Creating a V-Synth Grand Piano patch using keyboard zones
Posted: 01:39, 7 November 2007
I found it very difficult to figure how to actually use zones on the keyboard in the V-Synth. The information in the manual, the Roland V-Synth Book(s) and the web where surprisingly mute on this important question. Part of the problem is that effectively using keyboard zones requires an understanding of several different subsystems, tools and procedures. The note offers a scenario approach to the task of using the keyboard zones. I hope that someone will find it useful.
Goal:
Create a grand piano patch using samples where there is a source wave file for each octave on the keyboard.
Tools Overview:
To accomplish our goal it will be necessary to work with the following systems in the V-Synth
1. The USB to PC file transfer
2. Importing Samples
3. Initializing and editing a Patch
4. Setting up a Patch with Zones
5. Copying settings from one patch to another
Procedure:
1. Prepare the sample wave files.
In my case I used the Proteus X LE sampler (running in Cubase LE) to record a single note on each C on the piano. This file was mixed down to a stereo wave file which was subsequently edited to produce five individual wave file consisting of a single note each. These files were labelled C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 respectively. Note that a full grand piano covers more than 5 octaves so more samples would be needed create a full emulation.
2. Getting the piano samples on to the V-Synth
a) Set the V-Synth into USB storage mode
• Press Mode button to get the main menu and select System.
• On the System screen, select the USB/MIDI tab and Press the USB button on the screen.
• On the System USB screen select the Storage button.
b) Turn USB
• Press Mode button to get the main menu and select USB.
• Select the Storage button.
• Plug in a USB cable and the computer should detect the new memory device. (Windows XP will offer to open an Explore Window that allows you to browse the file system on the V-Synth).
• Copy the wave files from the computer to the folder called Internal.prj\Wave.
• Disconnect the USB connection.
3. Importing the wave files into the V-Synth sample library
• Press Mode button to get the main menu and select Sample.
• Press the Import button, select the wave folder and press the Open button.
• Scroll down the list and find one of the wave files just copied.
• Click OK and import the file.
• Return to the main Sample screen and select the sample that was just imported.
• Press the Info button and set the Original Pitch value correctly.
• Press the Encode button, for this project I choose Solo.
• Save the sample.
4. Creating a patch for each sample
This project will require 6 patches. Since this action is destructive to the existing sample patch library, select the patch to over write carefully. In my case I used the following Patches (note original patches can be restored by Factory Reset button on the Main Systems Menu).
Patch 501: Grand Piano
Patch 502: Piano C2
Patch 503: Piano C3
Patch 504: Piano C4
Patch 505: Piano C5
Because it can be very confusing trying to eliminate all the effects and controls from an existing patch, I chose to initialize each of these patches. The procedure is to:
• Select the patch.
• Select the menu.
• Select the Init patch option.
Next assign the sample to the patch
• Press OSC1.
• Select PCM OSC type.
• Fine the relevant sample in the Waveform List i.e. C2 for the C2 patch.
• Test the patch to make sure is sounds ok. I should sound best when you play in the register that matches the sample frequency most closely.
• Save the patch by using the Menu / Patch Name and Write Patch functions.
Repeat for each sample.
5. Creating a Grand Piano Patch and setting up the Zones
• Repeat the steps to initialize the patch at location 501.
• Select the C1 sample
• Name the patch Grand Piano
• Use the Menu and select Zones
• Press Zone 1 button and adjust the size so it marks the lowest 2 octave on the keyboard
• Press the Zone 2 button and adjust the size so it marks the next lowest octave.
• Repeat for Zones 3 to 5. (Note this could be done with up to 16 samples)
• Use the Menu Patch Write Function to save the patch.
6. Copying individual sample patches to the Grand Piano patch zones
• Select the Grand Piano patch (patch 501 in this example)
• Using the menu option select Patch copy
• Press the Zone Button
• In the source box select the C2 patch
• In the destination box select Zone 2
• Repeat for each of the sample patches and the relevant zone.
Summary
The practical reality of using the V-Synth as a grand piano is limited. There are much better simulations available but as an exercise in learning how to program the V-Synth there is a lot of merit. Try more samples and positioning the sample pitch in the middle of the zone. Experiment with filters and the gain to get an even sound from bottom to top.
Comments that correct errors or offer better methods are welcome. Note that this was done on a V Synth version 2.
Goal:
Create a grand piano patch using samples where there is a source wave file for each octave on the keyboard.
Tools Overview:
To accomplish our goal it will be necessary to work with the following systems in the V-Synth
1. The USB to PC file transfer
2. Importing Samples
3. Initializing and editing a Patch
4. Setting up a Patch with Zones
5. Copying settings from one patch to another
Procedure:
1. Prepare the sample wave files.
In my case I used the Proteus X LE sampler (running in Cubase LE) to record a single note on each C on the piano. This file was mixed down to a stereo wave file which was subsequently edited to produce five individual wave file consisting of a single note each. These files were labelled C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 respectively. Note that a full grand piano covers more than 5 octaves so more samples would be needed create a full emulation.
2. Getting the piano samples on to the V-Synth
a) Set the V-Synth into USB storage mode
• Press Mode button to get the main menu and select System.
• On the System screen, select the USB/MIDI tab and Press the USB button on the screen.
• On the System USB screen select the Storage button.
b) Turn USB
• Press Mode button to get the main menu and select USB.
• Select the Storage button.
• Plug in a USB cable and the computer should detect the new memory device. (Windows XP will offer to open an Explore Window that allows you to browse the file system on the V-Synth).
• Copy the wave files from the computer to the folder called Internal.prj\Wave.
• Disconnect the USB connection.
3. Importing the wave files into the V-Synth sample library
• Press Mode button to get the main menu and select Sample.
• Press the Import button, select the wave folder and press the Open button.
• Scroll down the list and find one of the wave files just copied.
• Click OK and import the file.
• Return to the main Sample screen and select the sample that was just imported.
• Press the Info button and set the Original Pitch value correctly.
• Press the Encode button, for this project I choose Solo.
• Save the sample.
4. Creating a patch for each sample
This project will require 6 patches. Since this action is destructive to the existing sample patch library, select the patch to over write carefully. In my case I used the following Patches (note original patches can be restored by Factory Reset button on the Main Systems Menu).
Patch 501: Grand Piano
Patch 502: Piano C2
Patch 503: Piano C3
Patch 504: Piano C4
Patch 505: Piano C5
Because it can be very confusing trying to eliminate all the effects and controls from an existing patch, I chose to initialize each of these patches. The procedure is to:
• Select the patch.
• Select the menu.
• Select the Init patch option.
Next assign the sample to the patch
• Press OSC1.
• Select PCM OSC type.
• Fine the relevant sample in the Waveform List i.e. C2 for the C2 patch.
• Test the patch to make sure is sounds ok. I should sound best when you play in the register that matches the sample frequency most closely.
• Save the patch by using the Menu / Patch Name and Write Patch functions.
Repeat for each sample.
5. Creating a Grand Piano Patch and setting up the Zones
• Repeat the steps to initialize the patch at location 501.
• Select the C1 sample
• Name the patch Grand Piano
• Use the Menu and select Zones
• Press Zone 1 button and adjust the size so it marks the lowest 2 octave on the keyboard
• Press the Zone 2 button and adjust the size so it marks the next lowest octave.
• Repeat for Zones 3 to 5. (Note this could be done with up to 16 samples)
• Use the Menu Patch Write Function to save the patch.
6. Copying individual sample patches to the Grand Piano patch zones
• Select the Grand Piano patch (patch 501 in this example)
• Using the menu option select Patch copy
• Press the Zone Button
• In the source box select the C2 patch
• In the destination box select Zone 2
• Repeat for each of the sample patches and the relevant zone.
Summary
The practical reality of using the V-Synth as a grand piano is limited. There are much better simulations available but as an exercise in learning how to program the V-Synth there is a lot of merit. Try more samples and positioning the sample pitch in the middle of the zone. Experiment with filters and the gain to get an even sound from bottom to top.
Comments that correct errors or offer better methods are welcome. Note that this was done on a V Synth version 2.