Curious:

Do many of you have a PC connected to your Arranger running external software giving you access to other sound/voice libraries? Not just for Sequencing. If so what are your experiences; is it worth the effort?

Thanks,

Joe

I'm one of these "the arranger is a complete instrument" type of players, Joe. I have never hooked up my arranger to my PC. Any data transfer is usually via flashdrive. All recording and editing is done on the arranger.

I have used a controller with my arranger (arranger as slave unit)...in most cases it is an 88 note weighted action digital piano to give me a more familiar action when doing piano pieces.

Only software I use, other than used for CD burning, is by Michael Bedesem...one is a style editing program he made for me called StyleAdjust, and the other is MidiPlayerII which is used to edit midi files.

Ian

Hi Joe

If you’re talking VSTi software, then the quality and number of sounds available are way beyond any hardware arranger can ever dream of.

Also as you are using it in conjunction with your arranger control systems, you do NOT need a super powerful computer to run them.

What you do need however are good Midi controller functions, and unfortunately not all arrangers are equal in that respect.

For those that have limited Midi controller functions, there are external hardware controllers that can help to get round a lot of the problems, but there will initially be a lot more work involved.

I personally have been using VSTi for well over 10 years or more, and there is no way I could ever go back to the limitations of a hardware board. (My personal opinion of course)

I currently play a Wersi OAS instrument, which as it has a PC computer inside with an integrated controller (VST Host) as part of the OAS software, means I can use VSTi as if they were an internal sound, which for me is the best of both worlds. (I used a separate Midi controller keyboard and computer for many years, but all the connections can get messy, thus there is no chance of ever having it allowed in the lounge, unlike a single complete unit)

Please remember that it is not for everybody, but as there are plenty of good quality Free and Trial ware VSTi out there (Plus it is relatively easy to interface the computer to most arrangers) there in no harm in trying it out. (Just don’t expect instant results as you will have work at it a bit)

Hope this helps

Bill

Bill:

Thanks. From what I've been told the Tyros 3 has poor Midi implementation. So it might be more of a mess for me.

Ian:

Do you just connect your 88 to the Arranger via Midi Out (on 88) and Midi In ( on Arranger)?

Then on the Arranger ( Tyros ? ) do you just select a piano voice on Right 1 with Left Voice off to get the full 88?

Joe

Yes, Joe...if I remember correctly, it's the master keyboard midi out to the Tyros4 midi in and set Function MIDI to "Keyboard&Style"...if I want full piano I just turn off the left and style (acmp) on the Tyros4. The P-95/P-85 I sometimes use as a master/controller, transmits on midi channel 1 by default.

Ian

Ian, Thanks.

If you connect the controller keyboard midi out to the Tyros's
BPort Midi In (ie. not the A port) it automatically works without having to edit the Tyros midi template to cater for it. Assuming the Controller is transmitting on channel 1 (as many if not most seem to do by default).

john

I use Arranger connected to a Computer and the Sounds comming 100%
from the Computer. PA Series still has the BEST MIDI Routing and
Implementation so far from anything thats outhere, as for the future
we'll see what happens next but for now PA is still the leader in MIDI.