This tutorial provides a brief introduction to the main features offered by SUPER LIBRARIAN. The demo program does not 'save' Setups or Data, but it will however, give you a good idea of how Super Librarian can function within your MIDI system.
We suggest that you leave the Prompts option turned On (checked). Make sure that the files Profile.lib (instrument library) and Profile.hlp (help files) are in the same folder as the demo program. Unfortunately this text file is missing a lot of the screen shots that are in the regular manual - but you will probably make out just fine. Enjoy!
**** VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Since this demo does not SAVE files, we have included a few banks of sample data file. To access these files INSTALL a profile of the same name.
**** PLEASE NOTE: If you copy the demo to a hard drive, be sure to change the PREFERENCE..../Set Default Path (locate and open the folder named Data files and click on SET) and Set Default Library (locate and double-click on the Profile.lib file) settings or the data files and library will not be found.
SUPER LIBRARIAN can address a MIDI interface connected to the printer and/or modem port. With an interface connected to each port, up to 32 MIDI devices are supported. Each Setup contains up to 16 Device Folders.
In the Basics section, just one instrument is used as a model (Korg M1). Basics will get you up and running quickly, without a lot of details that may not apply to your setup.
The last section of the Tutorial covers the topic of dual port setups and MIDI patchbay configurations that can totally automate your system. If you run MultiFinder, own a MIDI patchbay and several other pieces of MIDI equipment, be sure to read this section carefully.
BASICS:
Locate and then double-click on the SUPER LIBRARIAN icon to load the program. A command menu appears across the top of the screen.
The first thing you should do is create a custom Setup that contains a list of the Devices in your system. Configure this Setup with the appropriate Port, Channel and Patchbay parameters.
- Under File select New Setup. A new Setup window opens and displays a row of function buttons.
Click on the Port button and select the serial Port (modem or printer) that is connected to your MIDI interface. Most interfaces operate at a 1 Mhz clock value. Select the appropriate value for your interface, click on Done and return to the Setup Window.
We'll use the Korg M1 as the first Device in our Setup.
Click on Install. A list of Manufacturer names will appear.
- Scroll until you see the Manufacturer name Korg. Double-click on it, then scroll again until you see the M1 Profiles.
- This Profile requests the internal M1 programs. Notice that a Device Folder with this name is installed in the Setup Window.
Continue to install any other M1 Profiles that you want use in your Setup. After you have installed the desired Profiles in the Setup Window (remember: Profiles are installed as Device Folders) you must adjust the MIDI channel assignment for each Device Folder.
- Click on a Setup Window. Use the mouse to adjust the MIDI channel value of each M1 folder to agree with the Global MIDI Channel setting on the M1. Move the cursor from side to side over the channel value. Notice how the cursor turns into an arrow. Click the mouse to adjust the channel value.
Before you initiate a transfer from a device to Super Librarian, both MIDI IN and OUT ports must be properly connected from the device to the computer.
In addition, you may have put it your instrument in a mode that permits System Exclusive transfers. This is usually called SYSEX ON or SYSEX AVAIL.
For the M1, this parameter is found on the Global page. Make sure it is enabled. Let's request some data from the M1.
- Double click on the M1- PRG.INT Device Folder. The Device Folder 'opens' and displays a new set of function buttons. Click on Get MIDI.
If all connections and settings are correct, you will receive a bank of programs from the M1.
If you DO experience difficulties with ANY transfer, be sure to check the 'on-line' Help files. There may be some special parameters on YOUR Device that must be correctly set before a transfer is possible.
- To access the Help Files, click once on a Device Folder to select it, then press the key combination 'command H'. Instructions pertinent to the selected Device Folder will appear.
Data files may be renamed at any time. SUPER LIBRARIAN supports standard Macintosh text editing functions.
A descriptive Memo may be associated with each bank of patches.
- Click on the small Memo button beside the filename M1 Factory Programs. Any message that you type in the text editor window will be permanently associated with M1 Factory Programs and may be edited or updated at any time.
BULK ORGANIZER:
The Bulk Organizer is one of the most important areas of SUPER LIBRARIAN. It allows the user to view, copy, swap and rename patches. To access the Bulk Organizer, you must use a Profile that supports this function. Bulk Organizer compatible Profiles are usually named with the extention .BLK. Most patch auditioning is usually done from within the Bulk Organizer.
**** If you do not have a device included in the sample data files - you can still participate in this tutorial. Since the demo will not SAVE data received from an instrument to disk, you must open a 'Bulk Organizer' file to be able to view patch names. To do this, first create (from the Finder) a Data Folder with the SAME NAME as the Profile that you wish to use.
Copy one of the sample data files, for example 'M1 Factory' to that folder. Boot Super Librarian and INSTALL the profile you wish to use. Make sure it is a 'Bulk Organizer' compatible file. B/O compatible files are usually named with the extention .BLK or .INT.
When you open 'M1 Factory', the names will be messed up because it is the wrong profile. Request a dump from YOUR instrument and then you will see the names displayed for THAT device. ****
Here are some of the functions supported by the Bulk Organizer. They are familiar Macintosh commands and may be invoked from the Edit menu or by using 'keyboard commands'.
Cut: Command X cuts the existing patch and leaves the name 'UNUSED'.
Copy: Command C copies the selected patch to the 'clipboard'.
Paste: Command V pastes the clipboard over top of the new selection.
If you select Text Edit, ONLY the patch names will be affected by Cut, Copy, Paste or Clear commands. MIDI data is not moved or replaced.
Text Edit is very useful when working with Devices that do not support the display of patch names. SUPER LIBRARIAN enables you to name patches in any bank that is supported by the Bulk Organizer. When you receive a dump from a device that does not have names, all patches default to 'Unnamed'. You can rename the patches and save them to disk. This provides a proper reference for the contents of a bank.
The Text Edit function can save you a lot of typing. Here's where you might use it.
In Bank 1 you have created names for the first 10 patches in an 'unnamed' dump. You now want to send Bank 1 to the device to audition new patches and tweek some old ones.
When you are done editing, you get request a new dump - Bank 2. The first 10 patch names in Bank 2 match Bank 1, but you have modified the sounds and the MIDI data is different.
Select Text Edit, and only the patch names from Bank 1 will be copied to Bank 2.
To Swap patches within the same bank, click and hold on the patch you want to move. A small hand will 'grab' the source patch.
- Click and hold on the 'source' patch - say #5. Move the patch to program #6, the 'destination'. Release the mouse button and the source and destination patches will Swap positions.
The Swap function may also be used to arrange the order of Device Folders in the Setup Window.
When you Copy or Cut a patch, it moves the patch name and MIDI data to the Macintosh 'clipboard'. The contents of the 'clipboard' may be copied to any other compatible bank (same Profile Origin).
AUDITION PATCHES:
There two fundamental approaches to testing patches in SUPER LIBRARIAN.
1) Use the MIDI Thru function to rechannelize data from your master keyboard to the currently selected Device Folder.
- Turn on MIDI Thru. Open a Bulk Organizer window (display names) and click on Send MIDI to transmit the bank to the M1. Click on a patch name. A corresponding program change is sent to the M1. Look at the patch names on the synth to make sure the M1 is in the correct mode (ie. Internal, Combination).
When you find a patch you like, Copy it, open an existing bank and Paste the patch to it.
It is a good idea to keep an 'UNUSED' or 'INIT' bank stored on disk. You can use the Copy command to create an INIT bank quite easily.
Rename a patch #1 of an existing bank 'unused' or 'init' or 'empty' - whatever you prefer. Use C to Copy it. Use the down arrow key to move to patch #2. Use V to Paste the patch and continue to the end of the bank. When you are finished, give the bank the name INIT and Save it for future use.
2) The Riffs recorder offers another way to audition sounds. This 'real time' sequencer will record and store up to 10 riffs to use when auditioning sounds.
- Click on the name of the patch that you wish to audition and select a Riff. Any of the ten riffs may be selected from the Riffs menu, or by using the command 1, 2..up to 0 keys.
Use the spacebar to Start and Stop playback.
A single mouse click will Stop Riff Playback and Record.
DATA EXCHANGE:
SUPER LIBRARIAN data is 'direct connect' compatible between the Mac, Atari, IBM and C1 computers. SUPER LIBRARIAN also enables patch data to be exchanged using MIDI cables. Just connect two computers and load the SUPER LIBRARIAN program on both. Install the same Profile, set one machine to transmit, and the other to receive. As SUPER LIBRARIAN evolves, we expect to make this transfer process even easier.
DESK ACCESSORY:
The SUPER LIBRARIAN Desk Accessory(DA) is a scaled down 'transmit only' version of the main program. The Accessory enables you to select any of your SUPER LIBRARIAN patches or Performance Files from within another program. This is extremely useful if your Macintosh does not have enough RAM to run MultiFinder. The operation of the Accessory is very simple. Just select the DA, load a Setup, select a Device and then choose a bank of patches to transmit. This demo will not SAVE patches so the accessory is of no present use to you.
MULTIFINDER:
If your Macintosh is equipped with more than 1 Mb of RAM you are probably used to running MultiFinder. SUPER LIBRARIAN was developed under MultiFinder so you should expect no problems.
The only MultiFinder consideration is to make sure you have allocated an adequate segment of memory for SUPER LIBRARIAN. We set the default at 512k. If you have a large system and tend to leave a lot of Bulk Organizer windows open, amount can easily be exceeded.
From the Finder, highlight the SUPERLIB.PRG file, and select FILE/Get Info.
Adjust the Application Memory Size value accordingly.
MIDI PATCHBAY:
Most musicians that own a moderate to large MIDI studio rely on a Midi Patchbay or other switching unit to organize the MIDI data routing for their system. Otherwise it's a mess.
If your patchbay will receive program changes, SUPER LIBRARIAN can automate the routing for all data transfers. Just a bit of programming and you are will be liberated from the hassels of saving, retrieving and organizing patch data for your equipment that is supported by SUPER LIBRARIAN.
We'll assume that you have the MIDI IN and OUT of each device in your system connected to the corresponding MIDI 'port' on the patchbay. Check your patchbay manual if you are not sure how to do this. Once you are ready, here is how to put SUPER LIBRARIAN in control.
- Program and store a 'dump' patch for each Device, configured so the device is routed to the Mac, and the Mac to the Device.
- Expand the Setup Window and adjust the Patchbay value for each Device Folder to correspond to the 'dump' programs that you just created in the Patchbay.
- Make sure the Patchbay values are set properly.
Pause after program change - Define a short 'wait' to ensure that the Patchbay has properly switched the Device 'on-line'.
We have seen patchbay/device combinations that require up to 800 MSec.
Enable Patchbay on Channel # - The MIDI communication channel for your Patchbay.
Switch to kyb control patch # - A Patchbay program that routes your master keyboard to the Macintosh, and the Macintosh to all other Devices. Make this the 'current' program on the Patchbay.
Octal Numbering Patchbay display - Enable this setting if your Patchbay uses an octal numbering system (numbered in groups of eight, ie. JL Cooper, Roland, 360 Systems).
Most MIDI Patchbays must be told which 'port' and MIDI channel to expect program changes on. Refer to the on-line Help docs and the Patchbay manual to make certain that these values are set properly. Otherwise none of this will work.
Try a data transfer. When you click on Get MIDI, SUPER LIBRARIAN will send a program change to the Patchbay that calls the 'dump patch' , receive data from the Device, then send another program change to the Patchbay to switch the master keyboard back 'on-line' with the Mac.
If this does not happen, retrace your steps. Be sure all Patchbay and MIDI channel values are correct and that all cable connections are secure. Try to establish communication between the patchbay and just one device.
DUAL MIDI INTERFACE:
If you have a dual port interface, or two independant interfaces, you can communicate on 32 different MIDI channels. A minor degree of trickery is involved in properly configuring your patchbay to accomodate these additional 16 lanes of MIDI traffic. But it's not too bad.
The following example makes a few assumptions.
1) Your instruments are properly connected to the Patchbay.
2) You know how to program and store patches on your Patchbay.
3) The Patchbay can be set to read program changes from a specific input PORT and MIDI channel.
If these are not valid assumptions, then this is a good place to stop. Dig out the manual for the Patchbay, and refer to the Help Files (press command H) specific to your Patchbay. Hey - this stuff is fun, right?
The patchbay program values chosen for this example are arbitrary. Use whatever settings you wish in your system.
Connect the Modem port of the Macintosh to Patchbay Input #1 and the Printer port to Patchbay Input #2.
- Open a New Setup on the Modem Port and Install up to 16 Devices.
- Open another New Setup and Install up to 16 additional Devices on the Printer Port.
- On the Patchbay, program and store Patch 01 (11 in octal display) as a Modem port 'control' patch. Assign the Modem port(Output 1) to Devices 1-16 and the output from your 'master keyboard' to the Modem port. Set Switch to kyb. control: to 01 (11 octal). Make sure the channel, octal display and pause settings are suitable.
- Program and store Patch 02 (12 octal) as the Patchbay Printer port 'control' patch. Assign the Printer port (Output 2) to Devices 17-32 and route your 'master keyboard' to the Printer Port. Set Switch to kyb. control: to Patch 02 (12). Make sure the channel, octal display and pause settings are suitable.
For each Device, program a patch that has the Device routed to the Mac, and the Mac to the Device. Expand the Setup Window and assign this patch to the Device Folder Patchbay value.
Let's try it out.
-Double click on a Device Folder in the Modem setup to Open a Bulk Organizer window. Select Get MIDI.
SUPER LIBRARIAN will send an appropriate program change to the Patchbay to put the selected Device 'on-line'. After the transfer is completed, the Patchbay will switch back to the Modem port 'control' Program.
- Click once on the Printer port Setup Window. The Patchbay will switch to the Printer Control Program #02(12 octal).
- Click on the Modem Setup Window. The Patchbay should switch back to the Modem Control Program #01 (11 octal).
If your Patchbay is operating as described in the previous two sentences, then you have successfully completed the configuration. And now on to one of the most powerful SUPER LIBRARIAN features - the Performance Window.
PERFORMANCE:
A Performance may be used to either receive or transmit a series of files. A single Performance can contain the patch data for an entire studio.
Let's try the Request All feature. All Devices must be connected to the Patchbay and your Patchbay settings must be correct. SUPER LIBRARIAN will request data from each Device in the current Setup(s).
- Open a New Performance and click on the Request All button.
SUPER LIBRARIAN will scan the current Setup and issue a dump request for each Device Folder. As data is received, filenames are added the Performance Window. Files may be deleted (Remove), moved or renamed. Click and Grab with the 'hand icon' to change the position of any filenames in list.
If you want to create a Performance for only a few Devices, you may 'selectively' assemble a Performance. Click on Start. All reception or transmission of data will be recorded. Click on the flashing Record button to end the Performance.
The Performance feature will be very useful in studios that continually have to switch patches around for different projects.
CONCLUSION:
This ends our introductory tutorial. It does not cover everything, but at least you should have a reasonable feel for the program.
There are a lot of great synths and effect units out there that we still haven't covered. Please - let us know if you have a Device with a MIDI port on it that needs a Profile. It won't happen overnight, but hey - we take requests. And work on them in order of priority as determined by YOU - our valued customer.
Several users have been contributing quite regularly to our BBS (1-819-777-3468) with requests for new PROFILEs and features. And even better - some have uploaded Profiles that they created themselves. We are working on a library of Public Domain patches in Super Librarian format, and will encourage all users to contribute.
This is only the beginning for SUPER LIBRARIAN. There are many additional features planned for future versions. The program is now shipping for the Atari ST, C1, IBM PC and Macintosh. SUPER LIBRARIAN provides electronic musicians with a new level of patch compatibility between different types of computers.
SUPER LIBRARIAN puts YOU in control of your MIDI system. No more tedious song setups and backup sessions. No more searching for those favorite patches. They will be waiting for you - right under the Super Librarian Accessory.
For the name of a dealer in your city, please write or call:
