Generalmusic GEM GM-X User Manual

DIGITAL KEY BOARDS

owners manual

•English

gm-x

SPECIAL MESSAGES

ALARM SYMBOLS:

Generalmusic electronics prod ucts

could present la bels sim i lar to that

dis played in this section. Please follow

ac cu rate ly the pre cau tions descripted

in the safety instructions.

The exclamation mark within an equi lat er al triangle is
intended to alert.

The lightning fl ash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilat­eral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclo­sure that may be of suffi cient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To reduce the risk related to the correct and normal use of the instrument, all Generalmusic products are accuralety tested
in a safety laboratory. DO NOT modify the present unit, the safety standard and the correct instrument operativity could be com pro mised, and as
a further con se quence the warranty will be invalidated.

This marking shown on the product or its literature, indicates that it should
not be disposed with other household wastes at the end of its working life. To
prevent possible harm to the enviroment or human health from uncontrolled
waste disposal, please separate this from other types of wastes and recycle it
responsibly to promote the sustainable reuse of material resources. Household
users should contact either the retailer where they purchased this product, or
their local government offi ce, for details of where and how they can take this
item for environmentally safe recycling. Business users should contact their
supplier and check the terms and conditions of the purchase contract. This
product should not be mixed with other commercial wastes for disposal.

The declaration of conformity can be downloaded from the

Generalmusic website:www.generalmusic.com

IMPORTANT SAFETY AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

INSTRUCTION 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 the Safety and Installation instructions and explanations of Graphic Symbols before using the product.

2. This product must be earthed. If it should malfunction or breakdown, grounding provides a path of least resistance for electric
current to reduce 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 that is properly installed and earthed in accordance with all
local codes and ordinances.
DANGER:Improper connection of the equipment grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock. Check with a qualifi ed electrician or serviceman if you are
in doubt as to whether the product is properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with the product, if it will not fi t the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a
qualifi ed electrician.

3. To reduce the risk of injury, close supervision is necessary when this product is used near children.

4. Do not use this product near water for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement, or near a swimming
pool or the like.

5. This product should only be used by a stand or cart that is recommended by the manufacturer.

6. This product, either alone or in combination with an amplifi er and headphones or speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that could
cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of time at a high volume level or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you experience
any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist.

7. This product should be located so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation.

8. This product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other products that produce heat.

9. The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the product.

10. This product may be equipped with a polarized line plug (one blade wider than the other). This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug
into the outlet, contact an electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the plug.

11. The power-supply cord of the product should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time. When unplugging the power
supply cord, do not pull on the cord but grasp it by the plug.

12. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.

13. The product should be serviced by qualifi ed service personnel when:
A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product;or
C. The products has been exposed to rain or moisture
D. The product does not appear to be operating normally or exhibits a marked change in performance
E. The product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

14. Do not attempt to service the product beyond that described in the user-maintenance instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualifi ed
service personnel.

15. WARNING - Do not place objects on product power cord or place it in a position where anyone could trip over, walk on or roll anything over it. Do
not allow the product, or its bench, or its pedal board to rest on or to be installed over power cords of any type. Improper installations of this type
create the possibility of fi re hazard and/or personal injury.

16. Electromagnetic interference (RFI). This electronic product utilizes digital sampled wave processing technology (S.W.P.) that may adversely affect
radio/tv reception. Read FCC information inside back cover for additional information.

Generalmusic cannot be held responsible for damage caused by improper use or mod i fi ca tions to the

instrument, or data lost or destroyed

Technical specifi cations are subject to change

The information contained in this manual are considered correct at the moment of printing. Generalmusic reserves the
right to change or modify any technical spec i fi ca tion with out prior notice or obbligation to upgrade existing units.

The illustrations and the screens of this manual are for instructional purposes only and may appear different from

those on your instrument.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

M A N U A L I N D E X

MANUAL INDEX

Introduction
Rear panel and connections
Getting started
Connect a speaker system
Power the expander
Connect to a PC
Connect to a PC via midi
Connect to a PC via usb
Connect a midi master controller
Connect pedals
Using the input connection
Start the gm-x
The default mode (gm2)
Listen to the demo sequence
Edit the default mode (gm2)

Selecting the parts (ch) in gm2 mode
Selecting the parameters to edit in the selected parts (ch): sound
Selecting the parameters to edit in the selected parts (ch): volume
Selecting the parameters to edit in the selected parts (ch): velocity
Selecting the parameters to edit in the selected parts (ch): transpose
Selecting the parameters to edit in the selected parts (ch): tune
Selecting the parameters to edit in the selected parts (ch): efx
Selecting the parameters to edit in the selected parts (ch): rev

The mode "ALL" in edit menu
The performance mode
Enter the performance mode
Select the performances

Manual recalling
Midi recalling

Edit the performance
Memorize the performance
Store the edit in the same performance location
Store the edit in a different performance location
Exit the performance store
Copy the performance
Memory management system
Common channel setting
Midi identification number
System reset
Midi data bulk dump
Sound list
Performance list
Midi implementation chart
Technical specifications

1

1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5

5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
9

9
10
10
10
10
11
14
12
12
12
13
14

15/16
17/18

19
19

GM-X Product Package

• gm-x expander

• Owners manual

• Gem PC - Software Editor

• AC Adapter

• MIDI Cable

owners manual

gm-x

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations & thank you for purchasing the GEM gm-x Expander. Utilizing our pro­prietary DRAKE technology, the gm-x produces a vast variety of sounds with exceptional
quality. The gm-x also incorporates an intuitive, yet easy to use operational interface that
will satisfy even the most demanding live or professional studio applications.

FRONT PANEL

4 5 6

2 3

1

7

8

1

phones edit

Two headphones may be connected to the module.

2

perf

The perf button (PERFORMANCE), select the
performance mode. See the relative chapter, in this
manual.

3

midi

This led monitors the midi data received at the midi
input of the module.

4

display

The 3 digit display visualizes the values and the
parameters of the various editing levels.

REAR PANEL AND CONNECTIONS

3

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5

This is used for entering the edit mode and select the
editing parameters.

6

volume

the Volume knob, sets the output level of the
instrument.

7

data entry/demo

These buttons allow you to modify the parameter
values. Both pressed at the same time will start the
demo sequence.

8

on/off

Turns the module on or off.

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1

12 D.C. in

AC adapter input. In order to avoid possible damage
to the instrument, please only use the adaptor supplied
or specifi ed for this instrument.

2

USB

USB connection to the PC. Use this connection with a
proper USB cable to connect the module to a PC. See
the relative chapter in this manual.

3

MIDI IN-THRU-OUT

The three standard MIDI ports allows the connection of
the instrument to a MIDI controller, such as a Master
keyboard a Midi Accordion or a PC (equipped with
MIDI interface).

4

PEDALS

You may connect two types of pedals to the expander.
An expression pedal to Input #2 and a Gem Multipedal
unit to Input #1.

5

INPUT

The INPUT RCA connectors allows you to plug an
external (Line) source to the instrument. Consult the
relative chapter of this user manual.

6

OUTPUT

Connect the instrument to an external speaker system
or a Mixer.

Page 1

owners manual

1

2

3

MIDI fi les Player

Software

GETTING STARTED

The Gem Gm-x expander is a top quality sound generator, designed to be used in the following ways :

1

Connected to desktop or laptop PC via MIDI to play standard midifi les

Connected to desktop or laptop PC via USB to play standard midifi les

2

Played via MIDI from a MIDI master controller such as a digital piano, a master keyboard,

3

a MIDI guitar, a MIDI Accordion.

In this chapter we will cover all the basic steps necessary to properly connect and use the instrument.

POWER THE EXPANDER

gm-x

Connect the adapter to a proper voltage A.C. wall

1

plug.

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CONNECT A SPEAKER SYSTEM

Connect audio output of the expander to your live or

2

studio speaker system.

The gm-x expander is a professional sound generator with a
top quality pcm / physical modelling sound library. Always use
an adequate stereo external speaker system in order to get the
maximum performance from this instrument.

Set the

global

Start the

volume

gm-x

NOTE: always turn on the amplifi er of your system after all the others devices.

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Page 2

CONNECT TO A PC

The Gm-x expander can be connected to a PC in two different ways: using the MIDI or the USB (Universal Serial
Bus) interface. Using the MIDI the PC has to be equipped with a proper MIDI interface (see the note below), in
case of USB it's possible to use directly the PC USB built-in connection. In both case, MIDI or USB, the transfer
rate and the features of the protocol comply with the standard MIDI specifi cations, the only difference is the
connections type.

After successfully installing suitable player software in your PC, you will be able to play standard MIDI fi les.

MIDI fi les Player

Software

NOTE: Normally a desktop PC offers MIDI connection from an installed audio card. The type of the connection is
dependant from the model of the audio card. In relation to this, please refer to the owners manual of your PC &
or audio card.

owners manual

SPEAKER SYSTEM

to the speaker system

D.C. adapter

USB cable

MULTIMEDIA SPEAKER

PC MIDI OUT

AUDIO CARD - LINE IN -

PC MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

gm-x

CONNECT TO A PC VIA MIDI

We will assume that a MIDI interface along with software to play MIDI fi les is correctly installed in your PC. Please refer to the
operating instructions of these devices to properly confi gure the PC to transmit standard MIDI fi les via the MIDI OUT socket.

MIDI IN

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With this confi guration, selecting and playing a standard MIDI fi le from the player
software installed in your computer the expander will play the sequence.

REMEMBER! The MIDI interface does not transmit AUDIO signals, just control
data only. You must always connect the audio output of the MIDI instrument
(such as the gm-x) you are controlling, to an external speaker system

SPEAKER SYSTEM

If your computer is equipped with a multimedia speaker system, it's possible to connect the gm-x to directly the
computer speaker in the following way:

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MULTIMEDIA SPEAKER

Using this type of connection it's possible to listen to the gm-x sounds from the computer speakers, meanwhile the
overall instrument level will be set from the Windows

AUDIO CARD - LINE IN -

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PC MIDI OUT

®

multimedia mixer, or from the control drive of other Operat-

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ing System you might have installed in your PC.

CONNECT TO A PC VIA USB

As previously noted, the only difference in MIDI or USB is only the type of connections, the data transfer rate and the
features are the same in both cases.

to the speaker system

USB cable

D.C. adapter

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Not included

For instruction on this feature, please refer to the CD ROM included with the expander.

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Page 3

owners manual

SPEAKER SYSTEM

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

AUDIO OUT

EXPRESSION pedal

Perfor-

mance

UP

Perfor-

mance

DOWN

Sound
LONG/
SHORT

Track
MUTE

FX

Bypass

Note

Trigger

MULTIPEDAL

SUSTAIN pedal

SUSTAIN pedal

PIANO TYPE

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

MIDI MASTER KEYBOARD

MIDI OUT

MIDI ACCORDION

MIDI IN

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

MIDI THRU

AUDIO

OUTPUT TO

SPEAKER

MIDI IN

INPUT

OUTPUT

Rear Panel

gm-x

CONNECT A MIDI MASTER CONTROLLER

The gm-x module can be used as a powerful sound expansion for any type of MIDI controller, digital piano,
master keyboard, MIDI guitar and accordion.

MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

MIDI MASTER KEYBOARD

MIDI ACCORDION

MIDI OUT

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In order to achieve the maximum control of the gm-x, please refer to this next chapter where the different parts of the
instrument will be fully explained.

CONNECT PEDALS

Independently of the MIDI or USB controller you're using with the gm-x, it's possible to connect directly to
the module various type of pedals: single switch, multi switch, continuos control.

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The EXPRESSION

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EXPRESSION pedal

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SUSTAIN pedal

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PIANO TYPE

MULTIPEDAL

pedal can be con­nected to the Pedal
Input #2 only

code #970013

prod. code

#970116

prod. code

#970134

Track
MUTE

Perfor-

mance

UP

prod. code #970464

FX

Bypass

Perfor-

mance

DOWN

Note

Trigger

Sound
LONG/
SHORT

It is not possible to change these parameters set from the gm-x internal edit menu. However using the advanced PC editor
supplied with the module, it’s possible to edit some of these parameters in a very detailed way.

Note: In the Sound list (page 15/16) you will fi nd Sounds with the (PED) Sign. These are “Special Sound” properly designed to be realtime
switched for example, from a Soft Sax to a Growl Sax, from slow rotary Organ to fast and so on, only by pressing a pedal, with a very
impressive results. For this purpose you can use:

•The GM-X PEDAL input (1 or 2), using a Multipedal unit with the default GM-X confi guration and pressing the PED #3 LONG/SHORT
corresponding to the standard MIDI CC # 67 (SOFT).

•The GM-X PEDAL Input 2 using a single switch pedal. This Pedal input it’s already set on the MIDI CC# 67 (SOFT)

•An external MIDI controller using a pedal properly connected and programmed to transmit the CC# 67 (SOFT).”

USING THE INPUT CONNECTION

The gm-x is equipped with RCA stereo input connections. These jacks allow you to connect another instru­ment (or external LINE audio source) and mix the signal into the audio OUTPUT of the module.

Please note that the external mixed signal will be not processed in any way from the gm-x, this is a dry input only.

AUDIO OUT

MIDI OUT

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MIDI IN

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SPEAKER SYSTEM

This connection allows you to use two mixer inputs to connect a digital piano and the gm-x at the same time.

In the same way, using the input connection it's possible to connect a rp-x (piano sound module), to a gm-x.

MIDI OUT

Page 4

OUTPUT

MIDI IN

MIDI THRU

rp-x

Rear Panel

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INPUT

AUDIO

OUTPUT TO

SPEAKER

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