GM-800: How to send MIDI CC note data from Logic Pro/DAW, to play Parts 1-4 + Rhythm – Roland Corporation

Please check and update the firmware of the GM-800 to the latest version. Additionally, ensure that you install the GM-800 USB Device Driver compatible with your specific computer OS and version. This will enable the computer and Logic Pro DAW audio software to detect and recognize the GM-800 as an audio/MIDI input/output external hardware device. All GM-800 updates and drivers can be found here: https://www.boss.info/global/products/gm-800/downloads/

After firmware update, go into the GM-800 and set up your GK SETTINGS for your instrument, and your preferences.

Connect using a USB 2.0 A to B printer cable from GM-800 to computer USB 2.0 A port.
Use the following settings for the GM-800 and Logic Pro V.10.7.9.
1. GM-800:
  1. Press the [MENU] button.
  2. Press [>] Page Right button once, locate MIDI tab and press KNOB 4, locate MIDI SETTING, then press KNOB 1.
  3. Set the following MIDI parameters:
    - SCENE RX CH: MIDI CH1 (or same as DAW software MIDI TX CH).
      - If you want to have a POLY MODE MIDI CHANNEL setup, then set all PARTS 1-4 + RHYTHM to MIDI CH: 1. (Set PT.1 RX CH: CH1, set PT.2 RX CH: 1, set PT.3 RX CH:1, set PT.4 RX CH:1 and PT. R RX CH: 1)
      - If you want to have a MONO MIDI CHANNEL setup, then set all PARTS 1-4 + RHYTHM, to individual MIDI CHANNELS based on each individual MIDI TRACK TX CH. (In Logic Pro X, you'd set this by using the TRACK TYPE: EXTERNAL MIDI PLUGIN, AUDIO INPUT: NO INPUT, MIDI DESTINATION: GM-800 1 through 5). For example: set PT.1 RX: CH1, set PT.2 RX CH:2, set PT.3 RX CH:3, set PT.4 RX CH:4, and set PT.R RX CH: 5.
    - NOTE SRC/SOURCE: USB for this example, (If external 5pin MIDI connection from DAW interface set it to "MIDI")
      Note: CUSTOM is an advanced combo option of assigning Parts 1-4/Rhythm, to be GK IN triggered by guitar/bass player, and USB/5pin MIDI triggered by DAW, simultaneously.
  4. Once set, press [>] Page Right button, to Page 2.
    - Device ID: 17 (default)
    - MIDI In Thru: USB/MIDI
    - USB In Thru: OFF
    - Sync Clock: AUTO
    - Clock Out: OFF
    - PC Out: OFF
    - TX PC Map: FIX
  5. Press EXIT button four times to return to patch view.
2. LOGIC PRO V.10.7.9 SETTINGS: For Audio settings you can still leave Audio Input/Output to your DAW interface, or you can use the GM-800. In this example we used our Roland Studio Capture for Audio Input/Output.
  1. In Logic Pro MIDI menu, go into the MIDI SYNC PROJECT SETTINGS... tab/menu.
  2. Set the GM-800 as DESTINATION, check off on CLOCK and MTC.
  3. Close out then create a NEW TRACK in your LOGIC project and CHOOSE A TRACK TYPE: choose EXTERNAL MIDI.
  4. Check off on USE EXTERNAL INSTRUMENT PLUG-IN.
  5. Choose MIDI DESTINATION: GM-800 - 1 (Corresponds to MIDI CH.1 and the PART associated within GM-800, do this for every EXTERNAL MIDI TRACK you create and plan to use, GM-800 - 1 through 5 to trigger all PARTS 1-4 + RHYTHM).
    We created an EXTERNAL MIDI TRACKS for every PART, then copied some generic song MIDI regions into each TRACK for performance:
    - EXTERNAL MIDI TRACK 1: MIDI DESTINATION: GM-800-1 (corresponds to PT.1 RX CH1)
    - EXTERNAL MIDI TRACK 2: MIDI DESTINATION: GM-800-2 (corresponds to PT.2 RX CH2)
    - EXTERNAL MIDI TRACK 3: MIDI DESTINATION: GM-800-3 (corresponds to PT.3 RX CH3)
    - EXTERNAL MIDI TRACK 4: MIDI DESTINATION: GM-800-4 (corresponds to PT.4 RX CH4)
    - EXTERNAL MIDI TRACK 5: MIDI DESTINATION: GM-800-5 (corresponds to RT.R RX CH5)
      Note: You may use any generic MIDI performance file or MIDI track song, which you can open in Logic Pro, and then copy the MIDI Regions into any EXTERNAL MIDI TRACK you've created.
  6. Then be able to play back the MIDI files both via your DAW audio interface and trigger the GM-800 PARTS 1-4 + Rhythm. The MIDI performance of GM-800 stays well in sync with Logic Pro.
    - You may also change Scenes/Patches, depending on what is programmed and saved for the PARTS 1-5 + Rhythm, some Parts/sounds may/may not be active an ON.
    - You can simply press the PART 1-4 and R buttons twice, to turn OFF, or press once to turn a PART ON.
    - If you press a PART 1-4 or R, it will take you to the PART EDIT screen, press KNOB1 to BROWSE and edit the assigned TONE for the PART.

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