Help - anybody out there have or know how to get this file: SD2.INS

If you check this forum before the Coffee House forum, you can't import instrument definitions into MC, so finding the file won't do you any good with MC. Sorry.
But you can still use the Ketron with MC; it will take longer, though.

In your post in the Coffee House, you wrote that those other programs could do it, and I was about to write that those programs cost a lot more than MC 5. But I decided to research that statement before I typed it and found that Real band is more expensive, but Power Tracks isn't.
I also read that one of them (I can't remember which) can be utilized inside another program, so you could, theoretically, use it as a plug-in in MC and work that way. Then it will all be in the same project.
Take a look and see if you can do that.

Patch this you pound puppy you!

herb - I can post pics later if you like, but I don't think you're understanding what INS DEFs do (and I think the OP doesn't really understand either unless he's figured it out since the original post).

INS DEFs are nothing more than the patch NAMES that are associated with the patch NUMBERS as displayed in the MIDI track properties and the PRV.

for example, try this and you'll see what I'm talking about.  open a new project in MC (you can use MC4 for this if you want, it doesn't matter).  make sure your DX-27 is connected and ON before opening MC.
on one of the MIDI tracks, set the OUTPUT to the DX27.

now, look at the bank and patches.  they're all just NUMBERS, not NAMES.  if you want NAMES of the patches, you have to use an INS DEF.  MC does not support INS DEF, tho, you have to upgrade to SHS to get that.

if you were to get an INS DEF for your DX27 then you would make sure and route that INS DEF in the INSTRUMENTS window, and as long as you did that, then when you chose the DX27 as output for your MIDI tracks, you would be able to choose patches by NAME instead of by NUMBER.

make sense now?


Robo - aren't you due for a tune up?

no, you don't have to reverse anything.  and it's not really anything to do with the way the DX operates (which is what I think the OP misunderstood as well).

just follow my example above exactly, but since you use MIDI cables connected to the Saffire, just select the Saffire OUT for your MIDI track's OUTPUT - that's what I meant by selecting the DX27 as output for your MIDI track - same thing.

the ONLY thing that an INS DEF does is show you NAMES instead of NUMBERS.

I'll post pics when I get home to make it more clear.  but I think if you follow my example above you'll understand.

 no worries.  I'm doing this as much for the OP and anyone else reading this as I am for you.

here's a picture of what you would see in MC5 which doesn't support custom INS DEFs for any hardware synth (keyboards, rack mounted tone generators, Ketron SD/SD2, etc).


 
here's what you would see if you DO have an INS DEF set up for the MIDI OUTPUT of your hardware synth (in my case, the yamaha XS6) for the patch names.
 

On a somewhat bright note, the SD2 appears to be GM mapped.
This article has a GM2 table that should help identify the first 256 patches (with patch/bank settings).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_MIDI_Level_2
The Ketron specs indicate either 284 or 292 GM voices (depending on which specs you are looking at), which indicates there are several patches in banks beyond the first five that GM2 uses. You are pretty much on your own on these, but experiment, and take notes.
You may find that the patch names are off by 1, depending on whether the SD2 counts from 1 or 0.
You might try setting up a MIDI track with the output set to TTS-1, then switch to the SD2 to see if it plays the same instrument.
This won't help with the expanded banks, but might give you a place to start.

Mike - first - I don't have an SD2, but it's not important for what I'm trying to explain.  ANY hardware synth is going to act the same.  my yamaha keyboard is a hardware synth and your SD2 is also a hardware synth.

Please remember, unlike the Yahama, the SD2 does not plug into nor can it (as I know) plug directly into my computer.

the yamaha plugs in exactly like the SD2 either by USB or by MIDI cables into a MIDI port.  I think you're missing something here because you told me that you are plugged up to BOTH USB and MIDI ports, but now you're saying the SD2 doesn't connect to the computer directly?  those are the same direct connections that the yamaha or any hardware synth would connect to. 

don't get hung up on the fact that I have a yamaha and you have an SD - they're both hardware synths and work exactly the same in that respect.

2nd - you shouldn't have the SD2 hooked up to both USB AND the m-audio fast track - it's not necessary.  choose one, the other is extraneous.  then choose the same one in the MC options>midi devices.  (not only is one of them extraneous but it COULD be causing your patch change problem)

The SD2 has 3 banks called "Voice Bank A, B & C". Each one of these banks contain 128 sound variations on the std 128 midi sounds. The SD2 instructions also indicate Voice Bank A control change 00, value = 0, and B =1, C = 10. So I selected my patch (lets say Trumpet 57), and I kept that patch on while I changed the bank number from -1 to 0, then 1 and then 10. I stopped the midi play back before testing the change. However, there was (to my ears) no change in the patch sound. I think I understand how to choose the patch trumpet, sax etc. I'm just not sure how to get the bank variations (in this case A, B, and C).

ok - if I understand exactly what you're doing, then it shouldn't happen that way, so something is wrong. 

I can't get to the SD2's manual from work - it's blocked by our firewall.  tell me - what patches are listed for the different banks for patch #57 for example?  Bank A patch 57 = trumpet - right?  what is Bank B patch 57?  What is Bank C patch 57?

My question would be what does MC5 give that RB or PTPA does not, so that you need to move over?

Sonar i can understand, but MC is so similar to PTPA. Expecially since you are using hardware synths. The big advantage to some like Herb and myself is that MC handles softsynth a bit better.

It sound like you are setting up for gigging, and PT is a great little DAW for that, with it's autochord wiz, and the lyrics window. 

Tune up .. priceless!!!

Good one i loved it.