Setup
To control Omnisphere using the Roland JD-XA, you’ll need to do the following:
- Connect the JD-XA to your computer via USB.
- Download and install the latest JD-XA system firmware.
- Download and install the JD-XA USB driver.
- Configure the JD-XA to transmit MIDI.
- Enable “JD-XA” as a MIDI input device in the host software (DAW, Standalone, etc.).
- Activate the Roland JD-XA Hardware Profile in Omnisphere 2.6 or higher.
NOTE: If you are trying to use this Hardware Profile on Windows, please read this first.
FIRMWARE
- Check the firmware (System Program version) of your JD-XA by selecting the Menu button.
- Change the < > buttons until you see VERSION INFO.
- If the display doesn’t indicate version “1.50” (or higher) access the Roland website, download and install the latest JD-XA System Program.
USB DRIVER
Check to see if the necessary USB driver has already been installed by opening up the Omnisphere Standalone (or your preferred DAW) and verify the JD-XA is on your list of MIDI inputs.
If the Roland JD-XA is not listed as a MIDI input, download and install the driver that is compatible with your computer’s operating system from the Roland Support page. Restart the host and you should see it listed.
MIDI OUTPUT SETUP
- On the JD-XA panel Menu button.
- Using the < > buttons select “SYSTEM” and press the ENTER button.
- Using the < > buttons select the page “MIDI TX – Tx Edit Data.”
- Using the +/- buttons set “Tx Edit Data” to “ON.”
- Press the Exit button.
HOST CONNECTION
Open your host (DAW, Standalone, etc.) and make sure the System-8 is enabled as a MIDI input device.
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| Omnisphere Standalone | Pro Tools |
OMNISPHERE SETUP
Open Omnisphere and from the header, select the HW menu button:
From the drop-down menu, select “Roland>Roland JD-XA” to activate that Hardware Profile.
Some of the controls in the JD-XA send System Exclusive (SysEx) messages. For Omnisphere to support this type of messages, the hardware synth must be connected to the computer before you select the corresponding Hardware Profile from the Profile Menu. If it’s not connected, you may see the following message:
If you connect the synth later, select “None” from the HW menu, then select the profile again.
Unassigned Controls
The following JD-XA sections have no effect on Omnisphere:
- MASTER
- MIC
Troubleshooting
Not working? Here are some things to try:
- Are you using a Windows machine? If so, please refer to this article about using SysEx on Windows.
- Is your DAW receiving MIDI from the JD-XA?
- If you are using the Omnisphere Standalone, make sure the MIDI output channel of the JD-XA matches the MIDI channel of the Omnisphere Part you want to control.
- Make sure your DAW is configured to correctly route the MIDI output of the JD-XA to the MIDI channel assigned to the desired Part in Omnisphere.
- When switching between parts you may notice that buttons, waveform selectors and some sliders (the controls that send SysEx) can still affect the previously selected Omnisphere Part. If that happens, move a control that sends CCs, like Cutoff. After doing that the other controls will respond as expected.
- Are you using a USB hub? Try connecting your JD-XA or MIDI Interface directly to your computer.
SUPPORT
Still not working? More questions?
Feel free to contact us directly and we can work with you:
Tech Support
888-870-4223 toll free
818-955-8444
Monday – Friday 10AM – 5PM Pacific Time
email: info@spectrasonics.net
