Assigning Midi in Cubas and Kontakt 4 for Z-tar

[g***@gmail.com]

I bought a Z-tar which is basically just a controller that looks like a guitar. I'd like to assign zones like a split keyboard situation going through Cubase 5 to Kontakt 4.

My first issue is that although I have the manual for my Ztar, my manuals for Cubase 5 and Kontakt 4 are in another city. I haven't assigned midi like this in a loooooong time. After I set up my recording software the way I wanted it, I've never looked back.

When I change only the midi channel in my Ztar and in Kontakt 4 both to channel 2, it won't play. It only works on channel 1. I'm sure I'm missing something important. Maybe there's a program/patch change I have to do but I'm confused about change it to what and where to change it. In Cubase 5 also? Where?

I'd like to be able to have a bass guitar in one location. In another location I want to put preprogrammed guitar chords from Kontakt 4 by using different samples stacked on the same key. In a third location I want my Holdsworthian lead guitar sound.

I'm currently able to make my guitar chords play with just a tap of a single key on my Ztar with the key middle C, for example, but when I try to block out middle C's that exist in other locations on my instrument it doesn't work because I haven't assigned midi correctly.

I'll be playing the lead guitar sound with my right hand but if I venture too close to the headstock I start to unintentionally trigger chords which only belong in the left hand. (I'm doing a 2 hands thing.) It's gonna be really cool when I get it going. But I either have to get my manuals or some nice person here can explain what I should do to make the midi assignments. Thanks

PS I already put this on Gearslutz.com but after 150 people viewed my request, I posted the second half but still no replies.

[richard brown]

Hi..

1) Just set Cubase up with its 'input channel source'   changed to 'all or any' ..This will record all of the channels onto one single track. You can 'explode' them later if you want, into their respective separate tracks.


Any zones that you send from layered midi channels on Ztar will automatically assign and record on this single 'multi-channel' .


Make sure that any 're-map midi input routing'  is set to 'off'.  I do not know your iteration of Cubase exactly.. I use SX 3.5

2) Alternatively, arm 3 or 4 channels, (each Cubase channel assigned to its respective Ztar zone channel ) and then record all the tracks in one pass, and you will end up with 3 or 4 tracks each on their own channel. 


(same as the above, except all channels are recorded discretely, rather than onto a Cubase 'multi-channel'



Which model of Ztar do you own?

hope this helps.. If not, let me know, and we can delve deeper :-)

 
richard
bg (Bulgaria)

Mini ZX. Mini ZX. Vr3. Z1.

[richard brown]

If your zones are set up incorrectly, (and your right hand is straying into left hand territory) then you must fix this first.  


Start methodically, initially with ztar to cubase working OK, and receiving on all sent channels, and then assign Kontact to the respective channel that you want to send the set Ztar zone to.


If you are only using Kontact as your sound source, then you may have to run multiple iterations of it.  I do not know if it can receive on 'all channels' as Cubase can.  It may be 'remapping input' always to channel one. 


richard
bg (Bulgaria)

[richard brown]

Part 3.

Use 8 (or 16 ) out of Kontakt and then create the outputs in the Kontakt GUI to correspond to the output tracks in VST, (that the Ztar is sending on)


Then route the individual instruments to the separate outputs in the Kontatk
GUI by selecting the output on each of the respective instruments.
 
richard
bg (Bulgaria)

[g***@gmail.com]

Hi Richard,
thanks for getting back to me. I really appreciate it but I'm not really seeing the answer I'm looking for in your responses. Here's why;

You initially said set to "all or any". I don't think that works because, although I'm only talking about two instruments just now, my next plan is to have bass with drums in the same zone, guitar with high hat in a different zone, and lead guitar in the last zone. I think I need at least 3 devoted midi channels right? My question is how to do this. Yes, I must be that stupid. I set midi channel to 2 in Kontakt 4 and midi channel to 2 for one of my zones in the Z-tar and voila! Nothing. How do I set midi correctly?

Also, you seemed to have thought that I'm trying to record. I'm not.

I'll check on the remap midi input routing.

You asked what kind of Z-tar I have. I own a Z7-S

The zones are not set up incorrectly. Midi is set incorrectly Both zones are set to channel 1 since that's the only one I can get to work so of course they bleed over the top of each other.

I'm already running multiple iterations of Kontakt 4.

Thanks for your kind consideration.

[g***@gmail.com]

Lastly you said, create the outputs in the Kontakt GUI to correspond to the output tracks in VST, (that the Ztar is sending on)

I think that's right on the face of the Kontakt 4 instrument right? If the Z-tar zone is set to channel 2, I think your meaning is set the kontak4 channel to channel 2 also. I've already done that if that's what you mean.


Next you said, Then route the individual instruments to the separate outputs in the Kontatk GUI by selecting the output on each of the respective instruments.

Where's that? I'm not sure I know how to select outputs. I think you mean in Cubase but I'll look on the Kontakt 4 instrument to see if there's something else besides just setting channels. I'll look into it though and see if I can figure it out.

[n***@yahoo.co.uk]

I'm only talking about two instruments just now, my next plan is to have bass with drums in the same zone, guitar with high hat in a different zone, and lead guitar in the last zone. I think I need at least 3 devoted midi channels right?

Second example;
Bass (left hand) one channel/zone
Drums (left hand) one separate channel/zone (and a lot of re-mapping) unless you want your bass drum to always play with the bass.

( I have tried this, and it's not so easy to have the instruments fall exactly on the keys that you need, in the bass riff... A different riff, and hi-hat is playing snare parts, and bass drum is playing hi-hat. and it sounds as if the drummer has a drug problem or is playing backwards.. :-)

Guitar samples (right hand) one other zone
hi-hat (right hand) one channel (presumably the same channel that the drum zone is sending to) all notes in that zone fixed to either hi-hat open or hi-hat closed (or set this zone up as you prefer) 2 note options in this instance.

so for the above example you need four separate zones and three separate channels. I would use 4 zones and four channels for simplicities sake. But if the notes in the hi-hat r/h zone must be set to either open or closed, then only 2 note options, (or three note options if you have 'half-open' as well. )
-----

For just 2 instruments, (or for any amount, use this test) ;Example; left hand bass, and right hand solo voice, check first that Cubase is receiving on the correct midi channels.. Go into the mixer, and see if the meter ladders illuminate with each press of keys on that zone/channel. If so, you are sending ztar on two discrete channels and receiving on 2 discrete channels of cubase, so that's OK. If you then have problems in Kontakt, then Kontakt is not set up correctly.. I would get hold of a simple GM module, and check that all ztar channels are set properly and sending correctly (or use Midi Ox)

I don't know Kontakt, but download the manual and study! if you are using more than one channel in cubase (to enable a VST's on those channels), then you always have to specify what channels you are sending on, otherwise, Cubase re-maps them to channel one. hence your problems.. I suggested that you record a test, to see if you have zones appearing in Cubase on discrete channels.. You obviously don't.

Check your ztar patch also.. start with a clean one, and go thru all of the menus to see that nothing is on that you don't want to be enabled. (reverse volume fades for instance)
Work methodically ..First Ztar , then Cubase and test channel separation and just record rubbish as a test. Then Kontakt. I only saw help for Kontakt 5, but presume it's the same output assignment procedure..

hope this helps..

richard

bg

[g***@gmail.com]

Hi Richard,
I m made a video and it's uploading now of how my ztar is set up, how cubase is set up and what Kontakt 4 looks like. In the meantime, in response to your last message for just 2 instruments, you said check first that Cubase is receiving on the correct midi channels.

O.K. I'll go into the mixer and see if the ladders illuminate for each zone.

I would think that you MUST use more than one channel in Cubase.

I don't know how to check all Ztar channels are set properly with a GM sound module to see if the channels are set and sending properly. Ditto for Midi Ox.

A person can't really start with a clean Ztar patch because they've all been set up with presets. You have to go through and tweak everything to be what you want if it isn't already. I have to go through all the menus. Got it. I had done that before but maybe that wasn't the problem.

I'll check out the Kontakt 5 forum option if the Ztar and Cubase things are all set up correctly.

First Ztar, then Cubase, then Kontakt. Next post should be video in about 2 hours when it finishes uploading.

[richard brown]

A person can't really start with a clean Ztar patch because they've all been set up with presets.

Hi..

The above is incorrect..  If you got your Ztar new, it should have 8 x 'kits' and the rest should be empty..

If you didn't get it new, then I would initialise all kits and pads and controllers and velocity curves, and start from fresh.

 Alternatively, initialise a 'kit' and copy it to a few different locations..



 
richard
bg (Bulgaria)


________________________________
From: "***@gmail.com" <***@gmail.com>
To: ***@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 19 March 2014, 12:44
Subject: [midiguitar] Re: Assigning Midi in Cubas and Kontakt 4 for Z-tar



 
Hi Richard,
I m made a video and it's uploading now of how my ztar is set up, how cubase is set up and what Kontakt 4 looks like. In the meantime, in response to your last message for just 2 instruments, you said check first that Cubase is receiving on the correct midi channels.

O.K. I'll go into the mixer and see if the ladders illuminate for each zone.

I would think that you MUST use more than one channel in Cubase.

I don't know how to check all Ztar channels are set properly with a GM sound module to see if the channels are set and sending properly.   Ditto for Midi Ox.

A person can't really start with a clean Ztar patch because they've all been set up with presets. You have to go through and tweak everything to be what you want if it isn't already.  I have to go through all the menus. Got it.  I had done that before but maybe that wasn't the problem.

I'll check out the Kontakt 5 forum option if the Ztar and Cubase things are all set up correctly.

First Ztar, then Cubase, then Kontakt. Next post should be video in about 2 hours when it finishes uploading.

[g***@gmail.com]

8 Kits and the rest empty. Got it.
I stayed up till 3 AM last night struggling with all the details and no cigar.

I looked around in the first kit after initializing and cold starting my Ztar. I made sure Zone 4 wasn't active on channel 1 for example since I'm only using 3 zones. I made sure Solo was turned off and checked other settings. If we assume the Ztar is sending channel assignments correctly for the sake of argument, Cubase is not receiving on different channels I've assigned in the Ztar. Perhaps it's something in the way Cubase is set up or I'm doing it wrong within a project.

I've created 3 Ztar Zones with three Maps. I've turned off every note outside of each map/zone just to make sure they won't bleed into the other zones. I left an area of the fretboard without a zone assignment and it doesn't play anything so that's one clue.

The other clue is that if I make a fixed volume for a zone, the area which is playing that sound (bass) that is outside of that instrument's zone, is not using the fixed volume feature. The bass will still slap if I play in the place outside of the zone but within the zone it won't slap as I've instructed it. How is that possible if all the notes outside of the zone have been turned off. It's as if there's a zone/map still active either one of the ones I've got assigned or one of the other zones which has not been activated.

Also effects placed as an insert on the lead guitar zone are applied to the rhythm guitar. Not good.

I'm running separate iterations of Kontakt 4 and have assigned on the front panel of the Kontakt 4 instruments their midi assignments Channels 1,2, and 3 respectively to match Zones 1,2,and 3 plus maps 1,2 &3 all of which are on channels 1,2 and 3 respectively.

On the face of Kontakt 4 just above the place to create channel settings is a place for outputs. There's only one option so that's what I've chosen. Maybe I have to create a new option with a different configuration. Kontakt 4 has never needed something like that before but I don't know about the Ztar's zone requirements to make the hardware and software work harmoniously together.

I've looked for the thing you said about Cubase remapping everything to channel one but didn't see that.

Thank you again for your valuable time and attention.

[n***@yahoo.co.uk]

Please make sure that you're editing a patch after kit number 8. and not editing kits 1 to 8. (presets)

The presets may not store edits correctly.
In my experience, some Ztars do, but others not. Maybe different Ram/Rom protocols. I have had preset kits being lost after battery charge falls also or after new battery change, and then I am able to partially overwrite or partially edit the preset 'kits' and their names. .

It also seems to me as if you are assigning zones incorrectly and they are being set beyond their correct boundaries. When you press a bottom key of the rectangle to apply the base of your zone, and then you move the cursor to assign the top note of your zone, make sure that you press 'save' before you exit that menu.. and do not touch any key (other than the 2 x 'zone assign keys' ) or the Joystick until you have saved the patch.

It seems as if the top notes of your zones are being overwritten, either by further key presses on the neck, or by joystick movements, and are changing the zone boundaries..

Practice making separate zones on the neck.. for example, one zone from bottom 'E' 'string' to the octave 'E' on the top 'string' (fret 12) .. Then make another zone from the bottom 'string' 12th 'fret' (octave 'E' ) to the top E (24th 'fret'. ) You should have 2 x nearly discrete zones with overlapping zones on 6 'strings' on one 'fret' only...(Fret # 12.)

and only eadgbe on the 12th fret as common notes over two zones,,

It is a good idea to press the 'save' switch on the ztar body after every menu edit... (if you are sure that the edit you are storing is correct)

If you can get a cheap GM module from somewhere, just plug a midi lead into it, and connect to the Ztar PB1. and ignore USB until later.
It is much easier to troubleshoot Ztar (and to play) using GM or similar hardware, rather than never knowing if the Ztar is set up correctly or if it's a problem somewhere else, and then having inexplicable assignment problems and nightmares further down the Cubase and then the softsynth line...

If you understand your whole system, and all of the assignments, (and all of the many hundreds of assignable 'switches' ) then it is OK, but if not, then it is needlessly complex.. (until you can methodically travel further up the learning curve)


You should be able to send a standard test midi file from cubase to Kontakt and have 16 different midi channels firing voices.. If you can, then your problem is either in Cubase re-mapping your input to ch. 1, or in your Ztar assignments.

The Ztar is a very powerful instrument, and has multitudes of assignment possibilities.. Cubase is the same, and Kontakt is fairly complicated , and neither intuitive nor well laId out (in my opinion) .

It would make sense to start with the first instrument in your chain, and get to know that and to be sure that you understand and can program and assign any setup correctly, and then connect to Cubase and then to your softsynth..

If I were you, as a first 'groundwork' step, I would buy a cheap GM module, plug it into an amp or a stereo, and learn to assign zones correctly (without mistakes) and to copy great patches to other locations on this wonderful instrument (especially played with 2 x hands tapping) and then to edit the voices and zones, and then re-name the great patches you've invented..

hope this helps.

richard
bg

[g***@gmail.com]

O.K. I'll make sure to use kits above 8.

I went back and checked that my zones were still assigned correctly and they are still what I wanted but there's an issue with SAVING. I'm not getting a message that my kits have been saved when I press the save button. This may be what you were talking about with kits below 8. I'll try again with kits above 8 to see if they give me a Kit Saved message but if the interface says the zones are correct, it shouldn't actually matter but whatever, I'll try making zones again above 8. I thought it was strange that I could even turn off notes that are outside the zone. Why are they even allowed to appear?

In any event, I was successful to download Midi Ox but it said there is an update but if you have XP then it has already been updated. AS far as I know, Vista comes after XP and neither the MidiOx nor the Windows update page had updates for Vista that I could see. Although there were in fact updates for XP.

When trying to install Midi Ox on my music computer at home, it wouldn't run. Any suggestions?

Getting access to a general midi module here in Indonesia is not easy at all. Could be weeks or months before I could even find one. I don't have a credit card and I've closed my American bank account. I don't use American credit cards which are needed for most all online interactions.

[richard brown]

I'm not getting a message that my kits have been saved when I press the save button.

That's because you are trying to write them to a ROM location, not to RAM.
There is not a 'kit saved' message (at least not on any of my ztars) The display just blinks when you press the 'save' button on the Ztar body. (or when you enter 'save' in the dedicated menu.)

 Start at kit #9 and write a new name for that kit, save it, and proceed from there.

I don't understand what you mean by;  'I can turn off notes outside the zone'   

You set zones by pressing two key notes only, defining an oblong (or more correctly, a quadrilateral block).

You increment or decrement these 2 notes by using the cursor in the 'low' and 'high' zone display editing sectors and then you can use the note 'up/down' keys.(to define a zone with open strings for instance, ) but I don't understand where or how you're accessing notes outside the zones.

Look in 'musical for sale adverts'..it should be easy to get a Roland or Yamaha desktop module, or any Roland or Yamaha dealer can supply one. If not, (assuming that you have USB) download an onboard Roland gm soundset or similar, and check that all your zones are assigned correctly.

" but if the interface says the zones are correct, it shouldn't actually matter but whatever,"

It will certainly matter if you're trying to write to a preset ROM location..(1>8)  because it won't save anything, regardless of what the display says.

It seems that misunderstanding the basics of Ztar programming is at the root of your problems, and then trying to set up Cubase vst's and trying to get all of this to talk to Kontakt properly, (with an incorrectly set up source) is just compounding your difficulties..

If you are for some reason determined to try to write to a preset location, then copy it to another location (above 8) and then edit and save it..  But it is much easier to start from scratch.

The 'drums' and 'octaves' and '4ths' and '5ths' tunings and assignments are there for you to copy to other locations and then to edit to suit your preferences.  They are templates only (although you can play and demo them of course).

 hope my input helps.


 
richard

bg (Bulgaria)


________________________________
From: "***@gmail.com" <***@gmail.com>
To: ***@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 22 March 2014, 5:28
Subject: Re: [midiguitar] Re: Assigning Midi in Cubas and Kontakt 4 for Z-tar



 
O.K. I'll make sure to use kits above 8.

I went back and checked that my zones were still assigned correctly and they are still what I wanted but there's an issue with SAVING. I'm not getting a message that my kits have been saved when I press the save button. This may be what you were talking about with kits below 8. I'll try again with kits above 8 to see if they give me a Kit Saved message but if the interface says the zones are correct, it shouldn't actually matter but whatever, I'll try making zones again above 8. I thought it was strange that I could even turn off notes that are outside the zone. Why are they even allowed to appear?

In any event, I was successful to download Midi Ox but it said there is an update but if you have XP then it has already been updated. AS far as I know, Vista comes after XP and neither the MidiOx nor the Windows update page had updates for Vista that I could see. Although there were in fact updates for XP.

When trying to install Midi Ox on my music computer at home, it wouldn't run. Any suggestions?

Getting access to a general midi module here in Indonesia is not easy at all. Could be weeks or months before I could even find one. I don't have a credit card and I've closed my American bank account. I don't use American credit cards which are needed for most all online interactions.

[g***@gmail.com]

You wrote that you didn't understand what I meant when I said I could turn notes off outside the zone. After I've set up a zone, then you have to assign a map to it. I would think the map would be as small as the zone but none of them are. They're always the complete length of the fingerboard and just as wide regardless of what the zone parameters are.

I don't misunderstand the basics of Ztar programming as much as you imagine. I saved from kit 1 to kit 1 because the manual says I can. And I thought the Ztar would say "Kit Saved" because the manual says it will. But they wrote it a while back and things have changed it seems but they didn't bother to tell the rest of us.

I was successful to get an older version of Midi Ox working. At first, it didn't even show "Airpad" which seems to be the name for my Ztar in Cubase also. But after I futsed around in Midi Ox, It showed in a 4 quadrant window. Starting in the upper left hand corner;

In
1; Line 6 UX2
and 2; Airpad

in the lower left hand corner;

Out
2; Line 6 UX2
4; Midi Mapper
1; Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth
3; Airpad

in the upper right hand corner for Port Mapping;
UX2 has Airpad in it's submenu

In the lower right hand corner it has

Port Map Objects;
Channels
System
Midi8-Ox Events
Moxsysmap1.oxm

(The Channel submenu has 16 channels plus sys ex etc...)

In the lower right hand corner it shows 1 input device and 1 output device.

I performed one of the "actions" and could see in the monitor data coming in with this break down;

Timestamp(blah-blah)/ Input(IN2)/ Status(90)/ Data1 (29)/ Data 2 (4D)/ Chan(1)/ Note (F2)/ Event (Note On).

Both input and output ports light up in the midi port activity window.

The midi port routing window has Airpad routed to Airpad again by a line from running from left to right, then another routing line going from the airpad on the right to Midi Ox Event port below.

[richard brown]

You wrote that you didn't understand what I meant when I said I could
turn notes off outside the zone. After I've set up a zone, then you have to assign a map to it. I would think the map would be as small as the
zone but none of them are. They're always the complete length of the
fingerboard and just as wide regardless of what the zone parameters are.


Firstly, heed my advice about over-writing preset kits... Use only kit numbers higher than eight (ie. in the second display box as you scroll thru kit patches)  
You don't have to assign a map, there are no maps..  Possibly you mean preset-mapped zones..and presets may be the width and length of the fingerboard (I don't know as I have never ever inspected them or used them)  If you are intent on editing presets, then first copy them to a location higher than kit #8. and change the name.. 


Start at kit #9, set up a few zones, using 2 x key presses only to assign a zone. (top and bottom notes on the neck) , and  save everything before you move the cursor (ie. at every step)  Then give your new patch a name.. Then go to another patch, and then back to #9 and check that all has been saved.


Then let me know how you are getting on.   You should be able to assign say a dozen either overlapping or discrete zones easily (if you are not trying to write to ROM in kits 1 to 8.) If you are trying to write to kits 1 to 8, (ROM, instead of RAM) then no amount of help will lead to any success, ever.

As I told you before, start with the basics..and proceed from there.


If you are now adding airpad to cubase and kontakt, and all to receive from a Ztar OS in which you cannot assign anything correctly, then you are doomed to failure..(or alternatively prolonged dementia)


The Ztar is a very wonderful but simple instrument to set up, once you know what you are doing, and once you have made a working patch that does what you want on the neck, then you can easily copy it to other locations, and then change the names and the voices. (and save) then edit some of those user settings in their new locations. (and save)

Maybe other Ztarists here can help? or perhaps Harvey might give you some assistance..


richard
bg (Bulgaria)


________________________________
From: "***@gmail.com" <***@gmail.com>
To: ***@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 22 March 2014, 10:03
Subject: Re: [midiguitar] Re: Assigning Midi in Cubas and Kontakt 4 for Z-tar



 
You wrote that you didn't understand what I meant when I said I could turn notes off outside the zone. After I've set up a zone, then you have to assign a map to it. I would think the map would be as small as the zone but none of them are. They're always the complete length of the fingerboard and just as wide regardless of what the zone parameters are.

I don't misunderstand the basics of Ztar programming as much as you imagine. I saved from kit 1 to kit 1 because the manual says I can. And I thought the Ztar would say "Kit Saved" because the manual says it will. But they wrote it a while back and things have changed it seems but they didn't bother to tell the rest of us.

I was successful to get an older version of Midi Ox working. At first, it didn't even show "Airpad" which seems to be the name for my Ztar in Cubase also. But after I futsed around in Midi Ox, It showed in a 4 quadrant window. Starting in the upper left hand corner;

In
1; Line 6 UX2
and 2; Airpad

in the lower left hand corner;

Out
2; Line 6 UX2
4; Midi Mapper
1; Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth
3; Airpad

in the upper right hand corner for Port Mapping;
UX2 has Airpad in it's submenu

In the lower right hand corner it has

Port Map Objects;
Channels
System
Midi8-Ox Events
Moxsysmap1.oxm

(The Channel submenu has 16 channels plus sys ex etc...)

In the lower right hand corner it shows 1 input device and 1 output device.

I performed one of the "actions" and could see in the monitor data coming in with this break down;

Timestamp(blah-blah)/ Input(IN2)/ Status(90)/ Data1 (29)/ Data 2 (4D)/ Chan(1)/ Note (F2)/ Event (Note On).

Both input and output ports light up in the midi port activity window.

The midi port routing window has Airpad routed to Airpad again by a line from running from left to right, then another routing line going from the airpad on the right to Midi Ox Event port below.

[g***@gmail.com]

Yeah, I'll only use User Kits after 8 as you have recommended.

I didn't have a plan to assign preset maps. I created custom maps thinking that all would go according to plan. I'll scrap that until things get going better.

The friend Harvey has assigned to me has recommended that I use Midi Ox while playing from zones set to channel 2 to see what the Midi Ox monitor has to say about it. I'll be doing that when I get home from this internet cafe.

Also, instead of using one of the kits 1-7 and instead of using Kontakt 4, I used one of the user kits above 8 last night and loaded a different software synth. (Unlike Kontakt 4 which I can load into Cubase using the Project drop down menu, I must use the Devices drop down menu's VST Instruments option and choose to give a midi channel also with the instrument,

otherwise there's no way to set midi channels in the inspector window since you can't do it from the instrument as far as I can see, unlike Kontakt 4.)

Previously when clicking the Send softkey while in the Ztar's Midi screen, the signal would only light the transport panel's midi activity window.

Now that I'm using a different kit and not using K4, I see activity on the channel's midi fader set to channel 2 but if I try to play the instrument there's still no sound if only highlighting the track set to midi channel 2 except that both instruments play simultaneously from the zone assigned to channel 1.

If I create a channel w Kontakt 4 on Channel 2 and highlight it, the Ztar's send feature pings the transport panel but not the track's fader.

Hoping Midi Ox will reveal the issue later today.

Thank you so much for your very valuable assistance.

All the best...

[g***@gmail.com]

Hi Richard, there's no midi data coming into Midi Ox from the zones set to other channels than 1. I made sure that the zone was set correctly and the channel was set correctly. I went to a different kit, then came back to the kit above 8 to make sure nothing had changed. I opened the zone to make sure that it was still assigned properly and then checked it's Midi assignment. Everything was as it was supposed to be but still no data coming to the Midi Ox.

I decided maybe it was just channel 2 so I changed the Ztar's zone to channel 3 while Cubase was up (and Midi Ox had been turned off (because it won't run with Cubase using up so much memory).

When I went to channel 3 and played something in the zone assigned to that channel, I saw activity on the fader but a kind of automation command must have been issued by the Ztar cause when I went to the track fader, it was set to Zero. When I raised it and played in the zone again, it had stopped sending activity to the fader.

Here's the deal now. If the Ztar is set to channel 4 and Prologue is set to channel 4, the zone with channel 4 doesn't play. Zone 1 plays the sound assigned in prologue even though Zone 1 is set to channel 1 and Prologue is set to channel 4. Weird.

[richard brown]

Hi..



 Cubase is re-mapping all input channels to channel #1. as I said.. There is no other explanation, is there?  Does this still happen if you set Cubase to 'any' on the respective channel input boxes, as I said before?

You should use a standard midi lead and a cheap GM expander as a sort of 'test kit'.

If there is something wrong with the Ztar (which I very much doubt) then you can see / hear it easily.. But most of all,by keeping it simple, you can  be sure that each element in your setup is OK.  So far, you haven't even been able to correctly assign a zone and hear it.. (IMO because incorrectly assigned computer software is in the way)

You need get the Ztar to send properly, as step # one, but you cannot ever be sure..without a simple test.
Ok.. now maybe Ztar is sending fine, (but you cannot really tell) then we come to problem # 2 ;
ie. having assigned channels to correct 'kits' (ie, not ROM kits) now it seems that Cubase is not set up correctly.
If I were you, I would borrow a midi synth from a shop or a friend, and try changing the sending channels. See if Cubase is remapping them as a first.


I only play Ztars with two hands tapping, unaccompanied, and normally directly into a simple midi expander, and I only practice in this way.
It is not so 'flashy' as some Ztar styles with Ableton or Reason etc. but it certainly gets your independence and chops down, and lets you explore the very many possibilities of this amazing instrument, and it always allows you to practice developing technique, rather than developing frustration..
Then and only then, I can add my midi rhythm arrangers, midi step sequencers, midi DAW software, midi hardware sequencers, and midi hardware expanders to my heart's content, certain that all of my Ztars are set up correctly..    





 good luck



richard
bg (Bulgaria)


________________________________
From: "***@gmail.com" <***@gmail.com>
To: ***@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, 23 March 2014, 5:13
Subject: Re: [midiguitar] Re: Assigning Midi in Cubas and Kontakt 4 for Z-tar



 
Hi Richard, there's no midi data coming into Midi Ox from the zones set to other channels than 1. I made sure that the zone was set correctly and the channel was set correctly. I went to a different kit, then came back to the kit above 8 to make sure nothing had changed. I opened the zone to make sure that it was still assigned properly and then checked it's Midi assignment. Everything was as it was supposed to be but still no data coming to the Midi Ox.

I decided maybe it was just channel 2 so I changed the Ztar's zone to channel 3 while Cubase was up (and Midi Ox had been turned off (because it won't run with Cubase using up so much memory).

When I went to channel 3 and played something in the zone assigned to that channel, I saw activity on the fader but a kind of automation command must have been issued by the Ztar cause when I went to the track fader, it was set to Zero. When I raised it and played in the zone again, it had stopped sending activity to the fader.

Here's the deal now. If the Ztar is set to channel 4 and Prologue is set to channel 4, the zone with channel 4 doesn't play. Zone 1 plays the sound assigned in prologue even though Zone 1 is set to channel 1 and Prologue is set to channel 4. Weird.

[g***@gmail.com]

I'm having to agree with you about Cubase remapping everything.

I was successful to get midi data to enter the Midi Ox from the Ztar's Channel 2. But it's still bleeding into other zones. If I only highlight the track set to channel 1, it's VST instrument plays in both zones. If I only highlight the track set to channel 2, it's VST instrument plays in both zones. If I highlight both tracks both tracks play in both zones at the same time.

I asked on Gear Slutz.com if anyone knew if there was something in Cubase to disable whatever maps everything to channel 1 but after more than 100 views no one has replied.

I'm currently unable to use a standard midi lead because my current external sound card doesn't have midi ins or outs. Anyway, I think we've narrowed it down to that.

That's only for VST instruments other than Kontakt 4 which still won't play on Channel 2.

Thanks,
Greg

[g***@gmail.com]

Hi again Richard,

btw I have a master's degree in music composition from Daegu university in South Korea. If you like jazz fusion then have a listen to this. You might enjoy knowing better who you're talking with.
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12067897 http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12067897

Greg

[richard brown]

Hi Greg..

Have you changed the channels to 'ANY' or 'ALL'  in the cubase window.?? (underneath the input and output fields)

If you select the “All MIDI Inputs” option, the track will receive MIDI
data from all available MIDI inputs.
• If you hold down [Alt]/[Option] and select a MIDI input, this is selected
for all MIDI tracks.
• If you hold down [Shift] and select a MIDI input, this is selected for all
selected MIDI tracks.

I pasted the above from Cubase v5; SX, but I do not know your version..  It will be similar..


 
richard
bg (Bulgaria)


________________________________
From: "***@gmail.com" <***@gmail.com>
To: ***@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, 23 March 2014, 10:42
Subject: Re: [midiguitar] Re: Assigning Midi in Cubas and Kontakt 4 for Z-tar



 
Hi again Richard,

btw I have a master's degree in music composition from Daegu university in South Korea. If you like jazz fusion then have a listen to this. You might enjoy knowing better who you're talking with.
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12067897

Greg

[g***@gmail.com]

I did change that field to "Any and All" but it still didn't produce any change in the Ztar's functioning. Also, I'm confused about doing that since The ztar manual says that you have to assign the same midi channel to the track it belongs to. "Any and All" sounds like what it says. Channel AND channel 2 will go to whatever tracks are set to ANY and ALL. That wouldn't be what I'm after if that's the case. I'll try what you suggested though with the Cubase commands. The only thing I know to call my software is Cubase 5 but I can look again.

Best regards,

Greg

[a***@ymail.com]

On 24 Mar 2014, at 02:38, <***@gmail.com> wrote:

I did change that field to "Any and All" but it still didn't produce any change in the Ztar's functioning. Also, I'm confused about doing that since The ztar manual says that you have to assign the same midi channel to the track it belongs to. "Any and All" sounds like what it says. Channel AND channel 2 will go to whatever tracks are set to ANY and ALL. That wouldn't be what I'm after if that's the case. I'll try what you suggested though with the Cubase commands. The only thing I know to call my software is Cubase 5 but I can look again.

Best regards,

Greg

[a***@ymail.com]

does your cubase version have a midi filter plugin? if it does you could set each individual track in cubase to receive all midi the merged, then filter out the other channels using a midi filter plugin


On 24 Mar 2014, at 02:38, <***@gmail.com> wrote:

I did change that field to "Any and All" but it still didn't produce any change in the Ztar's functioning. Also, I'm confused about doing that since The ztar manual says that you have to assign the same midi channel to the track it belongs to. "Any and All" sounds like what it says. Channel AND channel 2 will go to whatever tracks are set to ANY and ALL. That wouldn't be what I'm after if that's the case. I'll try what you suggested though with the Cubase commands. The only thing I know to call my software is Cubase 5 but I can look again.

Best regards,

Greg

[g***@gmail.com]

Hi Midi Monster,

yes I've got them puppies. Thanks I can try that.In the meantime here's my setup;

Hi Richard,

In the Devices drop down menu, I can choose Device Setup and in the Midi Port Setup Dialog Box it says Device (Windows MIDI)/ In or Out (In)/ Port System Name (Airpad)/ State(Active) and “In ‘All Midi In’” is checked. Line6 UX2 {which is my external sound card} is active and set to All Midi Inputs.

Windows midi Out/ Airpad/ Inactive.

Windows Midi Out/UX2 Active.

Let me know if any of that should be different.

In Device Setup again, under Remote Devices, Quick Controls has All Midi Inputs selected but Airpad is one of the options to replace it with. Midi outputs is “not connected” but has Line 6 and Airpad as options.

Are my current settings right?

Still in Device Setup, VST Audio system has ASIO UX2 as the only subbranch of it’s tree.
Clicking on that shows the ASIO UX2 Sends 1 & 2 are active and Outputs 1&2 are active.

VST System Link (whatever that is) has ASIO In and Outs “not connected.”

In the Devices drop down menu there’s the option for VST Connections. Clicking that shows Stereo In L &R for ASIO UX2 using sends 1&2 and outputs 1&2 also.
Seems right to me.

There’s a tab for External Instruments but I don’t remember seeing in the Ztar’s manuals about having to add the Ztar here. My Cubase wasn’t showing any external instruments connected even though my Ztar was plugged in so I clicked Associate Midi Device and there’s an option for Ztar. I’ve now assigned it sends 1 &2 for Ztar’s return bus Left and Right.
Didn’t make my Ztar Zones stop bleeding though.

Under Devices there’s also the Midi Device Manager. It shows a Ztar. Under variables it shows channel “1” with options to add parameters or variables.

Should that be different?

When clicking the Add parameter option, I see under “Transmission” a valid range for “channel” is 0-15.

In Midi Device Manager the Ztar’s output is assigned to Line 6 UX2.

In the Inspector window of a track in Cubase where I normally assign Kontakt 4, there’s the option for input routing. It has options for “All Midi Inputs, Line6 UX2 and Airpad. I get the impression that Harvey thinks this should say Ztar not Airpad so that might be one of the problems. I also think I’m not supposed to choose "All Midi Inputs" but the other person I’m talking to on the midiguitar forum who’s owned several Ztars says that should be set to “All Midi Inputs” but he’s using the terminology “Any and All.” I don’t see something that exactly says “Any and All.”

I used to only assign Kontakt 4 to Output routing but I’ve had to create midi tracks to go along with my VST instrument tracks or there’s nowhere to assign midi.

[g***@gmail.com]

Hi Richard,

the only other piece of information we have is that Midi Ox thinks the Ztar is called Airpad not Ztar.

The Ztar's Zone 1 is broadcasting on channel 1 and the Ztar's Zone 2 is broadcasting on channel 2. Because of that we can know that all of my Ztar settings are perfect and the Ztar is working perfectly also EXCEPT something is making Cubase think the Ztar is called Airpad.

The Airpad was only hooked up to my computer one time when it burned out and has never been connected again because it can't be. I'm also sharing this with Harvey.

Greg

[g***@gmail.com]

I tried again to make Midi Ox perceive my Ztar as "Ztar" not "Airpad" but after tweaking everything I could find it's still "Airpad." Harvey says it should say "Ztar". I wonder if that's crucial or not.

Greg

[g***@web.de]

Hi Greg,
I didn't follow this thread closely, just picked your last two messages.
If you're on Windows, here's the means to get rid of your "Airpad" entry in Windows which appears to be interfering.
Create a new textfile and paste the following two lines in there.
-----
set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
start devmgmt.msc
-----
Then save or remame the file as "Devicemanager show nonpresent.bat", which makes it a batch file.
Then doublecklick it, the devicemanager opens, there you go to the menu "View" and tick "show nopresent devices"...
(these two menu terms here are kind of translated from German WinXP, so they might actually be a bit different.)
That shows you the devices that had previosly been connected to your computer.
There you go and locate the "Airpad" entry, then uninstall it. Done. Gone.
Now it can't interfere anymore and your ZTAR should show up properly.
Good luck,
:^) Greg (the other one)

[g***@gmail.com]

I just read Keri Smith's book called Everything is Connected and it said I should send what I'm doing to someone with the same name as me so here you go Greg;
Everything is Connected
http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7559 http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7559
Bruce Lee's Guitar Solo
http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7557 http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7557
3 Finger 8 Note Scales
http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7558 http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7558
4 Finger 8 Note Scales
http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7441 http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7441
If you only read one go for Bruce Lee's Guitar Solo.

Bye

[g***@gmail.com]

Unfortunately the maker of the instrument is now telling me that he also has one that shows up with that and it plays fine and has absolutely nothing to do with the problem we're having. I might try your solution if nothing else seems to fly.

Thanks all the same.
Best regards,

Greg's of the world unite.