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Viewing 1 to (11 Total) Trouble with midi, kn6500 |
Total Posts: 3
Joined: January 8, 2015
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Hi
I've had the kn6500 for many years now, and I have been playing with the thought of getting a proper soundcard and daw for my computer, using the kn6500 to play with soft sounds, among other things.
I have bought a basic daw, i believe, MusicCreator 6 and Z3TA+2, through Steam. The soundcard I've got is the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6.
Now, using the Z3TA+2, i can still use the computer keyboard to activate notes, but no luck using the kn6500. Help! I have not tried music creator that much yet.
I have checked various settings on the kn6500, what should they be to get it to send signals out? I might have overlooked something trivial for all I know, as I am new to this. All I have done before is loading smf's into the kn6500 by floppy discs, and playing it, never been connected to pc before.
Using a pc, new of 2nd half 2014, with windows 7 x64. I am using midi cables between the kn6500 and the 6i6.
Edit: I've read some in the manual, but I have not found anything useful. It describes a lot of different settings under the Midi menu, but not what the settings should actually be set to in my case, for my use.
The 6i6 has a midi indicator LED, which flashes, but I'm going to check with focusrite what that means, and if the LED has several states. Also if they have any ideas for that matter.
In Z3TA+2, the scarlet is the chosen midi and sound device, and line ins work well.
I am really out of idéas 
Posted on January 20, 2015 at 11:13 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
Hi Kabaln,
We'll help you to sort this out no problem. First let's get your KN6500 playing MIDI files from the PC and then next we'll go in the other direction.
In the Members area on the MIDI page you will find a link to an excellent MIDI program and some other information to help you play MIDIs. Click on your username to get to the members area.
Also look at this post on our other website which will give you some troubleshooting help - Linking KN6000 to computer
See how you get on with that and then reply to this message and we'll go a step further or help you to troubleshoot.
I'm saying 'we' because I hope some others will join in too 
All the best,
Mike
Posted on January 20, 2015 at 11:46 PM
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Total Posts: 3
Joined: January 8, 2015
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
Hi
Thanks a lot! i downloaded the midi player, set the scarlet 6i6 USB as the midi out, and it worked, the kn6500 plays the file! At least _something_ works!
I'll read the thread you linked to more deeply tomorrow, and see if I can figure something more out first!
Posted on January 21, 2015 at 12:44 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
Excellent! We're off! It make a few days but we'll get there.
Posted on January 21, 2015 at 12:55 AM
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Canada
Total Posts: 23
Joined: December 3, 2014
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
Hi Mike.
Thanks for all your hard work. I am really thankful.
I have been so busy that I haven't had the chance to try all of the KN6000 Styles Series Y1; But I have tried, some of them on my KN6000 Keyboard and they sound beautiful. It is as if I would be playing live with a band. The instruments in the styles are full and natural which motivate me to use them in some of my songs and somebody else's songs.
I can't hardly wait to listen to the next styles conversion from Tyros 3 . I have a question about this. Would I be able to use them in my KN6000? Also, are there any downloadable new sounds for my KN6000 Keyboard converted from any other expansion boards besides the movie production expansion board which I already have?
I can always use more new sounds.
Thanks again, Bufalo
Posted on January 21, 2015 at 1:52 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
Hi Bufalo,
I'm glad you're enjoying Styles Series 1, I am too! These styles were a bit of an experiment in several respects.
Firstly, I wanted to see whether there was interest in them. I expected that there would be because most of us have had our KNs for a while now and our instruments produce beautiful sounds. When you think about it, if you buy a new keyboard what do you get? Mainly you get new Styles. So, getting new Styles for your existing instrument really freshens your playing up and inspires you to do different things!
Secondly, I wanted to support as many keyboards as I could. This meant that we couldn't spend a long time working on each Style, so, Members will need to learn how to edit them a little to get the best out of them. We'll be explaining how to do that in due course.
Finally, I wanted to gauge how much assistance people would need in transferring files to their keyboards. There are a wide range of keyboards and there are different little quirks to each one, so releasing some simple Styles that are easy to load (well, as easy as they can be) lets us all explore concepts gradually together.
We'll be releasing the Tyros 3 Styles for KN7000s and compatibles first but KN6000 will be soon afterwards. John and I don't have KN6000s so we won't be able to make them sound as good initially (still great though) and I'll be explaining to you how to edit each Style quickly and beautifully. Maybe some KN6000 owners will do that and then we can re-release an improved series for those who don't find the editing to be easy or don't have the time to edit.
As regards Sounds: We are still looking into whether we can make the Expansion Card sounds work on KN6000. We understand why they are not working right now and I'll be going into depth in explaining that soon, which is not a pointless exercise because by understanding why they don't work (easily) we can understand how to make them work (with difficulty) if someone with a KN6000 is prepared to go to the effort. It is possible to come very close to the Sounds on the boards but impossible to replicate them exactly on KN6000.
I should add that the Expansion Card Sounds that we have released for KN7000 are not EXACTLY the same as if you own the board either. They are extremely, extremely close copies but not exact (frankly I can't tell the difference for more than 90% of them). So, if anyone thinks that releasing our Expansion Sounds devalues their Expansion Cards, it does not. I only have two of the cards and I would buy the other two with no hesitation given the opportunity.
In fact, I sincerely believe that the sites will help to preserve the value of all of our instruments.... but I didn't really want to say that until I buy a few more Technics keyboards haha!
I'll finish off by mentioning the Sounds Series 1 which is available for KN6000 but I expect you have discovered that already. Just that you didn't mention that when you were talking about Sounds - CLICK HERE for more info and please note that I don't think these are working properly on KN6500 yet, I believe that I have named the files incorrectly for KN6500 and I will be re-doing the files very soon.
Edit: Oops I just realised that you and I have already been discussing the Sounds on that page. You'll have to forgive me, sometimes I read something I posted yesterday and can't remember writing it!
Posted on January 21, 2015 at 2:45 AM
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Canada
Total Posts: 23
Joined: December 3, 2014
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
Hi Mike .
No problem.
I Have another Question. Is there a Software Program that I can use for my lap top ? One has windows 8.1, and another windows XP for editing my KN6000 Styles and Sounds. This way I can do all the work on my computer instead of the KN6000 keyboard
Posted on January 22, 2015 at 1:19 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
HI Bufalo,
Yes, the only one available is EMC Styleworks, search for that on Google (it is what I use).... and please mention this site if you make a purchase.
EMC Styleworks can convert Styles and Edit Styles. There's a bit of a learning curve but it is excellent.
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted on January 22, 2015 at 1:43 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
PS there is no Sound Editor for any of the later keyboards.
Posted on January 22, 2015 at 1:44 AM
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Total Posts: 3
Joined: January 8, 2015
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
Ok, I've made it work on the Z3TA+2, but I'm actually not sure what I am doing, not sure what did the trick. And I can't get it back to "playback-mode" using the midiplayer on the pc.
I found the midi switch on the back panel of the KN6500, and set it to midi.
I've selected:
- Program menus, Midi,
---- Mode Setting, GM2 (NX as default on power-on).
---- Midi Presets, Page 2, Extarnal Sequenser (had not done this before!)
(And what's the differense between the "external sequenser" option on page 1 and 2?)
Now, when using Z3TA+2, I can control the keys with the KN6500, also the Midiplayer indicates the notes played. If I change midi output in the Midiplayer to the windows wavetable, there's no sound. Which probably makes sence.. since the Midi input on Z3TA+2 is set to the Scarlett 6i6? But even though the midi out on the midiplayer is set to windows wavetable, and the midi in is set to the scarlett, shouldn't it still indicate pressed keys on the KN6500?
Now, to get it back, which Midi preset is "default"? I used the first option, organ. There was sound, but completly wrong sounds. Power off and on the KN6500, and set the Mode to GM2 did the trick though..
Posted on January 23, 2015 at 12:12 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: Trouble with midi, kn6500
Hi Kabaln,
I'm still learning about MIDI on these keyboards myself, so don't take everything I say as being definite, in some senses we'll be experimenting together.
This should help you to understand the basis of things. Some things that I didn't understand for a long time but it is obvious once you realise (everyone feel free to correct me please):
When you're on the MIDI display, there are five items on the left and five on the right. The five on the left are the ones you need to change in order to set up your 'system' (PART SETTING, CONTROL MESSAGES, REALTIME MESSAGES, COMMON SETTING and INPUT/OUTPUT SETTING). There are many settings that we can change in these five displays and their sub-displays, so, the Technics programmers made some PRESETS, to get us started. This is the MIDI PRESETS button on the top right of the MIDI display.
The idea is that you select a PRESET that is close to your system. Then, you go into the five on the left and just make a few small changes to get your setup perfect. Then, you save your own PRESET. I'll talk you through some of this.
Go to MIDI PRESETS. The first page shows the keyboard as a SLAVE. So, this means that it is being controlled by something else, such as another keyboard or an external sequencer (such as the one on your computer, Cakewalk). So, to allow Cakewalk to control the keyboard, you select EXTERNAL SEQUENCER on this page (don't forget to press OK).
Now, press exit and then go into each of the five displays on the left. They have been set up so that they receive input from your sequencer (Cakewalk). Of course, yu now have to set up Cakewalk to send the signals correctly. You know that your MIDI interface is connected correctly because you got the Midiplayer program working before. So now you will have to refer to the Cakewalk instructions to set it up to send from its tracks to the correct MIDI channels. You can see which channels to send on by going into PART SETTING to check what the MIDI PRESET has set in there.
Or, you can use the Midiplayer program to send to the keyboard, the Midiplayer program is then acting as the EXTERNAL SEQUENCER.
To save this entire setup, go to MIDI PRESETS again but go to Page 4. Select one of the USER SETTINGS and press WRITE.
To recall the setup you just saved, when you want to do so in the future, go to Page 3, select the same USER SETTING (1, 2 or 3) and press OK. You can recall the setup anytime.
Now let's say you want the keyboard to be the master, which means that the keyboard controls the external sequencer (or the Z3TA+2 virtual Synthesiser). Go to MIDI PRESETS Page 2. It shows the keyboard as the master (so pressing the keys will control the external device). Select EXTERNAL SEQUENCER and this will give you a good basic setup in those five displays on the left for this situation. Now you can go into those five displays again and take note of what the MIDI PRESET changed. You'll have to change your External Sequencer (Cakewalk or the virtual synth) to receive on the channels that the keyboard is set to send on.
When all is as you want it to be, go to MIDI PRESETS Page 4, select a USER SETTING (obviously not the one you wrote to earlier) and WRITE to it. Now you will be able to recall the setting at any time on MIDI SETTINGS Page 3.
Have a play with all of that and let us know how you get on. Next, you'll need to know how to save all of his onto disk so that you don't lose it! For saving MIDI settings you need to go to page 2 of the (DISK) Save screen. MIDI settings don't save by default, they are optional when saving. On page 2 you can specify what saves and what doesn't.
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted on January 23, 2015 at 1:21 AM
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