Alesis SR18 & Roland Fantom-08 Sync Issue

[VK]

Hello all,

I just got a new Roland Fantom 08.
I'm getting to know the sequencer in the Fantom 08 but am having issues when using it with my Alesis SR18 drum machine.

I figured out how to set a Scene Track in Fantom to trigger the external SR18, but it's all crazy out of sync, even though I'm not using the SR18 as a Slave, but only as a sound module (drums in SR18 are better than Fantom).

When I record a 2 Bar Drum pattern into the Fantom sequencer, on track 10, which is set to External (SR18) it plays back way out of 'sync'; as in it is not even Quantized correctly - and Yes, I do have Quantize set when recording. I go into the Piano Roll editor in Fantom and the notes appear to be on grid, but the actual audio of playback is not Quantized.

I don't understand why this is so, being that the SR18 is only used here as a sound module. I have an Innerclock Multi-Split Midi splitter, but it makes no difference whether connected or not.

Before starting this little experiment, I also tried to sync the SR18 to Fantom in order to have the previously recorded Drum/Bass tracks in SR18 (SLAVE) play along to the Fantom (MASTER) so I could then sequence other Piano and whatever in the Fantom to enhance the performance.
What happened then is that some of the songs in SR18 played back fine, as expected, but other songs were way out of sync like a drunken drummer.

Apologies for the long query but I gotta get this setup working...All advice appreciated...Thanks

[Chaser]

Hello all,

I just got a new Roland Fantom 08.
I'm getting to know the sequencer in the Fantom 08 but am having issues when using it with my Alesis SR18 drum machine.

I figured out how to set a Scene Track in Fantom to trigger the external SR18, but it's all crazy out of sync, even though I'm not using the SR18 as a Slave, but only as a sound module (drums in SR18 are better than Fantom).

When I record a 2 Bar Drum pattern into the Fantom sequencer, on track 10, which is set to External (SR18) it plays back way out of 'sync'; as in it is not even Quantized correctly - and Yes, I do have Quantize set when recording. I go into the Piano Roll editor in Fantom and the notes appear to be on grid, but the actual audio of playback is not Quantized.

I don't understand why this is so, being that the SR18 is only used here as a sound module. I have an Innerclock Multi-Split Midi splitter, but it makes no difference whether connected or not.

Before starting this little experiment, I also tried to sync the SR18 to Fantom in order to have the previously recorded Drum/Bass tracks in SR18 (SLAVE) play along to the Fantom (MASTER) so I could then sequence other Piano and whatever in the Fantom to enhance the performance.
What happened then is that some of the songs in SR18 played back fine, as expected, but other songs were way out of sync like a drunken drummer.

Apologies for the long query but I gotta get this setup working...All advice appreciated...Thanks

Older Hardware versus Newer hardware...(SR18 based on SR16 - updated 1990's)

I don't have either one , but I took a glance at a couple of the manuals..
Roland has Numerous Manuals/Support Docs for the Fantom 08 as they don't put all the info into one Guide.

A couple things I noticed..

The Fantom 08 SOUND GENERATOR doesn't Transmit System Real Time Clock..it does recognize it.
The Fantom 08 SEQUENCER is selectable for Transmitting/Receiving System Real Time Clock
SR-18 Transmits and recognizes System Real Time Clock.

SR-18

Timing Resolution 96 PPQN (Parts Per Quarter Note..Pulses per Quarter Note)

FANTOM 08

Timing Resolution 480 TPQN (Ticks Per Quarter Note) ..

Parts,Pulses and Ticks..are basically the same thing.. more info
You'll probably have to mess with gate Time... etc
480 x 20% = 96

MIDI Synchronization In More Detail.."Set ticks per quarter note to be the same on both master and slave devices."

I never really got into all the MIDI with keyboard/workstations and Hardware/DAW setups and syncing patterns etc as each manufacturer had different features.
I would set Keyboard/Instruments up for typical Live Performance with programmable MIDI Patch Bays (Bank Changes..Control Changes..Program Changes..Start Stop etc..) and/or basic Automation for Vst/DAW but not so much for Quantize, syncing pattern/song for playback from one piece of gear to another or multiple.
I would check over at GearSpace..there are many that used the older gear (and still do)
Here is one post talking about Hit n Miss MIDI recording with Logic and the SR18 Song Position Pointer as an example.


EDIT:
Added Links,MIDI Implementation Charts

[VK]

Thank you indeed Chaser for providing this info.
I'm currently tearing my hair out (I'm bald ) sorting other Fantom issues, and will get back to experimenting with sync to SR18 over the weekend.
There've been several fundamental and intermittent problems with the Fantom itself, and I have until the 30th Sept to decide whether or not this actual Fantom unit is faulty or not...within that timeframe I can get it replaced, but after 30th I'd have to get it sent off for repairs or whatever is needed.
Shall report back anon with reports on sync etc.
Thanks again...