Using Vector Synthesis - Korg kronos Operation Manual

Playing and editing Programs

Using Vector Synthesis

Vector Synthesis lets you control Program and Effects
parameters by moving the Vector Joystick, by using the
programmable Vector Envelope, or by the combination of
the two.
What does Vector mean?
Modulation generally works by moving a single control. like
a slider, in a straight line. At one end of the control, the
modulation is at its minimum; at the other end, it's at its
maximum.
Vector Synthesis is a little different. It works by moving
around a point on a two-dimensional plane, both left-right
and up-down.
You can think of this point as being positioned on two
different lines at once: a left-right line (the X axis), and an
up-down line (the Y axis).
In other words, instead of just having one value (like a
slider), each Vector point has two values: one for X, and one
for Y. See the graphic below for an example.
Vector Point and X and Y axis values
+127
Y value: +50
Y-Axis
–127
In addition to moving the point directly with the Vector
Joystick, you can also use the Vector Envelope to move its
position automatically over time, as shown below.
Vector Envelope moving the Vector Point
+127
Y-Axis 0
–127
X-Axis
60
Vector Point
0
0 +127
X-Axis
X value: –90
0 +127
Vector Joystick and Vector Envelope
You can move the Vector point using the combination of the
Vector Joystick and the Vector Envelope. The two work
together, although you don't necessary have to use them both
at the same time.
When the Vector Joystick is in its center position, the Vector
Envelope has complete control over the point's position.
Likewise, when the Vector Envelope is in the center, the
Vector Joystick has complete control.
When the Vector Envelope is in use, the Vector Joystick
offsets the position by up to halfway across either axis. For
instance, if the Envelope is all the way to the right of the X
axis, and the Joystick is all the way to the left, the actual
Vector position will be in the center of the X axis.
Hint: to quickly reset the Vector Joystick to its center value,
hold down the front-panel Control Reset button and move
the joystick.
Vector Volume Control and CC Control
The Vector does two main things: it can control the relative
volume of the two Oscillators in Program mode (or of up to
16 Programs at once in Combi mode), and it can generate
CCs for controlling Program and Effects parameters.
Vector and MIDI
The Vector features interact with MIDI in two different
ways: through the Vector Joystick, and through the Vector
CC Control.
The Vector Joystick sends and receives two MIDI
controllers: one for the X axis, and the other for the Y axis.
In Global mode, you can assign these to any MIDI CC
numbers you like. The defaults are CC#118 for the X axis,
and CC#119 for the Y axis.
The Vector Joystick and its CCs control the Vector position,
in conjunction with the Vector EG.
The Vector CC Control, on the other hand, is generated by
the Vector position. Normally, this will only affect internal
sounds and effects. If you like, however, you can also enable
a Global parameter to send these generated CCs to external
MIDI devices.
For more information on Vector Synthesis, see "1–5: Vector
Control" on page 46 of the Parameter Guide.