...but that is the definition of making a midi file
what I'm trying to explain is that for instance your example of changing the instrument on track 1 to a flute at measure 20 is no longer a standard midi file.

Maybe I'm not getting my point across correctly.

Technicsplayer, said, "for instance your example of changing the instrument on track 1 to a flute at measure 20 is no longer a standard midi file."

The point is, the flute never was changed because panel memory was used.

I reccorded a 12 measure example tune using R1/Track One not using panel memory:

Piano = Measures 1 - 3

I clicked on the Electric Piano button.
Electric Piano = Measures 4 - 8.

I clicked on Modern Piano.
Modern Piano = Measures 9 - 12.

End record.

Looking at Track One (R1) using step record, I can see each instrument change point mark (Astrisk).

I converted it using the APC/SMF convert feature, saved as a NX midi. Loaded, and played back. Because I didn't use panel memory, all 3 instruments sounds played back. "The example tune when played had all three instruments sounding."

If panel memory was used instead, I would only have the piano sound in the tune.

Technics should have it where when panel memory is used, that it also saves an Astrisk mark on the R1 track when a change of instrument is done. This way, when APC/SMF convert is used, it will have a reference to the changes so it can make the changes. Right now, using panel memory, there is no instrument change marks.

Anthony

apc to smf converts auto accompaniment patterns (apc = auto play chord) to their individual notes as a template for standard midi files, it is not designed to do anything to the R1 track for instance, so is not really the function to use for this example.

The problem is not with the APC/SMF convert feature. It's main function as you say is for the APC part, but it also converts R1, R2 and Left during the convert process. It doesn't ignore those tracks.

Entering instrument changes on R1 using the instrument buttons directly when recording will put a "*" on R1 with the name of the instrument sound. APC/SMF will see that and carry it over in the convert process. Thus you will end up with the instrument changes on R1.

That's what's missing when panel memory is used. Panel memory does not carry the sounds to the R1 track. That means when the APC/SMF convert is used, it has no information on R1 and therefore does not make the instrument change.

I'm suggesting that Technics could improve this just by including the instrument sounds in R1 when a panel memory button is pressed. Ditto on R2 and Left by the way.

APC/SMF convert needs to see something to tell it to change the sound. Entering the sound directly does just that, but pressing a panel memory button, it doesn't.

Anthony

I understand what you want, but this is a totally new function, and really nothing to do with apc to smf convert which converts only auto accompaniment tracks. I can't understand why you think R1 is converted because it is ignored in the process. Whatever is in R1 before apc conversion is the same after apc conversion unless you overwrite it with an accompaniment track.

Your wish is to change a technics easy recording using panel memories into a technics multitrack recording requiring all control changes in each track. This is really a lot more complicated than just carrying over voice and volume changes from panel memory and a little like wanting to change apples into pears, if I may use an analogy, which is why the sequencer has completely different setup templates for these two different methods of recording. It may be one day with a fast processor and large software module, but complicated.

By the way I could add to your first query, NX is just a sound set like XG or GS, and there are many other factors determining whether files from different machines are compatible. Making an NX midi on the 7000 to play on a 6000 would be the same as making a standard midi file to play on the 6000 except that the sounds are better but some samples will be missing so you will get random strange results, which would obviously not be the case with a general midi.

Hi Alec:

Glad you understand what I was thinking and trying to get across. Sad that the instrument changes in R1, R2 and Left have to be added manually. Sure would be great if at least a few settings were carried over to the these tracks when panel memory is used.

Maybe there’s another way this can be accomplished. Maybe the APC/SMF convert should not ignore R1 R2 and Left and carry over the panel memory setting during the convert process. After all when the song is being converted using APC/SMF it is being played and the sounds are changing. Sooooo... I guess then maybe the APC/SMF could use the upgrade by not ignoring R1 R2 and left when converting.

Thanks, Alec and all who has interest in this area. Good solid feedback on this. Hope others are reading and taking note…

Anthony

there's always room for improvement. Other systems actually use midi files in the sequencer, so it is easier to make a midi file, but the downside of this is the editing available on board is both far less comprehensive and considerably less easy to use than the technics system, so pros and cons...