Korg EX-8000 User Manual

PROGRAMMABLE

KORG

POLYPHONIC SYNiHE

MODULE

OWNER’S MANUAL

FEATURES

KORG

EX-8000

THE

The EX-8000 is a 2U sized

mountable thesizer

Waveform Generator System (D.W.G.S.). The DWGS has sixteen digitally encoded waveforms stored in four 256 kilobit ROM

chips. These waveforms are digitally en-

coded samples of actual acoustic

merits‘

techniques to enable more realistic

sound synthesis: (The sixteen waveforms

also include simple sawtooth and pulse waveforms such as “ which are found in conventional analog synthesizers.)

recreated

8-voice Polyphonrc Syn-

Module, with a built-in Digital

by additive synthesis

I’Y

l-7 ”

rack-

instru-

and “ TL

”

The EX-8000 is

mountable. It saves valuable space

and provides a wide range of sound

synthesis possibilities when used in con- junction with your MIDI synthesizer.

2U-sized

so it’s

rack-

Thank you and congratulations on your choice of

the KORG EX-8000 Polyphonic Synthe Module.

To obtain optimum performance, please read this

manual carefully before using this synthesizer.

Uses two Digital Oscillators, analog noise generator, and VCF and VCA modules for sound synthesis. You

can enjoy the uniqueness of digital sound plus quick and logical sound synthesis as

in analog control.

The EX-8000 accepts Initial Touch (key velocity) and After Touch (chan- nel pressure) data, so real-time con-

trol of output volume, timbre and pitch

modulation is at your fingertips when used with a synthesizer featuring these

functions.

A programmable digital delay is in-

cluded to store clear stereo effects (Chorus, Doubling, Short Delay, and

Long Delay) for each of 64 tone colors in

the programmer.

Auto Bend is included for more real-

istic synthesis of human voice and

brass sounds.

Key Assign mode provides two poly- phonic modes and two unison modes, which are effective for play-

ing solo or bass parts or using

to.

Built-in Portamento produces a grad- ual change in pitch from one note to another.

The Key Window function limits the area on the keyboard which one 8000 controls, from one point on the

keyboard to another.

Portamen-

EX-

IMPORTANT

LOCATION

To avoid malfunction do not use this unit in the following locations for long

periods of time:

0 In direct sunlight. 0 Exposed to extremes of temperature or humidity.

0 In sandy or dusty places.

POWER SUPPLY

Use only with rated AC voltage. If you will be using this unit in a country

having a different voltage, be sure to obtain the proper transformer to convert to rated voltage.

To help prevent noise and degraded sound quality, avoid using the

same outlet as other equipment or branching off extension cords shared

by other equipment.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

llNPUT/OUTPUT

Be sure to use standard “guitar” cables with phone plugs, such as the

cable supplied with this instrument, for input and output connections to the rear panel of the EX-8000. Never insert any other kind of plug into these

jacks.

Preventing ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE

As a microprocessor based device, the EX-8000 is extremely flexible in

operation, yet may possibly perform erratically if exposed to electrical in- terference from other electrical devices and fluorescent lamps. Avoid oper- ating the EX-8000 near possible sources of interference. If something seems to be wrong, try turning off the power, waiting about ten seconds,

them turning it back on. This resets the computer circuits to their initial

state so performance should return to normal.

HANDLE GENTLY

Knobs and switches are designed to provide positive operation with a light

touch. Excessive force may cause damage.

MAINTENANCE Wipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Never use,paint thinner, benzene or other solvents.

KEEP THIS MANUAL

Store this manual in a safe place for future reference.

MEMORY BACKUP

To protect your programmed memory contents, the EX-8000 utilizes a built-in rechargeable backup battery power supply. Battery life is rated at five years or more, so replacement is recommended after five years. Contact your Korg dealer or authorized service center at that time.

OFor

maximum security, save your sound programs on tape, using the built-in tape interface system. Then if memory contents are accidentally erased or altered, you can simply load the data back into EX-8000 in- ternal memory in seconds!

JACKS AND CONNECTION CORDS

-4

CONTENTS

F-

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

IFRONTPANEL

2 REAR PANEL/BASIC SETUP

SELECTING PROGRAMS

1 PROGRAM NUMBERS 2HOWTOSELECTAPROGRAMNUMBER

BASIC OPERATION

1PARAMETERSANDVALUES

2HOWTOEDlTVALUES

3TUNlNG PROCEDURE

MIDI

PARAMETERS 2KEYWlNDOW 3TRANSMITTED/RECEIVED 4

MIDIJACKS

MIDIDATAANDINDICATORS

10 10 10

12 12 14

15 16

6 6

CREATING SOUNDS

1SOUNDSYNTHESlSTECHNlQUES 2PARAMETERSSTOREDINMEMORY 3WRlTlNGPROGRAMSTOMEMORY

TAPE INTERFACE

1FEATURESANDFUNCTlONSFORCONTROL

2SAVlNGPROGRAMDATAONTAPE 3VERlFYPROCEDURE 4LOADPROCEDURE 5TAPElNTERFACEPRECAUTlONS

MIDI IMPLEMENTATION

1TRANSMlTTEDDATA 2 RECOGNIZED RECEIVE DATA 3COMMUNlCATlONBETWEEN EX-8000ANDOTHEREQUlPMENT 4 EXAMPLES

WITH OTHER EQUIPMENT

5 EX-8000 BIT MAP

OFSYSTEM

EXCLUSIVE MESSAGES USED IN COMMUNICATING

21 21 21 40

43 43 44

46 48 50

51 51 54 56

RACK-MOUNTING THE EX-8000

SPECIFICATIONS

OPTIONS ’

FEATURES

Front Panel

Tune Tape Interface Jack

(lkgh/Low Switch)

Volume

AND FUNCTIONS

-6

Phones

Tone Switch

Key Assign

(Poly 1: Poly 2: Unison 1: Unison 2)

Tape Switch Write Switch Program Switch

Program Write Key

FEATURES&FUNCTIONS

Parameter List MIDI Indicator Indicators

Program No. Parameter No. Value

Power Switch

Value (Up/Down)

Number Select Buttons

Parameter Switch Bank Hold Switch

l-8

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

.Rear

Panel/Basic Setup

AC Cord Receptacle

AC cord

MODEL EX-6000

AC 1OOV 50/60Hz 6W

UUL

lllllllllllllllllllllllll

TO RAlN OR MOISTURE

FEATURES 81 FUNCTIONS

MIDI Terminals: IN, OUT, THRU OUTPUT

fLow/High Switch, Left/Mono, kight)

SELECTING

This explains how to select any of the 64 different sounds stored in the EX-8000’s memory. The

section on the front panel is used for this purpose.

PROGRAMS

PROGRAMMEl

The EX-8000 can be store up to 64 different sound pro- grams in its” internal memory. Each of these programs has a number from 11 through 88 (the digits 0 and 9 are not used). When you want to store a sound, you must assign it a program number. When you want to recall

that sound, you select it by the same program number.

rogram Numbers

,____----__--___-___-~

;

----I----__--c-_-

Writing programs

- ----- - ---------------

---_____--_____

-----

----_ -

------

2.Hovv

Features and Functions for Control

When this switch is activated (and its LED indicator is on), different programs may be selected using the

NUMBER keys.

Press these keys to specify program numbers, which range from 11 through 88. Programs are arranged in

eight “banks,” signified by the left digit, with eight

programs per bank, signified by the right digit; 8 x 8

64 total programs.

This holds the left “bank” digit so that you can use single number keys to quickly access any of the eight program numbers within a single bank.

Shows selected program number.

to Select a Program Number

How to Select a Program Number

m fyi;

sure the PROGRAM switch is set to ON. (LED

SELECTING PROGRAMS

PROGRAM

p+-.---LED

Press the NUMBER keys to select any program num-

ber (11 - 88).

How to Select Bank Hold

Pressing the BANK HOLD switch preserves the left

digit of the selected program number.

Example:

An LED dot lights up to indicate that the bank number (2) will not change.

To select program number...

Press

LOAD

--.

BANK HOLD

. ‘,,V . ,

..*

. . ,

A dash

the right hand digit until you select the second digit. (This

means it is waiting for you to select the second digit.)

[LED

dot

aooears

lights.

Now if you press any of the NUMBER

keys, only the

right digit will change.

When you want to change to a program number in a different bank, press the BANK HOLD switch again to cancel BANK HOLD. You can now enter both digits using the NUMBER keys.

Only this digit changes when you press the number keys.

BANK HOLD

Now press

The LED dot goes out when BANK HOLD is off.

. Parameters and Values

The various aspects of a sound, such as its pitch, timbre and variations in volume, are called “Parameters”. To create or change a sound, you adjust the values of each of these parameters. On the EX-8000, there are 49 parameters per program; each parameter has a number, and each parameter’s value is also represented by a number. These numbers are shown on the front panel display. To create or change a sound, you select parameters and change (or “Edit”) their values.

When the EX-8000 stores a sound in memory or calls it back from memory, it is actually storing and recalling the values you have given it for the sound’s various pa- rameters. All possible parameters and values are listed in the “parameter index” chart on the right side of the EX-8000 front panel. To create or change a sound, you first use the number keys to select a parameter number, then you use the edit slider and up/down keys to change its value.

.How

to Edit Values

Parameters for oscillator 1

OSCl

12 WAVEFORM

16’ 8’ 4’

Value range: 1-

Features

and Functions for Control

Shows selected parameter number.

Shows current VALUE for selected parameter.

This holds the Parameter Number’s left digit, so that the NUMBER keys can be used to select only the

right digit. This can speed up Parameter Number se- lection when you are working on several parameters within the same “family” (that is, having the same left digit).

When this switch is on, you can create and modify

sounds by selecting different parameters (using the

NUMBER keys) and varying their VALUE EDIT slider and/or DOWN/UP buttons).

These keys are used to select different Parameter

Numbers (when the parameter switch is on).

(using the

Permits rapid and easy adjustment of parameter VALUES (aspects of the sound) over a wide range.

Press to change parameter values up or down a step at

a time.

How to Edit Values

Press the PARAMETER switch so that its LED lights

up.

PARAMETERS

p+-LEO

Refer to the parameter index chart to find the number

the parameter that you want to change. Press the

number keys to select the desired parameter.

When the BANK HOLD switch is pressed, the left dig-

it is locked; then, you can change the right digit by us- ing the NUMBER keys.

Use the Edit control or Up/Down buttons to change the parameter’s value. Suggestion: Use the Edit to make large changes in value, then use the Up/Down

keys to “fine tune” the sound. (VALUE display)

Example:

Selecting VCF CUTOFF frequency.... This is parameter number

31, so....

Press

TAPE) SAVE

VALUE EDITOR

A dash in the right

The LED dot in the corner of the VALUE display indi- cates that the value of the currently selected parame- ter has been changed. The dot goes out if the return to its original value.

If you want to return to the original value of a

ter, just press both UP/DOWN keys at the same time.

Repeat steps

Band Ofor

each parameter that needs

parame-

to be changed. To store your new sounds in memory, follow the oper-

ation procedures described in “WRITING PRO- GRAMS TO MEMORY” on page 40.

DOWN UP

press :;;!I’;:-‘;

simultaneously.

BASIC OPERATION

$.Tuning

Features and Functions for Control

This controls the EX-8000’s tuning. Turning it to their

right raises the pitch, and turning it left lowers pitch.

Pushing this key causes the EX-8000 to produce an

A4 tone. This is the same as playing a 4th octave A note on the master keyboard. (A standard 440Hz tone

will not be produced.)

Tuning the EX-8000

Push the Tone Key. The EX-8000 will produce an A4

tone. (Be sure that volume control is not at tone will not be audible in this case.)

Procedure

“0”

as the

TUNE

Tune to other instruments or to “A” on a strobe tuner by turning Tuning Control while holding down Tone Key.

@Tone

will stop when Tone Key is released.

MIDI

.MIDI

The EX-8000 operates according to MIDI data transmitted from external sources. In order to receive this external data, it is necessary to make sure that the EX-8000 Receive channel is the same as the transmitting channel. It is also necessary to set the EX-8000’s Key Window function. If this is not done correctly, proper operation will be impossible. Care must be taken in setting MIDI-related pa- rameters.

The following parameters are MIDI-related.

Parameters

This parameter is used to select a channel for data re- ceive. At power-ON, the data receive channel is set for that previously selected.

This selects which kinds

EX-8000 will receive. At value 1 (NOTE DATA), the EX-8000 receives only “note data.” At value 2 (All), it ceives all MIDI data specified in the EX-8000 MIDI speci- fications (implementation notes.)

For example, if you don’t want program numbers to be

changed by some external device through MIDI, then

set this value to

The most recently selected ENABLE value is retained

when power is turned on and off.

CH (DATA RECEIVE CHANNEL)

ENA (Kind of

Data Received)

of received MIDI data the

re-

VALUE

: !5

VALUE

DATA RECEIVE CHANNEL

CH-1

Kind of Data Received

(NOTE DATA) NOTE ON/NOTE OFF

VW All data

CH-16

MIDI

li!ill

When Omni is turned on, previous data is stored in the

memory. However, Omni

and off from the controlling (sending) device. When Omni mode is off, then the EX-8000 receives MIDI data sent only on the MIDI channel specified by parameter

84. The most recently selected Omni Mode value is re- tained when power is turned on and off.

l.Key

The EX-8000’s pitch range is shown below. At maximum, this range is Cl-C8.

OMNI

mode

can also be turned on

Window

VALUE

OMNI MODE

OFF ON

The Key Window Function limits the areas on the key-

board which one EX-8000 controls, from one point

on the keyboard to another.

Example of Key Window

In this example, multiple EX-8000s are used. This is an example of keyboard splitting. By changing the sound parameters of each EX-8000, sound utilization possibilities are expanded, and can be controlled by

one master keyboard.

EX-8000 (B) con- trols this range

H When one EX-8000 is used in conjunction with a MIDI

synthesizer, EX-8000 sounds (for example Bass sounds) can be added on to the synthesizer’s own

sounds, within the range on the keyboard controlled by the EX-8000.

Parameters Related to Key Window (These 2 parameters are not displayed on panel.)

MIDI

, q

This parameter sets the low-end range. This can be set in half-steps. The most recently selected point’s value is retained when power is turned on

This parameter sets the high-end range. This can be set in half-steps. The most recently selected point’s value is retained when power is turned on and off.

KEY WINDOW BOTTOM

and off.

KEY WINDOW TOP

’

VALUE

Note: When the Key Window Bottom is set to Cl, notes lower than note 23 will be registered as the same note in octave 24-35.

VALUE

POINT

High C

n When the values of parameters 87 and 88 are

changed by half-steps, the sharps

decimal point on the display: Cl - C.l - dl -

( b )

are

not

shown.

When editing, value can be approximated by using the Edit Control (Edit Control changes notes in major thirds-Cl

ing the Up/Down keys.

-El

-G # 1

-C2),

(1)

are shown by a

d.1

Flats

and set exactly by push-

Note: When the Key Window Top is set to CB, notes higher than note 1013 will be registered as the same note in octave

97-108.

MIDI

Eil

Relationship Between Key Bottom and Key Top

These parameters can be set anywhere throughout the 85 notes on the keyboard, however there are 2 particular relationships which are possible.

When Key Bottom is

set

lower than Key Top.

When Key

Boltom

is se! higher than Key Top.

Plays these

notes

Plays these notes

However, when this setting is used, note data other than that set in

EX-BOO0 is cancelled even if it is received.

.Transmitted/Received

MIDI Data and MIDI Indicators

Received MIDI Data

Note OFF

Note ON

Control change:

No. 1 OSC modulation No. 2 VCF modulation No. 7 Vdlume No. 64 Damper pedal on/off No. 65 Portamento on/off

H Program change

Channel pressure (After Touch)

Pitch bender change

All notes OFF

Omni MODE OFF

Omni MODE ON

Active sensing

System exclusive information

MIDI

Transmitted MIDI Data

Program Change

Wystem

The MIDI indicator lights when the above MIDI data is

received. When it is not properly received the indicat or

does not light, so verification is simple.

Exclusive Messages

MIDI indicator

MIDI

4.MIDI

Receives MIDI data.

MIDI OUT is used only when transmitting internal MIDI data to external MIDI equipment, so it is not nor- mally used. (Does not transmit program change data, etc.)

Retransmits unchanged MIDI data received through the MIDI IN Jack.

Resetting MIDI

Jacks

THRU

MIDI, THRU

Rear Panel

MIDI

OUT

MIDI OUT MIDI IN

If the EX-8000 is being used in a MIDI connected sys- tem and starts producing erratic results (making a continuous sound, going out of tune, producing errat- ic modulation, etc.) press the front panel WRITE key. This resets the circuitry. However, if the write switch is set to ENABLE, the WRITE made is effected. Push the WRITE key after setting to DISABLE.

WRITE

Press

CREATING

SOUNDS

1 .~ound

To create new sounds on the EX-8000, you change or edit old programs. You do not start with a “blank slate”. There are 64 sounds already in memory. If you have a new sound in mind, the easiest approach is to first lect

a sound that resembles the sound you want to

ate. Then “edit” (change the selected sound until you

get the sound you want. If you don’t find a similar sound,

Synthesis Techniques

se-

cre-

it doesn’t matter; start with any sound you like.) After you finish editing your sound, you store it into memory. At this point you can give it a different program number (thereby preserving the sound you started with) or the same program (thereby erasing or “overwriting”

the old sound). (See page 40 Program Write)

,Z.Parameters

This section describes parameters which can be stored in the EX-8000’s memory to create your sounds.

0SC.l

Here you select the basic pitch range of oscillator 1. The higher the value, the lower the pitch. You have three choices which correspond to 16’ (16 foot),

OCT

Stored in Memory

8’,

4’.

CREATING SOUNDS

The choice of waveform will have more effect on the tonal characteristics (timbre or tone color) of the sound than will any other parameter. You have sixteen basic waveforms to choose from.

VALUE

WAVEFORM

INSTRUMENT FAMILY

VALUE

WAVEFORM

-~~zF-----+-s------+-

Brass, strings,

and analog syn- log synthesizers thesizers

Clarinet and (harmonics com-

ponents are the same with

I-

ana-

Acoustic piano

“nL’)

Electric piano

Electric piano (hard)

Clavi

Organ

fC-.

Brass

r’ b

+----+

INSTRUMENT FAMILY

Sets output level (volume) of oscillator 1. This is useful for adjusting overall volume to match other programs, and for balancing OSCl with OSC2 and/or noise as

sired.

Saxophone

LEVEL

Violin

Acoustic guitar

+&----4++----b

Guitar (distorted) Electric bass

de-

VALUE

3 :

Digital bass Bell

OUTPUT LEVEL

No sound from osci

Maximum volume

Organ and whis-

tle

+ 50 hidden pages

Korg EX-8000 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual