loading GM MIDI files

midinut · Post by **midinut** » Sun Oct 14, 2012 8:41 pm

Just as a trial, I loaded up about 32 MIDI files into the sequencer and did a SAVE ALL. Had to load them one at a time. So if I make changes to any of the individual songs, can't I just write over the same file I did the SAVE ALL to? Also, if I make changes, are the changes saved temporarily in memory if I switch to different songs? I know I need to re-save it all before I shut the Kronos Down.

Still going to look into the new editor to see if it will let me load multiple files without having to load them individually. I'm also experimenting with loading the MIDI files into Cubase first, stripping out the program change info and assigning the correct sounds to the tracks and then re-importing them. Seems like that might save some time as well.

AdDeRoo · Post by **AdDeRoo** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:12 am

midinut wrote:So if I make changes to any of the individual songs, can't I just write over the same file I did the SAVE ALL to?

Yes, you can overwrite that. If I were you I would have a regular back up though. What I typically do is give the filename a date. e.g. bk20121014 and seq20121014, and store them as well on a pc. And thus create new SAVE ALL files the next day. After a while, you can throw away some of the old backups

I prepare the Midi files as well first in an external sequencer, and stripping them from lots of control changes (reverb 91, chorus 93 etc) that you don't need since the Kronos works/sounds differently anyway and you want to use specific Kronos effects and settings.

I just write down on a piece of paper the Programs of the different channels. On Kronos you will want to use other sounds than GM anyway. I even strip the volumes and the pan settings, and do that by ear on the Kronos again

I keep the Expresssion settings (CTRL 11) since that includes fade-ins and fade outs that you might want to keep. Obviously pedal messages (CTRL 64) and Pitch bendings need also be kept.

escottm01 · Post by **escottm01** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:24 pm

Does anyone have specific recommendations for an external midi editor just to do this control change stripping?
I am doing everything in the Korg right now, but there are lots of keystsrokes and touch screen jabs involved to do a little bit of work.
The challenge is which editor out there has a very quick learning curve. I would only be interested in it for the purpose mentioned here and maybe do do a little bit of note editing (missed licks, etc).
The Korg is perfectly capable, but the interface is definitly not built for speed or ease in the midi editing department.
Scott

ed_f · Post by **ed_f** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:28 pm

escottm01 wrote:Does anyone have specific recommendations for an external midi editor just to do this control change stripping?
I am doing everything in the Korg right now, but there are lots of keystsrokes and touch screen jabs involved to do a little bit of work.
The challenge is which editor out there has a very quick learning curve. I would only be interested in it for the purpose mentioned here and maybe do do a little bit of note editing (missed licks, etc).
The Korg is perfectly capable, but the interface is definitly not built for speed or ease in the midi editing department.
Scott

What OS?

escottm01 · Post by **escottm01** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:39 pm

I have a Windoze Laptop, so that is my first choice.
I also have a Mac desktop, so if something is exceptional, I can use that too.

Scott

AdDeRoo · Post by **AdDeRoo** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:35 am

escottm01 wrote:Does anyone have specific recommendations for an external midi editor just to do this control change stripping?

Hi

I use since 20 years or so the relatively cheap basic version of Powertracks (which keeps still being updated) for manipulating midi files
http://www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm

But I am sure there is other software that can do this easily as well

midinut · Post by **midinut** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:09 am

I'm still looking for an easy method for stripping program change data out of the MIDI file headers. Any other suggestions? Either in Kronos or Cubase. Thanks in advance.

AdDeRoo · Post by **AdDeRoo** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:26 pm

Don't have Cubase, but what I do is:
- save the midifile to a MIDI type 0 file (like that all midi messages/notes end up in one track
- open the Midi type 0 and leave everything in one track
- edit the single track and remove all unwanted program changes, control messages (e.g I erase 7, 10, 91, 93, and keep the 11)
- save again as a MIDI type 0 file
- load that one in the Kronos