ProTools OMS Names - Hints and Help
OMS Names Application: Download Here
Warning: Do Not Open This Application Without OMS present.
YOUR COMPUTER WILL CRASH !!!!
Hexadecimal - Decimal Conversion:
Often the only source for CC#0 and CC#32 Patch Control numbers is as Hexadecimal Numbers in the MIDI Data section of the instrument manual. A conversion chart is provided here.
Below are some quick tips on using the OMS Names Application.
For greater detail, download:
The Unexplaned Applications of ProTools by Switchcraft or
"OMS Patch Name Document QuickGuide" by Phil
Preparing to use the OMS Names Application with ProTools:
1. On some computers, the Finder does not work properly with this application. The best workaround is to place the library at the root level of your hard-drive. In other words, at the same level as your Digidesign folder and other apps.

2. Open the OMS Names Application.

3. If your OMS Setup is correct, your instrument will show up on the left side of the new window

4. In the Device column, next to your instrument, single click to high-light.

5. In the Menu Bar, locate "Subscribe". A new Finder window will open. Go to your Hard-drive and open the appropriate library. It's icon should now replace the previously high-lighted area.

6. Quit the application. Now you are ready to use it in ProTools
Using the OMS Names Application with ProTools:
1. Open ProTools.

2. Create a MIDI Track.

3. In the Mix Window (it's just easier) choose the instrument and MIDI channel you want to use.

4. In the same track, click on "p". A new window will open. If your patches do not show up, DON'T PANIC!!. In the upper right hand corner of that window is a pop-up menu. Click on that and select your patches.

5. Make Music.
Creating OMS Names Libraries
Starting from scratch:
1. Open the OMS Names Application.

2. In the column "Patch Name Document", single click next to the instrument you want to create the library for. It should now be highlighted.

3. Go to Menu Bar>Names>New Patch Document.

4. In the new window that appears, single click on the small circle in front of row Two in the MIDI column. This should highlight this row.

5. Go to Menu Bar>Patches>Bank Select/Numbering. A new window will appear.

6. Here is where you need to know the CC#0 and CC#32, also known as MSB and LSB respectively. In the MSB and LSB text boxes, type in the correct numbers. For instance, with many Roland products this might be 81 and 1. In the next section, check the radio button. If your patches start with 0, then check this one. If 1, then this one. In the "Prefix" text box, type in the appropriate identifier, ie., User or Pre-A, etc. Until you understand how your patches might be organized with GM, ie., Lead Synth, Guitar, etc., do not check the GM box. Now click "OK". The Library window reappears with the controller numbers listed in the MIDI column.

7. Start typing.

8. When you are done with that bank, you can go to Menu Bar>Patches>Add Bank and continue the process.
Shortcuts
Within each company, many of the instruments are closely related. For instance, the Alesis QS6 is set up the same way as the QS7. The QS7 already existed in the System Folder>OMS>Factory Names. All I did was make a copy, open it with the OMS Names Application and retype the patch names that were different. This amounted to about a 40% difference. You can do the same.

Another trick is to download FreeMIDI from MOTU. Install it, then delete everything except System Folder>FreeMIDI>Default Names. There are many instruments listed, with all the information you need to create libraries.
If you feel like sharing your work, it would be greatly appreciated.
Housekeeping
Everything here is Gratis, but if you find it useful, donations are gratefully accepted. My snail-mail is:

Dave Nye
1026 Lick Ave.
San Jose CA, 95110

Thank you and happy music!

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