Dumping sounds from the Roland SH01a to computer

[Stickman0_3]

Do I need to download a special program from Rolands website?

[muzines]

Nothing about this in the manual?

[Stickman0_3]

OK, I have it now, I must have read it wrong.

[Stickman0_3]

Hi, sorry to bring this up again.

After much head-scratching, I think I have this now. Is this the process?

1. Copy backup files from SH01a drive that shows up in “Documents” + “USB Drive” on my PC..
2. Place them on the desktop
3. Rename the folder to what I choose
4. Then, perform a Factory Restore on the SH01a - (I’m not interested in storing patterns)

[Stickman0_3]

Still not getting this guys, sorry.

[Stickman0_3]

OK, I think I’ve got this, but can someone clarify this for me please: -

1.Anything I program into the SH01a will appear in the SH01’s usb drive?

2.I then copy the sounds from the drive into a folder on my desktop, name the file (ie - file 1)?

3.Lastly, if I want to load “file 1” again, I copy those sounds from “file 1” into the Restore file?

[Stickman0_3]

Now, my SH01a's drive has disappeared, how can that be?

[Tomás Mulcahy]

Now, my SH01a's drive has disappeared, how can that be?

Because you either:
(a) skipped step 1
(b) Ejected it
(c) Need a driver update (not likely if it worked the first time)

[Stickman0_3]

How do I get it back?

[Stickman0_3]

OK, I've got it back now. And I shall start again tomorrow.

[Stickman0_3]

Please excuse my ignorance, I may be a little bit slow off the mark in understanding.

On the Roland SH01a, when I get into the menu and scroll through the parameters, there is a parameter in the menu called “CCnd”. Does this need to be on in order for the SH to send and receive data through the midi/usb connections?

Can someone explain CC messages to me? Once again, please excuse my ignorance.

[The Elf]

MIDI controller messages are simply messages that contain a controller value, maybe derived from a slider, or knob. They consist of a byte denoting the type of controller (often short-named 'CC') and a byte containing the controller value in the range 0-127. CC11, for example would imply an expression message.

To complete this example, a MIDI Expression message might look like '0B 0A' in hexadecimal. This translates as 'MIDI Expression = 10'.

But without the context of what you're reading it's hard to know whether the above is relevant.

[Stickman0_3]

I simply want to dump my sounds out via USB or Midi. I've switched CCnd to On. My SH01a is version 1.02, do I need to update to 1.07 in order to dump out?

[The Elf]

Looking at the manual that parameter tells the synth whether to transmit all its patch data as CC values on patch selection. If you recorded that in a DAW it should be able to recreate the patch when re-transmitted back to the synth.

[Stickman0_3]

I think I may have backed up my sounds at last. BUT...I did it a totally different way to what it says in the manual. Only time will tell whether I have or not, fingers crossed!

[The Elf]

Generally speaking, the MIDI CC dump method is more about saving a patch as a one-off within a DAW song file, rather than patch storage activites. When you play the song back it populates the synth's patch buffer with the edits stored as CC values. It will typicaly not contain data such as patch name, for instance, and may lack some of the synth's deeper functions.

Sys-Ex is what you need for dumping and storing patch data in bulk.

I know nothing about that particular synth, but the manual looks like it has all the stuff you need.

[Stickman0_3]

I might just give up with the SH01a. Don't get me wrong - it's a fantastic synth to program but the way to save a bank of sounds is a bit of a pain for me. I have just got round to try saving and loading sysex with MidiOX.

[BillB]

Casually looking at the JU-06A manual / MIDI chart, I noticed that there was no Sysex capability in the MIDI chart and no reference to Sysex dumps over MIDI in the manual.

There is a Data Backup/Restore process, which gives access to a folder within the JU06a, from which the Backup files can be copied to your computer. This fills me with dread as, unless the USB connection is class-compliant, it will rely on Roland updating its USB drivers for years to come. Sadly, they have a poor record in this respect (as other posts on this forum show).

So there is a possiblity that, at some point, it will no longer be possible to backup/restore sound banks to the JU-06a. I have not checked the other boutiques in detail, but based on Stickman's post, it sounds like the same approach throughout the range.

What Roland genius decided Sysex data dumps was not a good idea for the boutique series?

[Stickman0_3]

I have the VST editor from MOMO and i am thinking of trying that out. Maybe I can export sound banks via that?

[BillB]

Well. it is cheap enough to take a chance on. The blurb says "You can safe your sound on the SH-01A Synth or as VST Presets (..fxp) in the DAW."

I am shocked to see that there is no printed manual for the SH-01a - only a 'video manual' and again, that the MIDI chart shows no Sysex transmission, which is confusing as, in the early part of the video on this page....
https://sh-01a-midi-editor.jimdofree.com/#link1
... the author is shown changing patches on the hardware, which are updated in real-time in the VST editor - including the patch name, which, as Elf points out, can't be transmitted by MIDI CC.

All very confusing and, if transfer is not via 5-pin MIDI, will be reliant on Roland keeping its USB drivers updated.

Let us know how you get on, Stickman. Good luck!

[BillB]

On a related point, it is interesting to note that, although the System-8 MIDI spec includes Sysex transmit/receive, there is no mention of initiating Sysex dumps on the keyboard itself. And no MIDI specification for Sysex as far as I am aware. The only options are Backup/Restore and patch Export/Import, all to SD card. Otherwise you have to plug in your USB cable and let Roland Cloud do its stuff. This seems to be part of their ongoing fixation with Cloud as the way to manage devices and patches.

Anyone who has played with these devices for a decade or two knows that it is a good idea to:
a) stay with decades-old conventions like Sysex dumps and
b) not build in restrictions and obsolescence through manufacturer-specific systems


Thankfully, it works well as a stand-alone synth, but is only realising half the potential of the MIDI ports on the back.

[Stickman0_3]

I made a chart of the Roland SH01a's parameters yesterday, I thought it may come in handy for people -

Press Menu, from here you can

1.Pick tone/sound 1 - 8 (value knob changes bank 1 - 8) = 64 sounds.
2.Pick pattern 1 - 8 (value knob changes bank 1 - 8) = 64 patterns.
3.Assign MOnO, UnI, POLY, CHd
4.Pressing Menu + number, 4 brings up the system menu -

• - nS.Nd - OrG, vArI
  - LFO.n - OrG, Adv
  - Tune - 440.0
  - CH - 1 - 16, OFF
  - SYnC - Auto, Int, LFO, Midi, Usb
  - thru - OFF, ON
  - vELO - ON, 64, 127
  - u.Cru - L, M, H
  - CCNd - OFF, ON
  - Cu.SC - -63 - +63
  - Cu.tn - -100 - +100
  - Cu.rf - C0 - C4
  - A.OFF - OFF, 30
  - dEMO - OFF, 1, 3, 10
  - r.SCL - CHrO, MAJ, nMIN, H.MIN, M.MIn, bLnI, bLN2, dOr, MIHO, Dim,
  AHOL, Alt, Hn9, InSn, rYuY, PErS
  - C2.Nd - OFF, HOLd

5.NAn

Now excuse me if I seem a little slow, but, from this, can someone tell me what settings I need to allow dumps?

[adamburgess]

Seems pretty straight forward.

Turn the Roland off.
Connect with USB to your computer.
Hold MENU button and turn on the power to the Roland.

It will appear as a USB device.

The sounds are stored in a BACKUP folder in the device.
Put them somewhere safe on your computer.

To restore them, do the same but grab your saved file from the computer to the RESTORE folder. When they’re copied, eject the USB device, press MENU and when the lights go out, it’s done.

[Stickman0_3]

Well, after so much time fiddling around and not getting anywhere, I admit defeat - sorry, I'm just not getting on with it.