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FORMAT INFO

Click here for a list of freeware and shareware SysEx Utilities and Midifile Players for PC and Mac.

Here is some general information regarding how to load a soundbank via MIDI using a computer:

Our soundbanks are generally shipped in the form of a MIDIfile (.MID) and Sysex file (.SYX). Midifiles can generally be loaded into a MIDI sequencer such as Cakewalk, Cubase, Logic, Vision, etc. and then transmitted via the MIDI OUT from the computer. Sysex files can be loaded into various free utilities and then transmitted via the MIDI OUT from the computer. A link to several downloadable PC and Mac utilities that work with Sysex files is available here.

Some synths and samplers have a built-in disk drive which makes it very easy to load new sounds. But for those synths that do not have a built-in disk drive, soundbanks are generally loaded in via the MIDI cable. This page contains some general information to help you understand the process of loading a soundbank via MIDI using a computer.

STEP 1: You need to connect the synth to your computer. This is usually accomplished either via MIDI or a serial port connection.

A MIDI connection is generally accomplished by connecting a MIDI cable from your computer's MIDI OUT connector (if it has one) to your synth's MIDI IN connector. Often times, a MIDI IN/OUT adaptor cable is included with the soundcard. If not, you may need to buy a simple and inexpensive adaptor cable to add MIDI IN and MIDI OUT ports to a soundcard's gameport or to the USB port. Consult your soundcard manual or manufacturer for details.

Alternatively, you may be able to connect your synth directly to the serial port on your computer IF your synth has a serial connector on it. Many newer synths, such as the Yamaha VL70-m, Roland JV-1010, Korg 05R/W, feature a serial port on them. Sometimes a special serial cable is required. Make sure you select the proper switch setting on the back of your synth. Consult your synth manual or manufacturer for further details.

STEP 2: You need to decide which file format is best for your setup. The most common formats are MIDIfile (.MID) and Sysex file (.SYX) formats. See below for other possible options. Usually both formats are included with the order.

Using MidiOX on a PC

For PC users wanting to transfer .SYX sysex files, we recommend using the free and downloadable MIDI OX. Here are basic instructions on how to load the soundbank into your synth with MidiOx...

First, set up your synth so that it is ready to receive a bulk dump. These instructions are different for each synth so please refer to the text file or printout that came with the soundbank. Set up the synth now before proceeding.

Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT from your PC to the MIDI IN on your synth. Be sure you have installed the proper drivers for your MIDI interface (these are available from the maker of the interface). Install MidiOx. Run Midi Ox. Under the "Options" menu, select "MIDI Devices...". Look in the "MIDI Outputs:" box and select the appropriate MIDI OUT device (this tells MidiOx where to direct the MIDI data). If you do not see an entry for your MIDI interface, then you probably need to reinstall or update the appropriate drivers for your MIDI interface. Click "OK" to close the window.

Click on the "View" menu and select "SysEx...". In the new window, click on the "File" menu and select "Send Sysex File...". Now locate the Patchman Music soundbank file that ends in ".syx". Highlight it then click on "Open". The data will automatically begin sending to the synth. Wait for the progress bar to complete and the new sounds should be in the appropriate soundbank in your synth.

Using SysEx Librarian on a OSX Mac

For Mac OSX users wanting to transfer .SYX sysex files, we recommend using the free and downloadable SysEx Librarian. If you are running an older Mac OS (OS 9.2.2 or earlier) we recommend a free utility called SysEx available here. Click here for a list of additional SysEx Utilities and Midifile Players for older Macs.

For OS X Macs:

Here are step by step instructions on how to load the soundbank into your synth with SysEx Librarian...

First, download and install Sysex Librarian on your OSX Mac.

Double click on the Sysex Librarian icon to run it.

Click on the "Add..." button in the lower left hand corner of the window and navigate to the .syx soundbank file. If you don't see it then you may still need to "unStuff" or "unzip" the file you were sent. Double click on the .syx file (or .mid file if appropriate) to load the file into SysEx Librarian.

Next, connect a single MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT on your Mac's MIDI interface to the MIDI IN on the receiving synth. Do not connect additional MIDI cables at this time. Be sure you have installed the proper drivers for your MIDI interface (these are available from the maker of the interface). You may need to select the proper MIDI OUT port in the "Destination" dropdown menu at the top of the window.

Turn on the receiving synth and proceed to prepare the synth as specified in the text file or printed documentation you were sent with the soundbank. These instructions are different for each synth. (The EWI4000s needs no preparation.)

Next, make sure the proper .syx or .mid file is highlighted in the SysEx Librarian window then click on the "Play" button located in the upper left hand corner of the window to begin sending the data to the synth. Allow enough time for the entire bank to transfer as specified in the documentation (usually less than a minute or so).

The new sounds should now be in the appropriate soundbank in your synth.

INCOMPLETE DATA TRANSFERS

Here is a tip if you are experiencing partial or non-exsistant soundbank transfers. Some MIDI interfaces choke on VERY LARGE blocks of sysex data. Incomplete soundbank transfers are almost always an indication that the MIDI interface / soundcard is having trouble with large bulk data dumps. MOTU and Yamaha MIDI interfaces are notorious for this. If you experience this with your interface, first contact the manufacturer of the interface and ask them if they have a fix for this. Alternatively, we suggest trying another MIDI interface or sound card. We have had excellent results with the inexpensive M-Audio UNO USB to MIDI interface. It is also sometimes possible to use another synth that has a serial port connector as a MIDI interface.

PC users using MIDI OX can slow down the transmission rate. In the "Sysex View and Scratchpad" window, click on the "Sysex" menu, then select "Configure...". Set the "Low Level Output Buffer" SIZE parameter lower (maybe try 16) and set the "Delay - Milliseconds Between Buffers" parameter higher (maybe double it). Then try the transfer again.

Mac users running OS X using SysEx Librarian: You can slow down the MIDI Data Transmit speed in the preferences. Select "Preferences..." in the "SysEx Librarian" menu and try setting the speed a little slower. To do this, slide the "Pause between played messages" slider a little to the right and try the transfer again.

Mac users running OS 9.2.2 and older that are having trouble might try this program called SysEx with the .SYX format. In its preferences you can set the "% of MIDI Speed" lower to slow down the data transmission speed. This might work better with some slower MIDI interfaces.

Some customers have also reported that using the Alesis Freeloader program avoids this problem.

Other utilities may have similar user settings to slow down the transmission rate so be sure to check their documentation.

PROBLEMS LOADING THE SOUNDBANK?

Make sure you have installed the lastest drivers for your MIDI interface. Contact the maker for details.

Make sure you have only one MIDI cable going from the MIDI OUT on the interface to the MIDI IN on the receiving synth. Disconnect all other MIDI cables and do not go through any other MIDI devices or processors.

Make sure you have selected the proper MIDI OUT port in whatever software you are using to transfer the sounds.

Try a different MIDI cable. Yes, MIDI cables do go bad and even new cables can be defective.

If playing a MIDIfile, try slowing down the tempo in the player- but not too slow. Too slow can be just as bad as too fast in some cases.

Try slowing down the MIDI transmission speed as detailed above. Some MIDI interfaces, especially those made by MOTU, can get overloaded with large blocks of MIDI sysex data.

The following is a brief explanation of some of the formats in which our soundbanks are available. Please note not all formats are available for all synths. Please check the "Format" section in the soundbank description for a list of available formats for a particular soundbank. Most soundbanks include detailed loading instructions. Additional formats may be available. Call for details.

Not all formats are available for all synths!

SysEx (.SYX) File

The SysEx (.SYX) file format is a widely used, standard format for transferring soundbank files. SYX files can be used with a variety of downloadable freeware and shareware utilities as well as many sequencers such as Cakewalk for the PC. If you are using Cakewalk simply select "Sysx" under the View menu, select "Load Bank", load in the .SYX file, then select "Send" to send the file. Even older Cakewalk demos were able to transfer .SYX files. Click here for a listing of SysEx Utilities for PC and Mac.

Standard MIDIfile (.MID)

The Standard MIDIfile format is available for Mac and PC compatible computers. Atari ST users should use the PC format. MIDIfiles can be loaded into most of the better MIDI sequencers capable of importing a Standard MIDIfile with sysex embedded within it such as Cakewalk, Sonar, Digital Performer, Cubase, Logic, PowerTracks Pro, Vision, etc. The file is then played which transmits the soundbank data via the MIDI OUT from your computer to the synth. (Some of the budget sequencers do not handle MIDIfiles with sysex data very well if at all.) Windows Media Player works with some Midifiles containing sysex data but not others. The sequencers we just listed usually work well. Click here for a listing of Midifile Players for PC and Mac.

Mac Self Loader

The Mac Self Loader format basically a raw SysEx file. You need a Macintosh computer and a MIDI interface. A SysEx utility program is included which works with older 'serial-port-equipped' Macs. If the utility that we provide does not work for you, click here for a list of several others that can do the job.

CD ROM

The CD ROM format is available for the Akai S5000, S6000, BitHeadz Unity DS-1 and compatible products, and the Kurzweil K2000, K2500, K2600 and compatibles when purchasing the entire 2000-Series.

Data Cassette

The Data Cassette format consists of an audio cassette which has the digital information recorded on it required to load the new sounds into your synth. A standard audio cassette deck is used to transfer the soundbank. Only a few synths such as the ESQ-1, EWV2000, TX81Z, WT11, EX-800, and Poly-800 have this capability.

Data Sheets / Data Book

The Data Sheet format consists of a booklet or set of printed pages with the parameters of each patch printed in it. You can load the information into your synth manually by entering in the parameter numbers. We offer this printed format for only a few of the synths we support such as the Casio CZ, DX100/27/21, and Poly/EX-800. This format was used back in the old days when very few people owned a computer.

Floppy Disk

The native Floppy Disk format, such as for the EX5, EX5R, K2000, K2500, K2600, S-550, S-330, SY99, W-30, VL1, and VL1-m, XP-60, XP-80, and others is a disk that can be directly loaded into one of these synthesizers/samplers. No computer is needed.

Korg X5/05 SoundEditor File

The X5/05 SoundEditor File format comes on a 3.5" floppy disk for PC or Macintosh computers. It can be opened with, and requires, the PC or Mac X5/05 SoundEditor software that Korg shipped with the 05R/W. (We do not include the X5/05 SoundEditor software on this disk.)

Opcode

The Opcode format is for the Macintosh computer only. If you own the appropriate Opcode Editor, Librarian, or Galaxy you can use this format.

.PDF Data Sheets / Data Book

The .PDF format is used to transmit printed Data Sheets via the internet. It is readable and printable by a .PDF reader such as the Adobe Acrobat Reader for PC and MAC. (See www.adobe.com ).

Roland Sound Brush, Yamaha MDF2 and MDF3, Peavey Midi Librarian/Streamer

These Midifile players can read a 720k PC formatted floppy disk that contains standard Midifiles. The MDF3 can read a 1.4m high density floppy. If you own one of these units, you can order the PC Standard Midifile format to use with it. Simply format a 720k floppy disk (not a high density disk unless you have the MDF3) in a PC or on the Midifile players, copy the .MID Midifile to it, and pop it into your Midifile player. Select the file and hit PLAY/START to transfer the soundbank into your synth via the MIDI cable. Please note, banks that are very large, such as for the Akai EWI3030m, will not work with the Sound Brush.

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This page was last updated Sunday, February 10, 2008.
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