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Roland A33 Editor/Librarian
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Introduction
The Roland A-33 is a MIDI keyboard controller. It has no sounds of its own, but can be used
to control other sound modules. The A-33 has 32 patches with numerous parameters that can
be stored for each patch.
Unfortunately, the A-33 has no LCD panel (nor any graphical display), so this controller is
rather difficult to setup, since you need to poke at the buttons somewhat blindly. Furthermore,
setting certain parameters requires numerous button pushes, and some of the buttons have
multiple uses. It is therefore difficult to setup the A-33 using only the buttons upon its front
panel.
Fortunately, the A-33 has a MIDI System Exclusive implementation that makes it easy for
computer software to edit the A-33 parameters, and save/load those settings upon your
computer's storage devices.
The A-33 Editor allows you to edit and save these parameters by way of a user-friendly,
graphical interface, which clearly shows all settings. An easy to use librarian maintains the 32
patches. It allows cut/copy/paste between all of them.
The program is written in Tcl/Tk. It runs under Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000 environments.
Overview
If you haven't already, you must first connect your computer and A-33 together with the
appropriate MIDI cables. Ensure that your MIDI cables are connected correctly. The OUT
cable should connect to the IN port on the device, and the IN cable should connect to the OUT
port. Select the current Input/Output device with the "Option" menu command.
Run the A33 program. You will notice that the main dialog consists of 4 areas:
• The Patch select area from which patches can be direct selected.
• The global parameter area which provides access to some global MIDI settings.
• The upper section parameter settings.
• The lower section parameter settings.
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For the first time you should receive a bulk dump of your currently selected A-33 data. Select
"MIDI/Receive All Patches". Follow further messages.
Now, feel free to edit your patches. By pressing the "Write" button store the changed data
back to your A-33.
Download
The A33 program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of
the BSD License as published by the Free Software Foundation. The latest release a33 1.0
was created under Windows ME and will be ported to Linux next time.
• a33.zip (1.7 Mbyte)
• a33man.zip A33 manual pages PDF (1.7 Mbyte)
Installation Instructions
1. Download a33.zip from these location.
2. Copy the compressed library package into a temporary directory. Unpack it dependent
on operating system. Use Winzip for windows platforms.
3. Run the a33.exe under a33\bin
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Examples
Give all patches a name to better, print a label, cut it out and stick it to your A-33! The label is
automatically generated.
©Steffen Traeger
changed: 03/26/01
[Steffen Traeger's Homepage]
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