Multi Mode - Combining Several Programs - Akai S3000XL User Manual

MULTI MODE - COMBINING SEVERAL PROGRAMS

Multi mode is where you can combine up to sixteen programs together so that they may
be played in combination. The MULTI mode has 16 'parts' - slots into which up to 16
programs may be assigned and typically, this is used to sequence several programs multi-
2
timbrally by setting each part to be on a different MIDI channel.
However, it is also possible to set parts to the same MIDI channel so that you can layer
programs for a rich, expansive (expensive?) sound. Furthermore, you may set low and
high keyboard ranges for each part so that sophisticated keyboard splits may be created.
With the optional multi-effects processor fitted, each part may be routed to one of the four
effects channels and you have a total of four effects that can be applied to the parts in
the multi. More than one part may be routed to any one of the effects channels so that
parts may share effects and each part has its own effects send level.
However, you may prefer to use the S3000XL with external effects processors using a
mixing console. To accommodate this, each part may be routed to one of the 8 individual
outputs. By doing this, each part may have its own mixer channel where it can be EQ'd,
mixed, panned and effected using your favourite outboard effects processors.
Of course, a combination of these is possible. In one multi, some parts may be on unique
MIDI channels whilst others share the same channels for layering and/or key splits and
some parts may be routed to the internal effects processor in the S3000XL whilst others
are sent out via the individual outputs for processing on the mixing console.
As you can see, the MULTI mode is very flexible.
NOTE: Strange though it may seem, you may also use SINGLE mode to set up multi-
timbral setups, program layering and key splits. Although it may seem a contradiction in
terms to use the SINGLE mode for 'multi' applications, this is to maintain compatibility with
data created on earlier Akai samplers. If you are an experienced Akai sampler user, you
can continue to work this way but we do recommend you use the new MULTI mode as it
does offer certain advantages in terms of ease and speed of use and convenience.
Please refer to the section SINGLE mode for details on this.
2 The S3000XL can respond to all 16 MIDI channels simultaneously in the MULTI mode.
'MULTI-TIMBRAL' literally means 'many sounds'. In the early days of synthesisers, you
needed a separate synthesiser for every part you wanted to play but, with the advent of
MIDI, a synthesiser or sampler could be coaxed into playing several different sounds
together so that only one synth/sampler was required to play several parts. With the
S2000's 32-voice polyphony, complex multi-part arrangements can be performed using the
MULTI mode.
S3000XL Operator's Manual
MULTI MODE
Page 37