Os X, Dp4, Midi & Patch Lists, MIDI Patch lists and OS X Options

[TiguerSound]

Newbie to this forum.
I'm running DP 4 ond OS X 10.2.6.
Let me preface this - all my MIDI devices are working just fine with one problem.
This may be a stupid question.
When I set up my MIDI environment in OS X Audio/Midi set up, I descibe my equipment, cables etc. etc.
When in DP4, I have no option to choose or change patches on any MIDI device. Since there were no pre-defined units to choose from in Audio/MIDI set up, I'm assumming there is no patch list information anywhere. I would think that I would at least get a defaualt Patch 1, Patch 2 etc. drop down list in DP4 when I click either the patch colum or the default patch column in the sequence window. The clicks do not do anything. I have no option to choose anything. The only thing I can do is select the device and MIDI channel, and then manually dial up the sound from the front panel of my MIDI device - major step backwards.
1. Is there a place to define my patches?
2. Why am I not seeing a drop down list of default (patch 1, patch 2 etc.) pathces for any instrument?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[ilska23]

I suffer from the same problem as you.
Did you use DP 3 before and do you have a Freemidi configuration from that?

If so you are able to convert your old Freemidi configuration and the patchlists that comes with DP3 (and DP4 too I think) These patchlists are factory made. So if you have special patch lists as I had, for devices like the Roland U110 they have disappeared forever in DP 4.

What I know MOTU will release the patch editor/librarian called Unisyn 2.0 for OS X during 2003.
I thought the program was a little bit difficult but that is probably the solution for making patchlists into DP4 later this year.

Best Regards

OS X and midi is just in the beginning, that's for sure. Perhaps we have to give a year or so before it is comparable with OS 9 from the patchlists point of view.

[TiguerSound]

Thanks for the reply. I tried the Freemidi thing (Freemidi conversion program) but it looks like it just configures Aduio/Midi set up like I already did in OS x.
Does anyone know where the patch lists are supposed to be stored? Any one know why I don't see a list of default patches and why I don't even have a choice? (clicking on the area in DP for Patch or Default Patch doesn't do anything - like it's disabled or something.)
Thanks

[ilska23]

Does anyone know where the patch lists are supposed to be stored?

Yes. Go to to the folder called Library
Next Go to the folder called Audio
Next Go to the folder called MOTU

There you will find patchlists for most devices.

But dont ask me how they showed up there.

For me those Factorymade patchlists are working in DP 4

[TiguerSound]

For whatever reason - I have no patchlist or manufacturer info or anything in that folder.
I did find a program called Cherry Picker that seems to offer some hope. I'm messing with it now.
http://www.savagetranscendental.com/cherrypicker/

I do not know why I don't have any MIDI info in these folders - I've reloaded DP4 and the full OS X OS.
I was able to get a patch list showing in DP4 using Cherry Picker but it doesn't actually pick the patches, I have to choose them using Cherry Picker. It's a workaround but I'd like to know why I have no Midid info in my OS.

[TiguerSound]

Ok I went to my Previous systems folder (which is created after you re-install OS X) and there were all the Files. Patches are working fine in DP. All is well in TiguerSound land now. Very odd.
Thanks

[ilska23]

Just want to Thank you for the tips with Cherrypicker.
This is what I been looking for.

There is now hope for me to convert my special patchlists which costed me hours in the past.

I am just said that Motu wont release Mosaic for OS X.

I have ordered a G5 and still I cant rely on OS X so OS 9 is the system that works most of the time.

But I hope it will be possible to switch completely sooner or later.

[dixiechicken]

You DO HAVE midi info on your system. The patchlist are in ONE of two possible places.

1:)
/Library/Audio/MIDI devices/MOTU

or

2a:)
/Users/[your user]/Library/Audio/MIDI Devices/MOTU
2b:)
/Users/[your user]/Library/Audio/MOTU

The pachlists themselves are xml-documents with the suffix - *.midnam.

These are plain ASCII-files you can edit in ANY text-editor ( dont use MS Word )
( cut copy and paste WILL WORK - if you are careful to follow proper syntax )

Cheers: Dixiechicken

[Seth]

I came up with a way to convert FreeMidi patch lists into the XML format using Excel and some formulas to do text manipulations and wrap the data in the appropriate XML syntax. So now, after much fiddling, I have all my expansion board patches for the Proteus 2000 available plus was able to get patches for the Yamaha S90. DP4 under OSX is finally almost as usable as DP3 with OS 9.

One problem I haven't solved yet. With FreeMidi you could set up patch lists that used patches from multiple synth banks. So, for example, you could have a patch list of Synth Basses which might contain patches from 2 or 3 banks. With the XML spec, I can't see how you can do this since the spec requires the bank select controller values in the definition of the patch list. Anyone have a way to make this work?

Seth

[dixiechicken]

Seth - Depends on your synth, no.

On my Proteus 2000, Three of Seven soundbanks are userconfigurable.

Those three comes factory defaulted containing sounds from the other four soundbanks
that are NOT user configurable.

If your memory slots/banks for storing your own sounds - are accessible via bank select command
then you should be able to make your own custom patchlists.

Cheers: Dixiechicken