XG/GS SYSEX DECODER

Supported by Yamaha US/UK

NOW RELEASED - The Windows 95/98/NT 4.0 Version!

Simtel have FTP sites where you can find VBSYX 5.1 in the /win95/music archives

Here are some fast download sites in USA (1) and USA (2)
Click HERE to download VBSYX 5.1 from the Software page at YAMAHA UK
Click HERE to download VBSYX 5.1 from this page

Please Note: XG/GS SYSEX Decoder 95 is written in Visual Basic 5 and requires the VB5 runtime modules. If you have never installed a VB5 program before or this software does not work on your machine, simply download and install the latest runtime modules.

Here are some fast download sites in USA (1) and USA (2)
Click HERE to download the VB5 Runtime modules from this page

XG/GS SYSEX Decoder (VBSYX Version 5.1) provides all the facilities of VBSYX 2.4

In addition, this new version has the following new features:

• Windows 95/98/NT 4.0 native support
• Long File Name support
• Drag and Drop files from Explorer
• Tooltips
• Larger Summary Files
• Support for the Roland SC-88 Pro
• Includes the latest version of XG/GS MIDI Jukebox!
• Includes XG to GS SYSEX conversion!

STILL AVAILABLE - The Windows 3.1 Version
Works fine under Windows 95 and NT 4.0!

Simtel have FTP sites where you can find VBSYX in the /win3/music archives

Here are some fast download sites in USA (1) and USA(2)

Click HERE to download VBSYX 2.4 from the Software page at YAMAHA UK
Click HERE to download VBSYX 2.4 from my US mirror site
Click HERE to download VBSYX 2.4 from this page

VBSYX, the XG/GS SYSEX Decoder, Version 2.4 (the XG and GS release) is still available for download. This version supports all Yamaha XG System Exclusive (SYSEX) messages and Roland GS messages. Also included is the XG/GS Random Patch Generator.

Version 2.1 provided Yamaha XG support. Version 2.2 automatically converts standard GS SYSEX messages to XG format. Version 2.3 included a Patch Librarian for saving/editing patches. Version 2.4 supports GS Bulk Dump conversion to XG as well as automatic GS to XG MID file conversion.

VBSYX 2.4 is written in Visual Basic 3. It requires the VB run time time library VBRUN300.DLL. You can download it if you do not have a copy of this module in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.

Click HERE to download VBRUN300.DLL

Have you ever found a MID file on the Web and wondered why it sounds like a dog's breakfast on your Sound Blaster or Korg synthesizer? Well, it was probably written for playback on a Roland GS Sound Canvas or Yamaha XG sound module such as the SC-55, M-GS64, SW60XG or MU50. This is not a commercial for Roland or Yamaha BUT their sound modules are probably the most flexible that you can purchase today.

"What is SYSEX anyway"?

Now, we all know how various musicians can tweak the sound of the module with Continuous Controllers and other effects. Any decent sequencer, such as Cakewalk or Power Tracks Pro, has what is called an "Events View" of the MIDI information in which you can view this information. What has been missing to date is the ability to decode System Exclusive (SYSEX) data that is generated with such excellent PC products as Canvasman, SCEDIT, SC-Pro or XGEDIT.

I am a member of the Sound Canvas User's Group (SCUG). When this topic came up, I volunteered to write a SYSEX decoder and was swamped with requests and ideas for the program. So, here it is. It has come a long way from it's humble beginnings. Now, you may say "What good is this program to me - I don't own a Sound Canvas or XG module". Actually, this program is just as useful to you as it now allows you to see what the composer intended and this in turn allows you to set up your synth so that it plays equivalent sounds.

Highlights of the program are:

• All messages for the Sound Canvas family of sound modules are decoded. This includes SC-55, SC-88 and RAP-10.
• Yamaha XG is supported too (in Version 2.1 - see above)!
• VBSYX will read MID, WRK, SEQ and SYX files and find SYSEX messages in ALL of them.
• Encoding as well as decoding is supported. You will never have to calculate Roland checksums again.
• You can play the MID file and send SYSEX messages in real time. That way you know exactly what effect the SYSEX message will have in your composition.
• VBSYX supports Cut and Paste of individual messages between itself and sequencers such as Cakewalk
• Sound Canvas Bulk Dumps are supported too! Yes, Roland don't tell you what the bulk dumps mean but someone had to figure it out.
• VBSYX supports Show All/Extract All to quickly decode all messages in a file - no HEX stuff! The resultant summary can be written to a file, sent to your printer or kept for later use.
• A complete set of SYSEX messages are included for you to decode/alter/include in your MID files.
• VBSYX is an invaluable teaching tool and will help you to understand what SYSEX messages are all about.

Basically, if you want to do something to SYSEX data, this program will do it or I'll eat my Internet connection :)

What's New in Version 5.1?

Version 5.1 added support for saving SYSEX in .MID files. Version 5.1 also provides the XG/GS MIDI Monitor and XG/GS Enhanced Mixer as bonus utilities! Version 5.0 provided automatic XG to GS SYSEX conversion.

In addition, automatic XG Bulk Dump conversion was added as well as automatic XG Bulk Dump to GS conversion.

Sample SYX files included in the package

These are some sample .SYX files used (a) for my testing and (b) for you to display/edit and use in your sequences as required. They are supplied as SYX.ZIP in the installation package.

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This page and its links were last updated on 2nd October, 1999

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