Programming in multiple patches/perfs (lots)

[Stew]

Hi Guys. I own a Roland RD-170, and have just acquired a SonicCell. I'm wondering if someone can assist, as I'm very new to this side of music, having pretty much used the RD-170 as a stage piano only.

I'm about to play a keyboard part in a pit orchestra for a stage musical. The part calls for very regular and sometimes very quick changes between different orchestra voices mainly. eg 4 bars as trombone, then maybe 6 bars with bassoon in the left (lower) split of the keyboard and clarinet in the right (upper) split, then harpsichord in both splits etc etc. In all about 200-300 changes will be required. I really need to have each change programmed in sequentially so I can just flick the cursor wheel to go onto each patch/perf one after the other (a pedal switch would be ideal). I was advised by Roland that the SonicCell could manage this, but I'm having a little trouble with it. (Did I mention I was a newbie?!)

I initially thought using performance mode, leaving the RD on split upper and lower and then programming each perf with midi ch's 1 and 2 for lower and upper splits. Then I found out that I'm limited to 64 which is nowhere near enough.

So I then thought perhaps editing the patches might be the go, but what about when I need two different sounds at the same time.

In addition, the USER memory patch presets of which there are 128 already programmed, starting with 001 Rich Grand, and 128 empty ones... Are those first 128 identical to the patches of the same name from the PR-A to G banks, and can therefore be happily written over?

Any answers, help, suggestions gratefully received, especially if anyone knows if/how a footswitch can be utilised

[PauloF]

Stew,
I own a RD170 too, but also a Fantom Xa, which is a kind of a basic SonicCell with a keyboard .
Anyway, seriously, the RD as master MIDI keyboard is very very limited, I think you should invest in a PCR-300/500/800 or something similar, which is really inexpensive (a PCR-500 is around 250 €), and it is a decent MIDI controller whit lots of functions, lower and upper (virtual) keyboards, with single split and dual modes and 50 knobs and sliders for control. You can control several intruments at the sime time with it.
For ex: you can control the SonicCell with the upper Keyboard and still control a SoftSynth with the lower, and change between them just pressing the lower upper buttons on the PCR.
Have a look at this link: http://www.rolandus.com/products/produc ... arentId=19


Ah...it ships with a free copy of the Cakewalk's DAW - SONAR LE and the Softsynths Dimension LE and Project LE ...

This way, you can even use the goof RD170 keyboard to play the SonicCell patches and control the patch change and expression using the modulation/pitch lever of the PCR.
There's a world of possibilities...

About the user patches...normally they ship with a copy of the preset ones, but it needs to be checked for SonicCell (I don't own one, so I'm not sure), but you can SAVE them with Librarian and load any new ones as you like.


I hope I was able to help you in some way
Take care
Paulo

[javaj_]

You could potentially do some of this with patch programming. If the patches (that you need to double) only use 2 tones, you might be able to duplicate settings of the second patch into the first patches tones 3 and 4.
I know you also said that you need 2-300 changes (first off- wow- I guess you don't actually get to play music- just change sounds continually). With 64 performance patches- each wtih 16 parts- that might be enough for your requirements.
If you can split up all your changes into 64 scenes- then in each scene, you can have up to 16 patches (or less if you need to combine sounds). This could be very dooable.

Take scene 1 (performance patch 1).- Take the first 2 or 4 tracks and put them at channel 1 (will give you 4 combined patches), and then continue up the channels (requiring you to simply change your midi channel on your controller).
Then when you are done that scene, switch performance to scene 2 and change your controller back to channel 1.

Anyways, just an idea- you definatley have a unique situation (and if you don't want to include a laptop into the scenario- this is really one of the only ways to handle this).

[kwgmatthies]

Yes, normally the user memories are dups of presets. This is how they are on fantom and xv racks, but don't know the sonic cell. Read your manual.

Some folks manage libraries of user banks, and put them in sequential order depending on the gig. (Some keyboards support this kind of feature through a pedal).

Another option: If it's easy to change the midi channel on the RD, then you can address all 16 tracks easily. If not, then its a little more difficult, and you'll have to use splits.

Can you create Performances on the Sonic Cell? This is one way to quickly switch between patches. You've got up to 16 different voices in a perf.

So, there's three alternatives. You're going to have to figure out which is best for you.

[Stew]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I have a fun night ahead of me working out which works best, I'll let you know FYI how I get on!