JJ INST format specifications ?

Hi,
I own in the past S3000XL, Akai Z4. Sold them and buy an MPC 2500 few month ago.
Now I miss Akai S1000/S5000 keygroups programs, but it seems that the INST programs by JJ seems to be replacing them in a very good way. I know that MPC 5000 OS 3.0 has the Akai keygroup program feature, but I don't want to change and don't have money for the big 5k.

I looked for sample converting programs like CDxtract, Chicken Sys Translator, Blue Box and others but none of them convert to the JJ's INST format, and those that tell supporting MPC produced poor PGM (filter or enveloppe not respected, incomplete mapping of samples...). Anyway if the PGM format is ok for drums programs, it is not very satisfying for chromatic instruments, like pianos or strings.

As I have some knownledge in programming, I would like to make a program to convert akai AKP files to JJ INST files. I found that someone published a reversed engeneering of the AKP format here http://mda.smartelectronix.com/akai/AKPspec.html .

I just need the same document for the INST format to make a conversion tool. If someone have this, or could ask JJ for this, it would be a great feature for JJ and for all the community, because I would realease the tool free and open source.

Thanx for reading, and sorry for my poor english.

--
ARK

You have to understand JJ is a programmer that has already dealt with the bad side of being a programmer.
The one thing he is consistent about is keeping people out of his programming.
The only real chance you have would be to ask JJ to develope a converter.
All the programs that the JJ os now use (DRUM, INST, AUDIO, CHORD, ARP) are all different from what Akai use or have developed for other devices.
His methods for adding or creating features is based his ability to manipulate the code based on it's original pre-release state, allowing someone to peek into this for any reasons would have an adverse affect on what JJ is doing or has done in the past.

Just be happy that throwing a JJ INST Program together on the MPC is really easy and quick and gives good result with a good source sample.

If it seems otherwise maybe look into getting a synth or using VSTs to give some presets.

I think you're wrong. I'm not talking of hacking the JJ OS itself. Having program compatibility between samplers program formats is not harmful for JJ, but it would permit to JJ users to have access to a loat of sample librarys, and more user will be interested by JJ OS (or maybe just me )
I don't see how a AKP 2 INST tool could be negative for this great OS and I never said I was not happy with JJ OS (??)

I think that he created these new format because of the limitations of PGM, nothing else.

No, you simply don't know enough about how the JJ os came to be.
There is pretty much no way JJ is going to allow anyone any insight to the os on any level or from any perspective.
There is a lot more at risk than some os hacking.

arkaive wrote:I think you're wrong. I'm not talking of hacking the JJ OS itself. Having program compatibility between samplers program formats is not harmful for JJ, but it would permit to JJ users to have access to a loat of sample librarys, and more user will be interested by JJ OS (or maybe just me )
I don't see how a AKP 2 INST tool could be negative for this great OS and I never said I was not happy with JJ OS (??)

I think that he created these new format because of the limitations of PGM, nothing else.

i dunno, i think he might let it happen. after all, the original akai pgm architecture was revealed by Wax Aegeus way back in the day. i'm willing to bet that BECAUSE of this, jj might consider helping the original poster by giving him some info on his INST pgms.

it's worth a shot, after all it'd be good for the jj os because making inst pgms is kind of a tiresome, thankless task that takes a couple minutes and often ends in "nah, that isn't the sound i want...."

but THE ADVERSARY may be right. can't hurt to ask, though. just use extremely simple sentences and make your goal clear early when you ask jj

keep in mind Akai PGM's were a basic standard for a long time so their structure was widely known.
JJ on the other hand has been involved in a 3 year stand off centered around what's his and what's Akai Pro's.
He has to tread very lightly with all aspects of his work.

I think the problem with making Instruments is you have to keep fromt over thinking the requirement.
Think more about the useful nature of a sound instead of the what I can create.
If you focus more on the sound you require instead of trying to get full key spans you can greatly increase you time utilization when creating.
I would only deal in full key span if I was creating patches for someone who said that was a real requirement.
If you have a good collection of samples you can sit all day making nice Instruments that sound good and key properly.
For me it always seems easier to maker them with purpose instead to create library.

Then again with what's actually driving the push for the Windows version of the JJ Sequencer maybe he has little to lose.