Axiom 25 + Clavinova + Roland JV-1010 or XV-2020, questions:

[oscarr111111]

With these three things in combination, preferably away from a computer, will I be able to perform the following functions:

 

1. Use the pitchbend and modulation wheels of the Axiom on the notes played (by the sound module) from the keys of the Clavinova.

 

2. Use the keys of the Axiom to play separate sounds (from the sound module) to that which the Clavinova is currantly using (for example I would like to play Pad, String or Bass sounds with the Axiom while playing the melody or anything else on the Clavinova). Using the pitchbend and mod wheels on the keys of the Axiom is not really needed (preferred, almost), since I'll be playing it with my left hand.

 

3. Control drum sounds (from the sound module) with the velocity pads of the Axiom, I'd like to be able to have them mapped to the drum sounds while having the Clavinova and Axiom keys mapped to different sounds (from the sound module).

 

4. This is perhaps a long shot, but could I set it up so that the keys of the Axiom will sustain indefinitely after being pressed? (when using a Pad or String patch for example).

 

5. I presume I can use the knobs and dials of the Axiom to control various things on the sound module?

 

If it helps these are the midi ports that each piece of kit has:

 

Clavinova: Midi in/out.

Axiom: Midi in/out. USB.

Sound module: Midi in/out/thru. Possibly USB (the one on the front of the XV-2020)

 

Thanks and sorry If I'm asking dumb questions, I've not really had much experience with setting stuff up like this.

[Bill H.]

You can actually do all this, but it's really advanced stuff and difficult with the gear you've listed. 1010s and 2020s are notoriously fidgety to set up with just one controller, and you want two! You need an outboard MIDI merge box, and then lots of time and patience setting up custom Performances on the Rolands. Do Axioms allow storage of different complete setups? I don't think they do, which means that on the Roland boxes you will need different performances for when you want the boards to play on the same channel (that's how you can use the wheels and Clavinova keyboard on the same sound), different performances for when you want them to play separate sounds, and different performances for all your sound changes. Then you need to set the Axiom up so it can use program changes to cycle through the performances by setting up an exclusive MIDI channel for performance program change info. Download a 2020 manual, check it out, and see if you are capable of grasping Roland's peculiar concepts of single or layer types, performance parts and how they differ from performance settings as a whole, setting up control channels, etc....

[oscarr111111]

You need an outboard MIDI merge box, and then lots of time and patience setting up custom Performances on the Rolands.

 

At the end of May I'll be leaving my full time job, my university course will be ending for the summer (4 month break) and I'll have the money to buy the gear I need. I need a project .

 

For the outboard MIDI merge, do I just need something that takes two midi inputs and combines them into one? Is there much variation in the quality of this type of thing, or will a cheap one do pretty much the same job as an expensive one for what I need it for?

 

Do Axioms allow storage of different complete setups?

 

I checked the specs and found a few things that could mean that:

 

-20 non-volatile memory locations

-memory dump via Sys Ex

-compatible with free Enigma librarian/editor for storing and organizing setups

-Snapshot function transmits all current controller settings

 

Not sure if these are what you are talking about though.

 

I don't think they do, which means that on the Roland boxes you will need different performances for when you want the boards to play on the same channel (that's how you can use the wheels and Clavinova keyboard on the same sound), different performances for when you want them to play separate sounds, and different performances for all your sound changes. Then you need to set the Axiom up so it can use program changes to cycle through the performances by setting up an exclusive MIDI channel for performance program change info.

 

By 'performance' do you mean a single set of instructions including what sounds are to be played and what controls what?

 

It think I need to read into this more before I go into them, theres a few weeks before I can get this gear anyway.

 

Download a 2020 manual, check it out, and see if you are capable of grasping Roland's peculiar concepts of single or layer types, performance parts and how they differ from performance settings as a whole, setting up control channels, etc....

 

I think this'll help, I'll start on it today.

 

Thanks for the help so far.

[Bill H.]

Roland Performances are multitimbral setups made up of 16 parts so you can play different sounds plus drums simultaneously. Otherwise you can only do one.

 

Any simple two into one MIDI merge box should work. The higher priced ones do more.

 

I'm not sure what's contained in an Axiom memory location (that could be anything) but if it's complete setup info for both keyboard and pad zones along with their key ranges, MIDI channel assignments, and program changes, that will help because you won't have to do it all in the 1010 or 2020.

[oscarr111111]

Ok, I can't find the manual online, but as long as its possible I think I'm going to start looking for where to get hold of this kit.

 

Question on wiring it up though, is it as simple as this?:

 

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4254/wiredupna0.png

 

or is there more to it?

 

Thanks.

[Bill H.]

That will get you hooked up, but this is not going to be simple! Especially since you are inexperienced at this, I would suggest playing the Clavinova separately and getting a controller with 49 or 61 keys to play the 2020. At least for starters. You will have your hands full just setting that up.

[Tusker]

I agree with Bill H. Count on a fair amount of programming of your setup. I'm wondering how the price of the Axiom+XV2020+ midimerge+cables would compare with something like this:

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/750/MicroX-large.jpg

 

 

http://www.zzounds.com/item--KORMICROX

[oscarr111111]

Ok, so am I right that its going to be simple to wire up (literally as simple as that diagram?) but very complicated to program?

 

Will it have all the info on programming it in the manuals? And are there any books, sites or other references that I can look at if I get stuck?

 

I don't mind the difficulty, I'll have the time and I'm good at perseverance, if it takes me a long time then at least at the end I'll know a lot more than I did at the start .

[MikeNZ]

It will be as complex as you want to make it.

 

Many of the preset sounds will have MIDI controllers already assigned to control parameters, for example a synth patch would probably have parameters like expression, sustain, sostenuto, attack, decay, release, effects levels, and filter and resonance preassigned to MIDI parameters, and this is usually consistent between sounds of the same type (e.g. synth, organ, piano, string). In this instance all you need to do is set up the Axiom controllers to the MIDI parameters you want and then you can control the sound. You will need to dive into the back of the sound module manual, and if the manual doesn't have it listed you will have to use a computer sound editor to find out what the default parameter assignments are, or go button surfing on the module.

 

If you want to do something that is not already programmed into the synth sound then you need to edit the sound or sound combination. That is more complex, but once you get your head around the synth architecture it is fairly easy to do.

 

The Axiom should have the ability to store setups or different sets of controller assignments (don't know for sure as I haven't used one). That way you can have one for synths, one for organs, etc, or specific ones for particular monster sound combinations that you have created. If you are clever you can also associate patch changes with the setups so when you change patches on the Axiom, the controllers on it change, as does the sound on the module.

 

Further control is possible sometimes by setting low and hi ranges for parameters, and controlling more than one parameter with one control (I think the XV and JV are capable of this, not all modules are).

 

You seem like a smart and motivated player so I'm sure you will figure it out without losing too much hair or sleep. It will take some time to setup, and then weeks or months for you to fine tune it as you learn to play the sounds and learn more about MIDI.

 

Michael

[oscarr111111]

Out of interest, would this be possible to set up with a soft synth? (I know I said I wanted to keep away from my computer, but its a possibility). If so, would it be more difficult, or easier?