The lightning flash 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 sufficient magnitude
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER
(OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The exclamation mark within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.
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 qualified 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 fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified 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 amplifier 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 qualified service personnel when:
A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product; or
C. The products has been exposed to rain; or
D. The product does not appear to be operating normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
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 qualified 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 fire 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.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
MUSICPROCESSORS
OWNER’S MANUAL
Registered trademarks cited in this publication
Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore/Amiga, Inc. Akai and Akai S1000 are registered trademarks of Akai
Professional. Apple File Exchange and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Atari and Atari ST
are registered trademarks of the Atari Corporation. Sound Designer is a registered trademark of DigiDesign, Inc. Notator
and Notator Logic are registered trademarks of Emagic GmbH. AccesPC is a registgered trademark of Insignia Solutions,
Inc. MS-DOS and Wave are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. Avalon and Cubase are registered
trademarks of Steinberg Research GmbH. Sample Vision is a registered trademark of Turtle Beach Systems, Inc. All other
trademarks cited are the property of the respective manufacturer.
********************************
The information contained in this publication has been carefully prepared and checked. However, no responsibility will be
taken for eventual errors. All rights are reserved and this document may not be copied, photcopied or reproduced in part or
in whole without prior consent from Generalmusic S.p.A.. Generalmusic S.p.A. reserves the right to apply whatever
aesthetic, design or functional modifications are considered necessary to any of their products without prior notice.
Generalmusic S.p.A. assumes no responsibility for the use or application of the products or circuits described herein.
This symbol, silkscreened on the instrument’s back panel, is an indication that the S Series unit incorporates
two rechargeable Ni/Cd (Nickel-Cadmium) batteries which are recharged while the instrument is in use.
These batteries maintain data intact (when the instrument is off) in the Ram (if installed), and any userprogrammed data in
EDIT GENERAL
(date, time, footswitch polarity and operating status, General MIDI
compatibility, Dynamic and Aftertouch sensitivity in S2/S3 and the Sound Test note in S2R).
SUBJECT INDEX
This index lists all the subjects discussed in the manual. Each subject shows the section and relative chapter where
the subject appears.
For example, “Song-load from disk, P2, R11” shows that the description of the procedure to load a Song from disk
is described in the Practical Guide section, chapter 2 and also in the Reference section, chapter 11.
RReference
Song
- load from diskP2, R11
- load as Midi-fileP4, R11
- save to diskP3, R11
- save as Midi-fileP4, R11
- erase from memoryP7, R9
- copy to another Bank/SongR16
- create a Bank/SongP7, R8
- Edit SongR9
Sequencer
- controlsP6, R8
- select a SongU/S, P6, R8
- playback a SongP6, R8
- record a SongP9, R8
Performance
- how to programme a PerformanceP8, R3
- programming the tracksP8, R4
- viewing options of the tracksU/S, R1
Sound
- Sound Library
load from disk (as a Sound Library Setup )P2, R11
save to disk (as a Sound Library Setup )P3, R11
import a Song from diskR12
organisationR12
- selection (and assignment to a track)
from the control panelU/S
via MidiP12
- Edit Sound
select the type of SoundR5
select the WaveformR5
creat a WaveformST, R6
definition of an EnvelopeP11
definition of TrackingP11
- Real time Sound editingP10
- Edit Sound via MIDIP14
Effects
- Effects BypassU/S
- Effects Libraries
loading from disk (as an Effects Libraries Setup)P2, R11
save to disk (as an Effects Libraries Setup)P3, R11
organisationR13
About the S Series instruments ...................................................................................................................................... 2
How to use this manual .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Convention used in the manual ...................................................................................................................................... 4
& ITS EDIT/DATA HANDLING CAPACITY ....................................... 13
OVERVIEW OF THE INSTRUMENT .......................................................................................................14
The Music Processor concept ...................................................................................................................................... 14
Filters and Sounds............................................................................................................................................................. 15
Bank/Song and Performance........................................................................................................................................ 16
The Track playing mode .................................................................................................................................................... 16
The mixer........................................................................................................................................................................... 17
“Mute” and “Solo”........................................................................................................................................................... 17
Sources and Destinations............................................................................................................................................. 18
Internal memory and disks............................................................................................................................................ 19
Overview of the data and the memorising facilities (floppy disk and Ram-disk).............................................................. 19
The data............................................................................................................................................................................. 19
MODES OF OPERATION: NORMAL, EDIT/HANDLING......................................................................... 20
Normal operative mode..................................................................................................................................................... 20
The pages..................................................................................................................................................................... 21
The menus.................................................................................................................................................................... 22
The structure and selection of the menus .......................................................................................................................... 22
Main menu and secondary menus ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Escape from edit/handling ............................................................................................................................................ 24
Analysis of the ‘edit sound’ edit environment ................................................................................................................... 24
Analysis of two edit/handling environments.................................................................................................................. 24
The “Are you sure?” display............................................................................................................................................. 24
Analysis of the ‘disk’ handling environment ..................................................................................................................... 25
4. INSTALLATION, POWER UP, DEMO ........................................... 27
CONNECTING THE POWER CABLE ..................................................................................................... 28
CONNECT THE AUDIO CABLES............................................................................................................ 28
Connecting to an external amplification system ............................................................................................................... 28
S2R: CONNECTING TO A MASTER KEYBOARD OR TO AN EXTERNAL SEQUENCER .................... 29
Connecting to a Master keyboard................................................................................................................................. 29
Connect the Midi ports...................................................................................................................................................... 29
Connecting to a monosplit master keyboard (via Midi-Common) .................................................................................... 29
Connecting to a multisplit master keyboard ..................................................................................................................... 29
Connecting to an external sequencer ........................................................................................................................... 30
Connecting the Midi ports................................................................................................................................................. 30
Check the track status of the midi in Source ..................................................................................................................... 30
Deactivation of Midi-Common.......................................................................................................................................... 30
How to deactivate the Midi-Common channel .............................................................................................................. 31
Save the Midi-Common status to disk .......................................................................................................................... 31
How to save the Midi-Common status to floppy disk ........................................................................................................ 31
Save the Midi-Common status to the Ram-disk................................................................................................................. 32
POWER UP.............................................................................................................................................. 33
Powering up with empty disk drive RAM-disk .................................................................................................................. 33
Powering up with a floppy disk inserted in the drive........................................................................................................ 33
Powering up with data in the RAM-disk ........................................................................................................................... 33
Regulating the volume....................................................................................................................................................... 33
Before turning off the instrument... ................................................................................................................................... 33
Sound Test in the main display.......................................................................................................................................... 34
Sound Test in the Sample Translator................................................................................................................................. 34
The ROM demonstration Song ..................................................................................................................................... 35
The “Demo Disk 01” and “Demo Disk 02” demo songs ................................................................................................ 35
Load the contents of “Demo Disk 01” automatically ....................................................................................................... 35
Play back the “Demo Disk 01” demo songs ..................................................................................................................... 35
Interrupt the “Demo Disk 01” demo songs ...................................................................................................................... 35
GENERAL INDEXIII
Load the contents of “Demo Disk 02” in Ram ................................................................................................................. 36
Playback the “Demo Disk 02” demo song ....................................................................................................................... 36
Cancel the “Demo Disk 02” demo song from the Music Processor’ s memory ................................................................ 36
5. USER INTERFACE / SELECTION................................................ 37
DATA ENTRY COMMANDS ..................................................................................................................... 38
Dial, +1/> and -1/<, Enter, Exit...................................................................................................................................... 38
How to specify numeric data............................................................................................................................................. 38
How to enter alphabetic characters .................................................................................................................................. 39
Navigating with the Dial, Enter and Exit........................................................................................................................ 39
Use of the numeric keypad to navigate in the menus................................................................................................... 40
MIDI OFF (S2/S3) ............................................................................................................................................................ 41
“Save Performance” in S2/S3........................................................................................................................................... 44
“Save Performance” in S2R ............................................................................................................................................. 44
BANK/SONG AND PERFORMANCE SELECTION................................................................................. 45
Selecting the Bank/Songs and Performances in S2/S3................................................................................................ 45
Selecting with the buttons of the Bank/Song and Performance sections .......................................................................... 45
Selecting the Bank/Songs and Performances in S2R .................................................................................................. 45
Selecting in “Performance” mode .................................................................................................................................... 45
Selecting Bank/Song and Performances in “Sounds” mode............................................................................................. 45
Selecting in “Performance” mode .................................................................................................................................... 45
Selecting a Performance of the active Bank/Song in “Sounds” mode.............................................................................. 45
Selecting Sounds with the Dial (or the +1/> and -1/< buttons) ....................................................................................... 46
Selecting Sounds with the alphanumeric keypad .............................................................................................................. 46
Selecting Sounds directly from the Sound Library ............................................................................................................ 46
Visualisation of the tracks that can be played on a keyboard........................................................................................... 47
Visualisation of the tracks that can be played via Midi In (not Midi-Common)............................................................... 47
Visualisation of the tracks played by a Song..................................................................................................................... 47
TRACK PLAYING MODE......................................................................................................................... 48
Track playing modes available for each Source ............................................................................................................... 48
Description of the track playing modes ............................................................................................................................ 48
i How to set a split point for the split track playing mode ................................................................................................ 49
Play ................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
1 PREPARE A WORK DISK WITH THE S SERIES DISK DRIVE.......................................................... 52
2 LOAD THE CONTENTS OF A DISK INTO MEMORY ......................................................................... 53
Load all the instrument’s data from disk ........................................................................................................................... 53
Load a Group of Bank/Songs ............................................................................................................................................ 54
Load a Single Bank/Song .................................................................................................................................................. 54
Load a Setup...................................................................................................................................................................... 55
3 SAVE THE CONTENTS OF MEMORY TO DISK................................................................................. 57
Save all the instrument’s data to disk................................................................................................................................ 57
Save all the Bank/Songs in a Group.................................................................................................................................. 58
Save a single Bank/Song ................................................................................................................................................... 58
Save a single Setup............................................................................................................................................................ 59
4 LOAD AND SAVE A MIDI-FILE............................................................................................................ 61
Memory format and Midi-files .......................................................................................................................................... 61
Compatibility of the sounds (Midi-files in General Midi/GS standard)............................................................................ 61
Activation of the General Midi/GS compatibility.............................................................................................................. 61
Load a Midi-file ............................................................................................................................................................. 62
Save a Midi-file ............................................................................................................................................................. 63
5 OVERVIEW OF THE DISKS SUPPLIED WITH THE INSTRUMENT .................................................. 65
“Demo Disk 01”............................................................................................................................................................. 65
The Bank/Song directory................................................................................................................................................... 65
The Setup directory ........................................................................................................................................................... 66
Check the Ram-Sounds contained in Demo Disk 01 ......................................................................................................... 67
Load the Bank/Songs and Setups from Demo Disk 01...................................................................................................... 67
“Demo Disk 02”............................................................................................................................................................. 68
Load the new pianoforte from Demo Disk 02 ................................................................................................................... 68
The “Hardcopy” program................................................................................................................................................. 69
The “Disk_Dir” program.................................................................................................................................................. 69
The “Copy_Prg” program ................................................................................................................................................ 69
6 SONG PLAYBACK / THE SEQUENCER CONTROLS........................................................................ 70
Load a Song using the standard procedure....................................................................................................................... 70
Use Preload to load a Song in background ...................................................................................................................... 70
How to select the Song ...................................................................................................................................................... 70
The Sequencer ................................................................................................................................................................... 71
7 CREATE OR MODIFY THE BANK/SONGS ......................................................................................... 72
Cancel Song 1 (Demo) ................................................................................................................................................. 72
Prepare a start-up disk to power up without Song 1 (Demo)........................................................................................ 72
Record a new Song using the Performances of an existing Bank/Song ...................................................................... 73
Using a Bank/Song already present in memory ................................................................................................................ 73
Using a Bank/Song contained in a disk............................................................................................................................. 73
Create a new Bank/Song.............................................................................................................................................. 74
Cancel one of the 10 default Bank/Songs present in memory ........................................................................................... 74
Create a completely new Bank/Song................................................................................................................................. 74
8 EDITING THE PERFORMANCES ....................................................................................................... 75
Create, copy and cancel the tracks .............................................................................................................................. 75
How to cancel tracks ......................................................................................................................................................... 75
How to create tracks ......................................................................................................................................................... 75
Copy a track to another..................................................................................................................................................... 76
GENERAL INDEXV
How to assign the Sounds to the tracks ....................................................................................................................... 76
Select the Sounds from the main display........................................................................................................................... 76
Select the Sounds from the Sound Library ........................................................................................................................ 76
Set the tracks to Play or Mute....................................................................................................................................... 77
How to vary the track Volumes with the Function Controllers ......................................................................................... 77
How to vary the Volumes in edit performance/tracks ....................................................................................................... 78
How to vary the track transposition in the track transposer ............................................................................................ 78
How to vary the track transposition in edit performance/tracks ...................................................................................... 79
How to assign the Effects to a Performance ..................................................................................................................... 79
How to engage the Effects to the tracks ............................................................................................................................ 80
How to activate and programme the pedals and wheels .............................................................................................. 80
How to assign a function to a pedal and wheel ................................................................................................................ 80
How to activate/deactivate the pedals and wheels for the tracks ..................................................................................... 81
Save the modifications to the Performance .................................................................................................................. 81
9 HOW TO RECORD A SONG ............................................................................................................... 82
What is a Song?................................................................................................................................................................. 82
The Song tracks ................................................................................................................................................................. 82
Prepare the tracks for the recording ................................................................................................................................. 82
Activate Record mode and select the recording options ................................................................................................... 83
Select the parameters of the Song ..................................................................................................................................... 84
The Song pointer (locator) ................................................................................................................................................ 84
Now record the Song ......................................................................................................................................................... 85
10 REAL TIME SOUND EDITING........................................................................................................... 86
The S2/S3 hardware Function Controllers.................................................................................................................... 86
User mode ......................................................................................................................................................................... 88
The S2R Function Controller ........................................................................................................................................ 88
Save the modifications to the Performance .................................................................................................................. 89
11 EDITING SOUNDS IN THE STUDIO ................................................................................................. 90
Types of Sound............................................................................................................................................................. 90
The three fundamental Sound types .................................................................................................................................. 90
The combinations: Sound Patch and Drumkits................................................................................................................. 90
The filters and the Cutoff-frequency.................................................................................................................................. 91
The filter envelopes ........................................................................................................................................................... 92
Types of Envelopes ............................................................................................................................................................ 92
Programming the envelopes.............................................................................................................................................. 92
Types of Tracking .............................................................................................................................................................. 93
Programming the Tracking ............................................................................................................................................... 93
Lfo, Pitch, Pan .............................................................................................................................................................. 94
Pan .................................................................................................................................................................................... 94
Memorising the Sound in the Sound Library................................................................................................................. 95
VIGENERAL INDEX
Escape from edit sound ..................................................................................................................................................... 95
Escape edit sound and cancel the modifications............................................................................................................... 95
Escape from edit sound saving the Sound in the Sound Library....................................................................................... 95
Save the Sound Library to disk.......................................................................................................................................... 95
12 SELECTING THE SOUNDS VIA MIDI...............................................................................................96
Selecting the Sounds with Bank Select and Program Change..................................................................................... 96
The Program Change ........................................................................................................................................................ 96
The Bank Select (Midi Controller 0) ................................................................................................................................. 96
Select the Sounds via the Performance Change event ................................................................................................ 98
Programming the Midi-Common channel......................................................................................................................... 98
Select the Performances via Midi-Common...................................................................................................................... 98
13 SELECTING THE EFFECTS VIA MIDI............................................................................................ 100
Programming the Midi-Common channel....................................................................................................................... 100
Controlling the Effects via Midi-Common ...................................................................................................................... 100
14 EDITING SOUNDS VIA MIDI........................................................................................................... 101
15 PROGRAMMING WITH AN EXTERNAL SEQUENCER — PERFORMANCE 10 OF BANK/SONG 1 ... 102
SAMPLE TRANSLA TOR 2.0.................................................................................................................. 106
About Sample Translator................................................................................................................................................. 106
Waveforms and multi-samples......................................................................................................................................... 106
Temporary escape from Sample Translator .................................................................................................................... 107
The “Waveform” display.............................................................................................................................................. 108
The “Waveform” command functions ............................................................................................................................. 108
1. Loading a sample contained in a Ram-Sound............................................................................................................. 109
2. Loading a sample via MIDI ........................................................................................................................................ 109
3. Loading samples from Ms-Dos/Atari floppy disks ....................................................................................................... 111
4. Loading Samples and Programs from an Akai S1000 floppy disk ...............................................................................112
Assigning samples to a keyboard range (“Assign”) .....................................................................................................114
Re-assigning limits after an Unassign command.............................................................................................................115
The “Info about” display ...............................................................................................................................................118
“Length” (cannot be modified) ........................................................................................................................................119
“Note range” (cannot be modified) ................................................................................................................................ 120
Commands in the right-hand column .............................................................................................................................. 121
Cancelling a sample (“Delete”) ................................................................................................................................... 121
Copying a sample to a different location (“Copy & Paste) .......................................................................................... 121
Saving a Waveform (“Save”)....................................................................................................................................... 122
Escape from Sample Translator ................................................................................................................................. 123
1 THE SOURCE SECTION................................................................................................................... 126
The buttons in the Source section.................................................................................................................................... 126
Local Source.................................................................................................................................................................... 126
i The Set split command ................................................................................................................................................. 127
Midi in Source ................................................................................................................................................................. 127
Song Source..................................................................................................................................................................... 128
The solo button ................................................................................................................................................................ 128
General commands.......................................................................................................................................................... 134
MIDI messages assignable to the Midi Filters (In & Out) ........................................................................................ 140
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 141
Polyphony obtained with different types of sounds ......................................................................................................... 143
Maximum polyphony obtainable in the various track playing modes............................................................................. 143
Access the edit sound environment.................................................................................................................................. 143
The edit environment (the editors of the edit sound menu) ............................................................................................. 143
The editors of the edit sound menu ................................................................................................................................. 143
The options of the main menu and of the editors ............................................................................................................ 144
The options of the main menu ......................................................................................................................................... 144
The editor options (secondary menus) ............................................................................................................................ 144
Status of the instrument in edit sound mode.................................................................................................................... 144
Temporary escape from edit sound.................................................................................................................................. 144
Escaping from edit sound and saving the modified sound.............................................................................................. 144
Possible error messages during the Sound save task...................................................................................................... 145
Escape from edit sound without memorising the modified sound ................................................................................... 145
Converting a Sound to a different type ....................................................................................................................... 146
Filter Envelope (dc and do sounds) ............................................................................................................................ 157
Page 1 Filter Envelope Control ...................................................................................................................................... 157
Page 2: Filter Key On Envelope ..................................................................................................................................... 157
Page 3 Filter Key Off Envelope ...................................................................................................................................... 158
Pan ............................................................................................................................................................................. 163
Page 1 Pan Envelope Control (DC and DO Sounds) ..................................................................................................... 163
Page 2 Pan Key On Envelope (DC and DO Sounds)...................................................................................................... 163
Page 3 Pan Key Off Envelope (Sound DC and DO) ....................................................................................................... 164
Page 4 Pan Tracking (DC and DO Sounds) ................................................................................................................... 165
Pan Control (Sound SO) ................................................................................................................................................. 165
ROM-Waveforms with separate Pitch Envelopes for the two oscillatori even when Detune=0............................ 166
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 167
The instrument status during the Sample Translator tasks ............................................................................................. 170
Controlling the S2R......................................................................................................................................................... 170
Temporary escape from Sample Translator .................................................................................................................... 170
A closer look at Sample Translator............................................................................................................................. 170
The Waveform display ..................................................................................................................................................... 171
Save ................................................................................................................................................................................. 172
Play Single ...................................................................................................................................................................... 173
Info About ........................................................................................................................................................................ 173
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 178
8 SEQUENCER AND SONG ................................................................................................................ 179
What is a Sequencer – The S Series Sequencer............................................................................................................... 179
Playback and Record ...................................................................................................................................................... 179
The Song and the Performance Bank.............................................................................................................................. 179
The sequencer controls .................................................................................................................................................... 180
Creating a Song............................................................................................................................................................... 180
Creating a Bank/Song ..................................................................................................................................................... 180
Creating a Performance with default values ................................................................................................................... 180
Cancelling the Song ........................................................................................................................................................ 181
Recording a new Song..................................................................................................................................................... 181
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 182
9 EDIT SONG MODE............................................................................................................................ 184
Accessing edit song mode................................................................................................................................................ 184
The main menu editors of edit song ................................................................................................................................ 184
Options of the main menu of edit song............................................................................................................................ 184
Options of the secondary menus ..................................................................................................................................... 184
Selecting the Tracks in Edit............................................................................................................................................. 185
Move from track .............................................................................................................................................................. 187
Page 1: Copy from single track ....................................................................................................................................... 192
Page 2: Copy all tracks................................................................................................................................................... 192
Accessing the events of the Event List and their parameters .......................................................................................... 193
Moving to a data bar....................................................................................................................................................... 193
Selecting an event with Catch Locator............................................................................................................................ 194
Programmable Events and Parameters .......................................................................................................................... 194
The Command/Options Column ...................................................................................................................................... 195
Accessing the events on the Event List and their values ................................................................................................. 197
Moving to a data bar....................................................................................................................................................... 197
Selecting an event with Catch Locator............................................................................................................................ 198
Programmable Events and Parameters .......................................................................................................................... 198
The Command/Options Column ...................................................................................................................................... 198
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 200
Date/Time set ............................................................................................................................................................ 205
Date & Time .................................................................................................................................................................... 205
Sound test (s2r) ......................................................................................................................................................... 206
Sound test ........................................................................................................................................................................ 206
General Midi .............................................................................................................................................................. 206
General Midi ................................................................................................................................................................... 207
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 208
11 DISK ................................................................................................................................................. 209
Automatic loading when powering up............................................................................................................................. 209
The Ram-disk................................................................................................................................................................... 210
The Groups...................................................................................................................................................................... 210
Organisation of the disk environment ..........................................................................................................................211
General commands/options..............................................................................................................................................211
i Directory ....................................................................................................................................................................... 212
i Data displayed in the directories .................................................................................................................................. 213
The Disk environment pages (Load, Save, Erase, Utility) ......................................................................................... 214
Save ................................................................................................................................................................................. 215
Possible error messages during disk operations ........................................................................................................ 219
Errors common to all operations .................................................................................................................................... 219
Load and Erase Errors.................................................................................................................................................... 219
Formats of the magnetic supports used .......................................................................................................................... 220
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 220
How the Sound Library is organised ............................................................................................................................... 221
The Sound Library display .............................................................................................................................................. 221
Selecting Families and Sounds........................................................................................................................................ 221
Selecting Sounds by entering the Program Change and Bank Select number................................................................ 222
Selecting Sounds with the search function ...................................................................................................................... 222
Types of Sounds and their identification symbols ........................................................................................................... 224
How the Effects Libraries are organised ......................................................................................................................... 225
Selecting the Effects ........................................................................................................................................................ 225
How to access the effect edit ........................................................................................................................................... 227
How to escape from the effect edit .................................................................................................................................. 227
How the edit effect environment is organised ................................................................................................................. 227
How to Programme the Effects of Library 1................................................................................................................ 228
Reverbs without programmable early-reflections........................................................................................................... 228
Reverbs with programmable early-reflections ................................................................................................................ 228
How to Programme the Effects of Library 2................................................................................................................ 229
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 232
Layout of the “Clipboard” page ..................................................................................................................................... 234
How to copy an edit page................................................................................................................................................ 234
How to copy a clip to an edit page.................................................................................................................................. 234
How to cancel a clip from the Clipboard ........................................................................................................................ 234
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................................................................ I
XIIGENERAL INDEX
INTRODUCTION
❏ INTRODUCTION
1
INTRODUCTION1
I
NTRODUCTION
Congratulations and thanks for purchasing the S Series Music Processor - an instrument
conceived and developed with the most up-to-date technology to guarantee a high degree
of reliability and durability.
The name “Music Processor” describes the instrument’s ability to handle the complete
creative process, starting from sound synthesis right down to the registration of multitimbric songs and the complete control of the entire MIDI setup.
We are confident that you will find your S Series Music Processor beyond all expectations.
About the S Series instruments
S2 Turbo and S3 Turbo Music Processors are keyboard synthesizers with 61 keys and
76 keys respectively. This manual also refers to the previous models upgraded with the
“Turbokit” board. S2 and S3 also operate as Master Keyboards, thanks to the integrated
controls (Wheels, Function Controllers) and extensive MIDI programmability.
S2R is the 19” rack version of the S2/S3 Turbo. It is totally compatible with these two
keyboard synthesizers.
•Multitimbral generator
The S Series instruments are 16 part multi-timbral units with a maximum polyphony
of 32 notes.
•Sound generation method
Sound generation is based on a mixed digital/analog technology which permits,
through the use of analog techniques, the manipulation of Samples of real or synthetic
origin. The S Series Sounds are based on sampled Waveforms which are processed by
one or two digital State Variable Filters with programmable envelope. Separately,
each filter provide a 12 dB per octave slope (2 pole). Combined, they operate as a 4
pole filter with a 24 dB per octave slope.
•ROM and RAM Sounds
The permanent memory (ROM) houses 6 Megabytes of Waveform, the basic element
which provides more than 500 Rom Sounds.
2 Megabytes of Sample RAM are ready to receive (from disk or MIDI) other Waveforms, for the creation of Sounds based on new Waveforms created with the Sample
Translator.
The new Waveforms can be loaded from Atari/MS-DOS floppy disks in the formats
Sound Designer, Avalon, Sample Vision, Wave. They can be loaded from Akai S1000
disks, or received via MIDI.
The Sound Library is where the Sounds are housed. It can contain up to 2048
Sounds (ROM + RAM Sounds).
2INTRODUCTION
•Amount of RAM
The S Series units are fitted with 4 Megabytes of RAM (volatile):
– 2 Megabytes of Operative-Ram to process and control the Banks and the Songs;
– 2 Megabytes of Sample-Ram to control the Waveforms created with Sample Transla-
tor or loaded with the RAM-Sounds.
•2 Digital Signal Processors
Two Digital Effects Processors, controlled in real time, enrich the sound with environ-
mental and creative effects (reverbs and modulations). The Effects Libraries house the
Effects and they can store up to 64 reverbs and 64 modulations.
•Sequencer
The multi-track sequencer can memorise 250.000 events in the 2 Megabyte OperativeRAM. This 16 track sequencer has a very extensive Event Edit facility, including the
functions Master Track, Copy, Insert/Delete Events, Quantize, Microscope and others.
•Disk drive
The S Series Music Processor data can be saved to floppy disk via the disk drive,
which handles 3.5” HD floppy disks and force-formats them with a capacity of 1.62
Megabytes. The drive can also format and use Ms-Dos floppy disks (1.44 Mb or 720
Kb) or Atari (720 Kb), for the transferring of MIDI Files and Samples read by Sample
Translator.
•RAM-disk
The S Series Music Processor can be fitted with a 512 kb or 2 Mb optional Static RAM
(NON-VOLATILE), backed by a small rechargeable Nickel/Cadmium battery. The RAMdisk is a fixed disk with high speed accessing facilities.
•MIOS multitasking operating system
The S Series Music Instrument Operating System allows simultaneous operation of
several tasks, such as modifying a Sound, playing back a Song, loading a Song in
background, etc..
•User Program
The MIOS can be expanded by User Programs, made available from time to time by
Generalmusic, providing the instrument with additional functions by loading appropriate software via floppy disk.
•Advanced MIDI control
The S Series Music Processors incorporate 2 independent MIDI lines with MIDI-Merge
and MIDI-Thru functions. These instruments are fully implemented MIDI units.
•SampleTranslator 2.0 incorporated
SampleTranslator is a Waveform creating programme which allows the creation of
new Sounds starting from samples originating from Akai S1000 floppies, from
floppies containing files generated by the more popular computer editors, or from data
received via MIDI.
•Samples and Programs read from Akai S1000™ floppy disks
The possibility of reading the Akai format allows the S Series instruments to gain
access to the greatest sample library available on the market. The Programs
(multisamples) are converted into Music Processor Waveforms.
How to use this manual
This manual is divided into several sections.
❑ Overview of the instrument and the edit/handling environments describes the sound
synthesis technique and how the data handling operations are organised.
❑ Installation, power up, demo explains how to setup and turn on the instrument and
how to listen to the demonstration songs (demo).
❑ User interface/selection explains how to use the Data Entry controls, examines the
display and takes a look at the operations common to sound and data selection.
❑ Practical guide is a simplified guide for the non-expert synth user. The information
contained in this section is sufficient for a normal use of the instrument: how to load
songs and new Sounds from disk, how to record and play back a song, how to control
INTRODUCTION3
the instrument via MIDI.
❑ Sample Translator is the practical guide to the Sample Translator 2.0.
❑ Reference guide lists all the edit environment parameters and describes the instrument
and all its functions in detail.
❑ Appendix contains schematic information (standard Sound Library, MIDI tables,
technical specifications...).
❑ Glossary/Index contains the Glossary and an Alphabetical Index. The Glossary pro-
vides a list of the most commonly used technical terms. The alphabetical index lists all
arguments dealt with in alphabetical order, indicating the relative page number and its
relation to other arguments. This section also contains a Troubleshooting table to help
you solve problems of a technical nature which may occur from time to time.
Convention used in the manual
The appearance of the symbols “S2/S3” or “S2R” indicate that the paragraph which
follows is dedicated only to S2/S3 or S2R respectively.
The symbol (s.) indicates the presence of a detailed explanation of the argument in
another part of the manual or glossary.
The symbols “Rom-” or “Ram-” cited before “Sound” or “Waveform” indicate, respectively, that the elements are contained in the instrument’s Rom (and, therefore, are a
standard part of the instrument’s library), or in Ram (and, therefore, erasable and exchangeable).
2. FUNCTION CONTROLLERS. Sliders and keys that control
the sound parameters. The Function Controllers marked A, B, C,
D, E, F, G, correspond to the silk-screened letters on the left of
the display; each letter relates to one of the tracks that appear in
the display.
3. EDIT SECTION. These buttons gain access to the edit
environments:
PERF.CONTR allows the programming of the general
–
Performance parameters (effects, footswitch) and the
Function Controllers.
PERF.TRACKS gains access to the programming tasks of the
SOUND allows the modification of the Sound assigned to the
currently selected Track and gains access to the Sample
Translator.
SONG controls the sequencer. Pressing this button gains
–
access to the “Playback” display, which shows the Song
Pointer in playback mode. From here you can gain access to
the Edit of the currently selected song.
OPTION is available for future expansion programs loaded
–
from disk (User Programs).
–
GENERAL controls all the general keyboard parameters:
keyboard transpose and tuning, footswitch polarity, M IDI
parameters, Data/Time, compatibility General Midi On/Off
switch.
4. SOURCE SECTION. Allows the independent check and edit
of the Track configurations relating to each Source. The Sources
5689
7
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UTILITYPRELOAD
10111213141516171819
are the origins of MIDIDATA which control the sound generation:
keyboard (LOCAL), events received at Midi In (MIDIIN), internal
sequencer (SONG), future expansions (OPTION).
5. DISPLAY AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLS. The backlit
LCD display has dimensions of 240 x 64 pixel. The triangular
buttons on the left select the tracks (
TRACKSELECTKEYS), the
buttons on the right operate according to the commands and
options which appear in the display (FUNCTIONKEYS).
The two small rectangular buttons on the left allow you to bring
into view, on seven lines, 16 tracks of the current Performance
TRACKSCROLLBUTTONS). The two small rectangular buttons on
(
the right operate according to the commands which appear in the
display (MULTIFUNCTIONBUTTONS).
When the main display is showing (the one that appears after
powering up) the
FUNCTIONKEYS select the viewing mode
(Performance or Sounds). In Sounds mode (as shown in the
illustration), these buttons select the track playing mode (Single,
Multi…). The
RIGHTMULTIFUNCTIONBUTTON gains access to the
Save Performance command.
6. DATA ENTRY SECTION. This section is divided into two
distinct parts:
DIAL can be rotated freely in both directions to change
– the
the current data value continuously, to change Performance
or Sound, to move the reverse-highlighted cursor within the
edit page menus. The +1/> and -1/< buttons operate in
exactly the same manner as the Dial, but increases or
decreases data in single units.
ENTER confirms data entered or commands; in edit environ-
ments, it gains access to parameters that require modifications. EXIT annuls values inserted or cancels some commands.
S2/S3 Front panel
7
– the ALPHANUMERICKEYPAD is used to specify absolute
numeric data or alphabetic data. For numeric data entry,
confirmation with ENTER is always required. It is also used to
gain direct access to the menu parameters in edit environments (without the use of ENTER).
The Data Entry section also makes use of the
UNDO function. UNDO
undoes or reverses the most recent action or restores the last
saved situation. There is also an UNDO specific to the sequencer.
7. PANIC. Emergency button which sends an “All Note Off”, a
“Reset Controls” and an “unlock” message to notes and controls
“locked” by, for example, the reception of a “bad” MIDI event.
8. PERFORMANCE. Performance select buttons.
9. BANK/SONG. Bank/Song select buttons.
10. PRELOAD. Allows background song loading (while the
sequencer is in playback).
11. UTILITY. Gains access to several useful applications: change
Performance or Bank/Song name, cancel Bank/Song and
Performance, copy Bank/Song and Performance.
12. MASTER TRANSPOSE. General transposer, in semitone
steps.
13. MIDI OFF. Allows the temporary disconnection of the MIDI
ports (when the led is on).
14. EFFECTS LIBRARIES. Storage facilities for the Effects,
one for the Reverberations and another for the Modulations.
15. SOUND LIBRARY. An archive which stores all the Sounds
in the instrument’s memory. Incorporated are functions which
permit the importation of single Sounds from floppy disks
containing other Sound Libraries (imp_disk and imp_ramd).
16. DISK. Gains access to all the data handling procedures on
floppy disk and Ram-disk. The operations are Load, Save, Erase
and a Utility menu with several functions (Format, Disk Name,
IDI-file conversion).
M
17. CLIPBOARD. An application which allows “clips” of edit
situations to be stored and used in other edit environments to save
time.
18. NORMAL. Returns to the main display from any situation.
19. CONTRAST. Controls the brightness of the display and
requires adjustment for different viewing angles.
20. EFF. BYPASS. A temporary deactivating device for the
Effects (led on) - the sounds are emitted “dry” from the Stereo
Left & Right Outputs. Normally (led off), the sounds are emitted
“wet” from this output pair.
21. TRACK TRANSPOSER. Individual and independent Track
Transposer. Also provides the “Master” command which gains
access to the general transposition of the instrument.
22. DISK DRIVE. Reads and formats 3.5” HD floppy disks
(force-format to 1.62 Mb) for the saving and loading of S Series
data. Also formats, reads and writes on 3.5” DD floppies (MsDos or Atari) for MIDI-file data exchange. Recognises and loads
samples from Akai S/1000 format disks.
23. WHEELS. Two wheels completely and independently
programmable. The left Wheel is predisposed for Pitch Bend and
is spring loaded to return to the centre position. The right wheel,
normally assigned to provide Modulation, is centre-dented so that
you can take it exactly to centre position. Its normal position is
with the centre-dented mark at its lowest point to avoid hearing
Sounds with Modulation.
24. PHONES. Stereo headphones socket.
12
8LAYOUTS
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
AVIS
DO NOT OPEN
: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR
“WARNING”
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
!
“
COMPLIES WITH THE LIMITS FOR A ”CLASS B“ COMPUTING
DEVICE PURSUANT TO SUBPART J OF PART 15 OF FCC RULES”
MOD.
SER.
AC ~
MADE IN ITALY
N
Fl
D
by
S.p.A.
GENERALMUSIC
R
EAR PANEL
S2/S3
1. POWER SWITCH. Small rocker switch with On/Off positions.
2. MAINS SOCKET. Connect the supplied power cable to this
socket. Connect the other end to an AC outlet of the correct
voltage.
Warning: check for the correct voltage before connecting your
instrument. The correct voltage is silk-screened close to the
mains socket.
2. OUTPUTS. Audio outputs which can operate as six separate
mono outputs or as three stereo pairs.
LEFT/RIGHT: “wet” signal emitters. The instrument checks the
insertion of the jacks; if only one output is connected, the
complete mono signal is emitted from the relative socket.
1, 2, 3, 4: “dry” signal emitters.
3. PEDAL VOLUME. Connection for a continuous control pedal
to control the general Volume.
4. PEDAL / FOOTSWITCH 1 & 2. Connections for continuous
control Pedals (to control parameters such as Volume, Expression, etc.), or Footswitch pedals (switch control pedals) to control
parameters such as Damper, Start/Stop, Performance advance,
etc.. The programming facilities of the pedals are found in EDIT
PERFORMANCE
5. MIDI PORTS. A double series of MIDI ports: MIDI IN 1&2, MIDI
/CONTROLS, EDITPERFORMANCE/TRACKS, EDITGENERAL.
OUT 1&2 and MIDI THRU 1&2. Set “1” are active by default. The
MIDI ports allow S2/S3 to be controlled by external MIDI
controlling units and allow slaved devices to be controlled by S2/
S3.
IN 1 – IN 2: connections for any MIDI controlling device
SOUND allows the modification of the Sound assigned to the
–
currently selected Track and gains access to the Sample
Translator.
SONG controls the sequencer. Pressing this button gains
–
access to the “Playback” display, which shows the Song
Pointer in playback mode. From here you can gain access to
the Edit of the currently selected song.
–
OPTION is available for future expansion programs loaded
from disk (User Programs).
–
GENERAL controls all the general parameters: S2R transpose
and tuning, footswitch polarity, MIDI parameters, Data/Time,
Sound Test, compatibility General Midi On/Off switch.
4. SOURCE SECTION. Allows the independent check and edit of
the Track configurations relating to each Source. The Sources are
the origins of MIDIDATA which control the sound generation:
keyboard (LOCAL), events received at Midi In (MIDIIN), internal
sequencer (SONG), future expansions (OPTION).
5. DISPLAY AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLS. The backlit
LCD display has dimensions of 240 x 64 pixel. The triangular
buttons on the left select the tracks (
TRACKSELECTKEYS), the
buttons on the right operate according to the commands and
options which appear in the display (FUNCTIONKEYS).
The two small rectangular buttons on the left allow you to bring
into view, on seven lines, 16 tracks of the current Performance
TRACKSCROLLBUTTONS). The two small rectangular buttons on
(
the right operate according to the commands which appear in the
display (MULTIFUNCTIONBUTTONS).
When the main display is showing (the one that appears after
powering up) the
FUNCTIONKEYS select the viewing mode
(Performance or Sounds). In Sounds mode (as shown in the
10LAYOUTS
6769
8
ENTER
NORMAL
EXIT
CLIPBOARD
PANIC
UNDO
1 / >
1 / <PERFORM.
DISK
19
ABCDEFGHI
JKL
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, .
SOUND
LIBRARY
MNO
VWX
/
-
’
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EFFECTS
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OFF ON
20
101112131415
The Data Entry section also makes use of the
UNDO function. UNDO
undoes or reverses the most recent action or restores the last
saved situation. There is also an UNDO specific to the sequencer.
7. PANIC. Emergency button which sends an “All Note Off”, a
“Reset Controls” and an “unlock” message to notes and controls
“locked” by, for example, the reception of a “bad” MIDI event..
8. B/SONG and PERFORM. The B/SONG and PERFORM buttons
permit the selection of one of the 10 Bank/Songs which can be
present in the S2R memory and one of the 10 possible Performances contained in the selected Bank/Song.
9. UTILITY. Gains access to several useful applications: change
Performance or Bank/Song name, cancel Bank/Song and
Performance, copy Bank/Song and Performance.
10. PRELOAD. Allows background song loading (while the
sequencer is in playback).
11. EFFECTS LIBRARIES. Storage facilities for the Effects, one
for the Reverberations and another for the Modulations.
12. SOUND LIBRARY. An archive which stores all the Sounds in
the instrument’s memory. Incorporated are functions which
permit the importation of single Sounds from floppy disks which
contain other Sound Libraries (imp_disk and imp_ramd).
13. DISK. Gains access to all the data handling procedures on
floppy disk and Ram-disk. The operations are Load, Save, Erase
and a Utility menu with several functions (Format, Disk Name,
MIDI-file conversion).
illustration), these buttons select the track playing mode (Single,
Multi…). The RIGHTMULTIFUNCTIONBUTTON gains access to the
Save Performance command.
6. DATA ENTRY SECTION. This section is divided into two
distinct parts:
– the
DIAL can be rotated freely in both directions to change
the current data value continuously, to change Performance
or Sound, to move the reverse-highlighted cursor within the
menu of the edit pages. The +1/> and -1/< buttons operate in
exactly the same manner as the Dial, but with single
increments.
ENTER confirms data entered or commands; in edit environ-
ments, it gains access to parameters that require modifications. EXIT annuls values inserted or cancels some commands.
Pressing
ENTER when a main display is showing, or when the
Sample Translator is active, will play a note (Sound Test).
ALPHANUMERICKEYPAD is used to specify absolute
– the
numeric data or alphabetic data entry. For numeric data
entry, confirmation with ENTER is always required. It is also
used to gain direct access to the menu parameters in edit
environments (without the use of ENTER).
14. CLIPBOARD. An application which allows “clips” of edit
situations to be stored and used in other edit environments to save
time.
15. NORMAL. Returns to the main display from any situation.
16. CONTRAST. Controls the brightness of the display and
requires adjustment for different angles.
17. EFF. BYPASS. A temporary deactivating device for the
Effects (led on) - the sounds are emitted “dry” from the Stereo
Left & Right Outputs. Normally (led off), the sounds are emitted
“wet” from this output pair.
18. TRACK TRANSPOSER. Individual and independent Track
Transposer. Also provides the “Master” command which gains
access to the general transposition of the instrument.
19. DISK DRIVE. Reads and formats 3.5” HD floppy disks
(force-format to 1.62 Mb) for the saving and loading of S2/S3
data. Also formats, reads and writes on 3.5” DD floppies (MsDos or Atari) for MIDI-file data exchange. Recognises and loads
samples from Akai S/1000 format disks.
20. ON/OFF PUSH BUTTON. Press this button to turn S2R on or
off.
S2R Front panel
11
R
GENERALMUSIC
®
MUSIC PROCESSOR
IN 2OUT 2THRU 2IN 1OUT 1THRU 1
MIDI
4
OUTPUTS
321RIGHTLEFTVOLUME
PEDAL
21
FOOTSWITCHES
“WARNING”
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
MOD.
SER.
AC ~
MADE IN ITALY
by
S.p.A.
GENERALMUSIC
N
D
Fl
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS
: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES. OPERATION
IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS:
(1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE AND
(2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED,
INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.
EAR PANEL
2. OUTPUTS.
three stereo pairs.
LEFT
/RIGHT: “wet” signal emitters. The instrument checks the insertion of the jacks;
Audio outputs which can operate as six separate mono outputs or as
S2R
1. MIDI PORTS.
THRU 1&2. Set “1” are active by default. The M
by external MIDI controlling units and allow slaved devices to be controlled by S2R.
sequencer, guitar controller, Midi Accordion …).
transmit the MIDI data received at MIDI In.
THRU
controlled by S2R’s internal sequencer. If M
1 – THRU 2: the data received at M
IN 1 –
OUT 1 –
IN 2: connections for any MIDI controlling device (master keyboard,
OUT 2: connections for instruments slaved to the S2R which can be
A double series of MIDI ports: M
Warning: check for the correct voltage before connecting your instrument. The correct
voltage is silk-screened close to the mains socket.
12345
IDI
IN escape from these ports.
IDI-MERGE is active, these ports also
to control parameters such as Damper, Start/Stop, Performance advance, etc..
other end to an AC outlet of the correct voltage.
5. MAINS SOCKET.
3. PEDAL VOLUME.
4. FOOTSWITCHES 1 & 2.
Volume.
IDIPORTSALLOW
IDI IN 1&2, M
S2R to be controlled
IDI OUT 1&2 and M
IDI
1, 2, 3, 4:
if only one output is connected, the complete mono signal is emitted from the
relative socket.
“dry” signal emitters.
12LAYOUTS
Connect the supplied power cable to this socket. Connect the
Connection for a continuous control pedal to control the general
Connections for Footswitch pedals (switch control pedals)
OVERVIEW OF THE INSTRUMENT
ED ITING & DATA HANDLING CAP ACITY
❏ OVERVIEW OF THE INSTRUMENT
- The Music Processor concept
- Sound synthesis
- Sources and Destinations
- Tracks, Performances, Bank/Songs
❏ INTERNAL MEMORY AND DISKS
❏ OPERATING MODES
❏ OVERVIEW OF THE EDITING & DATA HANDLING ENVIRONMENTS
3
13
O
VERVIEW OF THE INSTRUMENT
The Music Processor concept
The S Series instruments are so called because they are,
as the name suggests, processors of music, a long step
away from synthesizer workstations.
These instruments allow the creation of new sounds (as
in synthesizers), the creation of Songs and the possibility of simplifying the unit’s programming tasks in live
Sound synthesis
The sound generation of the Generalmusic S Series
instruments utilises a hybrid system based on sampling
and subtractive synthesis, all digitally controlled.
• Sampling guarantees a high degree of sound authenticity, indispensable for the simulation of multi-instrument situations as well as for the simplification of
sound creation starting from common timbral sources.
• The part relating to subtractive syntheses allows sounds
of real or synthetic origin to be subjected to the action
of one or two programmable filters, which deeply intervene on the harmonic content of the original sound,
rendering it extremely “live”.
Sampling
situations (as in workstations), they incorporate a sophisticated MIDI implementation, which allow them to
operate as a control centre in the studio as well as on
stage, operating as a programmable master keyboard or
a MIDI processor with powerful MIDI Thru and MIDI
Merge functions.
A the Attack phase, which starts from the moment of
the initial sound emission (key on) to the moment of
maximum intensity. [→Attack]
D the Decay phase, in which the emission starts to
“fade” after reaching the maximum peak. [→Decay]
S the Sustain phase (sound “prolongation”), where,
after the first turbulent instances, the emission tends
towards stabilisation (e.g. Strings) or reduction (e.g.
Piano). [→Sustain]
R the Release phase, which proceeds from the moment
in which the action of the musician terminates (note
off), and the emission continues towards total silence. For example, when a piano key is released
with the right pedal held down. [→Release]
Sampling technology is a technique of recording sounds
“live”, which permits the reconstruction of the original
acoustic instrument using an electronic musical instrument.
The development over time of the intensity of a sound is
represented by the envelope. The Envelope of a sound any sound - can be represented graphically in the following manner:
Amplitude
“Amplitude” measures the intensity reached by the sound
within a certain period of “Time”. The letters A, D, S, R
indicate the various phases of the sound’s development:
A D
S
R
Time
Sampling records the entire attack and decay phases and
only a part of the sustain phase, while the release is
completely ignored. This limitation in sampling is due
to the fact that the recording of a sound occupies RAM,
which, being costly, cannot be exploited to record the
entire envelope. The better the quality of the sample, the
more RAM is required to contain it.
The “missing parts” are substituted by intervening on
the recorded part with the musical instrument. The
sustain phase is electronically simulated by repeating a
sampled fragment. This repetition of the sampled fragment in the sustain phase is called the “Loop”.
The loop, however, often generates a “defect” created
by the interaction of the terminal and initial points of
the sampled fragment - similar to what is heard when the
needle of a vinyl disk jams.
The problem derives from the fact that the “loop” is only
one element, based on a single fragment of the sustain
phase. To overcome this problem, Generalmusic have
adopted an innovative system called the “Multiloop”
14OVERVIEW
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