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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 58
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 58 |
I've had PowerTracks ProAudio 9 for a long time but never really played with it. I recently picked up an M-Audio KeyStudio 25 off Craigslist and hooked its usb to the PC running XP Pro. With PowerTracks 9 open I can play the keyboard and change the Program sounds assigned to any of the 8 buttons on the M-Audio keyboard... and I hear the sounds on the PC. PowerTracks MIDI Driver Setup is: Input Drivers(s) - USB 02 in(1) = SELECTED -- I think the "O2" is the M-Audio KeyStudio 25 driver Output Driver(s) Options include: - SoundMax Wavetable Synth = SELECTED - Microsoft MIDI Mapper -- gives 'out of range for your system' message if selected - Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth - USB O2 Out(1) The Questions: 1 - When I click record on PowerTracks 9 it records the keyboard but when I play it back I hear a different sound than was played... how to fix this? 2 - When I look at the recorded tracks information I can not see where it tells me what General MIDI Program sound (1 to 127) was recorded on the track. Am I just not seeing it or what? How to see what General MIDI Program was recorded on the track? 3 - Didn't PowerTracks 9 come with a software emulation of the Roland Sound Canvas sound module? (and others?) If so shouldn't it (or they) appear in the MIDI Driver Setup under Options? Even though I understand the MIDI concept of the MIDI Controller device sending bytes of data to a hardware or software Sound Module I'm really a newbie and am working my way through the terminology all the manuals and tutorials use  4 - For instance - is a software or hardware implementation of a Sound Module considered a synthesizer aka synth? In fact I have a Roland SoundCanvas Model SC 55 Sound Generator unit and a Korg NX5R which I acquired a couple of years back when I wanted to create some BIAB tracks... but am just now finding time. 5 - I call these devices Sound Modules is that the correct term? or should I call them synth modules or what?) 6 - Finally, are the software versions of these ound/synth modules as good as using the real hardware device? I'll be posting a number of newbie questions as I go along so thanks to anyone for help with educating me :-) thanks for any help. PS - I'm going to upgrade to PowerTracks v12 after I'm a little more comfortable with MIDI, the software, the keyboard, terminology, etc.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,353
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Hi Will.
OK, lets go through it in order.
Output Drivers - Either the Soundmax or the Microsoft GS should work.
1) Open the CLASSIC TRACKS window. (Maybe just TRACKS on PT9) The boxes you need are CH for the midi channel and PRG for the patch, Double clicking on the PRG box will bring up a dialogue where you can choose the patch. Once these are entered, it should play these sounds back.
2) These are the settings as described in (1).
3) No, not that I can remember. (It's been a while since that version!)
4) It's usually called a software instrument, also known as a VSTi or DXi.
5) As (4).
6) Yes.
There are a lot of useful improvements to Power Tracks since version 9. We're now on PT 2013. It's well worth the up-grade.
If you need more info, we're always happy to help.
ROG.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: May 2000
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I think PT9 may have included VSC .. however, it was a separate install from the disk, and it does not work on 64 bit systems (which wasn't a factor back then).
The VSC was a separate install or a checkbox that needed to be enabled during install for a few versions (going from memory here .. I probably do have that disk around here somewhere).
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 58
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 58 |
ROG, Thank you for your kind assistance.
Regarding question number 1...
Am I understanding you correctly that if I setup the M-audio KeyStudio 25 keyboard to send General MIDI sound 26 (guitar jazz electric) messages when played...
After I play and record the track in PowerTracks v9 (or any PowerTracks ?) that I must then open PowerTracks "Tracks" window and click on the tracks 'knob' then click on program and then click on 27 (electric jazz guitar) to have PowerTracks remember and playback the instrument just played on the keyboard controller?
I thought the General Midi Instrument choice (Program) identity was included in the General MIDI messages sent by the midi keyboard controller... in fact it must be so since I can hear the proper program/instrument when playing and recording...
So I guess my question is why does not PowerTracks understand that I'm sending Program 27 messages and just remember it... and display that info when I click on the Tracks window and the just recorded track?
Sorry for the questions but I'm trying to get this in my head :-)
Thanks again for your help !
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,353
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Hi Will.
If you send the patch change from the keyboard before you start recording, the program will see the change, but it has nowhere to store it. If you transmit the patch after you hit record, then the patch change information will be recorded as part of the track.
This does mean, however, that you would need to go to the MIDI EVENT window to see the stored patch information, which is a bit tedious. Entering the details into the TRACKS window is probably your best option.
rharv - Just dug out my old PT9 disk and can't see the VSC anywhere. It is an up-grade disk from PT8, though I believe it was the full program but without the printed manual. I suppose it's always possible that it kicks in halfway through the install, which I haven't tried. It was a while ago wasn't it!
ROG.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: May 2000
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I'm not installing PT9 again to test either, Rog. <grin>
The VSC thing went through stages. I think the VSC was also offered as a separate product at one point in time.
At other times you needed to have BiaB installed for the VSC to work in PT.
I was guessing at possibilities, since he seemed to think he had it in his original post. If he did, it was likely on that disk somewhere.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 58
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 58 |
Thanks guys. Just getting back to this thread.
I'm going to upgrade to the latest PT in a few days... do you know if that comes with a software implementation of VSC or whatever?
I also own BIAB but need to upgrade that too... so maybe that comes with the software VSc/VSTi/DXi...
I'm still a little confused about why PT can not see the data defining the General MIDI instrument the keyboard is setup for and simply record that data... and upon inspection (a click or whatever) display what it recorded. This after all is simply a series of data bytes/words/packets transmitted by the MIDI controller to PT... so I would think think the data/information is in there somewhere and the 'operator' shouldn't have to intervene or have to think about it.
But your reference to weather the device (the midi controller) sends the selected program info (the selected instrument) data out the MIDI pipe (cable) to the receiving device (PT in this case) before you start recording or after will require more research/education on my part.
Regardless,
Thanks for the help folks !
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,463
Veteran
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,463 |
I'm still a little confused about why PT can not see the data defining the General MIDI instrument the keyboard is setup for and simply record that data... and upon inspection (a click or whatever) display what it recorded. This after all is simply a series of data bytes/words/packets transmitted by the MIDI controller to PT... so I would think think the data/information is in there somewhere and the 'operator' shouldn't have to intervene or have to think about it.
That's why the answer to the question about whether the controller sends it in the first place is important ^^ (above); if it doesn't get sent while PT is recording you can't expect PT to record it. Looking n the Event List would tell you if it was recorded or not .. unless you have some punch-in setting affecting when PT starts recording in relationship to when the controller may actually send the data. Often it's just quicker to pick the sound you want for the track afterwards, as opposed to spending half an hour checking possible causes.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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