Creating a MIDNAM File for a Roland JD-Xi - RESOLVED

[rp88.2]

Good morning:

After doing a little research, it looks like I'm going to be heading down a rabbit hole for a few days to do this.. So, I'm looking for some advice, hints, etc.

I was amazed how hard it was to find information on creating MIDNAM files. Most of the posts are over a decade old and most of the links for tools, etc. go to dead links or 'click here your computer is infected' screens.

I found a post on the Avid website that was pretty helpful.
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_U ... popup=true

However, what I am looking for now is some advice on what is a similar device to the JD-Xi that I can start with to modify. In addition, the 'Roland Patch Script tool' doesn't seem to exist anymore on the Roland Backstage site; at least I couldn't find it.

Does anyone have experience with this process and could provide some hints?

Thanks!

Rich

[James Steele]

It might be useful to use Cherry Picker. There is a newer version that works with Intel Macs that the developer allowed us to distribute. I'll post some info our esteemed member, Babz, posted in another topic:

You can use Cherry Picker to create your own patch lists fo DP. Here is my EM article from 10 years ago on how to do it:

http://www.emusician.com/how-to/1334/na ... atch/37935

You can get Cherry Picker from this link:

http://www.motunation.com/files/CherryPicker3.zip

I used it as recently as last fall to create a patch list for the a Yamaha MOXF synths.

If you do manage to create a good working patch list, please do what I did and send it to the good folks at this link, so that it can be made available to other users who might need it in the future:

http://digicake.com/midnams/

Best,
Babz

[rp88.2]

Thank you James!

This is what I was looking for - a way to get started as opposed to BBEdit and XML files. If I get a working MIDINAM file, I will post it!

Thanks again!

All the best,

Rich

[rp88.2]

Good News!

I got an initial version working. I've been able to get all the Synth Tones and Drum Kits working.

Getting all the names was a little bit of a bear -- I was able to create a list of the 256 SuperNATURAL tones ('patches') but most of the tools didn't make it easy to cut and paste the list. So with a little work in Excel and Notepad++ on the PC I was able to edit the XML file and then bring it back in to CherryPicker on the Mac to cleanup.

I'm working on the 4 banks of preset programs now to see how that goes.

Once I get that working I'll post a version on the site you recommended.

Thanks again to James (and Babz) for the help - CherryPicker worked to create the XML shells for editing.

[rp88.2]

The MIDNAM file for the Roland JD-Xi is on its way to digicake.com

The version I created contains the following:

SuperNATURAL Synth Tones for Digital Synth 1 & 2 on channels 1 & 2
Analog Synth Tones on channel 3
Drum Kits on channel 10
Preset Programs on channel 16

I hope others find it useful once it's posted on digicake.

All the best,

Rich

[KayaSwanson]

It's been a while since your post, but I'd like to add some information. Glad to see you’ve solved the issue with creating a MIDINAM file for the Roland JD-Xi! That's awesome! If you're like me and love fiddling with synths and all the techy stuff that goes with it, solving these little puzzles can be so satisfying.
I wanted to mention that if you ever need more info or run into another roadblock, you might want to check out https://notesonline.com/notepad . They’ve got a ton of useful stuff that can help with all sorts of music production challenges. Plus, the community there is super helpful and friendly.
When I was working on my setup, I found that following step-by-step guides and reading up on similar issues helped. It's like having a bunch of friends who’ve already figured it out and are willing to share their tips and tricks. Makes everything feel a bit easier, you know? Anyway, congrats again on solving the problem! Keep making great music and don't hesitate to reach out if you hit another snag.

[James Steele]

The MIDINAM file for the Roland JD-Xi is on its way to digicake.com

I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know about digicake.com. I'lll need to check it out!

[CharlzS]

Roland's patch script builder is still available here: https://www.roland.com/us/support/patch_script_builder/
Doesn't cover everything but sometimes gives you a good starting point.

[midilance]

Isn't it spelled "midnam?"

[James Steele]

Isn't it spelled "midnam?"

I believe you are correct. I'll probably go and change it in this topic so that it will show up in search results.

[Chandrasekar]

Cakewalk used something like this. Not sure of the extension or name (.ins)
These files can be edited with text editor for different hardware synths.
1000s of files for almost every hardware synth are available in the net.
For those who want to create their own MIDNAM files, they can use the cakewalk files as a start.
Otherwise, typing the patch names will take many hours of work.

Regards.

[SixStringGeek]

FWIW, the MIDI Quest editor/librarian can create midnam files.

But the overall quality of MIDI Quest is truly awful and the Kronos version produces midnam files that do not work. I have created working midnam files in the past for gear that doesn't have a lot of banks but gear with lots of banks doesn't seem to be handled properly.

DP already installs a bunch of midnam files in /Library/Audio/MIDI Devices/MOTU/<Vendor>/<Model>.midnam files.
You can look at some of those examples.

In more modern synths you can query the device for its patch info. I kind of wonder why nobody has created the "external hardware" audio unit that has a UI like a plugin, audio device/channel info for audio, and MIDI details so one could just configure an instance and it forwards all the MIDI/Audio as if it were handled in software. Nicer and simpler than the hoops to create a MIDI track, then an audio track, then fiddle the routing each time you want to use an external synth.

[James Steele]

FWIW, the MIDI Quest editor/librarian can create midnam files.

But the overall quality of MIDI Quest is truly awful...

This is what I've heard. That's mostly why I ended up finding an old G4 Mac Mini and setting it up as a headless Unisyn machine that I scan screenshare from my Mac Studio.