Midi Files on the PA1x

[growe]

Hi Forum,
What experience has anybody had on midi files played on the PA1x? Do you find any tweaking has to be done to improve the songs? When transposing is it best to change the whole song in Sequencer edit mode or just by saving in the Song Play with the + or - transpose buttons and save in songbook?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Gordon.

[Tone_Deff (Musicmaker)]

Hi Gordon,
I use midi files (less the lead) for backing my playing. Although I can create them from scratch, it is much easier to download them from this site or elswhere on the net, and change voices, volume, panning etc in the arranger section of your keyboard to suit your own ear and style of playing. I find that this is much better than using 'styles' - which to me are repetetive, and made to be used on many songs. I can't help you on the Korg, as I am a dedicated 'Yamaha Man' !!!

Kind regards,

Tony

[growe]

Hi Tone,
Sorry for the late reply, had trouble with my server, then forgot where my threads were!! It is my age, I know you are a Yamaha man from previous posts, but with good files I do not think we could tell much difference, and the punters would certainly not be able to tell! I think the two manufacturers are very good and I suppose it depends on what suits best the user.
All I know is they are not getting any lighter to move around!!

Do you have a mp3 recording option on your board as I would like to hear the finished article?

All the best,
Gordon.

[allegro]

Hi gordon,only just joined the forum so you may have solved your querey on PA1X using midi's.For a professional result it is better to load your midi's into the sequencer where you can edit virtually any part of the file including changing the key and if you know how to edit the controls you can change all of the effects ,volumes, and drum stroke volumes as well. All the best contact me for more help if needed ALLEGRO.

[growe]

Hi Allegro,
Welcome to the forum, I assume you have a PA1x also? Do you use midi files in gig mode? I am not a good musician and only have limited tech knowledge also (pretty useless really), but I do appreciate all the help this and the Korg forum gives me to learn all the time.
Are you based in the UK? I am, down in the SW, and only do rare solo gigs using the PA1x and songs converted to midi from BIAB or from sites like Midimart, this is a great group for really obscure and rare songs and all the moderators and members are very helpful and friendly, just as it should be I suppose.
Some of the tech. bods are really clever and put my efforts to shame, but I suppose as long as we appreciate their help they are happy.
Best Regards,
Gordon.

[allegro]

hello gordon. yes i am based in gloucestershire.I assume that you have a hard drive on your PA if not you will not get the best out of your PA. If you have a hard drive then you load your midi's into the sequencer edit as required then save onto the hard drive.Then you enter them into the songbook and create a custom list giving each one a number.It requires more work to get the system up and running but when you have set the STS's to what you want, it is just a matter of selecting the songbook scrolling down your list to the number you want press the sequencer one start button and away you go.You can then scroll to the next number while you are playing.Sounds compicated but once you have done a few it becomes very easy I am a pro musician with a repatoire of some 400 numbers all set up and operating from the song book. If you would like to talk to me about this then let me know and if you would like it might be possible to get together and i would be willing to help you get set up REGARDS.allegro

[growe]

Hi Allegro,
Thanks for the reply, sorry for the delay, but for some reason the threads I contribute to do not let me know there has been a reply posted, not sure why yet?
Anyway on the music front thanks for your advice, I have in fact progressed to the level of custom lists in the songbook etc. although I still have to be mindful to write and save etc. after each session, shame the keyboard has not got a single button function etc.
My playing ability is poor, more of a vocals person, previously played bass in a band for years, then onto programming sequences on various keyboards (due to lack of decent drummers being available) moving on through various Korg i3, i30, PA80 and now PA1x, just like the Korg sounds etc.

I am now involved in more solo type gigs (mostly for fun and Nursing homes etc.) and evolved onto the golden oldies like Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole etc. etc. I suppose I just like good music and also make a decent job without going beyond my vocal range.
I do get alot of satisfaction in tweaking the files to suit PA1x and ending up with a very acceptable backing, I think once I have a decent variable set I can maybe then concentrate more on the playing solo side of things.
Do you use the onboard vocal harmoniser? I have yet to expand this option and just use thicken and effects at present, no harmonies as yet, still have not worked that one out yet.
So you are in Gloucester, I am in Taunton and come up to Gloucester fairly frequently for my day job, do you work during the day?
If we can expand on the PA1x lists etc. it may pay to email outside the group to avoid boring the others, my em is [e-mail] and I can then send my set list to see if there is anything of interest for you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best Regards,
Gordon.

[markburton]

Hi fellow Korg PA users,
I've just joined the forum and am pleased to see other korg PA fans here. I have the Korg PA800 and it is a fantastic tool for gigs and recording, i have just made a CD for someone and it was recorded in Gloucestershire. It is fantastic for editing midi files, i dont know how i ever managed without it. Regards MB

[growe]

Hi Mark,
I have a PA800 also, still trying to get my head around it's workings, I have PA1x also but found I needed a lighter unit to carry around, and it sertainly fits the bill. Also it is very useful to have a back up facility in case something goes wrong.
When you said you have made a cd, was this done with PA800 if so have you any samples of the product, I would be interested in hearing some stuff.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
G.

[markburton]

Hi Gordon

Sorry that it's taken so long for me to get back to you, i confess i forgot that i had posted here!!. Having a PA1X and a PA800 must be pure luxury, you lucky man.
The CD that i made was with a musical family from Swindon called the Bean family, and the PA800 played a huge part of the album.
There are some extracts on the net on My Space.com in the music section under the Bean family. Danny sings Higher and Higher on the album, you might recognise the track!!, although i have completely re voiced the sounds in PA territory and made other changes.
Have a listen and see what you think

Regards
Mark

[growe]

Hi Mark,
Just also picked up your reply, I don't think my bookmarks are letting me know there have been replies, anyway I will check out the Bean Family site on myspace. Where are you based, I am in Taunton and travel around a bit, I am sure you must be very clued up on the PA800 if you have done what you are saying.
I am still very busy sorting out midi files for some gigs I have coming up with a newly formed band, only the occasional gig, but it still takes time if you want it to sound good.
Hope to catch up with you soon.
Regards,
Gordon.

[markburton]

Hi Gordon

Thank's for your reply, i am based in Hastings in East Sussex but i am origionally from Bristol, so i know your area well!!.
Since i last posted i am having a problem with memory sticks that keep malfunctioning on the PA800, i've reported the problem to my dealer and they have sent me a replacement yamaha stick. The thinking is that the PA might not like the particular make of stick that i have been using. I'll let you know what happens, i think i need to upgrade to the hard drive option though - that would ensure no problems with loading files at gigs.
Good luck with your new band
Regards
Mark

[modbod]

Hi Mark,

I use a 1gb USB 2.0 flash drive (memory stick) on the PA800 and have had no problems so far. The make is Neon Drive and it handles mid and kar files very well. When I get the mp3 board (which I've just ordered) I am hoping it will handle mp3 files as well.

Regards, Michael