vArranger Forums

Hi,
there is a very small difference!
In my opinion the best clone in the moment is the software beatrix on a linux pc.
It is free of charge.
A very good hammond clone is hx3! Hardware  + software. A german product.
see http://www.keyboardpartner.de/hammond/hoax.htm

Hi Phil,
i use B4 Vsti not often, because i own a real Hammond C3.
Most time i play varranger with SD1000 => and it has also good drawbar organs!
Or i play with my new epiano ( from ebay Classified Ads for 0€ because of damage => only power supply was defect) Casio PX 130.
Deebach made a good job with new sounds on Fame G2000!

Hi Phil,
if you say Fame G2000, then take a look to a modified Version of this Keyboard with very good new sounds, but also higher price!

"Deebach MAX" zum Musikertreffen in Elxleben 2015 - YouTube
Video zu "deebach max"▶ 58:15
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLt6lVPf6Ks

Hi,
why do you think, that the SD 1000 works with USB Power?
There is no information in the user manual about USB Power! Only that you must connect the power supply!
May be, that some USB ports work, but there is not garantie from ketron!

Hi,
i made a notice in the wiki, to add "+1" to CHANNEL MIDI!

Hi,
today i played some songs with VA2 and my SD1000.
With some songs i have the problem, that effect dsp settings from dsp1,2 are not cleared, if i load a new song.
So if i load a new song, all dsp effects from the song before played work and this is very strange.
And if you then look at Options-effects, you dont see the dsp settings! Only click on all on/off buttons erases the effects!
I had for example an accordion sound in the new song and from the old song worked the distortion!
This sounds bad!
In think, it is very important, that VA2 must clear all dsp effects in SD1000, before it select new sounds for new loaded songs.
Please Dan place this wish in your Todo list for the future. I know, that this increases the data that you must send to the SD1000! But this are only short sysex messages, you know.

Hi,

i found the solution (but not in the VA2 Doku!).

If i click on a track, i see on the upper left side of the Windows the midi channel. This channel must i select inside the VSTI for upper, lower and pedal in the B4 II!

Hi,
i tested it with channel 13 and it works! Thank you!

But where is in the VA2 usermanual channel 13 documented?
I didnt find any Information about VST and MIDI channel!

Hi all,
i have a problem with  the NI B4 II VST Plugin (WIN 8.1, 32 Bit) in VA2.

If i load for test some 32-Bit VSTI, all works and i can play it with my upper organ manual (MIDI Ch. 1) in Organ Mode.

But B4 II does not generate any sound. I can open the organ with mouseclick in VA2 - VST button and play with my mouse on the B4 II upper manual (lower and pedal also) in the graphic => i hear the Sound!

Can anyone help me?

Hi,
what function have the buttons FX1, FX2 and FX3 right over master fader on SD 1000 sounds ?
I found no effect on SD 1000 sounds, if i select some effects with this buttons!

Hi Dan,

right!

I forgot this internal dsp change with some special sounds ( i think this are the last 8 sounds in the soundlist of the manual, that use this dsp effects).

Perhaps we can replace this sounds with the original sounds without dsp and add then the dsp effect with my complex algorithm?

Do you think, all Sysex for the complete DSP change need to many time?

I will look in the manual for the lengts of all Sysex.

Hi Dan,
thank you for the fast answer!

But you must not send allways all sysex for dsp control if you change a sound!
Only after start of VA2 you send the full sysex setup to the SD1000 for the actual sound and store the sent data then in memory of pc. There is no timing problem!

If you then must change the sound during play, you can only send changes ( old dsp value is stored in PC memory) to the dsp as sysex ( for example distortion was on and should be off).
The algorithm for this is more compex as sendung all sysex with every sound change! But MIDI data traffic is less!

Hi,
i also think that VST + VSTI is the future!

But for me, the perfomance mode is more important, because i have a very good soundengine with the SD 1000!

I am a homeplayer and play only with styles! And therefore i need with loading of a style also the effect setup for this style! This doesnt work in the moment in VA2

And if you say, VA2 is based on ketron, i wonder that VA2 not supports all features of SD1000!

Please Dan give me an answer, when you will ( ore not) implement the performance function and effect save for SD1000!

Dont misunderstand me => VA2 ist a wonderful software with big functions and very small limitations!

And i talk here in this forum, because i think other members have same wishes!

Hi,

what features are missing in hardware arrangers?

I know only missing of loading styles of other manufacturers or use of VST(I)!

And Hardware arrangers have many more functions like harmonizer or Ensemble functions!


Many user crying in this forum in the past because  they miss performance mode in VA2!

Also in the german "technic forum" or "keyboard forum" this is discussed!


On stage you must after playing a song very fast load the next song.  In the moment after loading a song then you must allways adjust some things like effects (with SD 1000) or VST Settings etc => this costs time!

If you say, you have right and left hand sounds stored with a song => this is good but not the final solution!

The same right - or left hand sound can have in different songs different volumes or other settings (for example  "from to Key" etc)!

So you need  near infinity right and left hand sound to create => hard work!


If i use a song, i use it with the style, right- and left hand sounds and all other settings made in VA2 like effects, track mute etc. as other members described!


And it is allways simpler, to load a style, adjust some settings in VA2 and then save this as perfomance in one file like in all Keyboards today!



Performance mode is need for every keyboardplayer! And this is missing in VA2!


And like other users say, it is more important to implement the basic functions of an arranger keyboard (the name "Varranger" relates direkt to replacement of an arranger keyboard!) before we talk about great features like 64 bit VST or others!
Many VSTI are today in 32 Bit Format! I teste some free VSTI and found this!


I know Dan does a hard  and very good work!

Hi,
in the past, i also had the wish, that VA2 should have a store function for all values that are used in a song!
This is like a performance mode called by Korg ( i own an over 10 years old PA 80 keyboard => this has the performance mode!).

Also there is a problem with the Ketron SD 1000 and effects!
======================================
If i have a song with distortion or delayeffect ( from SD 1000) for example, the effectsetting is also not stored with the save song! If i then  load a new song, there works the effect from previous loaded song = this is very strange, if a flute for example is played over a distortion effect! Also the reverb is allways on maximum after loading a new song!
Result => if i load a new song, i allways must adjust the effects => is a brake in play the new song fast after loading!


Conclusion:
=========
If VA2 should be an alternative for a arranger keyboard, then perfomance mode is a must!!!!
And also if VA2 has a menue for changing effects in an external soundengine ( like SD 1000), VA 2 should also have a save function with it!

So why can VA2 not simple save all settings of a song in a file?

Hi,
today i tested track muting when playing STYLES  and also when playing SONG CHORDS!

Both works with my Touchosc on my Iphone ( remote control of VA2 over my WIFI home-network). I made a button on Iphone, that sends MIDI command "Controlchange" for each Track ON/OFF. If i push this button, it sends 16 Controlchanges in sequence and all tracks are muted! Next click on this button tuns all track sound on!

So if you have a footswitch, that can send more then one controlchange it should work!

Hi,

my test with Touchosc for muting any combination of tracks in VA2 is working!

I made on my Iphone 16 Buttons for "Track1-16 ON/OFF" and then 1 Button, that can Switch On/OFF all 16 track with one Click (it sends 16 Controlchanges in direct sequence!).

Works perfekt.

During Play a style i touch on my Iphone on one button and all 16 Tracks of VA2 are complete muted!

It is possible to programm any MIDI command sequence on 1 button!

See the attached screenshot of my iphone.

Hi,
automatic mute on special measures is not possible in the Moment with current version of VA2, i think ( must ask Dan!).
I think, that only manual with a controller is possible!

Like decribed in my last post i will make a test with mute of more than one track and then post my result.

Hi,
i think you can mute one or more tracks with the Controller Track On/Off.

If you then have for example a Foot Controller that can send more than one Controlchange direct in a sequence, this sequence can mute more than one track at the same time!

I will test tomorrow this send of more than one CC with Touchosc (App on Ipad for WIFI control of VA2, see other thread on this forum). With Touchosc you can send with the SYSEX Command every Hexadezimal displayed MIDI Command, then it must also work with more than one command in sequence.

Hi,
i send no sysex! I use only this function to send a Controlchange! Because a real controlchange sends twice, one CC on Button press and one CC on button released!
This is not with this sysex trick!

Hi,
the buttons then also dont work on your WIN8.1?

If i have new informations, i tell it here.

Hi,
the Buttons should send a CC to VA2 for LED feedback!

But this didnt work, because Buttons then send on "pressur"e and "release" the same or 2 different values depending on range of the cc value!

So i tried a Sysex, but not a real Sysex that begins with F0 Hex! In the Syex field i gave a normal CC Message and this works!

I dont knoww why the faders go to 0!


Please load the attached Layout and you see it.

Hi Dan
yes! More than one page is possible.

You can see examples in Youtube or Homepage Hexler!

But i think we must also implement one of the pages with a mix of buttons, faders etc. for live players, to reach the most important buttons or faders very quick during a gig!

Other question for SD 1000:
if i play different songs, you change the registration on SD1000. If i play a new song and the previous song had for example a HQ distored sound (or some other combined effects from the SD1000), the new sound also has an unwanted distortion!

Can you implement a new function, that allways sends before all new commands to the SD1000 a group of new commands  "all dsp effects OFF" ( this are many SYSEX!), to switch of all dsp effects and then changes to the new sound, that for example has no distortion?

Hi,
the test on my Iphone was only to find the right MIDI commands.

If you have wishes for your Ipad layout, please mail me a drawing. Then i try to implement this!

I think, not the whole GUI from VA2 can be implemented on the relative small Ipad.

I think that all buttons, faders or rotary must in live situations be fast reachable!

Therfore a minimal size of the buttons .. is necessary!


Dan:
Also for you =>  please send me yor wishes for thenIpad and android tablet layout!

Hi Dan,
yes, i used the internal VST Synth, because my SD1000 is installed at my WIN 8.1 Organ PC.

This video i made at my WIN7 PC, because only there Touchosc bridge works!

I sent an EMAIL to Hexler (Touchosc developer) for Help on WIN8.

At Hexlers homepage is the info, that Touchosc bridge works on older WIN  and WIN7.
No Info about WIN8!

Hi,
and here is my first Video!
My Iphone 5c controls some functions of Varranger2 over WIFI with feedback of LED and fader!

In german:

Auf Deutsch:
Mein erstes Video, welches die Fernsteuerung von Varranger 2 durch ein Iphone 5c mit Touchosc zeigt.
Besonderheit ist, dass Varranger 2 auch seine Schalter- und Faderstellungen an das Handy zurücksendet und dies angezeigt wird!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcbJiR5RkC4&feature=youtu.be

Hi,
no midiloop programm. this is not needed!

Feedback led function activated on both PC at MIDI IN 2. Routed to Touchosc virtuell midi port!
Both PC have the same midi setup with only use virtuell MIDI Port from Touchosc for control vA2 and LED feedback.

Win8 PC has an external MIDI Interface for my Wersi Spectra as Masterkeyboard.
Win7 Pc is controlled from Korg nanokey as Masterkeyboard.

For test i used Midiox routed to Touchosc virtuell MIDI port.

Difference is only Windows!

Tomorrow i will try a video with my ipad!

Hi,
if i change the connection of my Iphone from one pc to other, i select in Touchosc the new IP! Here i see also my PC Name! One ist Goliath (Win7) and the other ist Hammond PC (Win8.1)!

This works. On both PC i can control VA2 with Touchosc!

But the way from VA2 over Touchosc Bridge back to the handy (for LED feedback) is a problem on WIN 8.1 PC.
And reverse direction for some MIDI CC!

Example:
Iphone connected on Win7 PC. Start/Stop- Button sends CC Channel 1 Controller 80 value 1 decimal if pushed.
MIDI ox connected with Touchosc bridge shows this value!

Same procedure on WIN 8.1 PC = noting is visible in MIDI In window from Midiox!

Midiox on both PC has same setup!

What will you see on the video?

Hi Dan,

LED Feedback now works in Touchosc, in the Moment tested on my Iphone5c!

Next step is for Ipad air.


I send on all Buttons Controlchange with Value 1! Inside each button is a green LED, that is controlled with the same controlchange as the button from VA2!

All LED changes and blinks like the Buttons in VA2.


But it works in the moment only on my WIN7 Enterprise PC 32-Bit Windows with Servicepack 1. Core i5 with 4GB RAM.

On my organ PC (also  Core i5 with 4GB RAM.) with WIN 8.1 Enterprise, some MIDI Commands dont reach VA2. Also MIDIOX displays this messages not!

Very strange!


Do you have an idea?

Attached my test template!

Hi Dan,

but i send for start/stop cc with value 0 and VA2 starts and stops! only led feedback does not work!

Ok.
Tomorrow i test it with value not 0! I will use the value 1!

Hi,
LED feedback at midi options was activated at midi in 2 and directed to Touchosc midi port.

The ipad or android device must send a controllervalue greater than 0, you wrote?


In the moment it sends
1. byte = Controlchange on midi channel 1
2nd byte = Controllernumber, value 80 decimal for example, but this can be any number between 0 and 127 decimal!
3rd byte = 0!

Hi,
today i started with one testlayout.
It works, but the LED feedback doesnt work.
With this function i must do some research.

LED Feedback means, that if i for example click on the rythm-start button at Touchosc on the ipad, Varranger changes the colour of its start-button and sends this information back to the ipad to Touchosc.  But Touchosc does not recognice this info the moment.

If the layout ist finished, i load it in this forum.

Dan:
Can you please give me a valueexample for control Start/Stop over MIDI with LED Feedback?

Hi,
very simple!
You must run Touchosc bridge (free software) on the WIN PC.
This installs a new virtual MIDI Port (Name Touchosc...) that i use as MIDI Input 3 on VA2.
Then i start Touchosc ( i have an older free version v 1.3) at the android handy and after correct configuration i see at the handy the name of my now connected VA2 PC.
Now i use the controller menue in VA2 and learn it for the functions i wish (i make some actions at buttons or sliders and see MIDI Data in VA2 controller window). VA2 learns the received MIDI Code!

With a free program (Touchosc editor) you can make your own GUI with buttons, sliders, rotay knobs, x-y controllers or LED.

Touchosc should also receive MIDI Messages back from the PC and then change buttons, Sliderpositions etc.
But this function i haven't  tested, because i dont know, what VA2 should send! I know, that VA2 sends Controlchange with Values 0 or 127 for Button On or Off ( true?).

Hello,
today i tested the App Touchosc on my old Android Handy together with VA2.
It works!!!

With a simple predefined Touchosc layout at the handy (2 Faders and 4 buttons) i controlled some VA2 functions like mastervolume, start/stop or fillins and rythm variations.

The touch sensibility on the handy is compared to the reaction of my new 23" Touchmonitor under WIN 8.1 much better!

If i touch a button on the old handy, there is allways an action in VA2. My  23" Touchmonitor has sometimes problems to recognize a touch.

In the next days i will make an layout for my ipad to control most important functions in VA2.

A good tutorial for installation can you find at

http://3dcinetv.com/softimage-device-capture-tutorial-touchosc-setup/

Hi,
take a look at TOUCHOSC. With this App (ipad, iphone and android) one can control DAW software on an Windows and Apple PC over WIFI.

Youtube has some videos about this connection.

You must run on the PC the touchOSC Brige software. This installs virtual MIDI Ports. And  the Output Port of this can control for example VA2 (in the moment not real tested from me!).

Hi,
if you sample the analog output of the SD1000, you ever have loss of information because of for example sampling theorem and D/A Converter Resolution.
So the sound of the real SD1000 or Software SF2 sampled version must differ! But not everybody hears this!
If you then polish the softwareversion with some effect ( warm tube distortion, a little bit chrous ..), some people hear a better sound (depending on personal taste!).

It is a great job, to sample all soundpossibilities of an SD1000, because you have near infinite combinations of effect-settings that you can use.

Only take a look at the HQ Distortion processor in the SD1000 ( it has 2 DSP channels). With this Module you can make the sound of an old Hammond B3 ( i can it compare to my own Hammond C3). The Hammond from the Sd1000 sounds like a real electromechanical Hammond B3 Organ, very vintage!

So for me the real SD1000 is its money worth!

But the SF2 Soundgenerator is also an phantastic solution for those people, that only go on stage with an masterkeyboard and the PC.

Hi,
which bad SD1000 sounds did you replace?
I use an SD1000 and found not realy bad sounds ( for my taste).
I miss only some special sounds like a good bavarian zither, some old e-guitars  (like Shadows play) or some old synthesizer sounds like clavioline (plays melody of Telstar from the Tornados, a very old song from the sixties). I like this old sound.

Hi,
i think the ipad is the problem.
I will test it on WIN PC!

Hi,
i will test it tomorrow!

Can i make modifications on the Online Usermanual in english?
I tried the edit function but my ipad then hangs!

Hi,
it works.

But if i click on INS  & SF2 Button, i see only an empty screen, no loaded SF2.

But in the upper right Soundfield i see the name of my SF2 Instruments, that override the names of your softsynth.

Hi,
thanks, you are very fast!
I will test it. There are some very good Soundfonts in the Internet.
But in the moment, the SD1000 has the best sounds!

Hi,
i want to play for example Right1 only with Soundfonts and the rest with my SD 1000.

I edited some soundfonts so for example Steinway Piano is Bank 0 Program change 0, Special Guitar is Bank 0, Program change 1 ....

If i now start VA2 and use VA2 internal Synth only on MIDI 1, i see my Soundfonts in the Soundbank Piano.

But the VA2 internal Synth sounds have no sorted Bank and Programchangenumbers in one Group like Piano.

Where can i get a List of the Bank and Programnumbers of the VA2 internal Sounds? Then i can place my Soundfonts on Sounds from VA2, that i dont use!

And what can i do, to play Right1 with soundfonts and the rest with SD1000 and where can i then see the names of the used soundfont sounds and SD1000  sounds?

If i say in the MIDI setup, that MIDI1-out is for SD1000 and MIDI2-out2 is for the internal synth, i see for Right1 only the SD1000 Soundnames!

Hello,
i had yesterday also a problem with some of my saved sounds. After loading of a song with this sounds the sounds are wrong!
What can i do?

An other question:
Can i restrict the Key Range for Chord recognition on Midi Channel 2 ( my Lower Organ Keyboard)?
My Organ (Wersi Spectra controls VA) sends lower manual on Midi Channel 2 and i have programmed Left 1 in VA from Key 0 to Key 64 and Left 2 from Key 65 to Key 127.
Wenn i now play a chord in the Left 1 Range and at the same time a key on the Left 2 Range, the played Chord changes!
I dont want this!