Tutorial 10: The Effect Page, and Basic Effects Programming Overview -------- My least favorite "feature" of modern synthesizers is built-in effect processing. Why? Because, inevitably, the quality of a reverb isn't quite as good as a Lexicon, or it is lacking the latest in "harmonizing" capability of the great Eventide gear. In other words, the built-in effects aren't as great as $8000 worth of rack gear. Pity me -- I'm spoiled. However, if you consider the internal effects of a K2000 as an additional synthesis tool, you can really increase your sound pallette without breaking the bank. So, for example, I might not consider the built-in reverb perfect for a solo piano piece, but I consider it a tool of great worth when creating a monster-backbeat-driven-wonk-from-hell synth blat. This tutorial will not be a primer on digital effects programming. Frankly, doing a good job of it would take longer than this entire tutorial set. Maybe I'll try that another day. For now, if you are interested in programming digital effects, you might want to take a look at some of the following sources: . The Digital Delay Handbook - by Craig Anderton. . Various back issues of Keyboard and Electronic Musician magazines (many have features on effects programming). What I will attempt to do is utilize the internal K2000 effects presets, the MIDI control of effects on the patch Effects page and do some basic changes to existing effects setups. This can help us enhance our use of the K2000's built-in digital effects, and provide us with a greater set of tools for sound creation. By the way, the .KRZ file used for the tutorial is called TUTOR_10.KRZ, and is available on my K2000 Page: http://www.execpc.com/~ddg/k2000.html Technical Discussion -------------------- The Effects Page The effects page is where you select a effect preset, and utilize some control over it (at the patch level). Two important notes: . First, a quote from the K2000 Musicians Guide -- "Keep in mind that these parameters are global -- that is, they affect every part of the program's sound that goes through the global effects processor. The display reminds you of this by showing `All Layers' in the top line." . Also, the effect that is *actually* used by a patch is dependant on the setting of FX MODE: parameter on the Effects Mode page. We will discuss this in more detail in this tutorial. EffectPreset: Just as a K2000 patch uses a "preset" keymap, it also uses a "preset" effects algorithm. However, don't imagine that you are stuck with the effects programs that are burned into the K2000 ROM. In addition to the standard effects presets, there are additional presets on diskettes that were supplied with the K2000, and others are available on the Internet from Sweetwater and others. Wet/Dry Mix: The Wet/Dry Mix parameters allow you to set the level at which the effects are heard, and provides a method to change this mix value using any available modulation source. What does this really mean? Well, for example, we can not only set the amount of reverb on a guitar sound, but can also vary the reverb amount using a realtime controller (like the MOD wheel), or a modulation source (like an LFO). In addition to controlling the Wet/Dry Mix, the Effects Page also allows us to have patch control over two effects parameters. This allows us to have access to the "knobs" on the effects processor using a modulation control source. This is particularily handy for ambient or new age type music, where subtle changes in effects parameters can have a major impact on the aural quality of a sound. Generally, you can select any of the effects parameters as realtime modulation destinations on this page. { A few notes from Darwin: First, using the V3.01 operating system on a K2000rs, I ran into a number of problems using some controls sources. First, the controls sources for the Wet/Dry Mix and Realtime controllers were limited to a subset of the actual control list. For example, ENV's 1-3 were not available, nor was ASR 1. Why? I don't know. Secondly, there seems to be a problem with using non-MIDI-CC modulation sources to control these adjustments. For example, if I used ASR 1, set to a long envelope time, and controlling the Wet-Dry Mix, no effect was heard. This is a serious limitation. These two problems (features?) may not exist in your version of the operating system. However, these limitations have affected the extent to which the Patch Runs can examine all available control options. } The Effects Mode Page The K2000 offers several ways of controlling the effects processor preset selection. The Effects Mode page selects between the available options. Effect: This allows you to select an effect to monitor while in the Effects Mode and Effects Editor pages. If the FX MODE parameter is set to Auto, the effect listed here will match your patch's EffectPreset parameter. Otherwise, it will be user-selectable, and can be used to audition effects parameter changes with the current patch. This parameter is also used when you are using the effects section in "Master" mode -- which allows you to control the effects used with no regard to the current patch's EffectsPreset setting. Wet/Dry: As on the patch Effects page, this allows you to set effects level while working on patches, or for the patch/setup output when the FX MODE: parameter is set to MASTER. FX Mode: FX Mode determines which K2000 effects preset will be used when you select a patch. The options are: Master: You will select an effects algorithm on the Effects Mode Page. This effects algorithm (and its related Wet/Dry Mix) will be used regardless of any patch's EffectsPreset value. However, when the FX Mode is set to Master, you have complete control over all effects parameters via MIDI Continuous Controllers. Program: When any patch is selected on the FX Channel, the effect used by that patch will be used for all patches. You can also set the FX Channel parameter to "Current", which will allow the effects processor follow any change made on the K2000's front panel. Setup: This is similar to Program mode, only the patch will change to match a selected Setup. In this case, changes made at the Program (or patch) level will not change the effects algorithm used. Auto: Using the Auto setting, the effects preset used will always match the K2000's front panel "mode". In other words, whatever you are doing on the K2000 edit screen will be echoed by the effects processor. You may want to read through the more detailed Mode explinations in the K2000's Musician's Guide (page 9.2 in my copy), since an improper setting of the FX MODE: parameter can make K2000 use very frustrating. However, a simple rule of thumb that I use: . If I'm doing multitimbral synth recording, I will normally use the Master setting. This allows me to set up an effect, and use it appropriately with each patch. When you use the General MIDI patch set, the FX Mode setting is Master by default. . If I'm playing live, and am using patches for my sound sources, I will set the FX Mode parameter to Program. This way, the effects I've assigned to a patch will be used when I select it. . If I'm playing live, and am primarily using Setups for sound selection, I will set the FX Mode parameter to Setup. This way, the effect assigned to a setup is used properly. . If I'm working on sound programming, I will use Auto as my FX Mode setting. This way, the Effects Processor settings match the patch's settings, and it allows for easier changes to the effects parameters. This is the FX Mode setting we will be using for the tutorials. FX Channel: Depending on the FX Mode that you are using, the FX Channel may be used to determine the selected effects preset. . If you are in Master mode, the FX channel parrameter selects which MIDI channel will be used for incoming MIDI control. If you do not want to have any MIDI control of the effects processor, this can be set to "None". . In Program mode, the effects process will change to the preset of the patch selected on the MIDI channel signified by the FX Channel parameter. . If you are in Setup Mode, the value of the FX Channel parameter is not used. . In Auto Mode, the FX Channel mode parameter is used to determine how MIDI Program Change values will be handled. In this case, the setting of the FX Channel will limit Program Change to only affect the processor on the selected channel. If set to Current, Program Changes will match the MIDI channel setting of the K2000's front panel. The Effects Editor Pages Depending on the effects algorithm used, the parameters and values of the Effects Editor page changes. The complete manipulation of all possible effects configurations is beyond the scope of this tutorial; however, we will cover some simple parameter changes, and open the door for further experimentation. Now, the Patch Runs ... Patch Run #1 : A Patch's Effects Page. Before starting the patch runs, we need to set the K2000's FX Mode to Auto. This way, we will be able to audition the effect edits as we do them. Hit the Effects button on your synth's front panel. Make sure that the FX Mode parameter is set to Auto. Also, users with rack versions of the K2000 should have a MIDI Continuous Controller that sends the Data Control (MIDI CC #06). Now, let's edit... All of the patches in this tutorial will be prefaced with "[ddg] 10/nn", where nn represents that patch run associated with it. The first patch, "[ddg] 10/01 FX1" is a typically bubbly synth patch. Hold down a note for a few seconds, and notice that there are no effects present. However, moving the Mod Wheel will change the amount of delay present. Also, changing the Data Controller will change the speed of the delay effect, and will track those changes in real time. Turn the Mod Wheel up, and fling the Data Controller around. Note some of the special effects that can be made using delay time changes. Enter the patch editor and move to the Effects pages by hitting the [more>] key until the Effects soft button is available, then pressing that button. The EffectsPreset being used is a custom Stereo Delay that I've created for this patch. You can see that the Wet/Dry mix is set to 0%, but that ModWheel is used for a "Source", and the Depth is set to 90. This means that the effect will not be heard initially (given the 0% Mix), but the Mix will me modulated by the AR1 envelope to increase the mix to about 70%. Why 70%? Because the maximum value of the Depth parameter is 127, and our value is 90. 90 divided by 127 is a little over 70%. Also, you will see that the parameter set below has DelayTime being controlled by the Data control source. By setting the "Source" to Data, we are able to able to manipulate the delay time while playing. Also, note that the initial Adjust value is set to 60. This "adjusts" the effect of the Mod Wheel on the DelayTime, preventing it from falling too low. The Depth value is set to 67, allowing the Data Controller to modulate the DelayTime to its maximum positive adjustment of 127. Play around with the various modulation options on this page. If you have a controller keyboard (or other MIDI device) that has a number of MIDI Continuous Controllers available, try using several sources to manipulate the effects patch in real time. {Again, I note that the v3.01 version of the operating system both limits the control sources available for real time control, and also just doesn't properly use some of the non-MIDI controls. Hopefully, this will be fixed in the software version you are using.} Patch Run #2: The Effects Editor. Select patch "ddg [10/02] FX2". This is a simple vocal "WOO"-ing sound -- nice to use with simple ostinado lines. There is a deep delay and chorusing effect used on the patch -- which we will manipulate in this Patch Run. First, enter the Patch Editor, and move to the Effects page. Note that I am using a standard Effects Preset -- #13, "Crispy Lead". Funny effect name for a vocal patch, but it works. Also note that the Wet/Dry mix is set to 50%. No other control options are being used, and we will leave the existing parameters intact. Exit the Patch Editor, and enter the Effects Editor (by hitting the EFFECTS button on the front panel of your K2000). We initially are presented with the Effects Mode page. Since we are in Auto mode, the currently selected effects preset is displayed, as well as the Wet/Dry mix that we had set in the patch. In order to edit the effects parameters, we have to decend one level -- into the Effects Editing page. To do this, hit the [Edit] key. The K2000's display will now be filled with a number of parameters. The Crispy Lead effect preset uses a complex chain of effects -- a parametric EQ, followed by a digital chorus, followed by a digital delay, and finally an audio mixer to combine the sounds. If you are familiar with the various effects types, you will probably understand the majority of available options. However, if you are not, let's go over some of the most significant settings. The leftmost column of parameters are for the parametric EQ. You have three "bands" of frequencies that can be affected, and a level control for each. The values are listed in "Khz", with decimal values representing lower frequencies. In order to best hear the effect, set the value of Lvl1: to +12, and manipulate the Frq1: value to hear changes in the timbre of the sound. Basically, this is a supercharged tone control, with three user-adjustable tone settings. You can greatly alter the timbre of a patch with a parametric EQ, and it often comes in handy when "tweaking" a patch for a recording. If you haven't used parametric EQ's in the past, you should spend a little time palying with the interaction of the three bands on the sound of a patch. The second column is the digital chorus effect. Chorusing effects are obtained by changing the pitch of a sound, and mixing it with the original. The combination of the two sound sounds fatter, and often smoother. The two most important controls are the LFOSpd: and LFODep: -- LFO Speed and LFO Depth. Why an LFO? Well, in order to change the pitch without sounding out of tune, the pitch change amount is constantly varied by an LFO. Radically adjust these parameters. Differences in LFO Speed generally affect the quality of chorusing by making it either "smoother/deeper" or "more warbling". LFO Depth determines how much pitch change (in terms of frequency) takes place. Small amounts produce subtle chorusing, while high levels can create audible "tremolo" effects. The Delay column is next. The important variables here are the DlyTime (Delay Time) and Feedback. Delay Time varies the length of time between echoes. Very short delay times will often produce "bathroom reverb" sounds, while longer time can be used for "canyon echoes", and ever rhythmic counterpoint. The Feedback control determines the number of times a single sound echos. Think of an old movie staged in the Alps. The liederhausen-clad star shouts "HELLO", and hears "HELLO...Hello...hello...llo...lo" in return. For our purposes, this represents (roughly) five repeats. Adjusting the Feedback amount will allow you to vary between 1 and repeats. Use caution with those infinite repeats -- you stand a chance of repealing the laws of physics... Finally, the right section is a Mixer which determines the amount of Dry, EQ'd, Delayed and Chorused sound is returned. Mix ingredients to suit... When you are done "playing" with the effects, hit the [Exit] button to return to the patch selection window. If you have changed any of the parameters, the K2000 will ask you if you want to save the effect. This is similar to saving a KeyMap -- the effect has to be saved in order to be available to your patches. If you like the changes you made, you can either replace the existing Crispy Lead effects patch, or rename it and save it to another location. After you have saved the patch, you will be returned to the patch selection screen. Patch Run #3: Choosing an Effect. Patch "ddg[10/03] FX3" is a little Conga slap with a big reverb. It has that "Motown Handball/Sonar" reverb sound. Since it is a very percussive sound, reverb and delay effects used on it will be very apparent. We will use this sound to create a custom effect. Enter the patch editor, and move to the effects page. You will see that I'm using the "Arena" effects preset. While that might be fine for some uses, it may also be inappropriate for others. Let's say we want a discrete echo sound instead. How do we select a specific effect type? Well, let's check the Effect Editor first... Rather than exiting the patch, you can hit the [Edit] key while in the patch editor -- you will be moved directly to the effects editor from within your patch. This will happen correctly even if you are in "Master FX Mode" -- the K2000 will simply switch to Auto mode. In this case, you can see all of the available parameters for the Arena reverb, and some options for naming, dumping or deleting this effects preset. However, there isn't really a way to change the base effect type. Grrrr. But wait! Checking in the manual, it states "Use the CHAN/BANK buttons to change the configurations to be used by the currently selected preset effect." Bingo. Remember -- Chan/Bank = effect configuration change! Use the Chan/Bank buttons to select the 4-tap delay. Set the parameters as follow: Tap1Delay: 75ms Dry Level: 0 Tap2Delay:150ms Tap1Lvl R:7 L:0 Tap3Delay:225ms Tap2Lvl R:0 L:7 Tap4Delay:300ms Tap3Lvl R:5 L:2 FeedDelay:375ms Tap4Lvl R:2 L:5 FeedBack: 30% You now have a little Conga Slap rhythm that zips about the stereo plane. If you like, save the effect preset (again, it's just like saving a keymap), then use the Chan/Bank button to change the effect configuration to Room Simulator. Set the parameters as follow: GrossSize: Club Dry Level: 0 DecayTime: 0.80 seconds Rev Level: 9 ListenPos: Middle HFDamping: 0 Bing! A little club scene, hep (or is it hip?) cats whacking on a conga -- makes me want to snap my fingers with cool-joy! For experimental purposes, you should spend the time to run through all of the effects configurations. Even if you are an experienced effects programmer, you will find a number of seldom-used, but powerful, options available through the K2000's effects processor. That's all for this tutorial. Again, this tutorial is hardly complete -- entire books have been writting on the Digitech effects processors, and that's a larger task than I'm up for. However, I hope that this tutorial has given you some ideas for using the effects processor as an additional synthesis tool, and that you will take full advantage of it. NOTE: My email address has changed. If you want to get in touch with me, just send me e-mail at: ddg@wi.rr.com See you soon!