Korg microSAMPLER Owner's Manual
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Korg microSAMPLER Owner's Manual

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  • Page 2 Then contact your nearest tact your local administrative body for details. If the battery Korg dealer or the store where the equipment was pur- contains heavy metals in excess of the regulated amount, chased.
  • Page 3 Korg Incorporated accepts no responsibility for any damages or penal- ties you may incur due to any copyright violation you may commit. If you have any questions regarding your rights to use copyrighted mate- rial, please consult a specialist in copyright law.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Playing the sample..............19 Applying an effect to the sample..........19 Main features................7 1. Using an effect....................19 An overview of the microSAMPLER .......... 8 Pattern sequencer..............20 Banks and memory ..............8 1. Recording a pattern..................20 2. Undoing or redoing pattern recording ............21 Front and rear panels..............
  • Page 5 Function and parameter list ............38 Specifications................68 Saving (writing) ................41 Index ..................69 MIDI guide ............42 Using the microSAMPLER with other MIDI devices ....42 1. Connecting a MIDI device or computer...........42 2. MIDI-related settings after connection ............43 About MIDI messages...............44 1. MIDI channel......................44 2.
  • Page 6 microSAMPLER...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    4. Built-in ROM bank samples The built-in ROM bank contains 36 samples and 16 pattern sequences. 5. Effects to add the finishing touch The microSAMPLER lets you apply one of 21 different types of effects to your samples. 6. Editor/Librarian software You can connect the microSAMPLER to your computer via USB, and use the microSAMPLER’s dedicated editor/librarian software to conve-...

  • Page 8: An Overview Of The Microsampler

    An overview of the microSAMPLER Banks and memory Audio, voice, etc. Bank change Save External input Record Add effects Sampler Keyboard Effect processor User banks Samples Output Perform Play the keyboard Pattern sequencer Patterns Contents of one bank Bank parameters...

  • Page 9: Front And Rear Panels

    Introduction Front and rear panels 1. Front panel 9 10 1. [VOLUME] knob b. [SAMPLE SELECT] knob In Keyboard mode, this knob selects one of the samples that are assigned This adjusts the volume that is output from the OUTPUT [L/MONO], to Sample mode.
  • Page 10 4. PATTERN SEQUENCER section To edit sample parameters other than the above, use the [EDIT] button to select the “SAMPLE” page. ( ☞ p.28 “2. Sample parameters”) a. [PATTERN] dial Use this to select a pattern location in the pattern sequencer.
  • Page 11 Introduction 12. [EDIT] button When you want to edit a parameter, press this button; it will blink or sol- idly light. Select the page that contains the desired parameter, and then edit the parameter. This button will go dark if you use the [PARAME- TER/FX CONTROL 1] knob or the [VALUE/FX CONTROL 2] knob to operate an assigned effect parameter.

  • Page 12: Rear Panel

    7. AUDIO IN [GAIN] knob the microSAMPLER’s parameters. This adjusts the input gain for the AUDIO IN [L/MONO], [R] jacks or You must install the Korg USB-MIDI driver if you want to use the USB con- the AUDIO IN [ MIC] jack.

  • Page 13: Getting Ready

    4. Connecting your MIDI equipment and/or computer damage your speaker system or cause malfunctions. Make these connections if you want to use the microSAMPLER’s keyboard or controllers to control an external MIDI sound module, or if you want to use another MIDI keyboard or sequencer to play the microSAMPLER’s...

  • Page 14: Powering Up

    When the batteries run down, the “ ” indicator in the display will light. Turn the microSAMPLER’s [VOLUME] knob all the way to the left, and If you continue using the microSAMPLER, this indicator will begin blinking, then press the power switch to turn off the power.

  • Page 15: Quick Start

    After you’ve finished reading the Quick Start section, you can refer to the subsequent sections for details. Listening to the ROM banks The microSAMPLER has a ROM bank in addition to its eight user banks (☞p.8 “Banks and memory”). This ROM bank contains preset samples and pattern sequence data.

  • Page 16: Playing The Pattern Sequence Data

    Sample mode If other samples are being played by the pattern sequencer, those key LEDs will be lit-up. In this mode, 36 keys function as switches that play back the samples assigned to each key. You can’t change the current sample while keys are held down in Key- board mode.

  • Page 17: Sampling

    When you sample from a mic, the sound of operations performed on the Sampling microSAMPLER (e.g., the sound of a button being pressed) might be cap- tured as well. If this is a problem, you can take the steps described on the The illustration below shows the process of sampling, in which the level of pages listed below.

  • Page 18: Setting The Tempo

    Press the [TAP TEMPO] button two or more times. The interval at which Listening to the sound from the AUDIO IN jacks you pressed the button will be detected, and shown in the display as the The right-most key will act as a gate switch for the audio signal being input tempo.

  • Page 19: Playing The Sample

    THRE 01...10, and then press the [SAMPLING] button. stereo, the way in which sampling will be triggered, the sampling time, The [SAMPLING] button will blink orange; the microSAMPLER will be in the volume during sampling, and the effect position setting.

  • Page 20: Pattern Sequencer

    CONTROL 2] knob to control effect parameters When the [EDIT] button is unlit, you can use the [PARAMETER/FX CON- On the microSAMPLER, recording is done in realtime as “overdubbing”; TROL 1] knob and the [VALUE/FX CONTROL 2] knob to control effect i.e., each realtime performance is added to any material that had previously...

  • Page 21: Undoing Or Redoing Pattern Recording

    Quick start Press the [PLAY/STOP] button once again to stop recording. 3. Selecting and playing patterns If you press the [REC] button at this time, recording will stop but the Use the [PATTERN] dial to select the pattern (1–16) that you want to pattern will continue playing.

  • Page 22: Reference Guide

    When the bank change has been completed, the display will indicate “COM- memory”). PLETE,” and will then return to the screen that had been shown prior to the The microSAMPLER provides eight user banks that can be used to store bank change. your own data and settings.

  • Page 23: Sampling

    3. Selecting the sampling type This initializes the contents of the currently selected bank. On the microSAMPLER, you can choose one of five types of sampling. The bank will be initialized, and the display will indicate “COMPLETE.” Use the [SAMPLING TYPE] switch to select the sampling type.
  • Page 24 MONO/ST ................[MONO/STEREO] The cursor will momentarily blink when the specified audio level is exceeded while in the sampling-standby mode. This selects either monaural or stereo sampling. This parameter is related to the global parameter AUDIO IN setting and also...

  • Page 25: Sampling Using Loop, One Shot, Or Gate

    Reference guide 5. Sampling using Loop, One Shot, or Gate Use the [SAMPLING TYPE] switch to select “AUTO NEXT.” Use the [INPUT SELECT] button to select “AUDIO IN.” Use the [SAMPLING TYPE] switch to select “LOOP,” “ONE SHOT,” or Press the [SAMPLING] button. “GATE.”...

  • Page 26: Sampling Using Key Gate

    8. Resampling Resampling is the process of directly sampling the sound that’s being played Sample parameter values automatically set when using “KEY GATE” by the microSAMPLER. By resampling, you can create a sample that mixes Sample parameter Automatically-set value multiple samples, or create a new sample that contains an existing sample PLAY.TYPE (☞p.28)

  • Page 27: Playing Samples

    This key will be the current sample (☞p.18). When the sample plays, it will be held so that playback will continue If the microSAMPLER is in Keyboard mode, the sample that you select even after you take your finger off the key.

  • Page 28: Sample Parameters

    When playing back samples that have been recorded in [ONE SHOT] sample On the microSAMPLER, you can adjust the start point in terms of a percent- type and [PLAY.TYPE] is set to [LOOP OFF], the sample will play to the end age (%), a number of beats, or a numerical value.
  • Page 29 Reference guide the bar below the number. Use the [VALUE/FX CONTROL 2] knob to For example with the following settings, the sample playback volume will adjust the value. change as follows. ■ With the settings DECAY = “64,” RELEASE = “0” Length of original sample Sample The ones and tens place can be adjusted in two-digit groups.
  • Page 30 This specifies the playback volume. affect the volume of the resampled sample. The microSAMPLER is designed with a 12 dB margin relative to the maxi- FX SW ....................[OFF, ON] mum digital amplitude, making it unlikely that the sound will be distorted by exceeding the maximum digital amplitude.

  • Page 31: Delete Sample

    This indicates the sampling rate of the sample. For a sample that was cap- Press the [EDIT] button to make it blink. tured by the microSAMPLER, the sampling rate specified at the time of sam- If the [EDIT] button is not blinking, press it again until it blinks.

  • Page 32: Load Sample

    7. When the sample data has been loaded, the screen will indicate “COM- PLETE.” Do not operate the microSAMPLER’s knobs, buttons, or keyboard while this operation is being executed. Never turn off the power during this time.

  • Page 33: Truncate

    “COMPLETE.” 3. Recording a pattern START Press the [REC] button so that the microSAMPLER is in standby mode. The [PLAY/STOP] button and [REC] button will blink. Use the [PATTERN] dial to select the pattern (1–16) that you want to Before truncation record.

  • Page 34: Playing A Pattern

    16th note timing intervals. While the pattern is playing, press the [REC] button. Parameter value Meaning The [REC] button will blink, and the microSAMPLER will be in pattern “OFF” Quantization will not be applied record standby mode. Timing will be adjusted to 8th notes Press the [REC] button once again.
  • Page 35 Use the [PARAMETER/FX CONTROL 1] knob to select the “PTRN The pattern will be loaded. SEQ” page. Do not use the microSAMPLER’s knobs, buttons, or keyboard while this Press the [EDIT] button to make it light-up. operation is in progress. Never turn off the power during this time.

  • Page 36: About The Effect Processor

    About the effect processor You can use the front panel [PARAMETER/FX CONTROL 1] knob and The microSAMPLER lets you choose one of twenty-one different types of [VALUE/FX CONTROL 2] knob to control effect parameters in realtime. full-digital effects. These effects are categorized as follows.
  • Page 37 Reference guide Delay time when BPM SYNC is on If BPM SYNC is on, the delay time will synchronize to the tempo you speci- fied using the [TAP TEMPO] button or the “BPM” (☞p.22) setting, or to external MIDI clock data. This is useful for live performances. If BPM SYNC is on, you can specify the delay time as a note value.

  • Page 38: Global Parameters

    After a time, the backlight will turn off. Use the [PARAMETER/CONTROL 1] knob to select the desired global parameters, and make settings that apply to the entire microSAMPLER. The backlight will remain on constantly. indicator will appear when you select the “GLOBAL” page.
  • Page 39 The microSAMPLER’s keyboard and controllers will be disconnected Select pattern 2 at this point from its sound generator section. When the microSAMPLER is connected to an external sequencer, this Pattern 1 setting prevents the double triggering that would otherwise occur due to...
  • Page 40 PC USB-MIDI Port When you sample with the mic, the unwanted noises produced by pressing the microSAMPLER’s sampling button or keys to start or stop sampling can microSAMPLER MIDI OUT USB MIDI RX (EXT) be automatically trimmed off by the length of time you specify with these...

  • Page 41: Saving (Writing)

    You must save the data if you want to use it again. Do not use the microSAMPLER’s knobs, buttons, or keyboard while data is being saved, and never turn off the power during this time. The data may be lost if you do so.

  • Page 42: Midi Guide

    Connecting the microSAMPLER to a computer via USB 1. Connecting a MIDI device or computer You can use a USB cable to connect the microSAMPLER directly to a com- puter that has a USB connector. If you’re using the editor/librarian software, you’ll need to use the faster...

  • Page 43: Midi-Related Settings After Connection

    Local Control)”). face), and use the microSAMPLER to monitor or play back your recording, or if you want to use the microSAMPLER as an input keyboard and MIDI MIDI IN sound module, connect the microSAMPLER to the MIDI OUT and MIDI IN Sample Mode connectors of your external MIDI sequencer or computer.

  • Page 44: About Midi Messages

    “KB.MIDI.CH (Keyboard MIDI Channel)”). CONTROL 1] knob to select “MIDI CLK.” Then use the [VALUE/FX The global MIDI channel is the basic MIDI channel that the microSAMPLER CONTROL 2] knob to select “EXT MIDI” so that the microSAMPLER uses to transmit and receive MIDI messages.

  • Page 45: Pitch Bend

    NRPN (Non Registered Parameter Number) messages are assigned to the If you’ve assigned effect parameters to these knobs, incoming messages of microSAMPLER’s knobs and buttons that are not covered by the controllers the control change number assigned to a knob will control the correspond- discussed above.

  • Page 46: System Exclusive Messages

    By sending the following NRPN messages to the microSAMPLER you can System exclusive messages make various settings for the pattern sequencer or the sampler. These mes- sages are received on the global MIDI channel. The table below shows how microSAMPLER format the parameter values of the message correspond to the microSAMPLER’s...

  • Page 47: Effect Parameters

    Effect parameters [Parameter name] : This is a parameter that can be assigned to a front SENS (Sensitivity) ................ [1...127] panel knob. (☞p.36 “2. Controlling effect parame- Adjusts the sensitivity of the compressor. Increasing this value will cause ters”) lower-level sounds to be boosted. Since raising the SENS value will increase the overall volume, use OUT.LEVEL to adjust the final volume.
  • Page 48 If MIDI CLK (☞p.40) is set to “INT,” the LFO will synchronize to the tempo specified by “2. Setting the tempo” (☞p.18). With the “EXT USB” or “EXT MIDI” This is a stereo filter. setting, the microSAMPLER will synchronize to MIDI clock messages received from a MIDI device. Wet: Stereo In - Stereo Out...
  • Page 49 Effect parameters KEY SYNC (LFO Key Sync) .............. [OFF, ON] TRIM ....................[0...127] Specifies whether the LFO will be reset at note-on. Adjusts the input level to the equalizer. B1 TYPE ............... [PEAKING, SHELV LO] Note on Selects the equalizer type for band 1. Band1 / Band4 Type +Gain Band4 Type=Shelving High...
  • Page 50 B4 FREQ (B4 Frequency) ..........[20 Hz...20.00 kHz] B1 Q ....................[0.5...10.0] Specifies the center frequency of band 4. Specifies the width of band 1. B4 Q ....................[0.5...10.0] B1 GAIN ................ [–18.0...+18.0 dB] Specifies the width of band 4.
  • Page 51 Effect parameters 5. DECIMATR (Stereo Decimator) FS.MOD.INT (Mod Intensity) ..........[–63...+63] Adjusts the depth of the modulation applied by the LFO to the sampling fre- By lowering the sampling frequency and bit depth, this effect reproduces the quency. rough sound of an inexpensive sampler. It simulates the distinctive noise produced by such samplers.
  • Page 52 DRY/WET .............. [DRY, 99:1...1:99, WET] 7. DELAY (Stereo Delay) Adjusts the balance between the effect sound and the direct sound. This is a stereo delay. By changing the feedback connection, you can also use this as a cross-feedback delay in which the delay sound alternates between TYPE ................
  • Page 53 Effect parameters L DELAY, R DELAY (L, R Delay Time) .......[0...1400 ms, 1/64...1/1] 8. LCR.DELAY (L/C/R Delay) Specify the delay times for the left and right channels. This is a multi-tap delay in which three taps are output from the left, center, The delay times are determined by these settings in conjunction with the TM and right.
  • Page 54 9. PAN.DELAY (Stereo Auto Panning Delay) LFO.SHAPE ................... [–63...+63] Adjusts the shape of the LFO waveform. This is a stereo delay that uses an LFO to pan the delay sound to left and right. KEY SYNC (LFO Key Sync) .............. [OFF, ON] ☞p.49 “KEY SYNC (LFO Key Sync)”...
  • Page 55 Effect parameters L DELAY, R DELAY (L, R Delay Time) ...... [0...1400 ms, 1/64... 1/1] TAP1 DLY,TAP2 DLY(Tap1,Tap2 Delay Time) ..[0...1400 ms, 1/64...1/1] ☞p.53 “L DELAY, C DELAY, R DELAY (L, C, R Delay Time)” Specify the delay times for tap 1 and tap 2. The delay time is determined by these values in conjunction with the TM RATIO value.
  • Page 56 12. CHORUS (Stereo Chorus) 13. FLANGER (Stereo Flanger) This effect adds depth and warmth to the sound by modulating the delay This effect gives the sound intense modulation with a sense of changing time of the input signal. You can control the spaciousness by skewing the pitch.
  • Page 57 Effect parameters LFO.SHAPE ................... [–63...+63] SYNC.NOTE (LFO Sync Note) ..........[8/1...1/64] ☞p.48 “SYNC.NOTE (LFO Sync Note)” Adjusts the LFO waveform. KEY SYNC (LFO Key Sync) .............. [OFF, ON] LFO WAVE (LFO Waveform) ....[SAW, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, SINE, S&H] ☞p.49 “KEY SYNC (LFO Key Sync)” ☞p.48 “LFO WAVE (LFO Waveform)”...
  • Page 58 MOD.DEPTH (Modulation Depth) ..........[0...127] 16. TREMOLO (Stereo Tremolo) Adjusts the depth of modulation produced by the LFO. This effect modulates the volume of the input signal. It’s a stereo effect, and it moves the sound between left and right by skewing the LFO for the left RESO (Resonance) ................[0...127]...
  • Page 59 Effect parameters LFO SPRD (LFO Spread) ............[–180...+180º] NOTE.FINE ................[–100...+100] Specifies the LFO phase difference between the left and right channels. Adjusts the pitch difference in cents relative to the input note when OSC MODE is set to “NOTE.” By using NOTE.OFST and NOTE.FINE to make the oscillator frequency track 17.
  • Page 60 18. GRAIN.SFT (Grain Shifter) LFO SYNC (LFO Tempo Sync) ............[OFF, ON] ☞p.48 “LFO SYNC (LFO Tempo Sync)” This effect samples the sound at extremely brief intervals and loops the play- back. This is particularly good with sounds that are constantly changing, LFO FREQ (LFO Frequency) .........[0.01...100.00 Hz]...
  • Page 61 Effect parameters 19. PITCH.SFT (Pitch Shifter) MODE ............... [SLOW, MEDIUM, FAST] Selects the pitch shifter’s operating mode. This effect changes the pitch of the input signal. You can choose one of three types: fast response, minimal change in tonal character, and mid-way The “SLOW”...
  • Page 62 VO.BOTTOM (Voice Bottom) ..........[A, I, U, E, O] LFO SYNC (LFO Tempo Sync) ............[OFF, ON] ☞p.48 “LFO SYNC (LFO Tempo Sync)” Specifies the vowel at the bottom of the control range. Example: LFO FREQ (LFO Frequency) .........[0.01...100.00 Hz] when VO TOP is “A,”...
  • Page 63 Effect parameters 21. LOOPER SPEED ................[–1.000...+16.000] Specifies the speed that the looped phrase will be played back. This effect records the samples assigned to the FX bus in stereo, and plays it back repeatedly in stereo. It also provides an OVERDUB mode that lets you Positive (+) settings will make the phrase play forward, and negative (–) set- layer additional material onto the recorded sound.

  • Page 64: Appendix

    Appendix Shift functions Shortcuts You can access Shift functions by holding down the [ENTER/SHIFT] button You can use a shortcut to an edit page by holding down the [EDIT] button and pressing one of the following buttons or a specific key on the keyboard. and pressing a key that’s labeled with the name of the edit page.

  • Page 65: Error Messages

    Error messages ☞p.31 DEL SMPL ☞p.31 SWAP.SMPL Indication BUSY ☞p.32 LOAD.SMPL The operation cannot be executed because the microSAMPLER is in ☞p.32 NORMALIZ (Normalize) Cause sampling-standby mode, currently sampling, or the sequencer is run- ☞p.33 TRUNCATE ning. Action Stop the operation that’s currently running.

  • Page 66: Preset (Rom Bank)

    Sample Name Comment Preset (ROM bank) HOUSE DUBSTEP 1. Samples DR HOUSE Loops DR BREAK Sample Name Comment PERC HBB BD1 RESAMPL3 Full Re-Sample HBB BD2 (AUDIO IN) Audio In Trigger HBB SD1 HBB SD2 2. Patterns HIPHOPBD CLAP...

  • Page 67: Troubleshooting

    ❏ If operational noises are a problem when using microSAMPLER with the included mic, we recommend that you use a conventional commercially available dynamic mic mounted on a mic stand, or use a commercially...

  • Page 68: Specifications

    Inputs Specifications AUDIO IN [L/MONO], [R] Connector: 1/4" phone jack (unbalanced) jacks - rear panel Maximum input level: -17 dBu @ GAIN: max Input impedance: 7 kΩ 37-note (natural-touch mini-keyboard, velocity sensi- AUDIO IN [ MIC] jack Connector: XLR jack...

  • Page 69: Index

    Appendix Index Gate ......................Global MIDI channel ................AC adapter ....................All note off ....................Holding ..................... All sound off ................... AUDIO IN ................AUDIO IN jacks ..................Key Gate ....................Auto Next ....................Keyboard ....................Keyboard LEDs ..................Keyboard mode ..................
  • Page 70 Sample mode ..................Sample parameters ................. NORMALIZE ..................Sampler ....................... Note-on/off .................... Samples data ................... NRPN ....................... Sampling .................... Sampling parameters ................Sampling rate ................... One Shot ....................Sampling source ..................Original tempo ..................Sampling time ..................Sampling type ..................

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