Question re: Playing multi-samples from Z4

My understanding is that the Z series is very similar to the 4000, without the sequencer, so hopefully someone can help me.

I'm sequencing in Pro Tools 8 & controlling with a Roland A-80, if it makes a difference.

I have some libraries that provide multiple articulations for each note... stab, long note & trill on strings, for example. My problem is that I don't know how to use them effeciently.

Using Multis, what I thought I could do was load 3 or so programs & insert program changes prior to needing different articulations. But the programs don't change. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

My work around has been to shift programs up/down a few octaves, having stabs at one end of the keyboard & trills at the other, for example. But I can only fit 2 programs on the keyboard using this method. So I'm having to use a 2nd MIDI channel & track for additional articulations. Pain in the a**!

Might there be something I'm missing when trying to use program changes? Any help would be appreciated.

you should be using the multi. All of the programs will be together to be triggered from one keyboard.
I will send you a PM.
I don't use Protools, though.

Cheers,
Ian

I probably wasn't clear...

I am using a Multi. All programs are together. And I'm only using 1 keyboard.

Example: 3 programs, all trumpet. program 1 will be stabs, program 2 will be long notes & program 3 trills.

My understanding is that I should be able to assign these 3 programs to MIDI channel 1 in the Multi. I should then be able to assign program numbers 1-3 to the programs and use program changes in my Pro Tools sequecer to trigger the program I want.

So when I want middle C stab, I'm playing program 1. If I want middle C trill, I activate/trigger program 3 and play that same C key on my keyboard. Much easier & efficient than the work around I had been using.

Am I misunderstanding what program changes do or is this not possible?

Why don't you put each program on a different track? I'm sure the 4k can receive multi-timbral MIDI.

Mike Boogie wrote:Why don't you put each program on a different track? I'm sure the 4k can receive multi-timbral MIDI.

I have been doing that. The problem is that I have 2-3 tracks for each instrument. It makes it impossible to play & hear the different articulations. I have to play/record with a single articulation then cut & paste to different tracks. Life would be easier & more musical if I could get the program changes to work.

WAIT.... WHAT?!

The 4k has 96 tracks available and you have 2-3 instruments per track....

I'm just gonna shut my mouth here because I don't know if you have a Z4 or 4000.

Ian would probably be your guy for this.

No, I'm having to use 2-3 tracks per instrument.

Not sure why I'm not able to get this across. The libraries I have are one-shot samples of traditional instruments, most of which can be played using several techniques. Stabs, regular short notes, longer notes, trills, vibrato & so on. For 1 instruments, I might have 5+ programs, 1 for each articulation or playing technique.

Instead of being able to put 3 or so programs of the same instrument on 1 track & use program changes in my sequence, I'm having to put each program on different tracks. So I'm having to play/record just stabs, then long notes, then trills & so on, all separately.

My understanding is that program changes would address my issue, but I have not been able to get them to work. I can assign program numbers to the programs. I can put program changes in my sequence. But as I play/record, the programs don't change.

Hopefully I'm being clear. The point of the post is to get help with program changes. If nothing else I'm saying is clear, help with just program changes would be great.

Not sure about the program changes. But how about making a program and putting the variations of the notes in different zones? Then set a modulation source to swith between them.

Em.p.cee.j wrote:Not sure about the program changes. But how about making a program and putting the variations of the notes in different zones? Then set a modulation source to swith between them.

I'm just putting things back together after a good while off. I'm a bit shaky with the terminology, and I'm not in front of the machine right now, so pardon me.

Zones? I think most of the programs are using zones already with velocity layers, but it may only be 2 (soft & loud) of the 4 if I'm remembering correctly. This may be an option.