I am getting no assistance froim Kurzweil's Customer Support and wondered if anyone can assist with the following questions regarding the PC2R (rack-mount version of the PC2):
MIDI CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT
This is to be used as a multi-timbral MIDI module being driven by an external sequencer on MIDI Channels 7, 8, and 9 (all other channels turned off). I make the appropriate changes in "MIDI Receive" and everything works as it is supposed to. HOWEVER, when the unit is turned off then powered back up, it keeps everything the same EXCEPT that MIDI Channel 1 is always activated. Is this a default and, if so, how is it changed so it does not always turn MIDI Channel 1 on?
DIAGNOSTIC MODE FAILURE (RUN ONE) - MIDI TEST
In Diagnostic Mode, the MIDI test fails in the "run one" test - the read-out says "Fail (t)". However, when running the same diagnostic in the "burn-in" test, it passes. What exactly is going on and what does "Fail (t)" mean?
DIAGNOSTIC MODE FAILURE (BURN-IN) - ROM TEST
There is a reverse problem with the ROM test in Diagnostic Mode. The ROM test fails in the "burn-in" test - the read-out says "Fail (t)". However, when running the same diagnostic in the "run one" test, it passes. What exactly is going on and what does "Fail (t)" mean?
It turns out that, according to Denis Brunelle (Kurzweil Music Systems Technical Support) that:
"Upon power up, the PC2 [and the PC2R] will always set Channel 1 to On. Also upon power up, Local Control is set to On as well. There is no way to change this. Our engineers decided to implement this in both the PC88 and the PC2 so that the unit would never be in a state where a user powers it on, but no sound is produced. Unfortunately, each time you power up the PC2, you will need to set MIDI Channel 1 off."
So anyone out there wanting to purchase a PC2/PC2R, be aware that it will demand Channel 1 for itself (unless you perform the cumbersome task of tweaking MIDI Channel 1 off every time youi turn it on).
Also, I was told (not in so many words) that the self-diagnostics on the PC2/PC2R are only for authorized service professionals and not for the user. Hmmmm, seems unfortunate to have that great capability and not be able to use the information from the diagnostic routines.
In this one users opinion, the PC2/PC2R OS needs an upgrade to work around certain "dumbed-down" features (my opinion).
Just to let you know for future use...fail (t) means it failed to transmit data to the test equipment, which is why they don't want users using this test.
That kinda sucks that the unit resets itself when you turn it off, but I can understand their resoning behind setting it that way. Have you tried to set the unit the way you want and record the sysex data to the session at the beginning so everytime you pull up the session the PC2 will be set the way you want it.....just a thought.
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