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Multi-timbral synth but not a multi in channel strip

I have a softsynth that can be used in Multi-timbral mode (Rapture). There are 6 different "elements" that will respond to midi channels 1-6. The thing is Logic doesn't recognize it as a Multi so I'm trying to think of a workaround. I'm thinking that a properly set up aux configuration would do the trick? Any suggestions?

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.10), Presonus Firebox, RP-8's, Edirol PCR-80, Axiom 25

Posted on Jul 20, 2007 7:36 PM

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8 replies

Jul 20, 2007 8:17 PM in response to BGTD

I have a softsynth that can be used in Multi-timbral
mode (Rapture). There are 6 different "elements" that
will respond to midi channels 1-6. The thing is Logic
doesn't recognize it as a Multi so I'm trying to
think of a workaround. I'm thinking that a properly
set up aux configuration would do the trick? Any
suggestions?


As I replied in the Logic Pro Help forum I think you are confusing multi-timbral and multi-channel.

Jul 21, 2007 12:24 PM in response to BGTD

Hi,

A couple of definitions, for you:

Multi-Timbral = plays back many voices (chords) at the same time, as opposed to a monophonic(one sound at a time) synths. mini Moog is a monophonic synth. Korg Triton is a multi-timbral synth.

Multi-Channel = can receive and transmit via many different MIDI channels. As in 16 channels, which are used to send/ receive MIDI data. This data can be either mono-or-multi timbral in nature.

You should set up a Multi- Channel instrument object in Logic's environment.
This way you can send MIDI data to different channels to your synth.

Please read:

Manual, Chapter 5 page 201 "The Environment"

Cheers

Jul 21, 2007 12:30 PM in response to noeqplease

noeqplease wrote:

Multi-Timbral = plays back many voices (chords) at
the same time, as opposed to a monophonic(one sound
at a time) synths. mini Moog is a monophonic synth.
Korg Triton is a multi-timbral synth.


Actually, that's the definition for "polyphonic". Multitimbral implies that the instrument can produce multiple types of sounds simultaneously, each in response to its own MIDI channel.

Jul 21, 2007 1:50 PM in response to Randall Thomas

Randall,

Correctamundo!

OK, here's the whole lowdown...

multi-timbral refers to a synth (or plug) that can respond on multiple MIDI channels simultaneously and produce a different sound in response to each MIDI channel. Examples:

Roland JV-2080 (hardware unit) in Performance Mode, where a single Performance "program" consists of 16 slots, each one assigned to a different MIDI channel (typically 1 - 16) and in which a different sound is programmed into eac slot.

Korg's "Combi" mode (Triton, Trinity, M1, Wavestation, Oasys, etc. etc.) is its "multitimbral" mode.

In the plug world, something like Garritan Personal Orchestra where you have a "player" (the GUI) which, when instanciated in an audio instrument under the stereo menu, provides (in this case) 8 "slots", each of which can be assigned to a different MIDI channel, and each of which can be loaded up with a wholly different sound. The stereo version only allows you to use that audio instrument's stereo outputs to hear sound. You cannot, for example, route the sound in slot 3 (MIDI channel 3 usually) to another audio output. So here you have a multi-timbral plugin that has only a stereo output.

However... if you load up a "multi" version of this plug, there is no difference in how the GPO plug operates; it is still a multi-timbral plug. The word "multi" here refers to multiple outputs, meaning that the plug is now capable of routing the audio of the "slots" to discreet outputs (accessible by Aux objects, which I won't get in to).

Now... Logic's nomenclature is kinda whak in many ways, and how they use the term "multi" falls under the "whak" category...

EXS-24 is the same way. If you select a "multi" instance of EXS-24, the term "multi" is not meant to imply that the EXS is multi-timbral. Fact is, just like GPO described above, all versions of EXS-24 are multi-timbral (i.e., they can be loaded up with multiple sounds, each one accessed on a different MIDI channel). In this case, "multi" is shorthand for "multiple outputs", as described previiously.

Polyphonic - ability to sound more than one voice (note) at a time. Think of this like the way a choir functions. A 16-voice polyphonic synth is like having 16 people available to sing the notes you play. It gives you the ability to hear, if you want, a 16-note chord. Sure, you can play a 17-note chord, but you won't hear that 17th note cuz there isn't anyone to "sing" it.

Monophonic - able to produce only a single note (vocal soloist)

Jul 21, 2007 2:58 PM in response to iSchwartz

Roland JV-2080 (hardware unit) in Performance Mode,
where a single Performance "program" consists of 16
slots,


(snif) . . .er, iS . . (snif) . . .you had to do it didn't you. I MISS MY 2080 ! . . . (eyes red, blows nose).

I cut some patch editing teeth on that one big time. I had an MU series Yamaha at the time and Performance mode was the same as Rolands Patch mode. I had a Korg M1R which may have been the first batch with Combi mode? Ditched those for Kurzweil and had to get used to Setup and Program mode. What was it Akai called it? You'd think for something so basic they could've settled on common terminology. Yikes.

You say EG, I say MG . . .

So much for my stroll down memory lane. Actually, I feel lucky I still have memory left.

Now... Logic's nomenclature is kinda whak in many
ways, and how they use the term "multi" falls under
the "whak" category...


Yes, apparently the basis of much newbie confusion. It was probably easier for us to swallow this stuff having had the hardware synth experience for so long. Just proves that Whak nomenclature is nothing new though.

Jul 21, 2007 3:10 PM in response to Randall Thomas

You miss your 2080? Why'd ya sell it then? Why I oughta...

: - )

I still have mine. Useful for sketching (eats up none of Logic's sample RAM 🙂 And I'll probably lose what little credibility I have, but I find it's piano sound useful sometimes. And if I need a dull pad to thicken something up, blammo, there it is. Eh, that's an "aaaaaah" kind of blammo...

Yup, the M1 was the first to have Combi mode, although... now that I think of it, the DSS-1 might have had this. Not sure...

Korg Combi = JV2080 Performance = Kurzweil Setup = Akai (S1000 era) Play mode (or edit program mode with solo set to "off"), and so on and so on...

Yeah, the nomenclature game

LFO = MG = Lo mode for OSC 3 in the minimoog, etc.
EG = ADSR = Contour Generator (mini) = Trapezoid (Putney, et al)
Cutoff = Traveler (Maxi and Mini Korgs, etc.) = Filter, etc.
Resonance = Q = Emphasis (mini) = Color, etc.

Gotta luv it!

Jul 21, 2007 3:27 PM in response to iSchwartz

Yup, the M1 was the first to have Combi mode,
although... now that I think of it, the DSS-1 might
have had this. Not sure...

Korg Combi = JV2080 Performance = Kurzweil Setup =
Akai (S1000 era) Play mode (or edit program mode with
solo set to "off"), and so on and so on...


And Yamaha had the good sense to call it Multi mode.
At least on this old SY77. But oh... the latency.

pancenter-

Multi-timbral synth but not a multi in channel strip

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