IOS -Kentai virtual Roland PG programmer apps

Started by admin, April 04, 2017, 10:51:51 AM

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http://kentai.ch/portfolio/ipg-800/
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=542179981&mt=8

iPG-800
iPG-800 is a MIDI Controller iPad app emulating the functionality of the PG-800 Synthesizer Programmer that was built by Roland. It only works with a Roland JX-8P synth or  a MKS-70, the rack version of the JX-10.

Important note: It fully works with a JX-10 that has the new OS by Frédéric Vecoven installed http://www.vecoven.com/superjx/superjx.html, and it works with limitations, like no parameter updates, with the older OS by Colin Fraser.

iPG-800 V 1.2 includes a virtual PG-300 that supports the Roland Alpha Juno 1 + 2 and MKS-50. Thanks to Steen Jakobsen for beta testing!




V 1.3 with a virtual PG-200 for the iPG-800. Thanks to Luc Varone for the graphics work!




V 1.4 finally with a virtual PG-1000 for the Roland D-50/D-550

simulator-screen-shot-17-10-2016-01-04-07

Manual: ipg-800-manual
http://kentai.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/iPG-800-Manual1.pdf


iPG-800 is a CoreMIDI app and connects to CoreMIDI compatible MIDI-Interfaces and to wireless MIDI Network sessions.
The Roland JX-8P is a superb sounding 6-voice analog synthesizer, that was built from 1984 on. It can be found for relatively cheap nowadays.
The main reason it is not much sought-after is the lack of sliders and knobs, that are supposed to be on a decent analog synth. Those controls came in the form of the PG-800, which was sold separately and is now, if you can find one, usually more expensive than the synth itself.

The PG-800 is not a MIDI-controller, but connects to the synth by a proprietary jack. However the JX-8P has a very good MIDI implementation, so every PG-800 function can be done with MIDI.

The best thing is, every time a Tone, the Roland term for a sound program, is changed, all the sound parameters are sent out via MIDI. This allows a connected MIDI controller to be perfectly in sync with the synth's settings.

The rarity of the PG-800, the good MIDI implementation and the fact that an iPad is similar in size to a PG-800 were reason enough to develop the iPG-800 iPad app.


For proper operation Synth Model and MIDI Channel must match the synth's settings. The PROGRAM CHANGE and SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE Parameter in the synth (MIDI edit number 12 and 26) must also be turned on.

Operation is simple. All user controls, i.e. sliders, switches and knobs, send out their commands immediately, when changed.

In return, switching tones (the Roland term for a sound program) or changing one of the parameters on the synth, updates the user controls as well. This is the main advantage over the real PG-800.

The left tone field displays the current tone number, while the right one displays the tone name. They both can be edited with the keyboard. Valid tone number entries for the JX-8P are I, C, P or -P followed by a number between 1 and 32. In case of a MKS-70 any number between 1 and 100 is valid. A tone name may consists of up to 10 characters. A new entry becomes active after dismissing the keyboard by hitting the return key or the dismiss keyboard key.

The MANUAL and WRITE buttons are there for completeness sake, though they might be of limited use.

MANUAL sends out the current value of all user controls including tone name, setting the synth to the sound that is currently represented in the iPG-800.

WRITE saves the sound to the tone number that is shown in the left field of the Tone display. Consider that only internal or cartridge tones, but not preset ones can be written. This may not function with a MKS-70, but write operation can be done on the synth itself very easily.

Remark: When using a MIDI interface, it's better to connect the interface before launching the app. Otherwise it could happen, that the MIDI input doesn't work and the app doesn't react to tone changes. In that case simply disconnect the MIDI interface and reconnect it.

Note: The MIDI Interface must be CoreMIDI compatible and must support MIDI sysex messages. The Alesis IO Dock e.g. does not support sysex. The first version of the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer doesn't work either. It's not CoreMIDI compatible.

iRig MIDI and the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer II are verified to work with iPG-800.
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=542179981&mt=8

iPG-800 is a MIDI Controller iPad app emulating the functionality of the PG-800, PG-300, PG-200 and PG-1000 Synthesizer Programmers that were built by Roland.
It only works with a Roland JX-8P, MKS-70, JX-10 (with Colin Fraser OS or Fred Vecoven OS), Alpha Juno 1+2, MKS-50, HS-80, JX-3P with Organix or Kiwitechnics OS and D-50/D-550.

iPG-800 is a CoreMIDI app and connects to CoreMIDI compatible MIDI-Interfaces that support sysex like the iRig MIDI (e.g. Alesis IO Dock does not work) and to wireless MIDI Network sessions.


Note: No Parameterfeedback for JX-10 with Colin Fraser OS



chrish

That's interesting to see new support for very old gear.

I have the mks50 analog synth, and it works great when triggered with the gr-50. It's like they were made for each other.

I was fortunate enough to find a nos pg-300 hardware programer that makes programing the mks50 very easy.

i never found the pg-10 hardware programmer for the gr-50. That would have been nice, as programing  the gr-50 via the front panel is a real chore.

admin

Quotei never found the pg-10 hardware programmer for the gr-50.

Roland PG-10's do pop up every now and then

https://reverb.com/item/791005-roland-pg-10-programmer-for-roland-d-10-synth