Default Virtual Instrument

[TrevsAudio]

Hey Guys.

Firstly, Happy 4th to Y'all
This will be my first, celebrated with a barbeque at my stepdaughters place.

Can someone tell me the difference between the default Virtual Instrument and the default General MIDI Instrument in Preferences please?

And is there a way to get a 3rd party plugin (Like EZDrummer) to load as the default instead of the Acoustic Piano for new projects?

Thanks and enjoy!

EDIT: Yes, I know I can create a template. It's just that when I start a new project, I'd like the first track to be EZDrummer.

Preferences.png (294.65 KiB) Viewed 2214 times

[outteh]

Use that "default virtual instrument preset" to set the instrument you want. I'm not sure if it allows selection of non-mixcraft VI's

[Northfield.Lenox]

Looks like you can only set Mixcraft VSTs for the default virtual instrument. Never noticed that before . However, you can set up a simple template with 2-3 instruments to come up each time you open Mixcraft, this is what I do.

https://youtu.be/SjRkpTsZKc8


I honestly have no idea what the "Default General Midi Instrument" setting is for.

[cactus-head]

Hi,

The default virtual instrument is the default instrument that is added each time you add a virtual instrument track.

The default general MIDI instrument is the set of GM instruments that are loaded when a MIDI file is opened as a project. Whatever synth you choose, the first 0-127 patches that match the MIDI file GM patch number would load to the respective track.

So for example, if you set this to memory moon, then when a MIDI file is loaded as a project the corresponding MIDI GM instrument numbers would pull the patch numbers from that synth. If you had a flute part in the MIDI file, the patch named PR_Wendigo from Memory Moon would be loaded on that track. Memory Moon starts counting from 1 instead of 0 so a Flute patch would be 74 instead of 73 which matches up to PR_Wendigo.

Because GM has a pretty specific layout, it's best to choose an instrument that follows the same instruments. The Acoustica Instruments set lends itself nicely - but you could use any synth, you just might get wacky results if the patches aren't in the same order or the same type of instrument.

[Northfield.Lenox]

Thanks Cactus-Head, I just learned something about MIDI that I've never understood!! I've downloaded MIDI files as a starting point for holiday / Xmas fun, and could never figure out how it was selecting instruments for each of the tracks . . .

[cactus-head]

You're welcome.

[TrevsAudio]

Thanks for the response, guys!

Think I'll just go with a basic template

[podonnell]

Hi trevlyns,

Hope you had a nice 4th!

I found myself looking to do the same thing recently -- with another drum module actually as well!
I ended up going the same route as you plan, with the project template. I did not find a better solution otherwise.

[cactus-head]

Oh,

I missed the default drum part. Do this: in a regular session of Mixcraft, add EZ Drummer as an instrument. From the Instrument selection screen, try "Save Preset..." and give your preset a name. maybe something like EZ Drummer Startup.

I'll use MT Power Drummer as an example but name the preset EZ Drummer Startup

Then, go to Mixcraft preferences > Plug-ins > Default Virtual Instrument Preset and choose the "EZ Drummer Startup" preset you just created.

EZ Drummer Startup ex.JPG (77.3 KiB) Viewed 2035 times

[TrevsAudio]

Wow! That's great thanks Cactus. It works just fine.