E-MU Systems Orbit V2 Owner's Manual
Orbit V2
OPERATION MANUAL
E-mu Systems, Inc.
Operation Manual
© 1996 E-mu Systems, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
• FI560 Rev. A
E-mu World Headquarters
E-mu Systems, Inc. U.S.A.
P.O. Box 660015
Scotts Valley, CA USA
95067–0015
Telephone: 408-438-1921
Fax: 408-438-8612
Important Notice:
In order to obtain warranty service on your Orbit unit, the serial number sticker
must be intact and you must have a sales receipt or other proof of purchase. If there
is no serial number sticker on your Orbit, please contact E-mu Systems at once.
This product is covered under one or more of the following U.S. patents:
4,404,529; 4,506,579; 4,699,038; 4,987,600; 5,013,105; 5,072,645;
5,111,727; 5,144,676; 5,170,367; 5,248,845; 5,303,309; 5,317,104; 5,342,990;
5,430,244 and foreign patents and/or pending patents. Orbit is a registered
trademark of E-mu Systems, Inc.
Europe, Africa, Middle East
E-mu Systems, Ltd.
Suite 6, Adam Ferguson House
Eskmills Industrial Park
Musselburgh, East Lothian
Scotland, EH21 7PQ
Telephone: +44 (0) 131-653-6556
Fax: +44 (0) 131-665-0473
PRINTED AND MADE IN THE USA
WARNING: READ THIS FIRST!
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Use in countries other than the U.S.A. may require the use of a different line
cord or attachment plug, or both. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock,
refer servicing to qualified service personnel. To reduce risk of fire or electric
shock do not expose this product to rain or moisture.
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
This product must be grounded. If it should malfunction or break down,
grounding provides a path of least resistance for electric current, reducing the
risk of electric shock. This product is equipped with a cord having an
equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be
plugged into an appropriate outlet properly installed and grounded in
accordance with all local codes and ordinances.
DANGER
Improper connection of equipment grounding conductor can result in the
risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician or service personnel
if you are in doubt as to whether the product is properly grounded. Do not
modify the plug provided with this product — if it will not fit the outlet,
have a proper outlet installed by a qualified technician.
CAUTION
If the 9090, Orbit V2 is rack mounted, a standard 19-inch open frame rack
must be used.
USER-MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Orbit should be kept clean and dust free. Periodically wipe the unit with a
clean, lint free cloth. Do not use solvents or cleaners.
2. There are no user lubrication or adjustment requirements.
3. Refer all other servicing to qualified service personnel.
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE,
ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS
WARNING; When using electric products, basic precautions should
always be followed, including the following:
1. Read all instructions before using Orbit.
2. To reduce the risk of injury, close supervision is necessary when Orbit is
used near children.
3. Do not use Orbit near water — for example near a bathtub, washbowl,
kitchen sink, in a wet basement, on a wet bar, or near or in a swimming
pool.
This symbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
important operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
This symbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage
within the product's enclosure
that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
4. Orbit should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere
with its proper ventilation.
5. Orbit should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, fireplaces, stoves, or ovens.
6. Orbit should only be connected to a power supply of the type described in
the operating instructions and as marked on the product.
7. This product, in combination with an amplifier, headphones, and
speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that could cause full or
partial hearing loss or damaged equipment. Do not operate for long
periods of time at high volume levels or at a level that is uncomfortable.
Additionally, care must be taken when programming any of the filters
contained herein using extreme operating parameters. This action could
also produce signals which result in unacceptable high sound levels as
noted previously. If you experience any hearing loss or ringing of the ears
consult your physician.
8. Orbit may be equipped with a polarized line plug (one blade wider that the
other). This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert this plug into the
outlet, do not defeat the safety purpose of the plug. Contact an electrician
to replace your obsolete outlet.
9. The power supply cord of Orbit should be unplugged from the outlet when
left unused for a long period of time.
10. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled
into the enclosure of Orbit through openings.
11. The product should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
A. The power supply cord has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product; or
C. The product has been exposed to rain; or
D. The product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a
marked change in performance; or
E. The product has been dropped or the enclosure damaged.
12. All servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
INTRODUCTION & BASIC SETUP 1
CONTENTS
Introduction
............................................................................................... 3
Orbit Architecture..................................................................................... 4
Connection Instructions.......................................................................... 5
BASIC OPERATION 9
Main Controls
......................................................................................... 11
Selecting MIDI Channels ...................................................................... 12
Selecting Presets...................................................................................... 12
Adjusting Volume & Pan Position...................................................... 12
Beats/Song Mode ................................................................................... 13
Multi-Timbral Operation...................................................................... 17
About Orbit ..............................................................................................18
MASTER MENU 19
Enabling the Master Menu
.................................................................. 21
Master Tune ............................................................................................. 21
Transpose ................................................................................................. 22
Global Bend ............................................................................................. 22
Global Velocity Curve ............................................................................ 22
Mix Output............................................................................................... 24
MIDI Mode .............................................................................24
MIDI Mode Change ................................................................25
MIDI Overflow ........................................................................25
MIDI Enable ...........................................................................25
MIDI Bank Select ....................................................................25
MIDI Program ➔ Preset ........................................................................ 26
Preset Change ........................................................................27
MIDI Controller Assign.......................................................................... 27
X Factor Control .....................................................................................27
Tempo Control ........................................................................................28
Retrigger ...................................................................................................28
MIDI Footswitch Assign ........................................................................29
Send MIDI Data ...................................................................................... 30
Beats MIDI Out ....................................................................................... 31
User Key Tuning ...................................................................................... 31
Song Start/Stop ...................................................................................... 31
Global Tempo.........................................................................32
Beats Control..........................................................................32
CONTENTS
MASTER MENU (continued)
Beats Mode ............................................................................33
Demo Sequence ......................................................................33
Viewing Angle
....................................................................................... 34
PROGRAMMING BASICS 35
Modulation
.............................................................................................. 38
Modulation Sources ...............................................................39
Envelope Generators.............................................................................. 40
Low Frequency Oscillators ................................................................... 41
MIDI Patch ...............................................................................................42
Filter Modulation....................................................................43
What is a Filter? .....................................................................43
Parametric Filters....................................................................46
The Z-Plane Filter ...................................................................46
Orbit Signal Flow....................................................................48
Keyboard & Velocity Modulation ............................................49
Key Number............................................................................50
Velocity Curves .......................................................................50
Realtime Modulation ..............................................................51
MIDI Realtime Controls...........................................................52
Stereo Mix Outputs .................................................................54
EDIT MENU 55
Enabling the Edit Menu
........................................................................ 57
Preset Name ............................................................................................. 58
Primary Instrument ................................................................................ 59
Secondary Instrument ........................................................................... 59
Key Range ................................................................................................. 59
Primary Key Range................................................................................. 60
Secondary Key Range ............................................................................ 60
Coarse Tuning ......................................................................................... 61
Fine Tuning .............................................................................................. 61
Volume ...................................................................................................... 61
Pan ............................................................................................................. 61
Alternate Envelope On/Off ................................................................... 62
Primary Alternate Envelope Parameters........................................... 62
Secondary Alternate Envelope Parameters ...................................... 62
Delay.......................................................................................................... 63
Sound Start .............................................................................................. 63
Reverse Sound.......................................................................................... 63
EDIT MENU (continued)
CONTENTS
Solo Mode
................................................................................................. 64
Portamento Rate .................................................................................... 64
Chorus .......................................................................................................64
Crossfade Mode ...................................................................................... 65
Crossfade Direction ................................................................................ 66
Crossfade Balance ..................................................................66
Crossfade Amount ..................................................................67
Cross-switch Point ..................................................................................67
Primary Filter Type ................................................................................. 67
Primary Filter Cutoff & Q ..................................................................... 69
Secondary Filter Type ............................................................................69
Secondary Filter Cutoff & Q................................................................. 69
Auxiliary Envelope .................................................................................. 70
LFO 1 - Shape & Amount ..................................................................... 71
LFO 1 - Rate, Delay & Variation ..............................................71
LFO 2 - Shape & Amount ........................................................72
LFO 2 - Rate, Delay & Variation ..............................................72
Keyboard & Velocity Modulation Control ................................73
Realtime Modulation Control..................................................74
Footswitch Control................................................................................. 75
Pitch Bend Range....................................................................75
Pressure Amount .....................................................................................75
MIDI Controller Amount....................................................................... 75
Velocity Curve.......................................................................................... 76
Keyboard Center ..................................................................................... 77
Keyboard Tuning ....................................................................77
Mix Output Assign ................................................................................. 78
Preset Links............................................................................................... 78
Save Preset ............................................................................................... 79
STEP-BY-STEP 81
Linking Presets ........................................................................83
Editing Presets
......................................................................................... 84
Changing the Tuning of an Instrument ........................................... 84
Chorus....................................................................................85
Reversing the Instrument ........................................................85
Alternate Volume Envelope.................................................................. 86
Working with the Filter ......................................................................... 87
Using Orbit with a Sequencer ............................................................. 92
More Advanced Sequencing ................................................................92
CONTENTS
REFERENCE SECTION 95
Preset Listing ..........................................................................96
Instrument Listing.................................................................101
Beat Maps ............................................................................105
Technical Specifications ........................................................108
MIDI Specifications ...............................................................109
Warranty..............................................................................125
Index ....................................................................................126
INTRODUCTION
& BASIC SETUP
1Chapter 1: Basic Setup
Orbit V2 Operation Manual2
PHONES
VOLUME
C01 Vol127 Pan=P
1
068 vox:Jaxvox
BEATS
HOME/ENTER
CURSOR
MIDI
POWER
DATA
<>
EDITMASTER
ORBITING THE DANCE PLANET - V2
The Dance Planet is a cool place to be. With over 600 of the earth’s
most cutting edge samples and the introduction of new rhythmic
features, Orbit V2 blasts its way to the forefront as the dance music
machine.
Orbit features 32 voices of polyphony, 640 presets (384 ROM, 256
RAM), and is 16 part multi-timbral. Edit and tweak Orbit’s sounds the
way you like them by using its powerful filters, MIDI synced LFO’s,
and MIDIpatch modulation system. If that’s not enough, Orbit is
equipped with plenty of user-editable “beats”. These drum loops aren’t
going to sound like everybody else, Orbit gives you the flexibility to
alter them to fit your style.
INTRODUCTION
Orbit also gives you the ability to literally take these sounds apart and
reassemble them into a limitless number of entirely new sounds,
combining parts of one sound with another or with any of a selection
of digital waveforms also stored in ROM. The dynamic multimode and
morphing filters allow you to shape and mold your sound into new
dimensions. And creating your own sounds is easy, thanks to Orbit's
logical user interface.
Other features include 3 stereo outputs for individually processing
sounds (also configurable as 6 polyphonic submixes with fully programmable dynamic panning), integral sends and returns to allow the
addition of external effects units without the need for a separate
mixer, user definable alternate tuning, and of course, an extensive
MIDI implementation.
In addition, when coupled with E-mu's Launchpad Performance Control-
ler, Orbit becomes a self-contained interactive groove machine for the
stage or studio. Check it out.
All of us at E-mu hope you have as much fun making music with Orbit
as we had making it. And we can't wait to hear the music YOU make
using it.
3Chapter 1: Basic Setup
ORBIT ARCHITECTURE
Bank Contents
128 RAM Presets
0
128 RAM Presets
1
128 ROM Presets
2
128 ROM Presets
3
128 ROM Presets
4
Orbit is organized as shown in the diagram below.
INSTRUMENT
PRIMARY
PRESET
SECONDARY
INSTRUMENT
The Preset is a complete set of all program parameters for a complete
Orbit sound. The fully programmable user presets and the unalterable
ROM presets are organized into five banks of 128 presets each.
BANKS 0 & 1 USER PRESETS
BANKS 2 - 4 ROM PRESETS
• User Presets can be
moved, erased or modified as
desired.
• ROM Presets cannot be
moved or altered unless they
are first copied to a user
location.
Each preset consists of one or more instruments. An instrument is a
complete set of samples or a digital waveform which covers the entire
keyboard range. An instrument can be assigned to each of the Primary
and Secondary layers of the preset.
The primary and secondary layers are essentially two complete sounds
stacked or placed adjacent to each other, which can be switched or
crossfaded together in various ways.
Up to four presets can be Linked in order to have more than one preset
on the keyboard at a time. The linked presets may overlap each other
for layered sounds or be adjacent to each other to create keyboard
“splits”.
PRIMARY
PRESET
SECONDARY
PRIMARY
PRESET
SECONDARY
PRIMARY
PRESET
SECONDARY
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
Orbit V2 Operation Manual4
PRESET
100-250VAC 50/60 Hz ~
Aux. or
Tape In
MIDI Controller
(MIDI Keyboard, Sequencer, etc.)
Control
Pedal
E-MU SYSTEMS, INC.
Scotts Valley, California U.S.A.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
Male RCA plug
to
Male Phono Plug
MIDI Out
MIDI
To
Main Outs
CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS
SETUP #1 BASIC SETUP
The Headphone
Output is located
on the Front Panel
OUTPUTS
THRUOUTIN
R - SUB2 - L R - SUB1 - L R - MAIN - L
Mixer
Amp
MONO STEREO
Main Outs to Mixer In
▼ The headphone output
monitors the main outputs
only.
The submix outputs do NOT
feed into the headphone
output.
• • • If Orbit does not seem
to be responding correctly,
make sure that both Orbit
and your MIDI controller are
set to the same MIDI channel.
Speakers
Home Stereo
System
Home Studio
System
MIDI In
Orbit is controlled by MIDI messages received at the MIDI In
connector. Connect the MIDI In of the Orbit to the MIDI Out
connector of a MIDI controller such as a MIDI keyboard or MIDI
percussion controller.
Outputs
Orbit is a high quality, stereo audio device. In order to reproduce
its wide dynamic range and frequency response, use a high quality amplification and speaker system such as a keyboard amplifier
or home stereo system. A stereo setup is highly desirable because
of the added realism of stereophonic sound. Headphones can be
used if an amplifier and speaker system is not available. Plug
stereo headphones into the headphone jack located on the left
side of the front panel. The Right Main output jack serves as a
mono output when the Left Main plug is not plugged in.
5Chapter 1: Basic Setup
CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS
SETUP #2 STUDIO SETUP
MIDI Controller
(MIDI Keyboard, Sequencer, etc.)
MIDI Out
Computer
MIDI
Out
MIDI
OutInIn
Additional
MIDI
In
Devices
MIDI In
100-250VAC 50/60 Hz ~
E-MU SYSTEMS, INC.
Scotts Valley, California U.S.A.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
MIDI Switcher
Out In
Out
MIDI
THRUOUTIN
R - SUB2 - L R - SUB1 - L R - MAIN - L
OUTPUTS
Sub 2 Outputs
Sub 1 Outputs
MONO STEREO
Main Outputs
MIDI In
In this setup, Orbit is controlled by MIDI messages received at the
MIDI In connector which have been routed by a MIDI switcher.
The MIDI switcher allows any MIDI controller such as a MIDI
keyboard, MIDI wind controller or a computer to be easily
connected.
MIDI Out
The MIDI Out jack is normally used to transmit program data to a
computer or other device.
Outputs
Orbit has three sets of programmable stereo outputs; Main, Sub 1,
and Sub 2. Specific Orbit presets (or MIDI channels) can be routed
to one of these stereo pairs in order to be further processed or
mixed separately.
Orbit V2 Operation Manual6
MIDI Controller
(Launchpad, MIDI Keyboard, Sequencer)
CONTROLLERS
EDIT PARAMETERS TRANSPOSE
C
OFF
C#
-OCT
+OCT
B
INC
SAVESELECT CONTROL
-2OCT
+2OCT
A#
D
D#
A
-3OCT
+3OCT
E
G#
F
G
DEC
F#
PITCH
LAUNCH PAD
PERFORMANCE CONTROLLER
PERFORMANCE SELECT
SONG BANK PRESET
MIDI CLOCK
TRIGGERS
TRANSPORT
MODULATION
13 6810
TRIGGERS/TRANSPORT
RTZMODE
MIDI CHANNEL
1
16
2
15
3
14
4
5
13
6
12
11
7
8
10
9
PLAY
REC
STOPFFWDREW
11975421
MIDI Out
CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS
SETUP #3 PERFORMANCE SETUP
Additional
MIDI
Devices
MIDI In
E-MU SYSTEMS, INC.
Scotts Valley, California U.S.A.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
100-250VAC 50/60 Hz ~
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
Sub Output
Return
(To Main Output)
Tip Ring
To Effect From Effect
SEND/RETURN CABLE
Signal is sent out on tip of plug and
returned to main outputs via ring of plug.
MIDI
THRUOUTIN
R - SUB2 - L R - SUB1 - L R - MAIN - L
OUTPUTS
MONO STEREO
Send
Send/Return
Effect Device
Main Outs to Mixer In
MIDI In
Orbit is controlled by MIDI messages received at the MIDI In
connector. Connect the MIDI In of Orbit to the MIDI Out connector of a MIDI controller such as E-mu's Launchpad, a MIDI
keyboard, MIDI drum pads or a MIDI sequencer.
MIDI Thru
The MIDI Thru jack is used to connect additional MIDI devices
onto the MIDI chain. MIDI Thru transmits an exact copy of the
messages received at the MIDI In jack.
Outputs
The Sub 1 and Sub 2 output jacks on Orbit are stereo jacks. The
tip of each jack (accessed when a standard phone plug is inserted)
connects to the left or right output of that group.
7Chapter 1: Basic Setup
CONNECTIONS
If a stereo plug is inserted, the Ring of the stereo plug serves as a signal
Return which sums into the Main outputs.
Therefore, the Sub 1 and Sub 2 jacks can serve as effect sends and
returns in order to further process selected instruments and then
return them to the main mix.
••• Inserting a standard
mono phone plug halfway
into the jack allows you to
sum into the main outputs
without a special cable.
The diagram shows the Sub 1 and Sub 2 jacks being used as send/
returns in order to further process selected Orbit presets without using
the effects bus on the mixing board. In a pinch, the effect returns
could also be used to sum additional instruments into the main
outputs.
Output Section
L Bus
R Bus
Tip
Tip
Ring
Tip
Ring
RL
SUB 2
Tip
Ring
Ring
RL
SUB 1
RL
MAINS
The Sub 1 and Sub 2 jacks can be used as effect returns to the Main Outputs.
POWER UP!
The power switch is located on the right side of the front panel. Orbit
and its MIDI controller may be turned on in any order. When power is
applied, the liquid crystal display will light, indicating that Orbit is
operating. You may have noticed that there is no 110/220 Volt power
selector switch on Orbit.
ORBIT AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES ITSELF TO THE
PROPER LINE VOLTAGE.
Orbit V2 Operation Manual8
BASIC
OPERATION
Chapter 2: Basic Operation 9
BASIC OPERATION
Orbit V2 Operation Manual10
MAIN CONTROLS
BASIC OPERATION
VOLUME
CONTROL
VOLUME
PHONES
HEADPHONE
JACK
DISPLAY
C01 Vol127 Pan=P
1
068 vox:Jaxvox
MASTER MENU
SELECT
EDIT MENU
SELECT
EDITMASTER
HOME/ENTER
BEATS
HOME/ENTER
BUTTON
CURSOR
CONTROLS
<>
CURSOR
MIDI
MIDI
ACTIVITY
DATA
DATA ENTRY
CONTROL
Power Switch
Switches AC power to Orbit On and Off.
MIDI Activity LED
Indicates that MIDI data is being received.
Master Menu Select Button
The Master menu contains parameters that affect the entire
machine, not just certain presets. An illuminated LED to the left
of the button indicates that you are in the Master menu.
Edit Menu Select Button
The Edit menu is used when you want to change parameters of a
preset. An illuminated LED to the left of the button indicates that
you are in the Edit menu.
POWER
SWITCH
POWER
Home/Enter Button
The Home/Enter button is used to initiate a particular operation.
The red LED to the left of the enter button flashes to let you know
that Orbit is waiting for your response.
Cursor Controls
These buttons move the cursor to the next parameter on the
display. (The cursor is a little flashing line underneath one of the
parameters in the display.) Press either cursor control repeatedly
until the cursor is underneath the desired parameter. The cursor
can also be moved bi-directionally using the data entry control
while the right cursor select button is being held down (i.e. Press
and hold the right cursor button and turn the data entry knob).
Data Entry Control
The data entry control is a stepped, variable control which is used
to change parameter values. The control increments or decrements the current value one unit with each click. This control
incorporates acceleration (values advance faster if the control is
turned quickly).
Volume Control
This is the master volume control for all audio outputs. Note: For
maximum dynamic range, set this control to full level.
Chapter 2: Basic Operation 11
BASIC OPERATION
MIDI CHANNEL SELECTION
Press the cursor key repeatedly untiil the cursor is underneath the
channel number. (The cursor is a little flashing line underneath one of
the parameters in the display.) Rotate the data entry control to select
MIDI channel 01-16. As the channel is changed, the display will
change to show the preset, volume and pan associated with the
displayed channel.
Volume
• • • If Orbit is not respond-
ing properly or plays the
wrong preset, make sure that
both Orbit and your MIDI
controller are set to the same
MIDI channel and that the
MIDI Volume is turned up.
For more information about
MIDI, see MIDI Realtime
Controls on page 52.
Bank Contents
128 RAM Presets
0
128 RAM Presets
1
128 ROM Presets
2
128 ROM Presets
3
128 ROM Presets
4
MIDI Channel
Program No.
C01 Vol127 Pan=P
0
000 Preset Name
Bank No.
Stereo Position
Program Name
PRESET SELECTION
Press the cursor key repeatedly until the cursor is underneath the
program number. (The cursor is a little flashing line underneath one
of the parameters in the display.) As the data entry control is rotated,
the preset number and name will change. The displayed preset will be
assigned to the displayed MIDI channel. Programs are arranged into 5
banks of 128, as shown in the diagram at left. Banks can be selected
independently of the of the program number by pressing the the
Home/Enter button while turning the data entry knob.
C01 Vol127 Pan=P
0 Preset Name
00
MIDI Channel Parameters
Preset Information
••• Channel Pan should
normally be set to “P” unless
realtime control of panning is
desired. This will allow the
programmed pan setting for
each preset to be used.
CHANNEL VOLUME
Press the cursor key repeatedly until the cursor is underneath the
volume value. Rotate the data entry control to select volume 000-127.
(This is the same parameter as MIDI volume control #7, and changes
made over MIDI will be shown in the display.)
CHANNEL PAN
Press the cursor key repeatedly until the cursor is underneath the pan
value. Rotate the data entry control to select pan values -7 to +7 or
“P”. When “P” is selected, the pan value specified in the preset is
selected. Any other value will override the pan parameter in the preset. (This is the same parameter as MIDI pan control #10, and changes
made over MIDI will be shown in the display.)
Orbit V2 Operation Manual12
BASIC OPERATION
BEATS MODE
Orbit contains a “Beat Sequencer” which can play any of 100 preprogrammed drum sequences called Beats. Any of Orbit's 640 presets
can be used with any beat. The X-Factor control further multiplies the
number of possible beat combinations by changing which instrument
is assigned to each individual drum hit.
Beats can be also linked together to form Songs. Each song can have up
to 10 steps and each step can be programmed to loop up to 64 times
or loop indefinitely. Each step of a song can select a certain beat
pattern, jump to another step in the song, or jump to the beginning of
another song. Because of this jumping capability, songs can be made
as complex as you like. Orbit holds a maximum of 28 songs which can
be quickly and easily transferred to a MIDI sequencer for backup.
To Enter Beats or Song Mode
1. Press and hold both the Master button and the Edit button. The
Beats menu shown below will appear and the Enter LED will be
flashing.
2. Press the Enter button to Start the beat or song. The Enter LED
will be solidly on and the Master and Edit LEDs will flash once
each time the Beat pattern loops.
3. Press either cursor button and use the data entry control to select
a new beat or song, change the tempo, transpose the sequence
(X-Factor) or change the preset. Song numbers are located
immediately after beat 99.
• • • The Beat number can
be selected remotely by using
a MIDI Song Select command. Beats mode can also
be started and stopped via a
MIDI Song Start and Stop
command when the Beats
screen is displayed.
• • • There are four different
Beats modes: Factory,
1:Constant Tempo,
2:Constant T, X, P
3:User Settings
See page 33 for details.
4. Press the Enter button again to Stop the beat or song.
5. Press and hold both the Master button and the Edit button again
to return to the main screen. The song or beat will continue
playing unless you stopped it using the Enter button. The Master
and Edit LEDs will continue to flash, indicating Beats mode is On.
• To Turn Beats Off - Return to the Beats menu and press Enter.
Beats mode plays the preset assigned to MIDI channel 16. If you are in
Multi-mode, you can play along with beats mode on any of the MIDI
channels.
B:03 T:120 X:+00
492 bts:Danzin
Chapter 2: Basic Operation 13
BASIC OPERATION
• • • MIDI Song numbers
(0-127) can select either
Beats (0-99) or Songs
(100-127).
• Beats Mode Parameters
B: Selects the beat number. There are 100 different beats to choose
from.Unless the Master menu Beats mode is set to option 2:Constant T, X, P, the preset will change when you change the beat.
T: Sets the Tempo of the sequence. The tempo is variable from 1 beat-
per-minute to 255 bpm. Turning the tempo all the way down
selects External Clock mode (Ext). In external clock mode, the
tempo is derived from incoming MIDI clock pulses.
X: Selects the “X Factor” or transposition interval. Rather than change
the pitch of the instruments, transposition shifts the keyboard
position up and down. On “Beats” presets this has the effect of
changing the instruments on each beat. By combining the various
beats, presets and transpositions, you can create literally hundreds
of thousands of different grooves. On presets where there is one
sound stretched across the entire keyboard, transpose will
transpose the pitch.
808 Kick
Snare
Chord
Scratch
1 324 1 324
Beat Same Beat
Lawn Mower
Synth Pad
Noise Burst
Deep Kick
Transpose +24
Transposing a “beats” preset shifts the keyboard and changes the sounds assigned to each beat.
SONG MODE
Song mode allows you to link beats together to form more complex
and repeatable song structures. Orbit can record up to 28 songs of up
to 10 events each, numbered E0 through E9.
Tempo
Beat/Song Select
Event No.
S:03 T:120 X:+00
E1 do B23 [01]
X-Factor
No. of Times Played
Event Type
Orbit V2 Operation Manual14
• Song Mode Parameters
S: Selects the Song number from S00 to S27. Moving the data entry
control one increment past B99 selects the first Song (S00).
BASIC OPERATION
T & X: The Tempo and X-Factor can be edited for each event, but will
only be saved and recalled if the Beats Mode in the Master
menu is set to 3:User Settings.
E: Selects the Event number. An Event can do one of the following
things:
• Play a particular Beat, a specified number of times.
S:00 T:120 X:+00
E1: do B:05 [10]
• GoTo a Previous Event, a specified number of times.
➜ plays Beat 05, 10 times
S:00 T:120 X:+00
E2: to E1 [04]
• GoTo a particular new Song.
➜ go back to event E1, play 4 times
S:00 T:120 X:+00
E2: to S05 [--]
• Stop the Song.
➜ go to Song S05 NO REPEATS!
• • • See Beats Mode in the
Master Menu for additional
information.
• • • Note: The first Event
in a Song is always a
“Play Beat” Event.
• Song Beats do not have to
begin at event 00. If you
select Event 05 and press
Enter, the Song will begin
playing from event 5.
If the cursor is underneath
the Song number, the Song
will always begin at Event 0.
S:00 T:120 X:+00
E2: Stop [--]
[ ]: Number of times played from 1 to 64. Repeats are not allowed on
GoTo Song or Stop events. Moving the data entry control one
increment past 64 selects Infinite Repeat [<>].
➜ end of Song NO REPEATS!
Chapter 2: Basic Operation 15
BASIC OPERATION
Beat 21
Play [01]
E0
Beat 30
Play [01]
E1
Beat 62
Play [01]
E2
GoTo E0
Play [<>]
E3
Infinite Repeat
S22
• Song Examples
Because of the Repeat and Jump functions, Songs can be made as
complex as you like. Remember to set Beats mode (in the Master
menu) to “3:User Settings” if you want the Song to play back your
own Tempo, X-Factor and Preset settings.
The diagrams below show a few examples of how songs can be
constructed.
S21
E0
Beat 07
Play [01]
E1
Beat 18
Play [01]
16 times
E2
GoTo E1
Play [16]
E3
Beat 48
Play [01]
E4
Beat 23
Play [01]
E5
Stop
Play [--]
In the above example, beat 7 plays once, and then beat 18 plays once.
At event E2, the song jumps back and repeats E0 and E1. When events
E0 and E1 have looped 16 times, the song moves on to step E3, E4,
and E5, which stops the song.
In the above example, beats 21, 30 and 62 are simply repeated
indefinitely until you turn off Beat/Song mode.
S23
E0
Beat 02
Play [01]
E1
Beat 51
Play [01]
E2
Beat 40
Play [01]
E3
GoTo S20
Play [--]
E0
S20
Beat 7
Play [01]
etc.
Jump to Song 20
Instead of jumping to a previous step, song 23 jumps to song 20 in the
example above. This technique might be used to add a “lead in” to a
previously stored song.
Orbit V2 Operation Manual16
MULTI-TIMBRAL OPERATION
Multi-timbral operation means that Orbit can play more than one
sound at the same time. To access multiple presets on different MIDI
channels simultaneously, follow these instructions:
1. Set the MIDI mode to MULTI-Mode, using the MIDI mode
function in the Master menu (page 24).
2. Decide which MIDI channels you wish the Orbit to receive, and
turn all other channels OFF using the MIDI Enable function in
the Master menu (page 25). Up to 16 channels can be selected
simultaneously!
3. Select the desired preset for each of the MIDI channels you wish
the Orbit to receive using the MIDI Channel/Preset selection
screen (see previous instructions).
4. Orbit will now respond multi-timbrally on the MIDI channels you
have specified. The volume and pan position parameters can be
adjusted over MIDI (for each MIDI channel) or using the Cursor
and Data Entry control in the MIDI Channel/Preset selection
screen.
BASIC OPERATION
Channel 01
Channel 02
Channel 03
Channel 16
Each of the 16 MIDI channels can be assigned to play a specific Orbit preset.
Volume
Pan
Volume
Pan
Volume
Pan
Volume
Pan
PRESET
PRESET
PRESET
PRESET
Chapter 2: Basic Operation 17
BASIC OPERATION
ABOUT ORBIT
Orbit utilizes digital recordings of real instruments for the basis of its
sound. This is similar to a tape recorder except that inside the Orbit,
the sounds are permanently recorded on digital memory chips.
To perform this modern miracle, sounds and instrument waveforms
are first digitally recordered or “sampled”. After the sounds and
waveforms have been truncated, looped and processed, they are
“masked” into the Orbit ROM (Read Only Memory) chips.
Conceptually, the sampling process is very simple, as shown in the
Basic Sampling System diagram. As a sound wave strikes the
diaphragm of a microphone, a corresponding voltage is generated. To
sample the sound, the voltage level is repeatedly measured at a very
high rate and the voltage measurements are stored in memory. To play
the sound back, the numbers are read back out of memory, converted
back into voltages, then amplified and fed to a speaker which converts
the voltage back into sound waves. Of course, playing back 32
channels at different pitches tends to complicate matters, but this is
basically how it works. In Orbit, we have left out the Analog/Digital
converter stage since the sounds are already sampled for you.
Analog/Digital
Converter
1011001
1011001
Basic Sampling System
Orbit
Memory
10100101001
01010010100
10101010100
10101001010
Z-Plane Filter Amplifier
3V
0V
-3V
Digital/Analog
Converter
1011001
-1V -2V3V-1V-2V3V1V
Orbit V2 Operation Manual18
MASTER
MENU
Chapter 3: Master Menu 19
MASTER MENU
Orbit V2 Operation Manual20
The Master menu contains functions that affect the overall operation
of Orbit. For example, changing the Master Tune will change the
tuning of all the presets, not just the one currently displayed.
To enable the Master menu
Press the Master key, lighting the LED. The current screen will be
the one most recently selected since powering up Orbit. The
cursor will appear underneath the first character of the screen
heading on line one.
To select a new screen
Press the cursor key repeatedly (or hold the right cursor key while
turning the data entry control) until the cursor is underneath the
screen title heading. Rotate the data entry control to select an-
other screen.
To modify a parameter
Press the cursor key repeatedly (or hold the right cursor key while
turning the data entry control) until the cursor is underneath the
parameter value. Rotate the data entry control to change the
value.
MASTER MENU
To return to Preset Select mode
Press the Master key, turning off the LED.
MASTER MENU FUNCTIONS
• Master Tune
Master Tune adjusts the overall tuning of all presets so that Orbit can
be tuned to other instruments. The master tuning range is ± 1
semitone in 1/64th semitone increments. A master tune setting of
“00” would indicate that the Orbit is perfectly tuned to concert pitch
(A=440 Hz).
MASTER TUNE
+63
Chapter 3: Master Menu 21
MASTER MENU
• Transpose
This function transposes the key of Orbit in half-step intervals by
shifting the keyboard position relative to middle C.. The transpose
range is ± 12 semitones or one octave.
TRANSPOSE
+12 semitones
• Global Bend
This function sets the range of the pitch wheel only when it is routed
to control pitch. The maximum pitch bend range is ± 12 semitones.
This function only affects presets which have their individual pitch
bend range set to global.
GLOBAL BEND
+/- 12 semitones
• Global Velocity Curve
Incoming velocity data can be modified by a velocity curve in order to
provide different types of dynamics in response to your playing or to
better adapt to a MIDI controller. This function allows you to select
one of eight global velocity curves or leave the velocity data unaltered
(off). Global velocity curve only affects presets which have their
individual velocity curve set to global.
GLOBAL VEL CURVE
8
Orbit V2 Operation Manual22
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