trapKAT 4, 5KS User Manual
trapKAT 4
trapKAT 5KS
Manual
Rev. 0412
www.alternatemode.com
INTRODUCTION
PAD LAYOUTS .................................................................................................... 6,7
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 8
QUICK START .........................................................................................................9
trapKAT v4 WITHOUT SOUNDS ...........................................................................9
CONNECTIONS..................................................................................................... 10
THE MANUAL.......................................................................................................12
20 QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED
What are the Pad Numbers .......................................................................... 13
Get My HiHAT to Work ...............................................................................13
Get My Bass Drum Pedal to Work................................................................13
Get the trapKAT to Respond to My Playing Style........................................14
Reset The trapKAT....................................................................................... 14
Go Between Factory and User Kits..............................................................15
Quick Click................................................................................................... 15
Save a Kit .....................................................................................................15
Change the Sounds .......................................................................................15
Managing Kit Names.................................................................................... 17
Changing Note Numbers Don't Do Anything............................................... 17
The trapKAT is Playing Itself....................................................................... 17
Control Individual Drum Volumes and Effects.............................................18
The Difference Between Training and Velocity Settings..............................18
I Don't Hear Any Sounds on My 5KS...........................................................18
I Don't Hear Any Sounds on My Sound Source...........................................18
There is a Big Delay When I Use My Computer..........................................19
What's a Groove, Can I Make My Own........................................................19
Get Rid of the Beeper Sound........................................................................ 19
Back Up My User Kits..................................................................................20
What Sound Sources Does the trapKAT Work With....................................20
1
KIT EDIT FUNCTIONS
KIT EDIT FUNCTION LISTING...........................................................................21
MIDI CHANNEL.................................................................................................... 21
KIT VELOCITY......................................................................................................22
Minimum Velocity
Maximum Velocity
Velocity Curves
FOOT CONTROL CURVES...................................................................................23
SPECIAL CURVES.................................................................................................23
Multi Modes
Multi Notes
Xfade
3 Note Layer
Note Shift
4 Note Layer
Alternate Modes...................................................................................................... 24
Continuous Data...................................................................................................... 25
Cntrl+3 Notes.......................................................................................................... 25
HiHAT CONTROL..................................................................................................26
General MIDI HiHAT
Continuous Control
HatNote
Selecting Pads to the HiHAT Pads
Defining Settings for Open Closed and Chick
Continuous HiHAT Control
HatNote
HatNote Overlap
COPY KITS.............................................................................................................28
SOUND CONTROL ...............................................................................................28
Volume Change
Bank Changes (MSB/LSB)
2
Program Change
KURZWEIL SOUND CONTROL..........................................................................29
Filter
Pitch
Drum Volumes
FX/Reverb
KIT NAMING......................................................................................................... 30
ALL NOTES OFF................................................................................................... 30
PAD GATE TIME....................................................................................................31
Milliseconds
Roll Mode
Infinite Mode
Latch Mode
HIDDEN FUNCTIONS.......................................................................................... 31
HiHAT Training Results
Idle Levels
GLOBAL EDIT FUNCTIONS
GLOBAL EDIT FUNCTION LISTINGS............................................................... 33
USER /FACTORY KITS......................................................................................... 33
GROOVE ENABLE................................................................................................34
MEMORY PROTECT.............................................................................................34
MIDI MERGE......................................................................................................... 34
SPLASH ADJUST...................................................................................................35
PROGRAM CHANGE RECEIVE..........................................................................35
CYMBAL CHOKING.............................................................................................35
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GROOVE VOLUME...............................................................................................35
MEMORY DATA DUMPS......................................................................................35
PAD TRAINING..................................................................................................... 36
PAD THRESHOLD.................................................................................................37
PAD LOW AND HIGH DYNAMICS.....................................................................39
REINITIALIZE....................................................................................................... 38
GENERAL MIDI NAMES......................................................................................38
TRAIN HiHAT PEDAL.......................................................................................... 38
BASS DRUM TRIGGER GAIN.............................................................................38
DISPLAY ANGLE...................................................................................................39
BEEPER.................................................................................................................. 39
SAVE USER KIT.................................................................................................... 39
PAD LINKING........................................................................................................39
NOTE EDIT FUNCTIONS
HEAR SOUND........................................................................................................40
SPECIAL NOTE NUMBERS................................................................................. 40
No
Sequence Start, Stop and Continue
Alternate Reset
Alternate Freeze
Kit Advance, Kit Backwards
Pitch Wheel
Program Advance, Program Backup
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NOTE SLOTS......................................................................................................... 41
KIT SELECTION
KIT SELECT FOOTSWITCH................................................................................ 41
APPENDIX
GLOSSARY OF TERMS........................................................................................ 43
MIDI FOR PERCUSSION......................................................................................46
INSERTING NEW SOFTWARE CHIPS................................................................48
WARRANTY POLICIES........................................................................................ 49
CUSTOMER SERVICE.......................................................................................... 50
TRAPKAT USER KITS.......................................................................................... 50
KURZWEIL SOUND ENGINE INFORMATION.................................................51
SOUND LISTINGS ON THE KURZWEIL SOUND ENGINE.............................54
5
6
7
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Alternate Mode's trapKAT 5KS with Sounds Powered by Kurzweil. We are really excited
about this revised version of the trapKAT, first introduced into the market by KAT Inc back in 1995.
Since the original trapKAT, much has changed. We now use a lightweight aluminum frame which is
about 2/3rds lighter than the original trapKAT. We have replaced the original heavy gum rubber pads
with our new nuBOUNCE playing surface. This new playing surface just feels great to play on. There
are a 24 pads on the trapKAT, 10 large pads and 14 rim shot style pads that can be played with the shaft
of your drumstick. There are also bass drum and HiHAT inputs, making a total of 26 things to play on.
Our proprietary FSR (force sense resistor) sensors have improved as well. They are now more dynamic
and durable than ever before. Our new gold powered coated surface has been well received on our
malletKAT and has now found its way onto the trapKAT.
Many of the drumKAT's performance features are now part of the operating system of the trapKAT.
There are Alternate Modes, Velocity Switch Modes, Layering, Pad Linking as well as some Gate
Control Modes such as Roll Mode and Latching for Loops. We have even added Controller Functions
so that CC Data can be sent along with note data.
The real excitement of the day is that the new trapKAT 5KS has its own built in sound module. With
“Sounds powered by Kurzweil”, the new trapKAT has entered a whole new world. Sure it still is
possible to plug your trapKAT into any MIDI sound module or soft synth plug in, but now there is a
convenience factor that changes everything. Turn on the trapKAT and begin playing with no
programming required. Sure you can tweak to your hearts content, but the trapKAT is now truly a turn
key instrument with 24 kits ready to go. Just select a kit and play away.
The sound card in our trapKAT is the second edition of the sounds used in our malletKAT 7KS. Besides
having around 1000 traditional instruments to choose from, there are about 256 drum and percussion
kits to access. We've created a new “instant access” mode to get at these drum patches without having
to know anything about Bank or Program Changes.
Because this Kurzweil Sound Engine was built around their PC3 keyboard platform, the trapKAT's
sounds can be used for “music minus one” playing. The trapKAT has a MIDI In jack so that sequence
data can be routed directly to the sound card. If you own a malletKAT, you can have access to the
incredible vibes, marimbas, timpani, and orchestral percussion that also resides in the sound card, while
still playing your trapKAT. The trapKAT has a 1/4” headphone jack, stereo balanced output jacks,
stereo input jacks for mixing other music with the trapKAT and volume control push buttons.
Because the trapKAT 5KS is conceived as a total electronic drum set, we developed our own eHAT and
eKIC pedals. These pedals are different because unlike other companies models, you can determine the
pedal height and spring tension on both of them. It is the fact that you are using a real bass drum pedal
that makes it feels incredibly natural and comfortable to play on. We also sell our own stand, so that a
complete bundle is available for your convenience.
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QUICK START
Getting setup is easy. There are two brackets that connect to the back of the trapKAT. These brackets in
turn get mounted onto the brackets on your rack stand. Once you set the mounting brackets on your
stand and lock them in, setting up the trapKAT will only take seconds to set up.
The trapKAT uses a screw in style power adapter (different from other KAT models). This adapter is
universal so it can be used all throughout the world. Simply plug it in and turn it on.
Plug the eKIC (or another Bass Drum Trigger) into the “BASS DRUM INPUT” on your trapKAT. It
requires a standard 1/4” mono cable.
Plug the eHAT (or another HiHAT Controller) into the “HAT INPUT” on your trapKAT. It also requires
a standard 1/4” mono cable
Plug the supplied footswitch into the “KIT SELECT”
Use either the Headphone jack or the Audio Outputs to hear your sounds. Use the up or down buttons
to control the Volume.
The trapKAT is now ready to play.
Notice that there are twenty four pads on the trapKAT. The trapKAT also has 24 Kits to play on.
Each pad represents a number from 1 to 24. Every time you step on the footswitch, you jump to the
next kit, from 1 to 24. You can instantly jump to any kit simply by holding down the Kit Select
footswitch, and while held down, tap on any one of the pads. When you do this, the trapKAT calls up
the KIT number that matches the pad number.
You are now ready to stop reading and start enjoying yourself. Please get behind the trapKAT and start
playing!!!!!!
trapKAT version 4 (WITHOUT SOUNDS)
If you purchased a trapKAT without sounds, the audio jacks and headphone jacks will not be present.
You will see hole covers instead. This means that you can upgrade your trapKAT if you desire to get
our sound card in the future.
The trapKAT without the sound card can still easily be setup and ready to play because our FACTORY
Kits have been preset to work with the General MIDI standard. This means that almost every drum
machine's note numbers will match the note numbers assigned to the trapKAT's pads. Of course you
can change the pads sound to any other sound, but more on that later. You can still use the KIT
SELECT footswitch to change kits.
You will need to plug a MIDI cable into the MIDI OUT jack on the trapKAT into the MIDI IN input on
your drum machine.
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CONNECTIONS
Let's take a look at all of the connections on the back of the trapKAT. Looking at the trapKAT from the
back, starting on the left you will see...
POWER SWITCH
Yes, this is your standard on/off switch. Please note that if you turn off the trapKAT KS, wait several
seconds before turning it back on. The instrument needs to reset itself. If you happened to restart it too
fast, the sounds might not fire up. No worries, just shut it off and wait a few seconds then all we be
fine. Also notice that there is a warm up cycle. This is for the benefit of the sound card. It needs to
reinitialize itself, and takes about 8 seconds before the trapKAT turns itself completely on.
AC ADAPTOR INPUT
The trapKAT comes supplied with a removable, locking AC adaptor that connects to the trapKAT and
your 110v outlet. If you are in Europe, we will supply you with a different plug. The adaptor is the
same however, and will automatically switch to your 220/240v operation.
The KS adaptor is a 15v, 1.5mA, 2.1mm, positive tip adaptor. Please use the adaptor supplied with the
trapKAT KS - the sound card will not power up with it! The original 9V, 500 mA, positive tip power
adaptors, that came with the drumKAT, original trapKAT or malletKAT Pro will NOT work!
BASS DRUM INPUT
This is where you plug your bass drum trigger into. The input uses a ¼” mono cable. The trapKAT KS
is optimized to play with the eKIC. If you have others, the trapKAT will need to be TRAINED in order
to optimize your bass drum trigger. There are also GAIN controls that make the trapKAT compatible
with most bass drum triggers on the market.
FOOTSWITCH INPUTS
There are 4 Footswitch Inputs built into the trapKAT KS. The trapKAT prefers MOMENTARY OPEN
style footswitches. The footswitches supplied with the trapKAT are of this variety.
If you own MOMENTARY CLOSED style footswitches, they will still work, BUT you must plug them
in BEFORE you turn on the trapKAT. The trapKAT reads the pedals polarity on power up and makes
them work properly. If you do use a momentary closed footswitch, you should not remove them from
the input while the trapKAT is on. It will think you are stepping on the footswitch!
KIT SELECT FOOTSWITCH
Using this footswitch allows you to access the trapKAT's Kits. You can access these kits in two ways.
Simply step (tap) on the footswitch to increment to the next kit. The faster way to call up any kit is to
hold down the footswitch and while held down, tap any pad. The pads number (1-24) will also match
the Kits number (1-24). There are USER KITs and FACTORY KITs in the trapKAT. These KIT types
are called up in the GLOBAL Screens.
NOTE EDIT FOOTSWITCH
Changing sounds on the trapKAT is easy. All you have to do is hold down this footswitch, and while it
is held down, hit the pad that you want to change. The first time that you strike the pad, you will hear
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the sound that is assigned to the pad. The next time you tap on the pad (with the footswitch still held
down,) the sound will increment by one. You can play as fast as you like. You will hear the sound
change each time the pad is struck.
If you pass by the sound, you can easily go backwards in the list of sounds. Simply release the
footswitch and quickly hold it down again. The sounds will now play in the reverse order.
What you are actually doing is advancing through note numbers, MIDI note numbers. There are 127
notes possible. That means that you could be scrolling through up to 127 sounds on any pad. This is
great for chop building! Learning to use the “Quick-click” on the footswitch for changing the direction
of the sounds can come in real handy in getting the sound that you want quickly.
Notice on the display that the screen tells you what note number you are playing. The Beep Sound also
changes. This is really necessary so that you know which direction you are going and how far you need
to go.
You might also be seeing a name of a sound on the display. These names show up if in the GLOBAL
section, GM Names are turned on. If you are not using a GM drum module (and the Kurzweil is not
strictly GM), you will need to ignore these names. Its a blessing if you are using a drum machine like
the Roland TD 30, or a curse if you are using a soft synth and thinking that is the sound. The trapKAT
doesn't know what is plugged into its' MIDI Out port. So it is best to get into the habit of looking at the
note number and not the sound name.
KIT EDIT FOOTSWITCH
You probably noticed that there aren't many buttons on the trapKAT. This footswitch turns each of the
pads into a function for editing the KIT that you are playing. When you stepped on the NOTE EDIT
footswitch and tapped on a pad, you saw and heard a note number. When you step on the KIT EDIT
FOOTSWITCH and hit a pad, a function will be displayed. Just about every pad has a function, some
have multiple functions. These will be described in the KIT EDITING section of the manual.
So think of using the KIT EDIT footswitch when you want to alter a setting in the particular kit that
you are playing. Alter what you might ask.... things like velocity, channel, HiHAT pads, kit names, gate
time settings, and the list goes on and on.
GLOBAL EDIT FOOTSWITCH
This footswitch is for doing things that are......Global. That means that these settings affect the entire
instrument, and not just one kit.
The overall training of the pads, saving your kits, doing data dumps, memory protection are all
examples of Global things to do on the trapKAT.
Like the other footswitches, you use this footswitch in conjunction with hitting a pad. While this
footswitch is held down, tap on any pad. Its Global Function is then displayed. We will describe what
these Global functions are in the GLOBAL EDITING section of the manual.
MIDI OUT JACKS
There are two MIDI OUT jacks on the trapKAT. They are identical and are there for convenience in
11
case you are using more than one sound source for your sounds. Data goes OUT from this jack. Data
goes to both the internal sound card and to the external world through these jacks at the same time. You
do not need a MIDI cable if you are using the trapKAT with the sounds built in. The cable connection is
done inside the instrument.
MIDI IN JACK
Plug a MIDI cable into this port if you want to send a SYS EX Data Dump to the trapKAT or if you
want an external controller or sequencer to access the internal sounds.
It is also possible to program the MIDI note number of a pad if you are in Note Edit and you send a
note number externally to the trapKAT from an outside source. This is called AutoTrain.
HiHAT INPUT
This is where you connect your eHAT to the trapKAT. You must use a 1/4” mono cable. On the eHAT,
make sure that you are plugging into the middle jack marked (HiHAT). Don't use the Chick jack on the
eHAT. You don't want to send voltage to the trapKAT's HiHAT input. The chick jack is not designed to
be used with the trapKAT, but for future products (the DITI).
At the factory, we TRAIN the trapKAT to work perfectly with the eHAT. If you are using another
manufacturer's hat pedal, you will probably will need to TRAIN the pedal in order to get the best
results. TRAINING the pedal will be discussed in the GLOBAL Section of the manual.
THE MANUAL
Controlling the trapKAT effectively really requires that you understand the functions that lie
underneath the KIT EDIT and GLOBAL EDIT Screens. Understanding the basics of MIDI really is
also necessary so that the concepts discussed do make sense. You will then be able to program your
own kits that reflect your needs and requirements in playing the trapKAT.
There is however another way out... a sort of purgatory for the land of MIDI. We compiled a list of
questions that musicians ask us over and over again on how to get around the trapKAT. Each of the
questions asked will go over all of the steps necessary to solve the specific problem. The answer's will
be abbreviated but, it will answer the question. It's a shortcut yes, but it will help you get around the
instrument in a “need to know” basis.
After reading this section in the manual, there will be several other sections that will cover all of the
screens and functions in the trapKAT. This will be the NOTE EDIT, KIT EDIT FUNCTIONS and
GLOBAL EDIT FUNCTION sections. This will be followed by the Appendix that will have listings of
Sounds, Definition of Terms, Warranty and other important information.
Please also note that there are other ways of learning about the trapKAT. There is a VIDEO HELP
DESK on the alternatemode.com website that will have video demonstrations on “how to's”. There is a
KNOWLEDGE Database on the website that has answers to questions asked. There is a Forum where
questions can be answered and finally (last resort), you can call us at 877-933-6237
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20+ QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED
HOW DO I......OR...... WHY CAN'T I
OR.....WHY DO I......OR …...WHAT IS???
WHAT ARE THE PAD NUMBERS
There are 10 big pads and 14 rim pads. The first 4 big pads left to right are 1 to 4. The next circle of
pads from the left are pads 5-10. The little rim pads in front of the instrument are numbers 11-14.
The outer rim pads starting from the left are pad numbers 18-24
GET MY HiHAT TO WORK
In order to have a good working HiHAT pedal, you will need to do three things. First you must TRAIN
your pedal. Then you must decide what pads you want to have the HiHAT function to work on (1 to 4)
and finally you will need to determine which mode of HiHAT you want (GM HiHAT, Controller
HiHAT or HATNOTE Modes).
To TRAIN the HiHAT pedal, Step on the Global Edit Footswitch. While held down, tap on rim pad #
17. The display will then guide you to depress the HiHAT pedal all of the way down and then hit any
pad, followed by releasing the pedal and hitting any pad. Your pedal is now Trained!
Now you need to define what pad or pads are going to be HiHAT pads that will respond to the position
of your HiHAT pedal. To do this, step on the KIT EDIT Footswitch. While held down, tap on pad # 5.
The display will show what pads have been previously selected.. Now strike pad #5 again. The screen
will ask you to select what pads you want to be HiHAT pads. Tap on the pad or pads that you want to
be HiHAT pads. Once you've done that, simply release the pedal.
Finally you need to decide if you are using General MIDI HiHATs (if you are connecting to a GM
drum machine), or if you are using Continuous Controller Data for Drum Modules or Soft Synths that
looks at the pedal position or if you are using HATNOTE mode (designed for the Kurzweil Built in
Engine).
Step on the KIT EDIT Footswitch. While held down, tap on pad # 18. Each time you tap on the pad,
you will see choices to select. HATNOTE, 01, 04, 04F and None. HATNOTE is the setting to use if you
are using the 5KS, “NONE” is the setting if you are using a General MIDI drum module, and 01, 04
and 04F are Continuous Controller Number Settings used in the popular VST drum modules or upscale
drum modules like the Roland TD30.
There are other settings that can further tweak the HiHAT Settings in the Global Screen settings.
GET MY BASS DRUM PEDAL TO WORK
Like the HiHAT pedal, the bass drum trigger needs to be TRAINED to get the best results. The proper
MIDI note number needs to be assigned and finally the right velocity setting in the Kit needs to be
13
tailored to your taste.
There are three GAIN settings in the Global Setting called MIN, MED and MAX. There are also names
of bass drum trigger pedals from the past. It is always best to start with the MIN Setting. If you find
that you need more volume or dynamic range, you can always bump up to the next level. To set the
Gain Setting, step on the Global Edit Footswtich. While held down, tap on pad # 18. Each time you tap
on that pad, you will see the choices toggle between Min/ Med/ and Max.
Next you should TRAIN the pedal. Step on the Global Edit Footswitch, and while down, tap on pad
#11. When you tap on the pad, the screen will ask you to choose you pad (or trigger) you want to
TRAIN. Tap on your Bass Drum Pedal. The screen will ask you to play softly. Do it once and wait until
it asks again to play hard. After you do that, you will need to tap on the Global Edit Footswitch again to
get out of this mode. You can look at the values that the trapKAT set for your training in the Global
Screens (pads 13 and 14). You can also lower the Threshold is you need softer triggering (Global pad
12). These are described in more detail in the Global Editing Section of the manual.
You now have to make sure that the bass drum is assigned to a bass drum sound. Usually this is MIDI
note number 36. To change the MIDI Note Number, Step on the NOTE EDIT Footswitch and while
held down, tap on the bass drum trigger. The MIDI note number is displayed. You can change it simply
by tapping on the bass drum trigger with the Edit Footswitch held down.
The last thing to consider is the minimum velocity of the bass drum. Usually the minimum velocity
needs to be raised some. Try using a value a 32 to begin with. To change the Minimum Velocity, Step
on the KIT EDIT Footswitch and tap on pad # 12. The minimum velocity is displayed. You can change
it by tapping on the pad.
GET THE trapKAT TO RESPOND TO MY PLAYING STYLE
One of the main features of the trapKAT (and the other KAT Controllers) is that you can teach the
instrument your playing style. By performing a TRAIN on the pads, the trapKAT understands what you
mean to be soft and loud. The MIDI velocity dynamics are superimposed within the dynamic range that
you set. This is a very poweul feature as it makes your instrument personal!
Training the pads is easy. Step on the Global Edit Footswitch and Tap on Pad # 11 twice. You can then
let go of the footswitch. Now, pad by pad, do as the screen asks.... play each pad soft, then hard. After
you have done this to all of the pads and bass drum trigger, step on the Global Edit Footswitch again to
get out of this mode.
You can see the results on your Training by using the Global Edit Footswitch and tapping on pads 13
and 14. These pads will show you the values the trapKAT “read” when you played soft and hard.
RESET THE trapKAT
Getting the trapKAT back to the original Factory Settings is easy. Step on the Global Edit Footswitch
and while held down, tap on pad #15. It will ask you to tap on pad #15 again. Then just to be sure, it
will ask you to hold down pad #1 then hit #15 a third time. When you do this, you will see the display
acknowledge that the trapKAT has been reinitialized. The instrument defaults to the FACTORY Kits. If
14
you are have the trapKAT 5KS, you will need to go the the USER Kits. The User Kits have 24 presets
ready to go to get started with the 5KS.
After you reinitialize the trapKAT, the instrument automatically turns on MEMORY Protection. If you
attempt to change any parameter on the trapKAT, you will hear a “bad” beep. To shut off MEMORY
Protection, step on the Global Edit Footswitch, and while held down, tap on pad #3. This pad toggles
the Memory Protection on and off.
GO BETWEEN FACTORY AND USER KITS
The FACTORY Kits on the trapKAT 5KS are meant to be used for GM Drum Modules. These Kits
have not been optimized for the Kurzweil sound card. For the trapKAT with sounds, you should be
using the USER KITS. Please note that you can make changes to Factory and User Kits, but you can
only save USER Kit information. When you alter a Factory Kit, the changes go away as soon as you
leave the kit. This is also true now for the User Kits unless you choose to do a SAVE function to that
Kit.
Going between FACTORY and USER KITs is simple. Step on the Global Edit Footswitch and tap on
pad #1. Each time you tap on that pad, the trapKAT switches between Factory and User Kits. When you
shut off the trapKAT and turn it back on, it will remember what Bank of Kits you are using.
QUICK CLICK
Changing values on the trapKAT is usually performed by repeated taps on the same pad. Each tap
increments the value by one. If you overshoot your desired value or if you want to decrement values
and go in the reverse direction, a QUICK CLICK is the answer. While you are incrementing values,
quickly release and repress the footswitch (within a second). The values will now change direction.
This works for the Note Edit, Kit Edit and Global Edit Footswitches.
SAVE A KIT
Manual Kit Saving is new to the trapKAT 5KS. In all previous versions, the trapKAT automatically
saved any changes that you made. We have changed this feature so that saving a Kit only happens when
you deliberately want it to.
To Save a Kit, step on the Global Edit Footswitch, and while held down, tap on pad # 21. The display
will ask to to confirm that you want to Save. Hit the pad again and the current User Kit is saved.
CHANGE THE SOUNDS
When discussing changing sounds, we have to make a distinction between changing a sound on a pad,
or changing the sound on a kit.
Changing a sound on a pad simply requires that you step on the NOTE EDIT footswitch, tap on the pad
that you want the sound to change, then continue tapping to hear all of the sounds that are available in
that kit. There are 127 note numbers that are possible in any Kit. When talking about melodic sounds,
note number 00 is the lowest sound, and 127 is the highest note possible. If the sound is a marimba for
example, each note number just plays a different note on the marimba. When talking about drum
15
sounds, each note number usually plays a different sound. Usually there aren't 127 sounds available in a
kit, but this is how the theory works. For both pad sounds, and kit sounds, there is a MIDI channel that
they play on. There are 16 MIDI channels available. This means that you can have different Kits
sounds as well.
The way sounds are changed on a synthesizer is to send a Program Change Message to the synth. There
are 127 program changes possible. But because modern synths have more than 127 sounds in their
systems, Bank commands were created. A Bank is a collect of 127 different sounds (programs).
If you look at the Appendix and check out the Sounds built into the trapKAT, you will see a BANK
Change number and a Program Change number associated with every sound. On the top of the list is
the Bank Change Number. This is called the MSB, LSB number. There are two numbers associated
with the Bank. On the Kurzweil, the MSB is always 00, and the LSB is a single number that represents
each Bank of 127 Sounds. Going down that list is the Program Number and Sound Name.
On the trapKAT, you can store up to 4 different Bank and Program Numbers per kit. Recall that each of
these sounds must be associated with a MIDI Channel number. This is the way that we can differentiate
the different sounds on different pads when the sound is a kit sound, not a pad sound.. Also, we can
control the relative Volume for each of these Sounds. Yes this sounds confusing, but don't give up.
Continue reading......
The good news is that most of the time you will only be calling up one Bank and Program Number per
User Kit. The even better news is that if you own a trapKAT 5KS, you don't even need to know about
any of this. We created a short cut for you that allows you to get at all of the 256 drum presets built into
the instrument without dealing with Banks and Program Numbers.
So lets start with the shortcut for trapKAT 5KS Users. We programmed User Kit number 24 with the
shortcut stored in the Kit for demonstration purposes. Step on the KIT SELECT Footswitch, and while
held down, tap on pad #24. Release the footswitch.
Now for the magic. Just tap on pads 23 or 24. Notice that the name of the kit changes. Pad 23
increments to the next kit and pad 24 decrements through the kits. You can check out all of the drum
sounds this way. Notice also that besides the Kit Name, the display tells you what the Bank (LSB) and
Program Number is. If you find a Kit that you want to Save permanently as a User Kit, step on the
Global Edit Footswitch and hit pad #21 twice.
You can turn on this cool new feature on any User Kit by assigning this function to any pad. This
function is turned on simply by assigning a special MIDI note number to the pad of your choice.
Normally MIDI note numbers go from 00-127. The trapKAT has added note numbers to do special
things such as PROGRAM ADVANCE and PROGRAM BACKUP. These are MIDI Note numbers 137
and 138. Step on the NOTE EDIT Footswitch and select the pad you want to assign this function. Now
continue tapping on that pad until you reach to note number 137 or 138. Isn't that easier!
If you need to get to a sound that is not in Bank 4 or 5, (the drum banks) or if you don't own a 5KS, you
will need to assign a MIDI Channel, Bank Number (MSB-LSB), Program Change Number and Volume
Number to the Kit. If you need more than one sound, you can store up to 4 of these on different MIDI
Channels.
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It KIT EDIT, pads # 19 and 20 are assigned to this task. When you step on the KIT EDIT footswitch
and continue tapping on pad 19, you will see Volume (1), Program (1), Channel (1) MSB (1) and LSB
(1), then Volume (2), Program (2) etc etc all the way up to LSB (4)
When you see the value displayed, tap on pad #20 to increment the value. You can also QUICK CLICK
the footswitch to go the other direction.
MANAGE KIT NAMES
If you own the trapKAT 5KS, you probably do not need to create your own KIT names. By using the
Program Advance, and Program Backward functions in the User Kit, the name of the kit automatically
loads in. (please read “Change the Sounds” above).
If you want to name your own Kit, you can. This is performed by stepping on the KIT EDIT footswitch
and tapping on pad #21 twice. While continuing to hold down the footswitch, the pad numbers below
change the characters on the display.
Pad 1 assigns upper case letters
Pad 11 assigns lower case letters
Pad 3 assigns a space between characters
Pad 12 assigns a character
Pad 3 advances the cursor
Pad 13 reverses the cursor
Pad 4 advances the characters
Pad 14 reverses the characters.
Let go of the footswitch when you are done. You will be surprised just how fast you can name kits in
no time.
CHANGING NOTE NUMBERS DOESN'T DO ANYTHING
The trapKAT can play up to 16 sounds on one pad. Most of the time when you are changing note
numbers, you will be working on slot number 1 (of 16). If you accidentally stepped on the NOTE EDIT
Footswitch and the KIT EDIT FOOTSWITCH at the same time and then struck a pad, you then
switched editing to slot number 2 of 16. You can tell which slot you are working on by looking at the
screen when the Note Edit Footswitch is held down. For example, you might see something like #38-
01. The number 38 is the MIDI note number. The 01 represents slot 1 of 16.
Hearing these other sound slots depends on if you have a special function turned on such as Alternate
Mode or Velocity Shift. These are activated in the Velocity Curve Screens. These functions will be
described in the KIT EDIT FUNCTIONS chapter.
If you find that you are not in slot number 1, then step on both the NOTE EDIT and KIT EDIT
footswitches at the same time, and continue tapping on the pad until slot 1 rotates back on the screen.
THE TRAPKAT IS PLAYING ITSELF
Every pad on the trapKAT has its own “THRESHOLD” setting. This is the low end (softest) sensitivity
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setting where the trapKAT decides when to start sending out notes. If you ever hear any false
triggering, fixing the problem is easy. First identify the hyper sensitive pad. If you don't know which
pad it is, step on the NOTE EDIT Footswitch. It will just jump to that pad when the pad triggers itself.
Step on the Global Edit Footswitch, and while held down, tap on pad #12. The screen will ask you to
hit the pad that you want to adjust. Hit that pad, then hit the pad again. Each time you strike the pad, it
will raise the THRESHOLD by a value of one. If you want to go backwards, performa a “Quick-Click”
CONTROL INDIVIDUAL DRUM VOLUMES and EFFECTS
New screens have been added to the trapKAT 5KS to control the individual drum volumes in the
Kurzweil sound card as well as the ability to control the reverb and EFX per kit. Step on the KIT EDIT
footswitch and tap on pad #7. Each time you strike the pad, you will see the next parameter and its
value. There are individual volume control settings for the bass, snare, toms, HiHAT, and miscellaneous
sounds, as well as a general reverb and EFX setting. If the parameter is set to OFF, then the sounds
default value is sent. If a value is added, then that value overrides the default setting. To change the
default setting to a value of your liking, then tap on pad #8. Each strike on pad #8 increases the value of
the parameter.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRAINING AND VELOCITY SETTINGS
There is a difference between TRAINING your pads Globally and setting up your velocity settings in a
particular KIT. When you go into the GLOBAL screens and elect to TRAIN a pad, you are setting up
the playing range for those pads for the entire instrument. A TRAIN tells the trapKAT what you define
as a soft and hard hit. Setting up a velocity range on the other hand tells the trapKAT how loud to play
a pad when you play soft and hard. There is a range from 00 to 127. This is the velocity range. In every
kit, you define what is the minimum velocity number you want when you play soft, and the maximum
velocity when you play hard.
I DON'T HEAR ANY SOUNDS ON MY 5KS
If you don't hear any sounds in the headphone or audio out jacks, then first try raising the volume of the
kit. Notice that there are two little buttons next to the headphone jack. This is the Master Volume
control for both the headphones and audio outs.
Please note that if you turn off the trapKAT and back on again too quickly, the sound card may not boot
up. Shut the trapKAT off and wait about 10 seconds before turning the trapKAT back on. If that doesn't
work, then make sure that you have not assigned a Bank and Program number that does not exist in the
sound list.
Finally, make sure that you are using the correct 15v power adaptor that came with the trapKAT 5KS.
Current users of the malletKAT, drumKAT or original trapKAT can not use the power supply (9v) that
was supplied with that controller.
I DON'T HEAR ANY SOUNDS ON MY SOUND SOURCE
When you don't hear any sounds coming from your sound source, it usually is because you haven't set
the correct MIDI channel. There are 16 MIDI Channels possible. The trapKAT transmits on a MIDI
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