Akai MESA 2 Operator's Manual
For Macintosh
Rev. 2 4/20/2000
Contents
About MESA II..................................................................................................................1
Modular Editing System by AKAI ...................................................................................................... 1
Getting Started .................................................................................................................2
How to install MESA II........................................................................................................................2
File Configuration of MESA II.............................................................................................................2
MESA II ................................................................................................................................................... 2
MESA Pouch ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Editors Folder .......................................................................................................................................... 2
PlugIns Folder ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Example Scripts ...................................................................................................................................... 3
OMS MIDI Stuff ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Memory System Requirements and Set-Up ......................................................................................3
How to setup MESA II in a SCSI environment .................................................................................. 4
How to set up MESA II in an OMS Environment............................................................................... 4
About MESA II developer team......................................................................................................... 5
Support ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Software Protection and Copyright ....................................................................................................5
New Functions .................................................................................................................6
Editors ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Audio Editor............................................................................................................................................. 6
Sampler Editor......................................................................................................................................... 6
PlugIns .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Dynamic Menu Bars ................................................................................................................................ 7
Drag and Drop ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Keygroup Batch Editing ........................................................................................................................... 7
Clipboard Integration ............................................................................................................................... 7
Sampler Integration ................................................................................................................................. 7
Finder Integration .................................................................................................................................... 7
On-Line Help ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Scripting .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Tutorial .............................................................................................................................9
Application Made Easy to use........................................................................................................... 9
Step 1: Starting MESA II ....................................................................................................................9
Step 2: Connecting to a Sampler ...................................................................................................... 9
Step 3: Loading disk data into the memory of Sampler. ................................................................. 10
Step 4: Loading sample data into the computer memory ............................................................... 10
Step 5: Editing a sample ..................................................................................................................11
Step 6: Saving a sample ..................................................................................................................12
Step 7: Creating a new program ......................................................................................................13
Step 8: Assigning a single sample to a program............................................................................. 13
Step 9: Creating more sophisticated programs............................................................................... 14
Step 10: Saving the program ...........................................................................................................15
Overview of MESA II Editors ......................................................................................... 16
About MESA II Editors .................................................................................................................... 16
Overview of Sampler Editor .............................................................................................................16
Overview of Audio Editor..................................................................................................................17
MESA II Contents i
Overview of Keyboard Editor ...........................................................................................................17
Sampler Editor ...........................................................................................................................................18
File Menu .........................................................................................................................................18
New ....................................................................................................................................................... 18
Open...................................................................................................................................................... 18
Close ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Save... ................................................................................................................................................... 18
Import Sample ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Export Sample....................................................................................................................................... 18
Import Program.../Import FX File........................................................................................................... 18
Export Program.../Export FX File... ....................................................................................................... 19
Rename current Program...................................................................................................................... 19
Create Disk Database... ........................................................................................................................ 19
Quit........................................................................................................................................................ 19
Edit Menu.........................................................................................................................................19
Undo...................................................................................................................................................... 19
Cut......................................................................................................................................................... 19
Copy ...................................................................................................................................................... 19
Paste ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Clear...................................................................................................................................................... 19
Select All................................................................................................................................................ 19
Select None........................................................................................................................................... 19
Select All Programs ............................................................................................................................... 19
Select All Samples................................................................................................................................. 19
Duplicate Program................................................................................................................................. 20
Duplicate Keygroup(s)........................................................................................................................... 20
Sample Menu.................................................................................................................................. 20
Use MIDI / Use SCSI............................................................................................................................. 20
Send Continuous Data .......................................................................................................................... 20
Find Sampler... ...................................................................................................................................... 20
Add Keygroup........................................................................................................................................ 20
Delete Keygroup.................................................................................................................................... 20
EB16 Menu ......................................................................................................................................20
Edit FX1/Edit FX2.................................................................................................................................. 20
Edit RV1/RV2/RV3/RV4 ........................................................................................................................ 20
Program Selector Window ...............................................................................................................21
Control Center Window....................................................................................................................22
Output & Levels..................................................................................................................................... 23
MIDI Setup ............................................................................................................................................ 23
Tuning & Bend....................................................................................................................................... 24
Portament.............................................................................................................................................. 24
Filter 1 ................................................................................................................................................... 24
Modulation............................................................................................................................................. 25
LFO 1 .................................................................................................................................................... 25
LFO 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 26
VerocityZone 1 (2, 3, 4)......................................................................................................................... 26
Envelope 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 27
Envelope 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 27
Temperament ........................................................................................................................................ 27
Sample Assign & Key Span Window ............................................................................................. 28
Memory Window ............................................................................................................................. 29
ii Contents MESA II
Disk Window ....................................................................................................................................30
Quick Access Window......................................................................................................................31
Mute Groups Window ......................................................................................................................31
Multi Window....................................................................................................................................32
FX Routing/Selection Window .........................................................................................................33
Ring Mod/Distortion Window........................................................................................................... 34
4 Band EQ Window......................................................................................................................... 34
Modulation Window......................................................................................................................... 35
Phase/Flange/Chorus............................................................................................................................ 35
Rotary Speakers.................................................................................................................................... 35
Freq Mod/Auto Pan ............................................................................................................................... 36
Pitch Shift .............................................................................................................................................. 36
Pitch Shift + Fdbk .................................................................................................................................. 37
Bypass................................................................................................................................................... 37
Delay/Echo Window.........................................................................................................................38
Reverb Window................................................................................................................................39
FX Filing and Naming Window.........................................................................................................40
Audio Editor................................................................................................................... 41
File Menu .........................................................................................................................................41
New Audio Editor ................................................................................................................................... 41
Open...................................................................................................................................................... 41
Close ..................................................................................................................................................... 41
Save ...................................................................................................................................................... 41
Save As... .............................................................................................................................................. 41
Save Selection... ................................................................................................................................... 41
Record................................................................................................................................................... 41
Quit........................................................................................................................................................ 41
Edit Menu.........................................................................................................................................42
Undo ...................................................................................................................................................... 42
Cut ......................................................................................................................................................... 42
Copy ...................................................................................................................................................... 42
Paste ..................................................................................................................................................... 42
Paste + Merge ....................................................................................................................................... 42
Clear ...................................................................................................................................................... 42
Select all ................................................................................................................................................ 42
Select None........................................................................................................................................... 42
Add Channel.......................................................................................................................................... 42
Merge To Mono...................................................................................................................................... 42
Cut Outside ........................................................................................................................................... 42
Left Channel Only.................................................................................................................................. 42
Right Channel Only ............................................................................................................................... 42
Both Channels ....................................................................................................................................... 42
View Menu .......................................................................................................................................43
Tool Bar ................................................................................................................................................. 43
Info Bar.................................................................................................................................................. 43
Sample Points ....................................................................................................................................... 43
Seconds ................................................................................................................................................ 43
mS ......................................................................................................................................................... 43
Sample Colour....................................................................................................................................... 43
Background Colour................................................................................................................................ 43
Default Colours...................................................................................................................................... 43
Fit .......................................................................................................................................................... 43
MESA II Contents iii
DSP Menu....................................................................................................................................... 44
+3dB / -3dB ........................................................................................................................................... 44
Analyse.................................................................................................................................................. 44
EQ Filter... ............................................................................................................................................. 44
Fade... ................................................................................................................................................... 45
High Pass Filter... .................................................................................................................................. 45
Invert ..................................................................................................................................................... 45
Low Pass Filter...................................................................................................................................... 45
Noise ..................................................................................................................................................... 45
Normalise .............................................................................................................................................. 45
Quick Filter... ......................................................................................................................................... 46
Reverse ................................................................................................................................................. 46
Time Stretch... ....................................................................................................................................... 46
Audio Editor Window........................................................................................................................47
Tool Bar Window............................................................................................................................. 49
Arrow Tool.............................................................................................................................................. 49
Selection Tool ........................................................................................................................................ 49
Zoom Tool.............................................................................................................................................. 49
Speaker Tool.......................................................................................................................................... 49
Drag Tool ............................................................................................................................................... 50
Pencil Tool ............................................................................................................................................. 50
Play/Stop Button.................................................................................................................................... 50
Fit Button ............................................................................................................................................... 50
Vertical Zoom Enlarge Button................................................................................................................ 50
Vertical Zoom Shrink Button.................................................................................................................. 50
Horizontal Zoom Enlarge Button ........................................................................................................... 50
Horizontal Zoom Shrink Button ............................................................................................................. 50
Ruler Switch .......................................................................................................................................... 50
Loop Switch........................................................................................................................................... 50
Info Bar Window...............................................................................................................................51
Record Window................................................................................................................................52
MIDI Keyboard .............................................................................................................. 53
MESA II AppleScript...................................................................................................... 54
Notes in Writing AppleScript.................................................................................................................. 54
Explanation of terms in MESA II Script.................................................................................................. 55
Troubleshooting............................................................................................................. 56
iv Contents MESA II
About MESA II
Modular Editing System by AKAI
MESA II is the computer based software system that provides the centralized control of
hardware operation and data transfer in a wide range of AKAI Samplers and digital
recorders, etc. from a single screen on the Macintosh. It currently supports S-series
Samplers, S2800, S3000, S3200 and CD3000, and XL-series Samplers, S2000,
S3000XL, S3200XL and CD3000XL.
Centralized control of
various hardware devices and data transfer
Save time and gain
finer level of control on
a large screen with a
top-notch Graphical
User Interface
Interface between incompatible machines
Automate tasks such
as batch updates, program generation or
setup procedures
Familiar, easy to operate and well written
interface
Using a computer to control external hardware devices has a number of advantages.
For instance, samples and programs can be loaded from any device into the Mac memory
and manipulated, played, and stored on any device of the user’s choosing. The audio
and parameter data can be backed-up, or saved, onto the Mac disks, and reloaded at
later time.
While those external devices like the Samplers can be operated from their own front
panel, most of them offer only small screens for the cost reason and such. The power
of MESA II lies in enabling access to the functions of such devices on a much larger
screen via a graphical user interface: users use the mouse to select functions, set
levels and parameter data via buttons, sliders, knobs and faders on the screen. Audio
Editing, Sample Editing, Program Generation, Storage, and File Manipulation can all
be controlled from the Mac. The convenience of a large screen graphical user interface
not only saves time and effort but offers a finer level of control to manipulate sounds
and programs.
In addition, MESA II takes in the audio file formats of incompatible machines translating
file formats into the general audio file formats such as AIFF and SD2, thus the data
from various devices can now be manipulated as easy as working with a single machine.
MESA II has been further expanded to be fully compatible with AppleScript in Mac
OS7.5. AppleScript provides a facility to write scripts that control the look, feel and
functionality of MESA II and the ef ficiency of operation can be improved. For instance,
scripts can be written to perform batch updates such as changing the settings of several programs with one click of the mouse, to integrate all version numbers or creation
dates of a set of files, or to gather several programs into one. Some useful script
sources are included to the MESA II, and the further scripts will be made available.
“Power users” are encouraged to adapt these and write their own to suit their method of
working.
MESA II has the familiar interfaces of Mac system such as drag and drop, interactive
On-Line Help, etc.
MESA II is written as a modular system and it allows you to install only the necessary
modules to the Mac, thereby saving Mac RAM memory.
MESA II About MESA II 1
Getting Started
How to install MESA II
Double click MESA II Installer icon.
Install program is booted, and MESA II will itself decompress and install files into the
selected folder in your Mac hard disk.
File Configuration of MESA II
When the installation is completed, the folder "MESA II" that has been created on your
hard disk contains the following folder and files:
MESA II
This is the application body itself. Double clicking this icon will boot MESA II.
Do not rename or
move this folder as
MESA II needs it to
run
Moving the unnecessary Editor from this
folder increases the
boot up speed and
saves RAM memory .
MESA Pouch
The "MESA Pouch" is a folder that contains an "Editor Folder" and a "PlugIns" Folder
that the MESA II application needs to run. When you boot MESA II, it scans for the
folder called "MESA Pouch" and loads the files. If it does not find this folder in the same
location as the MESA II, MESA II will not be able to boot and the error message "Error:
Could not find MESA Pouch Folder" will be displayed.
Before starting MESA II, you can move items in or out of the Pouch depending on your
need and available Mac RAM memory.
Editors Folder
This folder must be in the "MESA Pouch" folder. The Editor files that you will actually
work have to be moved into this folder. MESA II will read the files in this folder and add
them to the menu of Editors as you boot MESA II.
MESA II can be expanded by adding the new editor into this folder.
Unnecessary plug-in
can be moved from
this folder. Error
message is shown
when the plug-in is
not compatible with
your system
2 Getting Started MESA II
This folder must be in the "MESA Pouch" folder, and it contains various plug-in or
program files to support particular functions of the Editors. In this folder, there are two
folders ("Audio Filing" and "DSP"), and one or several separate communication files
(SCSI or OMS) .
PlugIns Folder
Useful AppleScript
file
Move the unnecessary files into the
MIDI stuff
* "Audio Filing" folder contains the AIFF plug and SD2 plug to translate
between different Audio files;
* "DSP" folder contains various Filters and general DSP plugs for Digital
Processing;
* SCSI and/or OMS MIDI files enabling MESA II to communicate with ex-
ternal devices.
Example Scripts
This folder contains MESA II script source code written using AppleScript.
MESA II is fully compatible with AppleScript and some useful scripts are provided.
Scripts do not have to be in "MESA Pouch" folder to run. However, you must first
compile and save the scripts as applications. If your Mac is set up for AppleScript, this
is very easy. See "AppleScript" Chapter in this manual.
OMS MIDI Stuff
In the "OMS (Open Music System) MIDI Stuff" folder , it contains the OMS plug-in to run
MIDI with OMS and MIDI Keyboard Editor file to play MIDI Notes on the keyboard
screen of the Mac. To install these into MESA II, move them into the Editors folder or
PlugIns folder.
Note: To run MIDI with OMS, MESA II requires OMS v 2 or later (version 2.2 is recommended). For OMS availability, see "http://www.opcode.com" or contact your local
dealer. To run MESA II with SCSI, your Sampler must have a SCSI board installed (if
SCSI is an option).
Memory System Requirements and Set-Up
Without conforming
to these requirements, MESA II may
still boot but may
cause unpredictable
behavior as low in
memory, call unsupported function, etc.
The following are required to run MESA II.
* Power Macintosh equipped with 68030/40 microprocessor
* Mac OS7. 1 or later (7.5 is recommended)
* 4MB (4000K) or more spare RAM memory (If no sample editing is being
done, it could run with about 2500K.)
* Display with 256 or more colors.
* Sound Manager v 3 or later (version 3.2 is recommended)
* Drag and drop functions
* AppleScript (if you run the script)
* OMS v 2 or later (version 2.2 or later is recommended) (not needed if
MESA II is used only with SCSI)
Deleting (or removing) unused PlugIns and Editors from "MESA Pouch" folder saves
RAM memory.
MESA II may not work correctly when virtual memory is on. If you experience trouble
while running MESA II with virtual memory turned on, turn it of f. T urn RAM Doubler of f
likewise.
AKAI Samplers S2800, S3000, S3200, and CD3000 must have operating system version 2.0. The S2000, S3000XL, S3200XL, and CD3000XL must have operating system version 1.5. To use MESA II in a SCSI environment, the SCSI board is required for
the system without SCSI board.
MESA II Getting Started 3
How to setup MESA II in a SCSI environment
Audio data transfer
from Samplers to the
MAC needs SCSI to
run
Faulty SCSI cables
cause some trouble,
use high quality
cables
Note on SCSI connection
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) is a fast communication protocol designed
primarily for the data transfer of computer. Because of its speed, it is the required
environment to run MESA II in if you do a sample data transfer. If you use the Sampler
Editor, you must place the SCSI Plug file into the "PlugIns" folder.
Boot-up procedure is as follows;
* Turn off your Macintosh and Samplers, and connect them with standard
SCSI cables.
* Turn on the Samplers.
* Turn on the Macintosh after the Samplers are booted up fully.
All types of Macintosh support SCSI, but some of the Samplers offer SCSI board as an
option. In this case, the SCSI board has to be installed in the Sampler.
While a total of 8 SCSI IDs from 0 to 7 are provided, Macintosh uses both 0 (for the
built-in HD) and 7 (for Macintosh itself), leaving you 6 IDs for external devices. AKAI
Sampler is usually set to ID 6. All other devices need their own individual SCSI IDs. If
more than one device shares the same SCSI ID number, the system will freeze or
malfunction (see "Troubleshooting" Chapter).
A further potential problem is incorrect SCSI termination. Ensure that you have terminated your SCSI system correctly. Most of system freezes are caused this way.
If you turn an external SCSI device on after the Macintosh is turned on, then you must
wait for it to fully boot up before you do anything on the Macintosh. If you do not and the
Macintosh tries to access SCSI during that time, then the Macintosh will freeze.
If virtual memory
causes problems,
turn it off
SCSI may also cause conflict with virtual memory , including RAM Doubler . If you must
use virtual memory and experience problems, try using OMS MIDI instead of SCSI
communication. However, because SCSI communication is much faster, an investment in more real RAM is recommended.
How to set up MESA II in an OMS Environment
For the installation of
OMS, refer to OMS
instruction manual.
The MIDI conversion
box is required to
connect MIDI cable
to the Macintosh.
MESA II is completely compatible with OMS v 2 (version 2.2 or later is recommended).
The OMS (Open Music System) MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) Environment provides an alternative to SCSI if you do not perform sample data transfer.
Set up procedure is as follows;
* Install OMS in your Macintosh.
* Connect your Macintosh and the Samplers with MIDI cables.
OMS is now an Apple standard and replaces the Apple MIDI Manager (which MESA II
does not support any longer). Y ou can get OMS by downloading OMS from the OPCODE
web site or buying it from music software dealers.
To use OMS, move the OMS Plug file into the "PlugIn" folder.
Advantages of OMS are a neat user interface and a more robust system than SCSI, i.e.
once it is set up, it runs very stable.
Playing samples with
the Keyboard Editor
needs OMS MIDI.
4 Getting Started MESA II
If you need to run the MESA Keyboard Editor (which is a MIDI object), OMS is required.
A disadvantage of using OMS is a lower speed as compared to SCSI. It is not possible
to transfer the sample data by OMS MIDI. Therefore, it is recommended that you install
both OMS MIDI and SCSI and use each where most appropriate.
About MESA II developer team
MESA II has been developed by Andy Bull of Living Memory, London as part of a
worldwide AKAI professional team of developers residing in Japan, Britain, and the
USA.
Support
This software is available free of charge when it is downloaded from our web site (http:/
/www.akaipro.com). Therefore, we offer no guarantee for this software. Accordingly,
the technical backup and support on this software are not available in principle. However,
your comments and suggestions on this software are welcomed. Please forward them
to AKAI professional M.I. Corp. or your local AKAI professional distributors.
Software Protection and Copyright
The copyright of this software is owned by AKAI professional M.I. Corp. and Living
Memory . It is prohibited to copy, for the purpose other than making personal backups,
or distribute this software without prior permission.
AKAI professional M.I. Corp. and Living Memory disclaim all the responsibility for all
the harm or damage to users caused from the use of this software, and make no
compensation for them.
Macintosh is registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. All other product and company names are the property of their respective owners.
MESA II Getting Started 5
New Functions
A much neater conceptual operability
Editors made for
specific purposes select Editors you
need to work with
New Tools
Load several wave
samples and cut and
paste between them
Create a database of
your Sampler HD
MESA II is a major update from earlier versions of MESA. The interactivity of the
program has been drastically enhanced, resulting in an easier-to-use interface for professional sound engineers while offering an extended set of sophisticated functions for
the ‘power user’.
Editors
MESA II is now based around the two main concepts of Editors and PlugIn files supporting the chosen Editors.
Editors, particularly the Audio Editor and Sampler Editor, are now the main access
points in MESA II. Other Editors currently shipped include the MIDI Keyboard.
Audio Editor
New Audio Editor Tools and functions included:
* ‘Scratch’ Loudspeaker Tool to playback the audio by “dragging” the mouse
over it;
* Pencil Tool to edit the waveforms directly as rubbing out the noise with
the mouse;
* Stereo sample waveforms of both left/right channels are shown.
* Editing/DSP on either L/R samples individually or both at the same time.
* Users can open multiple Audio Editor Windows (memory permitting) and
place audio waves side to side.
* Users can drag and drop between different windows.
Access all functions
from a single screen
Mixing programs
made easier
Select the PlugIns
you need before
booting MESA II
Sampler Editor
New functions include the facility to create a database (on the Mac) of references to
the files on the Sampler HD. You can then rearrange this database into your own
Finder hierarchy of folders and files, and load your Sampler files from there.
As a new function of Sampler Editor, Layout Files (e.g. MIDI Setup, Filters or LFOs)
have been redesigned and are now all accessible by pull-down menus from a new
“Super Layout” called the Control Center.
With the Quick Access Window, the key parameters of the programs and keygroups
can be manipulated in a single screen.
PlugIns
PlugIns are a set of MESA II extensions handling such functions as Audio Format T ranslation between incompatible audio formats and Communication Protocols such as SCSI
and OMS. While varieties of PlugIns are included in MESA II, you only install those
functions you need by dragging them into “MESA Pouch” Folder before starting MESA
II.
6 New Functions MESA II
Dynamic Menu Bars
All menu options are
now accessible from
a single menu bar
Use drag and drop it’s fast and doesn’t
prompt you with dialogue boxes
Edit any selection of
keygroups at the
same time
All menu bars are now dynamically interactive and display a specific set of menu options - dependent on where the user is within the program. For instance, if the Sampler
Editor is chosen, the menu bar shows the specific menu options like Sampler and
EB16.
Drag and Drop
Drag and drop function has been extended. For instance, sound samples can be played
from the Mac Finder by dragging an AIFF sound file and dropping it into the MESA II
icon. Within MESA II, drag and drop is enabled between individual windows. For
example, dropping a sound file over the Audio Editor from the Finder or the Sampler
Editor renders this file ready for audio editing.
Keygroup Batch Editing
A discontinuous set of keygroups can be selected and batch edited by using the Shift
key in the Program Selector Window.
Clipboard Integration
Use the clipboard to
transfer audio
samples
Short concise descriptions of controls, menus, and
functions in the Help
System
Audio samples can now be copied and pasted to the Mac Clipboard as Mac standard
16 bit ‘snd’ format resource files. You can even click on a clipboard sound and play it
over the Mac speakers.
Sampler Integration
MESA II now sends program changes to the Sampler in real time whenever the user
selects a program to edit.
Finder Integration
The Sampler Editor now creates a full database of all Sampler files and folders on the
Mac Finder. With this, you can organize files on the Finder.
On-Line Help
A ‘Balloon’-type On-Line Help System has been implemented. By selecting “Mesa
Help” under the Mac Help Menu icon at the top right corner of the screen, the cursor
changes to a “?” question mark. When the user clicks either on MESA II Menus or on
objects within a MESA II Window while the cursor is in question mark, their brief description will be displayed. Help is thereby fully integrated within MESA II obliterate the
need for extra Help Files. Shortcut keys to the Help Menu are “Command + H” keys or
“Help” key.
MESA II New Functions 7
Scripting
‘Power Users’ will
find writing
AppleScript a lot
more convenient
With a dictionary of MESA II objects provided, writing AppleScript has been made easier
to use scripting functions. Some useful scripts have been provided. As AppleScript
must be integrated with the hardware and software setup of individual systems, these
scripts are included in text format and must be compiled before they can be run. Refer
to the MESA II “AppleScript” Chapter for further information.
8 New Functions MESA II
Tutorial
Application Made Easy to use
You will find it easier
to digest this manual
if you first work
through the Tutorial
This simple Tutorial is written to provide a quick 'hands-on' overview of MESA II. It will
take about half an hour to work through. This chapter, by the way, is described on the
assumption of that the Macintosh and Sampler are connected without having any trouble,
and MESA II has been installed properly. For the set up of MESA II, refer to "Getting
Started" Chapter .
In particular, you will learn to
1. load MESA II;
2. connect to a Sampler;
3. load disk data into the memory of Sampler;
4. move sample data into your Mac;
5. edit a sample;
6. save a sample;
7. create a new program;
8. assign a single sample to a program;
9. create a more sophisticated program; and
10. save a program
Step 1: Starting MESA II
If you can't start
MESA II, consult the
Troubleshooting
Chapter
* Double click on the MESA II icon.
MESA II title appears. After loading the Editors and PlugIns, one or several MESA
windows will open up - MESA II opens up where it was Quit the last time.
If you don't see the
three Editors in the
Editors Menu, check
the contents of Editors Folder and restart MESA II
Y ou should see the menus File, Edit, Editors on the menu bar , and depending on which
Editor happens to be selected, some further menus such as Sampler/Windows (Sampler Editor) or View/DSP (Audio Editor) will appear. For this tutorial, you need the
following three Editors installed: Audio Editor, Keyboard, and Sampler Editor. Check
that they are present under the Editors Menu.
Note that even when there are no windows open, one of the Editors will be active and
marked with a tick under the Editors Menu. On the menu bar, the Menu for this Editor
is shown.
Step 2: Connecting to a Sampler
If you cannot connect to your Sampler, see 'How to
setup MESA II in a
SCSI (or OMS) Environment' above
MESA II Tutorial 9
* Select the Sampler Editor from the Editors Menu, and select "Find Sampler..." from the
Sampler Menu.
Depending on whether you use OMS or SCSI for communicating with your Sampler,
one of the two message boxes will appear.
When SCSI is used;
* Select your Sampler's SCSI ID (default 6) and click OK.
If you selected a wrong SCSI ID, hold down the keys "Command + .(Period)" to undo
the selection.
When OMS is used;
* Select the name of your Sampler and click OK.
* Select "Memory" (Command + 3) from the Windows Menu to open the Memory Win-
dow.
The AKAI Sampler contains the TEST PROGRAM and 4 sample data in default. Check
if they are displayed on the Memory Window.
Step 3: Loading disk data into the memory of Sampler.
With an old Mac Os,
drag and drop may
not work. You can
use the menu bar or
double clicking instead
If you can't hear a
sample, play it directly from your
Sampler
* Select "Disk" (Command + 4) from the Windows Menu, and the Disk Window will open
up.
* Insert the sample floppy disk included with AKAI Sampler into your Sampler.
* Click the floppy disk icon shown at the left top of the Sampler Disk Window.
This accesses the Sampler's floppy disk, and the contents of disk will be shown on the
Window. (If the diamond shaped icon is clicked, the SCSI devices (hard disk, CD-ROM
drive, etc.) connected to your Sampler will be accessed.)
* Click the program or sample on the window to select the one you want to load.
The selected item will be shown reversed. If you want to select several items, click
them while holding the Shift key pressed.
* Drag the selected items and drop them on the Memory Window.
The selected items are now added to the Sampler's Memory . You may also load them
by double clicking the selected item, or selecting "Load Selected Items..." from the File
Menu (In this case, you can clear the old samples in the Sampler's Memory before
loading the new samples). You can play the samples loaded in the Sampler's Memory
by selecting samples one at a time and clicking the speaker icon at the top right hand
corner in this window. They will be played through the audio output of the Sampler.
Step 4: Loading sample data into the computer memory
To load the sample data from your Sampler memory to your Mac memory;
* Select "Audio Editor" from the Editors Menu.
A large Audio Editor Window called "untitled" together with a Toolbox Window and an
10 Tutorial MESA II
If a sample is too
large to load into
Mac memory, you
will have to adjust
the memory by closing MESA II, clicking
its icon on the Finder
and selecting "Get
Info..."
empty Information Window will appear.
* Select a sample from the Memory Window and drag and drop it into the "untitled"
Window. To load stereo samples, select both left and right samples and drop them.
The Audio Editor Window is now filled with the selected samples' wave form and the
Information Window shows the information about the samples.
* Press the Spacebar.
The samples on the window will be played. To stop playing, press the Spacebar again.
Since these samples are on the Mac memory, they will be played from the speaker
built- in the Mac.
Step 5: Editing a sample
Y ou can edit a sample using a DSP (Digital Sound Processing) function in Audio Editor .
To use DSP functions, the DSP
PlugIns has to be
contained in the
MESA Pouch
DSP functions work only on the selected part. Selecting the whole sample ( Select All
in Edit Menu) or selecting a part thereof renders the DSP Menu active, i.e. its color
changes from gray to black.
* Select the Selection Tool (the "bar" icon in Toolbar Window, top right) of Audio Editor.
The shape of Cursor is changed to an "I" beam shape.
* Drag it on the wave form to select the part of a sample.
The selected part is displayed in reversed color, and only the selected part will be
played when the Spacebar is pressed. To adjust the right and left margins of the se-
MESA II Tutorial 11
lected part, the Shift key and Selection Tool are used. Click anywhere outside the
selected part to deselect.
The Information Window shows the beginning and end locations of the selected part.
* Select "Reverse" from the DSP Menu.
The selected part is now reversed. Only the edited part will be played when the Spacebar
is pressed.
* Select the Selection Tool, and click anywhere outside
the selected part of wave form in the Audio Editor Window.
Everything will be deselected, and pressing the Spacebar will play the whole sample.
Try the same steps for other selections and other DSP functions. If you want to use the
Audio Editor more seriously , you will have to use Rulers, Markers, and other functions
as described in the "Audio Editor" Chapter.
Step 6: Saving a sample
To save the sample edited by the Audio Editor to the Sampler Disk;
* Display the Memory Window on the Sampler Editor.
Keep the Memory Window visible even when the screen is changed over to the Audio
Editor .
* Select the Drag Tool on the Audio Editor.
The Cursor is now changed to the shape of a hand.
* Drag the wave form on the Audio Editor Window, and drop it on the Memory Window.
Now the sample has been sent to the Sampler's Memory.
* Display the Sampler Disk Window on the Sampler Editor.
Check if there is a floppy disk to save in the Sampler.
* Drag and drop the sample from the Memory Window to the Disk Window.
Now the sample is saved on the Sampler disk.
You can also save a sample by selecting "Save" from the File Menu.
Next, to save the sample edited on the Audio Editor onto the hard disk of your Mac;
* Select "Save" from the Audio Editor File Menu.
You will be prompted to select the saving location and saving type as you save.
You may also drop the sample from the Audio Editor Window directly onto the Finder
using the drag tool.
Furthermore, the sample on the Sampler can be saved directly to the Mac disk.
* Open the Memory Window on the Sampler Editor, and select "AIFF" ,"W AVE" or "Sd2f"
in "Export Sample..." on the File Menu.
Y ou will be prompted to specify the saving location as you save. You may also drag the
sample you want to save and drop it directly onto the Finder.
12 Tutorial MESA II
Step 7: Creating a new program
To create a new (empty) program;
* Open the Memory Window on the Sampler Editor, and select "New Program" from the
File Menu.
Input the name as a dialogue to allow you to name the new program appears.
* Input "TEST" and select OK.
Next, to set the MIDI channel of program to 2;
* While holding down the Option key , click the channel number and input "2" - the default
MIDI channel number of the new program is set as "1".
We will next assign samples (each with a different key span) to this program, and play
it in the Key Span Window.
Step 8: Assigning a single sample to a program
To assign a sample to the program "TEST" created in the previous section;
* Select the Sample Assign & Key Span (Command + 2) from the "Windows" Menus, and
open the Sample Assign & Key Span Window.
* Select the sample "SINE" from the pull-down menu in the Velocity Zone 1.
To enable the function of the Keyboard
Window, OMS has to
be installed
There are other alternatives to assign samples to programs: you could use the Control
Center Window, Sample Assign & Key Span Window, or the Quick Access Window.
The quickest and most simple way to create a one-sample program is to use the Quick
Access Window.
Try playing the program now.
* Click the Keyboard on the Sample Assign & Key Span Window with the mouse.
Move Keyboard file
into the Editors
Folder in the Pouch
MESA II Tutorial 13
If the control of a program assignment is made via MIDI, you can play the program in
the MESA Keyboard Window as well if you have OMS installed. To display the Keyboard Window, select the "Keyboard" from the Editor Menu. You may directly play the
Sampler with the external MIDI Keyboard connected to the Sampler.
Step 9: Creating more sophisticated programs
To create a more sophisticated program with several samples assigned in the Sampler
memory , we need to add further keygroups containing further samples to our program.
Now open the Control Center Window by selecting the Control Center (Command + 1)
from the Window Menu. This gives you full control over all program parameters. The
The Control Center,
and the Program
Selector are described in details in
their own Chapters
Control Center Window is divided into several sections, each incorporating a pop-up
selection menu on top, allowing you to set different parameter in each section. When
the Control Center Window is opened, the Program Selector Window opens up auto-
matically.
To add a keygroup to the "TEST" program which we have just created;
* Select the programs and keygroups in the Program Selector Window and click the +
sign.
The keygroup 2 has been added. When editing only the keygroup 2, click the number
2 in the Program Selector Window.
* Select the sample "SQUARE" from the pop-up menu of Velocity Zone 1 Section on the
Control Center Window.
Now the new sample is assigned in the keygroup 2. If you switch back to the keygroup
1, you will see the sample "SINE" in Velocity Zone 1.
If you now play the program, you will hear both samples playing together on all notes.
Next the samples are assigned to the specific ranges of the keyboard to create the
Keyboard split;
* Open the Sample Assign & Key Span (Command + 2) Window.
2 keygroups are shown on the screen and the samples "SINE" and "SQUARE" are
assigned on each Velocity Zone.
* Drag the left half of span bar of the keygroup 2 with the mouse, and slide it up to C4.
At the upper left of Window, the note number which has just dragged is shown.
* Drag the right half of span bar of the keygroup 1 with the mouse, and slide it down to
B3.
Now the sample sound played will be changed over B3 and C4.
14 Tutorial MESA II
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