BandTrax FAQ
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What Format should I have. Format 1 or 0?
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| MIDIfiles have
various ways of storing the data contained within. The two most commonly
used Formats are 1 & 0. Format 1 stores the channel data on separate
tracks. e.g. MIDI Channel 1 on Track 1, MIDI Channel 2 on Track 2, etc.
Format 0 stores all individual channel data on one Track. If you are using
a MIDIfile player and are not planning on doing any computer editing we
recommend Format 0. This is because the player will have less "searching
and buffering" to do if only looking for one track, therefore giving a
"faster" load time. There are some file players that will only accept
Format 0 files. If you are planning on using a computer to edit, most
current software will accept Format 0 or Format 1 files. Some older
software will not "un-assemble" a Format 0 file into separate Tracks
automatically. You must demix or spend time "cutting and pasting" to be
able to distinguish the separate information. Remember to "save/export"
your file in Format 0 if you are going to use the edited file in a
MIDIfile player. Doing this should improve the load time.
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Which type should I be
using. GM or GS?
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| The Types
relate to the data contained within the MIDIfile to offer you optimum
performance from your equipment. If you are using GM equipment use GM
files. These files are structured to perform within the GM specification
of allowing 128 Sounds as well as at least 1 drum set. If you are using
Roland GS equipment or equipment capable of using GS parameters, use GS
type files. The GS data often contains a far greater range of MIDI program
data to enable access to a wider range of useable sounds and drum sets as
well as allowing modifications to be made to the individual sounds
(filter, envelope, modulation, etc.), control over each individual drum
(level, effects level, pan and pitch) and also to the effects (reverb
types, delay types, chorus types, etc.). This gives the opportunity for
greater production, resulting in an enhanced end result. There is a
limited GS Kernel Synthesizer built into Windows 98SE and ME. This will
provide a type of reference to what GS is capable of, although it is not a
replacement for a stand alone GS Sound module.
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Can I use GM files on GS
equipment?
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| Yes. But we
recommend using designated GS files. If you have Roland GS Format
equipment and use GM files you will only be accessing a part of what the
GS equipment is capable of, the GM part. By default, GS hardware will
default back to the basic GM level when GM files are used, but remember,
these GM files will not magically incorporate the GS extra sounds or
parameters just because the device is a GS device.
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Can I use GS files on GM
equipment?
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| Contrary to
popular belief, the honest answer is "no". A correctly programmed GS file
will structure a GM device incorrectly. One reason is that GS allows the
use of multiple drum kits, something unavailable in the GM specification.
A multi drum GS file will set the channels used for the extra drums to
Piano on a GM device, however these "pianos" will be voicing from drum
information. Not many people want a drum kit to sound like a piano! GS
also allows for many extra sounds and System Exclusive and Controller
Parameters to structure changes to all individual sounds during
programming. This extra data will often send a GM device into chaos, as it
is not designed to recognize this information. Also, some sounds available
to be used in GS arrangements are not satisfactory in GM productions
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What is the difference between the PRO series and the Syncronised Lyrics
(Karaoke) files?
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| BandTrax PRO
Series MIDIfiles are produced to be used by entertainers in live
performance by not including an instrumental vocal melody line but rather
providing a full musical backing to perform vocally with. Instrumental
titles, such as The Shadows titles, will contain the instrument lead line
as this is not a vocal performance part. The Syncronised Lyrics (Karaoke) series (catalogue number beginning KAR******.MID) contain a melody line and syncronised lyrics. The lyrics will be visual on equipment capable of reproducing this feature. To remove the melody and sync. lyrics, simply delete MIDI Chan #4 from the file. If the word Karaoke is to be used in the strict sense of the word, BandTrax Pro Series MIDIfiles are real Karaoke files. The word Karaoke comes from KARA meaning empty (as in KARATE - empty hand) and OKE meaning (short for okesutora) orchestra. Rather than including both the vocals and the music, traditional karaoke tracks only have the music. The vocals are provided by the live performer singing the karaoke song by following the words in a book. You will receive an accompanying Lyrics TEXT file (the EXACT words are not guaranteed), where allowable, together with a Track Sheet TEXT file with each MIDIfile. It's your choice to either read the words or memorise them, although reading them while performing could seem slightly unprofessional.
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Your MIDIfiles always work the same, however other files change, depending
on what order I play them. How come?
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| All BandTrax
MIDIfiles contain System Exclusive Commands for resets. The resets are
vitally important as they initialise the hardware to a default setting,
allowing any further alterations to be made within the file itself.
Therefore, if the next file used does not contain the correct reset
commands, it will playback with the prior files alterations. e.g. BandTrax file has altered filter settings on the bass part. The following file, without resets, will have the previous filter alterations on the bass part, more than likely not suitable to this next song. Note: If you are using computer software that does not allow System Exclusive data to be recognized, the only guaranteed reset is to turn the equipment off and on. You're better to upgrade your software, as there are more System Exclusive Commands than just Resets required in MIDIfiles. Also make sure that your MIDI equipment has SysEx Enabled turned to On. Another common problem is that some producers place a GM reset as well as a GS and/or XG reset in the GM file, then state that the files they are selling are GM/GS/XG files. This "multi reset" causes some hardware to incorrectly reset or not reset at all. This procedure of adding different types of resets does NOT make that GM file become GS or XG compatible. GS and XG files contain many parameters not included within the GM specifications, therefore the GM hardware will not "magically" go into GS or XG mode, as the GM hardware does not have the extra parameters included in the first place. Just in sounds alone, there are 360+ sounds in the average GS device. Newer GS devices have around 1600+ sounds. Putting a GS reset in a GM file does not add the extra GS sounds to the GM device that contains only 128 sounds. We suggest that these "multi-reset" type of files be avoided to save any further problems. Remember, if you have GM hardware, use proper GM files. If you have GS hardware, user proper GS files. The following quote from the MIDI IMPLEMENTATION section of a Roland GS product Owner's Manual concerning GM & GS System Exclusive resets should make it clear. "These messages are used to initialize a device to GS or (to) General MIDI mode. When creating performance data, a "Turn General MIDI System On" message should be inserted at the beginning of a General Midi score, a "GS Reset" message at the beginning of a GS music data. Each song should contain only one mode message as appropriate to the type of data. (Do not insert two or more mode setting messages in a single song.)"
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Will your MIDIfiles
work on my equipment?
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| If you own GM or
GS sound equipment and you've obtained the correct file type, the answer
is yes. If you own non-GM or non-GS equipment the answer is still yes ...
but after making some changes. For use on non-GM equipment you will have to alter the patch assignments within the file to suit. By referring to your equipment's GM tone listing, you will be able to re-patch to your equipment. e.g. The BandTrax MIDIfile contains Program Change #1 in track #?. The GM list tells you this is Piano. Find the PG # for Piano in your equipment then change the PG # in the track to that number. Do the same for all instrument sounds on all of the other tracks. Note: Drums/Percussion should always be on MIDI Channel #10. BandTrax MIDIfiles will also work on all computer music systems capable of loading/importing MIDIfiles via MS-DOS disks or accepting MIDIfiles via electronic mail servers (Email). If you are using a Mac, you must have PC File Exchange or similar installed for your Mac music software to be able to read from the PC Disk folder when the files are provided on floppy disk. Also note that the sound reproduction from computer sound cards is usually found to be sub-standard when compared to dedicated sound modules. Most soundcards and GM/GS emulators to not have the dynamic range or wave/sample quality that is available in external sound modules. It is recommended that you connect an external sound module to your computer via MIDI/Serial/USB cables when using our files.
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Do you use a CD or MP3 to MIDI converter to make these MIDIfiles?
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| No. Why not?
Because there isn't such a thing! If there was we'd have one. We must
listen to an original recording and then replay each instrument, one at a
time, by hand onto a separate MIDI channel until the complete arrangement
is finalised. And yes, it is time consuming. If anyone knows of such a
gadget as a CD or MP3 to MIDIfile converter that will allow the playing of
a multi-timbral recording of our choice from CD or MP3 into it and out the
other end comes a completely arranged MIDIfile with separate instruments
on separate channels, without the vocal part, mixed and mastered just like
the original CD or MP3 recording, we'll give you $10,000.00 for it .....
maybe even more if it is a good one. And please don't tell us about the
guy who spoke to another bloke who met a fella in a pub who's sister was
going out with some guy who had a mate who read an article in some
magazine about someone who knew someone who had an uncle who had one.
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I
need to see a list of controllers used in the MIDIfiles.
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www.bandtrax.com.au/controll.htm
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I need to
see a list of SysEx used in the MIDIfiles.
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www.bandtrax.com.au/sysex.htm
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I need to see a list of GM
tones.
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www.bandtrax.com.au/gm_list.htm
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I need to see a list
of Roland GS Devices.
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www.bandtrax.com.au/faq/faqgs.htm
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