/ Audio/ MC-505 + Cubase Setup

Here's what I've learned trying to hook my 505 up with Cubase (v5.0r5).

1. Device Driver (.DEV) File
2. Mixer Map (.MIX) Files

Device Driver (.DEV) File

With the device driver you can:

• select patches from within Cubase by name, rather than by bank #.
• send and receive (and save and load) system exclusive (SYSEX) data to and from the 505.
• automatically store the MIDI Channel output and MIDI Output port for each part of the 505 in 8 "instruments" (called "505 Part x" (1 through 7) and "505 Drums"). This just makes life a bit more convenient.

Setting it Up

1. Get the Device driver file (.DEV) for the 505.
2. In Cubase, go to Modules... -> Setup and make "Studio Modules" active.
   (Note: if you want to have Studio Modules loaded next time (smart) then also change "preload" from "no" to "yes").
3. You should now have a menu option under Modules... called "Studio Module...". Select it and go to "Setup".
4. Click "Add" and select the device driver file.
5. Ensure "Roland MC-505" is highlit in the list.
6. Right click twice on "Child MIDI Channel" 8 so it reads 10 (to set the drum channel to channel 10)
7. Select the proper MIDI Output for the 505.
8. Click OK.

Using it

If you now want to set a MIDI track to play a certain part with the 505, just go to the Inspector area (click on the arrow in the lower left of the Arrange screen) and click on "Instrument". Right click, go to "Studio Module Instrument" and select the MC-505. Choose the part you want to use. You can also click on Patchname and select the patch you wish that part to play.

The Patch Manager (windows with "Patches", "Rythm" [sic], and "Pattern" in the title bar)

• The Patch Manager only lets you select patches by name, so don't go trying to save or load PATCH SYSEX into the Patch Manager.
• To change a patch name, ALT+double right click.
• I dunno what the AUX bank is for - for copying patches somehow.

The Dump Manager

Get to the Dump Manager by opening the Patch Manager and clicking on the "Data Dump" button. Notes:

• The Dump Manager only works if "Pattern Mem" is highlit (as opposed to "Patches", "Rythm" [sic], or "Pattern") because it only accepts bulk dumps of ALL data, not PATCH or PATCH&SETUP.
• The ">" sign next to the Dump Type ("Pattern", "Patch", "Rythm" [sic], or "Pattern Mem") shows when there is SYSEX data loaded in the manager.
• Comments ARE saved with the saved banks, they just aren't erased when you CLEAR DATA. Don't let this confuse you

To Receive SYSEX From the 505

1. Highlight "Pattern Mem" if it is not already.
2. Select "Receive"
3. Follow instructions.
4. You can now add a comment (type in the comment box) and save the file (under File) as an .MC5 (sysex) file.
   Note: .MC5 is the default for MC-505 sysex dumps, but you can change this under Modules -> Studio Module -> Setup...

To Send SYSEX To the 505

1. Under File... select the type of file you want to send and load it.
2. Click "Send".
3. Follow the instructions.

Other Functions

• I don't know what many of the other features do, such as the Global Open/Save and Total Receive/Send. I think many of these features are for synths that can dump more than one pattern at a time (which is all the 505 can do - shame) and this larger dump would be a global dump. As I learn I'll update this page - and I certainly welcome input. Contact link at the bottom of the page.s

Setting Up the Mixer Maps

1. Go to the Arrange screen.
2. Change a track into a Mix Track. To do so click on the Class ("C") column and select "Mix Track" from the drop-down menu.
3. Bring up the Inspector. To do so click on the arrow in the lower left of the Arrange Screen.
4. Under "Mixermap" click the arrow.
5. Select "Load Map...".
6. Load either the Mixer Map for the 505's Drum Part or for the 505's Regular Parts.
7. Right click in the right side of the Arrange screen and select the pencil.
8. Draw a track.
9. Right click in the right side of the Arrange screen and select the arrow.
10. Double click on the track you just created, and tweak knobs to your heart's content. Note changing settings on the 505 doesn't reflect in the Cubase mixer map.