MIDI recording with SD35
By Andy Latorre
SD35 Recording Question
Hi, all you MIDI types:
I use a Roland SD35 file player and synthesizer to record my sequenced MIDI files. But I have always had trouble with this process and wonder if anyone out there knows where the trouble may lie.
When I record several sequenced arrangements on the SD35 file player disk, sometimes (most of the time) there is always a song or two which do not replay sounding the same way it was recorded. In other words, the initial set-up of the "program" (ie tone choices - flute, brass, strings, etc.) is messed up. Sometimes I spend a great deal of time recording 10 - 15 songs on the disk and only later learn that smack in the middle of the disk is a selection with a horrible sound because the "program" set-up commands got messed up. The song sequence is carefully selected so this mess-up becomes a difficult problem. I have to start all over again.
According to Roland's directions, some MIDI information can be lost if you allow the SD35 to automatically start up on the first signal it receives. So I avoid that route and start the recording process and then go to my computer to start the sequence. This works well most of the time.
Now, when I finish the recording I could go back to the SD35 and listen to the piece. But this is not a valid test unless I purposely mess up the "program" settings by playing the first measure of another piece. You see, if I do not do that, then I will never know if the piece lost its "program" information and if it will sound bad when played after another piece.
I have also had trouble copying a disk on my Mac made by the SD35. I am suspicious that the SD35 is a "brute force" machine, which formats a disk and records, come hell or high water. In other words, there is no checking for bad sectors. So, I reasoned, one must use a perfect error-free disk. I've had very bad results using Mac-formatted (for PC) disks in the SD35. The computer can keep track of bad sectors, but the SD35 can not.
Question #1 How can I get error-free MIDI recordings?
Question #2 Are my assumptions in the last paragraph true?
Question #3 Where can one get a perfect error-free disk?
Question #4 When formatting a disk, how can one "see" if the disk is
error-free? (By the way, I'm a MacUser. The Mac can
format PC disks.)
Question #5 The Mac directory calls the Roland SD35 files "PC Exchange" files. Is there a way of making such a file from my sequenced files on the Mac?
I know the questions are many. Any answers would be appreciated.
Thanks. Andy LaTorre |
(Message sent Thu 10 Oct 1996, 22:46:59 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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