vArranger Forums

Cool,
Thanks Dan...by the way...are you still working on having  a dedicated "Playlist" option?  Where a user can create from the main screen a list of songs to play in order (non-alpha) for a gig? I think I have have raised this with you before in an email around July 12, 13.

This would be a tool, separate from the folders where one is committed to naming the files with a numerical prefix to get them in order...and then if you want to change the order, isntead of simply selecting another file, you would need to go and RE-number all the files again...gets a bit annoying after 2 or 3 re-writes of a playlist

Dennis

Quote from: Dan on September 03, 2012, 05:26:49 PM
Close to the wall...

Yes, you need to create a folder called SCORE inside every style folder, when displaying score is needed.

So just to clarify, it would be vArranger/Data/Styles/StylesRom1/Unplugged/Score/MySong.PDF ....................if I was using an unplugged style for the pdf file, and do I rename the style to be the same name as the the PDF and then have BOTH next to each other in the selected style folder?

As for a pdf linked to a midi or MP3 file.... Do you repeat the above process, except have the PDF and the song file together in a songs folder?

By the way, there is NO Songs folder on the default setup for vA...do I need to create one and where exactly does it go? In the main DATA folder, or where?

Thanks

Quote from: Dan on September 03, 2012, 02:49:59 PM


.........you can put the MySong.pdf file into the SCORE folder, close to the MySong.sty style file.

Dan can you explain this a bit more please? For example, does "close to"  mean as in close to a wall, or "close to" as in close the door....
Do I need to create a separate folder Scores, and does this go in the general data folder or inside the styles folder itself?

Further, do I also need to create another folder in the DATA main for songs? As in midis and mp3s?

And is there any reason the styles folder has them named as ROM1? Or can this be renamed?

Thanks
Dennis

Brilliant!!!

Great work Dan. Thanks heaps

Dennis

Ahhh okay Dan, no probs...I thought I had read somewhere that you could, with a separate interface and drivers, but not within the core OS of the RT version. I probably misread the report..

Dennis

Quote from: Dan on August 23, 2012, 09:13:51 PM
I think Wally wants a computer with a touch screen.

vArranger will work OK with your suggested tablet, but I am afraid that you will want better soon.

We are waiting for the new Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro to be released the end of year.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-announces-surface-for-windows-8-pro/

If you can't wait, there is another model who is very good :

http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Slate_EP121/

Big +1 from me...But it will need to be the Pro version and NOT the RT version of W8..the RT will be barely enough for a basic tablet operation let alone adding samples and stuff, although probably okay for the basic midi tasking of vArranger to an external module.

Dennis

Hi Jon,

Ask away  anything you like. If I can help I will

Dennis

Well said Lionel

You guys have been around here a lot longer than me, so I totally respect your views...in my case I have been repairing PC's and the OS systems for many years, so I would not need the service. BUT I agree 100% with you (as I wrote in my first post) it is a brilliant idea for those who do need assistance..

And very generous of Dan to devote the time to doing it. As I said it was in NO WAY a personal sleight, I just like to be open and honest with folks is all

I think Dan does a tremendous job, not only with his terrific software but also his going out of his way where possible to help folks. Huge kudos

Dennis

As I wrote Jon, it was not a personal attack, so putting up the defensive barricades was not really necessary. I respect your view though, that's cool.
And fwiw vA is one of the few authorisation systems that still use a USB drive (even those with the so called Dongles-a device that ONLY stores activation codes- are re-thinking, and going back to the "call-response" system). After many very similar complaints to mine over the years.

Call-response is a very valid and hugely popular activation system.

In any case that is beside the point I was trying to make, which is if I am not trusted by someone else...it is VERY difficult to give trust. Trust and respect are both "two-way exchanges" in my view.

Again NO personal attack, or offence is intended....

Ahhh well fair enough and you are all entitled to your view...BUT once the door is open, regardless of whether you can stop what ever the person is doing, that is only for what you SEE they are doing...

And in any case if I am not trusted to honestly destroy a USB drive if it goes faulty and I need a new one (apparently I have to physically return the USB to France before I can get an authorisation for the replacement USB drive)  why would the trust go back the other way??!! It's sort of like, "trust me....but I don't trust you"

No offence at all Dan and with all respect, truly!! And none of that is a personal attack at all. Just my view.

Brilliant idea, and another terrific service Dan... bon travail!!

Only thing is I never allow my PC to be open to anything or anyone - even my best friends...sorry m8.

But a good service nonetheless for those who don't mind, or are not as security paranoid as I am

Dennis

Quote from: Dan on August 23, 2012, 09:13:51 PM
I think Wally wants a computer with a touch screen.

vArranger will work OK with your suggested tablet, but I am afraid that you will want better soon.

We are waiting for the new Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro to be released the end of year.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-announces-surface-for-windows-8-pro/

If you can't wait, there is another model who is very good :

http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Slate_EP121/

+1 Dan...the Surface is looking very promising so far...I assume you will port to the "full" version and not the RT version of Windows 8?

Dennis

Hi Dan.

If you could send me the beta as well that would be much appreciated

Dennis

No I did not think you did Dan (had anything against me that is )......EDITED: Thanks Dan for your email reply

I wonder why you can respond to my posts here, but you SEEM to be ignoring all my emails to you???

All I want is VSTi support

Quote from: angel1000 on July 19, 2012, 07:00:19 PM
See pax we don't always disagree, I'm listening to what you're saying. Just came back from the Canadian Distributor for ketron. No one is technical enough, and the technical people i can't get in contact with them. Si I am throwing in the towel.

  no probs angel, all meant in the nicest way, no disrespect or offence meant.

Quote from: Dan on July 19, 2012, 07:03:30 PM
Pax, the problem is not to control the arranger, but to control it IN TIME.
You PLAY your midifile on the pc, playing the chords recorded in a sequencer for example at 120 BPM and then the arranger will play the style and stay in sync with the PC

Agreed, BUT the receiving device (arranger) MUST receive this data over the NTA channel (or Control channel - as Korg calls it) for those incoming notes to actually drive the chord recognition engine..

One thing to remember, Ketrons (afaik) have NEVER allowed incoming midi clock control, it has always been outwards only as a master.....

Quote from: angel1000 on July 19, 2012, 04:05:46 PM
The remix  function can change the drums, guitar track in a midifile, and replace it with a drum and guitar from any style. I made an appointment to go and see someone from Italmelodie (canadian distributor for Ketron) he says the audya can be driven by a miditrack with chords, and it will drive the complete style. If you are interested I'll let you know what turns up.

As far as I can remember from my Midjay days, this is controlled by a sysex message in the OS to load in the part in question. Any arranger can be driven by chords from an external source. As long as it is MIDI and the receiving device can have a NTA setting (this is Note To Arranger)...then no problem thos chord notes will get sent to the arranger engine...it is a little more complicated than JUST sending chord note data via midi, as the receiving device must have OS code to interpret that for the NTT tables and other things...Otherwise it thinks it is getting just a whole bunch of notes, and will just play them as whatever sound is assigned to that channel.

Rolands Yamahas and Korgs can all have an NTA set...as far as I can remember the SD1 + could as well...but the Audya is unknown to me.

Quote from: angel1000 on July 19, 2012, 03:16:33 AM
Just think of the Audya4 as a fancy sd2.So it makes a lot of sense.

Well we will have to agree to disagree Angel...makes no sense to me, but if you have plenty of money and can do this sort of thing - well good on you...go for it...I still don't get it though

To be honest, I really do not see the point of having vArranger AND the Audya (or any hardware arranger for that matter!!) - if I had enough money to buy an Audya I can guarantee I would not be spending any more on a pc and vArranger (as GOOD as it is Dan)...The Audya would be plenty...use the iPad for all the charts and the Audya for all the music.....

Still, each to their own I suppose

The Behringer FCB1010 can send a sysex data message from a pedal and can be edited for any such data...but as far as I can rememebr the FS pedals from ketron are hardwired to transmit ONLY a specific SYSex message to control specific functions on the SD series and the Audya series, of an Midjays as well..

Jan these footswitches are a step or two up from the standard "flip-flops" . Like the basic sustain pedal, or similar that work in the manner you outlined.

The Korg EC5 is another example of a manufacturer specific pedal that transmits specific data and not just CV messages.

If Dan can set the variations in vA to react to a sysex instead of a CC, then theoretically the FS footswitches would work....but I suspect he would need to re-write many lines of code for this to work successfully in vA.

Angel, if you get a pedal like the FCB1010 then you can use it via the "midi learn" feature Dan has thoughtfully incorporated into vA, but I repeat, as the FS pedals from Ketron are "Hard-Wired" for specific data (ie ONLY sysex, and not CC) then they would not work in the manner in which I "think" you are hoping for.

Especially with the new UNO chip, which enables the FCB to be used more as a traditional " stompbox"

Unfortunately I do not think what you guys are asking for is possible - it requires a LOT of sysex data!!! Most of those operations are controlled by sysex, and NOT simple MIDI C.C.'s

And I can tell you for a fact you will NOT get any sysex data out of Korg...Ketron and Yamaha are more open about it...but still need a lot of programming work to get remote variations and fills happening just from the Chords Window...Dan is free to correct me if I am wrong, but I think he will agree.

But adding the ability to write some lyrics under the chord line, is pretty simple spreadsheet programming....

Quote from: eallan on July 08, 2012, 10:39:56 PM
am I correct in assuming this means vArranger will be able to be
used as a chord sequencer with an external Arranger keyboard/Module ?
Is the Roland style engine almost ready?

afaik, it can already do this - via the SD2/4 - or are you talking about actually "driving" the chord recognition engine of the external arranger/arranger module?

So that when you are playing the song, you can also sing it by having the lyrics as well, WITHOUT having to load up png files or texts or anything else....it's not important, and tbh if you need me to explain it, I really don't think you will ever get how useful this could be :-)  No offence meant there.

Attached is an example:

I had an idea for a new feature for vA - How about the ability to insert lyrics as well under each line of chords on the Song Chord window?

Can anyone else see the advantages of having this feature?

Ahhh...I have been opening the containing folder and then loading the style from there, not just selecting the folder itself...I will try that, but you will be correct..so thanks Dan.

Selling my SD4 as I am going to be running vArranger into a Motif XS synth engine instead. Looking for $475 AUD (about 365 Euro). It is brand new (about 3 weeks old purchased from the Oz dealer)
PM me in the first instance and we cna go from there...

Thanks

PS: Dan I hope this is okay to post here?

Just wondering how to get back the list of tabs relating to styles that WAS on the far left side of the main page - it seems to have disappeared...now all that is there is the green background

Thanks

Yeah that's probably what I will do to 100% confirm.(just make a small test adaptor cable)..... To my ears, I can not detect a difference between what is coming out the left or what is coming out the right when either is sent by itself to the PA. If it turns out to be the case, then no adaptor needed, just need to ensure all mixing is either panned to the one side, or centred

Thanks Dan, from my tests i have concluded that the exact same signal is fed to the left and right, so theoretically either can be run as a single mono out....but I was more asking for others opinions based on their direct experience. Not a big issue, I could have always made a small adaptor, or bought one!!

I disagree angel...Ketron has NEVER been that interested in huge volume...the SD2 a single pcb all outputs direct mounted inside a low cost machined casing...total production cost about 15 euros (if that)...look at what it sells for!!! The SD4 is VERY similar...all of Ketron gear is in my view overpriced. Excellent though it is, it is really not aimed at the mass markets as most other audio products are.

Ketron are a non-agressive company..That is not a criticism, just an observation. And in many ways it is a good thing. But one thing I can assure you of is they never worry about pricing products too highly. Their ethos is - that's the price, buy it or leave it....

By the way the distinction "pro-gear" was only used as that is how most people view the differences between arrangers and full on synth workstations like the Kronos, Motif et al. It was used as a figure of speech

It is CERTAINLY not my personal view as I have used hardware arrangers for gigging now for over 10 years - mind you I only use styles for about 45% of what I do, but I do use them - in a very minimalist way - mostly drums/bass and one guitar......

I cannot find this info anywhere on the internet, well not specifically anyway...so I want to ask if anyone knows how the SD4 audio outputs are routed?

Are they:
1. a true left and right send only
2.right and left are sent equally from both
3. one or the other will function as a "summed" mono ouput

The reason I am asking is I use a mono PA system (Bose L1 Model 1-dual sub) . I know the SD1's and the Audya have a "left/mono" jack and this is clearly marked, but it is not so obvious with these small modules.

Thanks

We all know that functionality is really NOT related to the pricing structure of companies. Just look at the GLARING differences between the arranger and "pro-gear" for Korg and Yamaha huge difference in price structure, and yet the pro gear does FAR more than the arrangers...

I think the cost of this sd1000 will be $995, and the new Midjay will be really REALLY silly at about $2500+

The SD4 is still retailing out here for $899, and BEST street is about $750....

The SD1000 looks nice and will probably sound good, but worth that money??? I don't think so

Just tried it...same result. It cannot either open it or extract it...

Thanks m8....will do

Sorry Dan, your meaning is unclear.. do you meant to say they ARE corrupted?

Hi Gerard,

Number 3 and four won't extract. Unraring program says they are corrupted?? I am using Rarzilla.

Thanks

Thanks heaps

Coming in on this late, but having Roland style compatibility is a must as far as I think...Roland have some of the best jazz and funk styles around!!!! Well written and nice an open to allow lots of live play without "clutter"

Bring it on I say 

Yes I would be keen to get stuck into a beta version...as you know (from emails) that I am waiting on fully setting up my vArranger for the new version...so being able to get into it quicker would be terrific.

Hi Dan,

As it is now quickly approaching the end of June - is there an imminent release for the new version, or is it now going to be July?

I am not using the laptop at present Dan....you know why from my email to you

As you know I am going to run vArranger into a Motif XS and NOT use the SD4 (which will be for sale soon if anyone is interested ) so I am busy getting it setup at the moment....amongst other things

So 30 views of this thread and not ONE person has a clue what channels Ketron styles use? Astonishing that so many who supposedly USE these (Ketron styles) extensively as this software is after all nearly 100% based around Ketron...or maybe it's simply people cannot be bothered as it does not get them anything for free!!

Anyway don't bother now (not that anyone HAS bothered) as I have found the information now. NO thanks to any one of the 30 people have read this thread..

Cheers all...and have a nice day

Can anyone please tell me what the standard , or usual channel assignment is for Ketron styles? ie drums ar channel 9 and 10....can someone confirm what channels the other style parts use?

Thanks

Quote from: Dan on June 15, 2012, 03:39:56 PM
Since the version 0.0, vArranger updates are FREE 

Cool thanks Dan

Quote from: Dan on June 15, 2012, 09:01:35 AM
Hi Terry,

You have the Ketron SD4 and the Axiom 49. The only missing thing is vArranger

1) The type of music that you can play with vArranger depends on the style you load. You can load a Polka style, or Techno style. It's as you want.
What is your musical type of music that you want to play? vArranger can play Ketron and Yamaha styles. Roland styles will follow soon

2) YES. In the SONG CHORDS, you can enter 4 chords per measure. It play that arrangment and allow you to add fills, variations, ending....

3) YES. You go on OPTIONS/CONTROLLERS. You will see a lit of features that you can control.  You simply click on one line to select it, and then press your PAD or move your slider. It's DONE.

I had a little problem with the version 1.15, so I had to go back to 1.14 for new users.
If you need the song chord export to midifile feature, I suggest you to wait until the version 1.16 is released
You can also buy now, get the 1.14 and then receive the 1.16 update for free when it is released

Feel free to ask any questions...

Does that mean all recent buyers of vArranger get the 1.16 update for free? As you know Dan I only bought my copy about a week or so ago....

ahh okay cool  thanks

Does the SD2 also have all the loops too?  Seems I may have been mis-informed by the dealer on the differences between the SD2 and SD4....I maybe could have gone with JUST the SD2

SD4 has the drums 2 and loops a.f.a.i.k. these are not on the SD2, I had a quick look at the sound data in the manual (sd4) and it did look to be a bit different, but I may be mistaken of course..plus it has the 128 presets - 64 factory and 64 user, which are in addition to the 354 in the soundbanks and the GM banks

Thanks again Dan...already downloaded the software from Ketron that SAYS it's for the SD4, but the only INS file included after unzipping is the SD2...

I might just have to modify it myself in Sonar to add the extra data from the SD4..

Thanks Dan, but I need it for Sonar for editing of midi files

Can anyone advise where the ins file is for the SD4? I can find the SD2 ins, but not SD4..

Thanks