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Black Corporation XERXES MK2 Operation Manual

8-voice polyphonic synthesizer
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  • Page 2 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 8-VOICE POLYPHONIC SYNTHESIZER BY BLACK CORPORATION 1.1.1...
  • Page 3 FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. EUROPEAN UNION REGULATION COMPLIANCE STATEMENT This product complies with the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PACKAGE CONTENTS FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS INITIAL SETUP MIDI CHANNEL: MIDI AFTERTOUCH MODE: MIDI CC# 74 DESTINATION (MPE MODE ONLY): ENABLE MIDI CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER MESSAGES: KNOB RESPONSE MODE: GLOBAL TRANSPOSE: PANEL LAYOUT SYSTEM MEMORY AND CONTROL PANEL PANEL MODE SELECTING BANKS RECALLING PATCHES...
  • Page 5 SPECIAL PERFORMANCE MODES FILTER VELOCITY KEY ASSIGNER MODES MONOPHONIC MODES LEGATO NOTE PRIORITY SETTINGS SETTINGS MENU MENU STRUCTURE MIDI CC CHART...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    ● Rack Ears and Mounting Screws (Caution: Use the screws provided in the bag or you could damage your unit!) ● 4 Self-Adhesive Felt Pads ● Black Corporation Logo Stickers It is a good idea to hold on to your packaging if you would like to transport XERXES safely.

  • Page 7: Features And Specifications

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS Polyphony: 8 voices Voice Layers: 1 (monotimbral) Oscillators: 16 (2 per voice) Oscillator Type: Hybrid digitally controlled analog oscillators Oscillator Frequency Range: 0.1Hz to 20kHz Oscillator Waveforms: Triangle, Saw, Square, Pulse with additional modulations Oscillator Controls: Octave (1’-16’), Transpose, Pulse Width, Volume...

  • Page 8: Initial Setup

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 INITIAL SETUP Xerxes requires an external MIDI controller to produce sounds. It may be necessary to adjust settings appropriately to match the synthesizer to the type of MIDI controller used. Modify the following global settings as needed. To enter Settings, press SHIFT + BACK. Use the Encoder to select an item in the list, press the Enter button or Encoder knob to enter a submenu or save a new setting, and then press the Back button to navigate out from the menu tree.

  • Page 9: Panel Layout

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 PANEL LAYOUT Xerxes is designed to be intuitive and straightforward. Most of the functionality can be easily controlled in real time using the buttons and knobs on the front panel. For some buttons, the current selection is indicated with a row of lights next to the button. Others serve multiple functions as indicated by a combination of lights on that button.
  • Page 10 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 ● PORTAMENTO / GLIDE: Controls note pitch movement at the beginning or from note to note. ● CHORUS EFFECTS: Selects 3 different types of chorus effects that are applied to the audio output. ● DYNAMICS: Controls how note velocity and aftertouch affect the volume and filter settings.

  • Page 11: System Memory And Control Panel

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 SYSTEM MEMORY AND CONTROL PANEL This section allows patch saving and recall, system settings changes, setup, and calibration functions. The Enter, Back, and Shift buttons together with the encoder knob allow for easy navigation. Depending on function, the display will show the current functionality for each button as applicable.

  • Page 12: Recalling Patches

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 RECALLING PATCHES To select a patch in the selected bank, turn the encoder. The selected patch number is shown in the display. To select a certain patch without scrolling thru all patches, press the Back button (shows LOAD on the display button image), use the scroll wheel to select the patch, and then press the Back button again.
  • Page 13 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 be synchronized to oscillator 1 frequency when the oscillator 2 sync option is turned on. The individual oscillator frequencies can be very precisely controlled with sub-milliHertz precision when using microtuning tables that can be uploaded to the instrument via MIDI or when used with mictrotuning software such as the Oddsound MTS software.
  • Page 14 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 The following is a description of oscillator section panel controls: OCTAVE Selects the octave in feet (16’, 8’, 4’, 2’, 1’), which transposes the keyboard up or down in octaves. The smaller the number the higher the pitch on the keyboard.
  • Page 15 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 OSC x PAM Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) is a unique feature to the Xerxes synthesizer. The pulse amplitude (height) of the current oscillator is modulated by the waveform amplitude of the other oscillator. If this button is pressed, Pulse waveform is automatically selected.
  • Page 16 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 RING MOD. Selects Ring Modulation, which inverts the waveform of the current oscillator with the amplitude of the other oscillator. This is especially useful when used in combination with the Oscillator 2 Sync and Glide functions where it can generate sounds with harsh overtones that vary over time, such as metallic, laser, and bell-like sounds.

  • Page 17: Multimode Filter

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 MULTIMODE FILTER The filter controls the harmonic content of the raw audio output from the oscillators by changing the frequency ranges of the audio signal. Xerxes’ filter has four modes that define which frequency bands are being controlled. Additionally, the note envelope and keyboard tracking can be changed dynamically based on velocity and keyboard position.

  • Page 18: Lfo

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 the filter cutoff point to find the best balance for a desired effect. KEYBOARD Keyboard knob allows the filter cutoff to track the note’s pitch played on the keyboard. When it is turned clockwise from 0, higher pitches have a higher cutoff...
  • Page 19 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 independent or synchronized with the Sync button. Aftertouch can also be used to control the intensity of the LFO Amount. FREQUENCY Adjusts the speed for the selected LFO A or B from about 0.02Hz to 40Hz.
  • Page 20 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 OSC 1/2 Selects which oscillator pitch the selected LFO modulates. Select none, 1, 2, or both oscillators. Depth is applied polyphonically and affects each note independently when being controlled with polyphonic aftertouch. VCF/VCA Selects whether the selected LFO modulates the Filter (VCF) or Amplifier (VCA, Volume) for the voice.

  • Page 21: Tuning

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 TUNING Tuning section is used to control the master tuning for the entire instrument. MASTER Adjusts the global tuning for the entire instrument with a continuous range of 2 semitones up or down, with 0 setting representing a perfectly tuned instrument where A4 = 440Hz thanks to its digitally controlled oscillators.

  • Page 22: Drift

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 DRIFT This feature is unique to the Xerxes synthesizer. While the Xerxes synthesizer is using analog oscillators, the pitch is controlled digitally, and they never drift or go out of tune. While this is certainly an advantage when producing sharp or metallic sounds, it can also be a disadvantage as the tone can sound too static with some patches, and using the LFO can sound too regular.

  • Page 23: Osc 2 Sync

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 OSC 2 SYNC The controls in this section can be used to precisely synchronize oscillator 2 with oscillator 1. When enabled, oscillator 2 waveform will restart at a precise time when oscillator 1 waveform is restarting. Variable phase control is a unique feature to the Xerxes synthesizer. It allows adjusting the phase of the oscillator 2 waveform against oscillator 1 by introducing a delay to the oscillator 2 phase starting point with respect to oscillator 1.
  • Page 24 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 DEGREES When PHASE is enabled, the Degrees knob adjusts the oscillator 2 synchronization to a specific phase in oscillator 1 waveform over a range from 0 degrees to almost 360 degrees. If both oscillators are using the same frequency, a mid-point in the knob represents the oscillator frequencies 180 degrees out of phase.

  • Page 25: Noise

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 NOISE Noise can be added and mixed with the oscillator outputs before they are mixed and routed into the filter section. Two types of noise are available with a level control. WHITE/PINK Selects the type of noise. White noise contains a full spectrum from lowest to highest audible frequencies.

  • Page 26: Portamento / Glide

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 RELEASE Enables the release envelope to function normally when selected. If this button is turned off, release section of the note’s envelope does not function, and the sound is turned off immediately when a note is released regardless of the Release knob setting in the Amplifier Envelope section.

  • Page 27: Chorus Effects

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 CHORUS EFFECTS The Xerxes synthesizer has a stereo analog Bucket Brigade Device (BBD) chorus circuit built-in with 3 different fixed chorus settings. When enabled, this effect is added to the sound before the final output. A single button controls all 3 settings, plus an OFF setting when both LEDs are off.

  • Page 28: Dynamics

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 DYNAMICS Dynamics knobs adjust the effect of note velocity and aftertouch on the oscillator volume and filter settings. If the synthesizer is in polyphonic aftertouch or MPE mode, all of these effects are applied polyphonically, affecting both oscillator volume and filter frequency for individual notes.
  • Page 29 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 AFTERTOUCH Adjusts how aftertouch data affects oscillator volume. Turning the knob clockwise AMPLIFIER from 0 causes a note pressed harder to make it louder. Turning it counterclockwise from 0 will have the opposite effect. NOTE: The default volume level that applies to minimum MIDI aftertouch data is set in VOICE >...

  • Page 30: Amplifier Envelope

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 AMPLIFIER ENVELOPE Amplifier Envelope knobs adjust the amplitude and timing of individual sections of the volume curve from the moment each note is played. ATTACK Adjusts the time it takes for the note’s volume to reach a full level after a note is struck.

  • Page 31: Filter Envelope

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 FILTER ENVELOPE Similar to the Amplifier Envelope section, the Filter Envelope knobs adjust the filter cutoff and timing of individual sections of the filter cutoff curve from the moment each note is played. ATTACK Adjusts the time it takes for the note’s filter cutoff frequency to reach maximum after a note is struck.

  • Page 32: Special Voice Modes

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 SPECIAL VOICE MODES POLYPHONY MODE There are 3 different modes that select the polyphonic and monophonic voice modes. These are selected under VOICE > MODE in Settings. ● MONOPHONIC: Only one voice is active at all times, effectively turning it into a monosynth ●...

  • Page 33: Lfo Polyphony Mode

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 LFO POLYPHONY MODE This setting allows the LFO to affect the destinations either monophonically or polyphonically (for oscillator pitch or filter only). This can be selected under TIME > LFO MODE setting. ● MONO: LFO waveform controls all selected destinations at the same time for all voices ●...

  • Page 34: Monophonic Modes

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 ● SUSTAIN II: This is a special CS-80 mode, which assigns the same voice to disconnected notes and then retriggers the new note’s envelope from the previous note’s release level. This makes it possible to hold a chord with one hand and play a solo with the other hand similar to a monosynth.

  • Page 35: Settings Menu

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 SETTINGS MENU Xerxes synthesizer contains internal settings which are accessible via the settings menu. These contain MIDI settings, additional settings for voices that are not available on the panel, system setup and calibration functions, and system reset and firmware upgrade functionality.
  • Page 36 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 MODWHEEL ● LFO A SPEED ● LFO A DEPTH DESTINATION* ● LFO B SPEED ● LFO B DEPTH ● FILTER FREQ ● FILTER RESO ● PULSE WIDTH 1 ● PULSE WIDTH 2 ● OCTAVE 1 ● OCTAVE 2 ●...
  • Page 37 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 VOICES MODE* ● MONOPHONIC ● POLYPHONIC ● UNISON CARDS PER VOICE* ● 1-4 NUMBER OF VOICES ● 8-1 VCA LEVEL* ● 10-100% FILTER VELOCITY* ● FREQUENCY ● ENVELOPE FILTER AFTERTOUCH* ● FREQUENCY ● ENVELOPE PLAYBACK* ● SUSTAIN I ●...
  • Page 38 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 ● -6 DB - +6DB PRESSET VOLUME* LFO* LFO MAX ● 1-100 HZ LFO MIN ● 0.01-0.10 HZ LFO 1 SYNC ● OFF ● ON LFO 2 SYNC ● OFF ● ON AMOUNT MODE ● COMMON ●...
  • Page 39 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 FILTERS ● TUNE ALL VOICES ● TUNE VOICE 1-8 TIME* GLIDE MAX TIME ● 1-10 S/OCT ADSR MULT ● X1-4 ● NEVER ● 5 MINUTES SCREENSAVER ● 10 MINUTES ● 30 MINUTES ● 1 HOUR ● DISPLAYS SYSTEM INFORMATION...

  • Page 40: Midi Cc Chart

    OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 MIDI CC CHART CHANNEL 1 POT_LFO_FREQ CC40 CC41 POT_OSC2SYNC_DEGREES CC42 POT_GLIDE_AMOUNT CC43 POT_DINAMIC_VELO_AMPLIFIER CC44 POT_VCFENV_ATTACK CC45 POT_DINAMIC_AFTER_FILTER POT_VCFENV_DECAY CC46 CC47 POT_DINAMIC_AFTER_AMPLIFIER POT_VCFENV_SUSTAIN CC48 POT_OSC2_VOLUME CC49 POT_VCFENV_RELEASE CC50 POT_MMF_MODULATION_ENV CC51 CC52 POT_VCAENV_ATTACK CC53 POT_MASTER_VOLUME POT_MMF_MODULATION_KBRD CC54 CC55...
  • Page 41 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 CC62 POT_LFO2_DELAY POT_LFO_DELAY CC65 POT_OSC2_TRANSPOSE CC66 CC67 POT_OSC1_PW CC68 POT_TUNING_MASTER CC69 POT_MMF_FREQ POT_VCAENV_SUSTAIN CC70 CC71 POT_DRIFT_DENSITY CC72 POT_MMF_RESO CC73 POT_OSC1_VOLUME CC75 POT_VCAENV_RELEASE POT_DRIFT_SPEED CC76 CC77 POT_GLIDE_SPEED CC78 POT_DINAMIC_FILTER CC79 POT_OSC1_TRANSPOSE CC80 POT_LFO2_DEPTH POT_LFO2_FREQ CC81 CC82 POT_LFO2_DELAY...
  • Page 42 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 CHANNEL 2 BUTTON_LFO_SYN C CC40 BUTTON_LFO_WA VEFORM CC41 CC42 BUTTON_LFO_OS C12 BUTTON_LFO_VCF VCA CC43 CC44 BUTTON_LFO_AB CC45 BUTTON_LFO_PW 12 BUTTON_LFO_PHASE CC46 BUTTON_LFO_AFT ERTOUCH CC47 CC48 BUTTON_OSC2_S YNC CC49 BUTTON_NOISE CC50 BUTTON_OSC1_O CTAVE CC51 BUTTON_OSC2_O CTAVE CC52...
  • Page 43 OPERATION MANUAL XERXES MK2 Roman Filippov Bob Akber Ando Pilve Aleksandr Kholenko Black Corporation G.K., All Rights Reserved 2024.

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