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Retroaktiv MPG-8X User Manual And Reference Manual
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Retroaktiv MPG-8X User Manual And Reference Manual

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USER GUIDE AND REFERENCE
All rights reserved. 2021 Retroaktiv LLC.
Colorado, USA.

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Summary of Contents for Retroaktiv MPG-8X

  • Page 1 USER GUIDE AND REFERENCE All rights reserved. 2021 Retroaktiv LLC. Colorado, USA.
  • Page 2 CC, an expression pedal, or the two ASSIGN MPG-8X allows users to store and name sliders on the MPG-8X front panel. custom CC maps, allowing users to create their own custom control maps for other gear using the MPG-8X panel.

  • Page 3: M E N U Navi Gati O N B Ut To N S

    Large white OLED display presents information about The menu navigation buttons are used to select the operation being performed. editor pages in the MPG-8X. The [LEFT] and [RIGHT] buttons are used to move the cursor in the menu pages. STO RAG E & O B J ECT T YPE STO RAG E &...

  • Page 4: Quick Start

    To begin using your MPG-8X, it’s important to understand the basic connections and setup requirements. The most basic setup is to send the MIDI OUT from your DAW or MIDI controller, to the MIDI IN of the MPG-8X. The MIDI OUT of the MPG-8X is connected to the MIDI IN of the MKS-80. The default state of the MPG-8X is for MIDI ECHO to be enabled.

  • Page 5: M E N U S An D Navi Gati O N

    M E N U S AN D NAVI GATI O N M E N U S AN D NAVI GATI O N The MPG-8X will boot up and display the MAIN menu screen. The diagram below shows the contents displayed on the MAIN screen.
  • Page 6 Note that the Unit 1 & 2 Output channels correspond to the channels each MKS-80 is set to receive on. Unit 1 & 2 Out Channels do not need to match the Unit 1 & 2 Input channels. Data received at MPG-8X on.
  • Page 7 Unit 1 In Ch & Unit 2 In Ch: Unit 1 In Ch & Unit 2 In Ch: (MPG-8X MIDI IN CH) Used to select which channels the MPG-8X will be receiving note, CC, aftertouch, and pitch bend data on. When MIDI Echo is enabled, data received by MPG-8X on UNIT When MIDI Echo is enabled, data received by MPG-8X on UNIT 1 &...
  • Page 8 In this case, MIDI data received on channel 1 will be sent on channel 3 to MKS-80 UNIT 1. Channel 3 is not an input channel for UNIT 1 or 2, so this data will be ignored if it gets passed back to MPG-8X. MIDI data received on channel 5 will be passed to MKS-80 UNIT 2 on channel 7.
  • Page 9 When enabled Note/CC/control data will be received on Unit 1 In Ch only (Unit 2 In Ch will be ignored), and the MPG-8X will send note data on the Unit1Ch and Unit2Ch. For this mode to work, Unit1Ch be ignored), and the MPG-8X will send note data on the Unit1Ch and Unit2Ch. For this mode to work, Unit1Ch and Unit2Ch must be different channels.
  • Page 10 - When enabled, playing a single note on the keyboard will play the selected chord. The MPG-8X CHORD MODE function allows users to input a chord, and then play it by keying a note. The chord will be transposed anywhere on the keyboard where a new note is keyed. To access the CHORD MODE function, navigate to the MIDI PROCESS/FILTER page in the MIDI menu.
  • Page 11 PATCH objects in the 8X is different than the format of PATCH objects in the MKS-80 memory. In the MKS- 80, there are 64 tones, and 64 patches, with each patch linking to 2 of the 64 tones. In MPG-8X, there are 64 patches in a bank, but 128 individual tones, which allows us to store a patch with a single button press instead of needing to store each tone separately, then link those 2 tones in the PATCH menu.
  • Page 12 2. Use the Receive MKS-80 Patch Bank function in the MPG-8X Sysex Menu to load the bank into the MPG-8X. 3. Use the Send Patch Bank function in the MPG-8X Sysex Menu to send the bank to the computer. (Once in the MPG-8X, the bank has been converted into Retroaktiv Patch format) 4.
  • Page 13 Storing and Loading User CC Maps: MPG-8X internal memory can store 24 User CC Maps. To store or load a map, go to the User CC Map menu, and press the STORE or LOAD button once. A list of currently stored CC maps will be displayed. Select the desired slot to be loaded or stored, then press the [STORE] or [LOAD] button.
  • Page 14 MPG-8X instead of a sysex message. When using the MPG-8X to translate CC messages into sysex messages for the MKS-80, each of the TONE layers on each UNIT has its own MIDI channel. For example if the UNIT 1 IN channel is set to 1(2), and the UNIT 2 IN channel is set to 3(4), then incoming CCs on channel 1 would affect UNIT 1 UPPER tone parameters, CCs on ch 2 would affect UNIT 1 LOWER tone parameters.
  • Page 15 RETROAKTIV MPG-8X USER MANUAL When using CC to sysex translation, it is recommended that your connections are as shown in the diagram below. Take note that if using 2 MKS-80 units, there should be no overlap of either MIDI IN or MIDI OUT channels. This means that setting UNIT 1 to receive on 1(2) and UNIT 2 to receive on 2(3) would result in CCs on channel 2 affecting UNIT 1 LOWER and UNIT 2 UPPER, which is undesirable in most situations.
  • Page 16 “Init tones”. (Scratch Tones”) This tool provides an endless supply of new, musical tones, which can be created on any layer of an MPG-8X SETUP. Here’s how it all works: The Patch Generator uses categories so users can tell it which type of sound to create. Below is a chart showing the various categories and subcategories, as well as a brief description of the types of sounds each will generate.
  • Page 17 RETROAKTIV MPG-8X USER MANUAL Pads - An assortment of different types of synth pads. Pads - An assortment of different types of synth pads. • • All All - Randomly selects pads from any of the following sub-categories. • •...

  • Page 18: Copy And Paste

    CO PY & PASTE A tone can be copied from any layer to any other layer in the MPG-8X. To copy, press [SHIFT] + [LOWER] or [SHIFT] + [UPPER] to copy the desired tone. A dialog will pop up, asking which destination the copied tone...
  • Page 19 MPG-8X. layer of either synth plugged into the MPG-8X. This allows us to do something like sweep the filter cutoff up on the UPPER layer, while sweeping the cutoff down on the LOWER layer. Using the assigns and combinations of assigns, a sound can be animated in ways not possible on other controllers.
  • Page 20 There are a few guidelines to follow to maximize the MIDI performance of the MPG-8X when using assigns. An ASSIGN has the potential to generate large amounts of MIDI data. If you’re using an ASSIGN with 5 layers, which is routed to BOTH layers of the synthesizer, this will generate 10 MIDI sysex messages with each movement of the ASSIGN source.
  • Page 21 RETROAKTIV MPG-8X USER MANUAL I NTU ITIVE E NTRY O F AS S I G N L AYE R S I NTU ITIVE E NTRY O F AS S I G N L AYE R S While users can manually enter all of the necessary information into each ASSIGN layer, this can become tedious when creating many different routing destinations.
  • Page 22 RETROAKTIV MPG-8X USER MANUAL VO L & X- FADE S LI DE R VO L & X- FADE S LI DE R The VOL & X-FADE slider on the front panel allows users to either set the master volume of the MKS-80 (When in volume mode) or it can crossfade between UNIT 1 and UNIT 2.
  • Page 23 M PG -8X M E M O RY STO RAG E M PG -8X M E M O RY STO RAG E MPG-8X allows users to store a variety of different “objects” such as PATCH, TONE, ASSIGNS, or a SETUP. MPG- 8X has the following banks of objects available: •...
  • Page 24 In a typical MKS-80 bank, many tones are shared by multiple patches, which means if a tone is edited and saved, it affects all patches that share that tone. In the MPG-8X, no tones are shared in a patch bank.
  • Page 25 YOUR OBJECTS. YOUR OBJECTS. MPG-8X will always remember the settings from your last session when you power up. Power up holding MPG-8X will always remember the settings from your last session when you power up. Power up holding [STORE] to wipe out general user settings, such as MIDI settings.
  • Page 26 The pause in between sysex packets allows the MPG-8X time to process each packet and write it to FLASH. When ready, send the file to the MIDI IN of the MPG-8X. The XMOD INV LED will blink once for each sysex packet.

  • Page 27: Weight And Dimensions

    WE I G HT AN D D I M E N S I O N S The MPG-8X is 9 pounds and the enclosure measures 17” x 8.75” x 3.5”. The enclosure has 4 heavy-duty screw- on rubber feet for no-slip tabletop use. The MPG-8X can also be rackmounted using optional rack ears, or the Retroaktiv 5U Swiveling Rack System, both of which can be purchased at www.