Minimax operational questions / faults ?

steven2948 · Post by **steven2948** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:59 pm

Hi Guys

I have had a good few days getting around my new Minimax now, and I have a few questions.

There must be a simple answer to this, but what is the quick way to hear what's actually set to on the control panel ? I setup a cool sound using the real knobs and switches, then have a listen to a few presets without touching any actual synth controls - how do I get back to the real actual panel settings ?

A similar question - I set up a great lead sound on the control panel, switch off the unit, come back a few hours later, switch it on again - where has my great lead sound gone ? none of the controls have been touched. The unit always seems to deafult to a preset and I can't get the real settings to come back.

As you can tell from this post I will be using the minimax as a live instrument just like a real Minimoog. I would like to be able to switch it on and have it exactly as it was when I left it previously.

I have other issues too.

The glide on/off does not always work. There seems to be no set pattern for this it just sometimes won't work either from the panel or from the screen.

After recalling a preset and nulling all the controls on the panel, the lo note / high note soft switch doesn't always work. Mono mode obviously !

What does the MIDI 'control' on off actually do ? It doesn't seem to effect anything - maybe this is something to do with my original question ?

The Overload LED doesn't come on at all. I have injected tone into the input from a test oscillator up to +24dBu, but not even a flicker. I can hear the tone OK though.

Sometimes the Up/Down LEDs start flashing alternately, the only way to stop them is to switch off and on again. I have no why they flash or what starts them. ( nothing in the book )

Windows XP crashes if I switch off the Minimax before unplugging the USB first.
( Also I still can't get Win 2000 to work despite the rtf readme file included in the installation pack suggesting that it should.)

I am sure that I will have heaps of other questions as time goes by. I registered my purchase with Creamware but as yet have not been given access to their support forums ( if they have any ).

I have read the owners 'manual' a few times but the translation seems to have lost something along the way. If anyone could offer their help and advice I would be really grateful.

Thanks Guys !

EricNS · Post by **EricNS** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:33 am

Hi Steve!

what is the quick way to hear what's actually set to on the control panel ? I setup a cool sound using the real knobs and switches, then have a listen to a few presets without touching any actual synth controls - how do I get back to the real actual panel settings?

There is no way I'm afraid.

I set up a great lead sound on the control panel, switch off the unit, come back a few hours later, switch it on again - where has my great lead sound gone ? none of the controls have been touched. The unit always seems to deafult to a preset and I can't get the real settings to come back

Save the sound before turning the unit off, otherwise it will be lost. Just like on any other digital synthesizer.

Unless you use them, the hardware controllers don't indicate the real value of the parameters. The hardware WAVEFORM knobs indicates "square", but what is the real waveform used in the preset? It's impossible to know by looking at the control panel. It's the same for every other switches and knobs.

Personnaly, I'd rather have a Minimax ASB that behaves exactly like a analog Minimoog, than one with presets. It would take me less time to re-create from scratch my favorite sounds with the hardware controllers, than trying to match the knobs with the "real" sound...

Some synthezisers use endless rotary encoders with leds that always indicate the real parameter values. It's a much better system.

The glide on/off does not always work. There seems to be no set pattern for this it just sometimes won't work either from the panel or from the screen.

Same here.

Sometimes the Up/Down LEDs start flashing alternately, the only way to stop them is to switch off and on again. I have no why they flash or what starts them.

hmmm... I never saw this.

Sorry, I cannot answer your other questions as I don't use the remote software.

Best,

Eric

[ This Message was edited by: EricNS on 2006-07-07 06:35 ]

[ This Message was edited by: EricNS on 2006-07-07 06:39 ]

jasonsteady · Post by **jasonsteady** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:35 am

<< There must be a simple answer to this, but what is the quick way to hear what's actually set to on the control panel ? I setup a cool sound using the real knobs and switches, then have a listen to a few presets without touching any actual synth controls - how do I get back to the real actual panel settings ? >>

unfortunately, i'm at work and don't have my minimax in front of me.. but i believe if you press and hold the "user" button for about three seconds, the sound will change to whatever each of the knobs are set at.

<< The glide on/off does not always work. There seems to be no set pattern for this it just sometimes won't work either from the panel or from the screen. >>

the glide on and off only works if you're in mono mode. no glide in poly mode. press both the "up" and "down" buttons at the same time to switch between mono and poly mode.

<< The Overload LED doesn't come on at all. I have injected tone into the input from a test oscillator up to +24dBu, but not even a flicker. I can hear the tone OK though. >>

i've noticed the same thing. i've never been able to get the LED to light. i can hear the audio input, and can run it through the filter and everything.. i just can't get it to overload. the "feedback" switch doesn't really seem to change anything either.

<< Sometimes the Up/Down LEDs start flashing alternately, the only way to stop them is to switch off and on again. I have no why they flash or what starts them. ( nothing in the book ) >>

this happened to me the other day, and i have no idea why.

-jason

EricNS · Post by **EricNS** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:08 pm

On 2006-07-07 07:35, jasonsteady wrote:i believe if you press and hold the "user" button for about three seconds, the sound will change to whatever each of the knobs are set at.

I was not aware of that! Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try.

Best,

Eric

Le Bone · Post by **Le Bone** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:25 am

The flashing lights experince occured on my PRO-12. I found it annoying and then traced it to a midi loop in my DAW. Check out the post in the "Minimax Strange Behaviour" thingy for further details.