Frank
I was under the impression one could,e.g., have Colussus residing in HD, and save some preset configurations from it for lead voices without streaming direct from hardrive. Am I missing something ?

CME's new VX controllers may have some kind of style/arranger system built-in along with a new type of plug-in synth architecture. Release date is May. I'm keeping an eye on that.

While I intend to be on the forward edge of the softsynth arranger frontier, I also intend to have parachutes galore.

For the moment I am concentrating on turning my large library of MIDI files into MP3's and finding ways to play them back conveniently so I can pull off gigs with the least amount of equipment and hassle. To create the MP3 files I am using a combination of my Yamaha 9000 Pro and Colossus at home, which sounds awesome. I have bought a Music Pad Pro with v4.0 (it now plays MP3's as well as displaying music) and a new Kawai ES4 piano... I intend to gig with just these two primary components plus amplification in the next month or so, reducing my cartage and setup time to scant amounts. From there I can add my Acer Ferrari laptop, which would give me the option of using Reason live and/or using softsynths and OMB for a live arranger system. If the CME VX controller turns out to be a hot item, I can add one of those later too.

The live softsynth-arranger system, or combination of components that equates to that, that I would feel comfortable with on stage isn't quite there but I feel it is close, so I am developing a stage system that can grow in functionality while giving me rock-solid live performance options and presenting the lowest equipment profile. On top of that, it's gotta look good too!

Best wishes Frank... your efforts in softsynth arrangers are creating a legacy.

Colossus always streams from HD, and the faster the HD the better (7200 RPM and up). But it loads the initial attack samples first, then the rest of the sample streams from HD. This is how you can play a sample that is 20GB long when your computer only has 2GB of RAM, but that initial attack sample takes time to load... too much time currently. You can load a set of sounds that you'll be using but changing those sounds live is a problem.



[This message has been edited by Esh (edited 03-07-2006).]

I recently tried out a setup using my laptop, my P250, OMB and HyperSonic 2. At first this didn't work very well, I had some problems with dropouts, inconsistent playback speeds and weird midi behavior. I first thought it was my laptop that lacked the juice for this application, but it was actually due to a registry configuration for the MIDI-Yoke driver. I found a fix at the MIDIOX website, and I now it works flawless! The sounds of HyperSonic 2 are great! And the program changes are almost instant! I'm currently looking into building patch maps to be able to use all the great sounds of hypersonic from OMB and sequencer software, and not just the GM bank, don't get me wrong, the GM bank sounds awsome, but there are many other patches that sound better in HyperSonic!
If I get this setup up and running, this will replace my live arranger setup!

Doc-Z

I wud think that that is highly unlikely (although I am not familiar with the KN7000).
The KN7000 is only 61 keys as well, so you would not be able to use lower keys for fills, variations, stop,etc.
OMB can't be customized to accept various MIDI control messages, just notes, or computer keyboard key press.

Hi Bernie,
first up, Frank, it's great to see you back, and so quickly.

Bernie, what an interesting looking bit of gear. I haven't quite worked out what it does.
Is it basically a soundmodule (computer based) that uses vst's for sounds , instead of having inbuilt rom sounds ( ie like our keyboards)?
If it's only a soundmodule, will you also require a computer to run a sequencer to play/record midifiles?
& if you want to use it as realtime arranger keyboard setup, you'll also need software along the lines of OMB or Live Styler.

I ended up using a laptop/omb software and an assortment of soundfonts, after I sold my kn7. Unfortunately I blew mp laptop up, a few weeks back, so until I either get it repaired or replaced, I'm using my old win 98 laptop with my Clavinova or Ketron SD1 as a soundsource for OMB.

Be interesting to see if loading time of sounds will be an issue as far as using it for styles ie are all the sounds in a particular bank ready for use immediately, or are they loaded as required by the program changes.ie a style requires program change 49 strings, does it have to be loaded individually,
or can you have a whole bank of up to 128 sounds preloaded , ready for use.
That would make it very useful.
I've been toying with the idea of using my sd1 as a controller, plus using it's styles, but using external sounds. I was going to try triggering the soundfonts, but didn't get a chance after it blew up.
If your module could be used, ie no loading time issues, that could open up all sorts of possibilities.

best wishes
Rikki


[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bernie9:
[b]

[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 03-07-2006).]

Hi Fran,
I ended up getting a 18 key numeric keypad for omb. Haven't quite been game to stick it on to my Clavinova ( just in case I mark the veneer), but I have considered sticking it onto the sd1 if I start using it as a controller. Works really well. I was able to assign 14 of the 18 keys to functions ie intro's , fills etc saved trying to find a spot for the laptop on top of the piano.
best wishes
Rikki
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fran Carango:
[B]Yesterday I set up control keys to use OMB7[arranger software].
I

Rikki,
you could try to replace the rubber feet of the keypad with some transparent silicone-blob like things that are usally found under glass on tables. Can't describe them better. they provide a lot of friction and sometimes the stick lightly on the surface they touch. Or try to use the chewing gum like substance they use to stick posters to the wall.

Starkeeper,
my "idea" is to actually use the KN7000 styles (hence all the style, variation and such buttons will work) but substituting the internal sounds with the sounds of the Receptor. This will surely work. I doit with the Casio at home. The other thing you describe requires
1) the KN actually sending some data to the MIDI OUT when you press a control button (style, start-stop etc) and
2) the style player (OMB) acually recognising them for what they are and react accordingly. (pretty tough). Casio doesn't do this, but I have never actually looked in the event editor of a sequencer, to confirm.

Bernie,
please share us what you think about the receptor when you get it. I believe you will be the first here to have one.

Hi Rikki
From what I can gather, Receptor is like my Wersi Abacus in that if the sounds/Styles etc, are assigned to a button or preset, they are loaded into Ram at start up, (The Wersi OAS instruments have no Rom Banks) obviously the more instruments you want direct access too, the more Ram you need.
Also on my Abacus, all Buttons and controls output Midi codes, so that I can just use the learn function of the VST (Which with Wersi OAS is loaded direct into the Abacus) to assign what buttons I need, so I would check to see if your Ketron will do the same, rather then having to use a separate keypad.
With most manufactures now combining computers and hardware controllers together it should be interesting to see what’s new at Frankfurt this year.
Enjoy.

Bill

Hi Bill,
so you think that the sounds do get loaded on startup , rather than have to be streamed across like some of the samples have to be when using computer softsynths.

My ketron can use samples also ( limited size though) and it can also load them on start up.

I think the only way I can see what the ketron transmits is to connect it to a p.c. sequencer, and see if it sends all the program & contol changes required to run a soundmodule using ketron styles. Module would have to be a very flexible, though .

Sorry, the reference to the keypad was for One Man Band realtime arranger system.
I've got 2 arrangers,
my Ketron keyboard,
& my OMB software system, which unfortunately at the moment is running using keyboard sounds instead of my softsynths.

best wishes
Rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by abacus:
[B]Hi Rikki
From what I can gather, Receptor is like my Wersi Abacus in that if the sounds/Styles etc, are assigned to a button or preset, they are loaded into Ram at start up.