Having difficulties using my MT-32 with a MIDI Guitar

[Dustin]

Hi all,

 
 I just recieved a MIDI guitar in the mail, and tried to use it with my MT-32. Upon setting it all up, I could not get the guitar to control the MT-32 (no MIDI message being sent). What am I doing wrong? I have studied both the guitar's and MT-32's manual and MIDI implementation documents, and still having a difficult time.


Any advice would be appreciated as I'm running out of ideas.

[Tom]

Is the controller sending MIDI data on a channel the MT-32 can hear?  Most controllers default to Channel 1, which isn't heard on the MT-32 (without first making some MT-32 changes.)  Set your controller to transmit on channel 2, then there should be no problems.  Or, set the MT-32 to receive on channels 1-8.  

But since you've already referred to the MT-32's manual, this probably isn't your problem...in which case, I can't think of any other obvious reasons.

[Dustin]

Thank you Tom,

 Thats what I am missing most likely. After searching through the manual, I haven't found anything that points me in the right direction (the guitar's manual that is).

[Tom]

Then it's probably easier just to change the MT-32's channel setting.  I'm not near an MT-32 and I don't remember which button it is, but just press the big buttons until you come to one that says Channel Assign, and remap to 1-8.  That should do it.

[Dustin]

After consulting the MT-32's manual (again) I found out how to swith the channels, and sure enough thats what was needed. It now works great and I'm thrilled I can actually play something using the MT-32.

Another question I have is--> how would I hook up my MIDI controller to the MT-32 in order to sequence using SpG? Do I use the "thru" MIDI jack?

I am using my MPU-IPC-T, so do I need to hook the controller to my breakout box?

Also, what is the procedure for recording using SpG?

Tom: is there a manual for SpG that I can obtain somewhere? I really do like the keyboard style interface vs. the complex windows based ones.

Your advice is invaluable Tom..thank you

[Tom]

Check Voyetra's website for a pdf, but the manual is very big, so if Voyetra doesn't have one, there's no way I could scan mine...though I may have an old one laying around, somewhere.  If not for SpG, I should have an old one for Sp2...which is very much like SpG.

SpG's MIDI Thru port should be enabled for recording and listening.  (Now, what was that...ALT-F8?)  Setup your MIDI guitar just like a keyboard:  Keyboard MIDI Out to MPU MIDI IN.  MPU MIDI Out to MT-32 MIDI IN.   I don't know what the difference is in the MPU-IPC-"T", but you need to connect to the 5-pin DIN ports of the MIDI interface, which on my MPU-IPC's, are on the MIDI PROCESSING UNIT (the box) that connects to the PC Interface card.

When I'm at home in the morning, I'll give you some more specifics.  Our system is setup with two controllers and three MIDI modules, using SpG and two MIDI IN ports.  But it can get tricky, sometimes, so I want to double check our setup.

You record from SpG's Main Screen by pressing R, then the Space Bar.  You can also record from the View Screen by pressing CTL-R (I think...or ALT-R) and the Space Bar.  Wish I were home at my PC.  

If Voyetra.com doesn't have a manual available, I may be able to scan a few pages.  There's also an extensive HELP system built into SpG at the bottom of every page, though it's not indepth.

[Tom]

Okay, here's some SpG basics...

The first thing I've always done with a SpG install is to get rid of that Blue background, and making it run Full Screen by using the "/ega" switch on the command line.

Some basic Setup commands (from the MAIN screen):
MIDI THRU: SHFT-F9
OPTIONS:  O
HELP:  F1
DISPLAY:  SHFT-F6, then C.
CONFIGURATION:  F4, then S (Save)

From the Main Screen:
RECORD:  R, then Space Bar
Before you start recording, set the Track, Channel and Port on the main screen that you want to record on.  
VIEW TRACKS SCREEN:  V
This is the best screen to work from, where you can view all the tracks of your music.  To record from this screen, press ALT-R, then Space Bar.  You can also change channels for each track using CTRL-C, and MIDI ports usings CTRL-O.

From the VIEW SCREEN:
EDIT MEASURE:  E
Select a measure to edit either it's MIDI or NOTE data, by moving your cursor over the measure.

From The EDIT SCREEN:
EDIT NOTE DATA:  N
EDIT MIDI DATA:  M


The bottom of each screen lists what you can do.  Press the first letter of the command you want.  For instance, from the VIEW screen, pressing "X" will take you to the TRANSFORMS screen, where you can perform dozens of Note and MIDI transforms.

SpG is a very thorough and complex program that really requires a manual to learn, and it DOES have a learning curve that must be overcome.  Unlike Windows' programs, you don't just start clicking on menus to get things done.  Once learned though, SpG is much, much faster and easier to use than any Windows-based sequencer, and does everything they can do.  It's just a matter of learning it, though.  I've used Sp2, Sp3, and SpG on a regular basis since the 1980's, so it's second nature to me.  But if you're used to Windows sequencers, it's a completely different experience that does require some time to learn.

[Dustin]

Tom,

  Thank you so much for the help with SpG. I have never used a Windows based sequencer and never plan to, as I really like SpG's layout.

Everything so far is going perfect. I am composing some of my own stuff, and am quite pleased with the ease of use SpG has.

I'm still learning the vast world of MIDI but the guidence I recieve from this board has helped me overcome most of the obstacles I was facing.

Thank you for taking the time to help me. As always, your help is greatly appreciated.