Akai MINIAK Reference Manual
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Akai MINIAK Reference Manual

Virtual analog synthesizer
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REFERENCE MANUAL
ENGLISH ( 1 – 55 )
WWW.AKAIPRO.COM

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  • Page 1 REFERENCE MANUAL ENGLISH ( 1 – 55 ) WWW.AKAIPRO.COM...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    BOX CONTENTS... 2 CHAPTER 1: CONNECTIONS ... 2 CHAPTER 2: FIRST SESSION... 3 A TOUR OF THE MINIAK ... 3 THE MINIAK'S TOP PANEL ... 3 KEY CONCEPTS ... 4 PLAY THE PROGRAMS ... 4 SWITCH OCTAVES... 5 EXPLORE THE BUILT-IN SEQUENCES... 5 EXPLORE THE RHYTHMS ...

  • Page 4: Box Contents

    Connect a keyboard sustain pedal (not included) to the (SUSTAIN) input. When you turn the MINIAK on, the MINIAK will automatically sense and calibrate itself to the pedal. You can plug an optional continuous controller expression pedal into the (EXPRESSION) input.

  • Page 5: Chapter 2: First Session

    THE MINIAK'S TOP PANEL VOLUME The (VOLUME) knob on the far right-hand side of the MINIAK raises and lowers the volume. If you don't hear anything as you play the MINIAK, check the (VOLUME) knob's setting. REAL-TIME CONTROLLERS The (MOD1) and (MOD2) wheels, (PITCH) wheel, and (X/Y/Z knobs), located on the left half of the MINIAK, provide real-time control of the MINIAK's sounds.

  • Page 6: Key Concepts

    "Edit Mode" and that the DATA DIAL can be used for editing. At any one time, only one of the buttons will glow, indicating that the MINIAK is operating within that mode. "TURN"...

  • Page 7: Switch Octaves

    SWITCH OCTAVES While the MINIAK is a compact unit, all of its sounds span the full 128-note MIDI range. Use the [OCTAVE] buttons to the left of the display to transpose the keyboard up and down to cover that range.

  • Page 8: Explore The Rhythms

    These presets will give you a good sense for some of the different possibilities you can create on your own. The MINIAK was designed to make it easy to compose and modify your own Multis. Try creating your own Multi with these steps: Go into Programs and find a bass sound you like.

  • Page 9: Record Some Phrases

    RECORD SOME PHRASES You don't have to be in Sequences Mode to create a Sequence. At any time, the MINIAK can capture your playing and use it as a Sequence. The Sequences that you capture in real time are called "phrases."...

  • Page 10: Chapter 3: Sequences

    A sequence, on the other hand, already has a melody line built in. So, all you have to do is hold down a single key, and the MINIAK will play back that melody relative to that key.

  • Page 11: Editing Sequences

    4. split high. The Multi's existing part is split in two at a particular key. As with the split low option, the MINIAK prompts for a note on the keyboard at which to execute the split. The Sequence is then sent to the upper part of the split.
  • Page 12 So, if you record a four-bar Sequence and change its length later to 1/4 bar, the MINIAK will only play a fraction of your Sequence, but it will remember the whole thing. If you want to change the length back to four bars at any time, the complete Sequence will still be available.
  • Page 13 (As always, if the tempo isn't right, you can use the [TAP TEMPO] button to adjust it.) Once you're ready to play, just start playing. The MINIAK will begin recording from the first note of the Sequence. Alternately, if you don't want to play from the first note, you can push the DATA DIAL to kick off the recording.
  • Page 14 If the Sequence type is set to "arpeggio," the pitch will not actually be used when the Sequence is played back, since the MINIAK will play the Sequence over whatever notes you hold down. But if you later set the type to "sequence," your recorded pitches will reappear.
  • Page 15 You can even play other Sequences without losing your edits. Just hit the [SEQUENCES] button and turn the DATA DIAL. You can always come back to your edited Sequence, just as you left it. The MINIAK doesn't discard your edits until you start editing a different Sequence. If you intentionally want to discard your edits and revert to the version you last stored, you can use the "Revert ->...

  • Page 16: Chapter 4: Rhythms

    When you're satisfied with your work, press [STORE] to save your changes. Store your Rhythm The [STORE] button will light once you have edited a Rhythm. Press [STORE] after you're satisfied with your edits. Otherwise, your changes will be lost when you turn off your MINIAK. RHYTHM OPTIONS...
  • Page 17 4. split high. The Multi's existing beat is split in two at a particular key. As with the split low option, the MINIAK prompts for a note on the keyboard at which to execute the split. The Rhythm is then sent to the upper beat of the split.
  • Page 18 Once you're ready to play, just start playing on the white keys above middle A. The MINIAK will begin recording from the first note of the rhythm. Alternately, if you don't want to play from the first note, you can push the DATA DIAL to kick off the recording.
  • Page 19 While you're editing velocity, you can play any key to hear what the note sounds like at that velocity. You will hear all drums which have notes at the step. Time display The MINIAK displays time as "bar:beat:tick". beats in a bar, and 120 ticks in a beat.
  • Page 20 "dragging" the name around.) 11. Send MIDI sysex? Choose this option to send the Rhythm to a computer or other MIDI storage device using the MINIAK's (MIDI OUT) port. This allows you to back up your rhythms to your computer, or share them with others. (See Chapter 8 for details on what Sysex is and how to use it.)

  • Page 21: Chapter 5: Multis

    You can even play other Rhythms without losing your edits. Just hit the [RHYTHMS] button and turn the DATA DIAL. You can always come back to your edited Rhythm, just as you left it. The MINIAK doesn't discard your edits until you start editing a different Rhythm.
  • Page 22 Take moment cycle through these options. Press [MULTI] and turn the DATA DIAL to select a Multi to edit. Then press the DATA DIAL to enter edit mode. Turn the DATA DIAL clockwise cycle through various parts. Parts labeled as "Part A," "Part B,"...
  • Page 23 Each part has the following editable parameters: a. Program: You can make the Program dependent on this part's Sequence, shown on the MINIAK as (Sequence's pgm). If you do so, the Multi will change Programs automatically as the Sequence is changed. Alternately, you can specify that the part use a particular Program.
  • Page 24 If you choose to split a part, the MINIAK will prompt you to select the key on the keyboard where the split should occur. To select the split point, turn the DATA DIAL or play a key. You can use the [OCTAVE] buttons if your desired split point is outside of the current key range.
  • Page 25 The newly-created part will be assigned the next letter after the current part's letter. All subsequent part letters will be incremented by one. n. Layer?: Choose layer to duplicate the current part. The newly-created part will be assigned the next letter after the current part's letter.
  • Page 26 If you choose to split a beat, the MINIAK will prompt you to select the key on the keyboard where the split should occur. To select the split point, turn the DATA DIAL or play a key. You can use the [OCTAVE] buttons if your desired split point is outside of the current key range.
  • Page 27 Be sure to press the [STORE] button after you're satisfied with your changes. Otherwise, your changes will be lost when the MINIAK is turned off. However, keep in mind that you don't lose any changes when you switch to other modes, so feel free to browse through Programs or Rhythms without storing your Multi.

  • Page 28: Chapter 6: Programs

    The sound is getting near the end of its journey, but still has one more processing stage to go through. In the output stage, the MINIAK allows you to apply a drive effect, to give the sound a final push and add some compression, distortion, or other amplification effect.

  • Page 29: Modulation

    MINIAK provides one envelope that is specifically designed for this purpose. This is the amp envelope. However, envelopes are useful in all sorts of mod routes, which is why you can hook up any of the MINIAK's envelopes to any modulatable program parameter.

  • Page 30: Playing Programs

    3. split low. The Multi's existing part is split in two at a particular key. The MINIAK prompts for a note on the keyboard at which to execute the split. The Program is then sent to the lower part of the split.
  • Page 31 Each key triggers two voices, thereby halving the available polyphony down to four. four voices/note: Each key triggers four voices and the MINIAK's polyphony is reduced to two simultaneous voices. all voices/note: Reduces the MINIAK to monophonic operation, with all available voices dedicated to a single note.
  • Page 32 (PITCH) wheel. AnlgDrft: Set the amount of simulated analog drift, up to 100%. Analog synthesizers have circuits that drift out of tune over time. Adding a touch of drift can increase the realism of the MINIAK's analog emulation.
  • Page 33 With exponential FM, the FM Amount controls the range of pitch modulation, with a level of 100% driving the pitch up and down a full six octaves. 6. Oscillator parameters These parameters are repeated for each of the MINIAK's three oscillators. Waveform sine: Smooth and pure sound.
  • Page 34 1: Unique to the MINIAK. Formant filters are modeled on the human voice. This 3-band (3 bandpass filters) version emulates the "ah" and "oo" vowel sounds. vocal formant 2: Unique to the MINIAK. A 3-band formant filter which emulates the "oh" and "ee" vowel sounds.

  • Page 35: Fx1 Effects

    9. Post-filter mix parameters Set the mix levels and left-right pan positions for filter 1, filter 2, and the pre-filter mix. Also set the following parameters: Preflt Src (Pre-Filter Source): The outputs of the oscillators, as well as a few other signal sources, are fed into a virtual mixing board called the Pre Filter Mix.
  • Page 36 Range: sine wave, triangle wave F. LFO Tempo Sync This selects whether the LFO rate is synchronized to the MINIAK's tempo. When "follow tempo" is selected, the LFO Rate parameter is displayed as a multiple of the Tempo. Range: fixed rate, follow tempo Theta Flanger: The Theta Flanger is a combination of phaser and flanger effects.
  • Page 37 Range: sine wave, triangle wave F. Tempo Sync This selects whether the LFO rate is synchronized to the MINIAK's tempo. When "follow tempo" is selected, the LFO Rate parameter is displayed as a multiple of the Tempo. Range: fixed rate, follow tempo Super Phaser: The classic phaser effect is created by ganging multiple all-pass filter stages to create "notches,"...
  • Page 38 Range: sine wave, triangle wave F. Tempo Sync This selects whether the LFO rate is synchronized to the MINIAK's tempo. When "follow tempo" is selected, the LFO Rate parameter is displayed as a multiple of the Tempo. Range: fixed rate, follow tempo 40-band vocoder: A vocoder uses two sets of band-pass filters (filter banks) to impart the characteristics of one sound source onto another.

  • Page 39: Fx2 Effects

    Mono Delay: Delay takes the original signal, waits a specified period of time, and then plays it back, over and over. Mono delay sums the MINIAK's input to mono before applying the delay effect. The result is a less complex but more "focused" sound.
  • Page 40 Split Left/Right Delay: This stereo delay allows you to set the left and right delay times independently. Unlike the other delays, it does not allow for tempo synchronization. A. Left Delay Time This is the amount of time that the left-channel delay waits before regenerating the sound. Range: 1 ms –...
  • Page 41 If you are familiar with analog synths, this parameter may surprise you, since a traditional synth will remain in the sustain stage as long as you have the note held down. The MINIAK provides this behavior, of course – simply set this parameter to "hold", and your note will be sustained until your finger gets tired.
  • Page 42 Freerun setting. Sus Pedal (Sustain Pedal) The MINIAK treats the sustain pedal as if you are holding notes down on the keyboard, keeping notes within the sustain section of the envelope as long as the sustain pedal is held down.
  • Page 43 Reset mono The LFO is shared between the voices of a Program. It may be at any point in its cycle when the first key is pressed. New voices will "ride" that LFO, joining other voices at the exact same point in the LFO's cycle.
  • Page 44 The offset changes the destination's value before the modulation begins. After the last modulation route, you can add a new route, up to the maximum twelve routes. To remove a mod route, double-click on "Dest." The MINIAK will ask, "Remove mod?" Push the DATA DIAL to confirm.
  • Page 45 Mod sources Here are the inputs to the modulation matrix: SOURCE (none) Aftertch Env 1 Env 2 Env 3 ExpPedal Keytrack KeytrackXt LFO1 Saw LFO1CSaw LFO1 Sin LFO1CSin LFO1 Sqr LFO1CSqr LFO1 Tri LFO1CTri LFO2 Saw LFO2CSaw LFO2 Sin LFO2CSin LFO2 Sqr LFO2CSqr LFO2 Tri...
  • Page 46 Mod destinations Here are the possible destinations for the modulation matrix: DESTINATION Pitch PtchNar FM Amnt Osc1Pit Osc1Nar Osc1Shp Osc2Pit Osc2Nar Osc2Shp Osc3Pit Osc3Nar Osc3Shp Osc1Lvl Osc2Lvl Osc3Lvl RingLvl NoisLvl ExInLvl Osc1Bal Osc2Bal Osc3Bal RingBal NoisBal ExInBal F1F2Lvl PortaTm UnsnDtn Flt1Frq Flt1Res Flt1Env...
  • Page 47 Env1Amp Env1Rat Env1Atk Env1Dcy Env1STm Env1SLv Env1Rel Env2Amp Env2Rat Env2Atk Env2Dcy Env2STm Env2SLv Env2Rel Env3Amp Env3Rat Env3Atk Env3Dcy Env3STm Env3SLv Env3Rel LFO1Rat LFO1Amp LFO2Rat LFO2Amp S/H Rat S/H Sm S/H Amp Scales the amplitude of the envelope's output - thus affecting the amount that the envelope modulates anything else.
  • Page 48 You can even play other Programs without losing your edits. Just hit the [PROGRAMS] button and turn the DATA DIAL. You can always come back to your edited Program, just as you left it. The MINIAK doesn't discard your edits until you start editing a different Program.

  • Page 49: Chapter 7: Configuration

    5. Local Control: Turn the DATA DIAL clockwise once to edit the keyboard's local control setting. Options are "on," "off," or "off + send ptns." By default, local control is set to "on." Set to "on," the MINIAK functions normally – the keyboard, wheels, footswitches, and pedal all play the MINIAK.
  • Page 50 If the MINIAK is set to "single-channel" mode, you will be able to select the MIDI channel. If the MINIAK is set to "multi-channel" mode, you will be able to select the MIDI channel for the first part. The channel for each additional part and beat will increment from there. (For instance, if you set the channel to "4,"...

  • Page 51: Chapter 8: Midi

    (MIDI OUT) is for sending MIDI information to another device. • (MIDI THRU) echoes whatever is received on the (MIDI IN) port. Here are four typical MIDI setups for your MINIAK, and the appropriate connections for each of them: Controller. With this setup, you can use your MINIAK to "play"...
  • Page 52 The difference has to do with dependencies. For example, a Multi can depend on Sequences and Rhythms that are stored on your MINIAK. If you send a Multi to a friend and his MINIAK doesn't have the Sequences and Rhythms that your Multi uses, the Multi might not sound the same.

  • Page 53: Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I split and layer the keyboard? You need to create a Multi. MINIAK was designed to make splitting and layering as easy as possible. Follow this procedure: Press [PROGRAMS], and find a Program that you like.
  • Page 54 Hold down the [TAP TEMPO] button and turn the DATA DIAL to set the tempo precisely. • Connect your PC to your MINIAK via MIDI, and tell your PC's sequencer to send MIDI clock or MIDI timing messages. You can then set the tempo in your sequencer, and MINIAK will follow it.

  • Page 55: Troubleshooting

    Programs that contains the "#" symbol (which denotes vocoder Programs), plug a mic into the MIC INPUT, play the keyboard, and talk like a robot! TROUBLESHOOTING If you experience problems while operating your MINIAK, please use the following table to check for possible causes and solutions before contacting Akai customer service for assistance. SYMPTOMS...
  • Page 56 Recovering from a Crash If your MINIAK behaves erratically or "freezes" on you, turn it off, wait for a moment, and then turn it on again. Make sure you turn off any amplification first. If your instrument still isn't working after that, then disconnect the (MIDI IN) cable and repeat the power on/off trick.

  • Page 57: Technical Specifications

    TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Synthesis: Virtual analog (subtractive), noise generator, FM Polyphony: Up to 8 voices Up to 8 parts Timbrality: 3 per voice with continuously variable waveshapes, sync, linear and exponential Oscillators: FM, Ring Mod, routable modulation matrix per voice Filters: 2 multi-mode resonating filters per voice with 16 filter types 2 LFOs with multiple wave shapes, sample and hold, tracking generator, freely- Modulation:...
  • Page 60 WWW.AKAIPRO.COM...

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