Automation with a Roland Alpha Juno?

[calande]

Hello,

I have a Roland Alpha Juno synthesizer controlled by a Roland PG-300 MIDI controller. I can play a MIDI sequence from Ableton to send notes to the Alpha Juno, and I can control its parameters in real time with the PG-300 but I don't know how to record these knob motions. I didn't see in the manual because it only mentions MIDI control change values. Could you help me, please? It would be really nice
Thanks,

[penguinpajamas]

Are you using it in an External Instrument rack? Also, do you know if the synth receives midi cc messages?

[calande]

Hi, I'm not using it as an external instrument rack. For the features I'm using, it doesn't receive cc messages but sysex strings, if I'm not mistaken (as per the user's manual* p. 50). Do I have to install a plugin or to enable an option?

* http://media.rolandus.com/manuals/JUNO-1_OM.pdf?

[stuartm]

The Alpha Juno only takes SysEx messages to change its parameters, correctly spotted.
Unfortunately, Live does not support SysEx.

[calande]

Can I install something inbetween for Ableton Live to communicate with such synthesizers? Maybe some application that translates MIDI cc to sysex? Just thinking at loud here... Thanks.

[tech44]

Check this out: MKS-50 editor

You can read the author's original thread here: http://ctrlr.org/forums/topic/roland-mks-50-advanced/

In all honesty, it may not be as simple as plug and play. If you're somewhat tech savy, or into programming you might be interesting in trying this out. You need to download the Ctrlr program (http://ctrlr.org/), which runs as a vst, then you can load panels like this one. It runs as a plugin allowing you to automate and sends midi/sysex out to the synths.

[calande]

Thanks, I'll check it out. Would it work also with Sound Quest MIDI Quest, MIDI OX or with Bome Midi Translator? I dunno which is best...

[tech44]

Thanks, I'll check it out. Would it work also with Sound Quest MIDI Quest, MIDI OX or with Bome Midi Translator? I dunno which is best...

Sorry, I'm not sure. I haven't ever tried it with any of those.

[decoded_]

Here's someone who's done it using M4L and a Juno 106

http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/showth ... p?t=273151

[calande]

Thank you!

[störgeräusche]

I controlled an MKS-50 and succesively a roland alpha juno 2 with ableton via ctrlr panel, the PG-300 emulation for 2 years until I sold them.
You just need a midi track dedicated to the ctrlr plugin, which translates SysEx in CC.
--> you'll need a multiclient midi interface or a dedicated midi interface which cannot used by ableton, i bought one of these cheap usb to midi cable to use just for the ctrlr plugin

[calande]

OK, thanks for the tip

[cqma]

I use a VST to control mine in Ableton.
Costs 20€ and works quite fine here

http://www.vst-control.de/

I'm using it as an instrument rack containing the vst and an instance of "External Audio Effect" to receive the audio on the same channel.

[i_am_free]

CTRLR offers a panel for the PG-300 controller: http://ctrlr.org/panels_deprecated/

OR I could shamelessly plug myself and a new rack I just finished. It's a rack with all of the waveforms of the Roland Alpha Juno-1 synth. I made a MIDI effects rack and an audio effects rack to go with it. $5 beats $200 any day, but having the real deal in hand is nice, too

http://teenpower.bandcamp.com/merch/rol ... -live-pack

[Kid Blast]

I controlled an MKS-50 and succesively a roland alpha juno 2 with ableton via ctrlr panel, the PG-300 emulation for 2 years until I sold them.
You just need a midi track dedicated to the ctrlr plugin, which translates SysEx in CC.
--> you'll need a multiclient midi interface or a dedicated midi interface which cannot used by ableton, i bought one of these cheap usb to midi cable to use just for the ctrlr plugin

I have bought the MKS50 PG300 programmer panel for CTRLR, but have absolutely no idea how to set it up as a vet in Ableton Live.

Could anyone give me an idiot proof step by step guide on how to do this, as I am trying all sorts but getting nowhere?