Bank Selecting on Nord Lead 2

single_digit · Joined: Jan 22, 2008 Posts: 3 Location: United States

First post here, but...
I have a NL2 that I have only used in a limited capacity, but would like to access via MIDI some of the sounds in the banks A,B, C and D.
I can use bank select from Cakewalk to jump to banks 1, 2, and 3, but I can only seem to get at these other sounds by manually punching them in from the NL2 itself. Most of the synths I have used before never had more than 128 sounds so I never really had to mess much with bank selecting, but what gives? I checked the manual and the NordUSA site and their described method works great to switch from say, preset 32 to preset 1.32 or 2.32 but not D 32, let alone D 1.32. Oh and I'm using OS 1.06 (I hear that 1.05 had some glitches regarding banks). Any help or clarification on how this works would be much appreciated.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:48 am Post subject:

single_digit

First of all I'll ask Jan to move your post to the NordLead Forum.

There is some confusion...
There is no Memory Bank D, only a Slot D. The NordLead is four synthesizers in one, which are numbered A. B, C and, no guess, D!
The Memory Banks are numbered (-)32, 1.32, 2.32 and 3.32.
All Programs can be loaded into Slot A to D.

Anyway, I assume you have a PCMIA card inserted? It must, otherwise there wouldn't be a 2.32 location.

I don't know Cakewalk, but I assume it works the same as CuBase. I work loading my card with the sounds close together and Program Change isn't that difficult.

I suggest you try to find out how Cakewalk handles Global Midi and use this channel to make the data available to the NL. I know we will meet some troubles, but maybe step by step is the most easiest way.

Wout

single_digit · Joined: Jan 22, 2008 Posts: 3 Location: United States

I do indeed have a memory card inserted. But I am still a bit confused. So the basic architecture is individual presets in 4 banks (-, 1, 2, 3, 4). But the slots A-D are merely to load "Performances". So if I want to play "31" which is in D, I simply have to find where the original preset is located? I'm not sure I'll have to delve into Global MIDI stuff to do it, but out of curiosity how would you use Global MIDI in Cubase.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:07 am Post subject:

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

Both in Program Mode and Performance Mode Program Change works normal in common Midi channel and in global Midi channel. I can't recreate the troubles in my set up. Of course when changing a large step, say from 32 to 3.36 one needs to create changing time into the track, of course... But it is possible.

I tried some time ago the same thing in Logic with the same results...

I even don't have to use the Global channels at all

And all controllers work normal too...

Maybe...
I use Cubase version 1.10 Smile

Wout

single_digit · Joined: Jan 22, 2008 Posts: 3 Location: United States

Okay. Thanks for all of that. I think I more or less get it now. Smile

And whatever was glitching for me now in this regard appears to be fine.

Something really weird has started happening though that I have never seen....
I have a Kaysound MK4902 (ie cheapo 49key) midi controller hooked into the input of my computer and then run to Cakewalk. I don't know about Cubase, but in Cakewalk there is a track view that is the main viewing panel for a song. The midi keyboard will trigger whatever track you have selected with the mouse. This makes sense enough...So if I have a track for the NL and I move the mouse onto it I can play the NL from the midi keyboard based on whatever preset I have selected. Heres where it gets wierd. If, during playback, I have the project option for "transmit start/stop/continue" turned on (to sync my Korg ER1 drum machine to CW), AND I move the cursor to the NL track, it starts making very strange noises in addition to the track sounds. If I move the cursor to a different track, they go away and the track plays normally. I have never experienced anything like this before. Obviously the easy solution here is "don't put your cursor on the NL2 track during playback then". But I do find it very odd. I assume it is something in the midi controller sending random midi info that mucks things up a bit, BUT it doesn't record these things to Cakewalk AND it only does it when the Project option for synching stuff to midi clock is turned on. Wierd huh? I don't expect a solution to this, I just find it interesting.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

Your computer, in all its wisdom, decided to ...

Wout