MQ midnam XML Name Support

This information is intended to be supplementary. If your DAW supports .midnam files, there should be a full explanation in the manual as to the location of these files and how to add additional .midnam files as required.

 

XML Instrument descriptions (midnam files) are a standard format for describing instrument names and configurations. As this format takes a complete instrument view, it can only be created from a Midi Quest Set which provides the required instrument structure information.

When midnam files are created on the Macintosh, Midi Quest also automatically creates a .middev file in case it is required to correct access by the host. For more information, please see the MIDIDevice page.

On the Macintosh, midnam files need to to stored in the /Library/Audio/MIDI Patch Names folder in order for the information to be accessible to the DAWs. In current Macintosh OS versions, this folder also requires higher level administrator security in order to write to the directory. As a result, you will need to write the file to a location with user access such as the desktop. Once written, you will then need to manually copy the file into the /Library/Audio/MIDI Patch Names folder (or a sub-folder of that folder) to be used.

 

To save the midnam file and move it to the appropriate folder:

 

1. Choose "Set/Export/midname"

2. In the File Selector dialog, name the file <device name>.midnam, and save the file.

 

Macintosh:

 

For use with Digital Performer, save to:

 [Disk Name]/Library/Audio/MIDI Devices/MOTU

For use with Pro Tools, save to:

 [Disk Name]/Library/Audio/MIDI Patch Names/Avid/Korg

or, if you’re using an older version of Pro Tools:

 [Disk Name]/Library/Audio/MIDI Patch Names/Digidesign/Korg

 

Windows:

 

Save the file to a location of your choice. It can then be manually moved to a DAW appropriate location if desired.

 

For Pro Tools:

 /Program Files/Common Files/Avid/Pro Tools/MIDI Patch Names/<manufacturer>

 

 

It’s possible that the preferred locations may change with future versions of the DAW programs or operating system; if in doubt, consult the documentation for your DAW program.

 

 

Macintosh:

 

Note that you may not be able to save directly to the Library folder, depending on your system permissions and operating system version. If you see an error message when saving, then simply save to a different folder (such as Documents), and then copy the file into the folders noted above. The next time you launch your DAW program, you should be able to select the MIDI device, and see the Program names appear in the patch list if the device has a direct USB connection. If you’re using the MIDI device via 5-pin MIDI ports, you’ll also need to configure Audio MIDI Setup. You only need to do this once:

 

1. Open the Audio MIDI Setup application

2. If the MIDI window does not appear, select Show MIDI Window from the Window menu

3. If an <instrument name> device is not already present, click the Add Device toolbar button to add one, and define its MIDI connections as appropriate.

4. Double-click on the <instrument name> device to open its Properties window

5. Enter “<instrument name>” as the Device Name

6. Enter "<manufacturer name>" in the Manufacturer field

7. Enter "<instrument name>" as the Model name

8. Close the Properties window, and close the Audio MIDI Setup application. Now, the DAW will know that the instrument is part of your MIDI system

 

Windows:

Adding .midnam files for Pro Tools

1. In Midi Quest, choose "Set / Export Bank Names in / midnam File (.xml)

2. Use the file selector to save the file to disk* (suggested file name “<instrument name>.midnam”)

3. In Pro Tools, create a MIDI track

4. In the Mix Window, select the MIDI IN and MIDI OUT ports for the track

5. In the Track Window, select the track and press the name button (2nd button, usually assigned to “none”)

6. A dialog will appear saying “no names are assigned”, press the OK button

7. A name assign dialog will appear, press the “Change…” button in the lower left corner

8. A file selector dialog will appear, use it to select the .midnam file saved in step 2

9. The name assign dialog will fill with information, select the desired bank and patch

10. Press the Done button in the lower right corner

 

(*) Please note, Pro Tools saves a large collection of .midnam files at

/Program Files/Common Files/Avid/ProTools/MIDI Patch Names

which are organized by manufacturer. However, this is a read only location. To save additional midnam files to this location, it is still necessary to save the files to an alternate (write enabled) directory and manually move the file into the “Korg” folder underneath the “MIDI Patch Names” folder.