Playing Fantom G LIVE music with MIDI files

[genus9]

Hi Guys
Exploring the depths of my Fantom G6, and having read the Manual on importing and playing MIDI files; Has anyone had experience of playing along with MIDI files, such that the melody, Bass, Guitar and Drums are in the background as you play along to it with the Fantom G.....I haven't tried this yet or in fact importing yet, but I am looking to import around 100 MIDI files (songs) so that myself and a Female vocalist can play/sing along to.

Is the Fantom G good for Playing live music using the MIDI player within the Fantom G for BASS and Drums track. I know there is no substitute for the real thing.....Does anyone have experience using and playing like this, LIVE!

Any tips, suggestions or the like would be useful, especially if there are any hurdles on the way.

thanks

[Flumpster]

It is very good at doing what you ask but you have to do some work.

The midi file ( I'm guessing your using bought or borrowed files ) will have data in them that will play the GM soundset. In my experience they will play the right sounds but will sound overall terrible. The mix between the GM set is so bad compared to dedicated GM/GS modules it's not even useable.

That's the bad side out of the way... Once you set up a studio set and start setting your own sounds,volumes etc the machine really starts to shine. You just have to delete the "changes" in the midi file first.

It does take some work but others here and myself are more than happy to help you with each step of it if your willing

[genus9]

Thanks Flumpster

When I have downloaded the files over the weekend I'll post another reply to this and we'll see how we go.

Thanks once again

[quebec88]

Flumpster,

I could use some assistance with this very same topic. I haven't figured out a way to save changes to GM sounds in a midi file that I imported over to Studio Mode. For example, I'll change Track 1, which could be a GM Piano sound to one of the Fantom Preset piano sounds and then I'll save it, but when I go back to the Studio Set to play the midi file, the GM Piano comes back. Obviously, I must be missing something.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Domenic

[Bratan]

I just made tutorial last week that shows how to do that

http://forums.rolandclan.com/index.php?action=show_thre...

[dustyhill]

Genus9, Something I know something about. After you get your tunes fixed, remember that you are playing along with a recording and not a live band. A live band will cover your $^%$^ if you go to the wrong verse or what ever. I started a one man gig 21 years ago and I remember the 1st few gigs and I just had to learn what to do if I $^%$^%$ up. Even today I will be asked to do a tune that I did years ago and sometimes they go great and sometimes not. Just keep good notes on each song, they will come in handy later on. I play guitar, so when I set up a midi file I leave out the vocal line and the lead guitar line, I do these live. Also a good tip change the vocal line to piano and turn it down, when your learning the song. This will not be noticed. I will do this sometimes on a new song and later drop the vocal track. I have also added a cymbal crash, as marker in a tune. As long as it is done musical it will also not be noticed. Good luck Dusty

[Bratan]

Hey that's a pretty good tip (about cymbals)
Also are you saying you can play split keyboard while song is playing? I could only get it right in the studio mode, but it doesn't seem to allow to play more than one instrument at a time...

[Flumpster]

Go into studio mode. Press F3 "part view"
On left go to keyboard menu "F2 group down"
Click on the lights under "KBD" for the parts you want to play at once.Be it layered or split.
On the right of the lights you just clicked change the range so one is split to the bottom and one is split to the top.

[Bratan]

That's amazing! I had no idea I can do that!
I'm trying it as soon as my Fantom-G is back from the repair shop...
Thanks a ton!