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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:	* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:	Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:	DYPSS1::SCHAFER

Created:	Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:	Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2852
Total number of notes:	33157

2369.0. "Midi Loopback Cable to Check RD-300?" by WACHU2::HERTZBERG (I knew that) Fri Jun 15 1990 13:56

    I just picked up a used Roland RD-300 yesterday.  Everything seems
    to be working OK, but I'd like to check it out as carefully as possible
    (I can give it back within four days if I find a problem).  Since
    I have no MIDI gear, I haven't been able to check out that part
    of the machine.  But... a plan has formed in my small mind.
    
    Could I make a loopback connector to strap the MIDI-in to the MIDI-out,
    then set up the piano so that key presses are going out to MIDI
    but not to the internal sound generators... and also set it up to
    have the internal sound generators controlled by the MIDI-in?  Sounds
    like it could work.  Agree?
    
    If so, could somebody speculate on the wiring of such a loopback
    connector.  Would it be a straight pin-to-pin or would there be
    some swapping like in a null modem cable?
    
    								Marc

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2369.1	Yep...	WEFXEM::COTE	As seen on TV!	`Fri Jun 15 1990 14:03`	4
	If the RD-300 has a "local-off" parameter, turn it to "off" and use a standard MIDI cable to do just what you're suggesting... Edd
2369.2	Or...	WEFXEM::COTE	As seen on TV!	`Fri Jun 15 1990 14:04`	5
	If you DON'T have a "local off" hook the cable up anyhow and play normally. If everything is working correctly you should find your polyphony cut in half. Edd
2369.3	... or ...	DYPSS1::SCHAFER	Brad - boycott hell.	`Fri Jun 15 1990 14:08`	4
	... plug the cable into something else and turn the volume completely down on the RD300. +b
2369.4	Maybe I'm off, but this sounds right	VFOVAX::BELL		`Fri Jun 15 1990 14:16`	7
	Hey! That would be an interesting way to check out the oscillators for digital integrity. Get an oscilloscope, hook her up with the loopback (local ON) and play a note. See if you get any chorusing, etc. Worth a try, right? Mike
2369.5	Told you I had a small mind!	WACHU2::HERTZBERG	I knew that	`Fri Jun 15 1990 14:28`	9
2369.6	No local-off - another check	DREGS::BLICKSTEIN	This is your brain on Unix	`Fri Jun 15 1990 20:09`	13
	The RD-300 does not have any "local off" capability. The best suggestion so far is to do the loop back and see if it cuts down on your polyphony. One other test you can do is issue a patch change from the RD-300 and see if the selected sound changes. To issue a patch change, I believe you hold down either the UPPER (or LOWER) button and press the any of the keyboard keys for patch change (it says what it does right above the key). db
2369.7	What's the difference?	WACHU2::HERTZBERG	I knew that	`Fri Jun 15 1990 21:44`	17
2369.8	Sounds like local control switch.	TROA01::HITCHMOUGH		`Sun Jun 17 1990 12:39`	9
	What you describe sounds like local on/off, UNLESS all it does it disable the internal voices from playing at all..like a MUTE switch. Putting a standard cable from out to in should do what you're looking for. If the unit has different send and receive channel capability, ensure that they are set to the same number. Ken
2369.9	Checked out OK	WACHU2::HERTZBERG	I knew that	`Mon Jun 18 1990 14:59`	8
	Thanks for all the suggestions. I was able to check the MIDI out completely. Playing from the keyboard to the internal modules through the cable (stopped playing when I unplugged the cable... it does have a local OFF), selecting voices over the MIDI, mismatching send and receive channels and it stopped playing, etc., etc., etc. Now I know the MIDI'll be ready when my pocketbook refills! Marc