OASYS PCI and MIDI Tempo
OASYS PCI Website
Contents
MIDI tempo different from sequencer
MIDI tempo isn't working at all
Creating click-free MIDI delays
Getting MIDI Tempo LFOs to Groove
MIDI tempo different from sequencer
It is normal for the tempo displayed in the OASYS PCI to differ slightly from that shown in your MIDI/audio program or sequencer. For instance, the OASYS PCI may read 119.8 bpm (beats per minute) when the tempo set in the sequencer is 120.
Check sample rate and clock source
A difference of several bpm, however, probably indicates a sample rate mismatch between your audio program and OASYS PCI. Make sure that the sample rate and clock source are set properly.
If you are using an external device as the word clock master (such as a digital mixer, an ADAT, etc.), make sure that the sample rates specified for OASYS PCI and the audio/MIDI program match those of the external device.
Disable "Editor Responds to OMS/FreeMIDI Controllers" when using with a sequencer
If you are using OASYS PCI with an audio/MIDI program via OMS or FreeMIDI (as opposed to using OASYS PCI as a standalone synth/processor), make sure that you disable the "Editor Responds to OMS/FreeMIDI Controllers" parameter, on the MIDI/Global tab of the Preferences window.
MIDI tempo isn't working at all
Make sure audio/MIDI program is sending MIDI clocks
If MIDI tempo delays, LFOs, sequencers, and so on don't work at all, then make sure that the master sequencer is actually sending MIDI clocks to the OASYS PCI. In most cases, audio/MIDI programs must be specifically set to send MIDI clocks; consult your program's manual for details, or check the links below:
Enabling MIDI Clocks in Cakewalk
Enabling MIDI Clocks in Cubase VST
Enabling MIDI Clocks in Digital Performer
Enabling MIDI Clocks in Logic Audio
NOTE: MIDI clocks are not the same as MIDI timecode. The OASYS PCI delays, LFOs, etc. will only sync to MIDI clocks, and not to MIDI timecode.
Creating
click-free MIDI delays
Use the Smoothing parameter
Delays which sync to MIDI tempo all include a Smoothing parameter. This parameter determines how long it takes for the delay times to respond to tempo changes and MIDI controller modulation. The default value of 50.0 works well in most cases, for quick response to tempo changes without any clicking.
Lower settings will mean that the delay times will change very quickly, but may also cause clicking. Higher settings will make the delays slide very slowly to their new values, which can create interesting special effects.
Getting MIDI tempo LFOs to groove
Use the LFO's MIDI Phase Reset
The OASYS PCI's MIDI-synced LFOs can be triggered via MIDI. This ensures that the LFO starts in phase with the music.You can include one or more triggers in the MIDI sequence, so that the LFO sounds the same every time. To do this:
1. Create a track in the sequence to use specifically for triggering the LFO. Assign it to the same MIDI channel as the Effect or Program that you'll be controlling.
2. In the control panel, assign a mod source for the LFO's Phase Reset. "Any Note Gate" works well, unless there's also a Program on the same MIDI channel. In that case, select another controller.
3. Enter a single MIDI event in the sequencer at the start of measure 2, using the mod source assigned to Phase Reset (from now on, we'll call this the "phase reset trigger"). If you like, you can duplicate the phase reset trigger at intervals at downbeats throughout the sequence (such as every 8 bars or so), so that you can start from the middle of the sequence and the phase will still be reset. This is similar, in some ways, to triggering a loop on a sampler.
4. Also, enter the phase reset trigger every time that the time signature changes.
Now, whenever the OASYS PCI receives the phase reset trigger, the LFO will reset to the position set by the Initial Phase parameter.
Note that you can trigger as many different LFOs as you like, using different triggers on different MIDI channels.
Adjust "Feel" Using the Initial Phase Parameter
Using the LFO's Initial Phase parameter, you can start the LFO at any point of its waveform - at the peak, in the trough, at zero, or at any point in between. You can use this to subtly adjust the rhythmic feel of the LFO; this is especially useful for smooth waveforms, such as triangle, sine, and saw up.
You can also set the Initial Phase to 180 to shift the waveform to the offbeat.
Start on measure 2
We've found that triggering LFOs on the downbeat of the very first measure may not always work properly (probably because the sequencer sends the MIDI message triggering the phase slightly after the actual downbeat). This can result in the LFO being out of phase, so that it doesn't sit properly in the groove. To avoid this:
1. Leave a blank measure at the start of the sequence. Start your MIDI data, and send the first LFO trigger, in measure 2.
Copyright 1999-2002 Korg Inc. FAQ Version: 8/19/02