Controlling external modules

[sentokan]

Hi to all! :)

I have this issue: I want to control external synth modules from the Fantom G and I can't seem to be able to do it.
I do control them from my Virus keyboard, so I know how it's done , but can't from the Fantom :(

Can anyone guide me step by step how to do that?

Thanks a lot!!

[Saxifraga]

Hi! I am controling a XV 5050 module with 2 SRX cards. The MIDI data goes from Fantom G to XV via DIN cable. The sound comes back via S/P-DIF into the Fantom G6.
You control the sound from Studio Sets or Live Sets using the 16 external MIDI channels. You can send the External Bank Select MSB LSB and Patch Number and Pan. It´s on Page 135 in the FantomG_OM.pdf
As always: RTFM ;) (btw. It´s much easier than with the Kronos ;) SRX cards by the way need a special MSB/LSB combination to access the content inside a card. It´s printed in the written documentation of the corresponding SRX card.

If you want to address multiple modules you have to chain them via MIDI THRU from each module to the next.
It´s not possible to address 16 additional ones via USB MIDI. Data will be sent via USB and DIN MIDI simultaneously it seems. If someone knows otherwise I would be interested to learn how to do it.

I hope that helps?

[sentokan]

I read the manual before I asked and I know to connect them.. all I asked was about settings inside the Fantom, cause I set the midi channel to external but in vain... it doesn t trigger the module.. :(

[Saxifraga]

Did you set the flags for transmitting MIDI in the SYSTEM settings? aka "Transmit Program Change" and "Transmit Bank Select".
(Sorry for that rtfm comment. But some people just ask before reading anything.)

[Saxifraga]

.. I set the midi channel to external but in vain... it doesn t trigger the module.. :(

How do you "set the midi channel to external"? Maybe you could be a little bit more specific?

As far as I know you can address an external module only by activating/selecting an external part on the Studio Set external page or activating an external channel for keyboard input on the Live Set page. And if you want the sequencer to play notes you have to send MIDI data to that channel. There are no special tracks dedicated to external MIDI devices.

[sentokan]

.. I set the midi channel to external but in vain... it doesn t trigger the module.. :(

How do you "set the midi channel to external"? Maybe you could be a little bit more specific?

As far as I know you can address an external module only by activating/selecting an external part on the Studio Set external page or activating an external channel for keyboard input on the Live Set page. And if you want the sequencer to play notes you have to send MIDI data to that channel. There are no special tracks dedicated to external MIDI devices.

That s what I did... :(

[GuyM]

I have fiddled about with this too and am getting odd results but maybe I am misunderstanding it or doing it wrong?

In STUDIO MODE
I take it that the EXTERNALS Parts should transmit on separate 1-16 MIDI channels

If the F-G8 going into Cubase 7 ..if I set up a multi timbral app like HALION SONIC to receive on 3 Channels
Flute (1), Organ (2) , Strings (3)
But it seems whatever part I select on the G8 it sends out MIDI on all channels
I was expecting that when I select part 3 on the G8 I can only hear the Strings in Cubase (RX Ch3) and Part 2 only the Organ (Rx Ch2)

What am I doing wrong? why is the G8 broadcasting MIDI on any channel rather than the ones selected?
Even if I do the Pad MIDI TX Select and change the channel...it does not make any difference what MIDI TX channel Is selected

[sentokan]

Artemiy, could u give us a hand man?
I can t even transmit on one chanel..:-(

[MrSteveVee]

Hiya, I am not an expert in these matters as only play for pleasure but I have three synths Midi'd together. Try a simple test. Go to studio mode. Select an initialised song. Select an Initialised studio set so that we know we have not got any changed parameters. In the System setup Midi check we have not disabled any transmits

Now in the studio mode go to mixer (im not by my keyboard so cannot give you excat steps) but select the mixer and select the EXTERNAL channels 1-16
Ensure that channel strip 1 has been selected (changes colour I believe) make sure that the keyboard switch is ON. Now press some keys. You are transmitting on Midi channel 1
If the external synth oes not fire then you have a problem with the cable or your external syntyh is not set up correctly. either that or your F8 is faulty but you will be transmitting Midi 1

For the DAW problem. I do not use one but I did play about with one for a while and had similar problems. It was because my DAW was set up to look for ANY channel so it was not a transmit problem it was a DAW setup problem. Look to see how the MIDI setup is defined in the DAW. I had to change from OMNI to state a specific channel or something like that ... was a couple of years back so cannot remember.

Hope this helps

Steve V

[GuyM]

Hi Steve, yes thanks that does help...I have just been looking at this on line and found that in CUBASE 7 you can filter the IN midi channels to only receive on a prescribed MIDI CH number...this I will test out later in my studio...if this works then fab I think I have my solution!#

Addendum~Yep that works :)

Had to discover how to get PRESETS back into the Cubase TRack INPUT TRANSFORMER filters select to appear *as for some my Cubqase 7.5 install had not added them...but got a tip online and now the CHANNEL select using INPUT TRANSFORMER is working!)
I can have 16 midi channels assigned to different instruments in HALION SONIC 2 and once in the Fantom EXT window and in PAD PART SELECT mode....with a simple one press of the 1-16 pads, I can play each of the assigned instruments

Excellent!

[sentokan]

I bought the Fantom especially to use it with my synths, not its sounds, especially for sequencing and sampling.. so I am pretty desperate as I still am not able to send midi from Fantom.. :(
Can anyone guide me step by step?
Thnks a lot!!!

[cello]

Using the pads is probably the easiest way to start

Press Pad Mode and select option 10 (MIDI). Have a midi cable going from your Fantom out to another sound module's in.

On sound module go to its MIDI tools and make sure it is set to receive on (say) channel 7.

Now go to the Fantom and press #7. You should now be able to hear the sound module +whatever sound the Fantom is on whilst only playing the Fantom.

You can have up to 16 channels triggered (or switched off - or any combination thereof) from the pads.

Does that help?

[Saxifraga]

I bought the Fantom especially to use it with my synths, not its sounds, especially for sequencing and sampling.. so I am pretty desperate as I still am not able to send midi from Fantom.. :(
Can anyone guide me step by step?
Thnks a lot!!!

Did you also try USB-MIDI? If you connect your USB port (to host port; the big one!) with your computer and install the latest G6/8 USB driver, you should be able to control any standalone VST synth.
You can use the free demo versions from Arturia for example to test this. Just set the Arturia CP-80V to accept MIDI data from Fantom G device and channel #1.
Remember to select "Studio Mode" and select the external page and select 'Ch 1,
or "Live Mode" and scroll down to 'Ch 1'. If you activade the KBD switch you will have this channel always active and will be able to create splits and layers with external gear. It´s esp. handy if you use the SPDIF input for your external modul. So you don´t have to redigitize an analog signal that was digital in the beginning.

Both methods USB-MIDI and DIN-MIDI worked without any problems for me.
So using USB should show you if maybe your DIN-USB port is damaged.

And don´t forget to press shift+'MIX IN' and activate the audio input path you are using in case you don´t go thru an external mixer.
Under 'Input Settings' -> 'Input Select'
For USB it's 'USB Audio', for SPDIF it's 'Digital' and for analog its 'Line In'.

I don´t know what else could help you?

[sentokan]

I will try, but my synths are hardware so no use for usb.. Thanks though!!

[JunoJohn]

Sentokan, do this:

1) With the Fantom-G off, hold down the EXIT button and switch the Fantom on.

2) Continue to hold the EXIT button until the Project loads. Then release the button. You should be in Single Mode.

3) Press F3 Part View.

4) Press F6 External.

5) Select the channel you wish to transmit. Play the Fantom and see if it works.

Let us know how it goes.