Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Do you realise that you can emulate the FM sound generator mentioned
    in .-1 and include a sequencer for less than 250 punds these days.
    
    Now that Yamaha have produced the SFG05 FM sound module this can
    be plugged in to any MSX computer (sic). Now I don't know about
    any where else in the world but in the U.K. MSX computers sell about
    as fast as worms on a hot day. You can pick them up here for under
    50 pounds.
    
    Our local software music shop sells the sequencer package that I
    use for the CX5 for 80 pounds. This package allows you too sequence
    in stereo the Multiple timbres of the SFG05 in any proportions you
    want e.g. 1 for the bass track, 3 for the strings etc.
    
    This means that for 220 pounds plus the cost of a keyboard (any
    midi keyboard which can also be sequenced by the above) you can
    have a fairly sophisticated midi/fm sequencer package.
    
    Now that's good value.
                          
    				PK.

    
    	Re; SFG05
    
    	I didn't see the magic word, 'MIDI' in the previous two reviews.
    
    	1) Is it?  Can it be plugged into any MIDI sequencer/computer?
    
    	2) Anyone, please compare to the TX816.  What do we lose for
    all the savings in price?
    
    						Thanks, Karl

    Sounds like you at least give up operators and algorithms, as the
    TX816 is DX7-like rather than DX21-like?

    Just guessing,
    
    len.
    

    Sorry about the last note I wish I could get to grips with these
    things.
    
    The SFG05 is not a midi expander, however it would make a really good
    expander if attached to and MSX based machine. This would give you
    a multi tymbral DX21 (4 operator) MIDI expander for 150 pounds.
    
    Not bad I just wish I had 150 pounds spare.
    
                                   
    				PK.
    

    Yes the FB01 is MIDI, and as I mentioned it works like the CZ familly
    from Casio in the OMNI OFF MONO mode. As it said in the magazine
    this is the first expander which can do this. I guess it the will
    take 8 of the 16 MIDI channels when you use it.
    
    It may not be as good as the TX7, but the fact that you can make
    a small orchestra out of it is something I like. I am also quit
    pleased with the sounds my DX100 gives, so if the FB01 gives the
    same type of sound it is good enough for me.
    
    I have not yet seen it on sale here in France, but when I go back
    to Germany in a couple of months I think I will try to get me one.
    
    Svein.
    

    How do you program these expander things?  Are there controls on
    them?  (ie. Do you have to have a DX7 to program a TX7?)
    
    Todd.
    

    I don't know about these TX guys, but I gather it's sort of like
    what you get with a Super Jupiter (Roland MKS-80) if you don't
    spring for the programmer (MPG-80), namely an LCD window and 4 buttons:
    next parameter, previous parameter, value up and value down.  It's
    possible to program using this interface, but its gawdawfawl slow.
    
    len.
    

    Re: -.1
    
    Sounds rather like pulling teeth.  Slow and painful - Especially
    for these FM synths that are programmed by trial and error (usually)
    rather than from paper and pencil.  A primitive interface would
    be tolerable in the latter case where parameters are entered once
    and only once.
    
    Todd.
    

See note 960.0 where I describe some Macintosh software, including
a patch editor for the FB01.

    This is a real blast into the past to revisit this note, but since I
    have an FB01 question I might as well put it here. According to the
    documentation that I have for the FB01 (which does not provide a full
    description of the MIDI interface) it is supposed to accept program
    change commands. But when I send such commands from my sequencer they
    don't affect the voice assigned to the channel (which is what I
    expected and in fact want to do). The channel number light in the
    display flashes, indicating that a message is being received (I
    assume), but nothing happens to the configuration.
    
    I'm sure some of you must have used FB01's driven by a sequencer. Do
    they in fact respond to program change and controller commands? Is
    there some subtle (or obvious - I won't claim to be that bright)
    setting I have to do to get this to work? Is there some better
    documentation of the MIDI interface that I'm not in possession of?
    
    Any help will be appreciated.
    
    - Ram

    I assume you're on the same channel.
    
    My Yamaha gear has a parameter called "Receive Channel Messages" which
    must be enabled in order to recognize patch change commands. Does the
    Fb01 have something similar?
    
    Also, are you attempting to change a patch that is part of a
    "performance" (that seems to be standard Yamaha-ese, but I'm not sure
    if the Fb01 follows suit) or just a single "stand-alone" patch? My
    TZ's have a parameter for that also....
    
    Edd

RE < Note 334.11 by TOOK::SUDAMA "Living is easy with eyes closed..." >

	It sounds like you're trying to change a patch thast is "nested"
within a performance patch/setup (like Edd said in the last note).  It can't be
done unless you use system exclusives.  A patch change command will only work if
it is sent on the FB01's MIDI receive channel.

	Edd, are you saying that the TZ will allow you to change a patch 
*within* a performance?  I don't think so (not without sysEx, anyway).  There
are three modes (I think) for how it receives patch change commands...  I
tried my darndest to read that kind of functionality into them but couldn't
see that it would work that way.  Tell me I'm wrong...  (but yer gonna hafta 
prove it!).

	Dan

    I don't have my FB01 any more but I used program changes all the time.
    A typical "performance" for me is to have 8 "instruments" set for
    channels 1 thru 8.  A program change sent on channel 1 would change
    what voice instrument 1 played, and so on.  The TZ works the same way.
    
    There are also SYSEX messages that let you change all the parameters,
    and these allow addressing *either* by channel number or by
    base-channel plus instrument number.
    
    I know the TZ has a mode you have to set to allow channel program
    changes to take effect.  I don't recal the FB having such a setting.

    I believe the "combine" mode on the TZ addresses this issue. When
    combine is on a pg change command sent on the base channel (not
    necessarily one of the channels used by the instruments in the 
    performance) you change PERFORMANCES based on what you entered in
    the program change table edit map.
    
    If combine is OFF you change the patch on whatever instrument is
    using that channel within the performance.
    
    I think. Mebbe. Possibly...
    
    Edd

RE < Note 334.15 by DCSVAX::COTE "Call *who* Ishmael???" >

>    If combine is OFF you change the patch on whatever instrument is
>    using that channel within the performance.
    
	If this is true, I've been doing a heckuvalotta SysEx work for 
nothing...

    Mind you, I never actually *did* it....
    
    Edd

	Actually, as long as the patch # is between 1 and 48 (or 0 and 47
	if the sequencer is zero based), it should work fine (does on
	my FB01). If it's a patch # higher than that, it ignores it. You
	define what playback group (RAM/ROM) that you want it your set
	ups. Mines split into 2 - 4 note sections, one at MIDI Channel #2
	the other at MIDI channel #11. I use the RAM banks for both.
	It reponds properly to my MMT-8.

								Jens

    re: 11
    
    The FB01 has 20 "CONFIGURATIONS".  Each configuration can be assigned
    from 1 up to 8 "PATCHES".  There are 48 programs per RAM/ROM bank. 
    Each patch is assign a program, along with MIDI channel, voice
    allocation, stereo pan, note range, etc.
    
    MIDI program change only works to change the program (1-48 of whatever
    RAM/ROM bank) of the patch that is set to that MIDI channel.  This does
    not affect voice allocation, note range, etc., of the patch.
    
    To change COMBINATIONS requires Sysex on the Global recieve channel.
    You can do this with the MC-500 and most computer based sequencers.  
    I have the Sysex if you need it.
    
    Dave

    Turning COMBINE off and sending a patch change on the same channel
    as one of the instruments (not the global channel) failed.
    
    More on this late-breaking story as I figure it out...
    
    Edd

    
    
    Let's not be in any doubt.
    
    You can definitely send patch changes to the FB01 and it will respond
    accordingly. The only pimple is that patch changes won't take you out
    of a group. You need some sysex for that. It is all in the book.
    
         
    				Paul.

You know, somewhere I could have sworn that someone said how to get an FB01 to
do a built-in demo.  Am I remembering wrong?  I couldn't find it anywhere.

Thanks,

Burns