Using Nord Lead 2X and Mac OS X

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:44 am Post subject: Using Nord Lead 2X and Mac OS X

Hi,

Having recently acquired and made working (with the help of Wout and Blue Hell) a Lead 2X, I've been wondering how to get new sounds into the keyboard from Mac OS X. Now, I've used a G2 with my mac before and that was pretty easy - just use the editor and USB to transfer patches, but I understand that the Leads use midi and sysex data.

Searching through previous posts I've seen that in order to get patches from computer to keyboard, on a mac, the best thing to use is SysEx Librarian. I've installed this and been able to load .mid files as well as .syx files into it's main window. However, when pressing "play" (which is supposed to transfer the files via midi), none of the patches are loaded into my keyboard. The activity in Sysex Librarian says that it is transferring the files, but no sounds get into the keyboard.

I've tested the midi in and out of the keyboard with my midi interface (a MOTU Microlite) and it's working fine. I've been able to change programs and banks in Logic Studio and seen settings change on the Lead 2X, so I'm sure that the midi in (to the keyboard) is working.

Can anyone guide me how to get this working?

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:04 am Post subject:

I don't use Mac, so all I can say, knowing there is no Memory Protect, are you sure you are sending to the right location in your synth? BTW I should make a midi file copy of your memory location first!!!
Only the 4 RAM locations can receive complete banks.
Programs can't receive Performance and visa versa.
Program should receive a single SysEx file in the buffer memory, all the time, also in ROM.

Wout

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:53 am Post subject:

Thanks Wout

You always seem to come to the rescue! Smile

I have set up the Lead 2X to Slot A, and program 1 (bank 0). I'm set in Program mode. I have tried sending single syx files to program 1, but the sound in my keyboard does not change. Should the keyboard indicate that it has received the patch? There is absolutely no indication that any 'received' activity has taken place. No flashing LED's, no message in the patch bank window display...

I have done a Bulk Dump of Bank 0 - 3 (the RAM locations). This worked without problem. I also sent the same banks back to the Lead 2X to see if it would receive bank dumps. This DOES work. It appears that only individual sysex files will not be received by the keyboard.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject:

A soon you load a single SysEx file (BTW 139 bytes) most of the LEDs on the Panel has to change, unless you are loading the same file which is already active on the synth Very Happy

So I think there's something wrong with the SysEx itself.
Could you post one file here, the one you are trying to upload?
And maybe some files of the synth itself?

Don't know if I'm able to look at it this night, but who knows Smile

Please be patient... Rolling Eyes

Wout

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

I am being patient - I have plenty of time and not in a rush. Smile

It's just that I've read the manual and several posts here and no one seems to have the same problem... I think I attract weird problems Rolling Eyes

Anyway, onto the problem, then! It's sysex and midi files that are located in the electro-music directory that I'm trying to upload to the keyboard:

http://nm-archives.electro-music.com/020_NordLead2/021_Patches/0100_Library01_Bank01/

I've tried individual .syx files (ie. the first one and a few others) and the main .mid file.

Thanks for trying to help, Wout. Wink

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

Yep, I know that archive, mainly because I made it myself Smile

As you can guess, it works perfectly here...

So, could it be the downloading is scrambled in any way?
Can you monitor the file in any way?

Wout

BobTheDog · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject:

It may be worth setting the "pause between played messages" which you can get at from the preferences in Sysex Librarian. Try 50 milliseconds.

You can also try lowering the transmit speed.

May work Question

Cheer

Andy

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:11 pm Post subject:

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:03 am Post subject:

Wout, you are right - these are the file sizes I'm getting. When looking at these file in mac windows, it only registers 4kb as the smallest, but in Sysex Librarian it gives the correct size in bytes.

I've also tried using a program called MIDI monitor when outputting from Sysex Library to the Nord and it registers that there are 109 files sent from mac to Nord, yet the Nord still does not register that it has received these files.

Is there some way the Nord needs to be set 'to receive' or put in a 'receiving state'. It's just really strange that it will accept a .mid file that had been previously dumped from it to the mac, but won't accept any new .mid or .syx files...

Wout Blommers · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:31 am Post subject:

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:40 am Post subject:

Wout, here are the files I've been trying to upload into the synth:

0101PolySynthWheel01.syx

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

0101PolySynthWheel01.syx

Filesize:

139 Bytes

Downloaded:

309 Time(s)

Z01n2lib1b1.mid

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

Z01n2lib1b1.mid

Filesize:

24.2 KB

Downloaded:

330 Time(s)

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:44 am Post subject:

Here is the bank file my 2X produced from a bulk dump and also a single syx file from one patch:

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_0.mid

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_0.mid

Filesize:

24.3 KB

Downloaded:

208 Time(s)

Bank0_Pch_001.syx

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

Bank0_Pch_001.syx

Filesize:

139 Bytes

Downloaded:

157 Time(s)

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:52 am Post subject:

I'm gonna check these out Smile

Wout

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:19 am Post subject:

Well, try this for a chance...
(I had to think about this earlier... Embarassed

)

Press [Shift+2xMidiCh] > G.* will appear. This is the Midi Global setting. By using the Up&Down buttons set this to G.16 and press [Shift] again.

I keep my fingers crossed...

Wout

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

Wout. You rock Exclamation

That made it work!!!

Your patches are excellent BTW - some really funky sounds that are great for playing... I'm gonna have some fun tonight!

Have a virtual beer or your favourite beverage on me!

Wink

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject:

Phooffff...
That was a long time keeping my fingers crossed Wink

I wrote you I had to think earlier about this solution.
Any way, it works Smile

I have to make a special sticky thread about the Midi problems in the NordLead, like 'always reacting to Midi' and 'the Midi Global settings'... Has to wait still some time, maybe in the begining of december...

But in the mean time you can help me: send me some *.mid files of all the banks in the NL2X and also the Performances. I know, its a bit of work, but it is for the community, of course Smile

BTW are yours still intact?

Wout

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

No problem. These 4 are the mid files from my lead 2X RAM banks. Do you want the ROM banks as well?

Programs -

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_0.mid

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_0.mid

Filesize:

24.3 KB

Downloaded:

187 Time(s)

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_1.mid

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_1.mid

Filesize:

24.3 KB

Downloaded:

197 Time(s)

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_2.mid

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_2.mid

Filesize:

24.3 KB

Downloaded:

196 Time(s)

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_3.mid

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_BANK_3.mid

Filesize:

24.3 KB

Downloaded:

166 Time(s)

Keyboard Cowboy · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

Performance RAM bank:

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_PERF_BANK_0.mid

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

Lead2X_BULK_DUMP_PERF_BANK_0.mid

Filesize:

70.27 KB

Downloaded:

186 Time(s)

Onyx · Joined: Nov 19, 2008 Posts: 8 Location: United States

I just picked up a 2x tonight, the previous owner said he reset everything however there are a lot of empty slots in the RAM banks.

I tried using the presets for the clavia site but they only fill up 1-40. I have been trying to use your posted bank dumps but for some reason the 2x does not recognize the midi file.

I am able to use the midi file for the clavia site as well as some of the individual sysex files.

But the dump files do not work. Sad

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,

-paul

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject:

Onyx · Joined: Nov 19, 2008 Posts: 8 Location: United States

Hey Wout,

Yes all the prior posts (set it to G.12)

What I don't quite understand is.

The presets file from the clavia site, works, well at least it appears to, it counts up to 40 and then stops, I am assuming for now that that file is for the Lead 2 and that it only contains 40 presets in bank 0. Assuming that is correct then I tested slot 41 and was able to load and save a single patch in sysex format.

SO that seems good but when I try and use the 4 banks, using midi-ox the 2x does not respond at all. So I am trying to figure out what the differences are.

thanks,

-paul

Onyx · Joined: Nov 19, 2008 Posts: 8 Location: United States

OK just did somoe more trouble shooting, even though the clavia presets does trigger activity in the 2x, it does not actually overwrite the back, so that seems to be working half way. For example I changed patch 38 and save, then i run the clavia bank from midi-ox, i see it count up to 39 (something is going o.n in there) but when i go back to pathc 38 it has not ben overwritten.

Hmmmm......

Now that I think about it, I am trying to figure out how the guy that sold it to me managed to create the empty slots in the banks in the first place?

I mean there are a bunch of pathes that produce no sound at all. i just assumed he erased them, but after reading the manual there does not appear to be any way to do that.

I am confusing myslelf Shocked

Onyx · Joined: Nov 19, 2008 Posts: 8 Location: United States

Ok some progress...

This midi file went through fine.

http://nm-archives.electro-music.com/020_NordLead2/021_Patches/0100_Library01_Bank01/Z01n2lib1b1.mid

Well at least something i working. Smile

Wout Blommers · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:16 pm Post subject: