TX81Z env/out midi

95f's icon

hi,

just purchased an old tx81z, wishing to use max to control the envelopes/output levels, whats the easiest way to do this?

cheers!

P

Source Audio's icon

To check TX81z midi implementation chart, and if it does not
respond to midi cc messages for parameters of Your interest,
then You will have to use system exclusive .

95f's icon

thanks!, knew you'd say that

sadly being a newbie to Max i've been looking for some very basic help to get me started on the syses procedure :-/

Source Audio's icon

I see, so the stuff You'd like to control would need sysex.
That should not be a big deal.
Did You have a look in the sysex chart ?
In max it will be easy to send sysex strings via midiout object.
A very handy way to detect sysex string for parameters is to
use some editor which allready has all the stuff ready, and insert Max
as midi through in between, and then capture the midi stream.
I'll be glad to help You to get further.

95f's icon

yep located sysex chart in manual.
am familiar with midi in Max

if u have a spare moment that would be fabulous

:-)

Source Audio's icon

Sure, just post whatever questions or patches which need assistance.
I am on tour and so can't log in very frequently,
but as soon I get time I tend to do so...
There are many capable people here on the forums which
can help You as well.

95f's icon

thank u!

just need a very basic outline of how to send a sysex message to the TX18Z to change the attack values of Operator 1, from that i can work out the rest for the other parameters.

:)

Source Audio's icon

I don't have the TX manual, so I can't give You the string.
Usually You start with Sysex Start (F0), Manufacturer ID ,Device ID, parameter ID, Value
end whatever is needed and end with Sysex End (F7).
In Max easiest way is to create a message containing decimal numbers
for example 240 instead of f0 and so on and insert $1 for parameter value.
Connect that to iter, followed by midiout, and of course a slider or whatever
to change parameters...
I am sorry to be somewhat short, I just have to leave in a short time.
Maybe You could provide download link for TX manual. or upload a page of it here.
I 'll be back tomorrow.

Cheers

95f's icon

okay, thats helpful
am slowly understanding in good time
a copy of the manual attached to this message
chat when u have more time, very much appreciated!!!

P

Yamaha TX81Z.pdf
application/pdf 653.23 KB
Sysex (VCED) on page 71

Rick's icon

https://cycling74.com/forums/any-maxmsp-people-out-there-using-a-yamaha-tx81z

Roman Thilenius's icon

envelopes and gain should be controllable by CCs very easily.

Source Audio's icon

Had a look into Yamaha manual.
I can understand that it is a bit confusing, on some places one gets
binary, on the other hex, than decimal.
But it is not that complicated, once You get their logic
Here is a patch with 2 parameters that You wanted for OP1, and few words of explanation.

Max Patch
Copy patch and select New From Clipboard in Max.

Pvdn's icon

A bit unrelated, but have you looked into the stereoping controller? It's a LOT of fun to control the TX81Z with it, and also it will accept midi CC for each parameter (it takes care of the sysex thing).

In my opinion a must buy for tx owners.

95f's icon

Here is a patch with 2 parameters that You wanted for OP1, and few words of explanation.

thank u so much thats very helpful!

95f's icon

okay, I've tried setting this up without much joy

Max has been set to the correct MIDI channel
it must be something to do with the sysex settings on the TX81Z?

95f's icon

the other issue I've come across is the program change message in 'Performance Mode'

currently got a pgmout object successfully changing 'Single Mode' presets but not able to do the same in 'Performance Mode' :- /

95f's icon

hi source audio,

sorry to bother u again!
i've not had much joy setting up the patch
the tx81z unit is set to midi ch 1
the Max midi out object is set to the usb connected to the tx81z (as per screenshot)
nothing happening yet on the tx81z when checking the relevant parameters

look forward to your reply when u have a moment

:-)

Source Audio's icon

Are You sure that USB midi interface You use supports sysex ?
Most of the cheap so called midi cables don't
Could that be the problem ?

95f's icon

hi mate,

yeah i thought about that, could be the issue with old kit vs usb midi

:-/

95f's icon

any recommendations as to how to solve the problem?

thanks!

Source Audio's icon

As first I would check that interface.
Simply plug midi cable in it's in/out, send some sysex to it
and check in Max if anything gets back.
If not, than You need a working interface

95f's icon

I've been using one of these:
Miditech MidiLink Mini interface MIDI/USB - apparently not very reliable!

have been recommended the following:
Roland UM-One USB to MIDI Interface

at the moment i'm running a cable directly into the tx81z

Roman Thilenius's icon

sysex might also be turned off / filtered in the midi manager of the OS.

Source Audio's icon

Search no longer, that midi interface is not capable of sysex data
communication.
Same Chip has been used in numerous midi cable interfaces,
they even can't send and receive polyphonic notes reliably.

Roman Thilenius's icon

didnt i recently posted that little input helper for hex strings to the forums... i cant find it back.

95f's icon

yeah that cable is rubbish, howabout the 'Roland UM-One MKII'?

I've setup the TX81Z in midi manager on my Mac OS 10.11, there's a blank box for System Exclusive ID would that assist?

95f's icon

i could splash out on 'MOTU MIDI interface micro lite' to solve the problem?

95f's icon

just done a bit of online research

yeah the 'Roland UM-One MKII' looks okay

:-)

Source Audio's icon

Motu USB interfaces will work, fastlane having 2 In/out ports
works fine, and is small enough if You need a portable solution.
One can get one second hand for 20 -30 $

95f's icon

thanks mate!
;-)

redhexagonal's icon

The easiest way to control a TX81Z with Max is to hack into the Kat.Opfour max for live emulation, pretty sure it has full sysex control tucked away in the patch, plus the interface is already built for you. I did it that way for a while, but now I just use Kat.Opfour, which sounds almost identical to the hardware...

redhexagonal's icon
95f's icon

how much does ableton cost with that synth pack then?

95f's icon

abletons not mate

redhexagonal's icon

Pack is free. Maybe you can extract a patch from it without Live, not sure.

95f's icon

think u still need to install max for live into albeton so thats double costly?

redhexagonal's icon

if you don't have Live, you could use this. just open the amxd in Max
http://maxforlive.com/library/device/2202/tx81z-editor

95f's icon

thank u

that looks promising and something to get stuck into

will no doubt give me ideas

;-)

95f's icon

@ Source Audio

would one these be sufficient:
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 Firewire/Thunderbolt Audio Interface

currently on sale, has plenty of functionality for IN/OUT plus MIDI connection and Thunderbolt!

let me know, cheers!

Source Audio's icon

I would say that it will certainly be ok, that problem with sysex
is happening only on cheap midi cable interfaces which have shity chinese chip
and not enough buffer on it to do sysex or any other serious data transfer.

95f's icon

thank u, that's helpful :-)

95f's icon

right then, am getting to grips with this slowly, a quick query...

@source audio

in reference to the following on page 67 of the tx81z manual:
PCED (Performance parameters)
ggggg = 00100 (4), hh= 11 (3)

I've attempted to setup a new message box in Max with this:

240 67 16 19 8 $1 247
(19 being the decimal PCED group and 8 being the Vol parameter output for INST1)

however, this message ends up changing the waveform of operator 2 in play single mode..????

hope u can advise if not to much trouble (fingers crossed)

Paul :-)

Source Audio's icon

Hi Paul,

I guess it is due to bin - hex -dec conversion.
Here is a simple converter

Max Patch
Copy patch and select New From Clipboard in Max.

I don't have TX manual to look into at the moment

95f's icon

thank u!

Source Audio's icon

Could it be that Yamaha manual has mistake in Sysex description ?
They state same value for ACED and PCED, which can't be correct.
The string You posted 240 67 16 19 8 $1 247 shoud affect operator 3 and not 2

Would You try this one :
240 67 16 26 8 $1 247
That is TX802 PCED that works.

redhexagonal's icon

Not sure how PCED works, I use single mode and use VCED and ACED

you can change try changing volume of Operator 1 with VCED message

240 67 16 18 49 $1 247

95f's icon

Could it be that Yamaha manual has mistake in Sysex description ? They state same value for ACED and PCED, which can't be correct.

exactly, i'll try what you mentioned later today, thanks again mate!

Bill 2's icon

> Could it be that Yamaha manual has mistake in Sysex description ?
They state same value for ACED and PCED, which can't be correct.

If what I was told (by someone who worked for Yamaha) is correct they made a complete blunder with note-off messages. And because the DX7 was so popular the rest of the world had to follow 'em.

So I'd say YES - they're absolutely capable of making mistakes.

95f's icon

anyone familiar with Sysex messaging for the Nord Rack 2?