DB50/SW60 XG SysEx

[Tom]

I seem to be having some problems with various SysEx that's being transmitted to the SW60XG.  According to all I've read, the very first SysEx that MUST be sent to the SW60 (and other XG devices) is the GM_ON.SYX command, followed by XG_ON.SYX (at no sooner then 200 milliseconds after sending the previous SysEx.)  GS_ON.SYX can optionally be sent between the two, but GM_ON.SYX MUST ALWAYS BE SENT FIRST.  So, that's how I do it, and it works fine when I then follow these two SysEx commands with a change in reverb type from HALL1.SYX (default) to HALL2.SYX.  

But, I've been trying to play around with some of the other reverb and chorus types, and the SysEx doesn't seem to be changing the types.  I've tried several different SysEx files and they're all setup properly...but I'm not getting a change.  I wonder, other than CC91 to adjust intensity of the various Reverb SysEx, is their another controller that needs to be used on the SW60?  I can't find any reference to such.  I'm wondering if my card may be bad, though it seems to work properly with the XG demo songs.  I don't see anything out of the ordinary in the demo files, though there's a LOT of SysEx used.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

[Alistair]

*Definitely*, Tom, download a copy of the XG-GS Utilities, more specifically VBSYX (easily Googled). If you load a XG file into it it'll tell you what SysEx are (what all the bytes/hex mean).

Not only will it tell you (if you load your XG SysEx you're unsure about) if the SysEx is actually doing the thing you think, that is, what message it's actually sending versus what you think it is, but it can also be used to check embedded SysEx in a MIDI for the same purpose.

(Doesn't work for the MT-32, obviously. But GM, GS, XG.. very very useful.)

If you can't find it, send me the relevant MIDI/SysEx and I'll get back to you.

- Alistair

[NOPIK]

XG modules (as well, as modern Rolands) decode commands dynamically, so you must leave time in your sequence after sending command (SysEx, RPN,NRPN...). GM On sysex requires at least 0.5 sec until all DSP programs will set (same for GS mode). SysEx decoding times mentioned in manual. Avoid bulk SysEx or NRPN. Of course you can use side effects as advantage (for example, re-reverberate or different instruments portamento), but result will sound different on other modules.
GS or XG On sysex must follow GM On to fully reset the module (using other GS or XG commands without proper ON sysex is possible, but module will not be correctly set to desired mode. You can use it to "non-traditional" elementary voices mixing almost like QS300). Never use GS On after XG On or XG after GS until you want to try to "explore new abilities" of your module.
Side effects depend on used DSP model, code and mixing cheme.
DSP chips can be different for the produced series of the same model.