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The DW-8P is a full-featured MIDI controller for programming Korg EX-8000, DW-8000, and The RANDOM TONE GENERATOR on the DW-8P is a DW-6000 synthesizers. DW-8P can control 2 powerful tone creation tool featuring the ability to...
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To begin using the DW-8P connect the DC power adapter to the DC power jack and use the ON/ OFF button in the rear of the unit to turn on. When power is applied, the DW-8P splash logo will be displayed on the OLED display.
BASIC CONNECTIONS DW-8P has a “soft MIDI THRU”, meaning that it will pass any data seen at the MIDI IN to the MIDI OUT (With exceptions. See section about MIDI MAP) To communicate with the synthesizer plug the MIDI OUT of the DW-8P into the MIDI IN of the synth.
RETROAKTIV DW-8P OWNER’S MANUAL DW-8P knows the contents of the shared parameter IDs, it can send data bytes that will only change one of the parameters on the shared ID. Use SHIFT+LEFT to download the program from the DW-6000 whenever a new program is selected.
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(Stored in the DW-8P). When holding a button down on the DW-8P, the button will repeat after a certain amount of time has elapsed. This button repeat rate can be set and stored in the MIDI MENU under the BUTTON REPEAT setting. Pressing a button rapidly will retrigger the button each time it is pressed.
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RETROAKTIV DW-8P OWNER’S MANUAL BUTTON COMBINATION CHART In any menu: SHIFT+MAIN - Switches between MAIN and AUX synth channels SHIFT + SHIFT + SHIFT+MIDI - MIDI Panic (All notes & controllers off) SHIFT + RG VEL - Opens RAMP GENERATOR velocity control menu. Pressing this when in the velocity control menu will enable velocity control.
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RETROAKTIV DW-8P OWNER’S MANUAL SHIFT+RIGHT - Toggles KEY MODE on the DW/EX. (POLY1, UNSN 1, UNSN 2, POLY 2) SHIFT + In PATCH GENERATOR menu: SHIFT+ENTER This will generate a separate patch on the MAIN and AUX layers. SHIFT +...
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(MAIN, AUX, BOTH) When setting up the DW-8P for the first time, the model (DW8K, EX8K, or DW6K) must be selected on the MAIN and AUX channels. If only using one synth, only the MAIN channel must be configured. Make sure that the MAIN...
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RETROAKTIV DW-8P OWNER’S MANUAL and AUX channels are set to different values. The DW-8P will not transmit sysex if both channels are set to the same value. MIDI MENU functions are as follows: MAIN CHANNEL : Sets the MIDI channel of the MAIN synth channel. (1-16) MAIN TRANSLATE : Selects which CC to SYSEX translate mode is used.
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When MAPPING is activated, the DW-8P will only accept incoming note and CC data on the MAIN or AUX MIDI channels (Set in MIDI PAGE 1). If valid note or CC data is received on the MAIN or AUX channel, then the DW-8P will change the channel of that data to the MAIN or AUX MAP CH, and then send it.
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RETROAKTIV DW-8P OWNER’S MANUAL MAIN MENU The MAIN MENU will display the currently selected DW/EX parameter and its current value. Since every parameter on the DW/EX has differing numbers of steps, each slider’s CC value (0-127) is displayed in the lower right corner.
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THE ASSIGN MENUS The DW-8P features a powerful feature called an ASSIGN. There are 3 separate ASSIGNs in the DW-8P: ASSIGN A, ASSIGN B, and ASSIGN P. Each assign is a control matrix that allows users to control up to 5 DW/EX parameters using the CTRL A, CTRL B sliders, an expression pedal, a mod wheel, aftertouch, or a breath controller.
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PRESET will be recalled. If the current ASSIGN is on a USER PRESET, then the DEFAULT will be recalled. A memory card upgrade is planned for the DW-8P, which will allow users to save as many ASSIGN setups as they wish.
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EX/DW is used to bend one or both oscillators toward zero whenever a key is pressed. This creates a “dip” or a “scoop”, which can be used to detune the two oscillators over time. The DW-8P allows this to be more nuanced and expressive by making it velocity controlled.
To enable or disable the selected effect, press CHORUS button. OSC 2 EXTRA INTERVALS DW-8P adds the ability to select multiple “extra” tuning intervals for the OSC2 on the EX/DW. Intervals available are: Unison, min 2nd, maj 2nd, min 3rd, maj 3rd, perf 4th, perf 5th, + 1 oct, + oct and maj 3rd, hi-frequency 1, hi frequency pedal tone, hi frequency 2, -1 step, -oct and 3rd, “super detune”.
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RETROAKTIV DW-8P OWNER’S MANUAL RANDOM TONE GENERATOR MENU Pressing the PATCHGEN BUTTON once will open the RANDOM TONE GENERATOR. (RTG) The RTG is a powerful sound creation tool that will enhance creativity and generate useful, expressive tones. The RTG can generate a wide array of useful musical sounds, ranging from lush pads to metallic bells.
RETROAKTIV DW-8P OWNER’S MANUAL Each section of the EX/DW can be masked (protected from being randomized by the RTG) by selecting the section, and turning MSK on. The MASK function is divided into the following subsections: DCO1 - This affects DCO 1 section only.
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SYSEX parameters when TRANSLATE is enabled. Each CC getting translated can have a value between 0 and 127. DW-8P handles converting the incoming CC data into DW/EX format. This ensures easy CC integration with no fiddling and no risk of the synth receiving “out of range”...
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LED should blink once when the bootloader has been opened. Now the .syx file can be sent to the DW-8P. If there is an error, the DW-8P CHORUS LED will blink to indicate that there is an error. This means that the unit must be power cycled and the process restarted.
RETROAKTIV DW-8P OWNER’S MANUAL WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS The DW-8P is 6.6 pounds and the enclosure measures 14.5” x 5.8” x 1.5”. The DW-8P can also be rackmounted using optional rack ears, which can be purchased at www.RetroaktivSynthesizers.com. The enclosure has 4 heavy-duty screw-on rubber feet for no-slip tabletop use.
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