Do you have a question about the PC3 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers
eduard resbier
March 11, 2025
how can I enble-dissable midi channels from the front panel?
1 comments:
Mr. Anderson
May 14, 2025
To enable or disable MIDI channels on the Kurzweil PC3 from the front panel, use the "Enable" parameter on the MIDI CHANNELS page. Set it to "On" to allow the channel to receive MIDI information or "Off" to ignore all MIDI information on that channel.
This answer is automatically generated
eduard resbier
March 11, 2025
how can I assign different midi chanels to diferent buttons on the front panel? or how can enable and dissable midi channels from the front panel?
1 comments:
Mr. Anderson
March 11, 2025
You can change the current MIDI channel on the Kurzweil PC3 using the Chan– and Chan+ soft buttons. These buttons adjust the MIDI channel the PC3 uses internally and the channel for sending information to connected MIDI devices. Changing the MIDI channel this way also updates the corresponding setting on the MIDI mode TRANSMIT page.
Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................5 Acknowledgements ........................ 5 Support ........................... 5 About this Manual ........................6 Installation/Requirements ....................... 6 Before You Begin ........................6 An Important Note About SoundEditor ................... 6 Overview ..........................7 2. Starting Up ......................... 8 Getting Connected .........................
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SoundEditor Editor Structure ....................33 7. Program Editing ......................34 Program Common Window ....................34 Program Common Toolbar (Editing and File Storage) ............35 Window Views ........................35 IMPORT and REMOVE Buttons ................... 37 IMPORT Button ........................37 REMOVE Button ........................38 Selecting Songs in the Common Settings View..............
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Zone Parameter Groups ....................... 84 Additional Controls ..................... 90 V-Piano ..........................90 Playing the PC3 from the Computer Keyboard ..............91 CC Sliders ..........................92 Appendix A - File Extensions ..................93 Appendix B - MIDI Setup Options ................94 MIDI In Controller .........................
Welcome to SoundEditor! SoundEditor is a full-featured Editor/Librarian and Sound Development tool for the Kurzweil PC3. While the PC3 is fully editable from its front panel controls, SoundEditor greatly expands the editing experience by displaying every PC3 parameter in a series of logical, easy-to-use graphical interfaces.
- MIDI interface or USB connection Before You Begin To get the most out of this program you should be familiar with the operation of the PC3. The PC3 is complex musical instrument with an amazing array of programmable features. The PC3 Musician‟s Guide is the principal resource for descriptions of the instrument and its operation;...
SoundEditor has been designed to make the programming and editing process as simple and easy to use as possible while providing all of the functional control needed to adjust every PC3 parameter. A few of SoundEditor‟s editing windows are shown below.
This chapter describes the steps to connect and configure SoundEditor on your computer. Set up the PC3 according to the PC3 Musician‟s Guide (Chapter 2). Connect the PC3 to the computer using either USB or the MIDI IN and MIDI Out DIN connectors, but not both.
MIDI Setup If you are working with SoundEditor for the first time, you‟ll need to configure the program for MIDI communication with the PC3. Once you do this, SoundEditor will remember the configuration until you change it. Click on the MIDI menu and select „MIDI Setup‟:...
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2. The Virtual MIDI Ports‟ tab only appears in the Macintosh version of SoundEditor. In the MIDI Setup window, select the MIDI IN and OUT ports that the PC3 is connected to, and set the MIDI Channel to match the MIDI channel on the PC3. Once the proper ports and MIDI channel are selected, you should see the current PC3 software version at the top of the MIDI Setup window as shown.
Information on configuring Preferences appears later in this chapter. FILE: The FILE menu allows you to Load or Save PC3 Data files. PC3 Data Files include all of the data currently loaded in the SoundEditor application (all Programs, Setups, FX Chains and User Algorithms), and thus represents the complete state of soundEditor.
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Write and Rename operations. MODE: The MODE menu allows you to select the PC3 Mode you would like to work in: Program Banks or Program Edit, Setup Bank or Setup Edit, Master or MIDI. Menu items that display a right-facing arrow indicate that a flyout submenu is available for additional selections.
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The OPTIONS menu allows you to display a virtual keyboard (V- Piano) and virtual CC Sliders control window that you can use to remotely play and adjust PC3 Programs. You can also play the PC3 from the computer keyboard. For information on the V-Piano and CC Sliders, see Chapter 11.
Configuring Preferences SoundEditor offers several options for specifying the startup condition and program operation. These options are found under the PC3SE/PREFERENCES menu. When PREFERENCES is selected, the Preferences Window appears as shown below. This window allows you to specify how you wish to work with SoundEditor. Two preference tabs are provided here: „Start Up‟...
Such is the case with the Keymap parameters in the Layers Edit window. Since the PC3 offers hundreds of keymaps to chose from, SoundEditor displays a dedicated Keymap selection window as shown below. Buttons to the right of the Keymap window allow you to select from groups of keymaps, and a scroll bar is used to move through the available choices in each group of keymaps on the left.
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PERFORMANCE TIP: Any list in SoundEditor can be navigated using either the scroll bars or the scrollable mouse wheel. For efficiently navigating through long lists, try combining both methods: use the scroll bars to quickly navigate to the general area where the desired item is located, then use the mouse wheel to pinpoint the exact item.
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Dragging the cursor to the left or right will change the range, and the note number fields will reflect the new values: An alternate method is available that allows you to adjust the note range from the PC3 keyboard. For more information, see „Keyboard Zone‟ page 47.
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In the Algorithm section of the Layer Edit window, DSP functions are chosen by clicking on the desired DSP block and selecting from the contextual menu:...
Banks Window view (you can also choose to start-up with the Setup view as described in the Configuring Preferences section on page 20). While using SoundEditor, the PC3 must not be in Edit Mode. Failure to observe this precaution can result in unreliable editing and improper operation.
The Modes Toolbar allows you to select editing views in SoundEditor, and provides you with displays to view and adjust PC3 global parameters. Pressing the PROGRAM or SETUP buttons changes the editing view inside the PC3 Editor window. Pressing either of these buttons is the same as selecting these same options from the MODE menu.
You can also select a category from the Program Bank list by right-clicking in the Category field. This will produce the same contextual menu as shown above. Either method will immediately update the PC3 with the new Category assignments.
NOTE FOR MAC USERS: If your mouse does not have a right-click button, you can also use the CTRL key combined with a single click to produce the contextual menu shown here. Program Toolbar (Editing and File Storage) The Program Toolbar allows you to access the Edit, File & MIDI functions associated with the Program Window.
Bank Selection and Sorting Options The buttons on the right side of the Program Window allow you to select how PC3 Programs will appear in the Program List window. Pressing the ALL PROGRAMS button will display every PC3 program from every Bank in SoundEditor, organized numerically from memory locations 1 to 2048.
When you click on the SEARCH button, a name field appears that allows you to enter the name of a Program to search for. Place the cursor in the name field and begin typing the name of the desired Program. SoundEditor will display the PC3 Programs that match the letters you type.
FOUND Button The FOUND button is used to remove empty memory locations that appear in a listing of PC3 Programs. For example, clicking on the ALL PROGRAMS button will produce a list of all memory locations in all banks (2048 locations total). Some locations may be empty, resulting in a large Program „gaps‟...
When the „Save‟ option is selected, a „Save Program Data‟ window will appear. The name of the PC3 Program will appear in the „Save As‟ name field, but you have the option to change it prior to saving. Make any desired changes and then select the destination location where the file will be stored.
MIDI Channel Display The left side of the Program Window contains the MIDI Channel Display and related controls. The MIDI Channel Display shows the PC3 Programs that are assigned to each of the sixteen MIDI channels.
MIDI functions. Note that for any changes to take effect, they must be written to the PC3 using the WRITE button. After writing the changes, click on the OK button to exit, or click on OK at any time to...
In the Master drop-down, clicking in the Intonation field produces a scrollable Intonation Select window that allows you to select a master tuning preference. Clicking the MIDI button in this window allows you to update the list with intonation data from the PC3. To make a selection,...
When finished, click OK to exit and dismiss this window. In order to take effect, any changes made to Master Mode settings must be written to the PC3 using the WRITE button in the lower right of the Master drop-down. After writing the changes, click on the OK button to exit, or click on OK at any time to simply abandon any changes and exit the window.
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The FUNCTION button in upper left corner of the FX Window allows you to reset all effects parameters or copy the existing ones. The „Paste‟ menu option only appears after completing a „Copy‟ operation:...
Clicking the EQ+COMP button produces a window that displays the Master Equalization (EQ) and Compressor settings. Although the EQ and Compressor effects are technically part of the PC3‟s Effects Mode, SoundEditor provides a dedicated window to display all of the EQ and Compressor controls and parameter values: On the PC3, the EQ and Compressor parameters are accessed by pressing the soft MASTER button in EFFECTS Mode.
6. Editor Organization This chapter will describe the organization of SoundEditor‟s Program editing windows. SoundEditor Editor Structure While using SoundEditor, the PC3 must not be in Edit Mode. Failure to observe this precaution can result in unreliable editing and improper operation.
This chapter will describe the various windows and views for editing Programs. Program Common Window The Program Common Window, shown below, is the main window for editing most PC3 Programs (the exceptions are KB3 mode Programs, which are cover later in this chapter).
Clicking on WRITE button produces a window allowing you to write the current Program to the PC3. In this window you can change the name of the Program, assign a category if desired, and select the memory location where the Program will be written:...
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four views are: Program Common parameters, Effects (FX) parameters, Control Slider Assignments or the Layer Keyboard Zones. Clicking the COMM button displays the Program Common parameters, including Pitch Bend, Portamento, Output Gain/Pan, etc.: Clicking the PROG FX button displays Program Common Effects parameters, including the Insert and Auxiliary Effect assignments and Send levels:...
Clicking the CONTROLS button produces a drop-down panel that displays the Program Common Slider Control values: Clicking the K-ZONES button produces a drop-down panel that displays the keyboard zones for each layer in the Program. Each zone can be edited here: Clicking the OK button in either the CONTROLS or K-ZONES drop-down panel removes the panel from view.
When you click on the IMPORT button, a drop-down window appears like the one shown below. To make a selection, first choose a Program („Jaco Fretless‟ in this example). A list of the Layers from the chosen Program will appear on the right side. Select a Layer („StlStrGtrHiDecay‟...
Selecting Songs in the Common Settings View The Common Settings View includes a „Song‟ selection parameter (located on the far right) that allows you to select the demo song that will be played when the PC3‟s PLAY/PAUSE button is pressed: Clicking in the „Song‟...
If the window is empty when it appears, click the MIDI button followed by the START button to receive the complete list of available effects from the PC3: When the data transfer process is complete, scroll through the resulting list and click on name...
Any effect in the „Select FX Chain‟ window can also be edited to create your own custom effects chains. To edit an effects chain, click on the EDIT button. Editing FX Chains is covered as a separate topic later in this Chapter. Layers Overview Panel The Program Common window displays an overview of every Layer (up to 32) that makes up a Program.
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The „Add New Layer‟ command adds a new Layer to the current Program. The „Remove Layer‟ command deletes the currently selected Layer. The „Initialize Layer‟ command resets the parameters of the current Layer to initial values. When the „Paste Layer From...‟ or „Import Layer‟ menu commands are selected, a drop-down appears (example shown below) that allows you to select a Layer from another Program.
Layers Window The Layers Window allows you to access all of the parameters that make up one Layer of a PC3 Program. The Layers Window is shown below: Key components of the Layers window are: 1. Toolbar to access Layer file storage options 2.
Clicking on WRITE button produces a window allowing you to write the current Program to the PC3. In this window you can change the name of the Program, assign a category if desired, and select the memory location where the Program will be written. The WRITE button in the...
Up to 16 characters can be specified. When you are finished, click the OK button to accept and enter the new name. In order to save the name change in a Layer you must write the Program to the PC3 using the WRITE button.
SoundEditor starts „listening‟ to the PC3 and waiting for the first of two notes to set the Hi/Lo range. Pressing a key on the PC3 will set the low note, then a second key-press will set the high note. If you make a mistake, you can simply press the correct keys on the PC3.
‘Views’ Toolbar Within the Layers window, you have the option of displaying different parameter groups for editing. The „Views‟ Toolbar buttons located beneath the keyboard display are used to select and view the desired parameter group. Clicking the LAYER button displays the Layer parameters in the Keymap panel:...
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Clicking the DSP Control button changes the window view to display the Algorithm and the DSP Control values, which include the Pitch and Level (Amplifier) parameters, and the Algorithm parameters for each DSP function: Note that when the Algorithm and DSP Control Parameters are displayed, the label on the DSP Control button switches to “ASR and AMP”, allowing you to revert to the ASR and Amplifier parameter display:...
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Clicking on the FUNCTIONS button changes the view in the Keymap panel to display the Function parameters:...
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Clicking the ENVELOPE CTL button changes the view in the Keymap panel to display the Envelope Control parameters:...
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Clicking the LAYER FX button changes the view in the Keymap panel to display the Effects parameters:...
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Clicking the LFO and ENV button changes the window view to display the LFO and Envelope parameters: Note that when the LFO and Envelope parameters are displayed, the label on the LFO and ENV button switches to “Output and Alg”, allowing you to revert to the Output and Algorithm display:...
Algorithm Panel The Algorithm Panel in the Layers Edit Window allows you to view and edit the algorithm for the selected Layer. From this panel you can select a different algorithm, edit the current algorithm, create a new algorithm, or select an alternate input for the algorithm („Cascade Mode‟): Selecting and Configuring Algorithms To select a different algorithm, click in the algorithm number field next to the „ALGORITHM‟...
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Clicking on the Algorithm Bank FILE button allows you to save the current algorithm bank or load a new algorithm bank. Selecting either the Load or Save option will result in a dialog box asking you to either select a file (to Load) or name a file (to Save). Algorithm Banks have a „.3ab‟...
When you select a DSP function, the Layers Edit window automatically switches to the DSP Controls view, allowing you to specify the parameters for the DSP functions: Selecting an Alternate Input (Cascade Mode) To select an alternate input for the algorithm, click in the Alt Input parameter field in the Algorithm Panel.
The Alternate Input parameter allows you to select any other layer to go through the current layer‟s DSP. This can be configured so that layers can be cascaded one into the next into the next - up to 32 layers. The Alternate Input parameter greatly expands the number of DSP functions that can be strung together to create new sound processing possibilities.
Editing an Algorithm To understand how the various controls are used in the Algorithm Wiring Display, let‟s go through the steps to edit an algorithm. Using the figure on the previous page as a starting point, we‟ll begin by changing the number of DSP elements in the Algorithm from four to three.
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Now, we‟ll change the routing of the DSP functions using the Connection sliders: Next, we‟ll configure the Algorithm for two outputs, and configure the Output connection routing: Now that the new algorithm is complete, we click on the OK button to finish. A „SAVE AS‟ dialog box appears, allowing us to save the new algorithm: Clicking YES results in a „Write‟...
Clicking the WRITE button writes the new algorithm to the PC3 and dismisses the Algorithm Wiring Display. FX Edit Window The FX Edit window (also called „Effects Chain‟) allows you to edit and modify the Program Common Effects. Up to 16 effects can be connected in series to create complex chains of signal processing.
FX Edit Toolbar The FX Edit Toolbar allows you to access the File, Edit & Receive functions associated with the FX Edit window, as well as the ASR& LFO, Functions and Modulation options. A description of each Toolbar button follows. A description of each Toolbar button follows. FILE: The FILE function allows you to Save the current FX Chain or Load a new FX Chain.
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ASR & LFO: Clicking on the ASR & LFO button produces a drop-down window where you can adjust the ASR envelope and LFO parameters that affect the current FX Chain: FUNCTION: Clicking on the FUNCTION button produces a drop-down window where you can adjust the Functions that apply to the current FX Chain:...
MODULATION: Clicking on the FX MODULATION button... FX Overview Panel The FX Overview Panel provides basic information about each Effect in the FX Chain. The Overview panel displays the current Effect, and provides a Toolbar with three buttons to select different Effects (the SELECT button), display the complete settings of the current Effect (the MORE button), and access Effect Functions (the FUN button).
MORE Button Clicking on the MORE button results in a new window that displays every parameter setting associated with the selected FX Box: FUN Button Clicking on the FUN button results in a contextual menu that allows you to Insert (Add) or Remove an FX block, Copy the current FX block, or Paste a previously copied FX block to the selected FX block: Here, the selected FX can be „fine-tuned‟...
KB3 Mode Edit Window The KB3 Mode Edit Window allows you to access all of the parameters that make up a KB3 Mode Program. The KB3 Mode Edit window is shown below. Key components of the KB3 Mode edit window are: 1.
Clicking on WRITE button produces a window allowing you to write the current KB3 Mode Program to the PC3. In this window you can change the name of the Program, assign a category if desired, and select the memory location where the Program will be written:...
‘Views’ Toolbar Within the KB3 Mode Edit window, you have the option of displaying different para-meter groups for editing. The buttons in the Views Toolbar are used to select and view the desired parameter group: Clicking the LFO AND ASR button switches the view in the middle panel from the Drawbars display to a view of the LFO and ASR envelope parameters: Note that when the LFO and ASR parameters are displayed, the label on the LFO and ASR button switches to “Drawbars”, allowing you to revert to the Drawbars parameters display:...
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Clicking the Perc/KeyC button produces a down-down panel allowing you to configure and adjust Percussive and Key Click parameters: After making changes, click on the OK button to dismiss the window.
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Clicking the Pitch and Amp button displays the Pitch and Amplifier parameters in the Tone Wheel (top) panel:...
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Clicking the Functions button displays the Function parameters in the Tone Wheel (top) panel:...
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Clicking the EQ button displays the Equalization parameters in the Tone Wheel (top) panel:...
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Clicking the Misc button displays miscellaneous parameters in the Tone Wheel (top) panel. These include leakage and volume parameters, and Leslie speaker settings:...
Levels, rotary controls for Pan, Insert and Auxiliary Effects, and switches for Muting functions. The Channel Mixer Window is shown below. While using SoundEditor, the PC3 must not be in Edit Mode. Failure to observe this precaution can result in unreliable editing and improper operation.
Single Mixer Channel SoundEditor‟s Channel Mixer features 16 identical channels, one for each MIDI channel. The figure below shows the components that make up a single mixer channel. 1. The MIDI Channel and PC3 Program assignment 2. Global switch 3. Insert Effect and Main/Secondary Output switch 4.
Selecting Mixer Programs Although the PC3 Program assignments are already established when you display the Mixer Window, you can change them from the Mixer without having to return to the MIDI Channel Display: Click on the desired MIDI Channel/Program Assignment bar in the Mixer.
9. Setup Window The Setup Window allows you to select, view and edit PC3 Setups. The Setup Window is shown below. The main components of the Setup window are: 1. „Mode‟ Toolbar buttons, used to access the Program, Setup, MIDI, Master, Effect and EQ+Comp functions.
For a list of file extensions associated with Setups and other files, see Appendix A. MIDI: The MIDI function allows you receive a bank of Setups from the PC3 (either Setup Names or Setup All Data), or transmit the current Setup Data to the PC3.
When the „Save...‟ option is selected, a „Save Setup Data‟ window will appear. The name of the PC3 Setup will appear in the „Save As‟ name field, but you have the option to change it prior to saving. Make any desired changes and then select the destination location where the file will be stored.
This chapter will describe the various windows and views for editing PC3 Setups. Setup Window When you select a Setup from the Setup Bank list, the Setup Window displays the PC3 Programs assigned to the chosen Setup along with the keyboard region (zone) that each...
The main components of the Setup Edit window are: 1. The currently selected PC3 Setup 2. Toolbar to access Setup Edit functions (File, Edit, MIDI and Write) 3. The Program parameters for the selected zone (Zone 1 shown) 4.
Setup Edit Toolbar The Setup Edit Toolbar allows you to access the File, Edit, MIDI and Write functions associated with the Setup Edit window. A description of each Toolbar function follows. FILE: The FILE function allows you to Load, Save or Initialize Setups.
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SoundEditor and the PC3. WRITE: The WRITE function allows you to write the currently selected Setup to the PC3. Clicking on the WRITE button produces a window where you can change the name of the Setup and select the memory location where the Setup will be written:...
Zone Parameter Groups The area in the lower part of the Setup Edit window displays the Zone Parameter Group information. The view you see here depends on the Zone Parameter Group button selection on the left side of the window. When „Common‟...
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When „Controls‟ is selected, the Setup Edit window displays the Control parameters associated with Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Control Pedals, Pressure and Ribbon functions:...
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When „Sliders‟ is selected, the Setup Edit window displays the Slider assignments for Sliders A - I: When „Switches‟ is selected, the Setup Edit window displays the Switch assignments for the ARP and SW keyboard switches, and Footswitch 1,2 & 3:...
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When „Program SW‟ is selected, the Setup Edit window displays the Program Switch assignments for switches 1-8: When „Arpeggiator‟ is selected, the Setup Edit window displays the Arpeggiator parameters:...
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Songs (example shown below). Clicking on the MIDI button allows you to update the list with all PC3 factory and user songs. To select a riff, scroll through the list and click on the desired title. Clicking the SELECT NONE button selects no riff. When...
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When „Setup FX‟ is selected, a window appears that displays all of the Effects parameters, where you can modify existing preset effects or create new ones. When „EQ + Comp‟ is selected, a window appears that displays the Effects Equalization (EQ) and Compressor settings.
These functions are located in the Options menu: V-Piano The V-Piano provides a way to play the PC3 remotely using the mouse. When you press a key on the virtual keyboard, the corresponding MIDI „Note On‟ message will be sent to the PC3.
Playing the PC3 from the Computer Keyboard You can also play notes on the PC3 using the computer keyboard. The middle and bottom rows of computer keys act as a single octave of keys mapped like a piano keyboard. You can use these keys to remotely play notes on the PC3.
CC Sliders CC Sliders allow you to virtually adjust the PC3‟s 9 Assignable Controllers. To make adjustments from this window, use the mouse to move a slider up or down (the scroll wheel can also be used here). MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) number assignments are displayed at the top of the slider, while the actual control values appear at the bottom: To change the MIDI channel that the CC Sliders control, click on the „Chn #‟...
12. Appendix A - File Extensions The SoundEditor program uses a variety of file types to store PC3 data. Here is the list of SoundEditor File. Extensions for the Kurzweil PC3: All PC3 Data = “.kp3” Setup Bank Data = “.3sd”...
2. Make sure that the „Activate MIDI Controller Port‟ checkbox is checked. 3. Set the MIDI Controller to the same MIDI channel as the PC3. 4. Test the setup. If the controller can send MIDI Note On messages, you can test the setup by playing a few notes.
To configure your sequencer for this setup, select “Kurzweil PC3 SE Virtual Output Port” as your MIDI Input port and “Kurzweil PC3 SE Virtual Input Port” as your MIDI Output port. With this setup, the sequencer will receive MIDI data from the Virtual Output and transmit MIDI data...
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Under the VIRTUAL MIDI PORT tab in the MIDI Setup window you will find filters that you can use to determine what will be recorded to, and played back from, your MIDI Sequencer. Here, you can enable or disable MIDI Notes, MIDI CC‟s, Program Change commands, SysEx Data and MIDI clock.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the PC3 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers
how can I enble-dissable midi channels from the front panel?
To enable or disable MIDI channels on the Kurzweil PC3 from the front panel, use the "Enable" parameter on the MIDI CHANNELS page. Set it to "On" to allow the channel to receive MIDI information or "Off" to ignore all MIDI information on that channel.
This answer is automatically generated
how can I assign different midi chanels to diferent buttons on the front panel? or how can enable and dissable midi channels from the front panel?
You can change the current MIDI channel on the Kurzweil PC3 using the Chan– and Chan+ soft buttons. These buttons adjust the MIDI channel the PC3 uses internally and the channel for sending information to connected MIDI devices. Changing the MIDI channel this way also updates the corresponding setting on the MIDI mode TRANSMIT page.
This answer is automatically generated