System-8 as midi controller

Forum for Roland's System-8 synthesizer
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Manic
Posts: 183
Joined: 10:09, 18 January 2017

System-8 as midi controller

Post by Manic »

Hi,

I'm wondering if it is possible to use my S8 as a general midi controller in my daw and using the sound engine simultaneously, but seperately. So I'd like to control my VSTi's with the S8 and control my S8 via a Midi Out plugin - which I know is possible. I would then like to also control this Midi Out plugin with the S8, but only when focussed/selected. The S8 parameters and notes should thus only be controlled via the Midi Out plugin, not directly by the S8 itself (otherwise I cant control another VSTi without changing parameters/playing the notes of the S8). So I can easily select the Midi plugin (=S8) or any VSTi and the S8 will control the corresponding synth.

Would be awesome if this is possible!
Manic
Posts: 183
Joined: 10:09, 18 January 2017

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by Manic »

I'm facing this issue when using the S8 (or my S1m, same issue) as a midi controller: both Sustain and Release of the Amp envelope are sending increment/decrement values instead of absolute values like the other controls. I cannot link it to a controller in my DAW correctly..

Is there a way to change these messages?

Are you able to reproduce this issue in other DAWs?
Manic
Posts: 183
Joined: 10:09, 18 January 2017

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by Manic »

Ok I reported this issue to Roland. Ill keep you informed.
Manic
Posts: 183
Joined: 10:09, 18 January 2017

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by Manic »

Ok I managed to configure my setup to do what I explained in the first post! :)

Im still facing the midi issue with the amp envelope though, can anyone reproduce this in other DAWs?
Manic
Posts: 183
Joined: 10:09, 18 January 2017

Re: System-8 as midi controller issue

Post by Manic »

Ok I found the following weird behaviour:

When I link a software parameter to the Amp Sustain/Release fader, while using auto detect/learn mode (in FL Studio), it picks a different Midi CC depending on the current position of the fader. So at 100%, it sends Midi CC 127 while at 0% it sends Midi CC 0. When I then move the fader, it makes alle linked parameters on the same midi channel increase/decrease (for sustain/release) when it reaches that certain point of the corresponding Midi CC. When it is at a different position than the position where it is linked, FL Studio does receive the messages, but thinks they are not linked to any parameter (because it's a different CC).

So instead of sending the same Midi CC all the time with various values, it sends various Midi CC messages with the same value, namely Increment +1 (sustain) or Decrement -1 (release).

I hope this makes sense to you.
system 8 Beta User
Posts: 19
Joined: 20:58, 16 April 2017

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by system 8 Beta User »

I'm facing this issue when using the S8 as a midi controller: both Sustain and Release of the Amp envelope are sending increment/decrement values instead of absolute values like the other controls. I cannot link it to a controller in my DAW correctly..

System 8 as midi controller very bad option! You can buy better Novation Launch Control XL :)

System 8 Layout is Great but no control, fader, Button for my own settings Midi CC.

OS update come on Roland....System Menu save control, fader, Button for my own settings Midi CC. !
Manic
Posts: 183
Joined: 10:09, 18 January 2017

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by Manic »

I'm trying to configure my System-8 in a way that only midi CC messages are being sent to my DAW, so without notes. Does anyone know whether this is possible?
proteus-ix
Posts: 14
Joined: 03:12, 2 April 2016

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by proteus-ix »

Manic wrote:Hi,

I'm wondering if it is possible to use my S8 as a general midi controller in my daw and using the sound engine simultaneously, but seperately. So I'd like to control my VSTi's with the S8 and control my S8 via a Midi Out plugin - which I know is possible. I would then like to also control this Midi Out plugin with the S8, but only when focussed/selected. The S8 parameters and notes should thus only be controlled via the Midi Out plugin, not directly by the S8 itself (otherwise I cant control another VSTi without changing parameters/playing the notes of the S8). So I can easily select the Midi plugin (=S8) or any VSTi and the S8 will control the corresponding synth.

Would be awesome if this is possible!
Did you get this to work? I don't see the other person you seem to have been interacting with, looks like maybe they deleted their posts or account?
Synthpathetic
Posts: 1
Joined: 18:26, 8 August 2020

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by Synthpathetic »

Hi All

Im also looking to use s8 as a general midi controller in my daw (ableton) and using the sound engine simultaneously, but separately. Was there a solution to this, if so I would be eternally grateful if you can share how it is done.

Thanks!
pramster
Posts: 1
Joined: 06:16, 3 August 2021

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by pramster »

Hi,
I'm looking to get a System 8, mainly as a synth in its own right, but also to replace my current midi controller (Komplete Kontrol S49), and was wondering if Roland resolved the issue in the end?

Thanks
BocLogic
Posts: 1
Joined: 11:55, 11 November 2021

Re: System-8 as midi controller

Post by BocLogic »

Hi,
Have you tried setting local control to ‘Surface’?

https://rolandus.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/a ... al-Control

There’s also a system setting that controls how the faders and knobs behave, IIRC, continuous or latching modes.
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