Kenton Control Freak STUDIO EDITION, Control Freak ORIGINAL User Manual

USER MANUAL

Control Freak STUDIO EDITION

&

Control Freak ORIGINAL

MIDI CONTROL CENTRES

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Connecting Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Switching On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Edit Buttons in Play Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Data Wheel in Play Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

How the Freak uses MIDI channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Editing Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Overall Map of Editing system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Edit Slider Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Edit Slider Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Edit Button Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Edit Button Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Edit F key Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Edit F key Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Edit Program Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Edit Program Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Edit Global Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Edit Global Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Sysex RX Prog Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Sysex Dump Single . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Sysex Dump Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Sysex Dump Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Copy Single. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Copy Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Data Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Editing Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Using the External Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

CV to MIDI conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

NRPNs Explained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

RPNs Explained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

SysEx Explained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Dealing with SysEx variable data bytes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Profiles and programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Cubase VST users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Cakewalk Pro Audio users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Logic Audio users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Saving a SysEx file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

The Virtual Control Freak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Control Freak STUDIO EDITION SysEx specification . . . . . . 48

Control Freak ORIGINAL SysEx specification . . . . . . . . . . 50

MIDI Analyser Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Overview of the MIDI message format . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Features and contact details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

CONTROL FREAK CONTENTS

CONTROL FREAK

Foreword Congratulations on your purchase of a Kenton Control Freak.Please take the time to read

this manual thoroughly as it explains everything you will need to know in order to get
the most from your unit.

Because of its ability to generate any type of MIDI message (including SysEx and NRPNs),
the Control Freak allows you to unlock the full potential of any device that conforms to
the MIDI standard. Of course, all this creative potential is great,but the depth and
complexity of the MIDI control available can seem rather intimidating at first. Don’t panic
– read this manual carefully,try some examples, and in a short time enjoy total control of
your MIDI equipment.

What is the Control Freak?

The Control Freak is a MIDI hardware controller which allows you to control any piece of MIDI
equipment, be it a synth, soft-synth, soundcard,sequencer or anything else with a MIDI In port.The
degree to which you can do this depends only on the amount of external MIDI control that
particular piece of equipment has been designed to allow.

What are the benefits of using a Control Freak?

Many pieces of MIDI gear have no front panel controls of their own, others possess on-board
controls which are frustrating and fiddly to operate. The Freak gives you the hands-on control you
need, to access the various parameters on such pieces of equipment, instantly and in real time.
The ability to tweak volumes, filters, envelopes and other popular effects with such ease can give a
new lease of life to your existing MIDI equipment. Why pay out for new synth modules when you
can unlock the full potential of the ones you already own?

The Control Freak is also an excellent time saving device. One of the most popular uses for the
unit is as a control surface for sequencers such as Cubase VST, Logic Audio and Cakewalk Pro­Audio, where the “virtual” faders on the computer screen can be manipulated from the Freak’s real
life faders.This removes the need for tedious adjustments by mouse, and is a far more intuitive way
of working.

What is the principle of operation of the the Control Freak?

In most control strings used to control equipment be they SysEx messages, controller messages or
NRPNs, there is usually one byte which actually specifies the new value required.With SysEx
particularly, out of typically around 12 bytes, often only one or two bytes need to change to give
you the change in sound.The rest are there to specify the manufacturer, the synth model,the type
of message and which parameter you want to change.When setting up a slider or button to
control something, most of the bytes have fixed values, when it comes to the variable data bytes,
these can be set up to take their value from the slider.

CONTROL FREAK INTRODUCTION

1

Control Freak STUDIO EDITION

Control Freak ORIGINAL

9-12v DC
Power in

Max 5v DC
IN 1 IN 2

MIDI

IN OUT THRU

9-12v DC
Power in

Max 5v DC
IN 1 IN 2

MIDI

IN OUT THRU

Including the Control Freak in

your MIDI setup - Connecting up

1) In the most basic setup where you have only a keyboard synthesiser,
connect the MIDI out of the Freak to the MIDI in of your synthesiser.

2) In a simple setup, where you typically have a controlling keyboard
connected to a computer which has a sound card installed, you would
normally have the MIDI Out of your keyboard connected directly to the MIDI
In of your computer.To include the Control Freak in your system, it should be
inserted between the keyboard and the computer.To do this connect the MIDI
Out of your keyboard to the MIDI In of the Control Freak and connect the
MIDI Out of the Control Freak to the MIDI In of your computer.The Control
Freak will automatically pass any MIDI it receives at its MIDI In, directly to its
MIDI out.Whenever you move any sliders or press buttons on the Freak,this is
merged with the MIDI from your keyboard and everything is sent directly to
your computer.

3) If you have a sound module or other synthesisers connected to the MIDI Out
of your soundcard, this is not a problem as your sequencer will also pass MIDI
received at its MIDI In to its MIDI Out.This is often known as Soft-Thru.

4) Whatever your setup,if you want to record the slider and button
movements you make on the Freak into your sequencer, you need the MIDI
Out of the Freak connected to the MIDI In of your computer, and whatever
you might previously have had plugged into the MIDI In of the computer,
must now be plugged into the MIDI In of the Freak.

If you are using a keyboard that has its own internal sounds, you may want to
use them in your setup too.

In more advanced setups, there may be situations where Thru boxes, merge
boxes and switch boxes will be useful. Kenton maintain a stock of these
items, together with a full range of MIDI leads.

INTRODUCTION CONTROL FREAK

2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 15 16

F1 F2 F3 F4

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT LEARN

EDIT

EDIT

DELETE

INSERT LEARN

STORE

EXIT

DATA ENTRY

SHIFT

SNAPSHOT GLOBAL

BUTTON ONSLIDER F.KEY ON

CHANNEL

MIDI OUT MIDI IN

CONTROL FREAK KEYBOARD

WITH INTERNAL SOUNDS

MIDI IN

COMPUTER

1234567891011213141516

F1 F2 F3 F4

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT LEARN

EDIT

EDIT

DELETE

INSERT LEARN

STORE

EXIT

DATA ENTRY

SHIFT

SNAPSHOT GLOBAL

BUTTON ONSLIDER F.KEY ON

CHANNEL

CONTROL FREAK

MIDI OUT

KEYBOARD
NO SOUNDS

MIDI IN MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

MIDI THRU

MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

COMPUTER SOUND MODULE

MIDI OUT MIDI IN MIDI OUT

KEYBOARD
NO SOUNDS

1234567891011213141516

F1 F2 F3 F4

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT LEARN

EDIT

EDIT

DELETE

INSERT LEARN

STORE

EXIT

DATA ENTRY

SHIFT

SNAPSHOT GLOBAL

BUTTON ONSLIDER F.KEY ON

CHANNEL

CONTROL FREAK

MIDI OUT MIDI IN

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT MIDI THRU

MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

COMPUTER SOUND MODULEKEYBOARD
WITH INTERNAL SOUNDS
LOCAL OFF

1234567891011213141516

F1 F2 F3 F4

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT LEARN

EDIT

EDIT

DELETE

INSERT LEARN

STORE

EXIT

DATA ENTRY

SHIFT

SNAPSHOT GLOBAL

BUTTON ONSLIDER F.KEY ON

CHANNEL

CONTROL FREAK

MIDI IN

Getting Started In order to get you started, many of the programs on the Freak have been pre-loaded at the factory

with useful features. For example program 0 contains a profile which is set up so the sliders control
MIDI volumes on channels 1 –16 (1 – 8 for Original Control Freak) and the buttons control Mutes.

Connect the power supply to the Freak – if you are in the UK one will have been supplied,
otherwise you must source one locally. For details see specifications on page 54.

Turn the power switch on, and the Control Freak will be in PLAY MODE.Probably the best way
to familiarise yourself with the Freak is to experiment with some of the pre-loaded factory
profiles.Turn the Data Wheel to see some of the profiles which are available.

If you are using a computer and a sequencer, load a song on the sequencer and start it playing.
Select program 0 then move the sliders on the Freak and you will be able to change the volumes
of the tracks on the sequencer.The buttons have also been set up so they alternately mute
channels and then bring them back to the volume set on the slider.The Freak STUDIO EDITION has a
slider for each MIDI channel,and the 8 slider Freak has volumes for MIDI channels 1 to 8 on
Program #0 and volumes for MIDI channels 9 to 16 on program #1.To select program #1, turn the
Data Wheel one click to the right.

You probably want to do more than just control the volumes of tracks. If you have a GS or XG
compatible synth or soundcard, turn the datawheel a few clicks to the right, until you come to the
program called GS/XG Stuff.This program has all the most useful things you need to start getting
interesting sounds from your GS or XG equipment. For example slider 4 is set up to control Filter
cutoff and Slider 5 resonance.With your sequencer still playing, move these sliders and hear the
sound change. If this doesn’t happen, it may be that the song you are using on your sequencer
doesn’t have anything playing on MIDI channel 1.

To change the channel the Freak is sending on, press the [<––] button once
(also labelled Global channel).The LCD screen should display:

Real-Time`Edit`
Global`MIDI`#`1

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right so it says:

Global MIDI # 2

...and try the sliders again. Continue until you find a channel that works.
Channel 10 is a good bet as it is usually the drum channel.

We will shortly be creating a simple demo sequence for download from the web. This will be a
MIDI file which has parts that can be readily edited using the Freak.

CONTROL FREAK GETTING STARTED

3

Switching on On power up, the LCD illuminates and displays the product name and current

software version*1. After a couple of seconds the LCD changes to show:

on the Freak STUDIO EDITION, or... on the Freak ORIGINAL

The Control freak is now in PLAY MODE

Introduction to controls in Play Mode

Sliders and buttons

Moving a slider or pressing a button will display its assigned name and its
value as a decimal number on the LCD; the MIDI Out LED will also light up to
show that it is sending data.The Data Wheel can be used to scroll through
the 64 or 128 programs, and the 8 multi-function buttons beneath the LCD
operate as follows.

Function keys [F keys]

The four buttons directly below the LEDs can be used by themselves or in
conjunction with the [SHIFT] button to act as programmable function keys
and can generate any MIDI or internal data commands. Function key settings
are Global and do not change with the programs.These [F keys] have been
pre-programmed to provide Internal Clock controls and basic MMC control of
sequencers and recording devices, however the factory defaults can be
changed to provide other, user-defined operations.

The factory default settings for F keys are:
Without [SHIFT] With [SHIFT]
1 Continue – internal clock 5 MMC Rewind
2 Stop – internal clock 6 MMC Stop
3 Start – internal clock 7 MMC Play
4 Internal prog – go to prog 0 8 MMC Fast Forward

In various edit modes the function keys have other, preset uses.These
however cannot be altered by the user.

Edit buttons

The four buttons above the Data Wheel are known as the Edit buttons but
these are also useful in PLAY MODE as shown on the following page.

*1 You can program the Freak to display your own name here if you wish – see page 17.

`Program````0`

Volumes Ch`1`-`8

`Program````0`

Volumes Ch`1`-16

`Volume`Chan``1`
Value ```````51d

PLAY MODE CONTROL FREAK

4

F1
F5

F2
F6

F3
F7

F4
F8

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT LEARN

EDIT

DELETE

INSERT LEARN

EXIT

BUTTON ON
BUTTON OFF

SLIDER F.KEY ON

F.KEY OFF

EDITSTORESHIFT

ACCEL

SNAPSHOT

RESET

GLOBAL

CHANNEL

What the edit buttons will do for you in PLAY MODE

What to expect from the [SHIFT] button in PLAY MODE

1 Pressing [SHIFT] will stop the sliders and buttons sending any MIDI until it has been released.

This is useful if you want to know which slider or button does what. Press and hold [SHIFT],
then push one of the buttons above the sliders.This will display the button name on the top
line of the LCD, and the slider name on the bottom line.The Button On name is displayed when
pressed.The Button Off name, if used,is displayed when released.
Holding [SHIFT] also allows you to move a slider to a new position without actually sending
any MIDI.

2 Pressing [SHIFT] while turning the Data Wheel will accelerate the Data Wheel by a factor of 4.

3 Pressing [SHIFT] and any of the 4 function keys below the LEDs will give you access to

F keys 5-8.

4 Pressing [SHIFT] and [STORE] will send a ‘Reset all controllers’ message on the current Global

MIDI Channel to MIDI Out.This is useful if you need to restore your synth to the original
version of its present patch.

What to expect from the [STORE] button in PLAY MODE

Pressing [STORE] will send the current slider positions to MIDI Out as a Snapshot.This is great for
sending data to a sequencer – just move the sliders until your synth sounds cool, press record on
your sequencer and press [STORE] to send the snapshot.

What to expect from the left edit button [<––] in PLAY MODE

Pressing the [<––] button takes you into the Real-time menus.These all operate on MIDI in
real-time.The Data Wheel can be used alone or with the [SHIFT] key to alter data.See the
following page for an explanation of the Real-time menus.

What to expect from the right edit button [––>] in PLAY MODE

Pressing the [––>] button takes you into EDIT MODE. This causes the edit LED to light up and
will disable MIDI transmission until you exit from EDIT MODE.

The first time you go to the edit menus after power up, the first page of the edit menu will show:

All subsequent visits to the edit menus will show whichever page you last accessed.

EDIT`SLIDER`NAME
Push`>`to Select

CONTROL FREAK THE EDIT BUTTONS IN PLAY MODE

5

EDIT

CHANNEL

EDIT

STORE

SNAPSHOT

RESET

BUTTON OFF

SHIFT

ACCEL

S

What to expect from the Data Wheel in PLAY MODE

In the home position, the Data Wheel is used to scroll through the available programs.The display
will show the names of the profiles they contain.

For example:

Real-time Edit Each press of the [<––] button displays a different real-time edit item.When any of these is

displayed, the operation of the Data Wheel changes to control the displayed item.

The Data Wheel changes the Global MIDI channeL.

The Data Wheel controls the tempo of the MIDI clock
generator built into the Freak.

The Data Wheel makes changes to R/T Value #1.

The Data Wheel makes changes to R/T Value #2.

General When you move a slider or press a button, a value is displayed on the LCD in decimal format – this

is suffixed with a d (for decimal).

When you are in edit mode and are required to enter data values,the Freak also displays a
hexadecimal number (suffixed h) as well as its decimal equivalent.This is because values
(particularly SysEx) are often given in hexadecimal format in the manufacturer’s literature.

When the screen is showing the program name and
number , you may see one or two up arrows in the top
left corner. These indicate that the external inputs are

active for this program.
Ext. In #2
Ext. In #1

```Program```6``
`GS/XG`Stuff````

```Program```0``
Volumes`Ch`1`-16

THE DATA WHEEL IN PLAY MODE CONTROL FREAK

6

DATA ENTRY

`Real-Time`Edit`
Global`MIDI`#``1

`Real-Time`Edit`
Int`Clock`120bpm

`Real-Time`Edit`
R/T`Value`#1=``0

`Real-Time`Edit`
R/T`Value`#2=``0

||`Program` 62``
Vols`Ch1-8`S1Ext

Understanding how the Freak uses MIDI channels

In the simplest case you don’t need to set any MIDI channel at all, in which case the Freak will use
the Global MIDI channel (factory default #1) – You can change this at any time whilst you are in
play mode by going to the Real-Time Edit section and using the Data Wheel to change the Global
MIDI channel.

To change the Global MIDI channel from the real-time edit section,press the [<––] key once and
you will see the following screen:

Use the Data Wheel to select the required Global MIDI channel.You can then press the [––>] key
to return to the home position or continue using the sliders/buttons whilst still in the real-time
edit mode.This Global MIDI channel will remain in force until the unit is turned off. You can
change the default for the Global MIDI channel from the Edit Global data section, see page 17.

There are however two other ways of setting a MIDI channel, both of which override the Global
MIDI channel.The MIDI channel can be assigned at PROGRAM level in which case any data which
would have used the Global MIDI channel, will use this channel instead.

The default for this however is for it to be unassigned, in which case the display will show the
following:

The MIDI channel can also be assigned at slider/button level.This is the highest priority and will
override any previous MIDI channel.At any point whilst editing slider/button data, where you are
prompted to enter a COMMAND, you can force a MIDI channel.

All MIDI from that point on will use the designated MIDI channel.You can even set a MIDI
channel more than once within the same slider/button. See the example on page 29.

MIDI channels set in this way remain in effect until another Set MIDI Channel command is issued,
or all the data for that particular slider/button has been sent. In other words a MIDI channel set in
this way does not get carried over to another slider/button.

We recommend you familiarise yourself with the next section before you edit the Freak.
If however you are in a hurry to get going you can skip this section and jump straight to the
examples on page 23.

````COMMAND`````
Set`MIDI`Chan``1

MIDI`Chan`Assign
Use`GLOBAL`Chan`

MIDI`Chan`Assign
Use`MIDI`Chan``1

EDIT`PROGRM`DATA
Push`>`to`Select

Real-Time`Edit``
Global`MIDI`#``1

CONTROL FREAK HOW THE FREAK USES MIDI CHANNELS

7

Editing Overview The main editing commands are grouped together here for easy reference.

Defining objects to edit Moving a slider before entering edit mode will define it as the Slider to

Edit.This also works with Push buttons but not the F keys.

The [<––] and [––>] edit buttons The [<––] and [––>] buttons are used to navigate through the individual

edit pages.

In any edit menu Pressing [STORE] will save any edits at any time.

Slider 16/8 operates as a second Data Wheel.

Pressing [SHIFT] whilst moving the Data Wheel will accelerate the Data
Wheel by a factor of four.

Pressing [EXIT] will return you to PLAY MODE. However, if you have made
any changes and they have not been stored,you will see the prompt:

Lose`changes?

You are then given the choice between [SHIFT] +

[EXIT] or [STORE] options, or pressing the [––>] button which will re-enter

the relevant edit pages.

Holding [SHIFT] while pressing [EXIT] will leave edit mode at any time.All
current edits will be lost, the user will not be prompted.

Editing names Use the Data Wheel to select lower case letters and numbers.

Use [SHIFT] + Data Wheel to select capitals and symbols.

The top left two buttons act to delete characters and insert spaces.

The left and right arrow keys act as cursor buttons.

Pressing [STORE] while holding [SHIFT] jumps directly from edit name
to edit data pages.

Editing data When editing slider, button or function key data, pressing [LEARN] will

activate the learn mode and light the Learn LED.The Freak will then be ready
to receive incoming MIDI data. Pressing [LEARN] again will allow
you to check or further edit the received MIDI data prior to [STORE].

When editing MIDI data strings, the top left two buttons act to delete and
insert bytes.

Clearing data When editing slider,button or function key data, pressing [LEARN]

twice acts as a quick way to erase unwanted MIDI strings prior to
entering new data.

Abbreviations PB = Push button (one of the buttons above the sliders)

FK = Function key
F key = Function key
RX = Receive
R/T = Real-time

EDITING THE CONTROL FREAK CONTROL FREAK

8

When you have pressed the [––>] key to take you into EDIT MODE, the Data Wheel can be used
to scroll through the various edit menus.At present there are 21 edit menu options:

Description

16/8 sliders and 16/8 buttons

These items relate to editing the 16/8 sliders and 16/8 buttons directly above
them. The Button Off items are optional and will only be used if the button
state is set to on/off or toggle. The sliders and buttons,along with various
other related data, are grouped together in a program (see below).

F keys

These items relate to editing of the four buttons below the LEDs, which,
together with the [SHIFT] button, gives you Function keys 1-8. Function key
data is global, and does not change with the programs. Function key off items
are optional as described above.

Programs

These items relate to program name, program MIDI channel, external input
jacks 1 & 2, Realtime bytes 1 & 2 and Program Sysex Header for each
program..

Global settings

The global data section relates to power on name, Global MIDI channel,
internal Clock tempo, SysEx device number and Global SysEx Header.

Program mapping

Allows you to choose destination programs for incoming profiles.You may
want to use this when you download profiles from our website.

SysEx dump utilities

These allow you to dump individual sliders/buttons, programs or blocks of
data. Note: a block = all sliders or all buttons, for example.

Library mode

Currently unimplemented.

Copy utilities

Copy single allows you to copy any slider/button to any other slider/button.
Copy program allows you to copy any program to any other program location.

These 21 edit menu items are explained in more detail on the following pages.

CONTROL FREAK EDITING OVERVIEW

9

DATA ENTRY

Menu

1
2
3
4
5
6

7
8
9

10

11
12

13
14

15

16
17
18

19

20
21

What you see on the top line
of the Freak’s screen

EDIT`SLIDER`NAME
EDIT`SLIDER`DATA
EDIT`PB``ON`NAME
EDIT`PB``ON`DATA
EDIT`PB`OFF`NAME
EDIT`PB`OFF`DATA

EdIT`FK``ON`NAME
Edit`FK``ON`DATA
EDIT`FK`OFF`NAME
EDIT`FK`OFF`DATA

EDIT`PROGRM`NAME
EDIT`PROGRM`DATA

EDIT`GLOBAL`NAME
EDIT`GLOBAL`DATA

SYSX`RX`PROG`MAP

SYSX`DUMP`SINGLE
SYSEX`DUMP`PROG
SYSEX`DUMP`BLOCK

``LIBRARY`MODE

``COPY`SINGLE
``COPY`PROGRAM

PLAY MODE EDIT MODE

EDIT

[<––]

EDIT

[<––]

EDIT

[<––]

EDIT

[<––]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

Realtime

value

#2

Realtime

value

#1

Internal

Clock

Speed

Global

MIDI

Channel

Edit
Slider
Name

Slider

to edit

Character#1Character #2Character #3Character #4Character #5Character

#6

Edit
Slider

Data

Slider

to edit

Minimum

Level

Maximum

Level

Byte

#1

Byte

#2

Byte

#3

Byte

#4

Edit
PB ON
Name

Button
to edit

Character#1Character#2Character#3Character#4Character#5Character

#6

Edit
PB ON

Data

Button
to edit

Minimum

Level

Maximum

Level

Button

mode

select

Byte

#1

Byte

#2

Byte

#3

Edit

PB OFF

Name

Button
to edit

Character#1Character#2Character#3Character#4Character#5Character

#6

Edit

PB OFF

Data

Button
to edit

Minimum

Level

Maximum

Level

Button

mode

select

Byte

#1

Byte

#2

Byte

#3

Edit
FK ON
Name

Function

key

to edit

Character#1Character#2Character#3Character#4Character#5Character

#6

Edit
FK ON

Data

Function

key

to edit

Minimum

Level

Maximum

Level

Button

mode

select

Byte

#1

Byte

#2

Byte

#3

Edit

FK OFF

Name

Function

key

to edit

Character#1Character#2Character#3Character#4Character#5Character

#6

Edit

FK OFF

Data

Function

key

to edit

Minimum

Level

Maximum

Level

Button

mode

select

Byte

#1

Byte

#2

Byte

#3

Edit

Program

Name

Character#1Character#2Character#3Character#4Character#5Character#6Character

#7

Edit

Program

Data

MIDI

Channel

assign

Ext In #1

sldr/butn

assign

Ext In #1

operating

mode

Ext In #2

sldr/butn

assign

Ext In #2

operating

mode

Reatime
value #1

minimum

Reatime
value #1

maximum

Edit

Global

Name

Character#1Character#2Character#3Character#4Character#5Character#6Character

#7

Edit

Global

Data

Global

MIDI

Channel

Internal

clock rate

BPM

Device

Number

Sysex

Byte

#1

Sysex

Byte

#2

Sysex

Byte

#3

Sysex

Byte

#4

Sysex Rx

Program

Map

Remap to

Program ##

Sysex

Dump

Single

From

Program ##

Slider,

Button or

F key ##

Push

Store key

to send

Sysex

Dump

Program

From

Program ##

Push

Store key

to send

Sysex

Dump

Block

Block

select

Push

Store key

to send

Library

Mode

Library

select

Library

position ##

To

Program ##

Slider

Button or

F key ##

Push

Store key

to copy

Copy

Single

From

Program

##

Slider,

Button or

F key ##

To

Program ##

Slider

Button or

F key ##

Push

Store key

to copy

Copy

Program

From

Program ##

To

Program

##

Push

Store key

to copy

OVERALL MAP OF EDITING SYSTEM CONTROL FREAK

10

Editing overview

Editing is accomplished by use of the
left and right arrow buttons and the
Data Wheel.

On power up the Control Freak is at the
HOME position, where use of the

Data

Wheel

changes the program number.

The left arrow edit key takes you to four
realtime positions, where use of the
Data Wheel will adjust the Global MIDI
channel, the Freak's clock speed or the
Realtime value #1 or Realtime value #2.
These are independent of the program
selected. Realtime values 1 & 2 can be
affected by min max + default values if
they are set in Edit program data.

A single press of the right arrow edit
key from the home position allows you
to select the parameter you wish to edit,
where use of the

Data Wheel will scroll

through the options.

Further presses of the right arrow edit
key allow you to change the parameter
indicated, again using the

Data Wheel

to change the value as desired.

When you have finished editing, press
[STORE] then [EXIT] to return to the
HOME position.You will be prompted to
save your changes if you haven’t already
saved them.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Program

number

select

[HOME]

EDIT MODE

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

EDIT

[––>]

Character#7Character#8Character#9Character

#10

Character

#11

Character

#12

Character

#13

Character

#14

Character

#15

Character

#16

Byte

#5

Byte

#6

Byte

#7

Byte

#8

Byte

#9

Byte

#10

Byte

#11

Byte

#12

Byte

#13

Byte

#14

Byte

#15

…until

Byte

#45

Character#7Character#8Character#9Character

#10

Character

#11

Character

#12

Character

#13

Character

#14

Character

#15

Character

#16

Byte

#4

Byte

#5

Byte

#6

Byte

#7

Byte

#8

Byte

#9

Byte

#10

Byte

#11

Byte

#12

Byte

#13

Byte

#14

…until

Byte

#45

Character#7Character#8Character#9Character

#10

Character

#11

Character

#12

Character

#13

Character

#14

Character

#15

Character

#16

Byte

#4

Byte

#5

Byte

#6

Byte

#7

Byte

#8

Byte

#9

Byte

#10

Byte

#11

Byte

#12

Byte

#13

Byte

#14

…until

Byte

#45

Character#7Character#8Character#9Character

#10

Character

#11

Character

#12

Character

#13

Character

#14

Character

#15

Character

#16

Byte

#4

Byte

#5

Byte

#6

Byte

#7

Byte

#8

Byte

#9

Byte

#10

Byte

#11

Byte

#12

Byte

#13

Byte

#14

…until

Byte

#45

Character#7Character#8Character#9Character

#10

Character

#11

Character

#12

Character

#13

Character

#14

Character

#15

Character

#16

Byte

#4

Byte

#5

Byte

#6

Byte

#7

Byte

#8

Byte

#9

Byte

#10

Byte

#11

Byte

#12

Byte

#13

Byte

#14

…until

Byte

#45

Character#8Character#9Character

#10

Character

#11

Character

#12

Character

#13

Character

#14

Character

#15

Character

#16

Realtime

value #1

default

Reatime
value #2
minimum

Reatime
value #2

maximum

Realtime

value #2

default

Sysex Byte#1Sysex Byte#2Sysex Byte#3Sysex Byte#4Sysex Byte#5Sysex Byte#6Sysex Byte#7Sysex Byte

#8

Character#8Character#9Character

#10

Character

#11

Character

#12

Character

#13

Character

#14

Character

#15

Character

#16

Sysex

Byte

#5

Sysex

Byte

#6

Sysex

Byte

#7

Sysex

Byte

#8

CONTROL FREAK OVERALL MAP OF EDITING SYSTEM

11

etc.

etc.

etc.

etc.

etc.

Slider operations

Slider name

This allows you to enter a name of up to 16 characters for each individual
slider.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen.

This allows you to choose the slider to edit by turning the Data Wheel. If the
required slider is moved before entering the editing pages,it will automatically
become the initial slider to edit.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen.

Use the Data Wheel to select lower case letters and numerals.
Use [SHIFT] + Data Wheel to select capital letters and symbols.
The two top left buttons act to delete characters and insert spaces
respectively.The [<––] and [––>] buttons work as cursor controls.

Normal:

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789

With

[SHIFT]

pressed:

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ*/+-.,&@!’:

Press [STORE] to save the name entered then [EXIT] to return to PLAY
MODE or use [SHIFT]/[STORE] to jump to

Slider data

Pressing the [––>] button will take you into the slider edit pages.

This allows you to select the slider to edit by turning the Data Wheel.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This is the minimum value setting for the slider. The Data Wheel can be used
to change the value if required.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This is the maximum value setting for the slider. The Data Wheel can be used
to change the value if required.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The initial end of data setting can be changed using using the Data Wheel
to any of the commands listed on page 21. There is space for up to 45
command or data bytes to be entered here.

EDIT MENU 2

EDIT MENU 1

EDIT MENUS CONTROL FREAK

12

````COMMAND`````
``End`of`DATA```

EDIT`SLIDER`NAME
Push`>`to`Select

EDIT`SLIDER`DATA
Push`>`to`Select

`Slider`to`Edit`
Slider`Number``x

`Slider`to`Edit`
Slider`Number``x

Slider`Name`Edit
_```````````````

``Header``Data``
Minimum Levl```0

``Header``Data``
Maximum Levl`127

Button operations

Button On name

This allows you to enter a name of up to 16 characters for each Button On.
Button On names are edited in the same way as slider names.
Press [STORE] then [EXIT] or use [SHIFT]/[STORE] to jump to

Button On data

Pressing the [––>] button will take you into the Button On edit pages:

This allows you to select the button to edit by turning the Data Wheel. If the
required button is pressed before entering the editing pages,it will
automatically become the initial button to edit.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This is the minimum value setting for the button. The Data Wheel can be
used to change the value if required.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This is the maximum value setting for the button. The Data Wheel can be
used to change the value if required.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Use the Data Wheel to select the button mode you require:

Sends the PB ON DATA message only when the button is pressed.

Sends the PB ON DATA message when the button is pressed and the PB OFF
DATA message when the button is released.

Sends the PB ON DATA message and PB OFF DATA message on alternate
button presses.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The initial end of data setting can be changed with the Data Wheel to any of
the commands listed on page 21. There is space for up to 45 command or
data bytes to be entered here.

Button Off name

This is edited in exactly the same way as Button On name.

Button Off data

Pressing the [––>] button will take you into the Button Off edit pages, which
are edited in exactly the same way as the Button On edit pages.

EDIT MENU 6

EDIT MENU 5

EDIT MENU 4

EDIT MENU 3

CONTROL FREAK EDIT MENUS

13

EDIT`PB``ON`NAME
Push`>`to`Select

EDIT`PB``ON`DATA
Push`>`to`Select

`Button`to`Edit`
Button`Number``1

``Header``Data``
Minimum`Levl```0

``Header``Data``
Maximum`Levl`127

``Header``Data``
`Button`ON`only`

````COMMAND`````
``End`of`DATA```

EDIT`BB`OFF`NAME
Push`>`to`Select

EDIT`PB`OFF`DATA
Push`>`to`Select

`Button`On`+ Off

`Button`Toggle``

F key operations

F key On name

This allows you to enter a name of up to 16 characters for each F key On.
F key On names are edited in the same way as slider names.
Press [STORE] then [EXIT] or use [SHIFT]/[STORE] to jump to

F key On data

Pressing the [––>] button will take you into the F key On edit pages:

This allows you to select the F key to edit by turning the Data Wheel.

Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This is the minimum value setting for the F key. The Data Wheel can be used
to change the value if required.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This is the maximum value setting for the F key. The Data Wheel can be used
to change the value if required.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Use the Data Wheel to select the F key mode you require:

Sends the FK ON DATA message only when the F key is pressed.

Sends the FK ON DATA message when the F key is pressed and the FK OFF
DATA message when the F key is released.

Sends the FK ON DATA message and FK OFF DATA message on alternate F key
presses.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The end of data setting can be changed with the Data Wheel to any of the
commands listed on page 21. There is space for up to 45 command or data
bytes to be entered here.

F key off name

This is edited in exactly the same way as F key On name.

F key Off data

Pressing the [––>] button will take you into the F key Off edit pages, which are
edited in exactly the same way as the F key On edit pages.

EDIT MENU 10

EDIT MENU 9

EDIT MENU 8

EDIT MENU 7

EDIT MENUS CONTROL FREAK

14

EDIT`FK``ON`NAME
Push`>`to`Select

Func`Key`to`Edit
Functn`Key`#```1

EDIT`FK``ON`DATA
Push`>`to`Select

``Header``Data``
`Button`ON`only`

````COMMAND`````
``End`of`DATA```

EDIT`FK`OFF`NAME
Push`>`to`Select

EDIT`FK`OFF`DATA
Push`>`to`Select

``Header``Data``
Minimum`Levl```0

``Header``Data``
Maximum`Levl`127

`Button`On`+ Off

`Button`Toggle``

Program operations

Program name
This allows you to enter a name of up to 16 characters for each individual
program. Program names are edited in the same way as slider names.
Press [STORE] then [EXIT] or use [SHIFT]/[STORE] to jump to

Program data

Pressing the [––>] button will take you into the program edit pages:

This allows the user to define a MIDI channel for this program.Any data which
would have used the Global MIDI channel will use this channel instead.See
page 8 for a detailed look at channel assignments.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This allows you to assign Ext #1 input signals received at the 1⁄4" jack socket to
control any slider, button or F key. Use the Data Wheel to select a slider, button
or F key destination for the signal from the Ext #1 input.
Press the [––>] key to move to the next screen.

If a slider was selected at the previous screen, you now have the choice of:

or

Alternatively, if a button or F key was selected at the previous screen,you now
have the choice of:

or

For a fuller explanation of using the external inputs see page 34.

This screen and the following one are identical in use to the Ext control In #1
section above but are for Ext contrl In #2
Press the [––>] key to move to the next screen.

This allows the user to define a minimum value for real-time byte #1.When in
real-time edit mode the data wheel will not let you select a value less than this.
Press the [––>] key to move to the next screen.

This allows the user to define a maximum value for real-time byte #1.When in
real-time edit mode the data wheel won’t let you select a value greater than this.
Press the [––>] key to move to the next screen.

This allows the user to define a default value for real-time byte #1.This is the
value that real-time byte #1 will take up every time you select this program,
however if Off is selected, the byte will just stay at the value it was when you
last adjusted it, or another program set a default value there.
Note: to select Off, use the [DELETE] key (top left button).
Press the [––>] key to move to the next screen.

EDIT MENU 12

EDIT MENU 11

CONTROL FREAK EDIT MENUS

15

EDIT`PROGRM`NAME
Push`>`to`Select

EDIT`PROGRM`DATA
Push`>`to`Select

MIDI`Chan`Assign
Use`Global`Chan`

Ext`Contrl`In`#1
```Unassigned```

Ext`Contrl`In`#1
Input`=`Voltage`

Input`=`Pedal```

Sw`On=BREAK`(Hi) Sw`On=MAKE`(low)

Ext`Contrl`In`#2
```Unassigned```

``R/T`Value`#1``
Minimum`Val=```0

``R/T`Value`#1``
Maximum`Val=`127

``R/T`Value`#1`

Default`Val=`Off

These three screens are identical in function to those above but apply to real­time byte #2.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This screen shows the first byte of an 8 byte Program SysEx header.You can
enter a string of up to 8 bytes here, which can be used in any SysEx string
within this program by selecting ‘Progrm Sysex Hdr’ from the data variables list.

When you are in play mode and the data is being sent, the bytes are read
starting with byte #1 and will stop either when all 8 bytes have been sent or
when an End of DATA is encountered.

Press [STORE] to save any edits
then [EXIT] to return to PLAY MODE.

EDIT MENUS CONTROL FREAK

16

SysEx``byte`#``1

``End`of`DATA``

UPDATING``MEMORY

....````````````

``R/T`Value`#2``
Minimum`Val=```0

``R/T`Value`#2``
Maximum`Val=`127

``R/T`Value`#2`

Default`Val=`Off

Global operations

Global name

This allows you to enter a startup name.This name will be seen on power up,
and is edited in the same way as slider names.
Press [STORE] then [EXIT] or use [SHIFT]/[STORE] to jump to

Global data

Pressing the [––>] button will take you into the Global edit pages:

This allows you to set a default for the Global MIDI channel, which will be
remembered on power off/on.

*1

Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This allows you to set a default tempo which will be remembered on power
off/on.

*1

Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

This allows you to set a SysEx device number for the Freak itself,
and also to set the Control Freak STUDIO EDITION to accept Control Freak

ORIGINAL profiles.You then use SysEx RX prog map to choose destination

programs for incoming profiles.

Range: 1-16 and “Dev =8 ch Freak”.You can usually leave this at 1 unless you
want to load 8 channel Freak data, in which case turn the Data Wheel one
click anticlockwise to show ‘Dev=8 ch Freak’.
Then press [STORE] to activate.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Even numbered 8-channel profiles will go into the left sliders (1-8).
Odd numbered profiles will go into the right sliders (9-16).

This screen shows the first byte of an 8 byte Global SysEx header.You can enter
a string of up to 8 bytes here, which can be used in any SysEx string within any
program by selecting Global Sysex Header from the data variables list.

When you are in PLAY MODE and the data is being sent, the bytes are read
starting with byte #1 and will stop either when all 8 bytes have been sent or
when an End of DATA is encountered.

Press [STORE] to save any edits
then [EXIT] to return to PLAY MODE.

*1 The MIDI channel and Int clock tempo settings can be altered in real-time by accessing the

Real-time edit menu [<––]. Any changes made will be temporary and on power off/on will

default to the settings made in Global data as described above.

EDIT MENU 14

EDIT MENU 13

CONTROL FREAK EDIT MENUS

17

EDIT`GLOBAL`NAME
Push`>`to`Select

EDIT`GLOBAL`DATA
Push`>`to`Select

`````Global`````
MIDI`Channel```1

`````Global`````
Int`Clock````120

`````Global`````
Device`Number``x

Sysex``Byte`#``1
Data`Val`00h```0

UPDATING``MEMORY

....````````````

RX/TX Dump operations

SysEx RX prog map

This allows you to redirect incoming profile dumps to any internal program.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The Data Wheel can be used to select a destination program for the incoming
profile.Then just send the data to the Freak from your computer.
Note: this function is only active while this screen is displayed.

SysEx dump single

This allows you to dump individual slider, button or F key information to an
external SysEx storage device.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the first screen:

The Data Wheel can be used to change the source program if required.
The bottom line of the display will show the name of the selected slider,
button or F key.
Pressing the [––>] button will move the cursor across to the right.

The initial setting sldr x can be changed with the top left three buttons in
combination with [

SHIFT

] and the Data Wheel to select any slider, button or

F key.

F1 F2 F3

Without [SHIFT] Slider Button On F key On

With [SHIFT] Slider Button Off F key Off

The bottom line of the display will show the name of the selected slider,
button or F key.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Pressing [

STORE

] will dump the chosen data from MIDI Out.

SysEx dump prog

This allows you to dump individual programs to an external storage device.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The Data Wheel can be used to select the required program.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Pressing [STORE] will dump the chosen data from MIDI Out.

EDIT MENU 17

EDIT MENU 16

EDIT MENU 15

EDIT MENUS CONTROL FREAK

18

SYSX`RX`PROG`MAP
Push`>`to`Select

ReMap`to`Prog``0
``Program`Name``

SYSX`DUMP`SINGLE
Push`>`to`Select

Fm`Prg``_`Sldr`1```````14```````
``Slider`name```

Fm`Prg````Sldr`_```````14``````7
``Slider`name```

`Push`STORE`Key`
to`Send`Syx`Dump

SYSEX`DUMP`PROG`
Push`>`to`Select

From`Program``36

`Push STORE`Key`
to`send`Syx`Dump

```````````````_
``Program`Name``

SysEx dump block

This allows you to dump various different data blocks to an external storage
device. Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The Data Wheel can be used to select from the available blocks.
For example Slider block dumps every slider in every program.

‘All 64 Programs’ sends a very large SysEx dump of the entire 64 programs to
allow you to clone one Freak from another. Note however that you will need
to clear the memory of the target Freak first.To do this, you need to turn it off,
then turn it on again whilst you hold all four F keys pressed. Caution – this
will wipe any profiles you have in the machine.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Pressing [STORE] will dump the chosen data from MIDI Out.

Library mode

Reserved for future use.

Copy operations

Copy single

This allows you to copy any single slider, button or function key data to any
other slider, button or function key destination.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The Data Wheel can be used to change the source program if required.
The bottom line shows the name of the slider, button or F key, not the program.
Pressing the [––>] button will move the cursor across to the right.

The initial setting sldr x can be changed using the Data Wheel and the top
left three buttons in combination with [SHIFT].
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The Data Wheel can be used to select a destination program.
Pressing the [––>] button will move the cursor across to the right.

Select a destination slider/button/F key.The initial setting sldr x can be
changed as previously described.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Pressing [STORE] will then copy the source data to the chosen destination.

EDIT MENU 20

EDIT MENU 19

EDIT MENU 18

CONTROL FREAK EDIT MENUS

19

SYSEX`DUMP`BLOCK
Push`>`to`Select

``Block`Select``
``Slider`Block``

`Push`STORE`Key`
to`Send`Syx`Dump

``LIBRARY`MODE``
Push`>`to`Select

```COPY`SINGLE``
Push`>`to`Select

Fm`Prg``0`Sldr`1

Fm`Prg``0`Sldr`1

````````_```````
`Volume`Chan``1`

```````````````_
`Volume`Chan``1`

To`Prg`40`Sldr`1

To`Prg``0`B.On`2

````````_```````

`

```````4```````_

``

`Push`STORE`Key`
to`Start`Copying

Copy program

This allows you to copy any program to any other program location. Pressing
the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The Data Wheel can be used to select the source program.
The bottom line of the display will show the name of the selected program.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

The Data Wheel can be used to select a destination program.
The bottom line of the display will show the name of the selected program.
Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen:

Pressing [STORE] will then copy the source program to the chosen
destination.

EDIT MENU 21

EDIT MENUS USER MANUAL

20

``COPY`PROGRAM``
Push`>`to`Select

From`Program```x
Name`of`Program`

`To`Program````x
Name of`Program`

`Push`STORE`Key`
to`Start`Copying

Commands When you see the

prompt you have the option of the following commands.The table below lists all currently
available commands and their associated data bytes.As may be seen, the majority of MIDI and
Internal Commands use a command followed by one or two variables.

MIDI Command Data Byte # 1 Data Byte # 2

•

End of data
Controller Controller number Controller value

F0 Begin SysEx “See “”SysEx Explained”””

Note-on Note number Velocity
Note-off Note number Velocity
Program change Program number
NRPN MSB only
NRPN MSB + LSB See below and
RPN MSB only NRPN/RPNs explained
RPN MSB + MSB
Pitchbend Pitchbend LSB Pitchbend MSB
Mono aftertouch Aftertouch amount
Poly aftertouch Note number Aftertouch amount
Controller Hi/Lo Controller number Controller value MSB/LSB

MTC Quarter frame Message type/value
F2 Song position pointer SPP Data LSB SPP Data MSB
F3 Song select Song number

•

Internal program Internal program number

•

Set global MIDI channel Global MIDI channel

•

Set internal clock rate Internal clock rate BPM

•

Set real-time value # 1 Real-time value # 1

•

Set real-time value # 2 Real-time value # 2

•

Internal clock start

•

Internal clock stop

•

Internal clock continue
F6 Tune request
F8 Timing clock
FA MIDI Clock start
FB MIDI Clock continue
FC MIDI Clock stop
FE Active sensing
FF System reset

Set MIDI channel 1

• = internal Freak data commands

Set MIDI channel 16 F0-FF = MIDI system data commands

•

Invert data All others are MIDI channel commands

NRPNs/RPNs Note that where MSB only and MSB + LSB are referred to in the command box below, this refers to

the Data MSB or Data MSB + LSB. Parameter MSB and LSB must always be defined and sent. For
further information see NRPNs explained on page 38.

Command Parameter MSB Parameter LSB Data MSB Data LSB

NRPN MSB only NRPN Cntrllr MSB NRPN Cntrllr LSB NRPN Data MSB

NRPN MSB + LSB NRPN Cntrllr MSB NRPN Cntrllr LSB NRPN Data MSB NRPN Data LSB

RPN MSB only RPN Cntrllr MSB RPN Cntrllr LSB RPN Data MSB

RPN MSB + LSB RPN Cntrllr MSB RPN Cntrllr LSB RPN Data MSB RPN Data LSB

````COMMAND`````
``End`of`DATA```

CONTROL FREAK COMMANDS

21

DATA VARIABLES CONTROL FREAK

22

Data variables Most commands require some data to be entered at the subsequent screens.

The following data variables can be used at any of these screens.
The table lists the data types in the order you see them as you turn the Data
Wheel to the left (anti-clockwise).

Data`Val`00h`0``

Fixed numeric value of zero

Data`from`Slider

Data is taken from local slider

Use`Data`frm`S01

Data is taken from another slider – in this case slider #1

Other sliders S02 to S15 (Freak ORIGINAL only goes up to S08)

Use`Data`frm`S16

Data is taken from slider #16

Use`R/T`Value`#1

Byte definable by user in real-time

Use`R/T`Value`#2

Byte definable by user in real-time

Data`Val`7Fh`127

Fixed numeric value of 127 – note the hexadecimal value given too

Fixed numeric values 126 to 2

Data`Val`01h```1

Fixed numeric value of 1

Note that if you are entering a controller number at the screen following a
controller command, the Freak gives you the standard names for the
controllers as well as the numeric value.

There are some additional data variables which are only available when you are
entering data following a SysEx command.These additional variables appear in­between some of the variables listed above and are as follows,again in the
order you see them as you turn the Data Wheel to the left (anti-clockwise):

End`Sysex``[F7]`

Obligatory end byte for SysEx message

Sx`14b`signed`LH

See SysEx explained page 40

Sx`14b`signed`HL

See SysEx explained page 40

Sx`Ascii`M/I/LSB

Format only used by Korg Wavestation (as far as we know)

Sx`Data`0Hh/0Lh`

See SysEx explained page 40

Sx`Data`0Lh/0Hh`

See SysEx explained page 40

Sx`4x4`nibl`HhLl

See SysEx explained page 40

Sx`4x4`nibl`lLhH

See SysEx explained page 40

Progrm`Sysex`Hdr

String definable at program level

Global`Sysex`Hdr

String definable at global level

````Checksum

Automatically calculates the checksum (mainly Roland).

Editing examples – a step by step guide

In all the following examples the naming of the slider/button has been omitted as it is common to
all examples and is described fully on page 12.
Further editing examples will be made available on our website.

Example of making a slider control filter cutoff on the Global MIDI channel

In this case we are assuming that filter cutoff can be controlled with controller #74.This is by no
means always the case, but the method holds good for any other controller message such as MIDI
volume or pan etc. just by selecting a different controller number when prompted.

Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) to display:

EDIT`SLIDER`DATA

Press the [––>] key and use the Data Wheel to select the Slider to Edit

Press the

[––>] key – leave Minimum Levl at 0

Press the

[––>] key – leave Maximum Levl at 127

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right to display:

```Controller

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

Controller`Numbr
0``Bank`Select

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) to display:

74`Sound`Cntrl`5

You can speed up the process by holding the [SHIFT] key down whilst

you turn the

Data Wheel

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

Controller`Value
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the left to display:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

Press the [EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES

23

Example of making a button send note on & off on the Global MIDI channel – taking the note number
from the local slider (the one directly beneath the button) at a fixed velocity of 64

Press the [

––

>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) to display:

EDIT`PB``ON`DATA

Press the [––>] key and use the Data Wheel to select the Button to Edit

Press the

[––>] key – leave Minimum Levl at 0

Press the

[––>] key – leave Maximum Levl at 127

Press the [––>] key – the screen will show

``Header``Data
`Button`ON`only`

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right – the screen will display:

`Button`On`+`Off

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel three clicks to the right – the screen will display:

```Note-On

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

```Note`Number
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left – the screen will display:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

````Velocity````
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the screen displays:

Data`Val`40h``64

You can speed up the process by holding the shift key down whilst you turn the Data Wheel.

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

````COMMAND
``End of DATA

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

Press the [EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

When you select Button On + off above, this tells the button to send a message not only when you press it,

but when you release it too.The default mode is for the button to send a message only when pressed.There is

a third mode which sends alternate messages each time you press the button,this is called toggle.

EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK

24

At this point you have set the button so that it turns a note on when you press it, but now you also need to

make it send a note off when you release it, so continue as follows:

Press the

[––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

EDIT`PB`OFF`DATA

Press the [––>] key – Button to Edit should still be the correct one

Press the

[––>] key – leave Minimum Levl at 0

Press the

[––>] key – leave Maximum Levl at 127

Press the [––>] key – the screen will show

``Header``Data
`Button`ON`only

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right – the screen will display:

`Button`On`+`Off

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel four clicks to the right – the screen will display:

```Note-Off

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

```Note`Number
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left – the screen will display:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

````Velocity````
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the screen shows:

Data`Val`40h``64

Again, you can speed up the process by holding the shift key down whilst you turn the Data Wheel

Press the [––>] key – the screen will display:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

Press the [EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

To use this example, first select a note number by using the slider – this is shown in the display.
60 is a good number to start with as this is middle C. Press the button and a note-on will be sent,
release the button and a note-off will be sent.

In the above example you could easily have used a fixed value for the note and a variable value for
the velocity instead.

CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES

25

Example of making a button send a chord on the Global MIDI channel – taking the velocity from the local
silder (the one directly beneath the button)

For this example we will send middle C and the major third and fifth above it.These correspond
to MIDI note numbers 60, 64 and 67

Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows

EDIT`PB``ON`DATA

Press the [––>] key and use the Data Wheel to select the Button to Edit

Press the

[––>] key – leave Minimum Levl at 0

Press the

[––>] key – leave Maximum Levl at 127

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

``Header``Data
`Button`ON`only

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right – the display will show:

`Button`On`+`Off

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel three clicks to the right and the display will show:

```Note-On

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

```Note`Number
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data`Val`3Ch``60

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````Velocity````
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the left to display:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
`End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel three clicks to the right to display:

```Note-On

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

```Note`Number
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) to display:

Data`Val`40h``64

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````Velocity````
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left to show:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel three clicks to the right to display:

```Note-On

EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK

26

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

```Note`Number
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data`Val`43h``67

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````Velocity````
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left – the display will show:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

Press the

[EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

At this point you have set the button so that it turns the chord on when pressed.

To make it turn the notes off again when released continue as follows:

Press the

[––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

EDIT`PB`OFF`DATA

Press the [––>] key – Button to Edit should still be the correct one

Press the

[––>] key – leave Minimum Levl at 0

Press the

[––>] key – leave Maximum Levl at 127

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

``Header``Data
`Button`ON`only

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right - the display will show:

`Button`On`+`Off

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel four clicks to the right - the display will show:

```Note-Off

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

```Note`Number
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data`Val`3Ch``60

Press the [––>] key – the display will show;

````Velocity````
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left - the display will show:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel four clicks to the right - the display will show:

```Note-Off

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

```Note`Number
Data`Val`00h```0

CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES

27

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data`Val`40h``64

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````Velocity````
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left - the display will show:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel four clicks to the right and the display will show:

Note-Off

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Note`Number

Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data Val 43h 67

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

``Velocity`````
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left - the display will show:

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

Press the

[EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

To use this example, first select a velocity by using the slider – this is shown in the display. 64 is a
good number to start with. Note that a velocity of zero is treated as a note-off so if you have the
slider at the bottom of its travel, you will not hear anything. Press the button and a chord will be
sent, release the button and the notes will be released.

Shortcut: after you have programmed the PB On data, you could simply copy the PB On data to the
PB Off data for the same button and change the notes on to notes off.

EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK

28

Example of sending on multiple MIDI channels from one slider

How to make a slider send MIDI volume on two MIDI channels at the same time
In the example below, we’re using MIDI Channels 1 & 2.

Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

EDIT`SLIDER`DATA

Press the [––>] key and use the Data Wheel to select the Slider to Edit

Press the

[––>] key – leave Minimum Levl at 0

Press the

[––>] key – leave Maximum Levl at 127

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel to the left (anti-clockwise) until the display shows:

Set`MIDI`Chan`1

Press the [––>] key – the display will again show:

````COMMAND
``End of DATA

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right and the display will show:

```Controller

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Controller`Numbr
0``Bank Select

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

7``Main Volume

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Controller`Value
Data`Val`00h`0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the left - the display will show:

Data`from`Slider

At this point you have set the slider to send MIDI volume (controller #7) on MIDI Channel #1.
Continue as follows to make it also send on Channel #2.

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel to the left (anti-clockwise) until the display shows:

Set`MIDI`chan``2

Press the [––>] key – the display will again show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right - the display will show:

```Controller

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Controller Numbr
0``Bank`Select

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

7``Main`Volume

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Controller`Value
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the left and the display will show:

Data`from`Slider

CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES

29

Press the [––>] key – the display will show

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

Press the [EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

As you can see from the above, you have to send the message twice. Setting the channel then
sending the message, then setting a new channel and sending the message again.

You can send any combination of messages up to the maximum the Freak allows – that is until you
can’t press the [

––

>] key any more (45 bytes).

NB: the ‘Set MIDI Channel command’ must come before a MIDI message if you want it to apply to
that message.You can reset MIDI Channels as many times as you like in any slider / button.

Example of sending increasing MIDI volume message on one MIDI channel and sending decreasing MIDI
volume message on another MIDI channel – all from one slider

How to make a slider send MIDI volume on two MIDI channels at the same time with one
increasing whilst the other decreases. In other words, a pan from one channel to another.

In the example below, we’re using MIDI Channels 1 & 2 – it is very similar to the previous
example, but with the addition of an ‘Invert Data’ command.

Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the the display shows:

EDIT`SLIDER`DATA

Press the [––>] key and use the Data Wheel to select the Slider to Edit

Press the

[––>] key – leave Minimum Levl at 0

Press the

[––>] key – leave Maximum Levl at 127

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel to the left (anti-clockwise) until the display shows:

Set`MIDI Chan``1

Press the [––>] key – the display will again show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right - the display will show:

```Controller

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Controller`Numbr
0``Bank`Select

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

7``Main`Volume

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Controller`Value
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the left - the display will show:

Data`from`Slider

EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK

30

At this point you have already set the slider to send MIDI volume (controller #7) on MIDI Channel #1.

Continue as follows to make it also send inverted data on Channel #2.

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the left - the display will show:

Invert`Data````

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel to the left (anti-clockwise) until the display shows:

Set`MIDI`Chan``2

Press the [––>] key – the display will again show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the right - the display will show:

```Controller

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Controller`Numbr
0``Bank`Select

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the the display shows:

7``Main`Volume

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Controller`Value
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel one click to the left and the display will show

Data`from`Slider

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

Press the [EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES

31

Example of programming a button to send a System Exclusive Message (SysEx)

For this example we are going to send a General MIDI System On message which comprises six
bytes as follows: (in hexadecimal) F0h, 7Eh, 7Fh, 09h, 01h, F7h.

Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

EDIT`PB``ON`DATA

Press the [––>] key and use the Data Wheel to select the Button to Edit

Press the

[––>] key – leave Minimum Levl at 0

Press the

[––>] key – leave Maximum Levl at 127

Press the

[––>] key – leave Button ON only

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Turn the Data Wheel two clicks to the right and the display will show:

Begin`Sysex`[F0]

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Byte`#``1``Sysex
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data`Val`7Eh`126

You can speed up the process by holding the shift key down whilst you turn the Data Wheel.

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

Byte`#``2``Sysex
Data`Val`00h```0

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data`Val`7Fh`127

Press the [

––

>] key – for Byte #3

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data`Val`09h```9

Press the [

––

>] key – for Byte #4

Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows:

Data`Val 01h```1

Turn the Data Wheel two clicks to the left and the display will show:

`End Sysex``[F7]

Press the [––>] key – the display will show:

````COMMAND
``End`of`DATA

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

Press the [EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

NB: the byte number indication on the top line begins with the byte after the F0h.

EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK

32

Example of programming a button to learn Note On/Off messages

Press the [––>] edit button to enter EDIT MODE

Use the Data Wheel to select…

EDIT`PB``ON`NAME

Enter a suitable name as previously described

Note`On`36`C1

Press [SHIFT] + [STORE] to jump directly to PB on data.

Minimum`Levl```0

Press the [LEARN] button

Learning
WAITING`FOR`DATA

Press and hold a key on your keyboard

````Note-On

Press the [LEARN] button again

````COMMAND
Set`MIDI`Chan`1

Press the [<––] button to view the button state*

1

``Header``Data
`Button`ON`only

Use the Data Wheel to select

Button`On+OFF

Press the STORE button to save data.

UPDATING`MEMORY

....

Press the [EXIT] button to return to PLAY MODE

Press the [––>] edit button to enter EDIT MODE

EDIT`PB``ON`DATA

Use the Data Wheel to select*

2

EDIT`PB`OFF`NAME

Enter a suitable name

`Note`Off`36`C1

Press and hold a key on your keyboard

Press [LEARN]

````Learning
Waiting`for`data

Release the key on your MIDI controller

````Note-Off

Press [LEARN] again

````COMMAND
Set`MIDI`Chan``1

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

Press the [EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE

*1 Learn will always insert a ‘Set MIDI Chan’ command for the MIDI channel the data was received on. If you

want to use the Global channel at this point, press the

[DELETE] key.

*2 You could use ‘Copy Single’ instead. (See page 19). Copy the PB On to PB Off for the same button.Then

edit the PB Off data and change the Note On command to Note Off.

Note: some keyboards/controllers send a ‘Note On’ message with a Velocity of 0 instead of a ‘Note Off’

message.They are functionally identical but the Control Freak will of course show a ‘Note On’ on these cases,

instead of the ‘Note Off’ in the example above.

CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES

33

Using the Each external input can be used to connect either a variable or switch type foot pedal

external to replace the operation of a slider, button or F key. The external input settings are selected

inputs in ‘Edit program data’ – see page 15 for details of how to assign an input.

When an external input is configured to operate as a slider, the input replaces the chosen slider
(which is then rendered non-operational, although only in the chosen program).When an input is
configured to work as a button it works in parallel with the button, so either can be used.

When a slider is selected, the tip of the jack is pulled up internally to +5v (through about
470 ohms) and the ring of the jack becomes the variable input.The main body of the jack is the
ground connection.

When a button or function key is selected you can use a mono jack plug since the ring
connection is ignored and the switching is detected by the tip, which is pulled up internally to
+5v (through about 5k ohms).

When either of the external inputs is assigned to a particular program, two arrows in the top left
hand corner of the LCD denote which is active; for example:

on the Control Freak

STUDIO EDITION

or

on the Control Freak

ORIGINAL

When both external inputs are set to replace the same slider, Ext #1 takes precedence.

Depending on whether you select a slider or a button/function key, you are given different options
in the Edit Program Data pages. If a slider is selected, you are given the option of ‘Input = Pedal’ or
‘Input = Voltage’.‘Pedal’ should be used if you are using a variable foot pedal (as in the example
below), and ‘Voltage’ should be used if you are supplying an external voltage (eg: for CV-to-MIDI
conversion).

If a button/function key is selected, you are given the option of ‘Sw On = Make (low)’ or ‘Sw On =
Break (Hi)’.This is because there are two ways in which switch pedals can work – either they
make a connection when pressed, pulling the voltage down (‘low’), or they break connection
when pressed, pulling the voltage up (‘Hi’).Alternatively you can supply an external switching
voltage instead of the switching pedal.The voltages supplied must be
zero = on / 5v = off – or vice versa depending on the setting above.

||`Program`126``
Vols`Ch1-8`S1Ext

||`Program` 62``

Vols`Ch1-8`S1Ext

EXTERNAL INPUTS 1 & 2 CONTROL FREAK

34

Using a variable pedal to control MIDI volume (using In #1)

Although this example uses MIDI volume (controller #7) , you could substitute another continuous
controller (eg: controller #1 – modulation) or a different type of MIDI message entirely.

Remember, all you are actually doing is replacing the operation of a slider with a foot pedal,
therefore anything you can do with a slider you can also do with a pedal.

Choose a slider to replace – eg Program #0 Slider #1 which already sends MIDI volume on
Channel #1.This slider already does what you want – now you need to make the external variable
pedal do it instead of the slider.

Select ‘Edit Program Data’– screen reads:

EDIT`PROGRM`DATA

Press the [––>] button twice – screen reads:

Ext Contrl In #1
```Unassigned

Use the Data Wheel to select slider #1 – screen reads:

Slider`Number``1

(the slider you are replacing with a variable pedal plugged into the In #1 jack socket)

Press the [––>] button to move to the next screen
Use the Data Wheel to select ‘Input = Pedal’ – screen reads:

Input`=`Pedal

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

Note the pedal will now control MIDI volume on channel #1 and the slider will be inoperative whilst you are

using Program 0.The pedal assignments only apply to a single program so if you want them to apply to

several programs,you need to set them up in each one.

Using a switch pedal for control of volume mute and reset (using In #2)

Choose a button to replace – eg Program #0 Button #1 which already sends mute and reset on Channel #1

This button already does what you want – now you need to make the external pedal do it instead of the button.

Select ‘Edit Program Data’– screen reads:

EDIT`PROGRM`DATA

Press the [––>] button four times – screen reads:

Ext Contrl In #2
```Unassigned

Use the Data Wheel to select button #1 (the button you are operating with a switch pedal plugged into the

In #2 jack socket)

Press the

[––>] button to move to the next screen

Use the Data Wheel to select:

Sw`On=Break`(Hi)

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

CONTROL FREAK EXTERNAL INPUTS 1 & 2

35

Setting a button to act as a sustain pedal

This is most useful if this button is then assigned to an external switch pedal.

Select ‘Edit PB On Name’– screen reads

EDIT`PB`ON`NAME

Use the Data Wheel to select a button and give the button a name in the usual way (eg:‘Sustain On’)

Hold [SHIFT] and press [STORE] – this takes you directly to:

``Header`Data
Minimum`Level``0

Press the [––>] button twice – screen reads:

`Header`Data
`Button`ON`only

Use the Data Wheel to select ‘Button On + Off’

Button On + Off

Press the [––>] button – screen reads:

````Command
``End`of`Data

Use the Data Wheel to select:

```Controller

Press the [––>] button – screen reads:

0``Bank`Select

Use the Data Wheel to select:

64`Sustain`Pedal

Press the [––>] button – screen reads:

Controller`Value
Data`Val`00h```0

Use the Data Wheel to select:

Data`Val`7Fh`127

Press the [STORE] key to save your data:

UPDATING`MEMORY

Use the Data Wheel to select:

Edit PB Off Name

Use the Data Wheel to select the same button as before and edit the name in the usual way (eg:‘Sustain Off’)

Hold [SHIFT] and press [STORE] – this takes you directly to:

``Header``Data
Minimum`Levl```0

Press the [––>] button twice – screen reads

Header`Data
Button`ON`only

Use the Data Wheel to select:

Button`On`+`Off

Press the [––>] button – screen reads:

````Command
``End`of`Data

Use the Data Wheel to select:

```Controller

Press the [––>] button – screen reads:

0``Bank`Select

Use the Data Wheel to select:

64`Sustain`Pedal

Press the [––>] button – screen reads

Controller`Value

Leave this setting as it is

Data`Val`00h```0

Press the [STORE] key to save your data

UPDATING`MEMORY

EXTERNAL INPUTS 1 & 2 CONTROL FREAK

36

CONTROL FREAK EXTERNAL INPUTS 1 & 2

37

CV-to-MIDI The external inputs may also be used as CV/Gate inputs in order to perform CV-to-MIDI
conversion conversion. As the set up procedure is rather extensive, Program 60 (125 for Control Freak

ORIGINAL) has been pre-loaded with a CV-to-MIDI demo patch.

An example of how to program this will be made available on our website.

When the inputs are configured for CV-to-MIDI conversion, the following network is
recommended in order to obtain satisfactory results:

To set up, first play bottom ‘C’ on your analogue monosynth and adjust it to play in tune. Next,
play top ‘C’ two octaves up and adjust the trimmer (scaling) until this ‘C’ is also in tune. The synth
will then accurately convert 1V/Oct CV into MIDI.

Notes

CV-to-MIDI conversion will not work using a Hz/V synth as the master.

Scaling – each individual slider may be scaled between 0 and 255, which is particularly useful when using the
external inputs. However,where a slider’s value is set above 127, the output MIDI message will not go higher
than 127 (the data is truncated).

Playing style – to avoid hanging notes, care must be taken with the articulation of notes when playing.

Although the Control Freak sends an ‘All notes off’ message when each key is released in order to avoid this
effect, it should be noted that some older synths (eg:Yamaha DX-7) do not respond to this standard MIDI
message [123] but to message [127] instead.

IMPORTANT:When using the inputs for voltage to MIDI conversion, the input range must be restricted to the
operational range of 0 to +5v DC.

Non-Registered Parameter Numbers (NRPNs) explained

It is worth mentioning that you really don’t need to know how NRPNs actually work in order to
program the Freak to send them. Because of the Freak’s friendly editing system, all you need is the
Non Registered Parameter Numbers given in the manufacturer’s product literature,just enter these
numbers when prompted and the Freak will do the rest.You might have the information printed
in your manual or you may need to get it from the manufacturer’s website.

The easiest way to explain how to go about programming NRPNs is with an example. For instance
to change filter cutoff on a GS/XG instrument uses an NRPN, this is listed in the product literature
as follows:

Non Registered Parameter Number for Filter Cutoff

NRPN MSB = 01

NRPN LSB = 08

Go into edit for the slider or button you want to program,(as described in the editing section of this manual).

Select NRPN MSB only from the command menu, then press the

[––>] key.

You will be prompted with:

NRPN`Cntrllr`MSB

Use the Data Wheel to select the MSB value given in the product literature - e.g.1

Data`Val`01h```1

Press the [––>] key again and you will be prompted with:

NRPN`Cntrllr`LSB

Use the Data Wheel to select the LSB value given in the product literature - e.g.8

Data`Val`08h```8

press the [––>] key again and you will be prompted with:

NRPN`Data`MSB

Use the Data Wheel to select:

data from slider

Press the [––>] key again and then press [store] and then press [exit]

Actually, the above has already been done for you in one of the supplied profiles. If you want to see how this

has been done, go to the program containing GS/XG stuff and look at slider #4 which is called GS Filter Cutoff.

Go into edit slider data and keep pressing the

[––>] key while you look at the data presented in the display.

Sometimes the product literature gives the parameter numbers in hex (hexadecimal). Don’t worry because

the Freak shows both a decimal and a hexadecimal value in the display when you are in edit mode.The

hexadecimal value has h after it, eg 0Eh is decimal 14, just use whichever is applicable.

For those of you who still want to know more, read on…

NRPNs use two numbers to specify the parameter that you wish to modify (eg filter cutoff) and then use data

entry,which is controller #6 (or sometimes #6 & #38) to set the value for the specified parameter.

There are two commands on the Freak for NRPN, one is called NRPN MSB only and the other is called NRPN

MSB+LSB.These names are possibly a bit misleading because what they refer to is how the data is sent, i.e.

controller #6 only (data MSB) or both controller #6 (data MSB) & controller #38 (data LSB).The

parameter

MSB & LSB are always sent in both types of command.

NRPN MSB only is the one you would normally use, the MSB only part meaning it sends data values on

controller #6 only.The other called NRPN MSB+LSB is for equipment which requires both controller #6 and

controller #38 messages to be sent. However the product literature will tell you if you need to use this option.

NRPNs & RPNs EXPLAINED CONTROL FREAK

38

Non-Registered Parameter Numbers, or NRPNs, are actually made up of multiple continuous controller

messages. There are only 128 continuous controllers (0-127) of which the last few are reserved for system

messages (eg #121 = reset all controllers). However by combining several controllers into an NRPN the

potential number of parameters available for control is greatly increased.

Using an NRPN needs three or four ordinary continuous controller messages:

1) Controller #99 with a value of xxx where xxx is the NRPN MSB

2) Controller #98 with a value of yyy where yyy is the NRPN LSB

The above specifies the Non-Registered Parameter Number you want to modify.You then actually set the

value of that NRPN by sending a value for controller #6 (data entry msb) or a combination of controllers #6

(data msb) and #38 (data lsb) as follows:

3) Controller #06 (data msb) with the value that you want the NRPN to be.

(typically ‘Data from slider’ on the Freak)

4) Controller #38 (data lsb) - not required for most pieces of equipment

(if used, probably also ‘Data from slider’)

If you assign both Data MSB and Data LSB to ‘Data from slider’, the Freak will automatically split the slider

data it sends into MSB / LSB as required, it won’t go and send the same value for both.

Notes

MSB = Most Significant Byte LSB = Least Significant Byte

Registered Parameter Numbers (RPNs) explained

These are essentially the same as NRPNs except that the parameters they control have been
agreed upon by the MMA (MIDI Manufacturers Association) and JMSC (Japan MIDI Standards
Committee). This means that they are the same for all products that respond to RPNs, although
there are only a handful of RPNs which have been assigned at present:

Registered Parameter Numbers

MSB LSB Function

00 00 Pitchbend sensitivity

00 01 Fine tuning

00 02 Coarse tuning

Using an RPN needs three or four ordinary continuous controller messages as with the NRPN described above:

1) Controller #101 with a value of xxx where xxx is the RPN MSB

2) Controller #100 with a value of yyy where yyy is the RPN LSB

3) Controller #06 (data msb) - always required - usually assigned in the Freak to data from slider

4) Controller #38 (data lsb) - not required for most pieces of equipment.

CONTROL FREAK NRPNs & RPNs EXPLAINED

39

System Exclusive (SysEx) Explained

SysEx messages contain data that is specific to one manufacturer and usually to one individual
product. Each manufacturer wanting to use SysEx messages has been assigned a Manufacturer ID
number.This is always the first byte after the begin SysEx byte [F0H], as in the example below:

F0H Manufacturer ID data data data F7H

Begin SysEx End SysEx

In some cases, the Manufacturer ID number may be three bytes instead of one. If the first byte after [F0] is

00H, then it is a three byte ID number – the two bytes following the 00H define the manufacturer. For

example Yamaha is one byte: 43H, whereas Kenton Electronics is three bytes: 00H, 20H, 13H.

Apart from ‘Begin SysEx’ [F0H], ID number and ‘End SysEx’ [F7H] the format of the data in the rest of the

message is entirely at the manufacturers discretion as long as they all have a zero in the most significant bit,

i.e. all values must be between 0 and 127. Manufacturers are free to use the data in any way they see fit.The

string below can be seen as a typical example:

F0H Manufacturer ID SysEx device no. Command Parameter Data F7H

Begin SysEx XX XX XX XX XX End SysEx

All SysEx bytes are usually represented in hex (hexadecimal). Don’t worry because the Freak shows both a

decimal and a hexadecimal value in the display when you are in edit mode.The hexadecimal value has h after

it, eg 0Eh is decimal 14.

Three SysEx ID numbers have been set aside for special purposes:

7DH for non-commercial use. e.g. schools, research etc. where the product will not be released to the public.

7EH for Non Real-Time use.

7FH for Real Time use. e.g. MIDI machine control (MMC) MIDI show control (MSC)

For you to be able to program SysEx strings into the Freak to control any piece of equipment, you will

definitely need the appropriate product literature for that equipment.This can often be found at the back of

the product manual, or may be available either on request from the manufacturer or from their website.From

then on it depends on the individual product literature how easy or difficult they have made it to program

the Freak. In the ideal case, manufacturers give the whole string you need to enter, this can easily be entered

into the Freak just as it is. Unfortunately, some manufacurers make it more difficult than it needs to be by

splitting the information up so you have to collate the stuff you need from various parts of the product

manual.

A typical example of a SysEx string is that which the Kenton Pro-2000 MIDI-CV converter uses to change the

speed of LFO1:

F0H 00H 20H 13H 02H 20H 01H 05H data data F7H

...where the two data bytes in this case are actually an 8 bit value (0-255) split into two bytes of 4 bits each

because this is the way the Pro-2000 wants it.The two bytes are entered on the Freak by entering Sx Data

0Lh/0Hh once only. In other words setting Sx Data 0Lh/0Hh automatically sends two bytes of data,the first

containing the low four bits and the other the high.The Pro-2000 happens to want the bytes sent in this

order.There is another similar function available on the Freak called Sx Data 0Hh/0Lh which sends the two

bytes in the revcrse order,as some other manufacturers need them this way round instead.

SYSEX EXPLAINED CONTROL FREAK

40

Dealing with SysEx variable data bytes

There are several ways in which different manufacturers want their variable data sent.The Freak
has got several data options available for dealing with these.When you are in edit mode entering
SysEx data, you are offered several new choices for variable data bytes in addition to the options
available for controller messages and the like.These are mentioned in the reference section but the
following explains what these are,and where you would use them.

Displayed on LCD No of What it is

bytes

sent

Data from Slider 1 Data from local slider 0-127
Sx 4x4 nibl lLhH 4 16 bit value sent, split over 4 bytes.The 4 hi bits of each byte are zero and the lo 4 bits

contain the data – sent least significant byte first – as follows:
0000 l l l l , 0000LLLL, 0000hhhh, 0000HHHH

Sx 4x4 nibl HhLl 4 16 bit value sent, split over 4 bytes.The 4 hi bits of each byte are zero and the lo 4 bits

contain the data – sent most significant byte first – as follows:
0000HHHH, 0000hhhh, 0000LLLL, 0000 l l l l

Sx Data 0Lh/0Hh 2 8 bit value sent, split over 2 bytes.The 4 hi bits of each byte are zero and the lo 4 bits

contain the data – sent least significant byte first – as follows: 0000 l l l l, 0000HHHH

Sx Data 0Hh/0Lh 2 8 bit value sent, split over 2 bytes.The 4 hi bits of each byte are zero and the lo 4 bits

contain the data – sent most significant byte first – as follows: 0000HHHH, 0000LLLL

Sx Ascii M/ I / Lsb 3 8 bit value sent, split over 3 bytes. eg: 123 sent as ascii for 1 then ascii for 2 then ascii for 3

sent most significant byte first. Unique to the Korg Wavestation as far as we know.

Sx 14b signed HL 2 14bit value sent, split over 2 bytes.The hi bit of each byte is zero and the lowest 7 bits

contain the data – sent most significant byte first – as follows: 0HHHHHHH, 0LLLLLLL

Sx 14b signed LH 2 14 bit value sent, split over 2 bytes.The hi bit of each byte is zero and the lowest 7 bits

contain the data – sent least significant byte first – as follows: 0LLLLLLL, 0HHHHHHH

Checksum 1 Automatically calculates the checksum required for a lot of the newer Roland stuff.

If you want to get the maximum available data range in the above multiple byte data formats, you will need to

change the maximum value setting in the header data section of editing, from 127 to 255.

The

[Learn] function of the Control Freak will recognise SysEx but please note the following:

When learning SysEx from Roland equipment which needs a checksum byte, the byte will be seen as a

variable byte by the Freak and consequently will be shown as

data from slider

. You need to manually

change this to

checksum

.

When learning SysEx from any equipment which needs data sent in any of the above multiple byte formats,

each variable byte will be shown as

data from slider

. You will need to manually change the first one of

these to the correct data type and you will have to delete one or more further bytes. Refer to the product

manual for guidance on this.

CONTROL FREAK SYSEX EXPLAINED

41

What is the difference between profiles and programs?

A program is any one of the 64 memory locations on a Control Freak STUDIO EDITION (128 on
Control Freak ORIGINAL) whereas a profile is a collection of pre-programmed names and data used
for controlling a piece of MIDI equipment.

Put another way, profiles are what go into program locations. For example,the factory preset
profile in program 0 is MIDI volumes/mutes, but it could be put into any of the available programs.

Downloading How do I download profiles from the web and load them in?

Profiles Kenton are continually adding to the hundreds of profiles already on our website. These profiles

are available for download free from our website at www

.kenton.co.uk.We also welcome profiles
submitted by our customers for the benefit of other users.You can email these to us at
f

[e-mail].

Click on the download button in the left hand frame.This brings up a page in the right hand frame
offering various options. Click on Control Freak profiles. Follow the instructions on-screen to view
the contents of the various profiles on offer or download them.You are presently offered the
choice of downloading profiles one at a time, or downloading all the profiles in section as a .zip
file.The .zip file contains the .mid files you require to load into your sequencer.

If you download the individual profiles, you will need to change the extension from .bin to .mid
because they have been changed in order to stop your browser from trying to play them! You
should be offered the choice of saving the .bin files and at the same time you should have the
facility to rename them as they are being saved.

Use a MIDI lead to connect the MIDI output of your sequencer to the MIDI input of the Freak.
Open your MIDI sequencer program ,then load the .mid file you want.Always start with an empty
song otherwise you may end up with two or more files loaded.

Select RX prog map on the Freak (see page 18) and select the destination program.Hit the play
Button On your sequencer – it’s as simple as that.

16 Channel Freak loading 16 channel Freak profile

If you do not use Rx Prog Map, the profile will by default go into prog #63. Ensure the Device
Number (in Edit Global Data) is set to #1.

16 Channel Freak loading 8 channel Freak profile

If you do not use Rx Prog Map, the profile will by default go into prog #62 left hand section –
sliders/buttons 1-8.

Note: to load 8 channel Freak profiles into the 16 channel Freak you must set the Device Number
(in Edit Global Data) to say ‘Dev=8 channel Freak’.You must then save the change for it to become
operational.

8 Channel Freak loading 8 channel Freak profile

If you do not use Rx Prog Map, the profile will by default go into prog #124.

It is not currently possible to load 16 channel Freak profiles into the 8 channel Freak.

PROFILES AND PROGRAMS CONTROL FREAK

42

CONTROL FREAK CUBASE VST USERS

43

Cubase VST users Controlling Cubase VST from the Kenton Control Freak

Since 3.7 PC / 4.1 Mac, the ability to control various real-time parameters
within VST has been available using a hardware remote device. In the current
versions it is only possible to control the volumes, pans, mutes and solos on
the audio mixer, plus transport functions – this is due to limitations of VST
itself, not of the Freak. However, later versions of VST may offer a greater
degree of control.

All new Control Freak units come pre-programmed with profiles to control
the VST audio mixer. Control Freak owners with an earlier software revision
than 4501.289 (4501.422 for Original Freak) will not have these profiles but
can download them from our website www.kenton.co.uk, where there is also
a profile for controlling transport.

Configuring VST to recognise the Control Freak

Firstly, it is essential that in VST you select the Roland MCR8 as your remote
controller. Go to the audio drop down menu and select VST remote.

In the VST remote
window select Roland MCR8.

Set input to be from your soundcard.

Note:Your Freak must be set to MIDI
channel 16 or VST will not see it
(Kenton profiles are already set to the
correct channel).

Plug-in instruments such as the Pro­Five and Model-E can also be
controlled with the Control Freak.
Profiles will be available from our
website shortly.

Yamaha DSP Factory

DSP Factory owners can also control the DSP mixing desk inside VST from the
Control Freak. This is done by using a program called Auto DSP, which can be
downloaded from www.msmcleod.demon.co.uk.

Before you start VST, run the Auto
DSP program and select your
MIDI In device.

Then click on enable automation.

Finally, click on default.

Start VST and you will find that the
DSP mixer now responds to program
0 (volumes) on the Freak. All other
parameters on the DSP Factory card
can be controlled with the Freak –
you just have to set them up how you
want.

CAKEWALK PRO AUDIO USERS CONTROL FREAK

44

Cakewalk Pro Audio users Cakewalk users can control the mixing desk from the Freak.

Just follow the simple procedure that follows:

Open up the mixing desk inside
cakewalk and right click on slider 1;
this will bring up a sub-menu.

Click on remote control.This opens
up the remote control toolbox where
you can set up your controller.

For now select controller and set it to
number 7, this is volume control. Set
the MIDI channel to channel 1.
Press OK.

This has set up your slider.The slider
in cakewalk will now respond to
slider 1 on the Control Freak
(program 0 volumes ch 1-16) for
additional channels repeat procedure
as above and increase the MIDI
channel as you go: MIDI ch 2,3,4, etc.

For people using Yamaha’s DSP factory, the same procedure as above applies
for setting up volumes on the audio mixing desk.

45

Logic Audio users Logic Audio users can control the midi desk from the Kenton

Control Freak.

Bring up the GM mixing desk inside Logic and the mixer is ready to go.
This is done by using the Freak’s factory default profile Program 0 volumes ch
1-16 for volume control and the Freak’s factory default profile Program 1 pans
ch 1-16) for pan controls.

For control on the chorus and reverb you can switch to other Freak factory
defaultprograms where you can assign sliders to operate the reverb and
chorus with controller data.

Yamaha dsp factory owners can use the audio mixer inside logic Audio in
exactly the same way.

CONTROL FREAK LOGIC AUDIO USERS

46

SAVING A SYSEX FILE CONTROL FREAK

Saving a SysEx File How to save a SysEx file without a sequencer

It is possible to save your profiles without using a sequencer. Instead you can
use a dedicated SysEx editor.

Set the Freak to the type of SysEx
dump you would like to do (single,
program or block) before you press
store.

Open up your SysEx editor and make
sure the input is set to your sound
card.

Press store on the Control Freak and
you will see the data passed to the
SysEx editor.

Save the set up.Your profile is now
saved and can be restored to the
Freak at any time.

To restore a Control Freak profile,
load your saved SysEx file from
Edit on the menu bar.

Copy in to out. Now select the
output of your sound card and
select send on your SysEx editor.

You will now see the green light on
the Control Freak flash and then
update its memory.The profile has
been put back into the Freak.

The above screenshots are from the PC shareware product SysLibEd, which
you can download from http://www.october28.com. You don’t need SysEx
knowledge to use it and it works well with the Freak.

47

CONTROL FREAK THE VIRTUAL CONTROL FREAK

The Virtual Control Freak The virtual Control Freak is a freeware program that allows the user to set up

or edit a profile without using the Freak. This is useful as you can then save
and edit till you are happy with it before you send it to your Freak.

At the moment it is only an 8 slider program but the 16 slider version will be
released soon.You can download this program from:
http://www.dheard.dial.pipex.com

This program saves as a MIDI file so you use your sequencer as you did earlier
in the manual for SysEx dumping and receiving to and from your sequencer.

This shows the startup screen.
Select a slider or button.

A sub-menu window down drops
where you can set up the parameters
for that button or slider.

Read the ‘readme’ file that comes with
the program for setting the program
up to receive and send data to and
from the Virtual Control Freak.

48

SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE CONTROL FREAK

Details of the Control Freak STUDIO EDITION System Exclusive Specification

The first five bytes of the Freak’s own SysEx messages are common to all data types.
N.B. the h suffix means hexadecimal

[ 1 ] 0F0h – Begin SysEx command
[ 2 ] 00h – Company ident first byte
[ 3 ] 20h – Company ident second byte
[ 4 ] 13h – Company ident third byte
[ 5 ] 09h – Product code – Control Freak Studio (16 slider)

64 byte Single data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 40h, prog_num , slider_num , data........data, F7h

where prog_num is a (decimal) number between 0 and 127
where slider_num is as follows (decimal) :

0 – 15 Sliders 1 to 16
16 – 31 Button-on 1 to 16
32 – 47 Button-off 1 to 16
48 – 55 Function key-on 1 to 8
64 – 71 Function key-off 1 to 8
96 – 103 Program (all 8 values return the same program data)
112 – 119 Global (all 8 values return the same global data)

data...data 64 bytes of data sent low 4 bits, then high 4 bits,so 128 bytes are actually sent.

data bytes will have their high 4 bits set to zero – i.e. 0000LLLL , 0000HHHH

n.b. values must always be sent even if not required – i.e. prog_num for function keys

64k Block data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 50h, block_num , data........data , checksum_lo , checksum_hi , F7h

where block_num is as follows (decimal)
0 All Slider data (data from all 1024 sliders – 64 x 16)
1 All Button-on data
2 All Button-off data
3 All Program data/Funtion keys-on/off/Global

data...data 64k bytes of data sent low 4 bits, then high 4 bits,so 128k bytes are

actually sent.

Data bytes will have their high 4 bits set to zero – i.e. 0000LLLL , 0000HHHH

checksum_lo/hi 14 bit additive checksum sent as 2 bytes each having bit 7=0

so original data – 00HHHHHH LLLLLLLL is sent as 0LLLLLLL, 0HHHHHHL

64k Library data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 60h, library_num , data........data , checksum_lo , checksum_hi , F7h

as above except library_num can be 0 or 1 only to select library 1 or 2.

256k All 64 programs data dump – inc function keys & global (approx 293k sent)

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 50h, 70h, data........data , F7h

256k bytes of data are sent in a packed format where every 7 bytes of 8 bit data are sent as 8
bytes of 7 bit data.The 7 MSBs are sent in the first byte and the following 7 bytes are the original 7
bytes sent with their MSB set to zero. Can be used to clone Freaks.

3136 byte Complete Program dump

program data + 16 sliders +16 button-on +16 button-off ( =49x64)

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 70h, prog_num , data........data , F7h

where prog_num is a (decimal) number between 0 and 127

data...data 3136 bytes of data sent low 4 bits, then high 4 bits, so 6272 bytes are actually sent.

data bytes will have their high 4 bits set to zero – i.e. 0000LLLL , 0000HHHH

49

CONTROL FREAK SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE

Request for 64 byte single data dump (also Button/Fkey etc.)

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 10h , 40h, prog_num , slider_num , F7h

where prog_num is a (decimal) number between 0 and 127
where slider_num is as follows (decimal) :

0 – 15 Sliders 1 to 16
16 – 31 Button-on 1 to 16
32 – 47 Button-off 1 to 16
48 – 55 Function key-on 1 to 8
64 – 71 Function key-off 1 to 8
96 – 103 Program (all 8 values return the same program data)
112 – 119 Global (all 8 values return the same global data)

The Control Freak responds with the specified 64 bytes of data

For example: to request a dump of program 6 button-on 3 you would send the following:

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,09h, 10h , 40h, 06h ,12h , F7h
Note that 12h is the hexadecimal equivalent of decimal 18 for selecting button-on 3
Request for 64k Block data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,09h, 10h , 50h, block_num , F7h

where block_num is as follows (decimal)
0 All Slider data (data from all 1024 sliders)
1 All Button-on data
2 All Button-off data
3 All Program data / Function keys-on/off / Global

The Control Freak responds with the specified 64k bytes of data

For example: to request a dump of all button-off data you would send the following:
F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,09h, 10h , 50h, 02h ,F7h

Request for 64k Library data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 10h , 60h, library_num, F7h

as above except library_num can be 0 or 1 only to select library 1 or 2

Request for 256k all 64 programs data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 10h , 50h, 06h, F7h

The Control Freak responds with 256k bytes of data in a packed format where approx 293k bytes
of data are actually transmitted. Note: to actually respond to this dump the memory of the Freak
must be completely wiped first.To do this turn the Freak on with all four F keys pressed.

Request for 3136 byte Complete Program dump

prog data + 16 sliders + 16 button-on + 16 button-off ( = 49x64)

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 09h, 10h , 70h, prog_num, F7h

where prog_num is a (decimal) number between 0 and 127

The Control Freak responds with the specified 3136 bytes of data.

For example: to request a dump of program #33 you would send the following:
F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,09h, 10h , 70h, 21h ,F7h

Note that 21h is the hexadecimal equivalent of decimal 33 for selecting the program

Details of the Control Freak ORIGINAL System Exclusive Specification

The first five bytes of the Freak’s own SysEx messages are common to all data types.
N.B. the h suffix means hexadecimal

[ 1 ] 0F0h – Begin SysEx command
[ 2 ] 00h – Company ident first byte
[ 3 ] 20h – Company ident second byte
[ 4 ] 13h – Company ident third byte
[ 5 ] 08h – Product code – Control Freak Original (8 slider)

64 byte Single data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 08h, 40h, prog_num , slider_num , data........data , F7h

where prog_num is a (decimal) number between 0 and 127
where slider_num is as follows (decimal) :

0 – 7 Sliders 1 to 8
16 – 23 Button-on 1 to 8
32 – 39 Button-off 1 to 8
48 – 55 Function key-on 1 to 8
64 – 71 Function key-off 1 to 8
96 – 103 Program (all 8 values return the same program data)
112 – 119 Global (all 8 values return the same global data)

data...data 64 bytes of data sent low 4 bits, then high 4 bits,so 128 bytes are actually sent.

data bytes will have their high 4 bits set to zero – i.e. 0000LLLL , 0000HHHH

n.b. values must always be sent even if not required – i.e. prog_num for function keys

64k Block data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,08h, 50h, block_num , data........data , checksum_lo , checksum_hi , F7h

where block_num is as follows (decimal)
0 All Slider data (data from all 1024 sliders – 128 x 8)
1 All Button-on data
2 All Button-off data
3 All Program data / Funtion keys-on/off / Global

data...data 64k bytes of data sent low 4 bits , then high 4 bits, so 128k bytes are actually sent.

data bytes will have their high 4 bits set to zero – i.e. 0000LLLL , 0000HHHH

checksum_lo/hi 14 bit additive checksum sent as 2 bytes each having bit 7=0

so original data – 00HHHHHH LLLLLLLL is sent as 0LLLLLLL, 0HHHHHHL

64k Library data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 08h, 60h, library_num , data........data , checksum_lo , checksum_hi , F7h

as above except library_num can be 0 or 1 only to select library 1 or 2

256k All 128 programs data dump – inc function keys & global (approx 293k sent)

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 08h, 50h, 70h , data........data , F7h

256k bytes of data are sent in a packed format where every 7 bytes of 8 bit data are sent as 8
bytes of 7 bit data.The 7 MSBs are sent in the first byte and the following 7 bytes are the original 7
bytes sent with their MSB set to zero. Can be used to clone Freaks.
1600 byte Complete Program dump

program data + 8 sliders + 8 button-on + 8 button-off ( =25x64)

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,08h, 70h, prog_num , data........data , F7h

where prog_num is a (decimal) number between 0 and 127

data...data 1600 bytes of data sent low 4 bits, then high 4 bits, so 3200 bytes are actually sent.

data bytes will have their high 4 bits set to zero – i.e. 0000LLLL , 0000HHHH

SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE CONTROL FREAK

50

Request for 64 byte single data dump (also Button/F key etc.)

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 08h, 10h , 40h, prog_num , slider_num , F7h

where prog_num is a (decimal) number between 0 and 127
where slider_num is as follows (decimal) :
0 – 7 Sliders 1 to 8
16 – 23 Button-on 1 to 8
32 – 39 Button-off 1 to 8
48 – 55 Function key-on 1 to 8
64 – 71 Function key-off 1 to 8
96 – 103 Program (all 8 values return the same program data)
112 – 119 Global (all 8 values return the same global data)

The Control Freak responds with the specified 64 bytes of data

For example: to request a dump of program 6 button-on 3 you would send the following:

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,08h, 10h , 40h, 06h ,12h , F7h

Note that 12h is the hexadecimal equivalent of decimal 18 for selecting button-on 3

Request for 64k Block data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 08h, 10h , 50h, block_num , F7h

where block_num is as follows (decimal)
0 All Slider data (data from all 1024 sliders)
1 All Button-on data
2 All Button-off data
3 All Program data / Funtion keys-on/off / Global

The Control Freak responds with the specified 64k bytes of data

For example: to request a dump of all button-off data you would send the following:
F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,08h, 10h , 50h, 02h ,F7h

Request for 64k Library data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 08h, 10h , 60h, library_num , F7h

as above except library_num can be 0 or 1 only to select library 1 or 2

Request for 256k all 128 programs data dump

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 08h, 10h , 50h, 06h, F7h

The Control Freak responds with 256k bytes of data in a packed format where approx 293k bytes
of data are actually transmitted. Note to actually respond to this dump the memory of the Freak
must be completely wiped first.To do this turn the Freak on with all four F.keys pressed.

Request for 1600 byte Complete Program dump

prog data + 8 sliders + 8 button-on – 8 button-off ( =25x64)

F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h, 08h, 10h , 70h, prog_num, F7h

where prog_num is a (decimal) number between 0 and 127

The Control Freak responds with the specified 1600 bytes of data.

For example: to request a dump of program #33 you would send the following:
F0h, 00h, 20h, 13h,08h, 10h , 70h, 21h ,F7h

Note that 21h is the hexadecimal equivalent of decimal 33 for selecting the program

CONTROL FREAK SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE

51

MIDI Analyser Mode The Control Freak also has a MIDI analyser function.This feature allows you to

see what types of MIDI messages are being transmitted by your master
keyboard, or sequencer. In this way, the Control Freak may be used as a
powerful diagnostic tool if you have a problem with your MIDI set-up.

To enter analyser mode, you must power on the Control Freak whilst holding
the SHIFT button.The Firmware version will then be displayed until the shift
key is released.The display will then show ‘CHANnel’,‘NOTE#’ and ‘VELOCity’,
and will display the relevant data, below the heading.

Using the [F1], [F2], [F3] and [F4] function keys, different types of received
messages may be displayed:

[F1] Short press
CLock, STATUS and SYSEX data received
for checking MIDI clock.

[F2] Short press
CHANnel, PROG# and BANK# –
displays program change as received.

[F3] Short press
CHANnel, CONTroller# and VALUE
displays controller information.

[F3] Long press
CONTROLLER IDENTity –
displays the name and number of the received controller.

[F4] Short press
CHANnel,NOTE4# and VELOCity as above, note information.

* Although pitchbend and after-touch are not strictly controllers, when controller

number is selected, they will also be displayed when received.

* If ‘controller values’ is selected, and pitchbend or after-touch are received,

their values will also be displayed.

MIDI ANALYSER MODE CONTROL FREAK

52

Clk`Status`Sysex
No```Stop```No``

Chan`Prog#`Bank#

---```---```---`

Chan`Cont#`Value

---```---```---`

Chan`Note#`Veloc

---```---```---`

Controller`Ident
Waiting`for`Data

CONTROL FREAK OVERVIEW OF THE MIDI MESSAGE FORMAT

53

Overview of the MIDI message format

To make it easier to understand, MIDI data is usually represented in either decimal (base 10) or
hexadecimal (base 16) numbers. On the Freaks, decimal is suffixed with [d]. Hex is suffixed with [h].

The MIDI standard uses 0-255 in the following way:

00 - 7F = 0-127 variable for data

Channel Commands Data 1 (0-127) Data 2 (0-127)

80 - 8F = Note-on (channels 1-16) Note number Velocity
90 - 9F = Note-off (channels 1-16) Note number Velocity
A0 - AF = Poly aftertouch (channels 1-16) Note number Aft. amount
B0 - BF = Controllers (channels 1-16) Controller number Controller value
C0 - CF = Programs (channels 1-16) Program number ­D0 - DF = Mono aftertouch (channels 1-16) Aftertouch amount ­E0 - EF = Pitchbend (channels 1-16) LSB MSB

System Common Commands

F0 = Begin System Exclusive* Company ID data... data... F7
F1 = MIDI time code quarter frame Type/Value ­F2 = Song position pointer LSB MSB
F3 = Song select Song number ­F4 = Undefined - ­F5 = Undefined - ­F6 = Tune request - ­F7 = End System Exclusive* - -

System Real-time Commands

F8 = Timing clock - ­F9 = Undefined - ­FA = Clock start - ­FB = Clock continue - ­FC = Clock stop - ­FD = Undefined - ­FE = Active sensing - ­FF = System reset - -

* See System Exclusive explained on page 40.

SPECIFICATIONS CONTROL FREAK

54

Specifications Freak STUDIO EDITION Freak ORIGINAL

User interface Controls: 16 x 60mm sliders 8 x 60mm sliders

16 x data push buttons 8 x data push buttons
8 x editing push buttons 8 x editing push buttons

Data entry wheel Data entry wheel
Power switch Power switch

Displays: LCD 2x16 back-lit LCD 2x16 back-lit

4 LED indicators 4 LED indicators

Connections Inputs: Power socket d.c. Power socket d.c.

2.1mm centre positive 2.1mm centre positive
MIDI In, 5 pin DIN type MIDI In, 5 pin DIN type
Ext1, 1/4” stereo jack socket Ext1,1/4”Stereo jack socket
Ext2, 1/4” stereo jack socket Ext2,1/4”Stereo jack socket

Outputs: MIDI Out,Thru 5 pin DIN type MIDI Out,Thru 5 pin DIN type

Accessories Operating manual Operating manual

Mains power adaptor (UK Only) Mains power adaptor (UK Only)

Physical data Dimensions: 432mm x 163mm x 58mm 269mm x 163mm x 58mm

Weight: 3Kg 2.5Kg

Power Supply 9V dc. @ 250mA

The Control Freak must be powered from a suitable power adaptor.
This should be 9 volts DC regulated or unregulated at 250mA or greater, terminated with a

2.1mm DC jack connected centre to positive.

UK models are supplied with a mains adaptor, but overseas customers must source locally.

Warranty The Control Freak comes with a 12 month back to base warranty (from purchase date).

Customer must arrange and pay for carriage to and from Kenton Electronics.

Support Control Freak profile updates for a wide range of devices are available from our website:

www.kenton.co.uk.

Comments Email your comments and ideas to: [e-mail]

CONTROL FREAK FEATURES

55

Features • 16 or 8 fully programmable sliders

• 16 or 8 fully programmable buttons

• 8 fully programmable function keys (4 x 2 with the shift button)

• 4 multi-function edit buttons

• Data entry wheel

• 2 line LCD screen

• MIDI In / Out / Thru (with merge function)

• 2 x 1/4” external input jacks (capable of CV-to-MIDI conversion)

• 64 user memories for STUDIO EDITION / 128 for ORIGINAL

• MIDI clock generator

• MIDI analyser mode

• Advanced learn mode

• Individual names for every slider, button, function key and program

• Sliders and buttons can send any MIDI message, including multiple and inverted messages.

• Buttons can function in three different ways – Button On, button toggle or Button On/Off

• SysEx dump of presets, blocks and individual sliders, buttons, etc. to external devices

• Full Roland checksum support

• Snapshot function – sends all current slider positions to MIDI Out

• Reset all controllers function

• Hundreds of presets are already available from www.kenton.co.uk

Further Further information and additional examples will be made available on our website.

Information

Contact Kenton Electronics

Brookfarm House
Station Road
South Wimbledon
London SW19 2LP
UK

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Written by Paul Gregson

Dave Millichamp
Anthony Barden
Peter Herman
John Smout
John K. Price