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Tutorials

Learn how to use that unique gear quick.  Are you impatient with videos?  If so, you can skim through these blog posts to get the techniques and “know how” fast.

Korg microKorg Tutorial & Review of the Best Features

Korg microKorg Tutorial & Review of the Best Features

Korg microKorg Tutorial & Review of the Best Features

This is a quick start tutorial and a review of the best features of the Korg microKorg keyboard/vocoder.  I will show you how to use the arpeggiator, vocoder, factory reset, solo timbres and more.

  • Demo Mode

    • Press SHIFT key and ARPEGGIATOR to enter demo mode
    • Select Program number 1 – 8 to select a particular demo (good for testing the audio)

  • Factory Reset & Turn off Locked Protected Sounds

    • To perform a factory reset on the microKorg
      • Press Shift + Program Number 7 then turn the 1/cutoff knob to select one of the options below
        • IP9 – Reset only one program, use “2/resonance” to select single program
        • Pr9 – Reset all data for all programs
        • GLb – Reset global data
      • Press the blinking Program Number 7 to activate the particular reset
    • If the unit says Pct (protected) do the following to unlock it
      • Press Shift + Program Number 8 (use 1/cutoff knob to select protection on or off)

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  • Sounds and Banks

    • 16 sounds per bank (Big Encoder Program Select Knob Changes Banks)
      • 8 sounds on side A (use “A side B” button to select A or B)
      • 8 sounds on side B (use “A side B” button to select A or B)
      • Use the program number to select sound 1 through 8

  • Performance & Edit Modes

    • There are two modes you can choose when a sound is selected (performance mode & Edit Mode)
      • Performance mode
        • In performance mode the performance knobs (the four knobs on the top right) act as they are labeled
        • When you change sounds by selecting the program number, it automatically puts the keyboard into performance mode. To renter into performance mode when you are in Edit Mode, reselect the program number (sound) that you are already on.
        • Performance Knobs:
          • 1/Cutoff – adjusts cutoff frequency, good for sweeps
          • 2/Resonance – adjusts resonance height, good to soften or sharpen sound
          • 3/EG Attack – Adjust the attack time, more time smoothens the beginning of the sound
          • 4/EG Release – Adjust how long the sound lasts after the key is pressed
          • 5/Tempo – Adjusts LFO tempo
        • Edit Mode
          • To enter into edit mode and exit out of performance mode, rotate the Edit Mode knobs (Edit Select 1, and/or Edit Select 2)
          • In Edit Mode the performance Knobs (1/Cutoff, 2/Resonance, 3/EG Attack, 4/EG Release, 5/Tempo) adjust the corresponding values below them depending on which edit mode is selected
            • For example- if you rotate Edit Select 1 to Oscillator 1 then the 1/Cutoff knob would adjust the value below it in the row Oscillator 1. This value is listed as the WAV.

  • Solo Layers (Timbres)

    • Each Program can have 2 timbers (layers) and 2 oscillators per layer
    • Push Timbre Select to change between the 1st or 2nd layer
      • The light to the right of Timbre Select shows which layer is selected
      • When the particular layer is selected, the Edit Select knobs will only edit that particular layer
    • Press Shift and Timbre Select solo the layer that is selected, when the layer is soloed the light will blink

  • Arpeggiator

    • Push Arpeggiator button to turn on the arpeggiator
    • To edit the arpeggiator sequence,
      • turn Edit Select 2 to Arpp A or Arpp B and chose the Program Numbers 1-8 to select the beats on and off.
    • To Turn the arpegggiator Latch on and off,
      • turn Edit Select to Arpeg B and turn the 1/cutoff to select latch on or off
    • To get back to performance mode while using the arpeggiator
      • turn the Edit Select 2 out of Arpp A or Arpp B and push the program number you are currently on.
    • Arpeggiator Slave to External MIDI
      • To use an external MIDI chords to trigger the arrpegiaotor,
        • Turn the Edit Select 2 to the global position, then turn 4/EG Release to select pre
      • To use the microKorg keyboard to trigger the arpeggiator
        • Turn the Edit Select 2 to the global position, then turn 4/EG Release to select pos
      • Vocoder
        • To use the vocoder
          • Turn the Program Select knob to the green Vocoder selection
        • Once in vocoder mode, the Edit Select 1 and Edit Select 2 controls the functions in green writing
        • Push Formant Hold to latch the last note when using the vocoder

  • Audio In

    • To run audio through the microKorg keyboard filters and effects
      • Turn Edit Select 1 to OSC 1 then turn 1/CUTOFF to select Aud
      • Push the keyboard notes to trigger the audio
      • Push the program number to trigger performance mode and use the performance knobs to change the cutoff and resonance frequencies




    



            
        

        

	

	
	



                        

	
	                

                                                            
                                        Roland Octapad Pad-8 Review and Tutorial                                                                    
                                                                

                    
			

			
		

	
	


					


									
									
				
				
							

		
		
Roland Octapad Pad-8 Review and Tutorial

		        


                                        
Roland Octapad Pad-8 Review and Tutorial
  Roland Octapad Pad-8 Review and Tutorial


 System Overview




The Octapad is a dynamically sensitive compatible eight-pad controller with memory.  It has eight drum pads that can be hit to trigger MIDI notes on its MIDI out port.   It produces no internal sounds but is used as a controller to control other MIDI sound devices.   MIDI sound sources from synthesizers to drum machines can be hooked up to its MIDI out port and assigned to any of the eight pads.  Parameters such as channel and sensitivity are adjustable for each pad.  Up to four different patches can be memorized with, the patch Preset function.


Program Change messages can also be sent from the PAD-8. In addition to the eight pads, six inputs are provided for expansion to using other external pad controllers.


Octapad Pad-8 Video Review & Tutorial Below


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                                        Simmons SDS7 Review and Tutorial                                                                    
                                                                

                    
			

			
		

	
	


					


									
									
				
				
							

		
		
Simmons SDS7 Review and Tutorial

		        


                                        
Simmons SDS7 Review and Tutorial




 Simmons SDS7 Review and Tutorial


 




 




System Overview




This Simmons SDS7 review and tutorial will teach you how to use a Simmons SDS7 drum machine. You will learn about its features and how to program sounds.


    

  • Drum Channels

      

    • 12 different drum channels
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    • Each drum channel produces an analog and digital sound.
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    • Each channel’s analog and digital sound parameters can be adjusted separately
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    • Each drum channel also can have noise and a click sounds mixed into the analog and digital sound
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  • Drum Kits

      

    • 99 programmable drum kits
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    • Drum kits are programmable memory slots for all the 12 drum channels
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Controls




 


    

  • 2 Knobs Per Drum Channel

      

    • The top knob controls the drum pad input trigger sensitivity
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    • The bottom knob controls the sequence input trigger sensitivity
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Simmons SDS7


    

  • The Incrementor

      

    • The incrementor is a multi-function control that does various jobs
      • 

    • When first powered the incrementor selects the drum kit
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Simmons SDS7


    

  • The functions buttons and the program button (red button on the bottom right)
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Simmons SDS7




To change a sound




 


1) Press The Program button (the program light will flash)


Simmons SDS7


2) Rotate the incrementor to select the desired drum kit


Simmons SDS7


3) Press program to select that drum kit


4) Rotate the incrementor to select the desired drum channel (the red program light will flash on the top of the selected drum channel)


.Simmons SDS7


5) Press program to select that drum channel


6) Now all 16 lights will flash


Simmons SDS7


7) Select one of the 16 desired parameters to edit


8) Once the parameter is selected, its light will stay on and its current value will be displayed


Simmons SDS7


9) Rotate the incrementor to change its value


10) To change more parameters for that drum channel before saving, press the currently select parameter (its light will be steady on).


11) All 16 parameter lights will blink


12) Go through this process to change as many parameters as needed, until you are ready to save your edits


13) To save all your edits, press the program button


14) If you want to ignore your changes press any button that is not lit, and you will be returned to the select channel mode


15) If you want to exit the select channel mode press any button that is not lit, and you will be returned to the original play mode where you can select the drum kit


 


 


 




To copy drum channel sounds




 


1) Select drum kit No. 00


2) Press the program button (the prog jigsaw light will be on)


Simmons SDS7


3) Rotate the incrementor to select the desired drum kit to copy sounds from


4) Press program to select that drum kit


5) Rotate the incrementor to select the desired drum channel


6) Press program to select that drum channel to copy sounds from


7) Repeat 5 and 6 to select as many drum channels from that kit you would like to copy


8) When all the drum channels are selected that you want to copy press button “E”


Simmons SDS7


9) Select the kit number to copy the drum channels to


10) Press the “N” button to hear the copied drum channels along with the unselected channels in the new drum kit


Simmons SDS7


11) Press program to overwrite the old channels with the new ones


 


 




 


Inputs and Outputs




 


    

  •  Inputs

      

    • 2 trigger inputs per channel
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    • Sequencer Inputs

        

      • 12 x ¼” trigger inputs
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      • .2v – 15v 2ms positive pulse
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      • maximum trigger occurs at approx 10v
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    •  Drum Pad Inputs

        

      • 12 x XLR trigger inputs
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      • 30mv – 500mv positive pulse
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      • maximum trigger occurs at approx. 450mv
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    • High Hat Pedal
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    • External Kit Select Input (connect a Simmons selector pad to select the drum kits)
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  • Outputs

      

    • 1 x Mono XLR output
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    • 1 x Stereo (1 x Left and 1 x Right) XLR output
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    • 12 x individual XLR drum channel outputs
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  • Both

      

    • Memory Expansion In/Out Proprietary Cable Connection (you can dump the memory for back up to an optional RAM pack
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Important pin-out Information




 


    

  • Output pin connections

      

    • Serial Number 0-249:

        

      • Pin 1 and 2 = Ground
        
Pin 3 = Hot
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    • Serial Numbers 250 and Up:

        

      • Pin 1 and 3 + Ground
        
Pin 2 = Hot
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Other Simmons Links




 


Check out our handpicked audio items for sale


Simmons Official Site


Simmons History and Info


Simmons SDS7 Being Played


Simmons SDS7 Manual