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MIDI Rack-Man

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About MIDI Rack-Man

  • Birthday 01/19/2022

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  • occupation
    Physician
  • hobbies
    Piano Organ Sequencing

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  1. BTW, Just when this glittery, heavy, upscale slab of nostalgia slowly prepares to come to market, I can't wait to hear what the GSI folks cook up with all their newly-sampled (and Modeled) keyboard offerings: A Gemini ii on steroids? In Rack form (4 lbs.), or in the perfect 61 or 73 key, high-trigger 15 lb. keybed? Also with Clonewheel. And SuperblyUnnatural (SU) sounds. And modeled acoustic electric FM PM piano, trombone, synths of the 60s 70s 80s 90s . . . Better go take my meds and start saving up ! MIDI Rack-Man
  2. Imagine combining a 2 lb MIDI rack and a 17 lb keyboard as a source of great joy and inspiration. They are easy to carry and don't cost $300,000. I have used the Dexibell SX7 module for several years now. Like all MIDI sound sources worth their while, the Dexibell is extremely customizable. I keep 2 platinum sounds (among the Platinum acoustic pianos or the terrific Platinum EP) on board at a time. Over the past years, by adjusting contribution of sounds from the virtual hammers and note release sounds, virtual damper artifact, and especially tweaking the Equalization, I have made the Dexibell my most enjoyable AP and tied with the Gemini for EP. Accordion being my first musical language, my Dexibell piano patches are customized to my thin fingers and light touch. While playing, the keyboard-to-sound connection is awesome, sounds best on the Numa Compact 2x and better than on my TS-10 because (for me) the velocity curve, shorter key excursion with earlier note-on trigger and the much quieter / less klunky action on the C2X make the experience a great joy. Mixing 2 or 3 pianos like AP + Rhodes emulation (from Dexibell Platinum and / or GSI Gemini) + / - FM piano (FS1-R) in varying intensities creates an endless pallete of amazing pianos. Now only if my playing were better . . . but the inspiration from the Dexibell is fueling my enthusiasm to keep practicing and improving. Make the Dexibell Your Own and be Inspired. M R-M
  3. Slightly OT but also ON topic: The M-Audio Code 61, an older cousin of the Keystation MkIII, has the nicest touch of any keyboard I have ever played (although for the first 6 months I owned it, caused creepy system-wide MIDI crashes during fast riffs or aftertouch use). That keybed is aptly described as BUTTERY. Is the M-Audio Keystation MkIII THAT keybed ? If so, that would be an amazing attribute of this new offering. BTW, nobody - on any Keybed-related thread - has ever identified WHO manufactured the awesome M-Audio Code-61 keybed. Non-deal-breaker flaws of the Code-61: The aftertouch is a bit too responsive, AFAIK, there is no high-trigger; and the keys are not waterfall. You have to put a particle-board underneath the body of the Code-61, or it BENDS IN THE MIDDLE if you bear down. I have the original WHITE model, and the MIDI crashes are gone. KeyboardPartner sells a set of MIDI CC's and labels for the M-Audio Code-61, making it the a nearly-perfect, thrifty MIDI keyboard controller for the HX3.5 MIDI Expander (organ) module. GOOD LUCK, M-Audio ! MIDI Rack-Man
  4. Hi, HX3'ers and HX3.5'ers. I want to be sure the wisdom about Phasing in this thread doesn't get lost from the venerable, 6 1/2-year-old HX3 thread, now into its 50th page with 1,539,947 views. Here is the HX3 thread: https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2550384/50 I have already added a cross-reference to THIS thread at the HX3 thread. The folks at KeyboardPartner have been courteous, prompt and helpful supporting my HX3.5 upgrade, and the HX3.5 authentic sound and the electromagnetic organ simulations (buy the upgrade AND the Electromag License) add value and fun to the package. Best wishes to all of us for a Happy, Sweet, Healthy and successful New Year - so much to hope and pray for ! MIDI Rack-Man
  5. Don't miss this small but important HX3.5 straggler thread featuring comments by HARDWARE and LX-88 - about the PHASER function. https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/3062211/phasing-scanner-c3-on-hx-3-5-hardware#Post3062211 I am also adding a cross-reference to THIS thread at the referenced thread. Best wishes to all of us for a Happy, Sweet, Healthy and successful New Year - lots to pray for ! MIDI Rack-Man
  6. What is the keybed in the M-Audio Code-61 ? ? That is a very good question. After reviewing the many keybed-related threads on several keyboard forums, NOBODY has answered this question. As a Code-61 owner, I would make a few remarks: For the first 6 months, the M-Audio Code-61 had occasional MIDI crashes which made me grateful I am not a live performer. After continued use for 6 months, especially with heavy use of the AFTERTOUCH, the problem has disappeared. Maybe I broke in the aftertouch, who knows. The aftertouch is probably too sensitive, but there might be software adjustments, which I have not bothered to play with. In contrast, the Studiologic Numa Compact 2X has perfect aftertouch, but for me, a former accordionist who likes light resistance, the action is perfect (for me) for piano but too heavy for the fast riffs I like for organ or synth. While I have never owned a waterfall keybed, so have no basis for comparison, the touch on the Code-61 is Fabulous, fairly light, very fast and with a rapid rebound. I wish it had a high trigger. The description "buttery" on the reviews is spot-on. I have yet to apply the HX3 presets and purchase the label set for the Code-61 from KeyboardPartner. Best, MIDI Rack-Man
  7. Tuesday, 8/18/2020 Hello, Keyboard Corneristas ! While I have kept busy with many things during this Apocalypse, I have continued to enjoy the HX3 as a home hobbyist and Sound Tweaker. With the evolution of the operating system up to HX3.5618; addition of HX3.5 control via WiFi AND Smartphones; many new CC presets for various controllers and MIDI drawbars; recently-upgraded 14-stage Vibrato; CaM-ROTOR upgrade; and addition of presets for the M-Audio Code 61 ( Yay - I have that ! ) which make it the ultimate thrifty MIDI controller for the HX3, I have continued the quest to improve and extend the sounds of the HX3 where no other MusicGeek has gone before. I now present 21 presets, #s 23-43 embedded in a 400KB DAT file. NOTES: The file is available on KeyboardPartner's user's forum in a new "HX3.5 Presets" entry: http://forum.keyboardpartner.de/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1091 You need the following: a) The HX3.5 module HARDWARE upgrade AND the b) companion purchase of the "extended organ license"; c) Any firmware update after 5.33, but I am using 5.618 - the newer updates allowed NAMING of the PRESETS (of which there is room for 99 with the upgrade); d) You have to become comfortable using the HX3.5 EDITOR and the HX3.5 PANEL Programs and the PRESET MOVER page - all of which AFTER learning to use the HX3.5 UPDATER. The updater is now VERY EASY to use, running the updates PRETTY MUCH AUTOMATICALLY - except near the beginning of the update you have to terminate the DFU Dreamer Update by pressing ABORT - no big deal. The Editor is required because any firmware update resets your personal Hardware settings - which make my new presets NOT sound right. I do not completely understand why, but the default environment after a firmware upgrade RESETS how your HX3.5 and PRESETS function. On every preset, I have adjusted Vibrato, Perc, Drawbar Settings, Reverb settings, Phaser and CaM-Rotor Settings (you can load a DIFFERENT CaM-ROTOR SPEED with EACH PRESET) and many, many other parameters, but NONE OF THESE individualized Preset settings are recognized UNLESS you go on the Editor App, find Parameter # 1498 (under SYSTEM INITS or BOARD INITS); tick off all boxes, which changes the Parameter value from 7 or 127 up to the new value of 255; then press the "STORE TO GROUP" button, which saves this behavior to the actual HX3 unit even after shutting off the editor and the HX3 Midi expander. The #1498 value of 255 allows STORING / RECOGNITION and FUNCTION of all programmed-in parameters available when you dial in each new preset. All the files you need for UPDATE EDITOR and PANEL are downloaded from the KeyboardPartner site, and the latest firmware update, which has all the goodies for the latest update, are here: http://keyboardpartner.remotewebaccess.com/Files/index.php?dir=Current%20Firmware My new presets are in a .DAT file on the Forum Website: http://forum.keyboardpartner.de/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1091 The downloaded preset .DAT file needs to be stored within your newly-downloaded HX3 files for the firmware update: This main folder - wherever you download it - is called HX35_Update_5618 This file is from 6 August, with update HX3.5618; firmware; FPGA re-programming (slightly older). The above is the name of the main or parent UNZIPPED folder, and 2 folder clicks deep inside are the EDITOR, PANEL, & UPDATER Programs . . . . . . . . and the USER file folder. Within the USER folder, 2 levels deep within the UN-ZIPPED folder (nothing works until you have EXTRACTED the DOWNLOADED file) you will save the New preset from the Forums site ( http://forum.keyboardpartner.de/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1091 ). DOWNLOAD the "Bradley Kaufman Presets 2020.08.15 .DAT" from the Forum site, then go to your Windows DOWNLOADS Folder. Copy or Move the file into the USER file inside the already-created and UNZIPPED HX35_Update_5618 folder. Then load up that same .DAT file into the PRESET MOVER within the PANEL app when you are ready to load the new presets into your HX3. BEFORE LOADING THE NEW PRESET FILE: When the PANEL program is on, and you push "CONNECT" to connect to your HX3 unit, under the PRESETS Tab, check off all the boxes. Now you are ready to load up the "Bradley Kaufman 2020.08.15 Presets .DAT" file. [That's me, MIDI Rack-Man]: Go to the PRESET LOADER tab in the PANEL program, and click "LOAD PRESET" button near the bottom. Navigate to (you might already be inside) the USER folder 2 levels deep and select the new Bradley . . .DAT file, which loads onto the right column in the PRESET MOVER. The file name on the top of the page (in Red letters) should be the name of the newly-loaded "Bradley . . .DAT" Preset File. ERASE ALL THE PRESETS in the LEFT column, Then go to the RIGHT column, select all of the 99 NEW PRESETS, and drag them into the now-empty LEFT column, then press "APPLY TO HX3". You will see a red thermometer bar ("busy") while the sounds transfer into the HX3. At this point, you might want to check (U have to "disconnect" the PANEL program, click on the EDITOR program, click the "CONNECT" button which again restores the live HX3 settings) that the parameter # 1498 - BOARD / SYSTEM init value - is still "255", because transfer of the Preset file might actually reset the parameter # 1498 value back to 7 or 127 and make the sounds dull and boring. IS THIS ALL WORTH THE TROUBLE ?? If you like getting the most out of your HX3.5, you bet. And IT'S FREE ! My soundset of 21 presets adds entirely new instruments to the HX3.5's repertoire. The other presets sound EXACTLY THE SAME as before. Bass-note response on my new B3 organ presets is much more robust (a combination of Foldback and EQ adjustments). The "electromagnetic" or "transistor" organs and most of the remaining presets are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from what is included (presets 1-15) with the HX3.5 upgrade. I have done fun things with the ADSR capability; with the PHASER - coupled to and UNcoupled from the CaM-ROTOR effect. All kinds of different drawbar settings are included. There is a preset called "PERC-CORDION" using a different ADSR setting which simulates the small delay of air passing through the reeds of an accordion. This subtle delay imitates the characteristic attack of an accordion sound. Why have I gone to all this trouble ? Because I enjoy it; it has magnified my satisfaction using the HX3 and its upgrades; and I would like the HX3 to succeed. Also, I am hoping others will send their unique sounds into the forum to share with me and other users. Enjoy. MIDI Rack-Man
  8. Hi, LX88. My update included an introductory price reduction on the Extended License, the total upgrade for just under $300.00 (USD) . With apologies to Mr. E. Hob from Across the Pond, I am enjoying all of the Extended License goodies, though I have so far only scratched the surface. Each of us has to decide on the value of an upgrade for one's individual rig. This was one of the MOST WORTHWHILE upgrades EVER for me, made the HX3 come alive. ACHTUNG: Some Windows 10 skills would come in useful, like Backing Up your hard-won Presets and Configurations. Also, you have to send the HX3 to Germany though RETURN SHIPPING is free.
  9. A Quantum Leap in HX3.5 (ROTARY SIM; PRESETS; Vibrato / Chorus; EASE OF UPGRADES; Phased Rotor) is going on right now. As a home keyboard hobbyist, I have spent much of my life yearning for authentic, inspirational upgrades which, by sounding genuine, would inspire me to improve my playing. I have tweaked & adjusted endlessly: An amazing accordion and clarinet sound from the VFX (ported into the TS-10). A Rhodes wannabe cobbled from several presets in the JV-1080; and many, many, many others. Lately, the Genius of the Gemini and Dexibell Racks have added REALISM to my acoustic and electric piano, keyboard and organ armamentarium; and my playing has continued to change for the better. Unlike some of you, I"ve had no space, discretionary money or time to shackle to the 400 lb. beasts which are the HIGH-MAINTENANCE Hammonds and their Leslie sidekicks. Like the far-flung intrepid citizens in Isaac Asimov"s FOUNDATION at the edges of the Galaxy in the distant future, where $$ and resources (like metal, energy) were scarce, I am always looking for a thrifty, LIGHTWEIGHT solution for my music, like a 15 lb. 88-key, semi-weighted keyboard w aftertouch (Yup. Got that covered). Enter the 2 lb. HX3, which I owned for the past 4 years: It has been ALMOST there. The creator is clearly a genius, with vast talent as an engineer and computer coder. He has GOLDEN EARS, knows what sounds right and how to physically model it. He has been passionate and relentless in his pursuit of the ultimate Clonewheel (and now OTHER electromagnetic) organ collection. He has patiently and quietly continued his quest for Ultimate Electromagnetic Nirvana. Despite the almost-there realism and the terrific companion drawbar controller (another 2 lbs.), even after the HX3.5 upgrade last year, I wasn"t hooked. I played around with the new H100 / Wersi / Bohm menu (deep and a bit intimidating); and there were only 15 PRESETS to save your work. The Leslie SIM was OKAY. No more. As of the past month, with the 5.519 (and now 5.524 & 5.527) updates, several important things have changed: 1) The Rotor Sim is stunningly, CRAZY-real. If I understand it correctly, your Rotor Sim is not LOCKED IN as ONE, single default for ALL of your sounds, so you can have DIFFERING rotor speeds, ramp-ups-and-downs, microphone distance ('throb'), stereo separation FOR EACH AND EVERY PRESET. 2) The Vibrato / Chorus SIZZLES. I am not a V/C afficionado, but EVEN I can hear the difference now with the ROTOR FAST with and without V3/Chorus. AMAZING! LX-88 has to hear the new V/C, and I believe he will be stunned and validated by the improvements. 3) I have not yet tried the Wersi Phased Rotor, which can run unleashed from or SYNCRONIZED WITH the Rotor sim. Finally, 4) There are 99 PRESETS to store all of your work. This means you can keep a large collection (far more than the 12 ? 16? Black-on-white FACTORY PRESETS on your Console) of standard, rock, gospel, and organs of the 70s and 80s. AND 5) The computer pathway to a FIRMWARE UPGRADE has become an all-in-one, one-step automated process. BRAVO ! WINDOWS 10 ONLY, I suggest you use your USB 2.0 computer port if available. I am not wasting any time on the pathetic GM soundset. I would like if we HX3.5 v. 5.527 users can pool our talents and make a collection of presets to share. The factory-default presets are pretty-much EMPTY except for some (15) drawbar settings only. Congratulations to Carsten Meyer and his faithful support staff, Christian Persson; and HappyFreddy on the Keyboard Partner forum, for this breathtaking new HX3.5 miracle.
  10. As I put in my above note, the STICK sending Modulation DOES INDEED make the Gemini Organ Rotor cycle from fast to slow and back. But, like the MOD wheel on my TS-10, location on the left far side of the keyboard (and NOT on a pedal on the floor; or a quick click switch button in the MIDDLE of the board - like M-Audio Code 61 has) it is NOT a good location - and too much motion required for my taste on the stick OR the mod wheel to toggle from fast to slow and back. The reason for the extra meds is you have to look up the MIDI CC control number for EACH DRAWBAR in the Gemini; then program EACH SL NC 2x drawbar to send the Reverse drawbar MIDI values. All of this work goes into a single program location (in my case, program # 54), which now will send the drawbar MIDI commands to the Gemini. It is very reliable. I dread to think what will happen if the SL NC 2x loses its marbles and I have to program it all over again. MIDI Rack-Man
  11. YES, I am using my SL NC 2x to send MIDI drawbar information to a GEMINI MIDI rack (B-3 sound preset) using the old-fashioned 5-pin MIDI cables. It is kinda a labor of love to set up - BUT ONLY ONCE! You have to tell the drawbars to be drawbars instead of VOLUME CONTROLS - so the "top" of the drawbar sends MIDI = 0 instead of a MIDI = 127. I had to take extra meds the first time I set it up, but now, Preset #54 is customized for any Gemini Organ preset, and I can use the drawbars LIVE & GLITCH-FREE. A cute picture of the drawbar positions briefly shows up on the tiny OLED screen on the SL NC 2x while you move them around. It is a great joy. Sadly, I don't believe the PERCUSSION or VIBRATO controls on the SL NC 2x send MIDI information to switch PERC or VIBR/CHORUS on the Gemini, but I have not tried to do that. Can anybody please tell me I am wrong ?? The MODULATION STICK on the NC 2x does send ROTOR FAST / SLOW by MIDI to the Gemini, but I find this less than useful. ?? has anybody figured out a way to send MIDI from a pedal attached to the NC 2x to actuate ROTOR FAST / SLOW ? Best, MIDI RACK-MAN
  12. Have no fear. The sticks are fine - there definitely is a CLICK when you depress the stick while it is centered. The excursion is ~ 1/2 to 2/3 as much as the main control knob (shall we call it the "INFRA-KNOB" - in contrast to the Yamaha Montage SUPER KNOB ?) and seems to have potential use as a switching device, much like many musical / electronic multi-function controls. Meanwhile, the vinyl sleeves look good; feel very good; and to me improve the function and reliability of the controller sticks.
  13. OK, OK, it's not a reinvention of the wheel. I thought it would be nice to have a more grippy surface for the small control sticks, which are a bit slippery; but seem sturdy enough, just not quite there in usabilty. So I ordered 2 items to try, and this one is just PERFECT: Name of Product: Jocon SF9000 PVC Flexible Vinyl Round End Caps Shelf Organizer Tip Caps Wire Thread Protector Cover (Inner Dia 5mm, Black) Probably used in dishwashers or electronics. Or, I suppose, on Shelf Organizer Tip Caps (DOH!). Link for product: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HBB9HR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I attached a photo, hope it works, this is my first try. IT FITS LIKE A GLOVE. I love it. When i slipped the covers on, there was a click: Either I broke the control (will let you know, no time to play this morning); or it has a push-click switch which to my knowledge is not activated in the current Numa C2x iteration. For ~ $6.99 (WITH 98 spares), a perfect accessory. Maybe it will make you like the control of the STICKS better !
  14. Here's a thought: Since the NC2x gererously provides 99 program presets, use 2 ADJACENT programs identical one to the other, one with vibrato OFF and its neighbor with vibrato ON, and rotate the program selector knob back and forth between the 2 to activate or deactivate your favorite vibrato / chorus sound.
  15. Just came by email . . . After a whole year of very little sound releases (I still haven't loaded up the HARMONIUM, so sue me), Dexibell finally announced New Platinum US and Italian Pianos and New PLATINUM Electric Piano sets. I see only a single Platinum USA piano and a single Italian Platinum piano on the SX7 download page, so perhaps these are replacing the previous downloads. But the new EP is there. The example sounds yummy. More to follow when I have time to try them. EXCITING ! ð
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