SysEx File Reader

Questions & Answers

Q: How are the synth and sampler Model ID's used in this utility?
A: Synth and sampler Model ID's are assigned by the MIDI Manufacturer's Association. Originally Model ID's consisted of a single byte, which only allowed for a maximum of 127 ID's. There are now far more than 127 synth manufacturers wanting a Model ID so the new MIDI standard contains an extension mechanism. If the ID byte is zero, the next two bytes contain an extended Model ID. The Model ID numbers are divided into four geographic groups: North America, Europe (including Australia), Japan, Asia (Russia/China/Far East other than Japan). For example, these synth Manufacturer Model ID's are part of the old (and new) MIDI standard:

        10H  Oberheim
        0FH  Ensoniq
        41H  Roland

     ... and these synth Manufacturer Model ID's are part of the new MIDI standard:
     
        00H 00H 1BH  Peavey
        00H 01H 21H  Cakewalk
        00H 21H 02H  Mutable Instruments

This utility will only work with SysEx files for synth Manufacturer Model ID's from 01 through 7C. The only exception is extra code I added to recognize Behringer BCF2000 and BCR2000 Template/Preset files (00H 20H 32H). For a detailed list of Manufacturer Model ID's, Format ID#'s and Model ID#'s from 01 through 7C, I have compiled a list available at this link

Q: What should I know when trying to load SysEx files into my synth or sampler?
A: Some synths and sampler Model ID's are shared between models. For example, the Roland U‑20 and U‑220 use the same Model ID of 2B and the Roland JV‑2080 and XP‑50 use the same Model ID of 6A. It is important to know that even though a synth or sampler shares an identical Model ID, their SysEx files are not always interchangeable, i.e. a SysEx file with Patches for the Roland U‑110 will not load into the Roland MKS‑50 even though they share the same Model ID of 23

Q: Is there any way to run this utility offline without being connected to the Internet?
A: Absolutely! It's quite easy. Simply right‑click on the weblinks SysEx_Verify_Beta_v1a.html and SysEx_Reader_Release_Notes.html, use the "Download Linked File As..." option within your browser and save these two files to a folder on your hard drive. Everything will work exactly the same. To make it look identical with all the original images, right‑click and use the "Save Image As..." option and save these seven images in the same folder as the HTML files:

         midiports.jpg     homzone_inverse.jpg         PRG_icon.jpg         paypal_donate_smaller.jpg          
         text_icon.jpg     sysex_Drag_and_Drop.jpg     computer_bug.gif     sysex_Drag_and_Drop_icon.jpg

I designed this as an online utility for three reasons:
        1) No software to install
        2) It's easier to distribute this way as a simple webpage
        3) The most current version will always available online

Q: Can you add a feature which allows the ability to modify and write the SysEx data?
A: No way, José! Apple, Mozilla and Google go out of their way to make sure that browsers can't write data directly onto the hard drive because of hackers. The only way to write to the hard drive would be to make a stand‑alone program which doesn't use a browser. I don't code anything other than HTML so no plans for a stand‑alone program are in the works

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