Using the Casio CTK-800: Problems in accessing the panel sounds through MIDI Part II

I spoke too soon when I said earlier that there was no way to access the CTK-800's panel sounds (see here). It was there in the manual all the time and I didn't find time reading it. The appendix of lists all the instrument's sounds with their corresponding Program Change and Bank Select MSB values. For example, to select 000-Stereo Grand Piano, you have to send the Bank Select MSB value of 2 and Program Change value of 0 to the keyboard. How? Well, you need a software that could handle the task. The basic Anvil Studio package does not provide a way, although I think, you can buy additional accessories that could provide Anvil with this functionality.

This brings me to the most common (and some consider it the best) sequencing software available. I am talking about Cubase, of course. In this article, I will discuss briefly how to set the Bank Select MSB values and Program Change values using Cubase in relation to the Casio CTK-800 keyboard.

When you create a new MIDI project in Cubase, you will notice that at the left side of your screen the settings for the selected track. Here, you specify the volume, pan, and delay settings as well as the MIDI input and output devices. If you set your CTK-800 correctly on Windows you should see MK USB IN 1 in the list of MIDI input devices and MK USB OUT 1 in the output devices. You will notice also that there is a field where you can set the MIDI channel for the selected track as well as the BANK SELECT and PROGRAM change.

You might conclude that, selecting the sound in your CTK-800 keyboard is as simple as specifying the BANK SELECT and PROGRAM CHANGE combination on the track settings. I tried this method and I discovered that it is not that simple. I notice that, using this method, the CTK-800 only recognizes the PROGRAM CHANGE value I typed in. The BANK SELECT value, I notice remains 0, the BANK for GM sounds, despite specifying another value. Selecting sounds from my CTK-800 via MIDI involves a much more tedious method. Here's how: (The steps here are specifically for Cubase SX 3. Other versions may have a slightly different approach.

1. From the DEVICES menu select MIDI DEVICE MANAGER. A dialog box with the list of all the installed device scripts is shown. A device script maps all the instruments/sounds from a specific MIDI device to their corresponding BANK SELECT and PROGRAM CHANGE values (and other parameters). This way, you just need to select the instrument/sound name from the list instead of specifying the BANK SELECT and PROGRAM CHANCE values. If this is your first time to open this dialog box, you may not have anything on the list of installed devices.




2. Press the SELECT INSTALL DEVICE button. A list of all the available device scripts is shown. If you browse this list, you may notice that scripts for the most common devices already exists. Example are the KORG M1, KORG X3, ROLAND JV-80, ROLAND JV-1010, and the YAMAHA XG. Unfortunately, Casio CTK-800 is not on this list. You will have to create the script manually. From the list select DEFINE NEW.




3. In the dialog box that appears, enter a descriptive name for your device. In this case, CASIO CTK-800 would be OK. Select the INDIVIDUAL CHANNELS you want to be affected by this device. In this case select channels 1 - 16 by clicking their corresponding buttons. From the CHANNEL SETTING section, select Channel Parameter, Volume, Modulation, After Touch, Pan, and Pitch Bend. From the Preset Type section, select Preset Parameters. From the Global Settings section, select SysEx Parameter. From the Preset Type section select SnapShot. Don't worry, if you don't understand some of the terms here. I may discuss them some other time on this blog.




4. You are then directed to a screen where you can define your script. From the drop down list in the toolbar, select PATCH BANKS. Then check the Enable Edit option. There are three commands the you can invoke: 1. Create a new folder, 2. Create a New Preset, and 3. Add multiple presets. The left side of your screen shows you the structure of your patch as well as the individual instruments. The right side shows the details for each instrument. This detail includes the bank select and program change settings as well as other events and signals you want to send.

   
   

   You have the option to organize the instruments into folders. Example, you may want to organize instruments into pianos, organs, guitars, woodwind, brass, etc. If you want to create a new folder on the root node, click the root node, then from the command drop down select New Folder. Enter a name for your folder, example PIANO and then click OK. A folder is created immediately below the root node. Repeat this process for all the other folders you want to add.




5. Your now ready to add instruments. We will add instruments to the PIANO folder. Select the PIANO folder then from the command drop down select Add Multiple Presets. A dialog box appears where you specify the MIDI message name you want to set. In this case, we will select Program Change and Bank Select MSB. The Program Change message is provided by default. Just change its range value. Base on the CTK-800 manual, the program change value for 000-Stereo Grand Piano is 0. Enter 0 in the range value. Click on the space immediately below the Program Change MIDI message name. A list of all the messages available is shown. From this list select Bank Select MSB. Enter 2 (the value for Bank select for stereo grand piano) in the range value. Enter a name for your instrument, e.g. Stereo Grand Piano. Repeat this step for all the other instruments. If you want to add instruments to the other folders, click their corresponding folder name before invoking the Add multiple preset command.

   
   

   For the CTK-800 you will have to setup all the 372 instruments. A truly daunting task buts its the only way to enjoy your CTK-800 sounds via MIDI. You don't have to enter the 128 GM instruments because Cubase provides a script for these sounds. Close this screen when your done.




6. You are back at the Installed device list. You will notice that CASIO CTK-800 is now on the list. In the bottom part of your screen select the MIDI output device. If you installed your CTK-800 correctly, you will see MK USB OUT 1 on the list. Select this, then close this dialog box

That's it! Your now ready to use your instrument. On the track settings select CASIO CTK-800 from the MIDI out device list. You will notice that instead of displaying the bank select and program change lists, you are provided with the list of instruments. Simply select your desired instrument for the track.