Author Topic: Rob’s Midi Adventure  (Read 1348 times)

rv_bass

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Rob’s Midi Adventure
« on: June 20, 2018, 06:16:43 PM »
I thought I would set up this page to document my adventure into the world of midi bass, which I currently know nothing about :)


I’ll start with the equipment list:


1.  Alembic Series I bass with RMC saddle pickups and poly-drive 1 preamp
2.  Roland GI-20 GK midi interface
3.  Yamaha Motif Rack XS midi sound module
4.  Alembic F-1X preamp
5.  QSC GX7 power amp
6.  Various speakers
7.  Computer and software TBD


I’m reading through the Roland and Yamaha manuals now, it could take a couple of months to get up and running...


elwoodblue

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2018, 06:41:02 PM »
I have a GI-20, it's a cool unit.
Setting the sensitivity for each string is key,
but it's really easy.


Sounds like fun is just around the corner  :D

edwardofhuncote

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2018, 07:13:20 PM »
I'm in...  :)

David Houck

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2018, 09:09:02 PM »
Elwood; which pickup are you using, and what sound module?  I've been doing lots of research, but haven't yet determined how I should proceed.

Like Rob, I do want to go with saddle pickups.  I've found two; the RMC's that Rob got, and Graphtech.

The simplest thing after that would be to go with a Roland GR-55; but there are other options that are intriguing.

The Yamaha Motif Rack XS that Rob got is one; and another is the Roland Integra 7.  With both of them, there needs to be a converter like the GI-20, which apparently is no longer being made.

I think a midi setup would go well with the type of music I'm playing, but I'm concerned that the technology for basses and guitars is a bit dated.

I'm also concerned that, while there are lots of youtube videos (all around 8 years old) showing the GR-55 in a good light, including some with basses, there are some reports that tracking in the lower frequencies can be problematic.

elwoodblue

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2018, 11:45:26 PM »
For guitars the GK-2, and a GK2B on a bass.
The only midi 'modules' I have are the Yamaha CS6X keyboard
and a Roland VG-88 guitar synth....oh, and the Voce V-3 organ  :)


 Mixed with the dry analog signal makes for some nice thick textures.


The GI-20 makes it easy to expand the possibilities, that and a 13 pin splitter.

rv_bass

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2018, 03:56:38 AM »
Thanks for the initial comments!

David, perhaps the Line 6 Helix would fit what you would like to accomplish...

https://line6.com/helix/
« Last Edit: June 21, 2018, 03:58:32 AM by rv_bass »

pauldo

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2018, 05:38:15 AM »
Good idea to document this journey.

I can’t wait to hear what you create!  8)

David Houck

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2018, 07:09:35 AM »
Rob; unless I'm mistaken, the Helix isn't significantly different from what I'm playing through now, the Fractal AX8.  The addition of a midi system in the effects loop of the AX8 would give me access to midi instruments and additional routing options for those instruments.

rv_bass

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2018, 08:18:48 AM »
Well, I'm still trying to get the Yamaha Motif to produce sound...it's been a very busy summer and I haven't had any time to troubleshoot.  I can see the light blinking when I play notes, so the signal from the bass is reaching the Motif, just can't get it to make any sound yet.  Some quick reading on line suggests that I have to set up the voice path properly in the Motif, I'll work on it this fall.

In the mean time, below are two links to soundcloud with some background music that I will start with. The two tracks are my first attempt (about 12 years ago) at recording tracks using computer software, so they are very rough, noisy, and need to be cleaned up, but they are a start.  Mostly percussive, but the one labeled "The Marsh" has a guitar track.  I played all parts through, no looping.  Instruments include guitar, drums, slit drum, egg shaker, drum machine, old wind up clock, metal bowls with water in them, and reverb springs. I'll clean up the sound and add bass and midi tracks as soon as I figure out the midi connection.

Please see links in post below.
« Last Edit: September 09, 2018, 09:40:44 AM by rv_bass »

rv_bass

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2018, 08:43:20 AM »
Well, I'm new to soundcloud and can't seem to get that to work either...stay tuned.

rv_bass

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2018, 09:13:26 AM »
OK, I figured it out, had to convert to MP3 files.  Try these links:

"The Marsh"

https://soundcloud.com/user-503957741/the-marsh-1/s-i28Yv

"Night Scape"

https://soundcloud.com/user-503957741/night-scape-1/s-01Fyg


StefanieJones

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2018, 10:39:13 AM »
I have a GR-1 but it hasn't seen much use lately. I don't play guitar much since getting the Alembic.  I as thinking about trying to run my keyboard through it as a midi controller, but i'm not too sure how that would work. Or, if I should just try and use it to control the midi instruments in Cubase. (haven't tried that either) >.>

David Houck

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #12 on: September 09, 2018, 05:28:04 PM »
Nice rhythmic patterns and percussive sounds!

I recently download, installed, and played with Jam Origin Midi Guitar II.  I haven't paid for it yet, so I can't do much actual music with it because of the nag screens.  And I haven't yet downloaded any midi instruments, just using what little comes with the software.

After setting the midi clocks so that everything is the same, and making a bunch of other adjustments, I did get it to work; which was encouraging.  However, I need to do some additional work to more fully integrate it with my setup to see if it's going to do what I would like.  And I haven't done enough yet to have an opinion on it one way or the other.

The software didn't seem to have a lot of routing options; for instance, I didn't see where you could run multiple instruments at the same time.

In my researching of Midi Guitar II, it seemed that a lot of people think this is the future of midi guitar; that software alone is sufficient for good polyphonic tracking, with no need to modify a guitar or bass.  (However its abilities are very dependent on how good one's computer is.)  I did it get it to track, and I was playing chords; so it does seem promising.

However, I don't know that this particular piece of software is the answer.  It seems that much more should be possible.

And I too am finding that life has been giving me many other things that seem to require my attention; and large chunks of time to work on stuff like this seem rather seldom.

rv_bass

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #13 on: March 02, 2019, 10:05:46 AM »
I'm still fooling with it trying to figure it out, but here's a sample of the string bass sound....recorded on an iPhone:  Alembic Series I bass with RMC pickups and midi preamp, Roland GI20, and Yamaha Motif Rack XS...it's a mixed output of midi and magnetic pickups...looks like you have to log into soundcloud to hear it...

https://soundcloud.com/user-503957741/bassstring/s-DbZ9Y
« Last Edit: March 02, 2019, 06:10:59 PM by rv_bass »

pauldo

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Re: Rob’s Midi Adventure
« Reply #14 on: March 02, 2019, 03:31:50 PM »
“Track not found”
 ???