Sharing Midi Files

[siebenhirter]

.. I am using his midi files from a USB flash drive plugged directly into the front of my Pa4. Later on I am going to pick one of the songs that he said he put the factory settings on and load it into my Power Tracks program. That will tell me if indeed the factory settings are on those instrument tracks in his song.....

The Players of Pa-Keyboards are just players - nothing else. If Pa-Player select an SMF located on an USB flash, HDD, SSD or internal Drive (Korg Disk) of a Pa-Keyboard - the result always is the same: sounds are used according to that Midi-events in SMF that are responsible for assigning the sounds.

It also is not necessary to pick your songs for loading into Power Track - that also easily can be seen with Pa-Keyboards screen of Songplay Tracks with bankselect / program number in Format like eg 121.017.091 - that is CC00 (Bank Select MSB), CC32 (Bank Select LSB), PC (program Change). In case CC00 or CC32 is zero sounds are GM-Voices.
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Your Pa4 does not play SMFs with GM-sounds or GM2-sounds instead of Factory-sounds - also your Pa3x did not play always with factory-sounds, but both Pa-Keyboards always in same manner play that sounds that are inside the SMFs. That are rules of MIDI-specification since more than 20 years.

If you do not want sounds as existing in SMF-tracks since there is no other way than to overwrite the bank select + sound programs in the SMFs with the sounds that you like best.
If you like to do this with Power Tracks you can make changes to the MIDI file and use "File | Save As" to save the song, so that you don't overwrite the original MIDI file.

But believe it: there is no difference playing SMFs with Pa3x or Pa4x, but depends what Midi-Events (Bank Select, Program Change) are written inside SMFs you are using (with Pa3x or Pa4x)!

[bpoodoo]

As I posted "If.mid" contains following program-changes (Channel / MSB / LSB / ProgChange = Ch/CC00/CC32/PC): 01/121/0/11, 02/121/0/32, 03/121/20/27, 04/121/0/11 , 05/121/0/28, 06/121/16/24, 07/121/9/49, 08/121/0/90, 09/121/6/89, 10/120/0/0, 11/121/0/4, 12/121/10/18, 13/121/0/26, 14/121/4/52, 15/121/0/11, 16/121/1/22.

You can see there are channels 01, 02, 04, 05, 08, 11, 13 and 15 with CC00=0, that means bank 0 is used (with its GM-Sounds) whereas other channels of this SMF use other banks.

I wondered how a GM-only playback device could play the correct instruments even when some tracks specify non-GM banks. When a GM-only playback device receives a MIDI message to change program to a bank it doesn't have, it typically ignores the bank but applies the program change in the GM bank it does have.

Looking at the data above, this works when the same ProgChange number refers to the same or similar instrument name and sound in both GM and non-GM banks (e.g. 14/121/4/52 refers to a factory bank and program 53 which is Choir Aahs, or similar. Program 53 in the GM bank specification is also Choir Aahs). It's a smart convention to use, especially for arrangers. It is not a convention typically found in workstations (e.g. preset Bank A Program 53 on my Triton is Rock Piano). But no matter, since in S. Play mode or in Sequencer mode, after selecting GM Initialize, the Triton selects only programs from the GM bank, which is appropriate in my case since I don't have the arranger factory sounds. It works great, and all instruments are correct.

So the upside for MIDI files like the ones here with sound banks using this convention is that they can play back fine as either 1) all GM sounds on keyboards without the factory sounds; or as 2) a combination of GM and factory sounds on keyboards with the factory sounds. Both are supported in the playback of the MIDI files as-is and require no modification.

[steve350]

What I don't understand is why is my Pa4 is playing some of the factory sounds and the others as GM?

If the midi file is telling the keyboard what sound to play why is mine defaulting to GM instead of the factory sound as it should.

I only used Power Tracks to find out what track had what sound. As you can see by my list ALL the sounds of that song are Factory Sounds, so my keyboard should play what it's being told to do and it's not.

When I hook up my Presonus Audio box's midi out to the Korg midi in and play The Best Of My Love, it plays the song with ALL of the Factory Sounds, using Power Tracks to play it.

No one is explaining why my keyboard is playing GM2 on some of the tracks on the same song but the factory sounds on the other. I am loading the midi file into the USB port on the front of my keyboard.

I'm telling you I DID NOT have this problem with my Pa3x. If I created a midi file in Power Tracks and assigned ALL the Factory Sounds to each track, my Pa3 would play that sound. My Pa4 is not doing that.

You can tell me that the Pa3 is the same as my Pa4 and I am telling you it is not behaving the same.

Maybe there is some setting wrong on my keyboard, I don't know. That's what I need help with.

[siebenhirter]

What I don't understand is why is my Pa4 is playing some of the factory sounds and the others as GM?...

Why it should not? Call the name of that MIDI you get from Reubens, where it happens Pa4 is playing factory and some others than GM sounds!

[steve350]

I give up.
I'm sorry I got rid of my Pa3x.

[Bill1983]

Over the years I've collected a lot of midi files that I have edited to include lyrics and chord prompts. GM sounds have been changed to High quality Korg Factory Sounds that have been re-mixed and are performance ready. In each case there is room to add your own playing (usually piano but sometimes guitar sounds) by having the main instrument muted or sometimes changed to a quiet level.
If you haven't tried playing along to lyrics and chords on your screen then I suggest you give it a go - its a lot of fun!

These midi's suit a singer/performer who is mostly stuck in the 70's like me!
The include songs from the Eagles, Elton John, Bread, America, Bee Gees, Moody Blues, Beatles, etc. about 80 in all.

If the key doesn't suit your voice you can always set Transpose for each song in Songbook under Book Edit 2 once you set up the song in Songbook.

You can download here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fI5wO2 ... sp=sharing

Anyone is welcome to add their download links for more midi files under this post but please make sure the midis are accessing factory sounds only. Factory sounds will be almost completely compatible for Pa4x/3x/1000/700. I've put this post in the busier Pa4x section because the 3x section has few visitors these days.
Enjoy!

First, let me take the opportunity to say you are a SELFLESS, THOUGHTFUL, MEMBER, which I will hold in HIGH ESTEEM for whatever amount of time that I'm able to participate in this Outstanging Forum!

In October of 2019, i had reached a similar conclusion that ,as soon as possible, I too would be posting my collection of Korg SMF MIDI Style files. I've been a professional musician since the early 1970's and got to see the power of MIDI at the 1982/1983 NAMM Show. I knew then it would, like the internet, change the world.

MIDI, as you well know, has not always been as powerful as it is in today's form. Even though most of the original architecture supported most of what we use today, individuals would (willingly or otherwise) try to disguise their work so that other musicians would not take advantage of their hard work. In the mid 1980's, my family needs began to outweigh my musical needs and performing became a 2nd job. Powertrain Automotive Electronics took over and blossomed into a career which literally took me all over the world.

The world began to shrink exponentially and the last 10 years of my Electronics Career literally took me over a million miles around our, less fair by the day, planet. Still being a musician 1st, I began to wonder as I'd listen to small club bands in places few know even exist, what would be the harm in sharing my musical genres and styles with people I'd never see again, never have any professional issues with competition, etc., etc. Those years, and my first PA500 is how long I've been considering what you have done so unselfishly.

I was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow cancer in 2005 and, as a result, have not pursued this idea as you have but that will change very soon. I'm a PA4x owner and although I've got some work to do before releasing my mostly Rock and Pop styles, it will be done while I'm still healthy enough to do so.

I'd like to take it even one step further and set up a Cloud Server that's easy for members not as versed in using Google Drive as yourself if you, or no other members take issue with the idea. I'm currently on a PA4x, with OS NEXT, and the STYLE SMF MIDI Export has been re-wrapped, hidden, moved or eliminated and my Styles must be messaged with my DAW prior to posting. I did ask for some help from the forum today with how to locate the feature as "SHIFT/EXPORT" is a thing of the past.

Once again, thank you for taking the 1st step in doing what could be a tremendous help to so many users both seasoned and new. Your efforts should be immortalized on the forum in my humble opinion.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for bringing the PA World One Step Closer together!

[Reuben]

Thank you for your kind words. I have never sought to make a career in music - I'm mostly a home hobbiest so just really hoping for some enjoyment all round. You have some big challenges with your health and I am sure I can speak for all the forum members that we are hoping for some better news on that front.

On the GM vs Factory Sounds discussed above - all I can add is that some of the midis would have some GM sounds in the case where these sounded nice in the first place - particularly GM Strings - but in most cases GM sounds have been swapped to better sounding Korg sounds. As siebenhirter said, there seems to be no reason why a Pa4x would re-map to GM sounds when a 3x doesn't. I wonder if opening the midis in the computer program is adding an unwanted parameter. I can only suggest trying out the midis direct from the download.
Hope it gets sorted somehow. John

[tonylawton]

Thanks very much Reuben
Kind regards
Tony

[houman]

Thank you for your kind words. I have never sought to make a career in music - I'm mostly a home hobbiest so just really hoping for some enjoyment all round. You have some big challenges with your health and I am sure I can speak for all the forum members that we are hoping for some better news on that front.

On the GM vs Factory Sounds discussed above - all I can add is that some of the midis would have some GM sounds in the case where these sounded nice in the first place - particularly GM Strings - but in most cases GM sounds have been swapped to better sounding Korg sounds. As siebenhirter said, there seems to be no reason why a Pa4x would re-map to GM sounds when a 3x doesn't. I wonder if opening the midis in the computer program is adding an unwanted parameter. I can only suggest trying out the midis direct from the download.
Hope it gets sorted somehow. John

Thank you Reuben

[Rosco_Australia]

Thanks Reuben.

Does each MIDI file have different sounds in ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4?
When I select one of your MIDI file to play in SONG PLAY mode, it selects the MIDI file and plays fine, but Keyboard Sets ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4 do not change? I just see what ST's that were previously loaded when I play in style mode?

[Reuben]

Midi files cannot store STS information but the Songbook can. I use STS's with midis all the time by setting up the midi as a Songbook entry. This way I can change intruments or mic harmony settings at the touch of a STS.
I like to put my initials as the Artist so if you filter the Songbook by Artist just your personal Songbook entries will be listed making them easy to find.

[siebenhirter]

Midi files cannot store STS information but the Songbook can. I use STS's with midis all the time by setting up the midi as a Songbook entry. This way I can change intruments or mic harmony settings at the touch of a STS ....

Hello Reuben,
I also think it is easiest to use the four STS / KbdSets # 1 of the last style or an Sb entry as you do so.

But maybe you never tried to store Midi-messages in SMFs to be used for remote control - that also works if you send back these messages to Midi-In via Midi-Out (loop 5-in Midi-Out to Midi-In).
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With a Pa-Arrangerkeyboard if you want to control switching of STS1-4 (KbdSet # 1-4) via SMF you can do this with REMOTE CONTROL of program change message 64 - 67.

In SONGPLAY MODE OF A PA-Keyboard you need to LOOP BACK MIDI MESSAGES, because Midi-messages can not be routed separately within Pa-midi-device.

To do so simple connect Midi-Out and Midi-In with a short midi cable. In case using some more Midi-Devices loop-back Midi-message also can be don via one of these devices.
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Feel free to prepare one of your none-note-messages SMFs tracks with program change message (64, 65, 66 or 67) each time you want to change STS/KbdSet.

Use track control to set same track to BOTH or EXTERNAL and select a Midi-Out-Channel to transmit Midi-messages of that track via loop-back. Also it is possible to filter all messages of that Midi-Out-Channel except "program change" and "BankSelect" (to prevent transmission of other data-types than program-changes.

Use same channel of Midi-Out for Midi-In-Channel to be set to "Control" - now STS will be changed according to the program changes in SMF.

That is remote selection of STS via SMF.
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If you want to remotely select STS/KbdSets#1-4 from another Style than the recent one (or Sb-entries one), do the same on the SMF track marked above, but send the change of style number accordingly before the STS-change. For Pa4x this is to send CC0 + CC32 + PC, where CC0 = 0 for FactoryStyle, 1 for Favorite-Styles, 2 for UserStyles, 3 for DirectFavStyles, 4 for DirectUserStyles. CC32 is to be used as in the table of manuals appendix (between 0 an 47) and same for program change (between 0 - 47).
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If you want to select remotely KbdSets from KbdSet-library, do the same on on the SMF track marked above, but send CC0 (16. 17, 18), CC32 (0-10) and PC (0-47) as in table of manuals appendix.
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Each time a Pa-Keyboard get midi-messages (maybe also sent via SMF from itselves) on the control channel of its Midi-In it reacts with settings corresponding to remote commands as listed in manuals appendix.
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PS: Same for Pa1000, using tables of manuals Appendix of Pa1000.