Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    
    
    Close, but not quite out of channels. I conserve. Drums only get
    one channel. I bundle like instruments onto different split zones of
    a single channel. FX boxes are kind of stupid, as taking an entire
    channel just to get a unique program change is, well, a waste. 
    
    I haven't made it to using all 16 channels yet, though I try to
    conserve anyway.
    
    /pjh

Master Tracks  Pro, running on a Macintosh can utilize both serial ports
     of the Mac  for  a  total  of  32  MIDI channels.  (You need 2 MIDI
     interfaces, or a single  MIDI  interface which effectively provides
     two MIDI interfaces in one box, like the Opcode Studio Plus Two).

From what  I  remember  regarding  an  ad  I  saw recently in one of the
     magazines:  I think the  latest  Opcode  Macintosh  MIDI  interface
     provides  8  outputs per Mac serial  port,  where  each  output  is
     individually  accessible by software (I don't know  how)  providing
     128  MIDI  channels per Mac serial port.   Also,  these  boxes  are
     "networkable" up to 4 boxes per port for a  total  of  512 channels
     per  Mac  serial  port.    Opcodes Vision sequencer is supposed  to
     support all of these channels.  Oh, this thing does SMPTE  and Time
     code and all of that too.

/Mitch

    I know that there's a hardware/software combination offered by Twelve
    Tone Systems (Cakewalk) that has a 2x16 configuration (for PC/compatibles), 
    and I think the Yamaha C1 has dual outs built in.  
    
    I'd be surprised if every sequencer software company didn't have multiple 
    midi busses available real soon now, if they don't already.  Doesn't seem 
    that it would be that difficult, software wise. But the interfaces would 
    be (and *are*, from what I've seen) more expensive. 
    
    Rodney
    

	C-Lab also has an expansion unit (for 64 channels) for use with 
	Notator/Creator, and even a hardware attachment for the Atari that 
	allows simultaneous use of 3 hardware cartridges (good for those lousy
	hardware keys).

	Dan

	

    re .2
    
    I think you are talking about the Opcode Studio-3, which includes SMPTE
    sync (converting to either MTC or DTL), 3 footswitch inputs, and
    connects to both ports on the Macintosh.  It has two MIDI in
    connections, one feeding each of the ports.  It has 6 MIDI out
    connections, which are assignable to either the printer or modem port.
    
    So the most you can get out of it is 32 channels.  These channels can
    be spread over up to 6 cables.
    
    A nice box, but not cheap.  List price $459.

    Poor man's method - keep the FX boxes off the network.  Punch in
    the patch numbers by hand. 

    In the case where an FX unit is dedicated to a single SGU (eg MIDIverb
    II to MKS70) put them on the same MIDI channel.

-b

	Another thing you can do, if the FX units support patch change mapping,
put them all on the same channel.  Also, Since most FX units *only* recieve
patch change commands, you might be able to put them on the same channel as
the drum machine.

	Dan

    You could sync a second sequencer and double your channels.
    
    Effective use of splits, note ranges and transpositions can buy you 
    some real estate.
    
    Edd

re .5

     No,  not the Studio-3.  What I was referring to is  something  new,
     which  might  not even be available yet.  Check the magazines, it's
     in there.  I've forgotten the name - it included the word "Time".

/Mitch

Brad, punching in effects by hand (on several boxes) while doing a mix
requires that I first create a couple of clones of myself :-). 

I actually do use the program change functionality on reverb FX and my FX500.
That way I can record vocals and guitar dry and try out different changes
that are recorded in the sequencer (CUBAE on ATARTST).

I like Paul's idea of using split zones which I haven't made much use off
so far. Same goes for the grouping of FX onto one channel and using the
mapping capability. But I can't include the drum machine as I change kits
on the HR16 (using program change) as a way of getting past the limittion of
16 sounds only being accessible via midi (not like other drum machines that
map all sounds across a keyboard.

Thanks these ideas.

Zayed

    
    FWIW, Mellotron is marketing a software/hardware package that allows
    running four MIDI busses in parallel (64 channels total).
    
    						Brian
    

	I'd love to see a solution to this also. I'm stuck at 16 midi
	channels because of my set up (4 active controllers transmitting
	on any channel at any random time). I couldn't add anything 
	to my set up (which is mostly rack mounted) if I wanted to.
	I disabled my MX-8's channel selection address (was on channel 11)
	because I needed to control my REX-50 (I'm using it for vocals).
	I need a seperate channel for another processor box with similar
	functions (or something that is truly sterio where I can affect
	left and right channels independantly without them interacting
	with each other - ie, left is pitch shifting and providing
	massive hall reverb, where right is light plate reverb - a side
	for each vocalist - unfortunately, none of the sterio boxes allow
	this sort of thing, ie, not really sterio, so instead of a single
	MIDI channel, now I have to use 2 channels). I wanted to put my
	lighting on a midi channel. No channel available, even tho there
	is a cheap and useable kit in a recent EM magazine that would
	get me started. Enough of this complaining. When I want to start
	adding guitar effects, then it gets even worse!!!!.

	16 channels don't hack it for me.
								Jens

Re: .2, .5, .9  Mac stuff

I  looked it up in the Feb issue  of  EM  magazine  (page  82).    I  was
mistaken.  It's not Opcode's latest, it's Mark of  the  Unicorn's  latest
Mac MIDI interface which purports to provide 8 MIDI buses.    It's called
the MIDI Time Piece.   It doesn't provide 8 buses per serial port, just 8
input buses and 8 output buses on one serial port.  The  box does merging
and  splitting.   I suppose you could connect one of these boxes to  each
Mac  serial  port.   The ad does say that you can connect up to  4  boxes
together to provide a total of 512 MIDI channels.  Will probably sell for
about a million dollars.

Sorry for the  confusion.  I'll check my sources before posting info from
now on.

/Mitch

    HI,
         What I do is using the same MIDI channel for different parts
    but I set a note limit on the MIDI boxes I use.
    These are old YAMAHA FB01's on which you can set a note range per
    sound .As an example :Strings on MIDI channel 5 from G-2 to B+1
    and horns on MIDI channel 5 from B+1 to upper limit.
    Now I record on two different tracks two seperate pieces and after
    the final check I merge these two tracks to one.
    So when a piece has no need of a whole note range you can use this
    method easily.It works perfect in case of Bass lines combined with
    drums or horns.
    
                       Good luck ,
                                   Arie Groen.
    

For CUBASE users this may be of interest:

Steinberg have come out with 2 hardware boxess called MIDEX and MIDEXplus.
MIDEX has two midi ins and 4 midi outs making it possible to control
4x16 (64) midi channels. CUBASE allows this to happen through assigning
both the bus (A,B,C or D) and channel no (1-16) for each track.

MIDEX+ is the above plus a synchronizer.

Zayed

re: .15

Sounds like CLab's Unitor too.  I wonder - are the two clones?  Anyone know?
Which is cheaper?

Somebody told me once that Cubase supports Unitor.  Is that true?

Chad