Discussion:
[jOrgan-user] Editing jOrgan MIDI Files
John Reimer
2017-07-23 07:15:38 UTC
Permalink
Hi all,

I have found that it is possible to edit without restriction all the note-on
and note-off events in a jOrgan MIDI file (but not any other details), by
firstly making a standard MIDI file from it and doing the actual editing
there. To do this, set up a jOrgan disposition which you will use for this
purpose. I suggest you firstly copy the disposition file you choose to the
Desktop, and give it a name which includes the word "SEND". Delete the
Fluidsynth element and create a Generic Sound element in its place. In these
instructions I will refer to MIDI Yoke, but any virtual MIDI cable installed
in your computer can be used. Under Properties for Generic Sound, set its
Output to MIDI Yoke: 1. Do the same for the Connector Properties. In each
case leave the Input Property blank (this will avoid any MIDI feedback
issues). You will need to add the various References for the Generic Sound
element, including all the Ranks in the disposition. Save to an appropriate
location when finished.

Sekaiju 5.0 is recommended as an Open Source MIDI EDitor, as it is one of
the few editors I found which will record the tracks from jOrgan separately.
Aso, it is free. It downloads as a zip file, and after extracting it, in
order to avoid Windows Permission problems you should place the folder in
some suitable location other than in C:\, or in Program Files, or in Program
Files (x86). Consult the README for instructions on setting it up so that
you get the English version (Hint: open Sekaiju.ini and at the bottom of
that file change "Japanese" to "English" and then save. That's all!)

Set the MIDI Input Port 01 to MIDI Yoke:1 and the MIDI Output Port 01 to
MIDI Yoke:2. However, if when recording from jOrgan you want Sekaiju to
sound the notes, set the MIDI Output Port 01 to Microsoft GS Wavetable
Synth. (When eventually playing the edited file so that you can record it in
your jOrgan disposition in order to create the jOrgan MIDI file, the MIDI
Output should be set to MIDI Yoke: 2.)

To send the MIDI file details, open the Sekaiju Editor, play the file in the
jOrgan "SEND" disposition. You should firstly right-click on the Recorder
Console cell at the left, and change it to <none>. You should also turn on
ONLY one stop per department, otherwise Sekaiju will create quite a number
of tracks which will be very confusing. Do not use any couplers.

Sekaiju will record what jOrgan sends it showing the separate tracks, and
you will need to identify them and enter names (Great, Swell, Pedal) in the
Name cells at the far left of the Track List. Avoid Track 1 which is called
the "Conductor" track. However, there is no harm in naming it after the
jOrgan MIDI file, in some abreviated way. You may not manage to identify the
tracks until you look at the detail seen in the Piano Roll Window. To see
this, right-click on one of the tracks and select Piano Roll. The Piano Roll
Window can be zoomed vertically with the + or - buttons at the bottom right
of the Piano Roll (not the extreme bottom right). To the right of those
buttons is a Track Selection window. To close the current track, click on
its tick, and click on the track you now want to examine or edit. To help
you identify the tracks, you may want to assign a different sound to each.
Use the "up" arrow of the appropriate Program Number in the Track List to
find a suitable sound (organs are 16 to 20).

You will want to zoom the view for more convenient editing. The edit tools
are at the left of the Tool Bar: Pen, Line (whatever that is!), and Eraser.
Pen is the default, and it is what you will normally use in order to move a
note up or down or sideways (place the mouse cursor over the middle of the
note, and drag). Place the cursor towards either end and then drag sideways,
in order to change the note's length. Use the Eraser to delete a note, but
make sure after doing this that you click back on Pen. There may be other
editing functions you wish to use, and you may need to consult the Sekaiju
Instructions pdf (found in Help). Don't forget to Save the file after
editing, and don't forget to write down which folder it is being saved to.

To record in jOrgan, select the disposition you want to use with the piece,
and set the Connector Input to MIDI Yoke:2. (The Sekaiju MIDI Output also
needs to be to MIDI Yoke:2). You will need to use the Customizer to allocate
the appropriate MIDI channel to each department, as designated by Sekaiju.
Choose the stops you want to be part of the finished jOrgan MIDI file. Any
expression changes and stop changes will need to be added while the
recording is being made. If you make a mistake, you can always replay and
record until you get it right. To make the recording, open the jOrgan
Recorder. Click on Record and without delay, start Sekaiju playing the
edited file.

I might add that I have found the editing a bit easier if instead of using
the Microsoft GS Wavetable sounds and Sekaiju while doing this, I actually
use the sounds of the intended jOrgan disposition, with the disposition set
up as in the previous paragraph (but of course without doing any recording).
Also, the Sekaiju MIDI Output is set to MIDI Yoke:2.

It is to be hoped that I have managed to include enough details above, but
we shall only know if someone tries to follow them, and for some reason
comes to a dead stop, and seeks help.

John Reimer



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Aaron Laws
2017-07-23 11:47:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by John Reimer
Hi all,
I have found that it is possible to edit without restriction all the note-on
and note-off events in a jOrgan MIDI file (but not any other details), by
firstly making a standard MIDI file from it and doing the actual editing
there. To do this, set up a jOrgan disposition which you will use for this
purpose. I suggest you firstly copy the disposition file you choose to the
Desktop, and give it a name which includes the word "SEND". Delete the
Fluidsynth element and create a Generic Sound element in its place. In these
instructions I will refer to MIDI Yoke, but any virtual MIDI cable installed
in your computer can be used. Under Properties for Generic Sound, set its
Output to MIDI Yoke: 1. Do the same for the Connector Properties. In each
case leave the Input Property blank (this will avoid any MIDI feedback
issues). You will need to add the various References for the Generic Sound
element, including all the Ranks in the disposition. Save to an appropriate
location when finished.
Sekaiju 5.0 is recommended as an Open Source MIDI EDitor, as it is one of
the few editors I found which will record the tracks from jOrgan separately.
Aso, it is free. It downloads as a zip file, and after extracting it, in
order to avoid Windows Permission problems you should place the folder in
some suitable location other than in C:\, or in Program Files, or in Program
Files (x86). Consult the README for instructions on setting it up so that
you get the English version (Hint: open Sekaiju.ini and at the bottom of
that file change "Japanese" to "English" and then save. That's all!)
Set the MIDI Input Port 01 to MIDI Yoke:1 and the MIDI Output Port 01 to
MIDI Yoke:2. However, if when recording from jOrgan you want Sekaiju to
sound the notes, set the MIDI Output Port 01 to Microsoft GS Wavetable
Synth. (When eventually playing the edited file so that you can record it in
your jOrgan disposition in order to create the jOrgan MIDI file, the MIDI
Output should be set to MIDI Yoke: 2.)
To send the MIDI file details, open the Sekaiju Editor, play the file in the
jOrgan "SEND" disposition. You should firstly right-click on the Recorder
Console cell at the left, and change it to <none>. You should also turn on
ONLY one stop per department, otherwise Sekaiju will create quite a number
of tracks which will be very confusing. Do not use any couplers.
Sekaiju will record what jOrgan sends it showing the separate tracks, and
you will need to identify them and enter names (Great, Swell, Pedal) in the
Name cells at the far left of the Track List. Avoid Track 1 which is called
the "Conductor" track. However, there is no harm in naming it after the
jOrgan MIDI file, in some abreviated way. You may not manage to identify the
tracks until you look at the detail seen in the Piano Roll Window. To see
this, right-click on one of the tracks and select Piano Roll. The Piano Roll
Window can be zoomed vertically with the + or - buttons at the bottom right
of the Piano Roll (not the extreme bottom right). To the right of those
buttons is a Track Selection window. To close the current track, click on
its tick, and click on the track you now want to examine or edit. To help
you identify the tracks, you may want to assign a different sound to each.
Use the "up" arrow of the appropriate Program Number in the Track List to
find a suitable sound (organs are 16 to 20).
You will want to zoom the view for more convenient editing. The edit tools
are at the left of the Tool Bar: Pen, Line (whatever that is!), and Eraser.
Pen is the default, and it is what you will normally use in order to move a
note up or down or sideways (place the mouse cursor over the middle of the
note, and drag). Place the cursor towards either end and then drag sideways,
in order to change the note's length. Use the Eraser to delete a note, but
make sure after doing this that you click back on Pen. There may be other
editing functions you wish to use, and you may need to consult the Sekaiju
Instructions pdf (found in Help). Don't forget to Save the file after
editing, and don't forget to write down which folder it is being saved to.
To record in jOrgan, select the disposition you want to use with the piece,
and set the Connector Input to MIDI Yoke:2. (The Sekaiju MIDI Output also
needs to be to MIDI Yoke:2). You will need to use the Customizer to allocate
the appropriate MIDI channel to each department, as designated by Sekaiju.
Choose the stops you want to be part of the finished jOrgan MIDI file. Any
expression changes and stop changes will need to be added while the
recording is being made. If you make a mistake, you can always replay and
record until you get it right. To make the recording, open the jOrgan
Recorder. Click on Record and without delay, start Sekaiju playing the
edited file.
I might add that I have found the editing a bit easier if instead of using
the Microsoft GS Wavetable sounds and Sekaiju while doing this, I actually
use the sounds of the intended jOrgan disposition, with the disposition set
up as in the previous paragraph (but of course without doing any recording).
Also, the Sekaiju MIDI Output is set to MIDI Yoke:2.
It is to be hoped that I have managed to include enough details above, but
we shall only know if someone tries to follow them, and for some reason
comes to a dead stop, and seeks help.
John Reimer
I sure wish we had a wiki where you could put valuable tutorials like this!
:-/

In Christ,
Aaron Laws
John Reimer
2017-07-23 21:10:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Aaron Laws
I sure wish we had a wiki where you could put valuable tutorials like
this! :-/
Aaron,

Have you discussed this matter with BCA by email?

John Reimer




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John Beach
2017-07-23 14:31:37 UTC
Permalink
John R., regarding your MIDI SEND disposition with Generic Sound for
purposes of editing the jOrgan-produced MIDI file, what is the "input" for
the Keyboard Elements, given the options of
jOrgan MIDI Merger, jOrgan Midi Logger, jOrgan MIDI NULL, Loopbe Virtual
Midi Cable, and Real Time Sequencer? I am not getting any MIDI data output
from jOrgan on recorder playback of
the jOrgan Midi file to input, via Virtual Midi Cable (Loopbe1), to my MIDI
sequencer program which is supposed to record that output. My sequencer
program settings are correct, Input=Loopbe Virtual Midi Cable and "Recording
is activated" in the sequencer program. The port settings are correct.

The two Midi activity indicators on the bottom left of the main jOrgan
window show no MIDI activity (output) at all. I have no trouble inputting a
Midi file from the sequencer program to the jOrgan Recorder (the inverse
procedure of what I am attempting to do as per your instructions.) So I am
assuming that no keyboard (midi note-on/note-off messages) output is
detected.

The "Monitor" function in jOrgan shows no activity at all on playback of
your Interlude 47 (JReimer Midi files). I have tried different input
settings for the keyboards, excluding the Virtual MIDI cable (of course!).


John B.
John Reimer
2017-07-23 21:12:41 UTC
Permalink
I am not getting any MIDI data output from jOrgan on recorder playback of
the jOrgan Midi file to input, via Virtual Midi Cable (Loopbe1), to my
MIDI sequencer program which is supposed to record that output.
JohnB,

In working out this method of “editing” jOrgan MIDI files, I occasionally
would fail to send an output from jOrgan, as confirmed by the jOrgan
Monitor. I found that this would occur under the following circumstances:
1) I had failed to activate stops (only one per department) before trying to
send.
2) I had failed to include “MIDI Yoke:1” in either the GENERIC SOUND Output
or the Connector Output. It has to be in both.

I have never in using jOrgan done anything about the Input cell for
Keyboards. I believe that the Customizer covers that. However, your
experience suggests to me that there may be a third reason why there has
been no output. It may be that in the disposition you are using, the “Note
Played” MPL message for the ranks may be “set velocity” rather than, for
example, “set 100”. This may explain why you have had no output. I noticed
that Sekaiju had a velocity of “100” when I used it, and when I checked the
jOrgan disposition, I found ranks messages of “set 100”. So this may be the
explanation.

Please let us know how you get on after checking out my suggestions.

I should add that in my lengthy instructions I failed to mention that the
receiving program in each case has to have its “RECORD” icon clicked before
it will record what is being sent to it by the other program, and to end the
recording “STOP” should be clicked (in Sekaiju the Play icon does not change
to “Stop”, but it is the one to use). I can edit the instructions in the
Forum, but I can’t do that for those who use only the mailing list.

John Reimer




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John Beach
2017-07-24 01:16:28 UTC
Permalink
I have followed the instructions and rechecked the outputs of both Generic
Sound and the Connector element. They are correct, referencing the Virtual
Midi Cable. I created a small disposition
with one stop per division, three divisions, three MIDI channels, three
stops, one rank, plus jOrgan recorder. I get no MIDI data activity from the
recorder in jOrgan during playback of a jOrgan-proprietary MIDI file with
output to my MIDI sequencer program, set to input from the Loopbe virtual
MIDI cable. In my MIDI sequencer program, there are two, green, MIDI
activity lights which
indicate that data is flowing. The two green lights are not "lit," and so,
I believe there is no MIDI data being transmitted from jOrgan.

I will have to work on this to see what the problem is. In comparison, I
believe the connections are valid.

Thanks.

John B.
g***@gmail.com
2017-07-24 01:34:46 UTC
Permalink
Hi John

I don't understand why you need to go to these lengths to create MIDI files
you say you can edit?
I thought I was able to edit (note pitch and length) directly opening a
jOrgan created MIDI file?
Is there some other aspect you are trying to edit?

Regards
Rick
Post by John Beach
I have followed the instructions and rechecked the outputs of both Generic
Sound and the Connector element. They are correct, referencing the Virtual
Midi Cable. I created a small disposition
with one stop per division, three divisions, three MIDI channels, three
stops, one rank, plus jOrgan recorder. I get no MIDI data activity from the
recorder in jOrgan during playback of a jOrgan-proprietary MIDI file with
output to my MIDI sequencer program, set to input from the Loopbe virtual
MIDI cable. In my MIDI sequencer program, there are two, green, MIDI
activity lights which
indicate that data is flowing. The two green lights are not "lit," and so,
I believe there is no MIDI data being transmitted from jOrgan.
I will have to work on this to see what the problem is. In comparison, I
believe the connections are valid.
Thanks.
John B.
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John Reimer
2017-07-24 04:12:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by g***@gmail.com
I don't understand why you need to go to these lengths to create MIDI
filesyou say you can edit?
Rick,My work flowed from a thread back in June. It is more than possible
that I am missing something. However, I think the answer to your question is
found (rightly or wrongly) in my last post in that thread. I did say that
for my purposes I could live with the solution I had at the time. However,
as far as I can see, the method could not preserve satisfactorily separate
tracks when playing simultaneously on pedals and two manuals, and trying to
edit the recording. Here is the link to that earlier
thread:http://jorgan.999862.n4.nabble.com/jOrgan-Recorder-Disposition-Proprietary-Data-channel-td4665006.htmlI
might add that the method I outlined at the start of this current thread
allows me not only to edit the three tracks separately, which is very
convenient, but also to transpose the piece to another pitch very easily.
JohnB alerted me to how that could be done, by referring to one of Paul
Stratman's dispositions. I thought my initial post was long enough as it
stands, but it is my intention to give details of this further use when it
seems right to do so. The method also allows one to convert a jOrgan MIDI
file created on an different disposition to the one which is now being used,
so that a new fully-functional jOrgan MIDI file is created.I might also say
that Anvil Studio allows me to do what Sekaiju does, but only because I
bought the appropriate Accessory from them for USD 19. That is the only way
that Anvil Studio will record three separate tracks.John Reimer



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John Reimer
2017-07-24 05:15:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by John Beach
I believe there is no MIDI data being transmitted from jOrgan.
JohnB,

I think your problem is a jOrgan Recorder issue, not actually related to the
MIDI editing. I tried to do exactly what you mention, even to the extent of
loading the same jOrgan MIDI file. And I could not get any output! Then I
noticed at the left of the Recorder window that the notes track had <none>
assigned to it. It should have been “Great”. You should check whether this
is happening in your case. You should also try to send an output using the
jOrgan virtual keyboard instead of the Recorder, to see if the jOrgan
Monitor shows it. It is still the case that the Console track should have
<none>.

I then investigated with a couple of “SEND” dispositions that I have, and I
found inconsistent results as to whether on loading a file, the jOrgan
Recorder assigned Department names to all the tracks with note-on and
note-off events. So my instructions should include checking this detail.

By the way, I discovered that in the SEND disposition, the only references
needed by GENERIC SOUND are the References FROM the ranks being used, along
with the Group reference.

Thank you for trying out my instructions. This is the only way we can
eliminate possible traps for users.

John Reimer




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John Reimer
2017-07-24 05:31:09 UTC
Permalink
Hi,

This post is intended for those people who use only the mailing list. Today
I have made two additions to my instructions. I believe that I have already
indicated the first of those additions. Here is the text of the second,
which has been added to the fourth paragraph of the instructions:

"You should make sure that every track which has notes occurring in it has a
Department name assigned to it. If it has <none>, you should right-click on
this and give it an authentic disposition Department name which is not being
used by some other track. At this stage it probably doesn’t matter very much
whether you manage to identify the tracks correctly."

John Reimer



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