virtual instruments

[azizadeparis]

hi everybody, please tell me where I can download virtual instrument in freeware many thanks

[Scoot]

A virtual instrument to do what?
Bass? Piano?

[Jerm]

Our links page.

[azizadeparis]

everything. as my Roland is not yet connected to my mac (and I don't know what to get as an interface, they say MBox but I can't afford it at the moment). and so I decided to use softsynths and enter the notes throuh an edition window (I work on DP 4 )I did it with the apple DLS synth, but it's the only one I have got. what I need is keyboards like machfive or B4 I know there are many in freeware ....

[Scoot]

For connection the cheapest option would be a single midi in and out cable with a USB connector at one end, and the next option after that would be something like a midisport 2x in/out which give you the ablility to add a drum machine or controller later.

Using soundfonts and the AppleDLS is actually a pretty good option - as you can add the OSX built in effect straight to the original sounds.

[azizadeparis]

thanks Scoot I'll try that

[MP]

You might want to check out Crystal, a great freeware semi-modular synth:

http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/

KVR has a large selection of freeware plugins, including virtual instruments. You can search their database here:

http://www.kvraudio.com/get.php

Lately, I've had good luck with M-audio MidiSport midi interfaces, and they're very inexpensive! The Digidesign Mbox, however, is primarily an audio interface (although it does have a 1X1 midi interface included) and includes ProToolsLE, that's why it is considerably more expensive. But if all you need is midi connectivity, try one of the MidiSports. Good luck!

Mike

[azizadeparis]

thanks Mike, so I got a midisport, connected my Roland OK (checked twice), installed the driver successfully, connected interface and Roland in the audio midi set up window, set the output of the track in the track window ...and I can't get no sound when I play ! on the midisport, the little light USB is on, the one MIDI IN twinkles, the one MIDI OUT is on when I hit the keyboard, and no sound, no level in the mixer. my god what can it be ? looking forward desperatly for an answer

[w]

Which midisport do you have?

Are you using the power supply with the midisport? Or just the computers USB power?

When you are in AudioMidiSetup/MidiDevices what happens when you click the test setup and then mouse click it over your virtual instrument you should hear a god-awfull chord playing from your Roland. Is there any sound ?

[azizadeparis]

I have M AUDIO interface. I don't think I use any supply power. when I click on studio test, I get a fast bip in the speakers and the input gets selected on the interface icone. when I click on the Roland icone the interface output gets selected while the bit goes on in the speakers, but still no sound.

[w]

I have M AUDIO interface. I don't think I use any supply power. when I click on studio test, I get a fast bip in the speakers and the input gets selected on the interface icone. when I click on the Roland icone the interface output gets selected while the bit goes on in the speakers, but still no sound.

I have M AUDIO interface.

Could you please be more specific. In an earlier post you said you a midisport. Which model ?

A couple of years ago I bought 2X2 midisport from a eBay guy and the unit was defective. The guy was good enough to return my money. Perhaps your midisport is bad. I ended up purchasing a brand new 2X2 midisport. The 2X2 can be powered by a power supply.

Re-check the midi connections and also try some different midi cables. Midi cables can go bad/defective.

Which model of Roland?

Are you listening to the keyboard sounds through your headset or speakers? Do you hear your keyboard when you play it without the computer hook up?

[azizadeparis]

my interface is a midisport 1/1, 1 in and 1 out interface 16/16 midi channels.it's a very cheap one I just bought it in "home studio", a shop in Pigalle. it's actually the only midi cable I have got.

now the midi monitor window displays the USB UNO MIDI interface , and in its row the real time data indicator is highlighted, and when I hit the keyboard the channel indicator number 1 highlights, indicating incoming MIDI activity . my keyboard is a Roland XP 60

[w]

The MIDISPORT UNO USB is a good midi interface powered by the computer.


You have midi OUT cable from keyboard to midi IN at the UNO

and

midi OUT cable from UNO to keyboard mid IN.

Did you download from M-Audio
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.drivers the correct driver for your OS X. It is very important to install the correct driver. For example the driver for Panther 10.3.9 is version 3.2.1 whereas for Tiger 10.4.8 the version is 3.2.2.

It is also very important to setup the Audio MIDI Setup in MIDI Device for your Roland XP-60. Since you have DigitalPerformer 4 the profiles for the XP's are installed.

I assume that after you add device you double clicked the device and set all the properties for the Roland XP. I notice that there is no XP-60 so you have to decide if you want to use the XP-50 or 80.

When you do the Test Setup you should get an "audio" sound from your keyboard and a midi flash at the "virtual" UNO and also a midi flash when you play the keyboard.

Unless you get the Audio MIDI Setup MIDI Devices to work for your keyboard it will never work in DP 4 or anyother midi programme.

The MIDI Monitor window in DP only displays incoming MIDI activity — only data being received by Digital Performer from somewhere else — not outgoing data being sent by Digital Performer.

Try this: create a midi track in DP, set it to record and play your keyboard. Confirm by looking in tracks view and quickscribe that the midi data in was recorded. Then rewind and hit play to "hear" the playback. Do you hear your keyboard playback?

Incidently do you have a Metro audio/midi sequencer? If you do then you will have to download a XP profile that works in Metro.

[azizadeparis]

first of all thanks to W for answering me so patiently.

so : 1- on the midisport UNO , there are 2 connections at the end of the cable : TO MIDI IN and TO MIDI OUT, so no confusion possible.

2- I installed the driver successfully, following the CD Rom instructions

3- I set up my keyboard as an XP 80 by creating a new midi device in the audio midi set up window and connected its icone to the midisport UNO's

4- I double clicked the device and set all the properties for XP 80 (found the ID number in the Roland)

5- when I click on studio test, I do get an "audio" bip bip in the speakers and a midi flash on the "virtual" UNO, also a flash if I CLICK ON the "virtual" Roland, but nothing if I PLAY the instrument.

I tried what you said, recorded the keyboard on a midi track (whithout hearing any sound), obviously it records as the datas are displayed on the track and the level indicator twiggles. But no sound when you play it back.

so I'm aware now that the problem is in the outgoing datas, being not transformed properly into audio stuff for me to hear them in my speakers. is that right ? so is the answer in the audio interface MOTU ?

I don't have a metro audio midi sequencer is it good ?

[w]

azizadeparis,

Excuse me if I providing you with help in small steps.

This is such an odd problem and very difficult to solve without being there.

It's too bad this forum has blocked private messaging because that would be faster then posting through the forum.

Here is a email address to contact me if you want: midiw@(spam)netscape(spam).net Just delete the (spam) in that address.

It's clearly an audio playback problem which you have to solve at the Audio MIDI Setup level. There is no way that DP or any other midi programme will function until AMS works.

Have you tried to just remove and plug back the midi cables to be sure they are firmly plugged in at the UNO and the keyboard.


[quote] 5- when I click on studio test, I do get an "audio" bip bip in the speakers and a midi flash on the "virtual" UNO, also a flash if I CLICK ON the "virtual" Roland, but nothing if I PLAY the instrument. [quote]


It may be your midi cable: the midi cable from UNO OUT to Keyboard IN may be defective try switching cables.


Could it be your speakers?

Have you tried listening through headphones?

When you play your XP without going through the computer does it play OK?

Is your XP new or used?

Incidentally I have the XP-80.

You say: "I installed the driver successfully, following the CD Rom instructions ". Does the driver version on the CD agree with the latest version for your OS X at the M-Audio web site ? Which OS X are you working with? Believe it or not it is very important to have the correct driver installed. Because I don't have the UNO is there preferrence pane in the System Preferrences ( launch System Preferences/Applications folder ) to be make any settings required?

I suggest you email me so as to make it easier for me to help you. Let me know at this post if you want to contact me by email.