Quasimidi Raven User Manual

1

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to pres­ence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the prod­uct's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintanance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.

INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING - When using electric products, basic precautions should always be followed, including the following:

1.

Read all the intructions before using the product.

2.

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

3.

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

4.

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

Avoid using the product where it may be affected by dust.

8.

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

9.

The power-supply cord of the product should be unplugged
from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.

10.

Do not tread on the power-supply cord.

11.

Do not pull the cord but hold the plug when unplugging.

12.

When setting up with any other instruments, the procedure
should be followed in accordance with instruction manual.

13.

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

14.

The product should be serviced by qualified service
personnel when:

A.

The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged;
or

B.

Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the
product; or

C.

The product has been exposed to rain; or

D.

The product does not appear to operate normally or
exhibits a marked change in performance; or

E.

The product has been dropped, or the enclosure
dammaged.

15. Do not attempt to service the product beyond that described
in the user-maintanance instructions. All other servicing
should be referred to qualified personnel.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

The CE-Sign on our products declares that our electrical devices are in conformity with the EN 55014 and
EN 50082-1(in accordance with 89/336 EMC- and EEC directive). The manufacturer also declares the
conformity of above mentioned product with the actual required safety standards.

2

NOTICE

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in
strict accordances with the manufacturer's instructions, may causes interference to radio and television
reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B computing device in
accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designated to provide
reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment OFF and ON, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient the receiving antenna
Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver
Move the computer away from the receiver
Plug the computer into different outlet so that the computer and receiver are on different
branch circuits.

If necessary, the user should consult the dealeror an experienced radio/television technician for additional
suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commis­sion helpful:

"How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems."

This booklet is available from the U.S. Government printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Stock No.
004-000-00345-4.

Technical Specifications:

Keyboard: 61 keys, 5 octaves

Velocity and Aftertouch sensitive

Sound Synthesis: MASS (Multi Algorithm Sound Synthesis)

21 voice polyphonic, 16 part multi-timbral
512 Single Sounds, 250 Performances

Front Panel-

Dials: VALUE-TEMPO, PAGE, F1-F4, VOLUME
Buttons: SONG/BANK-SELECT, SOFT-buttons, TRACK-Buttons, SOLO-button, PLAY, STOP,

MODE, TAB, EDIT, WRITE.

Display: 2x40 character LCD

Rear Panel-

Connector Output L, R (6,3 mm mono jack), Footswitch (6,3 mono jack), Headphone (6,3 mm

stereo jack)
MIDI In, Out, Thru (5 pin DIN),
Europe, Japan : Power (standard 3 pin IEC-320)

USA: DC Power Adapter plug
Power­Requirement: Japan: 100VAC/ 18 VAC, 60 Hz

Europe: 230VAC/ 18 VA, 50 Hz

USA: 12VDC/ 2A *

* Please only use the AC-Adapter, which is shipped by manufacturer.
Consumption: 11 watts maximum
Physical­Dimensions: 1025mm (width) x 102mm (height) x 388mm (depth)
Weight: 12,5 kg

3

Table of Contents

Connections and first switch on................................................................................................................................................... 6

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

The RAVEN's User Interface...................................................................................................................................................... 8

Tutorial 1: Getting to know The RAVEN .................................................................................................................................. 9

Tutorial 2: Creating new Patterns by random selection of preprogrammed Motives ......................................................... 13

Random creation of new Patterns ....................................................................................................................... 14

Selecting sounds..................................................................................................................................................... 15

The creation of Breaks .......................................................................................................................................... 15

Muting Tracks ....................................................................................................................................................... 16

Realtime Transpose ............................................................................................................................................... 17

Adjusting Volumes ................................................................................................................................................ 17

User Motives in the Create Pattern section......................................................................................................... 17

The Solo Part ......................................................................................................................................................... 17

Writing Patterns to Song memory ....................................................................................................................... 17

Tutorial 3: Playing live on Stage............................................................................................................................................... 19

Realtime Control of Synth parameters ............................................................................................................... 20

Tempo control ........................................................................................................................................................ 20

Realtime Transpose and Muting with the keyboard .......................................................................................... 20

Adding the Motivator ........................................................................................................................................... 21

More Realtime access............................................................................................................................................ 21

Tutorial 4: Production of complete Songs ................................................................................................................................ 21

Create Song function............................................................................................................................................. 22

Song Editing .......................................................................................................................................................... 23

Editing an existing Songstep ................................................................................................................................ 24

Part Editing ................................................................................................................................................................................. 25

Sound selection and Part mode ............................................................................................................................ 26

Output Routing ..................................................................................................................................................... 27

Tuning Parts .......................................................................................................................................................... 28

Synthesis Filters..................................................................................................................................................... 28

Envelope section .................................................................................................................................................... 29

Pitch Modulation ................................................................................................................................................... 29

Modulation amount............................................................................................................................................... 29

Key Velocity, Portamento Time and Hold .......................................................................................................... 30

Common menu: Performance programming .......................................................................................................................... 31

Selecting the Performance Type: ......................................................................................................................... 31

Footswitch functions: ............................................................................................................................................ 33

Modulation Matrix................................................................................................................................................ 33

Editing the Motivator ................................................................................................................................................................. 35

Groove Quantize.................................................................................................................................................... 37

Note Directions ...................................................................................................................................................... 37

Global Song parameters

Editing Play and Groove parameters in Sequencer mode................................................................................. 38

Changing the Repetition Point ............................................................................................................................. 39

Pattern Editing............................................................................................................................................................................ 40

Selecting the Edit Pattern menu .......................................................................................................................... 40

Loading a ROM Pattern ....................................................................................................................................... 41

Changing the Motive Assignment of Patterns .................................................................................................... 41

Setting Track Volumes .......................................................................................................................................... 42

Deleting Tracks and Controller data, Adjusting Motive lengths, and the Metronome .................................. 42

Recording User Motives ....................................................................................................................................... 42

Realtime Recording............................................................................................................................................... 43

Drum programming (TR-909 style) .................................................................................................................... 44

Global Song parameters

Step-by-Step programming .................................................................................................................................. 45

Grooves and breaks............................................................................................................................................... 45

The RAVEN's Effects Processors ............................................................................................................................................. 46

4

Table of Contents

Reverb .................................................................................................................................................................... 48

Gated Reverb ......................................................................................................................................................... 48

Early Reflection programs ................................................................................................................................... 49

Delay ....................................................................................................................................................................... 50

Chorus .................................................................................................................................................................... 51

Flanger ................................................................................................................................................................... 52

Phaser ..................................................................................................................................................................... 52

Panning .................................................................................................................................................................. 52

Delay ....................................................................................................................................................................... 53

Gated Delay ........................................................................................................................................................... 54

Special-FX .............................................................................................................................................................. 55

Equalizer ................................................................................................................................................................ 55

Wah-Wah ............................................................................................................................................................... 56

Auto Wah-Wah ...................................................................................................................................................... 56

Distortion ............................................................................................................................................................... 57

Rotary ..................................................................................................................................................................... 58

Tremolo .................................................................................................................................................................. 58

Ring Modulation ................................................................................................................................................... 59

No Effect................................................................................................................................................................. 60

Realtime Effects Control ............................................................................................................................................................ 60

Realtime parameters of FX-2 ............................................................................................................................... 62

Editing the Percussion Drumpart ............................................................................................................................................. 63

System parameters ..................................................................................................................................................................... 64

Master Tune ........................................................................................................................................................... 64

Keyboard parameters ........................................................................................................................................... 64

Key Velocity curves ............................................................................................................................................... 64

MIDI parameters .................................................................................................................................................. 65

MIDI Input handling ............................................................................................................................................ 65

MIDI Output handling ......................................................................................................................................... 65

Write menu ................................................................................................................................................................................. 66

Write menu in Sequencer mode ........................................................................................................................... 66

Storing Song and Pattern data ............................................................................................................................. 66

Initializing the Temporary Song .......................................................................................................................... 67

Initializing Part parameters ................................................................................................................................. 67

Dumping Temporary Song data .......................................................................................................................... 68

Copying Part parameters ..................................................................................................................................... 68

Write menu Dump functions ................................................................................................................................ 68

Dumping Song and Pattern data of all 10 songs................................................................................................. 69

Write menu in Performance mode ...................................................................................................................... 69

Storing a Performance .......................................................................................................................................... 69

Initializing the current Performance ................................................................................................................... 69

Initializing Single Parts......................................................................................................................................... 70

Copying Part parameters ..................................................................................................................................... 70

Dumping all Performances................................................................................................................................... 71

Dumping current Performance data (Temporary Dump)................................................................................. 71

Important notes if using an external sequencer ....................................................................................................................... 71

Selecting Single Sounds via MIDI ............................................................................................................................................. 74

Single Sound list .................................................................................................................................................... 74

Selecting Performances via MIDI ............................................................................................................................................. 75

Performance Sound list......................................................................................................................................... 75

Drumset list ................................................................................................................................................................................. 76

System Exclusive data ................................................................................................................................................................ 80

MIDI Implementation Chart ..................................................................................................................................................... 86

Initializing The RAVEN / Reload Factory set .......................................................................................................................... 87

Warranty and Registration Card .............................................................................................................................................. 88

5

Introduction

Introduction

Congratulations for purchasing The RAVEN. You have purchased an instrument which offers you enor­mous speed and flexibility in music production.
The RAVEN combines all the necessary components of a ‘TECHNO’ or ‘DANCEFLOOR’ studio in one
product. From the first day, this “studio” allows you to produce complete songs with the huge number of
included pre-programmed patterns in the form of Sequence motifs and Drum grooves. You can edit
existing patterns as well as creating your own, or just play The RAVEN in Sound mode, thus allowing you
to decide how to spend your first “Studio-Day”:

1) Getting started with sound generation of The RAVEN

2) Combining Grooves and Motives into new patterns.

3) Playing live on stage

4) The production of complete songs.

Because of the huge number of pre-produced motifs and sounds included in The RAVEN, you can get
started with production right away without having to learn every aspect of the instrument. Instead, just
pick out the pattern you want to work with and get started. For that reason, we have split this manual in
two sections. The first section is like walking around in a “virtual studio”. After several sessions you will
learn all about The RAVEN through various studio activities.
It is of minor importance which room of the studio you enter first. You can enter any room you like. The
second section of this manual contains details about all events in this virtual studio. It is for those who
have already looked in all the rooms in the studio.
We hope you enjoy your new instrument and that with The RAVEN you become a hit-making techno or
dancefloor producer.

Connections and
first switch on

On the rear of The RAVEN are two 6.3mm mono jacks for stereo audio output. These jacks should be
connected to your amplifier or mixer. There are also MIDI IN, OUT and THRU jacks to send and receive
MIDI data. In this chapter you get a detailed description of how to connect The RAVEN to other audio
equipment:

1) Connection with a home stereo amplifier

First, make sure power is switched off on both the amp and The RAVEN. You will need two audio cables
(1/4” male to RCA-type male x 2) to make this connection. Not all the inputs of an amp can be used in
combination with The RAVEN. Use an input described as followed:

1) AUX or auxiliary

2) LINE

3) CD

4) DAT

5) TAPE IN or TAPE PLAY
The PHONO input should not be used because it will distort the audio signal.

Before connecting The RAVEN to your amp, turn the volume of the amp to minimum and the volume The
RAVEN to maximum. Switch The RAVEN on first, then the amp. Switch the amp input to which The
RAVEN is connected and press the “EDIT-FX” and the “EXIT” button at the same time. You should now
hear the DEMO-song. Carefully turn up the volume of your amp until you are satisfied with the volume.
After your settings are done, go to the description of the front panel of The RAVEN.

6

Connecting other devices and first switch on

2) Connection with a mixer-console

When working with a mixing console use LINE inputs. MIC inputs are too sensitive to be used with The
RAVEN. Before connecting, switch off all equipment. Connect the audio outputs of The RAVEN with
two of the mixer’s line inputs. Turn the volume of The RAVEN to maximum and the input gain of the
mixer channel to minimum. To benefit from The RAVEN’s stereo sound, make sure the two mixer chan­nels’ faders are set the same and their panning controls are opposite - one hard right, one hard left. The
master fader should also be set to minimum.
Switch on The RAVEN and the mixer now. Press the “EDIT-FX” and the ”EXIT” buttons of The RAVEN
at the same time to start the DEMO-song. Turn the gain of the mixer to a point which is under the level of
distortion. If your mixer has no metering for the audio level, slowly bring up the gain until distortion, then
turn it down until the distortion stops. Mixers with MIC/LINE switches should be set to LINE. If the
signal distorts with the gain all the way down, lower the volume of The RAVEN. The RAVEN sounds best
when its’ volume is set to maximum and the volume of the connected audio gear is set accordingly.

3) Connection with a professional amp

When using a keyboard amplifier, switch off all equipment before connecting it. Connect the audio outputs
of The RAVEN to the inputs of the amp. Turn the volume of the amp to minimum, and the volume of The
RAVEN to maximum. Switch on The RAVEN first, then the amp. Press the “EDIT-FX” and the “EXIT”
buttons on The RAVEN at the same time to start the DEMO-song. Carefully raise the gain of the amp to
a level that is just under distortion of the audio signal. Then raise the volume knob of the amp to the
desirable level. If the settings are to your satisfaction, go to the next part of the manual “THE FRONTPANEL
OF THE RAVEN”.

4) Working with headphones

The jack for connecting a headphone is on the right part of The RAVEN’s front panel, right next to the
volume knob. To avoid damage to your headphones, switch The RAVEN off before plugging phones in.
*Prolonged headphone listening at high volume levels could damage your hearing.

Audio­outputs

Foot­switch

MIDI Power-

supply

Power­switch

7

The RAVEN's User Interface

Nr

section

function

TheButtonshavedifferentfunctionsdependinguponwhetherTheRAVENisinSequencermodeorinPerformancemode.Performancemodefunctionsareprintedinred.

1

„SOFT“buttonsan

d

dialsfordataentry

.

Thedialscorrespondtothemenuparametersshowninthedisplay.

Courseadjustmentofparametersisbestdonewiththe"SOFT"dials,whereasfineadjustmentismoreeasilydonewiththe"VALUE"dial(see#10).Toeditaparameterwiththe"VALUE"dial,pressthe"SOFT"button.(Theyarecalled"SOFT"buttonsbecausetheirfunctionsarecontrolledbythesoftware).Theparameteravailableforeditingisshowninthedisplay.Besidesparameterseditedwiththe"VALUE"dial,the"SOFT"buttonsarealsousedincertainmenustoanswerpromptsorforotheractions.InSongPlaymodeyoucanchangethefunctionofthe"TRACK"buttons,(#3),withthe"SOFT"buttons.2„SONG/BANK-SELECT“-buttonsWiththesebuttonsyouselectdifferentSongandPerformancebanks.IntheEdit-part-menue,youselecttheparts,whicharenotpresentedwith"track"-buttons.(parts10-16)3„TRACK“-buttonsThe"TRACK"buttonshavediferentfunctionsindifferentmodes.InSequencermodethefunctionscanbechangedwiththe"SOFT"buttons.Thefunctionsareprintedinredunderthebuttons.InPerformancemod

e

thePerformancesofabankcanbeselectedwiththe"TRACK"buttons.

InbothPartandPerformanceEditmodeyoucanselecttheParts.4„SOLO“-buttonInSequencermodepressthisbuttontoaccesssoundswhileaccompanyingplayingsequence

.5„PLAY“-an

d

„STOP“-button

s

ThesebuttonsstartandstoptheSequencerorMotivator

.

The RAVEN's
User Interface

The DEMO-song you have heard may have interested you to start walking around in the virtual studio. To
prevent you from going the wrong way you should first learn about the front panel and the functions of the
different sections.

8

The RAVEN's User Interface

6

"TAP" button, "SEQ"

button and "PERF"

button

Repeatedly pess the "TAP " button in rhythm to set the Sequencer's tempo.

Pressing the "SEQ" button enters Sequencer mode. Pressing the "PERF"

button enters Performance mode.

7

"EDIT" button

"WRITE" button and

"EXIT" button

The "EDIT" button accesses The RAVEN's Edit modes. Pressing "EDIT FX"

and "EXIT" simultaneously starts The RAVEN's Demo Song. Pressing the

"EXIT" button leaves the current menu. The "WRITE" button selects the Save

function.

8

Display

The display shows detailed information about parameter settings, modes and

"SOFT button & dial functions.

9

"PAGE" dial

The "PAGE" dial scrolls through the submenus while in Edit mode. It is

indicated in the display if there is more than one menu page with the following

symbols: |1 > => Page one is selected, scroll right for more pages. < 2 > =>

Page two is selected, scroll either left or right for more pages. < 8| => Page

eight is selected, scroll left for more pages.

0

"VALUE/TEMPO"

dial

With the "VALUE/TEMPO" dial you can edit parameters in fine increments or

adjust the tempo of the Sequencer. The "SOFT buttons select which

parameter to edit. The selected parameter flashes.

Getting to know
The RAVEN

It doesn’t matter if there are chapters or terms you don’t completely understand. At first it is important to
know a little bit of the basic structure. When we first looked in our virtual studio and you were told to press
the “EXIT” button, you only needed to know where to find it. As we progress through different chapters
we will give more information about the data entry-buttons and dials.
We will now start looking around in our virtual studio. As was stated on the first few pages of this manual,
you decide which part of The RAVEN you want to learn about first.

In this part of our virtual studio we tend to the synthesizers of The RAVEN. We say ‘synthesizers’ because
The RAVEN offers a true “Multimode”. The RAVEN is able to produce several different synthesizer
sounds at the same time. This is important for producing complete songs. To become familiar with the
synthesizers of The RAVEN we will not use Sequencer-mode; we will use Performance-mode. To be get
into Performance-mode, press the “EXIT” button several times, then press the “PERF” button.
In the Performance-mode, you are able to select different “Performances”. Think of a Performance in our
virtual studio as programmable and routable studio settings. A Performance selects the desired Synthe­sizer modules, connects them with the Effects units and regulates all parameters of the setup. There are
200 ROM Performances and 50 user programmable Performances implemented in The RAVEN. The
Performance-mode is a great way to demonstrate the possibilities of The RAVEN because many aspects of
our virtual studio are used in the Performance-sounds. When a Performance is selected, the Effects asso­ciated with that Performance are also selected. The on-board Effects processor adds room simulations and
modulation to the sounds. Up to 4 of the 16 synthesizers in The RAVEN can be used in the Performance­mode. All setups and parameters of these synthesizers are saved in a Performance. Besides the sound
generation and effects processing, another important tool has been added to our virtual studio. This tool is
called the “Motivator”. This tool triggers the synthesizers of The RAVEN in many ways and adds some
additional powerful effects. The Performances of a Performance-bank are chosen with the “TRACK”
buttons. Ten Performances are in every bank. With the “SONG/BANK SELECT” button you can choose
from the 25 banks.

9

Tutorial 1: Getting to know The RAVEN

PERFORMANCE

NUMBER

NAME

DESCRIPTION

A-00

Diary

In this Performance several 'synthesizers' of The RAVEN sound at once.

This type of Performance is called a "LAYER". One 'synthesizer' of The

RAVEN is called a "PART".

A-01

Blow-

Job

This Performance uses different Parts on the left and the right side of the

keyboard. In The RAVEN this setup is called a "SPLIT" sound.

A-02

Slappy

In this Performance the key velocity is used to determine which of two Parts

will sound.

A-03

Slidox

This Performance uses the Motivator function. In this case the Motivator

works as an arpeggiator. The Motivator is a feature of The RAVEN which

generates rhythmic models by using played notes. The arpeggiator, for

example, plays the notes of a chord one after another.

A-04

Polysynt

The Motivator is also used in this Performance. The function used here is

called Chord-Rhythmizer. The Motivator adds a rhythmic structure to the

chord.

A-05

Gate

Instead off simply playing a chord, the motivater chops it up. This happens

by using a rhythmic change of the volume.

A-06

Matrix

As in the Performance "Slidox", the Motivator works as a arpeggiator. But in

this case, the notes of the arpeggiator are played on using all four Parts of

The RAVEN. All Parts use the same sound in "Unisono" mode, but are

slightly detuned, for a 'richer' sound.

A-07

SoloPort

This Performance also uses the "Unisono" mode. Four 'synthesizers' are

played at the same time, but in this case, the Motivator is disabled. The

Portamento function is enabled.

A-08

Roto-Drum

The arpeggiator function of the Motivator can play the notes of a chord one

after another. The arpeggiator can also act this way on up to four Parts.

This function is called "TRACK-ROTATE" mode. If each Part of The RAVEN

plays with a different tone colour it generates a 'wavesequence' -like sound.

A-09

Hadjuk

This Performance is a good example of how to combine several different

Performance possibilities. The keyboard is assigned to the "Split" function

and also the Motivator. This makes it possible to use the Motivator (in this

Performance, as an arpeggiator) on a specific part of the keyboard.

To show the possibilities of the factory programmed Performances, the first 10 ROM Performances show
the flexibility of our virtual studio in many different . To be able to play these Performances press the left
“SONG/BANK-SELECT” button until you reach the first bank of Performances (A-00 - A09). After that
you can select the Performances by pressing the “TRACK” buttons.
The following Performances are found in the first bank A-00 - A-09:

10

Tutorial 1: Getting to know The RAVEN

DESIRED PARAMETER

MENU

PAGE

DESCRIPTION

Selection of the desired

sound-group

|1>

With selecting the sound-group you can make a basic sound

selection. In the "Sound-Group" menu, select the sound category

(Bass, Synth etc...).

Selection of the desired

sound

<2>

Use the appropriate "SOFT" dial, located under the display, to

select a sound from the Sound-Group selected on Menu Page 1.

Adjusting the volume of

each Part

<3>

The "SOFT" dials act as volume controls for each of the Parts.

This feature is very effective for mixing the selected 'Layer-Sound',

when using The RAVEN during live performance.

Selecting the mode of

the Parts

<4>

The Part mode of the active Parts can be changed. The Part

mode determines how each 'synthesizer' is played. For more

details, refer to the Chapter, "Part Editing", located in the second

part of this manual.

Adjusting the pan

settings of each Part

<5|

The "SOFT" dials act as pan controls for each of the Parts. You

can also disconnect each Part's output from appearing at the main

output. When "—" is shown in the display, that Part's output only

reaches the main output after passing through the effects

processors. For more details refer to the Chapter, "Part Editing",

located in the second part of this manual.

For added flexibility, you can use The RAVEN’s Realtime controllers in addition to being able to play the
Performances from the keys. The Realtime controllers of The RAVEN are used as remote control for the
internal Synthesizers, Effects and Motivators.
The RAVEN’s controllers are assigned to specific functions and you can choose which functions to assign
to the controllers. A-00 is set up as an example Performance to show how The RAVEN uses Realtime
controllers. The display should look as follows:

PrfA-00:Diary |1> Soundgroup __
Synpads2 Synpads1 Synpads1

This display shows information about the selected Performance. In the upper left corner, the name and the
number of the Performance is shown. In this case it is “Prf-A-00”. The next parameter to the right is the
menu number. The symbol next to the number indicates where in the menu-scroll you are. In this case, the
arrow points to the right, indicating there are more pages in that direction. If the display doesn’t show
menu page 1, use the “PAGE” dial to select it.
Written to the right of the menu number is which data is available on this menu. In this case you are able
to select the Sound Group of the synthesizers. The RAVEN offers 512 different synthesizers catalogued
into “Sound Groups”. The Sound-groups selected for the active parts are shown in the second line of the
display. In this particular Layered sound only three of four parts are used. In almost every menu of The
RAVEN the parameters that can be changed are shown in the second line of the display. The parameters
are changed with the dials located under the display. Each menu of The RAVEN contains different param­eters. The functions of the dials are software controlled so that a large number of functions can be changed
with only a few dials. In Performance mode up to five menu pages are available. Each of the five pages
contain different parameters which are described in the following chart:

Let’s try out the Performance functions. You will likely use Volume control in your live playing.
At the right side of the upper display line you will find a bargraph which stands for the usage of the played
parts. In our example, there are three usage bars because in this Performance we have only 3 synthesizer­parts assigned. Playing with increased velocity increases the length of the bargraphs.

11

Tutorial 1: Getting to know The RAVEN

"SOFT" BUTTON

FUNCTION

DESCRIPTION

[OK]

If you confirm with [OK] all edits made on the active Performance will be lost, and The

RAVEN will proceed to the newly selected Performance. This is usually the 'default'

button, unless you want to save your edits, which is not always the case after a 'Live-

Mix'.

[CANCEL]

This button takes you back one page and recalls the active Performance. The

Performance will contain your recent edits, allowing you to decide if you want to save

the edited Performance.

[SAVE]

This button proceeds to the "WRITE" menu where you can rename the Performance

and store it in one of the 50 User locations. For more details, refer to the Chapter,

"Write menu".

If you edit parameters while in a Performance and then want to change to a different Performance, the
following message will appear:

Performance Changes will be lost!
[ok] [cancel] [save...]

This display is informing you that all edited parameters will be lost if the Performance is changed without
being saved first. (This is similar to the way a computer works with files.) The “Soft” buttons are now
used to control the save-to-memory functions.

The functions of the “SOFT” buttons are displayed in the brackets [ ]. These are the functions that are
assigned to the knobs, not the functions that are printed on The RAVEN’s front panel. Until now, we have
seen some of the programming techniques in the Performance-mode, which are available for live sessions
without entering the edit-section. The parameters described until now can all be saved. During a live­performance there can also be changes that are not saved, but are used to make continuous changes to
parameters while playing. These parameters are controlled with the wheels (realtime controller). The
following realtime controllers are available:

1) Wheels 1 & 2

The wheels located to the left of the keys are available for Modulation or other assignable realtime control­lers. By rotating the wheels while playing, you can hear changes to the sound. Data generated by the
wheels can be edited in the common menu

2) Aftertouch

You can’t see this realtime controller because it is located beneath the keyboard! You can hear it by press­ing down on the keys after initially playing them. For this reason aftertouch is the best realtime controller
to use when you don’t have any hands free. Aftertouch data can also be edited in the common-menu.

3) Footswitch

Footswitches control the on/off status of functions as opposed to continuous parameter changes. The jack
for connecting a footswitch is located at the backside of The RAVEN. Footswitch data can also be edited
in the common-menu.

If you experiment with these realtime controllers you will notice that they have different assignments in
different Performances. In the selected Performance “Diary” you can control the cutoff-frequency of 2
parts from the Performance with wheel 2.
As you go through the huge number of different Performances, remember to use the realtime controllers!
It is a great way to get used to The RAVEN synthesizers.

12

Tuturial 2: Creating new Patterns

INSTRUMENT

GROUP

FUNCTION

Kick Drum-Track

Here the rhythmic foundation of dance tracks, the bassdrum, is located. 400 different

motifs, from the quarter note bassdrum to complex rhythmic figures is located here.

Snare Drum-Track

Contains 400 snare-drum motifs from simple off-beat hits to shuffled whirls which are

useful in creating interesting snare patterns. Handclaps and similar instruments are

also part of the snare drum repertoire.

HiHat Drum-Track

After the Kick and Snare patterns, the most important rhythm-track.

Percussion Drum-

Track

An 'accessory' to decorate the grooves. 400 different motifs are available.

Bass Melody-

Track

On this track you will find Bass sequences. These 400 motifs are important in

complimenting the first 3 drum-tracks. After combining Drum and Bass melody-tracks

a complete groove is created.

Sequence 1

Melody-Track

The 2 Sequencer tracks are responsible for the backgroud melody. This adds an

interesting element to a groove and can be used to vary arrangements. In each track

there are 400 motifs with complete sequences.

Sequence 2

Melody-Track

Chord Chord-Track

400 harmony sequences are located on this track. This can be used to add that

'finishing touch' to a production, and can also be switched on and off. A harmonic

structure is what makes the song interesting and can really bring out a melody.

Creating new
Patterns by
random selection
of prepro­grammed Motives

Imagine you are in the tape vault of our virtual studio. Inside this archive you find a lot of tapes each with
a lot of musical tracks on each one. The tapes are sorted by different groups of instruments. There are
basslines, drumgrooves, accompaniment sequences and effects. Also there is a tape recorder that has the
ability to play eight different tracks off eight different tapes into The RAVEN with all tracks playing in
sync. You would be able to create new patterns and songs by combining the tracks into new ‘grooves’.
The following instrument groups each have 400 ‘tape tracks’:

13

Tutorial 2: Creating new Patterns

The tapes of The RAVEN’s archive (tape vault) can be combined into patterns. The RAVEN offers a
function which can be compared to a tape player that can play up to 8 different tapes at one time. You can
take 1 of the 400 kickdrum tapes and put it into The RAVEN (tape player). Then you can take 1 of the 400
snaredrum tapes, and insert it also. When you press ‘play’, you will hear both tapes - in sync. This can be
done until you insert all 8 tapes. You are able to easily create new patterns by selecting the different tapes.
The selection of different tapes from the archive is called a ‘pattern’.

To illustrate the number of new pattern possibilities, let’s do a little math! Everyone knows the
low chances of winning a lottery. This is because of the huge number of variations caused by
6 from 49. If you want to check it out, type the following problem into your calculator:

49*48*47*46*45*44=

The answer will show practically unwinnable odds, but in comparison, the whopping number
of variations with our tapes is ridiculous. The calculation for the number of possible combina­tions our tape vault provides is as follows:

400*400*400*400*400*400*400*400=

When calculating through the 2 math problems you will recognize how ridiculous it is. Math
101 has shown that possibility of selecting the same combination twice is very small.

Random creation
of new Patterns

Now for the interesting part! With this demonstration we have only touched the basics. The tapes in our
vault are special. It is possible to change the various instruments of the parts. Now we see that the word
‘tape’ is incorrect; from now on we will call them ‘motives’. A motive is a combination of the played
notes, tones or hits of a tone color. The chosen tone colors can be changed at every time. There are 8
different kinds of motives, which handle a specified function of a pattern and are described in a table
located in the appendix.
To create new patterns, we will mess with some motives now.

To begin combining new patterns, press the “EXIT” button several times, until the display stops changing
menus. If a menu is shown that edits will be lost, you should save if you don’t want to loose your changes,
otherwise press ok.. After that press the “SEQUENCER MODE” button, then the “EDIT-SONG” button.
The following menu will appear:

Create Edit Create Edit
Pattern Pattern Song SONG

In this menu use the “SOFT” buttons again. Press the [CREATE-PATTERN] button. The following
display should appear:

14

(STOP) ******** Give me a groove! |1>
[clear] [break] [undo] [keep] to P0

If the motives have a meaning in this pattern, press the “SOFT” button [CLEAR] to clean up the selections.
The display should now look like the one above except for the tempo-value.
On the left of the display the current status of The RAVEN is shown. If the pattern is played, <PLAYnn>
will appear. When it’s stopped, <STOP> will appear. (In place of “nn”, the current number of the pattern
will be shown.) Right beside the status display the trackmonitor is located. The 8 signs are placed right
under the numbers 1-8. Each sign stands for one of the 8 motives. Under the “TRACK” buttons on the
front panel is written which number belongs to which motive. Ex: Number 1 belongs to the kick-drum
motive, number 5 to the bass-motive, etc_ The stars in the display show the tracks that are empty at the
moment.

Tutorial 2: Creating new Patterns

The right side of the display shows the current tempo-value. If you want to change the tempo, press the
“TAP” button and adjust the tempo by rotating the “VALUE” dial. You can also change the tempo value
by tapping on the “TAP” button in quarter-notes.
Don’t be too concerned with the “SOFT” buttons at the moment. After the pattern is completed, we will
use them! Press one of the 8 “TRACK” buttons to select a motive. If you want to start with a kickdrum,
use the “KICK” button. The motive will start playing when the button is pressed. If you want to change
the selected motive press the “TRACK” button until you find one that works. Then, start layering different
instruments by pressing the other “TRACK” buttons. The playing motives will be shown in the display
right under the selected numbers.

Selecting Sounds

If you like the motive but not the instrument, you can change it by pressing the “EDIT-PART” button. The
following menu will appear:

Edit Part Kick |1> Soundselect
Drumset 010:Modular2 Mode: ON

If the display is on another page, go to the 1st page of Part-edit by using the “PAGE” dial. Your display
might not show the same parameters if a different track or sound is selected, but this doesn’t matter for the
moment. Use the “TRACK” buttons to select the track which contains the instrument to be changed. The
name of the Motive will be shown in the display beside the Edit-part. With the third “SOFT” dial under the
display scroll through the instruments until you find one you like. When editing the “MELODY” or
“CHORD” track you can also use the second “SOFT” dial to select the Sound-bank . If you want to edit
other Part parameters, refer to the chapter “The Soundediting”.
To listen to the basic sound of the Motive, press the “SOFT” button F3 twice, located under the dials for
Sound selection. By various selection of Motives from “Sequence 1, Sequence 2 and Chord”, the instru­ment changes are done automatically. You will hear the sound assigned to the Motive by the composers.
To go to the 1st menu after changing instruments, press the “EDIT-SONG” button. The Create-Pattern
menu will appear again:

[PLAY0] ________ Give me a groove! 142
[clear] [break] [undo] [keep] to P0

The creation of
Breaks

(Now the “SOFT” buttons will be used!) If you are satisfied with the generated pattern save it now by
pressing the “F4” button [KEEP]. The RAVEN will save the pattern to the selected pattern-number (In this
case P0 of the current song). The pattern-number will automatically increment by one to prevent you from
writing over the previously edited pattern. You can also select the pattern by adjusting the fourth “SOFT”
dial. Unused tracks are shown with a star in the display.

In the Create-pattern menu you can store 10 different patterns which can be combined into a song later.
The pattern-numbers read from 0-9. After you have created a groove, press the second “SOFT” button
[BREAK]. In Break-mode The RAVEN selects motives appropriate for Breaks rather than Grooves.
Breaks use the Percussion instruments. A Break can be saved into Pattern-RAM. If you want to select a
different Groove, press the “SOFT” button 1 [groove].
When jamming around, you could change a motive by accident. In this case, press the “SOFT” button 3
[UNDO], to recall the last entry.

15

Tutorial 2: Creating new Patterns

With the procedures described so far, you can create complete patterns. The edits made are stored as part
of the pattern by using the [KEEP] function. There are also functions that are not stored with the Pattern,
such as the realtime transposing and muting of Motives. With these realtime functions, you can test the
variations of a pattern within a song, without permanently affecting it.. In certain musical styles, such as
Techno or Dancefloor, many realtime variations are possible (and fun!). Transposing and Muting of Tracks
or Breaks are two possibilities. Often you might start off with a sequence and add Motives one-by-one
such as hihat, percussion, etc...
The kickdrum might begin after the intro. Then the bassline might come in. This is called the arrangement
of the song.

Muting Tracks

In the Create-pattern menu you can see if the selected pattern is available for the arrangement. The mo­tives can be muted in two ways :

1) While holding down the “MUTE” button, press the button of the track you want to switch off. Pressing
the button again will switch the instrument back on. Pressing the “TRACK” button without holding down
the “MUTE” button will cause the Tracks selection to change.

2) Muting can also be selected by using The RAVEN’s keyboard. The Track-mute keys are located in the
lowest octave. In non-musical terms, the lowest octave on The RAVEN is the set of 8 white keys located
on the far left side of the keyboard. (the keys with 1-8 printed on the front panel) The functions of the keys
are as follows:

16

Pressing the “TRACK” key once switches the track off, pressing it a second time switches it back on.

Tutorial 2: Creating new patterns

Realtime trans­pose

Adjusting Volumes

User Motives in
the Create Pattern
section

Another realtime function available by pressing keys on with the keyboard is Transposing. The next
octave (to the right of the mute-selection) transposes the Pattern in realtime. All melodic tracks can be
transposed up or down. By using the Mute and Transpose functions you can arrange a complete song with
only one pattern!

Adjusting the volume of a Motive is done in the “MIX” page. While in the Create-pattern menu access
page 2 with the “PAGE” dial. The following submenu will appear:

________ Give me a groove! <2>
MIX: Kick Snare HH Prc M: ON

The “SOFT” dials under the display are used to adjust the levels of Tracks 1-4 on MIX page 2 and Tracks
5-8 on MIX page 3. Use the “PAGE” dial to switch between pages.

The selection of the stored Motives is on Create-pattern page 4 and 5. Use the “PAGE” dial to switch
between pages.

1) ROM Motives

2) User Motives

3) All Motives

(Stop) ________ Give me a groove! +<4>
Kick:USR Snare:ROM Hihat:All Perc:ROM

The Solo Part

Writing Patterns
to Song memory

With the 4 “SOFT” dials you can select the basic choice. “ROM” selects ROM motives from the ROM
board. “USR” selects User motives. “ALL” selects all types of motives.

You can also add a solo-part accompaniment on a track which is not played by the sequencer and is
reserved for the right hand. For this purpose a “SOLO” track exists. The parameter changes of the
“SOLO” track are done with the “PART-EDIT” button (refer to page 24 of the manual).

All changes to the Motive combinations are held in The RAVEN’s temporary RAM. This RAM is held
even when The RAVEN is powered down. Selecting another song will transfer that song into temporary
RAM and overwrite the previous song patterns. Therefore if you are satisfied with your edited patterns
save them into Song RAM. Song RAM is permanent until overwritten.

Pattern/Song Changes will be lost! [ok]
[cancel] [save...]

17

Tutorial 2: Creating new Patterns

ACTION

"SOFT"

BUTTON

DESCRIPTION

Delete Temporary

RAM and select a

new Song.

[OK]

All edited parameters will be lost and the newly selected song will

be loaded.

Recall the edits

and go back to the

active settings.

[CANCEL]

Pressing this button will allow you to save you edits before

selecting a new Pattern. The Temporary RAM will retain its data as

it was before you selected a new or other Pattern.

The edited Patterns

will be stored.

[SAVE]

After selecting "SAVE", The RAVEN automatically proceeds to the

Write Menu. There you name the newly created Pattern and save

it by selecting a Song number.

Use the “SOFT” buttons for the appropriate action:

If you have chosen the “SOFT” button [SAVE] or pressed the “WRITE” button while editing, the follow­ing message will appear:

|1> Write Pattern/Song?
[ok]

Press the “SOFT” button [OK]. The following message appear:

Name: "Untitled "
[ok] [cancel]

The new song can also be named at this time. The name can contain up to 16 characters. Longer names
can be abbreviated. Enter letters by using the keyboard or the “VALUE” dial. Use the “SONG/BANK­SELECT” button to move the cursor. After entering the name, press [OK] to save the song or [CANCEL]
to abort the procedure.
To prevent an accidental overwrite, a confirmation warning will appear:

to 1 "Wahnsinnsteil "
[ok] [cancel]

Use the “VALUE” dial when prompted for a memory location. Blank locations are marked in the display
with stars. After you have chosen a memory location, press the [OK] button. The following warning will
appear:

Overwrite "Wahnsinnsteil "?
[ok] [cancel]

After pressing the [OK] button again, the new song will be saved to the selected location. After saving you
can exit the write-menu by pressing the “EXIT”-button.

18

Tutorial 3: Playing live on Stage

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Playing live on
Stage

The RAVEN can store 10 complete songs. These songs can contain up to 10 patterns. In the previous
tutorial you learned to create new patterns by using preprogrammed Motives.
If you select one of the preset patterns you can change them during a live-performance, transpose them and
switch the tracks on and off. You can change all of the song-parameters during a live performance. In this
way The RAVEN can be used to test a production in a live situation. If you need to make changes in the
arrangement, you can call up new patterns and mix them on-the-fly.
Press the “EXIT” button several times until the display stops changing pages. Enter Sequencer-mode by
pressing the “SEQ-MODE” button. Select the song to play with the “SONG/BANK-SELECT” button.
(If you have made any edits in the existing song, a message will appear about loosing data. Save it or select
the [OK] button if the edits are not valuable.) The following message will then be displayed:

<STOP> ________ 1:Songname 143
|1> Cut: Bass Seq1 Seq2 Chord M:OFF

The selected song is ready to be played. There are 2 ways to play a song.:

1) The song edits (transpose, muting, etc_) will be done in realtime. All Pattern and Transpose changes are
done “Live”.

2) The song is played with the arrangement from studio day (tutorial) 4. In a live Performance entries and
modulations can be made, but the basic structure is given.

In the following chapter the main focus is on this one variation. Sometimes when playing live, only a few
Pattern changes are necessary to get things happening. The first variation is shown on studio day 4 where
we will copy the REMIX to a digital or analog tape deck.

Live Performance:

There are a number of Demo songs already recorded into The RAVEN. You can use these as a starting
point for your own compositions. Select these songs with the “SONG/BANK-SELECT” buttons. (Demo
songs that have been deleted for any reason can be recalled at any time from the ROM board. Refer to the
chapter “Initializing The RAVEN” on page 87).
In the current mode several functions can be assigned to the “TRACK” buttons by using the “SOFT”
buttons. The meaning of the selected functions are printed in red under the buttons. The following func­tions are possible:

19

Tutorial 3: Playing live on Stage

Realtime Control
of Synth param­eters

In the Song play mode, the functions assigned to the “SOFT” dials depends upon which of the 4
menu pages is currently active. The menu pages are accessed with the Page dial. The current menu
page is shown in the lower left of the display. The following functions are available:

Menu page 1: Cutoff-frequency-modulation

|1> Cut: Bass Seq1 Seq2 Chord M:OFF

This menu allows you to modulate the cutoff-frequency of the sequencer-motives. The dials control
filters of the synthesizers in realtime.

Menu page 2: Level-control drum-tracks

<2> Mix: Kick Snare HH Perc M:OFF

Two pages are used to mix the tracks in realtime. The 8 tracks are split into two pages with 4 tracks
on each. On this page, The RAVEN’s drum sounds can be adjusted. The level of the 4 tracks are
displayed with a beam.

Menu page 3: Level-control melodic-tracks.

<3> Mix: Bass Sq1 Sq2 Chord M:OFF

The volume of the drum-tracks is mixed on menu page 2.
The volume of the melodic-tracks is mixed on the menu page 3.

Tempo control

Menu page 4: Setup of the Solo-Part.

<4| Basses: MoogBas2 Level:100 M:OFF

On this menu page, three of the four “SOFT” dials have a specified meaning. The first dial selects
the Sound group of the SOLO instrument. The second dial selects the tone from the selected Sound
group. The third dial adjusts the volume of the SOLO part.

In this mode, the “VALUE” dial adjusts the tempo. The current tempo is shown in the upper right of
the display. The “TAP” button offers an intuitive way to adjust the tempo by tapping it in quarter
notes beat values. The RAVEN will automatically adjust the tempo accordingly. You can also use
the “TAP” tempo function while the sequencer is playing. This function is ideal for matching tem­pos when performing live.

20

Tutorial 4: Production of complete Songs

Realtime Trans­pose and Muting
with the keyboard

As in Create Pattern mode, you can also make parameter changes of the Transposing and Muting, when
working in the Realtime mode. When transposing, the melodic tracks (not the drum and percussion parts)
are pitched up and down.

Adding the
Motivator

More Realtime
access

Production of
complete Songs

The Motivator can also be used in the SOLO track to change the structure of played notes. For example,
the Motivator builds wild sequences out of a played chord, or chops them up to create synth-pads. Refer
to the chapter “Editing the Motivators” for more information. While playing live it is important to be able
to turn the Motivator on and off. “SOFT” button 4 [MOT-ON/OFF] is assigned to this function. The next
tutorial, studio day 4, introduces applying finishing touches to a production.

Now comes the fun! From the Preset or User patterns included in The RAVEN, we will now create a
complete song arrangement which can be recorded to a tape deck or DAT. You will determine which
pattern starts in the intro of the song, which tracks will be muted or played at which bar/beat and when the
patterns will change. Transpose changes are also done now. For the creation of a complete song, some
more things can added. The volumes of the instruments, settings of the Effect processors, the mix and
tuning of the drum sounds, as well as the sound parameters of the synthesizers can all be saved within a
song. See the Reference Chapters in this manual for a complete description of the Effect processors, Part
parameters and drum instrument parameters. With this in mind, it is to your benefit to familiarize yourself
with these features to get the maximum out of The RAVEN. Saving these parameters with the song can
lead to a truly polished production.

Besides creating patterns from scratch, as in tutorial (Tutorial 2), you can create Patterns in a very short
time by using the Create Pattern function. For this tutorial it works best to use User Patterns - and is a lot
of fun. Preset Patterns can be used, but in this case all you would be doing is creating a “Remix-version”
of a Song that already exists.

21

Tutorial 4: Production of complete Songs

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Create Song
function

For this tutorial we need some patterns from the Song RAM. Even if you don’t know how the song will
be created with the patterns or how to make an song intro or how to add melodic changes, it doesn’t
matter. To get started we will let The RAVEN create a song out of the selected patterns. You might think
the QUASIMIDIOTS are completely crazy, but we’ve included this feature as a creative tool. The quality
of the songs depends upon the quality of the selected patterns. Ugly themes and discordant pattern
changes might create a tasteless song. (cool!)
Study tutorial 2 and create some new patterns. Then, try the "Create song" functions of The RAVEN.
Sometimes the results are surprising.

The functions are selected as follows:

The following menu will appear:

<Stop> ________ Create your Song!
[clear] [create]

To monitor what you and The RAVEN have composed, press “SOFT” button F2. To do a different mix
using the same patterns, press the [create] button and The RAVEN will do a “Remix”.
If you are satisfied with the results, save it or record it to tape. Hints for saving a song are in the chapter:
“The Write menu”.
It is also possible to arrange the song yourself in Step mode.

22

Tutorial 4: Production of complete Songs

INFORMATION SAVED WITH EACH SONG-STEP

1

Pattern Number

A Pattern Number can be entered for each Song-Step.

2

Beat counts

The length (in beats) can be entered for each Song-Step.

3

Transposing

The pitch transpose can be set for each Pattern.

4

Muting

The track mute status (on/off) can be set for each Pattern.

INFORMATION DISPLAYED IN THE SONG EDIT MENU

1

(PLAY0)

The upper left corner of the display shows which pattern is playing at

the current Song-Step. If the Sequencer not currently playing, "(STOP)"

is displayed. When "(PLAYX)" is shown, and there is no sound, you

may have chosen an empty Pattern or muted all tracks.

2

___x_-__

The Track-Monitor. The active tracks are shown by a beam, (like an

underline). An "X" indicates an empty track. A line raised to the middle

of the display, (like a hyphen), indicates that the track is muted.

3

EDIT S1

The active Song-Step, currently available for editing.

4

(BAR 1)

The Beat position of the selected Song-Step.

5

|1>

This indicates the display is currently showing Menu Page 1. It also

indicates there are more Menu Pages available by scrolling to the right.

Song Editing To leave the Create Song function, press the “EXIT” button. The display will show the following menu to

select which edit mode to enter:

[Create ] [Edit ] [Create] [Edit] |1>
[Pattern] [Pattern] [Song ] [Song]

Choose the [EDIT SONG] function by pressing the “SOFT” button [F4]. The Song will start playing and
the following display will appear:

(Play0) ________ Edit S1 (Bar 1) |1>
Pattern:0 Trans: +0 Bars: 4 [keep] S1

Each Song can contain up to 10 patterns and each song can contain up to 99 different steps. Each Song
contains the following parameters:

All these parameters can be edited while the current Song step is playing. In the Edit mode, the current
Song step is played in a loop, enabling you to monitor edits in realtime. The upper line of the LCD
displays information about the Song step currently playing:

The lower line of the display is where you enter the pattern number, the transpose amount and beats per
minute. This can be done with the “SOFT” dials located under the parameters, or with “SOFT” buttons
[F1]-[F3]. The selected parameter is indicated by the flashing cursor. Tracks are muted or enabled by
holding the “MUTE” button and simultaneously pressing the appropriate “TRACK” button. This action
will toggle between On and Off states.

23

Tutorial 4: Production of complete Songs

F1

"Pattern"

Here you select the Pattern Number for the selected Song-Step.

Parameters can also be edited with the "VALUE" dial by selecting the

according parameter with the "SOFT" button.

F2

"Trans"

A transpose value, (-12 to +12 steps), can be entered with each

songstep.

F3

"Bars"

Here you enter the length of the step, (in beats).

F4

"[keep]"

With "[keep]" you can save the Song-Step. Whenever you use

"[keep]", the step-number is incremented by 1, enabling you to edit the

next step.

"Mute"

This function is displayed on the Track-Monitor. Using the "MUTE"

button in combination with the "TRACK" button, allows the Motives to

be switched on and off.

F1

'[insert]"

With "[insert]" a Song-Step will be inserted at the current Song-position.

Steps occurring after the current playback location will be moved in

their entirety after the inserted Song-Step.

F2

"[delete]"

With "[delete]" the selected Song-Step will be erased. Steps occurring

after the current playback location will be moved in their entirety to

begin where the Song-Step was deleted.

F3

"[copy to SX]"

The settings of the current Song-Step can be copied to another Song

position. The target position is selected with the dial under the

parameter. If the selected position is not located at the end of the

Song, the Song-Step of the current position will be decremented by

one step. In addition to the target Song-Step, the beat-position is

shown, and this is where the copy will be stored.

Editing an existing
Songstep

If you are satisfied with the first song-step, press [keep], (“SOFT” button [F4]). This saves the settings of
the selected Song step into Temporary memory. To speed up the process, The RAVEN automatically
copies the data and increments the location number by one. The [keep] function enables you to edit the
following step without having to select it.

In case you wish to change the settings of an existing song-step without having The RAVEN automatically
change to the next song-step, you must select another song-location with the “SONG/BANK””-SELECT
buttons.
To edit a songstep after it has been saved, select it with the “SONG/BANK-SELECT” buttons and make
your edits. Press [keep], (“SOFT” button [F4]). To jump to the end of the current song, press the right
“SONG/BANK-SELECT” button until the step numbers stop changing.

To access more functions to change the song’s structure, use the “PAGE” dial and go to menu page 2:

(Play0) ________ Edit S1 (Bar 1) <2|
[insert] [delete] [copy to S1] (Bar 1)

After the arrangement is done, play the song. Pressing the “EXIT” button twice will get you back to the
Sequencer mode’s main page. Then press the play button.

24

Tutorial 4: Production of complete Songs

1

Pattern

The Motive settings of the Pattern will be saved.

2

Regulation of the

tones

All edited synthesizer parameters will be saved. Parameters such as

Volume, Pan, Sound-Selection and Sound-Group can be different for

each Pattern.

3

Effect-Parameters

The parameters of the assigned effects.

4

Motivator-settings

The settings of the Motivator.

5

Song arrangement

The arrangement with all settings in the play-list.

6

Drum settings

Changes made to the Drumset are saved with the Song.

7

Play parameters

The play parameters "Groove" and "Repetition-Point" are saved with

the song.

At this point it’s a good idea to save the song to RAM. The Write Song procedure can be found in the
Chapter: “Writing Patterns to Song memory” on page 17. This will save the settings as well as the arrange­ment. After you are satisfied with the Song, proceed to mixdown. The reference section of this manual
contains information for all of The RAVEN’s parameters. All parameters which affect the sound of your
final mix, are stored in the Song memory. The RAVEN has a 10 Song memory capacity. The following
table shows which parameters are stored in Song memory:

Klaus Schulze himself with QUASIMIDI CYBER-6 and RAVEN

25

Part Editing

F2

Group

The many sounds of The RAVEN are grouped into catagories, or

'Sound-Groups', such as Basses, Organs, Drums, etc... .

F3

Sound

Select the sound from the Sound-Group chosen with [F1].

F4

Mode

The Parts can be used in different 'playmodes', such as polyphonic and

monophonic modes. The following table explains the different modes.

RETEMARAPNOITANALPXE/NOITPIRCSED

1

puorG-dnuoSdnuosdetcelesehtfopuorGdnuoS

2

dnuoStrapdetcelesehtfodnuoS

3

emuloVtrapdetcelesehtfoemuloV

4

amaronaPamaronapoeretsehtninoitisoP

5

enuT-esraoCeciovsihtfogninutenot-imeS

6

dneS-1XFrossecorP-XFtsrifehtottnestraPdetcelesfotnuomA

7

dneS-2XFrossecorP-XFdnocesehtottnestraPdetcelesfotnuomA

Sound Editing

Sound selection
and Part mode

The sounds of the single Parts can be changed and edited. Sound changes are stored in the Performance
section as well as the Song section. When a new song is stored, the Sequence-Part settings are also stored.
Song mode has another useful feature. Certain Part parameters are stored separately for each individual
pattern. Below is a list of the stored parameters followed by an explanation of all Part parameters.

Part parameters stored within the patterns:

The remaining Part parameters are stored with the song only. They affect the entire song. Both Song and
Performance modes allow access to the Part parameters with the “Edit Part” button. Parts to be edited are
selected with the “Track” buttons. Channels 1-16 can also be selected by the “SONG/BANK-SELECT”
buttons. In the Performance mode 1 to 4 parts can be used. These are selected by “Track” buttons 1
through 4. Unused Parts of a Performance are marked in the display.

Press the “Edit-Part” button, then turn the “PAGE” dial counterclockwise. The display shows the follow­ing:

Edit Part 1 |1> Soundselect
Group: SynLead A128:PercBana Mode: ON

Menu page 1> is for selecting the sound of the Part and setting the Part mode.

In all menu tables, the display controllers ([F1]-[F4]) of the corresponding parameter are shown in the first
column. This makes it is easy to tell which controller belongs to which parameter. Following are all Part
mode settings:

26

Part Editing

1

"Mode:" off

This mode setting switches off the corresponding voice. This setting is

particularly useful when controlling The RAVEN from an external

sequencer and need to use some of the 16 MIDI channels for another

MIDI device. If a Part is turned off, an "X" is shown in the MIDI

monitor.

2

"Mode:" on

This mode setting is the normal polyphonic playmode. The RAVEN

works with up to 21 voices. These are dynamically allocated among

the individual Parts.

3

"Mode:" mono

=> enables

portamento

Parts using this mode setting are monophonic, meaning you can only

play one tone at a time. The voices have a "Last Note Priority".

4

"Mode:" Lead

=> enables

portamento!

The "Lead" mode is also monophonic, but has "Highest Note Priority".

Lead and mono modes also use the single trigger principle: Hitting a

second key without releasing the first key will not generate a new

envelope.

5

"Mode:" ext

This mode setting can be used in Sequencer mode. With this function

you can control external synthesizers or drum machines using The

RAVEN's sequencer. Instead of an internal synthesizer Part, an

external MIDI device is triggered. The MIDI channel numbers

correspond to track button 1-8. Some Part parameters can also be

sent to external devices, such as Bank Select, Program Changes and

Volume and Pan controllers.

1F

"leveL".traPdetcelesehtfoemulovehtstsujdA

2F

"naP".traPdetcelesehtfonoitisopnaPehtstsujdA

3F

"1XF":sdneS-XF

.srossecorpstceffeehttnestraPdetcelesehtfotnuomaehtstsujdA

4F

"2XF"

Output Routing

When the “PAGE” dial is turned one position to the right, the next menu page appears:

Edit Part 1 <2> Output-Assign
Level:127 Pan: >C< FX1: 63 FX2: 0

Menu page <2> contains parameters to adjust the Volume, Pan, and the Effects.

The following list shows the various pan positions. In addition to fixed positions, The RAVEN offers
some special panorama effects.

27