vArranger Forums

Dan can you please send me the latest update?

Thanks,

Terry

[OK]

I am looking to create a portable Varranger set up and use my Fishman Tripleplay guitar interface to drive it.   I have been looking at small laptops or convertible laptops.  My understanding from reading threads is that you need at least 4GB's of ram to take advantage of larger soundfonts.  I am wondering about these questions and hope people can share there experience:

1. What speed of processor do you need in Ghz?  Are the Atom and\or the Bay Trail processors good enough to drive Varranger?
2. Will touch screen work at all with Varranger or would I just need to use my Midi Buddy foot pedal to control once set up?
3. Are there options to the Microsoft Surface?  From what I have read here that seems to be the popular solution.  If that is the only real solution what is the least expensive version that will work. 

I also have a Ketron SD4 which I could use for sound source but that will most likely involve me purchasing the Fishman wireless foot controller for another $199. 

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Terry

So I am a little confused by this thread.  Is the PA4X Mp3 a sample of a PA4X style with the new sound banks you can purchase off of the Facebook account site?

Thanks,

Terry

Dan,

Can you please send me the latest Beta 1.18

Thanks,

Terry

I have the Rolls Midi Buddy one and it seems to do the trick with plenty left over.  May be a little more expensive at $149 US at standard music stores.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/rolls-mp128-midi-buddy-pedal

Thanks,

Terry

Ok, thanks

Will Varranger work with a DXI plug in like Coyote Forte?

Thanks,
Terry

I am trying to get You Rock guitar to work as a midi controller.  http://www.yourockguitar.com/

I am getting varying results. 

- Varranger recognizes the YRG (Gen 1)
- I have the output set to the VA synth.
- Using WASAPI sound output.
- Split point at C3
- Guitar is set to normal tuning.

Everything works but sometimes the system doesn't seem to be recognizing chords on the B, G, E strings of the guitar. The guitar has a tapping mode that allows you to just press the chords and they will play.  It seems that the guitar does a better job detecting chords.  I can play single notes on the lower strings and get it to work just fine.

Midi for all strings are set to Channel 1 but I think I can change that.  I am using the full keyboard setting.  I have set chord recognition sensitivity to as high as it will go. 

Does anyone know other settings I should be looking at that might increase the consistency of response. It may be that I just need to upgrade to version II of the guitar but I want to make sure I don't have something set up wrong and can get performance to work fine with YRG. 

Thanks,

Terry

Dan

Can you please send me the latest beta version link as well.

Thanks,

Terry

Phil,

I think technically you are asking what is the best audio interface. Sound cards anymore are kind of a misnomer because they don't really produce sounds themselves per se.  I have heard that the FocusRite products are pretty good and reasonably priced for what you get but I haven't used them. I use a Tascam 1800 running through audio monitor speakers.   Sound quality is pretty good.   This link on Sweetwater is a start for researching.  Read some of the reviews and see if that helps.

http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/computer-audio/audio_interfaces/

Thanks,

Terry

Dan,

Can I please get this version as well.

Thank you,

Terry

The Rolls Midi Buddy MP128 will also work.

Thanks,

Terry

Dan

Can you please send me the latest version.

Thanks,

Terry

Thanks for the suggestions.

Terry

I was wondering if it was possible to use the keyboard in like Garageband as a controller keyboard for Varranger running on a PC? I am travelling alot and always have my iPad and PC with me so I could still enjoy Varranger. Maybe there is another iPad app that would work better. With the soon improvement to the possibility of a better VA synth sound engine this would make the set up a perfect travelling companion to making music.

Thanks,

Terry

I got it working.  I just ran the second midi out of my m-audio 2 X 2 and it is picking it up. I may need to pick a particular midi channel to get a little better response.  It sometimes is a little slow to lock the harmonies in.

Thanks,

Terry

I am running vArranger through a Ketron SD4 controlled by my Yamaha MOX6 and using a rolls midi buddy foot controller to control the arranger parts.  I am using a Midisport 2X2 USB to connect.  Everything is working fine. 

I am trying to add a TC Helicon Voicelive Play GTX into the mix to get vocal harmonies. Right now I have the harmonizer connected to the midi out of the Mox6 with the keyboard set to transmit on channel 1 and the TC Helicon set to receive on channel 1 but it will not change with the chord changes. 

I was just wondering if anyone had a similar set-up and could possibly give me some ideas of what I am doing wrong or if it is even possible.  Should I connect to the SD4, the out of the USB Midisport or drive it from the computer as a separate midi device? Any ideas?

Thanks,

Terry

Dan,

Can I get the update please?

Thanks,

Terry

Any GM instrument file?  I would assume that any instrument, Roland, Yamaha or othewise would comply with the General Midi standard so I could use one of those correct?

Thanks,

Terry

I have Sampletank working and purchased the Omnisynth pack to have GM sound set for ease.  I know I can use other packs or instruments but was just looking for a plug and play for picking instruments for songs.   My question is this; Is there a way to get the actual instrument names to show up in the Sound Channel Edit screen or is there an Instrument definition file that would make selecting instruments a little easier?

Thanks,

Terry

Thanks Lylo

Can someone explain to me what goes into these folders under the Sounds folder. I am not sure I am using them correctly.

> VST Presets
> Presets
> Samples

Thanks,

Terry

Really enjoyed listening to Juan's comparison of the SD2 Vs. the PA600.  Both sounded great but the Ketron sounded brighter.  I wish I could hear more comparisons like this with Ketron versus VST  and Ketron versus MoXF6 etc.   Really helps if you are considering any new keyboards or sound modules.  I wonder if the Ketron will always be a little better because that is where Varranger has it roots?

Anyway if you are interested in listening here is the link.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-3MMlyDmFs

Terry

So I finally got to play with the new VST feature a little bit last night.  Here is what I think I understand so far:

1. Varranger VST shows up as a seperate midi out that you can select once you load it.  I was able to do that and sounds were pretty good.
2. You need to make sure that you set Varranger VST to GM soundset or you get strange noises.
3. When you select VST as a midi out you will see the VST button up by where the SF\INS button is. 
4. Selecting the VST button opens up a rack with 16 slots and you can load in any VST instrument you might have in your VST plug-in folder.

This is where I am getting a little lost. 

1. It appears that to get multi-timbral out of say SampleTank 2 you need to load 16 instances of the VST, is that correct?
2. Do I need to go through each track and assign the midi out to the VST?
3. If I assign each individual track (Drum, Perc, Bass, Accompnient 1 etc.) Can I just load one instance of SampleTank?

Sorry, my learning curve is sometimes a little slow.

Thanks,

Terry

Hey Dan,

Can I get then Beta 4 release please?

Thanks,

Terry

I think the SD1000 is the correct choice based upon the needs you have identified.  The SD4 is nice due to it have 32 midi channels but the USB implementation is not that solid.  I have had trouble with it in using Varranger (Ketron problem not Varranger).  It would cost you almost as much as the SD1000 and is older technology.  I will be interested in how you like it when you get it.  I keep wondering if I should upgrade but have been waiting to see which direction Dan is going to take the Varranger software in regards of VST or hardware and which will be better supported.  Musical instruments and sound choices have become more complex due to the many options.

Thanks,

Terry

Stewbow;

I am not sure I am understanding what you are trying to do?  Are you playing Varranger with a controller keyboard and want to record the midi data into Logic or are you trying to put midi data into Logic and drive Varranger?  I am not a Mac person so I am not familiar with Logic but understanding what you are trying to accomplish may help with the answers provided here.

I think Varranger parts are set to certain midi channels so they won't automatically select a track.  If you have each track set to Omni instead of a specific midi channel that could be why you are getting all the data.

Thanks,

Terry

When you say small fee that is a relative term so it is difficult to determine interest.  I think anything that increases the quality and makes the whole process easier would be well received.  I love the Ketron hardware but it is expensive and the support in the US is really lacking. Great engineers but not so hot on the marketing and support.

I guess my only thought is, "Do you think that you can make better sounds than some of the Romplers or samplers that are already on the market? "  I have watched Band in a Box go from real samples in real band to HiQ instruments from IK multimedia to allow the midi real track control for their styles.

The beauty to Varranger is if you can get the right sounds for all the different sounds you have a lot of flexibility and performing in real time is a real strength of the program currently.

Just my thoughts.

Terry

So bottom line, yes, I am interested just not sure to what degree.

I would like to try the Beta please.

Thanks,
Terry

How hard would it be I wonder to recreate using with an SD2 or SD4 so those of us that have those devices can determine if shelling out another $600 for the SD1000 is worth the quality improvement. 

Thanks for sharing the examples and variety.

Terry

I think you meant this for Gerard.  I have not invested in the SD1000 yet.

Thanks,

Terry

Cool!  Thanks for sharing.

Terry

I received information from KetronUSA.com that the SD1000 is available in the United States with a price of $599.00.

Thanks,

Terry

Stian,

I have been using it a little over a year.  Most of my issues have been me not understanding something.  Dan has always been patient in helping me work through those.  I did recently have a problem getting things to work when moving from my main computer to a laptop.  It turned out to be that I was running three different USB devices and the power option on my computer was not allowing the USB's to work properly.  Once Dan gave me the links on how to change the power settings it works perfectly. 

There are several members here that gig with the software on a regular basis so maybe they can chime in and give their opinions.

Thanks,

Terry

Gerard,

Just found this on TC Helicons's Site.  Bummer.....

Harmonizer doesn't respond to key transposition via MIDI






Question

My harmonizer doesn't respond to key transposition on my keyboard. What is going on?

Answer


Apart from note data, there is another, separate MIDI message that is used for transposing - meaning: the notes themselves appear the same but the transposition value is transmitted separately.

TC Helicon units (see list of affected products below) do not respond to that transposition message, unfortunately.

The only workaround would be to set up the transposition, on the harmonizer, as well as your keyboard.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The concerns the following products:

  VoiceTone Harmony-M
   VoiceLive 2 / VoiceLive 2 Extreme Ed.
   VoiceWorks
   VoiceWorks Plus
   Quintet (discontinued)
   VoiceLive (discontinued)
   VoicePrism (discontinued)
   VoicePrismPlus (discontinued)
   VoicePro (discontinued)

Does the split point on your keyboard change when you transpose?  If so maybe it isn't sending the right notes to Voicelive 2.  Might try running one of the outs on your system to the aux input on the VL2 and let it pick up chords from there and see if that works.  If it does then you know it has something to do with the notes that are being sent or not being sent to VL2. 

It doesn't make sense that it would not do this.

Terry

Will do my best to answer:

Now i use a Korg kronos 88 key. Can I use it as an sound module for varranger? --If it has midi capabilities through 5 pin din or USB you should be able to use it. It might not work right out of the box as you will have to assign the sounds from the Korg in the program. Basically this is like assigning an external instrument in a DAW.   I can tell you I tested it on my Korg M3 and was able to get some pretty decent sounds without a lot of work.  The software is optimized however for the Ketron Sound Modules. [/b]

Can i dedicate buttons on it for control of intros, fills and so on. -If the buttons can be programmed to send controller messages then yes you can use it.  Varranger has a controller page where you select the function like Intro 1, 2  or Arranger style 1, 2, 3, 4 and then select the button that you want to control that function.  It will capture the controller message and that should be all you need to do. 

Can I use all the nine differet sound engins in Kronos? This one I am not 100% sure about.  The software does allow you to load .ins files for various instruments if you have one and then program the various channels to select those sounds.  Do the 9 different engines function as separate sound modules or are they in banks?

I know Dan the developer can answer more confidently.  He is travelling the next couple of weeks so I am not sure his access and availability to answer questions so don't get discouraged if you do not get an immediate answer. When he is at home he normally answers in 24 hours or less.

Very interesting software with quite a bit of flexibility and great support. Definitely worth your time to read some of the comments on the forum.

Thanks,
Terry

Dan will probably have to help you with that but if you look down in the posts I believe you will find where he is actually using the Microsoft Surface to run Varranger for his own set-up. I am assuming from that it is possible.  I am not that familiar with this technology but is there one device that runs RT and another that runs the full Microsoft OS? That might make a difference.

Terry

Gerard,

Welcome back.  Glad to get your first impressions of the SD1000.  I am debating whether the SD1000 brings enough value over the SD4 to get it.  Would be interested in your thoughts in this regard as you get going with the SD1000. 

Your set-up is what I am trying to achieve except with guitar using Triple Play from Fishman to drive the Varranger.  I have a Voicelive 2 but am also considering in time the Voicelive Play GTX which is more focused on guitar and from what I understand a little more intuitive. 

Thanks,

Terry

Two things to check.

1. Is the full keyboard checked under Midi ports when you set it up.
2 Can you click on the split point in the interface under where it says by Style?  If you click on that and then select the key where you want the split point I think that will split your keyboard.

Hope it helps.

Terry

John,

I have not tried that yet.  Just so I am clear you are trying to run the Triple Play software and play it along with the Varranger.  Is that what you are trying to accomplish.  So you would want the Triple Play software running so that you can play VST type instruments as well as have Varranger follow the chord patters you are playing.  Am I understanding that correctly?

I think you have spent more time with the actual Triple Play software than I have.  Most of the time I am just using it to make sure my tuning is calibrated but have not been running it in conjunction with Varranger.  May have to come back to you and ask some more questions.  I hope to get to play with it a little more this weekend.
Thanks,

Terry

I finally have everything working together with Triple Play as of tonight.  Using some USB settings Dan found me to make sure the system was not turning off USB to preserve power and using an M-audio 2 X 2 interface. 

I now have three things plugged into my computer.

1. The Varranger thumb drive.
2 The M-Audio 2 X 2 - It provides A & B midi outs and ins through a USB cable.
3. The Fishman Triple Play Wireless USB receiver

The set up in Midi Port Select is as follows.

Midi in
Midi 1 - Fishman Triple Play
Midi 2 Midisport 2 X 2 In B- This is where the Midi Buddy Footpedal is hooked up to.

Midi Out
Midi 1 Midisport 2X2 Out A - Midi Out drop down set to Ketron SD4
Midi 2 Midisport 2X2 Out B - Don't think I need it but I am not fooling with it now that I have it working.

I haven't set up every option yet as the Midi Buddy has 10 buttons and then you have I think 4 Banks.  I did set up Arranger 1,2,3,4 and Ending 2.  All worked perfectly.

My only tweaking I need to do now is the threshold.  I am noticing that Varranger is having a really hard time recognizing the D chord.  Not sure if this is my playing style or what.  I will have to experiment with that.

Anyway if anyone else is looking for a set up for midi guitar with Varranger this seems to work.  M-Audio doesn't sell the Midi Sport 2X2 anymore.  Instead they have the 2X2 Anniversary addition.  It works the same.  About the size of a deck of cards but a little thicker.

Thanks,

Terry

Dan normally is pretty responsive if he is at home.  He will contact you through a RealVision email address and give you the next steps for licensing.  Remember there is a time difference between US and France.

I believe you will enjoy immensely once you get it. 

Thanks,

Terry

Bernie,

I am sure Dan will get it sorted out for you but while Varranger is like a dongle the pen drive still acts as a hard drive on your computer hooked up through USB. If you go into windows explorer it will show up just like a regular drive and you can see the programs and files on it.  In windows 7 when you right click on an application it will ask you if you want to run it as an administrator.  If you say yes it will let you do so.  I don't know all the technical details behind this but it allows the program access to other things in the operating system to allow it to run.

Hope you get it figured out!

Terry

Did you try running it as administrator to see if that made a difference?

Terry

Got a note back from Ketron that the SD1000 will be sold in the U.S. in three weeks.  Is it really better than the SD2/4 in everyone's mind?

Terry

I am out of town so I don't have my set up with me.  The times I have gotten my midi buddy to work I had the Triple Play set on Midi 1 like you do.  Midibuddy on channel 1 and Ketron SD4 set as the out because I am not using an interface.   My actual physical inputs are:
Triple Play - Wireless USB
Midi Buddy- USB to midi
SD4 USB-USB

All coming from my laptop.   I am trying to figure out what purpose the UMG is serving for you?  Are you driving soft synths or something?

Thanks,

Terry

I have really enjoyed this product.  I think the easiest way for me to understand it is it is like a software version of the computer in an arranger keyboard.  As Dan said it pretty much mimics the arranger features of the Ketron, Yamaha and Roland styles. 

I think I have always gotten 24 hour turnaround to my questions anytime I asked Dan and he has been very patient with me as I have tried to learn the program so I have been very pleased with the support.

Thanks,

Terry

So can I move my Varranger program off the thumb drive and onto the hard drive of my computer?  I thought I had to run it off the thumb drive?  Sometimes all this stuff makes me feel dumb

On the set up here is what I am thinking in regard to running things.

1. I have the Triple Play on the guitar and going through the USB reciever driving Varranger on the primary input.

2. From the guitar I plan on running out the normal audio cable into my TC Helicon then into my sound system.  The chords from my guitar will set the voices on the TC Helicon. 

3. I will run my vocal through the TC Helicon as well allowing for vocal processing and the ability to punch in vocals when I need. 

4. On the second Midi in I will run the M-Audio Uno which goes from USB to Midi to run the MIDI Buddy which will control the Intro's, 4 Style variations and Endings, and whatever else I finally decide to control on Varranger.

5. The first output on the Varranger will be set the Ketron SD4.

I think this is basically the same set-up you are trying to achieve with the exceptino you are using the Presonus Fire for your midi output.  Of course if I want to run other soft synths or things this set up might be limiting.  That might be where the Presonus would come in handy.

Thanks,

Terry

So in your new proposed set up are you running Varranger off of a thumb drive and if so where are you plugging it into?  The Presonus?

Thanks,

Terry

Not sure how many Triple Play users we have on here yet but I am running at about 56 on the master threshold and getting fairly good results.   Can anyone else comment on what they are running and how well it is working?

Terry

John, I have been having great success when I can get things to work.  I have been working with Dan as I think I have to follow a certain process to bring the various USB items up otherwise I lock up.  I bought a powered USB hoping that maybe that would solve the problem but will not have a chance to work with it until this weekend. 

I need to do a little reading on the midi buddy and the powered situation to see if that would eliminate one more cord in the configuration.

Thanks,

Terry

The midi buddy I just bought is supposed to be able to be powered through the midi din connection but I have not gotten it to work just yet.

Terry

I just received a Roll's Midi Buddy 128 Midi Control pedal last night to use with Varranger and the Triple Play.  http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=MP128  It uses 5 Pin Din Midi connector so I had to have a USB to Midi cable to hook it up.   Varranger picked up the driver and I was able to set up the pedal for controlling the features on Varranger.  It has 10 banks built in so I am assuming I can program those as well to have 50 different controller messages. 

The unit itself seems to be pretty sturdy.  I am going to have figure out how to tilt it slightly to get better access to the pedals with my big feet.  Especially the top row.   

This is just too much fun!

Terry

Made the suggestions that Dan provided and it definitely helped.  I am going to have to play with the threshold to get it to the ultimate for my playing style.  Sometimes I don't get a chord change or get a totally different chord even with thresholds set higher.  It appears to be a combination of threshold setting and my playing.  I do a lot of pull offs and hammer on's.  Not necessarily good for directing the style.   I also have turned off the instruments I am playing live in Varranger at this time.  I just want to make sure I have a good solid track going.  Adding in midi instruments played by guitar will come in time. 

If I wanted to send chord changes to my TC Helicon Vocelive 2 at the same time what would be the best way to do this through Varranger? 

If you can find a style in the Ketron styles it is always your best bet for problem free styles.  Yamaha seems to be the next best followed by the Roland styles which is the newest style added.   Dan is pretty good at finding the problems in particular styles and can probably help you out.  Normally if it is a percussion track I simply mute that track.  If it is the drums that is a whole other story. 

I think there is a way to fine tune these yourself but I have not fully figured that one out yet.

Keep looking. You will discover something new everyday.

Terry

I think I found the problem.  Norton had some type of weird error going on with it that was messing things up.  Norton really does not like Varranger and I have to be very careful that it doesn't remove it without asking.  In this case there was an actual error with Norton.  I uninstalled and reinstalled Norton and things seem to be working fine again.  Gotta love technology sometimes

John, 

You are way ahead of me.  I am keeping things simple to start out.  I am running the FTP into a USB on my laptop running Windows 7 Premium 64 bit.   I then run the USB cable to my SD4 and into a powered mixer.  Like you I can get the chord changes to occur for Styles in Varranger and can play instruments in Varranger.  I am taking this really slow as I get confused easily sometimes with all the ins and outs.  My next step is to run the out on my guitar into a TC Helicon Harmony processer.  This will allow me to punch in background vocals along with the Varranger styles.  After that I need to get a foot pedal so I can control everything without having to activate on the laptop or through my Korg miniature controller. 

I have a Roland VS-20 that I may be able to use to run my guitar into and process it with plug-ins but that will be awhile.  I personally think it may get harder once I add in the guitar whether driving a virtual instrument or effect or just going live to my amp. 

I will share as I learn. Unfortunately I am out of town most of this week so my play time will be cut way back. 

Terry

I played with Varranger on my laptop all afternoon with Triple Play.  I shut down to go to dinner with my wife and when I came back and booted back up it won't work.  I launch the program and it launches fine.  When I select options it drops down and I select midi ports. The program then freezes and I cannot get it to do anything.  Could the program have gotten corrupted some how?  I reverted back to 1.16 and it seems to work.

Other simple things I have learned.

When you try to run the TP  Software along with Varranger it does seem to have the multi-client problem talked about earlier in the thread.  Works fine as a normal controller however.

Take the time to tune your guitar as accurately as possible.  I used the Triple Play software tuner and then shut it down and opened Varranger.  Since guitar strings are not as exact as a keyboard this is important.

I am an acoustic player normally and have had a bad habit of pressing on the guitar frets pretty hard.  On the electric guitar this causes the strings to go slightly out of tune confusing Varranger.  I am learning to press much lighter when I play the chords. 

I believe Varranger will help me with tightening my rhythm as it is very important to make chord changes accurately and on the beat.   I am having a great time with this new device and Varranger together.  I have played more here at home than I have in a long time just because it is so much fun. I think anyone that plays guitar and wants a background accompaniment that will follow them  will find this combination to work very well. 

I do need a foot pedal though.  Does the Behringer foot pedal work pretty well?

Terry

I hooked the Triple Play up to Varranger last night.  Still learning things.  It recognized the TP as a midi input device so that was relatively simple.  I am still working on how to best set the split point since it is not like a piano or keyboard.  I have also learned I have to play pretty straight chords without a lot of true strumming or it picks up and interprets the chords wrong.  I will play with it some more and see what if I can get comfortable with it.  Any ideas on how I might set Varranger up to better process chords would be appreciated.  It could be I need to change the pitch bend control feature (if I can figure that out) so that it does slide into notes. 

Terry

Just got it as guitar is my main instrument.  I have not had a lot of time to play with it but can say the tracking is the best I have seen out of a Midi guitar. I think it has a lot of potential with Varranger if I can get it working.  That is why I was trying Varranger on my laptop (64 bit) to get a more portable set up.  I have not gotten far but you basically have two ways to use it.  1. Is you can run it through the FTP software and run that software as a plug-in. Their software gives you more control over what instrument is used on each string and allows you to set sensitivity for each string you play. You can save it as a patch and that is downloaded into the hardware so it remembers the setting.  From what I have read from others using it you have to adjust the settings for various instruments.  You don't want settings for an acoustic guitar the same as a piano because they are different instruments.  2. You can use it as more of a midi controller to control virtual instruments.  I was able to get it to work with Garage Band on my iPad as well. 

I have way too many toys and not enough time to enjoy!!

Terry

Ok, Thanks I will try when I get home tonight and see if that helps.

Never mind I think I figured it out.  I don't have the laptop hooked up to an interface at the moment and I think since it is not detecting the sound module or interface it will not load.  Will play with it some tomorrow and see if that is the problem.

I am trying to get Varranger to work on my laptop which is 64 bit Windows 7. I put the flash drive in and it is recognized.  I click on the Varranger icon in the folder and it appears to be loading and then comes back to the windows explorer region.  I then tried running it as administrator with the same behavior.   What setting am I missing?

Terry

Dan, Triple Play can be set to send all six strings on one midi channel or each individual string on a separate channel. Would that make any difference in how Varranger would respond?

Terry

Stewbow,

Not sure if you ever got your question answered or not but yes you would have to import the ins file in Sonar X1.  I am not at home right now so I cannot remember the exact menu items to go to but Sonar requires you import the .ins and map the ins to the various channels.  I think that you can probably find that in the Sonar help menu under instrument mapping or something like that. It has a complete interface to allow you to do this.

Thanks,

Terry

Ok, I will try setting it on Omni for recieve channel and see if that helps.

Thanks,

Terry

No  drums just keyboard.  I have recieve channel set to 1 and Local off.  Do I need to be in voice or perform mode?

Dan do we have to request or will you send email automatically?  I would like to have the new version please.

Thanks,

Terry

I have made some progress with my MOX. I found the GM bank on the keyboard and have it set. I have selected MOX in midi controls and have loaded the INS file.  I can hear the music out of the keyboard itself and when I play  key it will start lights flashing on the arranger but no sound. What amI missing?

Thanks

Terry

Well I have the MOX 6, I loaded an INS fil and it shows up in Varrager.  Do I have to go throug and set all the styles or should Varranger pick up the right insruments for the most part?  I am assuming I need the keyboard set to voice mode?

Thanks,

Terry

I just ordered a Yamaha MOX 6 because a guy that doesn't play keyboards as a main instrument  just can't have too many keyboards

Will I be able to use the MOX 6 natively to connect to Varranger or will I have to use Midi Yoke or something like that to connect?

Terry

Stewbow,

Hang in there it gets easier.  I converted that first manual because I was having the same problem as you. Unfortunately I don't have the time to keep up with all of Dan's changes as they come pretty quickly (a good thing).  My suggestion would be as follows:

1. Look through the manual and just get familiar with the pieces and parts.  Their are some changes in the new version but it is more functionality in my opinion than interface though there are some slight changes.

2. Search this forum for things you want to know.  I have found that about 80% of the time I can find an answer or at least get pointed in the right direction. 

3. Post your questions here.  I have found this group and especially Dan to be responsive and very helpful. 

I have found so far in my limited exploration that the Ketron sounds the best as it was what the program was made for.  I have found however that many of the Yamaha styles sound pretty good as well.  Many of them are pretty good out of the box while others may need to be tweaked to your taste. 

I am not really a keyboard player per se so I use this for song writing ideas and making backing tracks. 

Thanks,

Terry

Same to all.  Here is to a prosperous and Happy New Year!

Interesting piece of equipment.  I don't play the accordian but I can see where it would be handy for those that do and easier on your back

Terry

Dan,

I just did some A/B listening to the file you provided from the Tyros and what my set-up sounds like and it doesn't sound the same at all.  It is not that it sounds bad but kind of like the difference between a Yamaha low end keyboard and the Tyros.  I am wondering if I don't have something set right in my SD4 because I should be able to emulate what you recorded right?

Thanks,

Terry

What is the device with all the buttons?  I have never seen one of those before?

Nice neat set-up.

Terry

I was wondering if these are new Ketron Styles and will they work with Varranger?

http://www.ketron.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=443&Itemid=20&lang=eng

Thanks,

Terry

I am trying to create an upbeat Christmas Song Medley to finish our Christmas program at church off with.  Am I correct in saying that you can only use one style at a time in Song Chords?  I was wanting to string all the songs together using different tempo and styles.  It is looking like I am going to have to export midi and paste together in my DAW software.  If there is a different way I would love to hear it. If not maybe a future release

Thanks,

Terry

Interesting question.  I know it took me almost 2 years to decide to buy because I had tried so many products that just produced low end Yamaha and Casio arrangements.  I am just getting into this software.  I know by comparison I have three software packages that I use and upgrade regularly in no particular order. 1. Sonar X2 - I have had this software since the DOS days.  I have tried other DAW's but for the price point I always come back to this. It will cost me about $99.00 a year to upgrade which is pretty reasonable since the provide all sorts of new VST's and sound packages with their releases. 2. Band in  Box/Real Tracks.  I have had this product for years as well back when it was simply midi.  The Real Tracks has made this software invaluable simply because so many intstruments like steel guitar,harmonica, banjo etc.  cannot be emulated without real samples.  3. Varranger - Like I said I have just started to get into this software but have had a lot of fun playing with it.  In fact part of my problem with learning the software is I get to playing with the various styles and start having so much fun that I simply don't get to the serious stuff.

Now for why it took me awhile to purchase

1. The prices seemed a little steep for the software due to:
    > Lack of good demonstrations on Youtube of varying styles.
    > Didn't really understand the concept.
    > Even back when there was a demo I didn't have much luck getting it set up. Don't know why as it seemed pretty easy after I bought it.
    > Single man operation - This was probably my biggest hesitancy.  I had invested in a product called V-Sampler which simply disappeared and left a very bad taste in my mouth for smaller single man companies.  I while I pray nothing ever happens to Dan I do worry sometimes what would happen if he left or just got tired of doing this (Don't get that feeling that is where your head is at Dan, just a concern). 
2. Arranger keyboards seemed so much better.  I have since studied these and believe the Varranger software can emulate the major brands pretty well right out of the box.   A
3. The closest comparison of an accompnient software of any quality is Band-in-a-box and it does not have the live play features.  It is $269 to get started and normally will cost you $99.00 a year to keep updated. 

Lot of information I know but those are just some of my thoughts.

Bottom line, I love the software, I am not sorry I paid what I did, and the support has been excellent.

Thanks,
Terry

Dan,

How do we get the final release version of 1.16 I went to the Real Vision link you sent for Beta and it no longer works.

Thanks,

Terry

I do, I do, I do! Want to have a look that is.
Terry

Bernie:

I don't have the SD2 and am not a keyboard player by trade but I believe if you like the sounds out of our SD2 when played direct you will find the SD4 to be of at least the same quality.  I do know the Varranger playing the Ketron styles are rock solid and still sound the best overall to me.  If you are not using Varranger I would think it depends on how much you want to tweak the SD4 and sounds to get what you want.   One of the main features of the SD4 is to allow two different midi sources to drive the sound engine.  You have three controls on the front from a volume perspective, 1 - Main Voice (What you play live)  1- for the Midi in and one for overall output.  There is a seperate editor that Ketron has for the SD4 but I have not gotten into all that as there has not been a need. 

Hope that helps.

Terry

So is this what you want to do?  I have not tried this but it appears that it will let you run two different devices at once. 

Terry

Brian,

Try Deane's under the roland styles in the forum.  It is in Zip format and I did not have the Trust certificate issues that I has with the other files there that are compressed as .rar's.  I have only downloaded the BK-7 styles but they are working great for me.

Terry

It appears to be the Pingusso files that I am having trouble with.  I wonder if it has to do with the .rar files.  I started getting a trust certificate message.  Deanes files for the BK-7 work wonderfully.  Only problem I am having is my wife keeps interupting me from having all of this fun!!

Terry

So should we be able to download the Roland styles under the forum Roland Styles section and play them?  I am getting a This is not a valid style file when I do that.  Is there some other set-up I need to do.  The Ketron and Yamaha styles seem to work fine.

Thanks,

Terry

Dan I would be interested in trying the 1.16 Beta.

Terry

So can somone give me an example of how I might use this with say SampleTank and vArranger? I am not really understanding exactly how you would use this?

Thanks,

Terry

I will try that.  I have a midi on my interface.  I will try it and see what happens.

Thanks,

Terry

Additional information.  I am running Windows 7 32 bit if that makes any difference.  When I select the panic button it appears to correct the problem for a little while.  Is this some kind of polyphany problem with the SD4?

Terry

I am starting to feel like I am a real pain.  I finally got my SD4 to flash with the latest upgrade from Dan.  I was playing along with a nice piaon sound and all of the sudden it started to sound funny and threw this error off.   Is there something hooked up wrong on my side.

Sorry, Jut trying to get this set-up where I can really start enjoying it.

Terry

I am getting an error when playing with the sounds on the right hand side. As I select the arrow key the error number goes up and the error changes from PageDownSound to PageUpSound depending on whetherI click on the left or right arrow.   Am I doing something wrong or have something set up wrong?  I can play sounds and Patterns.  Attached screen shots below.

Thanks,
Terry

There is a real gap in the industry for simple creation of chords and lyrics attached to measures.  It seems no one has been able to come up with a simple solution that allows simply typing in the lyrics and matching to the measure.  I use OpenSong @ Opensong.org a lot for creating lead sheets.  I have always thought if there was a simple way to get that to output to a chord arranger like Varranger or BIAB it would really allow quick creation of lead sheets and possibly midi based notation. 

My thought would be something as simple as imagining an excel worksheet type interface.  There would be a measure with 4 blocks for the chord.  There would then be a blank space under that measure that would allow you to enter the lyrics and tie them to that measure.  It would have to have a character limitation obviously so it would not be 100% perfect.   Probably over simplifying but just wanted to comment on the need.

Terry

Brian, You're welcome.  I hope I can document my journey of learning this program and share thart information as the great group here provides me instruction.

Terry

I still don't think my set up is right.  Here is what I think I have.

- I am running on 1.14 and the manual is 1.15.  It think Dan said there was a reason for that.
- I am running midi out of my Axiom 49 into the Ketron SD4 Midi in 1.
- I also have the USB plugged in because otherwise the Varranger doesn't seem to recognize my normal Ketron Ports midi ports.
- I am still getting some strange messages like 2-ERRIRnO 5 In Style Events.
- I get some really wierd instruments sounds in some of the Ketron styles.

Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong.  I am sure it is something simple.

I have attached a picture of my Midi Ports if that helps.

Terry

I just added the vArranger v1.17 manual, translated by google from french.

Dan

(I was having trouble following the manual without the pictures so I converted the manual using Google translate and then added the diagrams.  Hopefully this will be helpful to some of the rest of you that don't read French. It is not 100% perfect and I am sure I will find some things that need to be edited.  Anyway, hope this helps someone.

Thanks,

Terry)

I have been playing around a little with Varranger since I have gotten it. Tried to work through the manual but without the pictures it is really hard to follow.  I have about 2/3 of the english user manual updated with pictures so that it is a little more user friendly for me.  Hopefully can finish it this weekend.   Dan I don't know if that is something you want to review and post or not.  I do find time going by fast when I play around with all the different features.  You just kind of get lost in discovering what the software can do.

My other question is, since I am not a keyboard player by trade and my theory is not as good as it should be is there a chart somewhere that shows me how to create the left hand chords so I can play lead sheets with the many different songs?  I have a piano chord chart so I am assuming the playing the basic triads or just the root note for major chords on the left hand works but what about when you need an Asus an or someting like that?

Thanks,

Terry

Dan

I finally got the transaction to go through so I am assuming the next step is I will recieve an email.  Hardest time I have had in awhile trying to give away money

Terry

This is just nuts trying to process in French.  I tried another credit card and it didn't like that one either.  I know I have plenty of balance on each as we pay them off monthly. 

Is there not a site in English. 

Thanks,

Terry

I got to the credit card account in Paypal and it is still in French but I guessed at what it said and tried to submit.  After filling everything out I got this message which I have no idea what it means.

La carte que vous avez indiquée ne peut pas être utilisée pour ce paiement. Veuillez saisir un autre numéro de carte.

Terry

The site itself isn't but when I fill out my information and then click on one of the credit card symbols it takes me to what looks like a PayPal sign in page in French.  Am I doing something wrong?

Terry

Ok, I was ready to buy but have ran into a couple of problems.

1. I don't read or speak french so I cannot read the page.
2. Do we have to use Paypal. I had to stop using it because they charged my account $2,500 for a $15.00 transaction and I have never been able to get the money fully recovered.

Dan, any suggestions?

Terry

Thanks Lylo that was very helpful to hear complete songs with styles. 

Terry

Thanks Dan,

I could just record the midi direct to my DAW out of the Ketron until the Midi export is completed right? I am assuming that in the styles each instrument is output to a different midi channel or am I not understanding that correctly.

Terry

I will be honest and tell you that I have been looking at this software for well over a year and even tried out the demo when you could get one.  I had a little trouble with it at the time but was at a place in my life where I didn't have much time to work with it and to be honest didn't have the type of funds to spend.  I have since started leading worship on a part time basis and recieve a small payment each week for my time that I can put towards my music software and hardware addiction.   I am wanting to be able to generate arrangements quickly and then pull out instruments that I have playing live so that we can still have a full sound.  It would also be good to be able to put an arrangement out to Midi and pull it into a notation program and have written parts for the musicians.  I have a Korg M3 but have found that while very capable of doing some amazing things I spend more time trying to figure out how to make the thing work versus making music. Time is something I don't have alot of.  I also have the Ketron SD4 and an Axiom 49 key controller keyboard so I think I have all the rest of the stuff I need for the Varranger software.   

With that said:

1. Most of the video's I see deal with ballroom or what I would call background or easy listening type music.  I have listened to the audio examples so I know the software seems to support other genre's pretty well.  I also have listened to some Tyros 4 examples so I am assuming that Varranger can emulate those styles as well. Do those of you that gig with the software play more modern genre's but just favor the particular styles of music shared?

2. Once you enter the chords in the chord creator window, (can you enter 4 chords per measure like BIAB by the way?) does that automatically play that arrangment and allow you to add fills, variations and the like?

3. In dealing with Sonar I have found that trying to get a controller keyboard set up and working can be very difficult.  Is it really as simple as selecting what you want to control and wiggling the slider or pressing the pad and the button.

Appreciate any insight, examples, or comments the user community can provide.  I am at about the 95% level of inputting the old credit card just want that final confirmation that this is a better path than buying say a MOX 6/8 keyboard and using the arpeggios.

Thanks,

Terry