Connecting The I40M To An External Sequencer - Korg i40M User Manual

Connecting the i40M to an external sequencer

Even though the i40M has a built-in sequencer, there
are computer sequencers that have more powerful
editing functions. In general, it is easier to use the
internal sequencer of the i40M to compose songs that
are based on the automatic accompaniments (i.e. a
backing sequence), and to use a computer sequencer to
make Standard MIDI Files (SMF).
MIDI connections
In order to connect the i40M to a computer you need to
have a computer with the MIDI interface.
Connect the i40M, a MIDI keyboard, the computer and
another sound module (expander), if any, as in the fol-
lowing diagram.
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI THRU
MIDI IN
ARRANGEMENT BANK A ARRANGEMENT BANK B
11 - 18 21 - 28 16 BEAT 8 BEAT 61 - 68 51 - 58 JAZZ 1 POP 11 - 18 21 - 28 LATIN 3 LATIN 4 51 - 58 61 - 68 DISCO 1 DISCO 2
31 - 38 LATIN 1 71 - 78 JAZZ 2 31 - 38 WALTZ 71 - 78 ROCK 2
41 - 48 LATIN 2 81 - 88 ROCK 1 41 - 48 TRADITIONAL 81 - 88 ROCK 3
MODE
MASTER VOLUME VOLUME ACC.
MEMORY
ARRANGEMENT
BANK
NUMBER
VARIATION
The notes that are played on the keyboard come from
the MIDI OUT connector and are sent to the MIDI IN
connector of the MIDI interface, which then transmits
them to the computer.
The notes that are generated by the computer (for
example playing back a song by its sequencer) are sent
to the MIDI interface, and transmitted from the MIDI
OUT to the i40M MIDI IN.
The notes that arrive at the MIDI IN connector of the
i40M are played and immediately retransmitted to the
additional sound module, with no modifications;
therefore the module receives the same data received
by the i40M.
It is advisable to mute some of the i40M channels
(tracks) and mute the channels enabled to play in the
i40M in the additional module. In this way you will
avoid the superposition of the sounds coming from the
two instruments.
If the "MIDI Thru" function is activated in the com-
puter sequencer (normally active; the name can be dif-
ferent according to the sequencer), the notes played on
the keyboard are immediately sent to a MIDI channel
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
PROGRAM BANK A (GENERAL MIDI) PROGRAM BANK B (GENERAL MIDI)
11 - 18 21 - 28 PIANO CHROMATIC PERC. 61 - 68 51 - 58 BASS STRINGS 21 - 28 11 - 18 PIPE REED 51 - 58 61 - 68 SYNTH SFX ETHNIC
31 - 38 ORGAN 71 - 78 ENSEMBLE 31 - 38 SYNTH LEAD 71 - 78 PERCUSSIVE
41 - 48 GUITAR 81 - 88 BRASS 41 - 48 SYNTH PAD 81 - 88 SFX
CHORD SCANNING
KEYBOARD ASSIGN KEYBOARD MODE
VOLUME TEMPO/VALUE PROGRAM
BANK
MUTE PROGRAM NUMBER
VDF VDF EG ATTACK RELEASE VDA VELOCITY EFFECT
START/STOP KEYBOARD SET
FILL INTRO/ENDING SYNCHRO TRANSPOSE OCTAVE
A iS40
B Interactive Music Workstation
C
•
in the i40M and /or the additional module. The chan-
nel is the one that corresponds to the selected track in
the computer sequencer.
The "MIDI Thru" function of the sequencer causes the
notes to be received by the sequencer on a channel (the
channel on which the MIDI controller transmits). The
notes are sent to the i40M (and/or the additional mod-
ule) over the channel assigned to the track selected in
the computer.
For instance, if the master keyboard transmits over
channel 1 and you must program the drum track
assigned to channel 10, the data transmission will be
as follows:
• The master keyboard transmits to the sequencer
over the MIDI 1 channel.
• The track selected in the sequencer is the "Drum"
track (or other name), to which the MIDI 10 chan-
nel is assigned (see the manual of the sequencer).
• The sequencer transmits the data received from the
master keyboard to the MIDI 10 channel of the
i40M, that usually corresponds to the drum track
(according to the General MIDI specifications).
Performing a song from computer
Press SONG PLAY to enter the Song Play mode.
1
When in the Song Play mode, the i40M supplies 16
MIDI channels to an external sequencer. There is a
corresponding i40M MIDI channel for every MIDI
channel of a song that is played back by the exter-
nal sequencer.
Each MIDI channel can play a different program,
has its own effect send and its own panpot (posi-
tioning between the stereo channels). You should
imagine every MIDI channel as an instrument in a
band or orchestra: for example, you can have the
piano on channel 1, sax on channel 2, strings on
channel 3... You are free to set them where you like,
except for channel 10 which is reserved for the
drum kit.
Along with the notes, a song can contain control
events called MIDI controllers (or Control Change
messages), which can regulate parameters such as
volume, vibrato, pan, pedal, etc. The list of the
MIDI controllers transmitted and received by the
i40M can be found in the Appendix.
It is possible however, to directly program the gen-
eral parameters of each channel (program, pan,
effect send) from the i40M control panel. (See
page 109).
Getting Started• MIDI
53