4.1Recording
Your
Performance
On
A
Sequencer
A MIDI sequencer will allow you to record, play back, store and edit MIDI data. Although hardware sequencers exist, we will focus on
the more commonly used software sequencers in this manual. Examples of popular software sequencers are Pro ToolsTM, CubaseTM
and LogicTM, although there are many different sequencing applications available for your computer.
In order to use the Panda with your sequencer, you need to set up the sequencer software so that the Panda is recognized as the
sequencer’s MIDI input device.
You need to choose a MIDI output device that is capable of making sound when MIDI data is sent to it. This may be a soundcard on
your computer, a VST instrument or a sound module connected to a MIDI port which is in turn connected to your computer. Please
consult your sequencer’s user manual for more information on how this is done. In this manual, section 1.3.1, “Using The Panda With
Your software” details how the Panda will appear in the device listing of your sequencer.
With the Panda set up to communicate with the sequencer, data will go into the sequencer and will be routed to a virtual synthesizer
within the sequencer software or sent to an external sound module via a MIDI output port. The virtual synthesizer or external sound
module will turn the MIDI data into audible sounds. You can then record the incoming MIDI data and edit your performance using
your sequencer.
13
Section 4: Usage
Examples
5.1 Program & Bank
Changes
Explained
The original GM MIDI Specification was designed to access only 128 different sounds using Program Change messages (0-127).
As MIDI devices grew to be more sophisticated and contain more sounds, Bank Change messages were included in the specification
to allow for more than 128 sounds to be accessed. Within each bank there are a possible 128 different sound patches that can be
accessed using the standard Program Change command. Using the expanded 14-bit Bank Change command, there are now 16,384
banks available—each with 128 sounds patches. Technically speaking, the first 7 bits of the 14-bit Bank Change message are sent in a
single byte known as the Bank LSB. The last 7 bits define another byte known as the Bank MSB. The Bank LSB is the most commonly
used. This allows for 128 bank changes, and often there is no need to send a Bank MSB.
You will find almost all MIDI devices respond to Program Change commands and many are organized according to the GM listing. In
all General MIDI devices, the different sounds are always organized in the same way from device to device, so the piano sounds are in
their particular place, the string sounds are in their place, the drum sounds and so on. All GM devices (both hardware and software
sound modules) are clearly labeled as such, so you know that their sounds are organized in the General MIDI structure. So when a GM
device receives a MIDI Program Change, it calls up a type of sound that you expect from the GM sound set. All non-GM devices call
up unique sounds from their memory upon receiving MIDI Program Changes. Since the sounds in a non-GM device are not arranged
in a particular order, you need to take a look at the device itself to see which sound you want and at which location in the memory it
resides. Many VST instruments such as Native Instruments’ FM7 or the synth modules in Reason are non-GM devices.
Bank Change messages are useful when calling up sounds from a large library that may exist in a particular sound module or software
synth. For example devices that are built with Roland's GS specification or Yamaha's XG specification require you to specify a Bank
Change in order to access the extra voices and effects that these devices provide.
Sending Program, Bank LSB and Bank MSB data is made simple using the Panda. Please consult section 2.4 to see how this is done.
Section 5:MIDI Information Specification