frustrated with midi and usb???

9 Oct 2005, 01:54

I am a new owner of the fantom x8 and tried for a day to sequence using Cakewalk Home Studio (what I've used for the last 6 years with another keyboard) on a 200 mmx computer. I can record one track fine but the second track takes the sound of the first track or vice versa. I've turned the Local off and tried every other setting I could imagine.

So in my frustration I've tried the USB cord to my laptop and lo and behold it doesn't even register. I went into the USB settings and made sure they were on storage and restarted the keyboard, unplugged cable etc... etc....

What am I doing wrong???? I've tried to read and search through this forum for help and have tried different things.

Any ideas????

Re: frustrated with midi and usb???

9 Oct 2005, 02:45

"I went into the USB settings and made sure they were on storage"

You mean that you made sure it was in 'MIDI' mode...didn't you? Because of course it would have to be in MIDI mode not STORAGE for it to be used as a MIDI output.

=P - LanProductions Australia - lanproductions@hotmail.com

=P - LanProductions Australia - lanproductions@hotmail.com

still frustrated

9 Oct 2005, 07:07

yes nothing registers on XP when it is in storage mode so it only registers on XP in midi mode and now I can't get Cakewalks virtual piano out of the midi input.
Does anyone know how to delete Cakewalk's virtual piano????

And why doesn't it register in XP when in USB storage mode??? How am I suppose to use it to transfer info???

And why doesn't it record through the midi ports to a serial connection on my old computer like my other keyboard?
Why does it all seem too complicated??? Am I on the verge of something great here or am I just creating more headaches for myself?

I'm really frustrated after almost 3 days of trying to get this thing to record in Cakewalk.

I'm wondering if I've made the right decision with this instrument. Never had any trouble with my last synth which was 1/4 of the price of this machine.

Re: frustrated with midi and usb???

9 Oct 2005, 09:37

Yoy have to first set the USB-mode to storage (as you have done). After that press MENU and select USB STORAGE and select what memory to be altered. After a few secs the Fantom will show up.

Do have the X6 .. NOW

midi problems

9 Oct 2005, 15:49

thanks for the USB help but I still can't record midi in Cakewalk with more than one sound.

Plus if I play a smf from Cakewalk it will sound alright but if I try to edit it at all the Fantom starts playing everything in piano tracks. Any ideas????

Re: frustrated with midi and usb???

9 Oct 2005, 15:59

da-man,

Set Fantom to MIDI Mode, and make sure your are in Performance Mode, not Patch Mode. This should solve your problem.

Also remember that for each track in Cakewalk you should set a new track number. If you use the same track number for two or more tracks, their MIDI data will be mixed up.

Hope that helps,

Sam

March 14th 1984
Music student at Dalhousie
Fantom-X 7

Re: frustrated with midi and usb???

9 Oct 2005, 16:14

Hmm,

Maby this file can be of some help using FX with Sonar?
Roland US and select: Fantom-X Cakewalk / Sonar INS File (PC)

Do have the X6 .. NOW

Re: frustrated with midi and usb???

9 Oct 2005, 17:33

thanks but I'm still stuck,

already tried performance mode and changed channels in Cakewalk with no luck.

I am using an older version of Cakewalk, Home Studio 7 I think. I wonder if this could be a problem???

Re: frustrated with midi and usb???

9 Oct 2005, 18:04

no idea,

your problem sounds like a channel issue. make sure that you change to performance mode, before running cakewalk.

Sam

March 14th 1984
Music student at Dalhousie
Fantom-X 7

Re: frustrated with midi and usb???

9 Oct 2005, 20:36

Yeah..... Your computer is a bit outdated .
USB-Midi is kinda standard for all new synth. Some don't even have conventional midi port at all. Take it easy. You will learn things.
First, FX must be in USB-Midi mode; forget storage mode at this point.
FX must be selectable at cakewalk Midi port menu and must be on top of the list.
Put FX in performance mode with Preset01.
Now set up a new file with one track. Assign Midi port to that track. Assign a patch at cakewalk. Can you see FX patch list at this point in cakewalk? If yes, assign a patch(e.g. preset 023) Place some note in piano roll window and play them. This is the basic operation. If you can not do this, you need to set up cakewalk for proper operation.
If this works, set up another track. Assign another midi port and patch, put in some notes data and play both track. See if this works.

Up and running at last

12 Oct 2005, 02:03

3 days of manual, faqs, this forum and pure trial and error have finally got me on my feet.

Thanks for any adviceand willingness to help others.
MIDI
My 200mmx computer with serial to midi cable works fine. I've just got to make sure the tracks and channels are selected on the keyboard as well as the computer. (didn't have to do that before) and that the local switch is off.

I'm stoked to be up and running with these fantastic sounds at my finger tips. Maybe now I can listen to some.

USB
I changed the System settings to USB Storage but didn't realise (even after reading the faqs and manual) that there was a separate screen for the USB internal and card. I thought it would have been with the first screen so that explains it.

Still think Roland should have combined those 2 screens together for newbies.