KORG TRITON
- SYNTHESIZER CONTROLLER – DOCUMENTATION
Supports Models -
Triton Classic, Extreme, Rack, LE, Triton Studio and Karma O.S. Ver 2.0 or
higher !
Version 5.13d
By Stuart Pryer
Web Site http://www.pryer.freeserve.co.uk/ E-Mail stuart@pryer.freeserve.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEX
LOADING,
SETTING UP AND RUNNING
TRITON MODEL COMPATIBILITY TABLE
PROGRAM
PLAY MODE - PCM AND MOSS
PCM EDITOR (BANKS
A,B,C,D.E AND G,g) AND MOSS EDITOR
ACCESSING EXPANSION BOARDS – EXB 1 TO 9
PICKING UP SETTINGS
FROM A PCG
MASTER
AND INSERT EFFECT EDITING
FRACTAL SEQUENCER –
MANDELBROT SET EQUATION
FILE \
EDIT \ FORMAT MENU ITEMS
PRINTING PCG LISTS OR SAVING AS A FILE
CHECKING WHICH COMBINATIONS
A PROGRAM IS USED IN
FINDING REPEATED PROGRAMS &
PROGRAM NAMES
MERGE
PROGRAMS/COMBINATIONS/DRUMKITS/ARPEGGIOS
BYTE HIGH, BYTE AVERAGE, BYTE LOW
MERGE KARMA G.E.’S – KARMA ONLY
INITIALISING CURRENTLY SELECTED PROGRAM
REPLACE A
SINGLE PROGRAM IN A PCG
CUT ‘N PASTE OPERATION
BETWEEN PCG FILES - OPEN A SECOND LIBRARIAN WINDOW
COMPARING SOURCE AND
DESTINATION PROGRAM LISTS
CREATING A Master PCG (PROGRAM ARCHIVE)
INITIALISING A PROGRAM LOCATION
USING THE SECOND LIBRARIAN
WINDOW WITH MASTER PCG FILES
---------------------------------------------
DEMO VERSION
5.03 –
Please
note that this is a demo of an earlier version has various features disabled
and the ability to save edited PCG files is not available. The following modes are available in the Demo
version:-
Program
Edit, Combination Play, Midi Settings, Composer, PCG Reader (read only) and
Help. The remaining buttons are not
available.
There
are also many new features in the Full Version not on the Demo version. You
cannot send data from an opened PCG file to the synthesizer to audition it on
the Demo version. NB. Users of the Demo version can use it for 2
weeks only, after which they must either delete it or subscribe to the full
version. Note - The demo is usage
limited.
The Full
Version has the Demo’s disabled features restored plus all of the latest
features. Please read conditions of use.
CURRENT
FULL VERSION 5.13 – 2nd April 2004
1. Triton Extreme – Support for
Korgs new synth added.
2. Bug fix in PCG Reader – Moss
PCG’s – Now lists/pastes Moss programs properly. For all Triton series & Karma.
3. Extra error trapping added.
4. Bug fix for Triton Studio PCG
files when loading into Librarian
5. Bug fix for Triton Studio PCG
files when creating Master PCG files
6. Improved formatting when
transferring ‘List Box’ contents to ‘File Viewer’.
7. Bug fix for Karma and LE when
displaying – Combinations Dependent on Current Program – The correct Combinations
are now listed.
VERSION
5.12 –
1. New graphical
interface for the Mandelbrot Set. Just
click on the picture of the Mandelbrot Set to select values for X and Y and
create new sequences rapidly. The value
chosen will be marked by a small white circle on the picture of the Mandelbrot
set and the sequence will begin playing.
This is a quick way to try different real and imaginary constants for
both note values and not timings. Also works for Julia Sets as well.
2. Improved
Mandelbrot Set sequencer engine.
3. Added ability to
fill ‘file viewer’ in PCG reader with note list generated my fractal
sequencer. Button added to arranger
window on composer form (Fractal sequencer section). ‘Paste sequence to PCG reader’ – this fills
the file viewer with the list of midi note numbers separated by , to create a
comma separated file csv. Thus 76,74,62,
etc.
4. Added ability to
save Mandelbrot Sequencer settings to ‘file viewer’ as a comma separated file
for later recall during the session.
Also the ability to save as a text file for a permanent record of the
sequencer settings and ability to annotate the file.
VERSION
5.11 –
1.
Fractal Sequencer – Ability to visualise note series
evolution graph – Frame at a time or as a movie.
2.
Facility to allow generated notes to produce user
defined chords, arpeggios and chord shells on replay.
3.
Arranger facility added – This allows motifs to be
used from a Fractal Sequence and stitched together into a tune.
4.
Bug fix which properly forces note to scale defined
on the right hand ‘keyboard’ on the sequencer window.
5.
Right hand ‘keyboard’ on the sequencer window shows
current note being played.
1.
Added ability to quantise notes – specify time in
seconds.
2.
User can vary
probability of notes sounding outside of note range defined on right hand
‘keyboard’ on the sequencer window. If
the slider is at 0 only notes defined will sound. If slider = 1 then any note will sound.
3.
The user can now utilise the Julia Set as well and
specify both real and imaginary seed values for both notes and timings.
4.
Auditioning of Moss files using PCG reader now
allows a small delay to enable Moss Board to reconfigure when program changes.
5.
Improved second librarian window can now display
large triton studio PCG files properly and edit expansion board PCG files.
VERSION
5.10 – 14th MAY 2003
1.
All models - Major new feature added in the Composer
Section – Ability to generate sequences using Fractals. This provides the ability to use Mandelbrot
equation to control note timings as well as note number and produces ‘human’
like compositions.
2.
Update for Triton Studio –Librarian now displays
complete bank description for programs and combinations when opening a Triton
Studio PCG file. So for instance, program banks appear as I-A to I-E for
Internal multisample programs and E-A to E-G for External sample programs. Moss is still accessed via separate button –
bank I-F.
3.
Update for Karma users only – New Feature - ability
to Merge Combinations Generated Effects.
GE’s. So you can easily create
new GE’s by merging existing ones !
4.
Update for Karma users – New Feature - ‘Randomise
GE’ button added at Combination Play mode.
Press button to randomise GE’s on any or all of the 4 karma modules or
input values manually. You can also auto
addition GE’s and control the frequency at which they change. Tooltips added to help user – tip appears
when cursor hovers over feature.
5.
Update for Karma users – New Feature - ‘Randomise
GE’ button added at Program Play mode.
Press button to randomise GE on the
Karma module or input values manually.
Works for both PCM and Moss programs.
You can also auto addition GE’s and control the frequency at which they
change. Tooltips added to help user –
tip appears when cursor hovers over feature.
6.
Update for Karma Users – Bug fix to allow Combination
Banks E and F to be displayed properly.
VERSION
5.05 –
7. Update for all
Models - Bug fix and error trap to stop program crashing if incorrect values
entered in sysex manual entry for all T.C. pages.
8.
Update for Karma users with the Moss board
installed. Users can now Load and Write
to Bank F in Combination Edit mode.
9.
Update for Triton Studio Users who can now Load and
also Write to Banks Ext A-G in Program Play window.
10. Update for Triton
Studio – Bug fix so that Librarian functions work properly when a T.S. PCG file
is opened.
11.
New button added to main form to enable the Tutorial
to be displayed within the program – download Tutorial and save as Tutorial.htm
and place it in your program installation directory (same directory as triton.exe
file) – same procedure as for the help file.
Version
5.04 –
1.
Update specifically for Karma users with the Moss
board installed. Karma users can now
control all of the features of the optional Moss board and also preset the T.C.
software’s Moss controls on the PC when opening a PCG file containing Moss
data. Thanks to Hermanto for testing.
Version
5.03 –
1. Update
specifically for Karma users who can now access all program banks – only 4 were
available before.
Version 5.02 January 2003
1.
Ability to access Korg PCM Expansion Boards
multisamples.
2.
Multi Samples listed by name.
3.
The software now works on older PC’s or laptops with
a maximum screen resolution of 800x600 pixels.
Version 5.01 January 2003
Program
now has the ability to read PCG files properly for Triton Studio and Rack when
there are more than 5 program banks, 4 combination banks and 4 drum kits. Multi bank Arps and drum kits now also read
properly.
1. PCG Reader can
now display the full 12 program and combination banks – display modified. Banks Z-6 to Z- 12 for Programs refer to
Triton Studio/Rack EXB banks E-A to E-G and Banks Z-5 to Z-12 for Combinations
refer to Triton Studio/Rack EXB banks E-A to E-F. These are extra banks for EXB loaded
synths. For other synths these banks
remain at 0 programs each.
2. Triton Controller
can now pick up settings (ie. Preset its controls) from a PCG for:- Combination Play, Combination Edit, Program
Play, Program Edit, Moss Edit and Arps. (Not karma or LE)
3. Ability to pick
up Effect settings (ie. Preset T.C. controls) from a PCG for ALL models except
LE.
4. Ability to Merge
- Programs, Combinations, drumkits and Arpeggios. Create brand new sounds by merging existing
ones. Now with the ability to select width ‘x’ of Merge (program, combination
etc). Previously x was fixed at 1. The value of x can be input in the text box
lower left – “First x Char./Merge Width”.
Preset at 1 at program load.
5. Auto Merge –
Software automatically cycles through all possible merge widths. User can stop when a sound is liked and it
can then be stored. User can restart at
any point and can vary the note on time.
This is a very rapid way of generating totally new sounds !
6. Auto Random –
generate new Programs, Combinations, Drum Kits & Arps using existing PCG
data as a seed.
7. Ability to take
Highest, Average or Lowest byte value from programs/combinations selected by
merge to generate yet more programs/combinations!
8. Automatic
auditioning of PCG by software. Sit back
and listen to the programs/combis etc. 1 by 1 !
9. The software now
has full support for the Triton Studio & Karma Synthesizer ( with Operating
System Ver. 2.0 or higher loaded) (NB.
Karma O.S. 1.6 or earlier will NOT work). Thanks
to Laughing Bear for all of his support.
10. Composer now
works properly when notes are played rapidly – improvement in midi code.
11. Ability to
audition Karma PCG (OS 2.0 format only) – Programs (PCM and Moss), Combinations
and Drum Kits. The audition features are
now more refined.
12. Full Librarian
functionality added for Triton Studio & Karma.
13. Renaming function
in Librarian routine improved.
14. Ability to
immediately Audition Sound when program of a PCG selected in Program List
Viewer.
15. Play note button
added so you can re-audtion sound
16. Mode changes
automatically when used in Librarian mode with ‘Send Data to Triton’ check box
checked. This feature was a popular
request !
17. Category of
program/combination now reported correctly for Karma.
18. ‘Transfer List To Viewer’ in Edit Menu and
‘Combinations Dependent on Current Program’ in tools menu – both in Librarian –
have had their Formatting improved (Tabs added) so that exports to excel and
word etc. are properly formatted,
19. Individual Help for each window – opens
internet explorer window and loads help at relevant page. Context sensitive.
20.Ability to toggle PC Midi Port On/Off – this also flushes the
midi buffer.
21. Ability to set midi channel for each
program in a combination – combination play mode.
22.A lot of Bug Fixes – too numerous to
mention ! Thanks to all of the testers J
---------------------------------------------------------------
NB. A tutorial is
also available on my website covering musical synthesis with the Korg Triton
series...
Midi Setup….Connecting the
Synthesizer to the P.C…..If you want to get up and running quickly and prefer
to read the detailed instruction later, then this is what you need to do:-
1. Connect the Korg
Synth to the PC using midi leads ( Midi out from the synth to midi in on the
PC, and midi in on the synth to midi out on the PC) or a Korg PCIF serial lead
(you will need to load the Korg PCIF driver for the latter to work).
2. Load and run the
Triton Controller software. Click Midi
Set Button (Red midi symbol main toolbar).
Set model to the model of synth you use, set midi channel to correct
channel – default on synth/software is 1.
Select PCIF for midi in and midi out in the text boxes if you are using
PCIF cable.
3. On the synth goto
‘Global Mode – Midi settings
and set Midi receive for sysex, bank change
etc. Tick boxes to enable. If you
use PCIF make sure data rate is set to 38kb/sec for the PC.
4. Also make sure
that the Triton bank map is set to Korg and not general MIDI. (Otherwise
you will only have access to general Midi.)
To do this - On the Triton, Goto
global mode - system preferences (page 2) , and set bank map there to Triton.
If you
click between ‘PCM edit’ and ‘Combi play’ on the T.C. for instance, the mode on
the synth will change. (See lights above
mode buttons). You should now also be able to goto an edit page in the
software, change a parameter on the PC and as you do you should see the
parameter change on the Triton/Karma’s screen.
You will have to manually goto the particular edit screen on the synth
as midi will not alter the screen on the synth automatically - it will however goto the correct mode.
Making
your first Edits using the Triton Controller T.C. Software
The Triton Controller Software is
designed to make editing sounds on the Korg synth a lot easier than using the
small screen that comes with the synth.
This is even more true for those models without a touch screen such as
the Karma, Rack and LE. The best and
simplest page to start with is Program Play.
Click the Icon at the top left of the T.C. menu bar. If the synth is not in that mode already,
then the T.C. will force the synth to
goto that mode and you should see the program play mode button light up and
that mode appear on the tritons screen.
(If it does not, then the midi connection needs checking. Goto step 1 above – midi setup.). The P.C. screen will display a new window
containing various controls. Now this is
the fun bit!
1.
With
almost any program loaded on the synth – slide the octave slider on the T.C. up
or down. Play the synth and you will
hear the note go up or down an octave. This is true for most programs, but not
all. Move the slider again and play the
synth again.
2.
Next –
do the same thing with the pitch slider – notice what happened to the sound.
3.
The
Osc Balance changes the respective volumes of the 2 oscillators which make up
most triton programs. Sliding it will
change the timbre or nature of the sound.
4.
The
amp level slider changes the output level of the synth. Try sliding it up and down.
5.
The
Attack and Decay time changes the speed at which a sound builds up and dies away
– classic controls on synths since the 1970’s
6.
The
IFX slider refers to Internal Effects and MFX master effects. Changing this slider will alter the filters
modifying the synths sound.
You will see that by just changing
these few sliders you can create many different sounds !
Tip….If
you want to play the synth from the PC keyboard click the mauve button bottom
right – Audition sound using the P.C.
keyboard – and use the Z-M keys and Q-U to play it. Handy if the synth is out of reach from the
PC.
If you want to choose a
program/bank – ie. Sound from the synth, just use the Orange - Program/bank
select button top right. Select a bank, select a program and press the button
below. The synth will then be told by
the T.C. to change the program accordingly. You should see the synths display change and
when you play the synth the sound will be different.
You can also save a sound – edited
in the synths buffer – to a program/bank location of your choice. Use the Red – Write section of the window of
the T.C. for this.
Finally you can adjust arpeggio
parameters – assuming your model has arpeggios – Karma uses G.E. instead so
this section is not visible on the P.C..
PS…The Load PCG file ‘check box’
will be covered later in the tutorial.
Part
2 …..Multi sample synthesis.
NB. When you first open the T.C. you will see a
small window in the top left with the various modes of the Triton listed. By clicking on the various radio buttons you
can switch modes on the synth. The sub
window also allows the user to open and close the midi port, very useful if you
use PCIF and you want another application to take over the PC port. Just close the T.C. port first.
The Triton is prepacked with over
400 multisamples – these are mainly digital recordings of instruments which
have been assigned to the groups of keys on the synth. You can
also sample your own sounds if you own a Triton Classic or Studio. The triton allows the user to combine
multisamples – so by pressing one note you can sound up to 2 multisamples in a
typical program. By combining Programs
you can create Combinations which are rich sounds. So you can see the Triton offers vast numbers
of ways of making sounds by addition.
The PCM edit page on the T.C. lays
out neatly all of the editing controls – much in the way of earlier synths of
the 70’s/80’s did on their control panel.
When you want to create a new sound its always easiest to start with an
existing one – from one of the Korg PCG files which came with the synth and which
sound similar to the sound you want. Just tweak it as necessary. So how do you do that ?
You need to understand what the
various controls do. Controls are
generally grouped into:-
1.
Oscillators – These are Multisamples really, but early
synths just had square wave generators, sawtooth, Sine wave etc. Not real samples and you made the sound
different by filtering them. Although
you can only sound 2 oscillators at once in a triton program you can velocity
switch samples. So if you press the key
lightly you get one multisample and press harder you hear another. Don’t worry too much about this now but
that’s why there are 2 multisample options per oscillator.
2.
Filters – Typically high pass or low pass (High pass just let high
frequencies through) and resonance accentuates the frequencies around the
resonant frequency. Overdoing this will
cause feedback – and a whistling sound will be heard.
3.
Amplifiers – How loud will the sound be and what will
the balance be between the two oscillators 1 and 2.
4.
Envelope Generators – an envelope is a graph whose intensity
varies with time. You can make sounds
amplitude build slowly and end quickly or vice versa. You can also apply envelopes to filters.
5.
Effects – ways of further manipulating the sound such as vibrato,
overdrive, leslie speaker etc. – these will be covered later.
The best way of learning about
these controls is literally to play around.
Start by adjusting just one control at a time and observe how it affects
the sound.
Tip……A
quick way of generating new sounds is to press the ‘Random program’ button in
the centre of the PCM edit window – it uses random values to move various
controls, you never know what you will end up with and its great fun ! This feature is only found on the T.C.
software.
To
Load a PCG file...........
1..select
file/open at the PCG Reader screen - Librarian menu - open PCG. Choose a Triton or Karma OS 2.0 native
format PCG as appropriate for your synth .
See the utilities section of my website for a Karma OS 2 PCG...You can generate these yourself by saving
any complete pcg on the synth to floppy disc and then transferring into the PC.
2..Press
‘Select programs' to pick out the program data in the PCG. If the pcg does not contain program data
– you will get a ‘search string not found’ message pop up.
3..Press
list programs to see them listed by name in the PROGRAM LIST BOX. Here you can sort, search etc.
4..Click
on the individual program or enter a number to load a single program. In the full licensed version this will send
the program settings to the synths buffer via midi. You can then play the synth hearing the
program you selected on the PC !
The
same procedure works for combinations, moss, drum kits etc...
Tip…If you have
any problems please read the detailed instructions below and feel free to
e-mail me as I will be happy to help.
See www.pryer.freeserve.co.uk for
complete Tutorial. The software is
described in full detail below.
TRITON
CONTROLLER - INTRODUCTION
This application enables the user to
control most of the Korg Triton series Synthesizers (Classic, Rack, LE, Studio
and Karma) many parameters from a PC (running Windows 95/98, ME, NT4, Windows
2000 and Windows XP – NB. To install you will need to log on with administrator
rights for NT/2000/XP based systems). It
has been written in Visual Basic 6 professional SP5. It is a 32 bit application. The program is designed for a screen
resolution of 1024x768 or higher* (NB. Also set small fonts - in windows
display properties - advanced).
* Note. Although, the program is designed for a
screen resolution of 1024x768 pixels or higher, from version 5.02 the software now works on older PC’s or
laptops with a maximum screen resolution of 800x600 pixels. What happens is - if the software detects the
display is set to 800x600. Then it automatically converts all of the forms to
the lower resolution. Whilst it is not
as pretty because of the loss in ‘real estate’ it is workable. This enables users with older PC’s and
especially laptops to utilise the software.
NB. Some of the text and graphics may be more
difficult to read or appear truncated at 800x600 pixels. This is unavoidable.
Please
read conditions of use.
I wrote the programme because I
felt the interface on the Triton could be made more intuitive and be laid out
in a more orderly way – like older analogue synths such as the Korg MS10/20
& Mini-Moog. Their sound creation
process was done in a ‘linear fashion’ on the control panel. This is
particularly beneficial for Program editing for PCM and the Moss board (Bank F
if fitted), which inherit the principals of earlier synths – plus much
more! I found the small screen of the
Triton does not lend itself to a particularly clear layout of the controls,
with many of its features hidden behind multiple windows.
The program currently only sends
MIDI system exclusive (Sysex) and Control Change information. It does not
receive it. So data dumps or having the PC ‘pick up’ the settings on the Triton
synth is not possible. However it can read Korg PCG files on the users
computer. Once a control is changed on
the PC it is retained during the session on the PC and until the program is
terminated. You can of course still control the Triton from its controls but
they will not be reflected on the PC until you change that control on the PC.
The Triton has hundreds of
parameters, which can be altered by the user. I have included just about ALL of
the commands documented in the Tritons MIDI implementation. As the program
develops other features will be added. I encourage users to give me feedback
and I will endeavour to add new features if requested.
The PCG reader allows the user to
read PCG files (Korg files which contain program settings etc.) on their PC,
extract individual Programs, Combinations, Drum Kits or Arpeggios and send them
straight to the synth via Midi. No need
to use floppy disks. It cannot pick up PCG data from the synth as
that would require midi in.
LOADING,
SETTING UP AND RUNNING
To load the program, download the
triton demo software from the link on my web site. You MUST uninstall all
earlier versions of the Triton Controller first unless my website permits a
quick update. The VB run time files
and settings.dat file will then be properly updated. Unzip the
contents to a temp file and run the setup.exe file. The package will self
install to a directory of your choice – default is C:\program files\Triton
Controller.
Users who have a full license will
be sent an updated executable file - triton.exe - which needs to replace the
demo versions triton.exe file. Just
overwrite the old file with the new one.
This gives full functionality.
Updates will normally consist of an updated triton.exe file.
Your PC should be located adjacent
to the Triton. Ideally with the keyboard of the PC at right angles to the
Triton. As the software is mouse driven all you really need near the Triton is
a screen and mouse - or trackball which
I have used and which sat on the Triton case. Connect the two devices using
midi cables between the PC’s joystick port and the Triton, or the PCIF
connector between the serial port and the Tritons PCIF port. You will need to
load the Korg driver first to use the latter one. (You can download the drivers for
Windows 3.1, 95, 98, ME or NT4,
2000, XP at www.korg.co.uk
Please
note that 3rd party PCIF cables may not work properly with
XP/W2000. Cables must be wired exactly
as shown in the Triton Manual otherwise the computer will lock up when the
Triton is turned on or accessed. Windows
95/98 will tolerate incorrectly wired leads – W2000/XP will not! I had to re-solder my lead to make it the
proper Korg spec. Afterwards it worked
perfectly with XP.
1. Turn on the PC, turn on the Triton and run
the program. Make Sure that when the
Triton is in ‘Global Mode – Midi settings’ that Midi receive for sysex, bank
change etc. is enabled. If you use PCIF make sure data rate is set to
38kb/sec for the PC.
The first time you run the
program, configure the midi device by using the Red ‘
2.
Then select the model of the Triton you are using. Ive added a drop down
box on the Midi settings form where you can select your model. Some functions
on the program wont work as the particular model does not support the option.
eg. Moss for LE. However most functions are available. Controls which are not appropriate for a
particular model will not appear. ( I
will refine this with user feedback). Eg. Arps for Karma – which uses GE
instead. (See model
compatibility list).
The information above will be
saved in a settings file at close. Also make
sure that the Triton bank map on the synth is set to Korg and not general
NB. When using the Program. When you move between active windows the
relevant mode screen should appear on your synths touchscreen. Note that the
sub pages will not change. I.e. when you change a moss filter it will not go to
filter sub page automatically (no known MIDI commands for this) – do it
manually if you need to. However the parameter
will still change whether the sub page is visible or not.
TRITON CONTROLLER – MODE FORM
The small form which appears when
the program is launched, with various radio buttons, at the top left, toggles
between the Tritons modes. Its heading will
change depending on the model of synth you set in (2) above. You can also switch the PC’s Midi port ‘Off’
or ‘On’ from here. So if you want to
launch another program which needs to ‘grab’ the port you must firstly close
the port in this application. When you
want to use the program again, turn off the other application and just turn the
port on again by clicking the radio button – Midi Port On. If you have any midi transmitting problems
try turning the port Off and then On again.
If this fails reboot the PC.
Details on ALL of the Tritons
parameters can be found in the Tritons Parameter Manual provided by Korg.
Important *** This HTML
help file should be saved and placed in the same folder as the Triton.exe
file. Normally C:\program files\triton
controller vxx\ and name it
‘KORG TRITON CONTROLLER.htm’ --- NB. It wont work if you name it ‘KORG
TRITON CONTROLLER.html’ with the last l in the file extension.
You will then be able to
access it from the program ‘Help’ Button which will automatically open Internet
Explorer and then open the file. If not,
just navigate to where you placed it!***
|
Model Compatibility Chart with Triton
Controller Software |
Triton Classic |
Rack |
Studio |
LE |
Karma |
Extreme |
|
PCM/
Moss/ Combi/ Drum/ Arp Editing Functions |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y Moss
N/A |
Y Arp N/A |
Y |
|
Composer |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Preset
Controls From PCG –Arps, PCM Edit, Moss Edit, Program Play, Combination Play
& Combination Edit. |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Arps Y Effects
Y |
Moss Y Effects
Y |
Y |
|
View
PCG Files |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y O.S.
> ver 2 |
Y |
|
Librarian
Functions for all Banks present |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y O.S. >ver 2 |
Y |
|
Audition
PCG Files |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y O.S.
> ver 2 |
Y |
|
Master
PCG Creation |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y= Fully Compatible. ? =
Untested. N = Function not currently
implemented
PROGRAM PLAY MODE - PCM AND MOSS
Press the yellow Triton button
(top left) and away you should go! The main form is the program P0 play screen,
which is very similar to the Tritons Prog Play 2 screens but consolidated into
1 screen. It also includes Midi Sysex
and Channel message manual command send (decimal values only please – it wont
like Hex).
You can select All Banks and
Programs from the PC using this form .
Note that not all models support all banks listed, so Triton Studio
owners can access banks Ext A to Ext G.
Classic owners don’t have these banks.
There is also full access to
Arpeggiator Tempo and Pattern number range and parameters.
If you want to save any changes
after editing, to a program number of your choice - use the Write button. You need to specify the location to save –eg.
Bank and Program no. This Writes program changes to the Tritons programs
internal memory area (same as Write command in Prog Edit Page on Triton) – so
if you edit a program you can save it in the Tritons memory at a bank/program
number you specify from the PC. You can
then return to it later if you want to continue editing the sound. Note that not all models support all banks
listed, so Triton Studio owners can save to banks Ext A to Ext G. Classic owners don’t have these banks.
PCM EDITOR (BANKS A,B,C,D.E AND G,g) AND MOSS EDITOR
To edit programs:- Once the PC is connected and the program is
run. At the Program Play Page - press either the PCM or MOSS buttons on the
main toolbar (or - Program Page 1-5 Edit Basic button (PCM) or Moss button;
right hand side – on Program Play form). You will now have a traditional
analogue synth layout in colour with various parameters, which you can alter.
The flow diags. are based on the ones in the Triton manual.
It is normally easiest to start
with a sound in one of the Banks A-gd\127 programs , similar to the one you
want, and edit it rather than start from scratch ; That’s for the more expert
user.
Bus select added to the form at
the Master and Inset effect part of the flow diag.
ACCESSING KORG EXPANSION BOARDS – EXB 1 TO
9
PCM Editor form.
(1)
In
order to access the PCM multisamples on Expansion boards you must select which
Exb board you want in the text box to the Left of the word RAM/Ex. This is the same for Osc 1 Hi/Lo and Osc
2Hi/Lo. The up / down arrows cycle
through 0 to 10. NB. If you specify a EXB board which you don’t
have installed you will just get internal PCM sounds.
(2)
If the
RAM/EX text box = 0 you get internal PCM sounds *.
If RAM/EX text box = 1 you can use you own RAM samples.
If RAM/EX = 2 to 10 you can specify the onboard Exb cards. (NB..Triton
Classic - max two cards can be installed.
Studio and rack can take more).
The relationship between the EXB board and the number you need to need
to use in the program RAM/EX text box is shown below:-
|
EXB
No. |
T.C.
Program Ref. |
Name
of Exb Board |
|
EXB 1 |
2 |
Pianos/Classic Keyboards |
|
EXB 2 |
3 |
Studio Essentials |
|
EXB 3 |
4 |
Future Loop Construction |
|
EXB 4 |
5 |
Dance Extreme |
|
EXB 5 |
6 |
Vintage Archives |
|
EXB 6 |
7 |
Orchestral Collection* |
|
EXB 7 |
8 |
Orchestral Collection* |
|
EXB 8 |
9 |
Concert Grand |
|
EXB 9 |
10 |
- |
* All multisamples are listed by name in
multisample list in TC.
NB. When you goto the multi sample list form you
then select the relevant PCM Exb board by pressing the appropriate button. Only Internal PCM sounds, PCM 06 and 07 added
so far. The list is then populated by
the boards multisamples. When you click
on the item the appropriate PCM number is transferred to the PCM edit
page. NB.. This does not automatically
set the RAM/PCM number in (1).
You can sort the samples by using the
column of buttons to the right of the list of multisamples. So if you want to pick out all Piano samples
– press Piano – the samples with Piano in the name will then be listed in
yellow (if there are ones on the Exb)
Has coverage of ALL
MOSS Parameters! Oscillators 1 & 2,
Noise Generator and Sub Oscillator.
Filters, Amplifiers and Output have complete coverage.
Select Bank F and program no. at
Program Play or on the Triton
Select the Moss Editor
The Oscillators are at the
Left. This is where you normally
start. The ‘More’ Buttons give access to
ALL of the Oscillator parameters.
Complete control of ALL Moss Oscillator Types and parameters
NB. The program overcomes the major bug in the
Moss implementation of ‘reed model’ in earlier triton O.S.’s - You can choose
different types of model when you control the Triton from its panel: pan flute,
hard sax, soft sax etc... but their specific sound characteristics only seem to
be applied after you write the program into memory (on the Triton's F bank). This does not occur when you use this program
and it works as it should!
The Osc 1 and 2 common parameters
button opens a new form with common settings, which affect both
oscillators. This includes the various
modes, portamento, Alternative Modulation Source AMS etc.
On the main Moss form at the bottom right, you
can also modify the Envelope Generators 1-4 and see the effect on a graphical
interface. There is a separate window
for the Amplifier E.G. with a similar
graphical interface. The 4 Low Frequency Oscillators also have a separate
window so the user can control all of their parameters.
The Manual Entry Sysex allows
manual input of Midi Sysex data – Only decimal input allowed. It also shows the Sysex data sent by each
controller.
Alternative Modulation Source AMS
/ Intensity is now added for All Oscillators/Types and Controls
Randomise
Function. This makes the PC randomly adjust every Moss Oscillator controller so
you can come up with really new sounds!
Press the ‘More’ button on the main Moss form once you have chosen an
Oscillator type (for Osc 1 or 2). The
various Oscillators have a ‘Randomise Button’ on their respective form. Press it to see the controllers change. Then press a note! A Random Program button
has been added at version 2.6 which randomises oscillators, sub oscillators,
noise, Cut Off Frequency and resonance.
Click it for automatic generation of new Moss Programs.
Select an existing program that you like or want to modify and press the
Random Program button. Enjoy!
Bus select added to the form at
the Master and Inset effect part of the flow diag.
Make sure you select a Bank
A,B,C,D,E, or G – Not Bank F -first. And a program number
PCM Editor implemented
in Full – Total control of ALL PCM functions.
Pitch, LFO’s,Filters, Amplifiers and Outputs etc. have complete
coverage.
This control form is very similar
in principal to the Moss form – Start at the left with the PCM samples. Select one or use randomise for totally new
sounds. Samples 1- 424 are the standard
samples supplied with the un-expanded Triton – ie. without expansion sample
boards fitted.
Randomise
Function for PCM sample selection – For coming up with totally new sounds! A
Random Program button has been added at version 2.6 which randomises samples,
Cut Off Frequency and Resonance. Click
it for automatic generation of new programs.
Select an existing program that you like or want to modify and press the
Random Program button. Enjoy!
PCM Multi Sample
database and audition tool added – Find it at Common Parameters, MultiSample
button. This displays a spreadsheet
showing all the 425 standard samples. It
has a text search feature (all text in lowercase) and the ability to audition
each sample on the triton immediately when the sample is selected. The duration of the note, volume and key can
be altered in the Random Composer screen.
Volume is controlled by the slider below virtual keyboard, note and
duration by the min – note range and min
– time on range. The default Oscillator
is 1 High. Use radio buttons to select
Osc 1 Low, Osc 2 Hi or Osc 2 Low.
PICKING UP SETTINGS FROM A PCG
This
feature enables the user to be able to load a Program (PCM or Moss) or Effects
or Combination OR Arp from a PCG and see what the individual settings of the
controls are in the Triton Controllers windows.
It basically presets the sliders, check boxes etc. in the software to
the correct values . You don’t even need
the synth connected to do this. NB. The same can be done for the Arpeggio Edit
settings – Arp Edit. Works for
Program PCM, Moss, Combinations, Effects & Arps – (NB. Effects for Karma
only - and Arps for LE only)
Example…
1.
To enable all of the Triton Controllers settings to be picked up
correctly – select Load PGC (Bottom Right) PCM edit page, Moss, Combination
Play, Combination Edit, Effects or Program Play page. This will bring up the
Librarian window. Open a PCG file and
select a PCM/Moss program.
2.
Turn it to Hex. (Big yellow
button on Librarian Window).
3.
Then return to PCM Edit, Moss or Program Play and press ‘Load PCG’. All the parameters/controls will be correctly
set! At program Play only the PCM or
Moss Arps are set. The various sliders
above are set by the user and are not defined in the PCG data.
NB..It works for Effects for ALL models except
LE! Just press ‘Load Settings’ button
top right after a combi/program is loaded and has been turned to Hex in
librarian. The
various Korg models have their PCG PCM data structured differently, so this
feature has more limited functionality for Karma and LE.
This Program Play feature
randomises the GE for any Program (PCM or Moss) held in the Karma’s buffer.
Firsty load a Program on the Karma
– either manually or via the T.C.
·
Then
check the box to send a Random GE. The
initial setting is that the box is checked. Press ‘Run’ button. The value of the GE will appear in the box
and be sent to the Karma.
·
If the
user makes the GE Value box blank – ie. Empty, by deleting all of its contents,
like the initial setting at load of window, the GE will not be changed for that
module if the check box is unchecked.
·
If the
check box is unchecked and you enter a manual value between 0 and 1189, that value
will be sent.
Simple as that! A really quick way to pick new Karma GE.
Above the run button is a check
box which if ticked changes the GE at the interval in the box to the right of
it. Time in sconds. If the random button is not checked GE’s will
increment by one. If it is checked GE
values will be picked at random.
Includes full control\editing at
Combination Play mode. You can control what programs/banks you use, volume, pan
etc. You can also write new combinations or existing ones to the Tritons memory
Banks A-D. (Plus Bank E for Rack users , Bank E and F for Karma and Studio
users).
Combination generator - Randomise
function. It generates totally new
combinations (mixtures of programs) by the user pressing just one button. You
can choose which banks A-gd you use for this!
Watch the programs change on the Triton when you press the Random
button! Try the sound if you don’t like
it, try again. You can create a new
combination every second. When you get
one you like ‘write it’ to a bank of your choice. A good tip is to start with a combination
similar to what you want. You can create
– 10 to the power of 31 combinations this way!
That’s 1 followed by 31 zeros.
Never hear the same one in a lifetime.
Make sure you save the good ones though.
This Combination Play feature
randomises the GE’s for any combination held in the Karma’s buffer.
Firsty load a combination on the
Karma – either manually or via the T.C.
·
Then
check the boxes for the module you want to send a Random GE to. The initial setting is that they are all
checked. Press ‘Run’ button. The value
of the GE will appear in the box and be sent to the Karma.
·
If the
user makes the GE Value box blank – ie. Empty, by deleting all of its contents,
like the initial setting at load of window, the GE will not be changed for that
module if the check box is unchecked.
·
If the
check box is unchecked and you enter a manual value between 0 and 1189, that
value will be sent.
Simple as that! A really quick way to generate new Karma GE
combinations.
The Auto Audition feature cycles
through the GE’s 1 at a time at the interval set by the user. If the randomise check boxes are checked
random values will be set every cycle.
Press Stop when finished.
Includes all combination remaining
editing parameters. The Arpegiators main
controls not repeated as they are a repeat of the combi play ones – only the
supplemental controls have added.
Common Parameters added to the
grey area at the left.
Bus select added to the form for
Master and Inset effects for each timbre.
value with the box unchecked the
manual value will be sent. Values must
be between 0 and 1089.
MASTER
AND INSERT EFFECT EDITING
The program will Auto
switch to correct mode if you select effect after edit mode on the program.
Otherwise - If you select edit mode manually on the Triton, then select the
correct radio button on the effect form first.
You can edit all insert and master effect types, routing and graphic
equaliser. Only some of the effect parameters can be edited at the moment.
There is also a Random Effect Generator so you can create unique combinations
of effects at the press of a button.
Please let me know
which effects you want first to be able to be able edit the parameters of and I
will add them in order of popularity. More to come! Note
that the Triton LE Effect sysex architecture is different to the other Models
in the Triton series. There is only 1
Insert Effect
Tip – You can pick up Effect Settings on the software (not LE) once
you have opened a program/combi and
turned it to Hex. Then press ‘Load
Settings’. The controllers settings will
then be preset – See Explaination !
This section allows
drum samples to be auditioned and assigned to a note. Kit editing is done in Global mode on the
Triton, to which it will switch when the drum kit editor is launched. Samples can be accessed using an advanced
search facility – sort by name, number, search by text – (Sample name box turns
yellow). Samples auditioned (Sample name
box turns blue). All of the parameters
for the drum samples can be controlled.
To select use the button - music
staff and notes - on the main tool bar.
Left Section (yellow)- The
Composer allows the user to send note on/off commands in the manual
section. It will also has a nifty
virtual keyboard for remotely playing the Triton whilst you edit the sounds on
the PC. You can also play chords if you choose chord type and tick the box! The ‘All Notes Off ‘ and All Sound Off’ buttons are useful
if you get stuck notes as well. Volume Control for sequencer , randomise
of volume and velocity value output in text box. There are also presets for sequences.
Centre Section (orange) –
The centre ‘Composer’ box switches
between pure random note generation, scale bases sequences or user input
sequences.
The Composer section gets the PC
to compose music within parameter envelopes, which are set by the user. These include note high/low range, timing
range longest/shortest for note on/off, single/chord – 10 types/random chord
types etc. Chosen chord types stored
after sequence run. Useful if you just want to sit back and listen to something
original or get some new ideas! Stop all
notes off – does what it says on the box!
Right Section (red) – Defines
random or scale based compositions. Also
ability to enter user based scales and a wide selection of standard
scales. Test the demo presets in the
yellow section. Choose a good sustain
piano preset 1 or voice with reverb preset 2.
The Scale based compositions can be defined by chord arpeggio scales or
ethnic scales. When you select a chord,
the appropriate notes are checked in the Scale Keyboard. You can also input or edit scaled on the
simplified keyboard in this part of the form.
Ability to play random notes/chords to a chord based arpeggio. The timing fuzziness control changes the
precision, which the arpeggio sounds.
The chord shells fuzziness varies the size of the shell (number of
notes) sounded. The probability of
unchecked noted sounding slider varies the strictness of scale observance by
the program. Octave range varies the
range with which notes are sounded.
Top Right Section (purple) allows
user input sequences. The program can
improvise around the sequence. Input is
via the virtual keyboard (yellow) section after pressing the ‘Record Sequence’
button in the Red section. Note number,
time on and time off can be specified.
The rhythm is input manually.
If you want to
play the Triton using the PC keyboard – press the ‘Use PC Keyboard’ button near
the virtual keyboard just before playing.
z = Note C. s = note C#. x = note D.
etc. The notes run from z s x d c
v g b h n j m. Which map to C, C#, D, D#
etc. You must press the ‘Use PC
keyboard’ button every time - immediately before you use the PC keyboard to
play the Triton. The same applies to Q 2
W 3 E R 5 T 6 Y 7 U , they are 1 octave higher and map to C2, C#2 etc. The ‘PC
Keyboard’ is polyphonic. So you can play
chords. By the way the polyphony depends on
your PC. My Pentium 2 - 400mhz can play 4 notes at once. My ancient
laptop only two notes at once.
The pitch of note Z can be set
using the ‘note on’ control button at the top left hand side of the form.
This ‘purple button’ has also been
added to the PCM/Moss/Combination/Effects pages as well to enable the user to
audition sounds whilst editing.
This
feature is for my mate Mastermalleus!
FRACTAL
SEQUENCER – THE MANDELBROT SET
Go to Composer window. Fractal Sequencer, button at the bottom
left.
The Mandelbrot Set depicted in a
picture.
2i – Imaginary number Y axis
vertical

-2i
-2 0 2
Real number X axis -----ŕ
A
Stunning representation of the infinitely complex Mandelbrot set – the black
area. Numbers refer to periodicity in
the primary bulbs discussed in the text below.
The set exists in a parametric plane as X = 0.
Fractals use simple equations to
generate incredible complexity. In the
natural world, complexity is independent of scale. So if you use a microscope to zoom into say a
leaf, the complexity does not diminish with magnification ! The Mandelbrot set uses a specific equation,
X = X^2 + C. This generates a new number
based upon a previous number in an iterative process. For certain values of a constant C and ‘seed’
X0, the number sequence will not exceed certain limits and it will oscillate or
‘orbit’ around a value. Thus it is
possible to generate a sequence of notes using the output from the
generator. The constant value generally
needs to be between -2 and + 2 otherwise the sequence will diverge to infinity
and so the constant will not form part of the Mandelbrot set. In fact the full Mandelbrot set exists in
complex number space and the ‘constant’ values which do not diverge to infinity
lie in a complex pattern (the black area in the picture above) within the
bounds of a circle +-2 and +-2i where (i is sqr rot of -1, an imaginary
number). This is the Mandelbrot
Set. NB.
The sequencer engine is designed
to allow sequences to be generated even if values are chosen outside the
Mandelbrot Set.
So how does it relate to a musical
sequencer? Well consider the infinite
non divergent series, output from the iteration x =x^2 + C. The series could represent midi note values,
note timings and lengths ! Think of each
point in the black area as a single sequence.
As there are an infinite number of points, there are an infinite number
of sequences.
As described
above, the sequencer does not produce random notes, but notes which are related
to their predecessor and so forth using the Mandelbrot equation. This produces sequences which are very close
to human composition. For a given constant value, a given sequence will
result. However, as there are an
infinite number of constant values there are an infinite number of sequences. Very slight difference will result in
different sequences, so -1.900000 will be different to -1.899999 although the
difference will not become apparent until several, if not many, notes
(iterations) into the sequence. As the
program variables are single precision the user will not run out of sequences
in a hurry! Trial and error is the best
way to get started, try values for constants between -1.9 and +0.2. Going beyond +-2.0 or +- 2i will result in
divergent data. The software will trap
this. You can easily select values by
clicking on the large image of the Mandelbrot set which automatically appears
when the Mandelbrot Sequencer is selected.
Constraining the
note values to scales will result in some interesting melodies, and remember to
allow 1000 notes to enable the sequence to develop properly. The Fractal sequencer can generate 100,000
notes; more could be easily added if users want. Cutting it short can often miss some
interesting sequences. Similarly
constraining note length and note interval can make the music appear more
natural. The sequence is saved in an
array and the user can choose to play back just a section once the sequence is
generated.
Once you’ve found something
interesting, use the synth or another midi sequencer to record the sequence
permanently in midi. Some of the most
interesting sequences result in series which converge or oscillate between
values. A constant of -1.9 will not do
this but -1.75 will. For very surreal
music do not constrain the sequence at all.
Pick a pad sound like the Korg combination bank D Antartica. Constants which result in chaotic sequences
can often lead to incredible melodies, but remember they may occur just once in
a sequence of 50,000 notes !
Tip…Good
speakers will enable the very low frequencies to be heard and felt. Also keep the volume at low levels until you
are familiar with the sequencer. Im happy to add features if users want them
added. To stop the sequence just press ‘Stop All Notes Off’ button.
When you get to a section you like
you can play just that section back. Record
the note number so you can play that section back again and possibly record on
the midi sequencer/editor on the synth or directly into a midi/audio PC
sequencer/editor like Cubase or Cakewalk.
To do the latter you can use ‘Midi Yoke’ a freeware application from
Midi OX ( www.midiox.com
) to enable internal routing of midi out from TC, to midi in on the software
sequencer.
Tip….The
initial preset values are designed for a piano, guitar or harpsichord. Just set the synth to one of these
instruments and press ‘Generate Fractal Seq’ button !
The main fractal sequencer section
is shown below. The easiest way to start is just click on the large picture of the
Mandelbrot set on the pop up form (image below). Where you click will be recorded by a small
white circle. This automatically
transfers the X and y values to the sequence engine and starts playing the
sequence. Try clicking first around the
sharp ‘spike’ on the left of the black bulbs – where there is awhite circle in
the orange area of the image below.
Clicking
on the picture sets values for Note Constant and Imaginary Constant. You can see the X and Y values in the two
text boxes and on the form below. Check
the box if you want to control note separation timings instead of note
values. If you check the ‘set note
timings’ box it sets the Time between Note Constant and imaginary
Constant. Clicking the Julia Set check
box changes Julia Set values instead.
If you click the ‘Save’ menu item,
the Mandelbrot sequencer settings file will appear in the PCG Reader File
Viewer window. Pressing Load will load
all of the settings back to the sequencer and will mark the location of the
constants by a slightly bigger circle.
This is handy for temporary storage of a sequence.

1.
If you
want to permanently save a sequence just use the PCG reader – file / save as
menu item – and save as a text file (txt).
2.
To
recall a previously saved file. Just go
to PCG reader – open the file, you saved earlier, and then when it appears in
the file viewer return to the Mandelbrot Set window and press ‘Load’. If you want to annotate a file, just add text
after the very last comma in the file viewer.
You can add as much text as you like.
The Fractal Sequencer settings
controls are shown below.

NB.
The midi note value generated by the software is constrained between 0 and 127
to prevent Midi errors and are reported in the ‘Current Note’ box.
Generating Notes - The ‘Note
Constant’ value if kept within the Mandelbrot set will determine the nature of
the sequence about an orbit with a seed 0 and produce interesting
sequences. The user can force the
sequence to a note range (by checking the box – Enable note range). This fixes the note range as specified in the
orange area in the picture above. The
user can also force the generated notes to a scale (Check box ‘forces note to
scale keyboard’) which makes the melodies very ‘human’. The default is to just use constants
comprising real numbers. The user can
also select complex numbers by clicking on the radio buttons ‘Real No. part’ or
‘Imaginary component’. The imaginary
constant can be input into the pink box under – complex number for note. Press ‘Generate Fractal Seq.’ to start and
play sequence. Press ‘Stop…’ button at
bottom to stop.
Pressing the replay button once
you have stopped the sequence will replay the sequence between the notes input
into the two boxes below ‘Replay Seq. from Note No.’ button. If the loop check box is ticked the sequence
will repeat until the user presses the ‘Stop…’ button.
Checking ‘Chords’ enables the
features of the random composer – so generated notes produce chords. These can be selected by pressing ‘Hide
Fractal Seq’ and checking the chord boxes as needed. Random chords will alternate between various
chord types selected or just check 1 chord.
The sliders controlling ‘chord arpeggio timing’, ‘random chord arpeggio’
and ‘chord shell fuzziness’ are also active.
Press ‘Show Frac Seq’ to bring up the window again.
Note Frequency Distribution of
Sequence - Some ‘note constant’ values will converge to a single value (note or
timing), others will never converge, others will diverge to infinity and are
not part of the Mandelbrot set. Try it
and see ! Divergance to infinity will be
safely error trapped by the software.
You can see how many times a note occurs in a sequence by pressing the
‘Show Note Distribution Graph’ button.
See example below. So if middle C (midi note 60) occurs 40 times, the
bar in the graph will be 40 units high in the Y axis. The vertical grid separation is set an octave
intervals.

Some examples - The effect of the
value of the ‘real number only’ constant c with the imaginary number = 0. The user can enter this in the text box Note Constant (pink background),. Set radio button to ‘real number only’.
|
C = -0.65 |
Tends to a fixed value |
|
C = -1.6 |
chaotic |
|
C = -1.75 |
period of 3 |
|
C = -1.8 |
chaotic near a 3 cycle
– intermittent |
|
C = -1.85 |
chaotic |
|
C = 0.2 |
tends to a fixed value |
Note Timings - As stated earlier,
this sequencer uses the Mandelbrot equation with an orbit of 0 to define note
timings and lengths as well. The 3 boxes
below the ‘Generate Fractal Seq.’ button provide the value of the constant for
note number, note on time and note duration.
(Keep these between +-2, see some suggested values above) The current
note time started and length are shown at the bottom. The 2 boxes below and to
the right of the constant boxes enable the user to scale the tempo. Default scale is 1. For instance 2 means that either the note on
time or note length derived from the equation is doubled respectively.
The check boxes constrain the
Fractal generator to the values defined in the 6 boxes above the fractal frame
(in Orange Background) – Note value, note on range and note off range. The scale factor can applied to the range
value afterwards. For note on time – a
factor of > 1 will result in an exponentially increasing note
separation. Any value between 0.5 and 1
will gradually reduce the note separation over time.
Imaginary Numbers and the square
root of -1 !
This implementation also allows
the user to specify the imaginary part of the complex number. The pink and blue coloured text box to the
right of the real number text box. This
fully represents the Mandelbrot space.
Some suggested constants that produce repetitive sequences are shown
below:
|
Real constant Note Constant or Time
constant |
Imaginary constant * i Can represent Notes or
Time as well |
Periodicity |
|
|
|
|
|
-0.12 |
+0.75 |
3 |
|
-0.5 |
+0.56 |
5 |
|
+0.28 |
+0.54 |
4 |
|
+0.38 |
+0.333 |
5 |
|
-0.62 |
+0.43 |
7 |
|
-0.36 |
+0.62 |
8 |
|
-0.67 |
+0.34 |
9 |
|
+0.39 |
+0.22 |
6 |
The period means that these constants
will result in repetitive values and correspond to the Mandelbrot diagram as
these occur at ‘Bulbs’ on the diagram with the same number of ‘antenna’ ! These are numbered on the image above. Picking complex numbers in these primary
bulbs will result in the periods described above. The two frames headed complex values allow
the imaginary part of the constant to be input.
Remember, the constant |c| < 2 otherwise you will definitely get
divergent data !

The
beauty of an infinitely detailed object. A close up of bulb 7 with an attached
antenna comprising 7 radiating extensions – Complex numbers with values in the
big black primary bulb to the lower right will yield a periodicity of 7 ! Constant c =
-0.62 + 0.43i
To close the sequencer press ‘Hide
Fractal Seq.’ This will remove the frame and show underlying controls.
Try experimenting with values and
instrument sounds – it is definitely worth the time and effort. What you hear is the audio equivalent of the
Mandelbrot set with note value and note timing representing the 2 dimensions of
the Mandelbrot plane.
Imagine you have generated a
series containing say 1000 notes. How
does the note series develop? Does it
converge to 1 note, stay chaotic or become periodic? How do the melodic patterns develop with
time? By sampling a ‘frame’ every few
notes it’s possible to see on a graph how the distribution of notes changes
with time. This can be presented in the
form of a movie. So graph 1 (frame 1)
shows the first 8 notes, graph 2 (frame 2) the next 8 notes and so on…

The Evolution parameter box allows
the user to specify the note number in the sequence the movie starts, the
number of notes sampled every frame and the length at which each frame (graph)
lasts. Press the ‘Show Evolution Graph’
button to begin once you have generated a sequence. To stop the movie just press ‘Stop All Notes Off’ button at the bottom of the
window.
You can also move a frame at a
time forward and backwards by using the two arrow buttons. You can again specify the ‘start at note’
number and the number of notes sampled.
If the ‘Play selection of seq.’ box is checked the note series in that
frame will sound.
Musical compositions often consist
of repeated motifs – short series of notes or phrases. Many tunes are constructed in this manner.
The Fractal sequencer produces in 1 sequence many motifs, which are variations
created by the iterative nature of fractals.
This simple utility enables the short sections selected by the evolution
feature to be captured and stitched together.
Up to 7 sections can be added.
Thus a complete tune can be produced.
To start, open the Fractal
sequencer and press the ‘Arranger’ button at the bottom of the Composer
window. Generate a sequence.

1.
Pick a
section you like containing a few notes using the Evolution Parameters
facility. These notes are Motif 1
2.
Go to
arranger frame and press the top capture button. The start and end note will be transferred
from the evolution frame to the arranger frame.
3.
Pick a
second section you like using the Evolution Parameters facility. These notes are Motif 2
4.
Go to
arranger frame and press the second capture button down.
5.
Press
– ‘Play Arrangement’ button. The
sequence will be played – Motif 1 , then Motif 2.
6.
Checking the loop box will play it over and
over. Press ‘Stop All Notes Off’ button to finish.
This process allows a melody to be
produced by adding together a series of motifs ! NB. A zero 0 in the right hand column of text
boxes in the Arranger window will make the arrangement skip to the next non
zero row.
1. The button ‘Paste sequence to PCG reader’ – to allow notes generated by
Fractal Sequencer (not the arrangement but the whole fractal sequence) to be
listed in PCG reader file viewer window.
Each note is separated by a comma , so you can paste into say excel a
comma separated file). Pressing the button fills the ‘file viewer’
in the PCG reader with the list of midi note numbers separated by commas. Thus 76,74,62 etc.
The other major set is the set in
the dynamical plane where values of X larger than 0 are used. The Julia Set frame enables the user to
specify its use by checking the check boxes – ‘Use Julia Set…’. Then both the real and imaginary components
of X can be entered in the boxes by the user.
Press ‘Generate…’ button to create the Julia Set for the note series or
timings and to start the sequence playing.
Keep values in the boxes small (generally less than +-2 (i) ) otherwise
divergent data will interrupt the series and will be error trapped by the
software.

The right hand side of the box
enables Julia Set series to be produced for note timings as well. All the settings in the Julia Set frame are
used in conjunction with the Real and Imaginary constant boxes for note and
note timings. The fascinating thing
about Julia sets are that if the series of x = 0 does not diverge to infinity,
(ie. can be used for a sequence), the Julia set will consist of a finite number
of connected pieces. If the series does
diverge to infinity the Julia Set is a Cantor Set – that is the Julia Set
comprises a ‘cloud’ on unconnected points.

A
Julia Set is shown above for c = -0.624 + 0.435i in a period 7 bulb. Notice in this stunning image, the infinite
detail that is present in the Julia Set. At each node 7 pieces join ! Values of X are real in the x axis and
imaginary in the Y axis with 0 in the centre.
Thus X needs to have values in the black area to produce non divergent
data. X = 0.1 + 0.1i would work. A non divergent series (ie. in the black
area) will always turn into to a repeating 7 note motif. Try it out, set the constants and set the
middle note radio button so you use a complex note expression.
ARPEGGIO
(Not Karma which uses GE)
This form enables the user to edit
the user arpeggios from U0 to Uxxx depending on model. (NB. Not Karma which uses GE). Firstly uncheck memory protect – user arp
pattern in global P0 – Basic on Triton.
The large matrix represents the
tone numbers and steps – just like the touch screen window – Global page 6 –
edit. When you click on the matrix it
sends the tone on for the tone number specified (0 in normal mode). You can specify the pattern length up to 48
and pattern number – default is 5 (U0).
NB The first 4 patterns are not editable on the Triton. You can edit the step parameters for pitch,
gate, velocity and flam and then send them by pressing the send step
button. You can send the whole arp –
using the ‘whole arp’ button. Its all
colour coded to assist use. When you
clear all tones it does not clear the triton – unless you tick the check box
above (Send data to Triton immediately…).
For fixed note mode you can
specify the note number for the current tone (Step 1 shows the values for the
tones). Fill the step 1 column with note
numbers – enter check box ticked to do this. There is also a random arp
generator and the ability to reverse the pattern – horizontal reflection. These facilities will be expanded if users make
requests for new features !
You can also make a ‘negative’ of
the pattern and invert it. The Random
note feature allows you to specify the maximum and minimum note values. You can also ‘initialise’ (clear) the Triton
arp pattern separately from the program grid – leaving the grid values
intact. Rack owners and Studio owners
can now access all their Arp patterns.
Preset patterns added for fast generation of patterns.
When you place the tones with the
mouse they sound – you can adjust the volume on the random composer volume
control. To delete the notes click on
the ‘delete note’ check box first. If
you click the check box ‘sound note on’ you can audition the notes without changing
them and if you click on the column header the whole step sounds. To turn the notes off, press any white
unfilled tone square on the grid or the ‘note off’ button.
NB.
If you have problems/inconsistencies with sending midi data increase the midi
delay to 0.01 or 0.1 seconds.
PCG READER – COMPATIBLE WITH ALL
MODELS OF THE TRITON – CLASSIC, STUDIO, KARMA, LE AND RACK
PCG files are Korgs way of
containing a synths sound control settings in a file readable by a computer or
synth. When you load a PCG you transfer
program banks, Combinations, Moss settings, Arps and Drums to the synth. Some PCG’s just contain one of these, such as
1 bank of 128 programs. Instead of
loading these by disk the Triton Controller allows you to send them in a much
more convenient way – via midi ! The
software contains a sophisticated browser so you can see what a PCG file
contains and you can then select which programs etc. to audition. Make sure you set the programs midi setup to
the model synth you use and only view PCG files in the same format. If you don’t do this you will see ‘garbage’
in the right hand viewing box of the program.
Please Read ………Each Korg model has its own native format –
make sure you load the correct format PCG in this program – same as your model
synth and the one the program is set to in Midi setup. Eg. So a karma user will need to save PCG’s
in OS version 2.0 format on the synth first (to floppy disc – then load into PC
– do this for all of your PCG files – unless the PCG is supplied in the correct
format first !). Karma OS Version 1.6
will not work , neither will PCG’s in other model formats. Once saved in the correct format, this
program can view the PCG, audition the individual sounds and will enable the
user to edit the PCG on the PC.
The facility to read PCG files has
been added to the program after many requests.
This has been a major coding exercise!
An example of how to use the reader for Program and Arpeggio PCG data is
described below. It is very similar for
the other modes. Moss, Combinations and
Drums. You can access the reader form
from the Main Form – ‘PCG Reader’ top right when you open the program or from
the individual edit pages – mauve box. If you do it via the main form you must
manually select the Triton mode. Ie. If
you want to send Program PCM data, switch Triton to Program mode as well. If you open the PCG reader via the edit pages
the program does it automatically.
The PCG reader enables the user to
interrogate Korg Triton PCG files, load them to the Triton by transferring them
using Midi into the Tritons buffer. It
also picks up the Arp PCG settings , Moss
and PCM program play and edit settings and amends the Triton Controller
controls. NB. It will only save on the Triton if you use the ‘Write Program’
facility in the program.
The Window on the right is the –
PROGRAM LIST BOX – it is here all the programs are neatly listed. They can be sorted, searched and edited.
The PCG form has a big window on
the left – FILE VIEWER - which will show the opened the PCG file in binary (the
data naturally looks a bit odd – some call it garbage J !) – At the top is a file menu for opening
PCG files etc and a variety of features are included in the menus. Below the window are a set of features for
determining byte length, changing to hex.
I used these during the development.
There is a handy PCG summarise option in the tools menu – give it a try!
– a message search string not found – will pop up if the PCG does not contain
some data – quite normal as few PCG’s contain all data – just click OK. The menu item below just reloads the binary
PCG file in the window.
1..To
Start - You MUST FIRST OPEN A VALID PCG FILE – use the ‘file button’ top left
or the Open PCG in the Librarian menu.
NB. A Triton Classic User must open a Triton Classic format PCG – not a
Karma PCG etc. A Karma user must open a
Karma O.S. 2.0 or higher format PCG etc.
2..Then ‘select PCM Programs’ or
‘Select Combinations’ etc – the relevant button is enabled if you go to this
form from the appropriate page – eg Program PCMs edit. If you goto the page from the ‘eye’ icon on
the main form – press ‘Enable all select buttons’ and then ‘Select PCM
Programs’ or ‘Select Combinations’ etc. Remember – The
left hand File Viewer generally displays binary data – not very readable with
loads of odd characters. The Right hand
box is the Program List Box – this displays data which is readable by the user.
3..Then click ‘List Programs’ or
List Combinations. On the right is the PROGRAM LIST BOX which displays the file contents when
selected. You can then load the program
from the grid directly by clicking on it or manually by entering a number/bank
and pressing load. You can also find
text on the grid and sort cells by clicking the buttons at the top of the
grid. Data is transferred to the Tritons
Buffer immediately if the check box (bottom right) is clicked - default. You
can transfer ALL PCG data through the program to the Triton.
To audition the sound
from the PC you can either use the Composer form features OR – check the
Audition Sound Box (default) as well as ‘send data straight to triton’
button. The volume of the note is set
from the Composer form volume slider, the note value is set from the ‘note on
0-127’ button top left on the same form, and to stop the note – press ‘Stop All
Notes’ in Global Mode at bottom of form. If the note does not stop just select another
program – this is because the note has arpeggio or GE attributes. You can sound
the note again py pressing ‘Sound Note’ on the PCG reader form – Global data
section.
NB……Always work your way down each
coloured box !
Another
Example - Loading Korg PCG file data for Arpeggio’s from Arpeggio form and
setting Arp parameters in Triton Controller
NB. Not Karma which uses GE.
1..Use the ‘Open File’ Button on
the bottom right of the Arpeggio form - this opens the PCG reader window –
select file/open at the top left. Choose
a Triton PCG file to pick Arps from.
Typically your preload disk that came with the synth or from Korgs UK
website. The odd text in the viewer is
just the binary data – quite normal!
2..Press ‘Select Arps’ to pick out
the Arp data in the PCG. If the pcg does
not contain Arp data – you will get a ‘search string not found’ message pop up.
3..Press list Arps to see them
listed by name in the PROGRAM LIST BOX.
Here you can sort, search etc.
4..Click on the individual arp or
enter a number to load a single arp.
5.. If you click on the grid the
data is sent straight to the synth – if the check box bottom right is checked.
You can also send the data to the Triton Synth by pressing the ‘Send Arp to
Triton’ Button. It sends the Arp number
in the small text box which you can change.
6.. Press ‘Turn to hex……..’ to
load settings into the Triton Controller program. Then go back to the Arp Form – Press Load
PCG. All the Arp parameters will be automatically set!
NB. You cannot send Hex to the Synth so do (5)
first then (6). Always work your way down the box !
there is a lot of error trapping in the code but it is not 100%.
NB.
Transferring settings from PCG’s to the Triton Controller for Combinations and
Drums. will be added in due course !!
LOADING ARP FILES FROM MIDI DUMPS
Most users will probably not need this.
1..To load data into the program
you need to use any software which can read/load midi dumps. An example is Midi-Ox from www.midiox.com. When you dump the data you must dump it in
‘plain hex’ format without any ‘word wraps’ ie. carriage returns. A typical plain text Triton Classic sysex
dump looks like this. It starts with F0
and ends with F7:-
F0 42
30 50 69 40 00 00 00 47 75 69 74 61 72 20 00 53 74 72 75 6D 20 31 00 20 20 10
0E 00 00 17 00 17 17 17 17 17 07 08 00 09 0A 0B 0C 00 32 64 04 00 0F 7F 00 32
64 00 00 00 07 00 32 64 00 00 00 01 00 32 64 00 00 02 00 00 32 64 00 00 04 00
00 32 64 00 00 08 00 32 00 64 00 00 10 00 32 64 00 00 00 20 00 32 64 00 00 00
40 00 32 64 00 00 01 00 00 32 64 00 01 00 00 00 32 64 00 02 00 00 00 32 64 00
04 00 00 32 00 64 00 08 00 00 65 47 01 6C 00 3F 00 32 40 00 00 00 00 00 32 40
00 00 00 00 00 00 40 00 00 2A 08 00 65 47 6B 00 3F 00 00 32 45 00 00 00 00 32
00 40 00 00 00 00 00 40 00 00 00 15 00 65 47 14 00 00 3F 00 32 40 00 00 00 00
00 32 40 00 00 00 00 00 00 40 00 00 2A 00 04 65 48 66 00 3F 00 32 00 40 00 00
00 00 32 40 00 00 00 00 00 00 40 00 00 00 15 00 64 4F 0D 00 10 3F 00 64 5F 77
00 3F 00 00 32 40 00 00 01 00 00 32 40 00 00 00 00 32 00 40 00 00 00 00 32 40
00 00 00 00 00 32 40 00 00 00 01 00 32 40 00 00 00 00 00 32 40 00 00 01 00 00
32 40 00 00 00 00 00 32 40 00 00 00 00 32 00 40 00 00 00 00 32 40 00 00 00 00
00 32 40 00 00 00 00 00 32 40 00 00 00 00 00 32 40 00 00 00 00 00 32 40 00 00
00 00 00 32 40 00 00 00 F7
2..Cut and paste your Midi dump
into Word pad and save as a Plain text file – this avoids any formatting data
which will corrupt the reading process.
3..Back to the Triton Controller -
Use the ‘Open File’ Button on the Arp form - this opens a new window – select
file/open at the top left – Just like word pad (without formatting just plain
text) where you can see the data. The
window can be used as a sophisticated editing program if you wish.
4..When the data is loaded in the
FILE VIEWER window just press – ‘convert korg midi dump to 8 bit’ and go back
to arp form and press ‘Load PCG’. (This
conversion is necessary because Midi uses 7 data bits only and the dump needs
converting to 8 bit). The Arp settings in the dump file are transferred
automatically to the program. You can
also see the Name of the Arp, Number and Length in steps and all the other
parameters including the pattern change.
FILE \ EDIT \ FORMAT MENU ITEMS
These menus are very similar to
the traditional word processing functions in wordpad. The operate on the text in the File viewer
(Left Window). If you want to save PCG
files you MUST use the Save PCG option
under Librarian as this properly formats PCG files before saving.
PRINTING
PCG LISTS OR SAVING AS A TEXT FILE
To print out any list in the right
hand (List Program) box – Firstly populate the List Program box by listing
something.
Then goto file\Transfer List To
Viewer. This will transfer the contents
of the List Program box to the File Viewer box.
Then goto File\Print – to print on
a printer connected to the PC. Or File
Save to save as a plain text file.
If you want to copy or cut text in
the File Viewer into the Windows Clipboard – just select it with the
mouse. Then ‘cut’ or ‘copy’. It will only cut and copy selected text.
Then
to say paste a list of - program numbers, program names, bank letters and
category - into say excel. Just click on the spreadsheet in excel and press
‘paste’ and the columns will be filled with the selected text properly formatted. Word is similar – just click where you want
to insert on the page and press ‘paste’ !
CHECKING WHICH COMBINATIONS A PROGRAM IS USED IN
If you change or move programs –
combinations may be affected. This
utility lists the dependency of combinations on the program selected so you can
check programs before they are moved. To
use:-
1.
Open a PCG containing combinations – press ‘select combinations’
first. If combination banks are not
present you will get a message saying ‘String Not Found’.
2.
Then ‘select programs’. (Press
‘select Moss programs’ for Moss combination dependancy). Then load a program
for which you want to know the dependency.
3.
Then goto tools menu\Combinations Dependant On Current Program and
Click.
The left hand window will list all
of the combinations which use the program.
Don’t be surprised if the list is long – check out Noisey Stabber on
Triton Preload PCG – Bank A, Prog 0. See
how many combi’s use it ! Other programs
will not be used in combinations at all. You can cut n paste the data into Word
or Excel for instance. Data is separated
by tabs so it transfers easily.
This reinserts a single Program
contained in the File Viewer window into the current PCG – with the correct
formatting.
This copies the contents of the
special Triton Controller Clipboard into the File Viewer.
This utility compares the contents
of the clipboard with the currently selected program. Sometimes programs with the same name may be
different – this compares byte/byte and if it finds any differences tells the
user. If they are identical the user
will be told and can replace one of the copies with a new program.
To use – select the first program
– and select ‘copy’. This places it in
the Controller clipboard.
Then click on another program to
compare, and select – ‘Compare Programs’ – a box will appear which will state
the result.
FINDING
REPEATED PROGRAMS & FIND REPEATED PROGRAM NAMES
If you assemble big files –
programs may be repeated (identical content and identical names). To find repeats so that you can use the PCG
or Master PCG space more effectively.
1…Firstly list the programs – Do
this immediately before you run the routine below !
2…Then click ‘Find Repeated
Programs’. The second and subsequent
occurrences will be coloured purple in the Program List Box and you will get a
summary indicating the number of repeats found.
You can then choose to leave them alone, Initialise them or overwrite
them with new programs. NB. The feature
checks the entire contents of a program (Name and settings), so big master PCG
files may take several minutes. To check 900 programs takes 8 seconds,
whilst 4700 programs takes 7 minutes on my P11 400Mhz PC.
Find Repeated Program Names - To just
find repeated names, use the next option (This is quicker). The number displayed will always be the same
or higher than option 2 above. This is because some programs may have the same
name but sound differently.
Tip…..Its
always a good idea to use different names for different sounds !
Below are a host of ways
of creating new sounds from existing PCG data – Its good fun and pretty easy to
generate new programs, combinations etc.
MERGE
PROGRAMS/COMBINATIONS/DRUMKITS/ARPEGGIOS
This powerful facility in the
tools menu blends any number of Programs, Combinations, drumkits or
arpeggios. You can create brand new sounds by merging existing
ones ! It works for both PCG’s and
Master PCG’s.
Example. Open a PCG with some programs in it.
1.
Then select a program by clicking on the right hand list box. Click ‘Copy’ in the Librarian menu or Master
PCG menu as appropriate.
2.
Select a second program. Click
‘Merge’ in the Tools menu. The Message
Box lists the individual contributions to date.
Click O.K. The resulting program
is displayed in the left hand window.
Note that the name of the program is merged too !
3.
Click – ‘Send Program To Triton Buffer’ – You can now hear the new sound
– If the check box ‘Send data straight to Triton’ in the lower right corner is
ticked as well as the ‘audition sound’ check box then it will sound
automatically.
If you want to save the new
program – just paste it into the PCG and overwrite an existing program. NB.
The whole procedure above is the same for
Combinations, Drum Kits and Arpeggios.
If you keep selecting new programs
to ‘add’ and click Merge you can continually change the sound. For instance – if 5 programs are merged the
first byte of the new program comes from prog 1, the second byte from prog 2
etc. By clicking on a program more than
once and merging it you can ‘weight’ the effect it has on the new program.
Remember merging a program called B to a program called A in the clipboard will
produce a different sound to merging program A to a program B in the clipboard
as the bytes ‘chopped out’ will be different ! You can also select width of Merge (program, combination
etc). Eg. If you merge y programs you can specify x =
the first x bytes from program 1, then the next x bytes from program 2…up to program
y. Previously x was fixed at 1. The value of x can be input in the text box
lower left – “First x Char./Merge Width”.
Preset at 1 at load of program.
So
merging AAAAAAAAA with BBBBBBBBB – Merge Width of 2 - yields AABBAABBA. Merge Width at 3 yields AAABBBAAA etc..
NB. When you click ‘Copy’ again
the procedure starts from scratch.
You must use the
Merge function first to select the Programs/Combinations to merge. Minimum of 2 Programs/Combinations. It works for both PCG’s and Master PCG’s.
The Software automatically cycles through all
possible merge widths starting a the merge width specified in the ‘First
Char./Merge Width’ box incrementing by 1.
User can stop when a sound is liked by pressing ‘stop all notes’ and
then the program/combi can be stored in the normal way. The user can restart at any point by
selecting ‘Auto merge’ again and can vary the note on time by changing ‘note on
time’ in the composer form. This
facility is a rapid way of finding new sounds !
Merge widths can vary between 1 and the length of the program in bytes –
when the cycle will automatically stop.
This feature generates random
programs/combinations/drumkits/arps based upon existing ones. The way it works is that the user selects (2
or more ) existing programs etc. and the
software uses these as a seed to generate brand new ones. In fact you can end up with some really
unusual sounds. Tip. I find the best results are if you use 2 or more programs with the same
instrument category. But try others. Some may produce no sound, some may produce
loud sounds so keep the volume low and turn it up when needed.
Example. Open a valid PCG with some programs in it.
1.
Then
select a program by clicking on the right hand list box. Click ‘Copy’ in the Librarian menu or Master
PCG menu as appropriate. This places it
in the ‘clipboard’.
2.
Select
a second program - To start with select
same category as the first – eg. Voices.
Click ‘Merge’ in the Tools menu.
The Message Box lists the individual contributions to date. Click O.K.
The resulting program is displayed in the left hand window as binary
data.
3.
Now
click Auto Random – The software cycles through new programs etc. Press ‘Stop
all Notes’ button to stop the process and keep the sound in the Triton buffer. If you want to save it - save the program on
the Triton and/or paste into the PCG file.
You can do both from the Triton Controller.
The user can vary the note on time by changing ‘Time
on Range’ left box, in the composer form – use 4 seconds or more which allows
time to listen to the sound – to capture it before the next sound appears click
‘Stop all Notes’ button. The note value can be changed by pressing ‘Note On
0-127’ on the composer form. You can
stop the process by pressing the ‘Stop all Notes’ button. The ‘Global Data’ box displays the elapsed
time in seconds and the ‘First x Char box’ – lower left – displays the number
of iterations.
BYTE HIGH,
BYTE AVERAGE, BYTE LOW
When the Programs/Combinations etc. have been selected by the Merge function
there are further ways of generating new Programs/Combinations ! Byte High looks at the selected programs and
byte by byte picks the highest value and assembles a new Program/Combination. So if program 1 is “12 13 14…..” say and
program 2 is “11 15 10….” the result would be “12 15 14”. Byte Low is the same principal but takes the
lowest value. Average takes the average
byte value. Some of the new programs may
sound strange, interesting or not sound at all.
That’s the fun. NB…Make sure the master volume is turned
down with all these manipulations as you cannot predict the resulting volume of
the program. You can turn it up if
needed afterwards.
MERGE KARMA G.E. MODULES – KARMA ONLY
This facility in the tools menu blends any number
of Combinations Generated Effects G.E.’s modules on the Korg Karma. You can create brand new G.E.’s by merging existing ones ! First pick a combi you want to change the
GE’s for. This is the timbre or character
of the sound you will hear.
Example.
1.
Open a
Karma OS 2.0 or higher PCG with some combinations in it.
2.
Then
select a combi by clicking on the right hand list box. Click ‘Copy’ in the Librarian menu. This is the base combination which will
define the sound – but you are now going to change its GE Modules.
3.
Select
a second combi. This second combi will
only contribute part of its GE Module , nothing else. Click ‘Merge Combi GE’s - Karma Only’ in the
Tools menu. The Message Box lists the
individual contributions to date. Click
O.K. The resulting combi is displayed
in the left hand window. Every thing is
the same as the first combi except for the Modules which are a mixture of the 2
combis. Note that the name of the program is the first program.
4.
Click
– ‘Send Program To Triton Buffer’ – You can now hear the new sound – If the
check box ‘Send data straight to Triton’ in the lower right corner is ticked as
well as the ‘audition sound’ check box then it will sound automatically.
5.
If you
want to merge another combis Modules – just select another combi in the right
hand box, and then Click ‘Merge Combi GE’s - Karma Only’ in the Tools menu
again. Now the Modules will be a mixture
of the 3 combis GE Modules. You can
continue doing this !
If you want to save the new
program – just paste it into the combi part of the PCG by using ‘Paste’ in the
librarian menu and overwrite an existing program.
If you keep selecting new combis
to ‘add’ and click ‘Merge Combi GE’s Karma Only’ you can continually change the
GE’s. For instance – if 5 programs are
merged the first byte of the new combi GE comes from combi 1, the second byte
from combi 2 etc. By clicking on a combi
more than once and merging it you can ‘weight’ the effect it has on the new
program. Remember merging a program called B to a program called A in the
clipboard will produce a different sound to merging program A to a program B in
the clipboard as the bytes ‘chopped out’ will be different ! You can also select width of ‘Merge
Combi GE’s Karma Only’. Eg. If
you merge y combis you can specify x = the first x bytes from combi 1, then the
next x bytes from combi 2…up to combi y.
The value of x can be input in the text box lower left – “First x
Char./Merge Width”. Preset at 1 at load
of combi.
So
merging AAAAAAAAA with BBBBBBBBB – Merge Width of 2 - yields AABBAABBA. Merge Width at 3 yields AAABBBAAA etc..
NB. When you click ‘Copy’ again
the procedure starts from scratch.
Just sit back and let the program audition 1
Program/Combination etc. at a time. It
works for both PCG’s and Master PCG’s. Firstly open a PCG, Click on the start position on the grid and
click ‘ Auto Audition to start. The user can vary the note on time by changing
‘Time on Range’ left box, in the composer form and the note value by pressing
‘Note On 0-127’ on the composer form.
You can stop the process by pressing the ‘Stop all Notes’ button.
This produces a summary of a newly
loaded PCG file in the File Viewer. If
components such as a Moss Program Bank is not found you will get a message box
– String Not Found – just click OK and the analysis will continue.
LIBRARIAN - Menu
This enables the user to edit PCG
files on the PC ! You
can change program names, save and open individual programs – save 250,000 on a
floppy disk as plain text files ! You
can also replace an unwanted program in a PCG with another program. The word program in this context also
includes , combinations, Moss, Arps and drumkits. Remember if you past a combination into a PCG
you must copy the programs it depends on as well. To find them see (CHECKING WHICH COMBINATIONS A PROGRAM IS USED IN)
Remember if you edit any
parameters within a program (oscillators, filter, effects etc) you can only
save these edits on the Triton. So once
sound editing is completed save on triton and write the PCG file to a floppy
etc. You can then reload it into the PC and this program!
CHANGING NAMES of an
Individual PROGRAM, MOSS, COMBI, DRUM
KIT or ARP
Once you have loaded a single
program, arp etc in the left hand window you can change its name. Goto menu at top of PCG reader –
Librarian\Change program name. You must enter 16 characters (Korg Standard –
but characters can be spaces) – otherwise you will get a warning. Once changed, the left and right hand windows
will automatically update. Once you are
satisified, just press the appropriate ‘send to …. button to send new name to
synth. Do this before you do any synth
editing otherwise you will reload the old synth settings again and overwrite
your edits. Finally save the revised PCG
file – Librarian \ Save.
1.
Firstly list the programs in the ‘Program List Box’ on the right hand
side you want to edit.
2.
Click on the program you want to Copy in the list box – Then goto
Librarian menu and select ‘Copy Program’.
3.
Then click on the program in the list box you want to overwrite – Then
goto Librarian and select ‘Paste Program’.
Whats more, you can open one PCG
and ‘copy program’. Close it and open
another PCG and ‘paste’ the program from the previous PCG straight into
it. There are easier way though – see Second Librarian Window.
4.
Finally save the revised PCG file – Librarian \ Save.
SAVING A SINGLE
PROGRAM/ARP etc !
Yes – Now you can save just a
single program, combination etc. Once the
individual program is selected in the left hand window just save it. Goto Librarian / ‘Save A Single Program’. It
will save it as a plain text file (.txt) – the program name is entered in the
save as box automatically although you can change it to anything. This
will not change its name within the text file. See ‘changing names’ above to do
that. The program will save it as a tiny (5kb ish) plain text file. To reload it at a later date just open the
plain text file in the PCG reader and press send program to synth. Thats it !
NB. Keep individual Programs,
Combi’s, Moss, Drum, Arp in separate folders – eg. ‘MY TRITON MOSS SOUNDS’ etc.
- so you don’t get them confused !!
To open a previously save program
goto Librarian / Open a single program.
Then select the file to open from the file open box. This will load it into the left hand
window. Press ‘send program to triton’
or ‘send Moss Program… ‘ etc. to load to
the synth. That’s it!
REPLACE
A SINGLE - PROGRAM, MOSS ,COMBI, DRUMKIT, ARP – IN A PCG
This option loads a previously
saved individual program – saved as a text file – and allows the user to insert
it at any point in the PCG.
1.
Firstly save an individual program(s) (See Above) as a plain text
file (.txt). You may want to save
several from your favourite PCG’s. Keep
individual Programs, Combi’s, Moss, Drum, Arp in separate folders – you don’t
want to put an ARP in a program location !!
2.
Open the PCG file you want to edit – ie. Replace a program(s) in. Press ‘Select PCM Program’ or, ‘Select Moss’,
Combinations, Drums or arps. Then ‘list
programs’, ‘list Moss’ etc. contained in the PCG file.
3.
Click on the single program, combi etc you want to replace. *
4.
The goto Librarian on the menu and select ‘Insert A Single program From
Text File’. You will get an information
box confirming your choice. An open file
box will appear and you select a text file containing a single program you
previously saved. (Press ‘cancel’ to
abort). When you press open the new
program will be inserted into the PCG file and the list will be updated. The file you selected at * will be
overwritten with the program (.txt) you had previously saved as a text file.
5.
If you want to save any edits you have to save the PCG file – Librarian\Save PCG – with a
.pcg extension. So ‘mynew.pcg’. If you don’t save them, the edits will be
lost when you open the next PCG or close the program.
If
you overwrite individual Programs, Combinations will be affected if they use
that program - you may get some
interesting sounds!
INITIALISING
CURRENTLY SELECTED PROGRAM
This changes the name of the
program to ‘InitiProgram ’ ,
(Initialised Program) but leaves the remaining program data in the PCG
intact. This keeps the program positions
constant so that Combinations may be preserved.
InitialProgram will appear when the PCG is listed. To fill the spare
program just ‘Insert A Single program’ at the entry in the list. Finally save the revised
PCG file – Librarian \ Save.
OPEN A PCG FILE
This opens a file open box so you
can select a PCG file to open. Similar
to File \ Open but it automatically filters for PCG files as the file
extension.
Always use this option
when saving a PCG file – it
ensures that the file is properly formatted before it is saved, so that it is
readable by the triton. This opens a
file save box so you can save the PCG file on the PC. It also automatically filters for PCG files as
the file extension at the save dialog box.
CUT ‘N PASTE OPERATION BETWEEN PCG FILES - OPEN A SECOND LIBRARIAN
WINDOW
The purpose of this second window
is to simplify the task of moving programs from one PCG (The Source) to another
PCG (The Destination). When the second
window is opened you can open a PCG file – and list its programs – this is
where the ‘source programs’ are coming from.
You do the same for the destination (main librarian window), this is
where you are going to assemble the new pcg.
1.
To start the edit process – load a pcg into in the ‘second librarian
window - (open this second window by choosing this option in librarian
menu). Then click on a program in this window, the program you want to
copy to the new pcg you are creating – and select copy program (in the
librarian menu).
2.
Then move to the ‘destination window - (main PCG Librarian window) and
load a PCG file and click on a program you want to overwrite. Then select paste program (in the librarian
menu). Its that easy! The program you chose from the second window
will now be inserted into the PCG file loaded in the main librarian window.
The
source window has a smaller file viewer but a few additional features. You can view the contents of the ‘Clipboard’
in the viewer by clicking the button at the bottom. This is not the windows clipboard but one in
the applications one.
Instead of continually clicking
‘librarian\copy’ program, you can automate the task by checking the tick box –
‘Copy programs from source when clicked’.
Similarly on the destination
window, if you click its equivalent box – ‘paste program to destination when
clicked’ it will save clicking librarian\paste program etc. all the time and paste the program straight
to the List Box. The destination form
also has a click box which keeps the second window on top of it – this
minimises mouse clicks for the user.
There is also a third check box which prevents re listing at every edit
– so you can do a few edits and then relist – this saves time with big files.
Tip.....You
must remember to ‘Save PCG’ in the Destination Window ‘Librarian menu’ once it
is assembled, otherwise you will loose your edits! I do intermediate saves just in case.
You can use the identical
procedure with Master PCG files. Goto
the Master PCG menu in the Second Window. Open and List the Master PCG in the
Second Window and assemble a different Master PCG or Normal PCG in the main
Window.
COMPARING
SOURCE AND DESTINATION PROGRAM LISTS
In the tools menu is a facility for
comparing program Names in the two boxes.
Program names are coloured green in the Source List Box, if the same
name appears in the Destination List Box.
NB. Normal PCG files may take 30
seconds to compare on a P11 400mhz PC.
This process may take several minutes with big Master PCG files.
MASTER PCG FILES – (Not Karma at
present)
Ever wanted to assemble many
Triton programs in one master file (PCM programs or Moss programs) instead of
switching between PCG files all the time ?
Keep 10,000 programs in one place ? Well now you can. What you do is first assemble the Master
file. A Master PCG ! This feature is in the PCG Reader section –
‘eye icon’ on main tool bar. Thanks to McHale for extensively testing
this feature and his suggestions for improvements.
1.
Select
‘Create a New PCM Master PCG’ or ‘Create a New Moss Master PCG’ – in Master PCG menu.
2.
Then Open a normal PCG which you want to add (stack) other
PCG files to (It must contain 128 programs/bank).
You
must stick with either PCM programs of Moss programs and cannot mix them in the
same Master file. Goto Master PCG menu and ‘Stack Programs into Master
PCG’.
3.
Open
another PCG file, press ‘Stack Programs into Master
PCG’ again. Every time you open
another PCG and stack it, a big binary file is being assembled in the File
Viewer. Keep Going…………. Until you has assembled a big program file.
4.
When
you have stacked say between 2 and 10 PCG files save them - Goto Master PCG and
‘Save Master PCG’. It will save to a special format with a .PCH
extension, not readable by the Triton but readable by the PC. You can
continue to add to it later.
5. To view it - Goto ‘Master PCG’ and now ‘Open Master PCG’.
This will open the new file with a .PCH extension
6. Then select ‘List
Master PCG Programs’. A readable
list will appear in the Program List Box. (Right hand side).
7. You can now sort and audition as usual !
8.
That’s
it ! You will only be limited by your
PC’s memory and speed. You may have 5000
PCM or Moss programs. NB. Keep PCM
Programs and Moss Programs in separate Master PCG files !
NB.
You can also stack Master PCG files !
Note
that bank letters are replaced by numbers – this avoids having say two bank A’s
etc. NB.
The Triton Controller clipboard is common to Librarian Functions and
Master PCG functions. When assembling a
Master PCG the program expects that the individual PCG’s contain 128
programs/bank. Small PCG programs ( <
128 programs) cannot be added by stacking.
However you can cut and paste individual programs from an incomplete PCG
(fewer than 128 programs) into your Master PCG.
1.
To add
to an existing Master PCG file firstly ‘Open Master
PCG’.
2.
Press ‘List Master PCM programs’ or ‘List
Master Moss Programs’. This lists
the contents of the Master PCG and tells the program the PCG type (PCM or Moss)
.
3.
Then open another normal PCG (of the same type – PCM or
Moss) and press ‘Stack Programs into Master PCG’.
4.
That’s
it – just keep repeating (2) & (3) – finally save it !
Click on the Master PCG menu and
select ‘Save’ – this prompts you to save as a file with a .PCH extension. Always use this after any editing to save
your work. Its worth saving every few
edits.
Just select Open Master PCG in the
Master PCG Menu and pick the xxxx.PCH file you want to open.
Once you have opened a Master PCG
– select the program in the list you want to rename.
Select Change Name and enter 16
characters exactly – some can be spaces
Click OK. The List will be refreshed with the new name
present.
This changes the name of the
program to ‘InitiProgram ’ ,
(Initialised Program) a spare slot for the user, but leaves the remaining
program data in the PCG intact. This
keeps the program positions constant.
InitlProgram will appear when the PCG is listed. To fill the spare
program just ‘Insert A Single program’ at the entry in the list. Finally save the revised Master PCG file – Master PCG \ Save.
Select the program you want to
copy in the list. Click Copy in the Master PCG menu.
Then select the Program location
you want to overwrite by clicking on the list again.
Click paste.
USING SECOND LIBRARIAN WINDOW WITH MASTER PCG FILES
Because you can use the Controller
Clipboard for Master PCG files - you can therefore use the Second Librarian
window to copy and paste into the Master PCG which you have assembled. This makes editing a Master PCG easy.
Remember
you must not mix PCM programs with Moss programs in the same master PCG as they
are of different sizes and content. So
create a Master PCG for your PCM programs and a separate Master PCG for Moss
programs.
Remember there are some controls
are not available by using MIDI anyway.
Unless someone knows different in which case please let me know. Eg.
Control of other global parameters. !
My website details are at the bottom of the page – the web site contains
updates from time to time so keep checking.
It also has my e-mail address,
Release Version 1.5 - 18th
May 2001 - included completed MOSS implementation:-
Icons added to the
main tool Bar. New yellow Triton Icon
for the Software.
Compiled using the very latest 32
bit Microsoft software.
Release Version 1.6 - 27th
May 2001 - includes completed PCM Program Edit implementation:-
Bug fix in Moss to stop program
crashing if you use the wrong randomise button in the Ring\Cross\Sync mod form.
The problem was if you choose say ‘ring mod osc’ but pressed the ‘sync mod’
randomise button – Program crashed – now fixed with buttons disabled which
cannot be used! Thanks Nightshadow!
Automatic switch to Bank F \ prog
0 when Moss Editor selected – now disabled - to avoid loosing edited Moss
program if not written to Triton memory first.
This Release Version 1.7 – 1st
June 2001 – includes Combination Play and Editing
Includes full control\editing at
Combination Play mode. You can control what programs/banks you use, volume, pan
etc. You can also write new combinations or existing ones to the Tritons
memory.
Combination generator - Randomise
function. It generates totally new
combinations by the user pressing just one button. You can choose which banks
A-gd you use for this!
It will also has a nifty virtual
keyboard in the Random Composer section for remotely playing the Triton whilst
you edit the sounds on the PC.
A tidier main interface.
A couple of tiny bug fixes
Release Version 1.8 – 8th June
2001 – includes full Combination Editing
Includes full combination editing
– New Button Combi Edit added to main toolbar
Some error trapping added where
needed.
Version 2.0 – 15th June 2001 –
includes full Master and Insert Effect Editing
Auto switch to correct mode if you
select effect after edit mode.
You can edit all insert and master
effect types, routing and graphic equaliser.
Only some of the effect parameters
can be edited at the moment. More to come.
Random Effect Generator
Version 2.01 – 15th
October 2001 – several small bug fixes -
following reports by users
Version 2.1 -
PCM Multi Sample database and
audition tool added – Find it at PCM Editor Page, Common Parameters,
MultiSample button.
Version 2.2 –
This release provides improved PCM
– Multisample search facilities. You can
sort alphabetically and by number and reverse sort by clicking the buttons
again. Samples which have been
auditioned are coloured blue. Text
search now collects results together in display – coloured yellow. There is also a ‘clear search’ button.
Sample Category buttons added.
Drum kit list available when in
Common Parameters / PCM edit ‘Osc mode = drums’ is selected.
Version 2.3 – 5th November 2001
Drum Kit edit button
activated. Ability to edit Drum Kits,
audition samples, control all parameters.
Version 2.4 – 1st
December 2001
The Random Composer section has
been expanded. Ability to play random
notes/chords to a chord based arpeggio.
Also ability to enter user based scales and a wide selection of standard
scales. Randomise of volume added.
The Install Wizard has been
modified so that the full program is always placed into c:\program files\triton
controller folder by default. Also the
Windows - start menu, program, shortcut now works properly.
Version 2.5 – For
The Random Composer Section now
has a third method of producing music.
The user is able to input sequences using the Virtual Keyboard (press
‘Record Sequence’ button first), or by entering numbers in to the Sequencer
(purple area). 16 Notes max. It is then possible for the program to
improvise around the sequence. The note
number and note on/off time can be chosen.
The Note +/- button enables the sequence to be shifted up or down 1 note
at a time. The Random Key and fuzziness
control changes the key the sequence is played in at random. Pre programmed or random rhythms can be used.
3 presets are included – bottom
left yellow section. The pre programmed
sequence is from Close Encounters. See
how a simple phrase can be used to create the most complex of melodies:
The first preset is for a good
grand piano PCG, this improvises Modern Jazz using Pentatonic scale and jazz
chords.
The second preset is for monastic
voice PCG.
The Third preset is for an
atmospheric motion synth sound.
Chord arpeggios – notes of chord
in C are displayed in the Scale Keyboard – As requested by DAS.
Ability to Write ‘Bank E
combinations’ for Triton Rack users only – as requested by Rob Wright.
Version 2.6
Added Random Program buttons for
Moss Edit and PCM Edit pages. Randomises
Oscillator/Samples plus Cut Off Frequency and Resonance. Totally Automatic program Creation.
Improved Moss Oscillator randomise
function for all oscillator types and corrected a few bugs as well with this
feature where slider randomisation did not reflect onto the Tritons settings.
Version 3.0
Added support for the whole Triton
Model series. The program now supports Triton Classic, Rack, LE, Studio and
Karma.
Ability to play the Triton from
the PC keyboard polyphonically – New Purple Button – On Random Composer /PCM
/Moss /Combi /Effects pages.
Version 3.1
Triton LE - bugs corrected when
switching modes in program – Triton now responds correctly
Changed ‘DISK’ to ‘MEDIA’ mode
caption for LE
Drum Kit Editor now works for LE –
Triton now switches correctly to Global mode
Version 3.2
Added full User Arpeggio editing –
New button on main form – Global Mode page 6 on Triton.
Effects editing now works with the
LE and with the Karma in Combination Edit mode
Reduced download size of
installation package by 10% - tidied up code
Improved appearance of program with
new background – like the Tritons finish – but easier to keep clean J
Model of Triton chosen by user on
the ‘Midi’ form now appears on the the header of the main ‘Mode’ form
Corrected tooltips values when
hovering over tune and delay sliders in PCM edit page
At startup, check boxes ticked in
Effects Editor – Insert and Master Effects – on and L/R selected by default
Version 3.3 July 2002
Added invert and negative pattern
buttons for Arpeggio.
Added max/min random note values
for Random Arpeggio.
Ability to select all 507/327 arp
patterns for Studio and Rack (For Terry).
Simple Preset Arp patterns added
- / \
---- |
Ability to initilise the Triton
from the PC – ie. Clear arp pattern independently of whats on PC Arp grid.
Tones now sound when they are
placed – you can also audition them afterwards and hear the whole step.
Various bug fixes to Arpeggio
functions – mainly fixed note mode.
Effect parameter bug fixed for all
models.
Version 3.4 July 2002
Loading Midi dumps enabled for
Arpeggio’s.
Reading PCG’s added for All
modes. Including sophisticated sorting /
searching features. Data can be sent to
both the Synth and for Arps, the Triton Controller settings as well.
Version 3.5
All PCG data now readable for all
models – and send able to the Triton!
(Karma only Drum Kits).
Librarian Functions Added
Extensive Error trapping added eg.
any incorrect PCG file format is identified and cannot be sent to the Triton.
Save option in PCG Reader now saves
as plain text so data is not changed to RTF.
Clear All button added to PCG Grid
so all text is cleared.
Global settings now identified.
PCG summary option added.
Combination
Dependency Check for Programs
Various bug fixes.
Version
3.6
For programs – the facility to
load PCG data to Preset set the Tritons Controllers Controls. (Arp edit, PCM
edit, Moss Edit and Program Play mode.)
Ability to assemble Master PCG
files – store 10,000 Triton PCM or Moss programs in one file.
Facilities to check for duplicate
programs in PCG and Master PCG’s.
Initialise and rename programs in
master PCG files.
Mark files in colour Program List
Box
Now the user can turn a hex file
back to binary for saving in a PCG
Compare two PCG or Master PCG
files.
Error traps added throughout
Librarian Function.
Code in Librarian optimised.
This Help document added to
software – viewable with IE 4 or higher.
NB. You need to load this Help
html file into program installation directory to access via Triton Controller
–Normally C:\program files\triton
controller vxx\
Version
4.0
Interim release with some Karma
support for OS 2.0.
SO THAT’S IT?
If there are controls
you would like to add, let me know and if it is possible I will add them. I am also happy to modify the graphical
interface if good suggestions come along
NB. I have checked all controls – if you find a
problem or a control is not appropriate for the model you use please let me
know. Also send the PCG if it is a PCG
reading problem and I will help sort it out!
CONDITIONS OF USE – The software is only available by purchasing a
license. Users of earlier versions are
requested to support its future development as well. Please contact me via e-mail for details.
Feedback and a wish list for additional functions are always welcome, together
with suggestions for improving the documentation! My web site contains a demo version with various
features disabled. The condition of use
of the demo version is that you may use it for up to 2 weeks for assessment,
but you must then remove it from your PC. To obtain the full version just
e-mail me for details.
NB. People use this software at
their own risk!
Have fun!!!!
Stuart
Copyright 2003
SPECIAL THANKS
I would like to thank Korg for
making such great synthesizers.
Especially Jerry at Korg USA and Rob and Alan at Korg UK for their
support to the Korg community. I also
thank the countless beta testers who have helped along the way.
1. Great sites for Korg updates etc. Korg
2. For information on an interesting program for generating
Triton Arps - The Synth Manipulator -
Please visit
http://www.ampcast.com/guiseppimendoza
3. Also visit Darren Richards site for a his PCG audition program
– PCG Tool http://www.btinternet.com/~daz.richards/
4. For a shareware program where you can edit the Tritons
Graphics and replace GM programs in the Tritons O.S. goto Triton Fun. http://www.geocities.com/tritonfun/
5. For other Triton Librarians goto http://www.vancesoft.com/triton/manual.html
and PCGedit from Triton Haven Downloads
6. Check out the sound visualisation features of Winamp – http://www.Winamp.com Literally see your music on the screen!
7. For
great Korg Forums goto - ‘Irish Acts’. http://www.Irishacts.com
, Triton Haven at http://www.Tritonhaven.com and
Triton Central at http://www.tapesh.com/cgi-bin/tritonboard/Ultimate.cgi
8. For
Stephen Kay’s ‘Karma Labs website’ and details of MW software for the karma http://www.karma-lab.com
9. For
a great Midi utility try Midi Ox at http://www.midiox.com/
this also has scripting facilities.