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MONTAGE Series Synthesizers
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Topic starter
Just posted to IdeaScale, upvote if you like the idea:
If the Montage/MODX could output complete XML descriptions of a Performance to a flash drive, that would enable comparing two similar Performances (using a diff utility) to see the details of where the settings were different. There is currently no easy way to do this.
Allowing input of XML from a flash drive could enable some interesting possibilities as well.
Another possibility would be input/output of XML via the Montage/MODX Connect utility.
(I also proposed this idea to John Melas for inclusion in his Total Librarian and Performance Editor.)
Posted : 20/06/2021 9:08 pm
X[7,8]B from connect are just bulk dumps with a header (or footer or both - can't remember). Doing a binary diff between the two is almost the same thing - just less verbose. Look at the data list and the values. You'll see what I mean. And by "between the two" - I mean a Performance saved at one time, some minor change done, then saving the new X[7,8]B file and comparing.
Certainly it's not as easy (potentially) to tease out part-based stuff using binary - but even XML done a certain way could make this difficult too.
BTW - not saying something like this wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea if it was implemented in a useful way. Just offering what can be done today most easily if you want to run "diffs".
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 21/06/2021 11:19 pm
Topic starter
Doing a binary diff between the two is almost the same thing - just less verbose.
Interesting. What do you use for looking at binary diffs?
Posted : 22/06/2021 1:32 am
Some editors have this feature. Plugins for notepad++. HxD, The 010 editor. Etc.
I typically write my own helper apps that will also decode although for just raw - there are lots of choices out there.
Above are windows although sometimes I'll run either an emulated shell or VM (linux) and use tools in that environment.
These sorts of things are abundant and personal - so it's best to search, find, install, and keep doing this until you find tools that work best for you.
010 has lots going for it. There are other editors with similar features.
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 23/06/2021 6:38 am
Topic starter
Thanks, Jason. I will check some of those out.
On a different note, Ideascale just let me know that the “stage” of my idea about XML has changed from "Ideate" to "Assessment.” Maybe Yamaha will actually do it!
Posted : 24/06/2021 6:16 am
Hi Jason and Michael --
Yamaha already uses XML to represent voice information -- for arrangers. The Yamaha Expansion Manager (YEM) keeps voice data in an XML-based format that Yamaha calls "UVF".
YEM has a (Genos/Tyros) voice editor which is good, but incomplete. I've hacked UVF directly with XML Notepad when necessary in order to compensate for YEM's shortcomings.
With all those voice parameters, UVF files get big rather quickly. XML Notepad makes it easier to navigate through the UVF than a plain-text editor like Emacs.
I've often wished for a way to convert Montage/MODX (etc.) voices to YEM so that I can develop a voice on MODX and then transfer it to Genos. Of course, porting is modulo differences in the synth engines, especially articulation control.
All the best -- pj
Posted : 02/07/2021 5:54 pm
Topic starter
Cubase drum maps are XML. The Python XML Library made it absurdly easy to write a little piece of code to read in text copied from a Montage Data List description of a drum Part and output a properly-formatted Cubase drum map.
If Yamaha enables XML output from the Montage, all kinds of good things will become possible.
Posted : 03/07/2021 5:04 pm
