Arpeggiator Section - Novation KS Rack User Manual

Effects Section - Arpeggiator Section
A Vocoder is a device which analyzes selected frequencies present in an
audio signal (called a Modulator), and superimposes these frequencies
onto another sound (called the Carrier).
It actually does this by feeding the Modulator signal into a bank of band
pass filters. Each of these filters (16 of them on the KS Rack) covers a set
band in the audio spectrum from low to high frequencies.
The KS Rack's Vocoder always usesa Program (for example a string
sound) for the Carrier. It is routed to another complete set of 16 filters
which have the same frequency band settings as the bank of filters used
for the Modulator. Each of the outputs from the 16 band pass filters in the
Modulator bank control the volume of each of filters in the Carrier bank.
The final character of the vocoded sound will depend greatly upon the
harmonics present in the Carrier Program. Programs very rich in harmon-
ics (for example using Sawtooth Waves) will generally give the best
results.
Typically, the Modulator signal used by a Vocoder would be a human
voice speaking into a microphone. This creates the distinctive robot or
'talky' like sounds which have recently returned to popularity and are now
being used more frequently in modern Pop and Dance music.
Bear in mind however, that the Modulator signal need not be restricted to
human speech. Other types of Modulator signal can be used (for exam-
ple, an electric guitar or drums) and can often give quite unexpected and
interesting results.
Modulator audio signals such as from a microphone or CD should always
be fed into the KS Rack's AUDIO IN socket, located on the front panel.
The pitch of the final vocoded sound will depend on whatever pitch the
Carrier (currently selected Program) is playing. Notes can received via
MIDI from an external keyboard or sequencer. These notes must be
played simultaneously while the Modulator signal is present, otherwise the
Vocoder effect will not appear to work.
The Vocoder is activated and balanced by using the Effect LEVEL knob.
When this knob is turned fully counter-clockwise, the Vocoder is disabled.
As the knob is slowly turned clockwise from the full counter-clockwise
position, the Carrier signal will be heard. As the knob is moved towards
the 12 o'clock position, the Carrier signal will diminish and the fully vocod-
ed sound will become more prominent. At the 12 o'clock position, only the
fully vocoded will be heard. The Carrier or Modulator signals will not be
present. As the LEVEL knob is moved clockwise from the 12 o'clock posi-
tion, more of the raw Modulator signal will be introduced until at the fully
clockwise position, only the Modulator signal will be present.
More settings are available to help shape the final Vocoder Effect. These
are detailed on Page 46 in the Advanced Features chapter.
Note : In Performance Mode, only one Vocoder can be used. In
Performance Mode, this is always routed to Part 1. Altering any vocoder
parameters will always result in Part 1 being affected - even if it is not cur-
rently selected for editng.
Note : If either of the Effect SELECT buttons are pressed while the Effects
Menu is active in Menu Mode, the display will be updated to show set-
tings relevant to the newly-selected Effect.
EFFECTS LEVEL Knob functions
Effects Level Knob
Effect Selected Function
Delay Delay Level
Reverb Reverb Level
Chorus Chorus Level
Distortion Distortion Boost
EQ EQ Cut/Boost
Panning Mod Depth
Vocoder Vocoder On/Balance
This control's function depends upon the Effect currently selected for edit-
ing by the SELECT buttons. In most cases, it will control the Effect's level,
but there are exceptions. All possibilities are detailed in the above table.
MAIN FEATURES AND OPERATION
Display Value
Delay Send 0...127
Reverb Send 0...127
Chrous Send 0...127
Distortion 0...127
Equalisation -64...63
PAN Mod Depth 0...127
Vocoder Bal 0...127
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Arpeggiator Section

Arpeggiator
tempo
sync menu
An Arpeggiator breaks down chords into single notes and plays them one
at a time. For example, if a 'C' triad chord is held, the notes C, E and G
will play one by one in sequence.
In Performance Mode, each Part can have its own Arpeggiator running
with its own unique settings and time signature. Each Arpeggiator can be
synchronised with the Arpeggiators used by the other Parts.
Which Arpeggiator pattern is used and how the sequence of notes are
played is determined by settings of the functions located in the
Arpeggiator Menu. See Page 54 in the Advanced Features chapter for
more details on these.
TEMPO Knob
This controls the speed at which the Arpeggiator plays back its notes.
When turned fully anticlockwise, the Arpeggiator will step through a
sequence at 64 beats per minute. Clockwise movement increases speed.
The maximum speed available is 191 b.p.m.
Note ; In Performance Mode, there is only one Arpeggiator TEMPO con-
trol which is common to all Parts. It is therefore not possible to have differ-
ent Parts running at different TEMPO speeds.
When the Global MIDI Clock Source value (see Page 50) is set to INT,
this knob also controls the tempo of any synchronized Chorus, Delay,
Panning or EQ effects. See the Hypersync paragraph on page 29 and
the Synchronisation Menu on page 52 for details on how to synchronise
these.
When MIDI Clock Source is set to EXT, the tempo of any synchronized
Arpeggiator, Chorus, Delay, Panning or EQ will be controlled by the tempo
of the external sequencer instead of the TEMPO knob which will have no
effect on the speed.
If this knob appears to have no effect on the tempo, the reason is proba-
bly due to MIDI Clock Source being set to EXT or that the external
sequencer is currently stopped (stopped sequencers do not usually trans-
mit MIDI Clock messages).
ARP ON Button
This activates / deactivates the Arpeggiator. While the Arpeggiator is acti-
vated, the LED above the button will be lit.
While an arpeggio is running, it can be stopped immediately by either
pressing the ARP ON button again or by pressing the PERF or PROG
buttons.
ARP LATCH Button
This button enables the Arpeggiator Latch feature which enables the
Arpeggiator to remember the last set of notes played on the keyboard.
When latched, the LED above the button is lit. The Arpeggiator sequence
will continue to play even after notes have been released.
Once all notes on the keyboard have been released, the next chord to be
played on the keyboard will clear the existing latch memory and only the
newly played chord will be Arpeggiated.
Note : It is possible to control the Arpeggiator Latch On/Off from an exter-
nal Computer/Sequencer/Keyboard. Transmit MIDI CC 64 (Sustain) with a
value of 127 to turn the Arpeggiator latch ON and transmit controller num-
ber 64 with a value of 0 to turn the latch OFF.
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arp on
arp latch
arp menu