Using the XP-50 with an External Sequencer

The XP-50 combines a 64-voice, 16-part multitimbral sound source, a 61-note controller, and a 16-track advanced MRC-Pro sequencer with disk drive into one keyboard. You can create and save complete orchestrations with just this one unit. However, many musicians prefer to use a computer-based or hardware sequencer. This document is designed to give you some ideas on how to get the most from the XP-50 when using it with an external sequencer. First, we will go over the basic configuration of the XP-50. Second, we will discuss how to select and edit a Performance for sequencing. Third, we will explain how to select sounds on the XP-50 from your sequencer. Fourth, we will examine the effects in the XP-50, and finally, we will look at continuous controllers and some other useful functions.

I. System Setup

There are two system areas that affect how the XP-50 interfaces with an external sequencer – MIDI and Sequencer. First we’ll look at the System MIDI Parameters:

1. Press PERFORM.
2. Press SYSTEM followed by MIDI (4/12).
3. Use the CURSOR UP button to access the “PERFORM MIDI” screen (if necessary).
4. Use the LEFT/RIGHT CURSOR buttons to select “Control Channel” and use the VALUE dial to select “OFF.” The Control Channel is used to select Performances from your sequencer (see section III for more information).
5. Press the RIGHT CURSOR button to select “Local” and the VALUE dial to select “OFF.” This function ‘disconnects’ the internal sound source from the keyboard and allows your system to work more efficiently with an external sequencer.
6. Press the RIGHT CURSOR button to select “Remote” and use the VALUE dial to select “OFF.” Remote allows an external keyboard to mirror the functionality of the XP-50’s keyboard.
7. Press the CURSOR DOWN button to select “RECEIVE MIDI.”
8. Use the LEFT/RIGHT CURSOR buttons to select “Program Change” and use the VALUE dial to select “ON.”
9. Press the RIGHT CURSOR button to select “Bank Select” and use the VALUE dial to select “ON.” You can now select sounds on the XP-50 from your external sequencer.
10. Press the CURSOR DOWN button twice to select “SYS-EXC MIDI.”
11. Use the LEFT/RIGHT CURSOR buttons to select “Unit #” and use the VALUE dial to select “17.” This is an identifying number used in system exclusive communications.
12. Press the RIGHT CURSOR button to select “Rx Exc” and use the VALUE dial to select “ON.” This will allow the XP-50 to receive system exclusive commands from your sequencer.
13. Press the RIGHT CURSOR button to select “Tx Edit” and use the VALUE dial to select “OFF.” When this parameter is ON, the XP-50 will transmit sysex commands for every Patch or Performance edit (see section V for more information).
14. Press the RIGHT CURSOR button to select “Rx GM” and use the VALUE dial to select “ON.” When this function is ON, the XP-50 will automatically switch into GM Mode when it receives a General MIDI reset command. This is a sysex message usually sent at the beginning of Standard MIDI Files.
15. Press EXIT.
Here are the System Sequencer Parameters we need to check:

1. Press SYSTEM followed by SEQUENCER (5/13).
2. Use the CURSOR UP button to access the “SEQ MODE” screen (if necessary).
3. Use the LEFT/RIGHT CURSOR buttons to select “SyncMode” and use the VALUE dial to select “INTERNAL.” This will prevent the XP-50’s sequencer from starting when you play your external sequencer.
4. Press the RIGHT CURSOR button to select “SyncOut” and use the VALUE dial to select “OFF.” This prevents the XP-50’s sequencer from transmitting MIDI clock messages. If you are not using the XP-50’s built-in sequencer, these messages are unnecessary and could interfere with the sequencing process.
5. CURSOR to “Thru” and use the VALUE dial to select “OFF.” If this setting is turned on, any MIDI messages received by the XP-50 will be re-transmitted through the XP-50’s MIDI OUT port. This adds unnecessary data to the MIDI stream and can negatively affect MIDI communication between your sequencer and the XP-50.
6. Press EXIT.
NOTE: Even though you are not currently using the internal sequencer in the XP-50, it is important to check these sync parameters. If they are not set properly, you may experience problems with data loops which can cause your external sequencer to lock up or the XP-50 to display a “MIDI BUFFER FULL” message.

Soft Thru
On your external sequencer, there should be a “Soft Thru” setting. Some manufacturers refer to it as “MIDI Thru” or “MIDI Echo.” This function should be enabled for the above steps to work properly. Please consult your sequencer’s documentation for instruction on how to enable this parameter.

II. Performance Setup

The XP-50 is 16-part multitimbral. This means that it can simultaneously produce up to 16 different sounds. This is particularly useful for orchestrating songs, which generally call for several different “instruments” to play together. Therefore, it may be useful to dedicate a separate Performance for each song or to save the Performance settings in your sequencer itself (see section VI for more information). Most of the parameters related to multitimbral operations are adjusted in the Performance Edit Mode. You will need to select a Performance to use the XP-50 for sequencing.

There are two types of Performances in the XP-50:

Single Performance Layer Performance
* Parts separated
* Output only on the currently selected Part (ignores Tx, Rx, & Local settings)
* Optimized for sequencing

* Parts can be combined (Layers, Splits, Zones)
* Part playback determined by Tx, Rx, & Local parameter settings for all Parts
* Optimized for master keyboard functions

As you can see, we will want to use a ‘Single’ Performance when sequencing with the XP-50. A good Performance to use is Preset A-12, “POP SET 1.” Use the following procedure to select this Performance:

1. Press PERFORM.
2. Use the VALUE dial to select “PR-A:12 Pop Set 1.”
This Performance is set up to receive note information and reproduce a separate Patch for each of the 16 MIDI channels. It can receive program change, hold, volume, and other controller information per Part. This Performance can be used for sequencing. It is possible to customize this (or any other) Performance to suit your song. Let’s look at some of the MIDI parameters that can be edited in a Performance:

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