

But for some reason, the Pa4x reduces the measures and doesn't except my intro. It uses my solo instead. Is there a way to force it to accept what I want. I have the code right: i1cv1

Also on Cubase, I tried both types of markers (not at the same time), no difference. Is there a specific marker I need to use?

In Cubase there are two:

1) Marker
2) Cycle Marker

Which one?

Thanks.

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 5:35 pm

FSalomon wrote:Thanks Sam. I got it.

But for some reason, the Pa4x reduces the measures and doesn't except my intro. It uses my solo instead. Is there a way to force it to accept what I want. I have the code right: i1cv1

Also on Cubase, I tried both types of markers (not at the same time), no difference. Is there a specific marker I need to use?

In Cubase there are two:

1) Marker
2) Cycle Marker

Which one?

Thanks.

yes, "i1cv1" is correct.

I'm not a Cubase user, so not sure which Marker would be the proper type, though I remember other users talking about this, so you might want to do a Cubase search in the Pa3x forum.

"But for some reason, the Pa4x reduces the measures and doesn't except my intro. It uses my solo instead. Is there a way to force it to accept what I want"

I didn't quite understand the issue here. Aside from the marker type question,
if you do the following, the keyboard will just import whatever you've programmed:

1) Proper midi channel assignment (9-16)

2) Midi type 0 on export

The maximum number of bars allowed per CV is 32. Anything that goes beyond that will get cut off. Say you programmed a 36 bars i1cv1. Only the first 32 bars of that CV will be imported.

Here you can see how I imported a fully programmed midi in Style Record mode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXS4LFqTP_Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yoRQ9NW64o

FSalomon · Post by **FSalomon** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 11:59 pm

I chose the converting from Midi.

I did not hold down the shift button while pressing "execute" after choosing the create new style option.

Thank you.

I'm going to try it again. I'll keep you updated.

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 3:43 am

FSalomon wrote:I chose the converting from Midi.

I did not hold down the shift button while pressing "execute" after choosing the create new style option.

Thank you.

I'm going to try it again. I'll keep you updated.

When you said Cubase, I thought you were creating a Style from scratch. If you're using the onboard feature to generate a Style, then no you can NOT force it. It's a fully automated process, and does not accept any user input.

Another option is to use a combination of both methods. Go ahead and generate the Style. Then cut the parts from the original midi file and combine them all in Cubase. Totally possible!

FSalomon · Post by **FSalomon** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 5:52 pm

I'm using Cubase to create a style from scratch. In fact I wanted to take some finished production and transfer to the Pa4x as a style.

What I did. I kept the following Midi channels:

9 =bass
10=drums
11=percussions
12,13,14,15,16 = for other instruments

When it comes to transferring to Korg as a styles (whether from the USB or copying to the Korg HD through USB enable feature), I used to do the following:

1) Select STYLE PLAY MODE
2) Press RECORD
3) Select CREATING STYLE FROM MIDI FILE
4) Select the midi file that contains the markers.

After watching the video links you sent me above, I realize that it should be the following after 1,2, and 3:

4) Select NEW STYLE
5) Press MENU, select IMPORT
6) Hold SHIFT while pressing EXECUTE (I used to not hold shift and the whole midi file would be in Variation 1)

Now after doing the above (the right way), my markers worked, BUT, instead of being in one chord (like C major chord), it plays as if it was in Intro 1 (with the different chord changes etc... like a song play back). Now, with the simple markers, it will get everything in one button (variation 1 for instance) until the next marker, whereas the cycle marker in Cubase allows to specify a range. I don't know which one Korg recognizes...

I'm experimenting right now with the different markers. But I also need to solve the fact that it is not converting my chord progression into one chord so I do it live. I hope I make sense. I appreciate the fact that you are still helping on this.

Thanks

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:01 pm

If the midi file you've imported contains chord progressions, then that's what you're going to get in Style Record mode. If your DAW has a feature where it can consolidate all chords to one chord type automatically, then you can use that before exporting the midi file. If not, then you would have to do it manually.

All other parameters have to be set in Style record mode, because they're part of Korg's operating system and can not be controlled from within a DAW.

There's a lot more info here:

Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH8_-x2jf4k

Part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlarFz5UZOU

Part 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_ku8LqsJMs

Part 4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKvnKqGt6zs

Part 5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2uOKU5LSak

Part 6:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_iLzvNlypM

Part 7:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr-A3Lu5eSo

Part 8: (Editing Time Signature & Program Changes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFuO8HHgvak

Part 9: (Editing Pan & Expression)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZzs0HuQGWA

Part 10: (Reviewing the checklist and editing Velocity values)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrSDMnk9cVA

Part 11: (Exporting the Midi file as type 0)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXS4LFqTP_Y

FSalomon · Post by **FSalomon** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:18 pm

Alright, the cycle markers do not work. In Cubase DO NOT SELECT Cycle Marker. Just choose the one labeled "Marker"

I have an idea...

The marker situation works... but it needs the next marker to determine the length of the new previous marker. You can always reduce it in STYLE RECORD mode. SOLVED... I think...

Ok. Now... I don't mind Intro 1 and Ending 1 playing back the chord progression, but I thought that importing the midi file using the RECORD NEW STYLE option and choosing the import etc... would convert the chord progression into one chord. I could not find part 13 of the video. But I have an idea ...

Maybe I can export the file from my DAW, right, but excluding the intro 1 and ending 1, then choose to convert the midi file to a style using the option Create Style from Midi File, and then stich it back together in the daw and importing again manually... or do it for every cv.

Am I being too complicated... I'm on it now. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks

FSalomon · Post by **FSalomon** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:20 pm

Your reply came in as I was writing another reply.

Thanks. I'll work on it. I'll keep you updated.

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:43 pm

Yes, I haven't posted new videos just yet.

Yes, the midi file does NOT change at all when you import it in Style Record mode. That's actually a good thing, because it doesn't change your programming.

I always flatten the chord types myself before importing. You're also right about the CV length....though once I finalize the midi file in my DAW, I never leave a gap in between markers. This way you get the exact amount for CV length. Not that you can't edit...but I just want to get everything right the first time if possible.

If you don't want to flatten the chord types yourself, ...then yes you could do as you suggested. There's a number of ways of doing this. Experiment a little and you'll see what works best for you.

pa4x_user · Post by **pa4x_user** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:18 pm

Sam,

Just started perusing your video tutorials, some fantastic stuff there.

Thanks.

FSalomon · Post by **FSalomon** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 9:09 pm

It's too much work to have it convert automatically then load to DAW and then use markers, and then import with the shift key. It is doable but time consuming, therefore not practical. Time is the most important thing here. But at least, I understand much better

So far I can't yet find a software or plugin that does what I want, which is, convert to one chord.

Now Cubase has a chord track utility, where you can just click in the chord you want and your midi tracks would change accordingly, but I think it flattens it, instead of converting it.

Too bad Korg doesn't have it as a separate utility for a PC (since they have it on the Pa4x).

Thanks for all your help Sam. If you anyone find the software I'm looking for, please don't hesitate to buzz me