SNAPSHOTS Chapter 9 What Are Snapshots? Snapshots are a collection of Banks and SysEx files taken from all of the synths in your setup at a given point in time. In essence, they contain a ÒsnapshotÓ of your MIDI environment They provide an easy way to save and in turn recreate a specific MIDI setup. Snapshots are displayed using the Snapshot window. These Windows look exactly like SysEx file windows except that the word Snapshot is displayed in their window title bar. Opening A Snapshot Window There are two (2] ways to open a Snapshot window: 1. Select the MIDI menu New Snapshot... item to create a Snapshot of your MIDI environment 2. Double-click on a SnapshotÕs filename in the Snaps & Setup Library to open an existing Snapshot file. Taking A Snapshot Of Your MIDI Setup The ÒsnapshotÓ process begins when you select the MIDI menu New Snapshot.. item. After selecting this menu item, you will be presented with a file requester asking you to choose a name for the Snapshot file. Once you have chosen the filename, a second requester will open giving you direct control over the ÒsnapshotÓ process. Use this requesterÕs CANCEL button if you want to abort the ÒsnapshotÓ If you click on its QUIT button after the ÒsnapshotÓ has started, The PatchMeister will successfully end the ÒsnapshotÓ after it has finished receiving the current MIDI file. Here is how a ÒsnapshotÓ works: The PatchMeister starts at the top of the installed Drivers list and gives you the option to ÒsnapÓ or ÒbypassÓ each instrument Click over the SNAP INSTR button if you want to include the current instrument in the Snapshot Use the NEXT button if you would like to skip to the next Driver. Clicking on the SNAP INSTR button equates to clicking on ALL of the SysEx type buttons that are available on that instruments Get from Synth requester. You will be informed as The PatchMeister retrieves each of the individual SysEx types. If the SysEx type requires a patch number, you will be asked to supply one. The MIDI routeÕs patch number button will become enabled so that you can update it When the routeÕs patch number has been set to reflect the patch you want included with the Snapshot, click over the SNAP PATCH button. After the patch has been received, you will be prompted to select another patch number. If you want to include another patch, follow the same process outlined above. Otherwise, click on the NEXT button to skip to the next SysEx type. All Snapshot MIDI data will be written to disk during retrieval, so that the Snapshot file already exists by the time its window opens. The window opens as a courtesy to you, so that you can easily attach a comment and search key to the existing Snapshot file. If for some reason you do not want to add this information, simply close the window. Otherwise, enter the comment and/or search key and then use the Project menu Save item to save the file with the additional information. Saving Snapshots The Project menu Save item can be used to save the active Snapshot window. Snapshots are automatically placed into the Snaps & Setups Library which can be opened by selecting the Library menu Snaps & Setups option. Sending Snapshot Windows To Your Synth ÒActiveÓ Snapshot windows can be sent to your synth in one of two ways: By selecting the MIDI menu Send to Synth item or by clicking over the Snapshot windowÕs MIDI route button. In both cases, a requester will open asking you to confirm your intention to send the Snapshot Use the requesterÕs QUIT button if you do not want to send the Snapshot. Once you dick on the SEND button, the SnapshotÕs individual MIDI files will begin to be sent one by one and the requester will be updated accordingly. If you click on the QUIT button after the ÒsendÓ has started, The PatchMeister will stop sending the Snapshot after it has finished sending the current MIDI file. Notes & Search Keys If you like, you may use the two (2) string gadgets to attach comments and search keys to your Snapshots. The time taken to add this information will more than pay for itself later when you return to your Snaps & Setups Library to find a particular file. This information is used by the Librarian search and display functions. MIDI Routes This button invokes display of the requester which is used to send Snapshot files to your synth(s). For more information see the section entitled "Sending Snapshot Windows To Your Synth."