This article is not mine, but I was researching information for a customer trying to convert older Technics keyboard files to a modern format, and stumbled on this derelict article on Technics APC files. I rescued it from http://www.keso.nl/, which is a website that went “off the air” several years ago. The editor in the article is a Cees Schenk ([email protected], which is defunct), and the article was published 03-08-03.
And now… KESO on Easy Record and Technics APC Files
When you have recorded a song with <EASY RECORD> you have to do some work before you can convert it to standard midifile.
STARTING: You have (loaded) a song in the sequencer (recorded with the ‘Easy Record’ feature)
STEP 1. Setting the sequencer tracks.
In this step you have to ASSIGN the tracks.
- enter on <PROGRAM MENUS> and choose <SEQUENCER>
- enter on <RECORD & EDIT> and after that choose <TRACK ASSIGN>
- Set track 9 and 10 (TR9, TR10) to part <DRUMS> in column ‘TRACK ASSIGN’
- Leave this menu by entering <PROGRAM MENUS>
STEP 2. The conversion from APC to SMF.
In fact the conversion starts in this step. The 8 accomp-tracks will be ‘copied’ to the free tracks.
- Enter <PROGRAM MENUS> and choose <SEQUENCER>
- Choose <COPY & PASTE> and <APC TO SMF CONVERT>
- You will see here an overview of all tracks. The tracks where in the data-column is a v-sign, has been played and the setting remains on <OFF>
- Set as follows (from beneath to above): TR9 on <DRUM2>; TR10 on <DRUM1>; TR11 on <BASS>; TR12 on <ACCOMP1>; TR13 on <ACCOMP2; TR14 on <ACCOMP3>; TR15 on <ACCOMP4> and TR16 on <ACCOMP5>
- Enter now <CONVERT> and <EXECUTE>
- The whole song will be played from start till end for conversion and the display shows: ‘NOW CONVERTING’
- It is done when <COMPLETE>message is shown
- Leave this menu by entering <PROGRAM MENUS> twice
STEP 3. Setting the DRUM-track for GM-Mide (TRACK MERGE)
In General Midi Standard the Drum-track is TR10. So the tracks 9 and 10 have to been merged in one track TR10.
- Enter <PROGRAM MENUS> and choose <SEQUENCER>
- Enter <COPY & PASTE> and after that <TRACK MERGE>
- Set on <FROM> TR9 + TR10; set on <TO> TR10
- Enter <OK> and <YES>
- Push the <EXIT>-button once and enter <TRACK CLEAR>
- Highlight TR9 with <CLR> and enter <OK> and afterthat <YES>
- Leave this menu by entering <PROGRAM MENUS>
STEP 4. Saving the song as GM-midifile
At last you have to save the midi-song on disk/SD.
- Enter <DISK>-button and <SAVE>
- Choose <SMF FORMAT 0>
- Set <PANEL HEADER> on <ON> and <1 MEASURE SPACE> on <ON>
- On <SAVE> choose <GM>
- Enter <NAME> and give the song a name
- Enter <SAVE> and choose a free songplace.
My Addendum
If you’re looking to contact me regarding converting disks, feel free! This article is regarding the Technics Easy Record files on the KN7000, although similar routines apply on other Technics instruments.