Hi guys,
I cannot Setup the upper lower Sound Function of my A-Pro 300 with Sonar X3. The Manual of my A-Pro 300 states how to do that, but I only get one sound. My question is, does that work only with a Hardware Sound module. Or should it work with Soft Synths in Sonar too?
Thanks!
Daniel

Be sure to red this post in the Hardware forum.  Lots of great info for your keyboard.
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/UPDATED-Configuring-Your-APro-to-Work-WithWithout-ACT-m2181430.aspx

Thanks for the link! It's really helpful. However I still don't have a clue if it's possible with software synths.
 
Do You have additional information for me or maybe a short description what's to do in the Setup?
 
Thanks!
Daniel

Hi Daniel, can you give more specifics on what synth(s) you are running? I just purchased the A-300 PRO a few months ago and shifting octaves is simply done with the "Keyboard" row on the keyboard itself.
 
The reason I ask is that some programs like Dimension Pro only have sounds assigned to certain keys, and would take a plugin like "sforzando" (free) to visually see which keys have sounds assigned to them. For Dimension Pro specifically, sforzando will open DP banks directly from the "File" list at the top of the plugin (Dimension Pro is a submenu there). You may be in a situation where there is only one sound assigned to lower octaves (which is functioning properly).
 
Edit: Updated the name of the unit to be correct.

Hello mettelus!
It's not about shifting octaves. It's about using two different sounds using the Lower and Upper Key on the A-Pro 300 as mentioned in the manual (printed version) at page 44.
I'm trying to set this up but with no luck.
Thanks
Daniel  

Hi Daniel, thank you for the extra input. I *suspect* that your issue may be related to MIDI channels (there are 16 MIDI channels available, and 10 is usually reserved for drums by convention). I just set this up on my computer and noticed that UPPER defaults to MIDI channel 1, and LOWER defaults to MIDI channel 2. Here is a step-by-step of what I did:
 

1. Created a new project.
2. Inserted Dimension Pro twice (I inserted these NOT as "Simple Instrument Tracks" but with "MIDI Source," "Synth Track Folder," "First Synth Audio Output," and "Synth Property Page" checked).
3. Assign a patch (program on the DP UI) to each DP insert (I chose piano and electric piano), and verify each plays.
4. In the Track View, ensure the drop down next to the time indicator is set to "All" (is "Custom" by default). This gives you access to all parameters in the Track View.
5. Expand the MIDI track for the first DP insert until you can see the input channel "I", set this to "A-PRO 1->MIDI Ch. 1"
6. Expand the MIDI track for the second DP insert until you can see the input channel "I", set this to "A-PRO 1->MIDI Ch. 2"
7. Ensure Input Echo is enabled (fully lit) on both track folders. This will also light them for the MIDI tracks.
8. Press "UPPER" button on the A300 and press the arrow buttons till you see "MIDI CH" in the display. Verify this is set to "1" and that it plays.
9. Press "LOWER" button on the A300 and press the arrow buttons till you see "MIDI CH" in the display. Verify this is set to "2" and that it plays.
10. Press the "DUAL" button on the A300 and you should hear both instruments (programs) you chose layered.

 
   You can shift octaves for each layer independently on the A300 (press UPPER/LOWER and then the OCTAVE +/- buttons).
 
   I suspect the input channels and input echo buttons may have been causing you grief. Please let me know if this works for you. MIDI can be difficult to learn at first, but "makes sense" once you understand more.

Thank You so much, mettelus! With Your help now it works as expected!
 
You're absolutely right, MIDI is hard to learn. :-)

I am glad it is working for you. When soft synths are inserted they default to "MIDI Omni" inputs (meaning they listen to all MIDI channels), and SONAR defaults to "Input echo" on the active track (only) which is the "half-lit" input echo button.
 
For recording by overdubbing (i.e. recording one track at a time) this is often all that is necessary to achieve recording. For a situation with "upper/lower," you could also Input Echo (full on) both soft synths, and leave them set to "MIDI Omni." They will both sound from the keys played on the A-300 that way as well (MIDI Omni will "fire" notes based on any input channel received). Many soft synths have the ability to transpose notes within the synth itself, so leaving it as Omni, you could then transpose a part by 12 (an octave) to get one to play a bass while the other plays an octave higher.
 
With MIDI channels, just be aware that Omni "sends or receives" all channels, and the Input Echo (or even recording) allows you to monitor (record) active tracks. If you have other questions, please feel free to ask. The tutorials included with SONAR are a good place to start with learning.