Using an External instruments patches within logic..

[DesperateJournalist]

I'm really new to Logic but have been managing to get to grips with most of the features within it.

 

However, I've had a really big problem with using my external instruments patches in Logic. I'm using a Korg Microsampler, which has been loaded with really great sounds but I want to be able to expand its use by triggering its patches via midi and being able to trigger its patches off another keyboard for greater choice in pitch etc.

 

If anyone can help me on this matter or ask me to clarify exactly what I'm asking I'd be extremely grateful.

 

Cheers!

[David Nahmani]

To help, we need to know which Logic version you're running: Please add your Logic version and system info to your signature: Read Me Before Posting - Forum Guidelines (#5)

 

But either way what you'll have to do is either find an environment that is already made for that synth (sometimes on the manufacturer's website) or make your own by entering all the patch names one by one - which is time consuming but worth it in the end.

[DesperateJournalist]

Thanks for your quick reply, I will try your suggestions out. I have also changed my signature so it now shows my setup so far. Anything else you can suggest is much appreciated and sorry for any inconvenience caused by the lack of signature in my previous post.

[David Nahmani]

Thanks for providing your system information. Couple more questions:

 

1) Is the Korg connected via USB or through a MIDI interface?

 

2) When you create an external MIDI instrument track, can you list what you see in the Library (or take a screenshot if that's easier)?

[DesperateJournalist]

Righto, I'm connecting my device via USB at the moment. I should have sent a screenshot attachment now.

[David Nahmani]

OK, first, if you double-click the name of the track in the track header, a patch window will open with generic patch names, which will obviously not be the right names for your Korg. But for now, if you click those names, does it switch the patches on the Korg? Does your Korg also have banks? If you change the bank in the bank menu of that patch window, does it change bank on the Korg? If it doesn't you can try a few "Bank Message" settings to see if one of them works - if none work, you'll have to program your own, and I'll show you how.

 

Anyway if it works you can start double-clicking the names in the patch window and rename them.

 

Once you've entered all your names you'll want to save this project as a template (File > Save as Template) because those names are only saved in this current project.

[DesperateJournalist]

Logic default banks don't seem to be affecting the Korg at all. It looks like I may have to programme my own banks, as you said.

[David Nahmani]

OK. But clicking on the different program names below does change programs on the Korg, yes?

[DesperateJournalist]

The Korg's still completely unresponsive apart from playing notes in logic. It's a real headscratcher. This seems to be a relatively simple task in other DAW's such as Cubase, I must still be doing something wrong since I'm new to Logic.

[David Nahmani]

When your external MIDI track is selected, look at the Inspector, and make sure the "Program" checkbox is selected?

[DesperateJournalist]

Yeah, the program checkbox is selected for the MIDI channel Theres still no response from the sampler, the default banks definitely don't work with it, Im getting no detection of an output, I've followed through everything in the instruction manual as well such as creating an enviroment etc nothing seems to be working.

[David Nahmani]

Yeah, the program checkbox is selected for the MIDI channel Theres still no response from the sampler, the default banks definitely don't work with it, Im getting no detection of an output, I've followed through everything in the instruction manual as well such as creating an enviroment etc

 

Argh.. creating an environment? What do you mean? What did you do exactly? You shouldn't have had to create anything at all.

[DesperateJournalist]

I just tried following the instruction manual, the third section of 'setting up midi instruments'. The enviroment shows a small almost calculator-like box, I think representing 16 midi channels. I maybe going down the wrong track. I could start afresh and follow you previous instructions step by step and see if they work. But i have a feeling I still need to programme the banks between Logic and the Sampler

[David Nahmani]

You will have to program the bank changes, yes, but we're not there yet. The calculator-looking-thing is called a multi-instrument, and Logic should create it for you, so you don't have to create anything - you'll just have to reprogram the bank change messages.

 

But for now try this:

 

1) Open a new empty project.

2) Create an external MIDI track.

3) From the Library, select the Korg and Channel 1.

4) Make sure the "Program" checkbox is selected.

5) Double-click the name on the Korg track to pop up the patch name window.

6) Try clicking some patch names.

 

You should see some information in the MIDI Out display of the transport bar when you click on the names (the display that says "No Out" when nothing is happening).

 

You should get your Korg to react to those patch changes.

 

That's the first step. Let's first make that work, then move on to bank changes.

[DesperateJournalist]

Right! I've been clicking the patch names and info is being registered, the Korgs display isnt changing or anything but I assume thats to do with the bank change? I still dont hear any sounds coming from it either but at least somethings been registered.

[David Nahmani]

Forget about bank change for now. The bank change messages are only used to change bank, but right now you're not there yet, you're just trying to change programs first. Until you can remotely change programs, let's not try to change banks just yet.

 

Now if your Korg doesn't react to program change data (clicking on a name in the patch name window), there might be a setting on the Korg itself to have it react to program change? Usually most synths react to program change without having anything else to set up...

[CCTMusic]

Hi

 

I'd suggest a look at the Owners Manual and documentation for the Korg.

 

A quick glance at the MIDI Implementation chart suggests that it does not recognise MIDI Program Change messages.

 

 

http://www.korg.co.uk/products/pro_keyboard/microsampler/microsampler_downloads.php#documents

 

 

 

HTH

 

 

CCT

microSAMPLER_MIDIChart_E1.pdf

[David Nahmani]

Well... that's out of luck! Thanks CCT.