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Black Corporation KIJIMI MK2 Operation Manual

8-voice analogue synthesizer
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  • Page 2 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 8-VOICE ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER BY BLACK CORPORATION 1.4.6...
  • 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

    INTRODUCTION PACKAGE CONTENTS FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS ARCHITECTURE SETUP AND CONNECTIONS POWER MIDI CONNECTIONS DIN MIDI USB MIDI PANEL LAYOUT MODULATIONS LFO1/LFO2 DESTINATION: VCO2 MODULATION VELOCITY & AFTERTOUCH MODULATION OSCILLATORS VCO1 VCO2 SUB OSCILLATOR NOISE GENERATOR SYNC AND KEY OFF ENVELOPE GENERATORS ADSR1 &...
  • Page 5 MIDI SETTINGS CC74 REPLACE (GLOBAL) CC74 REPLACE (PER-PATCH) PICK UP, MERGE, and INSTANT VELOCITY AND AFTERTOUCH PARAMETERS VOICE SETTINGS LFO SETTINGS MOD MODE (GLOBAL) LFO MODE (PER-PATCH) ENVELOPE (PER-PATCH) CYCLE MODE (PER-PATCH) ADSR2 MODE ARPEGGIATOR ARPEGGIATOR: RATE (GLOBAL) ARPEGGIATOR: RANDOMIZER (GLOBAL) VELOCITY (GLOBAL) PRESET VOLUME (PER-PATCH) MICROTUNING SETTINGS...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    PACKAGE CONTENTS When unpacking your KIJIMI MK2, check to make sure all of the following contents are present, and nothing has been lost or damaged in shipping. It may be helpful to save the packaging to protect the unit when transporting it. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at support@black-corporation.com.

  • Page 7: Features And Specifications

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS Polyphony: 8 voices Oscillators: 16 (2 per voice) Oscillator Type: Voltage controlled analog oscillators Oscillator Frequency Range: 10Hz to 12.5kHz Oscillator Waveshapes: Triangle, Saw, Square and variable Pulse ADSR1 and ADSR2: Attack time: 2ms - 10s...

  • Page 8: Architecture

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 ARCHITECTURE ● SSI2131 (CEM3340 in MK1) Voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) with continuously variable waveforms (variable pulse waveform at one end of the waveform spectrum), sub-oscillator. ● SSI2140 (SSM2044 in MK1) 24dB low-pass (LP) voltage-controlled filters (VCF) with velocity and (polyphonic) aftertouch control of both cutoff...

  • Page 9: Setup And Connections

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 SETUP AND CONNECTIONS POWER Connect an IEC cable to the DC power brick. Insert the barrel end of the power supply into the input labeled POWER 12VDC on the back of the unit. Plug the other end of the power supply into an AC outlet.
  • Page 10 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 You can connect the KIJIMI MK2 to your computer using a USB-B cable. This way, in your DAW settings, you can see the KIJIMI as a device to which you can send and receive MIDI signals.

  • Page 11: Panel Layout

    Multiple LFO, etc., need to be activated through the user menu. As with other BLACK CORPORATION synthesizers, the menu on KIJIMI MK2 is quite straightforward, and all items are easy to understand. On the main screen, at the top, there are labels such as S1 MPE/U, which indicate the VOICE and MIDI settings.

  • Page 12: Modulations

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 MODULATIONS The modulation matrix provides a powerful interface for shaping and evolving the sound of a synthesizer by allowing users to define and control the relationships between modulation sources and destinations. The first two rows of buttons are related to control using LFO1 and LFO2.

  • Page 13: Vco2 Modulation

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 ADSR2 AND VCO2 DESTINATION The next row controls using ADSR2, and VCO2.The envelope controls the VCO and WAVE on both generators as follows: RED: negative envelope modulation GREEN: positive envelope modulation BOTH: 2x positive envelope modulation ●...

  • Page 14: Velocity & Aftertouch Modulation

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 VELOCITY & AFTERTOUCH MODULATION The final control element on the modulation panel is VELOCITY & AFTERTOUCH MODULATION. Each potentiometer adjusts the amount of how velocity or aftertouch will affect a specific parameter. ● LFO1 RATE: LFO1 rate amount ●...

  • Page 15: Lfo

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 KIJIMI features two separate Low-Frequency Oscillators for versatile modulation possibilities. Each LFO includes the following set of controls: ● RATE: LFO rate ● min. 0.01Hz ● max. 100Hz Rates can be adjusted in the SETTINGS/LFO menu ●...
  • Page 16 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 ● GREEN: LFO2 EG ● OR BOTH LFO EG are active ● ATTACK: EG attack (can control LFO amplitude, rate, or both) ● DECAY: EG decay (can control LFO amplitude, rate, or both) In the SETTINGS menu, under LFO/ MOD MODE, you'll find two LFO operation modes: COMMON and INDIVIDUAL.

  • Page 17: Oscillators

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 OSCILLATORS Every oscillator provides a tuning span of ±24 semitones, with VCO2 featuring a finer tuning range of ±1 semitone for crafting typical detuned sounds. Furthermore, a KEY OFF button enables disconnection of either VCO1 or VCO2, or both, from the keyboard.

  • Page 18: Vco2

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 VCO2 ● FREQUENCY: ± 2oct ● WAVEFORM: morphs TRIANGLE->SAW->SQUARE, far right=VARIABLE PULSE) ● VOLUME: controls volume of VCO2 ● OSC2 DETUNE: ±1 semitone SUB OSCILLATOR Additionally, a sub-oscillator is found in the VCO1 section, producing a signal one octave lower than the combined outputs of both VCO1 and VCO2.

  • Page 19: Vcf

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 The combined signals from the oscillators in each voice are directed to their respective filter sections. These sections feature a single 24dB/octave low-pass filter equipped with standard frequency and resonance controls, both responsive to velocity and aftertouch. Additionally, there's a keyboard tracking control that, when set close to the 12 o'clock position, ensures the filter frequency tracks at 100 percent over roughly three octaves.
  • Page 20 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 Within the filter section, there is a dedicated contour generator (ADSR2) accompanied by a bi-polar amount control. Positioned adjacent to this are three switches that influence the contour.

  • Page 21: Envelope Generators

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 ENVELOPE GENERATORS The KIJIMI features two envelope generators (EG). The first one is dedicated to controlling the output voltage (VCA), while the second is responsible for adjusting the filter cutoff value and parameters in the MODULATIONS section.Through the modulation section, these generators can be applied across a VCO1,VCO2, WAVE1 and WAVE2 parameters.

  • Page 22: Adsr1 & Adsr2

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 ADSR1 & ADSR2 ● ATTACK: Controls how quickly the volume rises ● DECAY: Manages the time for the volume to decrease to the sustain level ● SUSTAIN: Governs the level sustained while the note is held ●...

  • Page 23: K.t

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 K.T. Attack Keyboard Tracking: Slower ADSR Attack on lower range of keyboard, faster ADSR Attack on higher range of keyboard. ● RED: ADSR2 K.T. ● GREEN: ADSR1 K.T. ● BOTH: ADSR2 and ADSR1 K.T. GLIDE...

  • Page 24: Audio/Headphones Output

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 ● RATE: time for portamento / glissando - 2sec/oct ● PORT/GLIS ● RED: portamento, ● GREEN: glissando AUDIO/HEADPHONES OUTPUT KIJIMI’s audio output jack is unbalanced monaural. Turn the VOLUME knob to minimum (fully counter-clockwise) before connecting an audio cable. Insert one end of a 1/4 inch instrument cable into the jack labeled AUDIO OUT on the back of the unit, and the other end into a powered amplifier or the input of an audio mixer.

  • Page 25: Program Selector Buttons

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 PROGRAM SELECTOR BUTTONS There are three buttons in the PROGRAM SELECTOR section, as well as an ENCODER. On the panel, the buttons are labeled as ENTER, BACK, and SHIFT. For the purposes of this manual, the ENTER, BACK, and SHIFT buttons will be described both in terms of their panel label as well as the variant name described on the display, as button functions may change depending on the subsection of the selected settings menu.

  • Page 26: Patch Bank Overview

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 While holding SHIFT, press ENTER (BANK) to cycle through banks until the desired patch bank is selected. To begin exploration of KIJIMI by building original patches from the panel settings press the ENCODER to enter PNL (Panel) Mode.

  • Page 27: Saving Patch Presets

    ● Press ENTER (SAVE) again. The patch has been saved, overwriting the previous values of that preset. SAVING AND UPLOADING BANKS FROM YOUR COMPUTER You can upload and save your preset banks in KIJIMI MK2 using the BC Updater program, which can be downloaded from the support section of our website.

  • Page 28: Settings

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 SETTINGS The settings menu allows for control of not only the global settings of the synthesizer, but also a subset of per-patch settings not accessible elsewhere on the front panel. Each subsection described in this manual of the menu will be labeled GLOBAL if its effect spans across all banks and patches, or PER-PATCH if it affects only the current patch.

  • Page 29: Midi Settings

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 MODE (GLOBAL) determines how KIJIMI operates with MIDI controllers, based on their capabilities. There are 2 settings: POLY AFTERTOUCH, and MPE. Note: Controllers require configuration, please refer to their respective manuals. ● For MIDI controllers with standard or no aftertouch, select the CHANNEL PRESSURE setting.

  • Page 30: Cc74 Replace (Global) Cc74 Replace (Per-Patch)

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 CC74 REPLACE (GLOBAL) CC74 REPLACE (PER-PATCH) MPE controllers allow additional expressivity by playing on the keys vertically, for example, along the surface of the keys. These movements are translated to continuous control messages on channel 74, which cannot be changed on the controller.
  • Page 31 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 MOD WHEEL POLARITY (PER-PATCH) selects whether the mod wheel increases or decreases the value of the destination selected in MOD WHEEL DESTINATION. POSITIVE adds to the value of the CC destination as the action of the mod controller increases, while NEGATIVE decreases it.

  • Page 32: Velocity And Aftertouch Parameters

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 VELOCITY AND AFTERTOUCH PARAMETERS VELOCITY CURVE (PER-PATCH) determines the shape of the spread of values applied to all velocity modulation parameters. These include LINEAR, LOGARITHMIC, EXPONENTIAL, STYPE, NTYPE.** AFTERTOUCH CURVE (PER-PATCH) determines the shape of the spread of values applied to all aftertouch modulation parameters.

  • Page 33: Voice Settings

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 VOICE SETTINGS The VOICE settings section governs how KIJIMI assigns and manages its 8 analogue voices and how they are played. MODE (PER-PATCH) selects how voices are assigned as keys are played. Available options are MONOPHONIC, POLYPHONIC, and UNISON.
  • Page 34 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 PLAYBACK (PER-PATCH) determines how the sustain of notes or chords is handled when new notes or chords are played. Available options include SUSTAIN I and SUSTAIN II . ● SUSTAIN I: All notes sustain and release independently regardless of what other notes or chords are played, and each note has the same release time.

  • Page 35: Lfo Settings

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 LFO SETTINGS The LFO settings allow you to determine whether you would like to operate KIJIMI in a manner that is simple and straightforward or incredibly complex allowing for interesting variations to add additional character to your sounds.

  • Page 36: Lfo Mode (Per-Patch)

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 LFO MODE (PER-PATCH) LFO MODE determines the behavior of the LFO when multiple notes or chords are played. Available options include POLY and MONO. ● POLY: LFO cycles are created independently per note. If multiple notes are played at different times, their LFOs will cycle independently.

  • Page 37: Arpeggiator: Rate (Global)

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 ● UP - lowest to highest ● DOWN - highest to lowest ● UP DOWN - lowest to highest (played once) and back ● UP AND DOWN - lowest to highest, then highest to lowest ● PINKY UP - similar to UP with highest note played between other notes ●...

  • Page 38: Microtuning Settings

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 MICROTUNING SETTINGS MICROTUNING allows KIJIMI to be played in keys outside of standard 12 tone equal temperament. Available options include ON or OFF. STATE ●  ON: Microtuning is enabled. This also enables a new section of the CALIBRATION settings menu called TUNING PROGRAM.
  • Page 39 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 detent knobs to the MAXIMUM position (furthest clockwise) and again press ENTER. Calibration occurs instantly. When complete, the screen will display “DONE.” Press CANCEL (OK) to return to the CALIBRATION settings screen. OSCILLATORS calibrates the oscillators of all voices simultaneously or on a per-voice basis.

  • Page 40: About

    ABOUT displays the following information about the device: ● Hardware revision number ● Firmware revision number ● Black Corporation copyright information RESET SETTINGS (GLOBAL) RESET SETTINGS reverts all KIJIMI settings back to their defaults. Selecting this will display the following message: “TO RESET SETTINGS PRESS ENTER.”...

  • Page 41: Midi Cc Chart

    OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 MIDI CC CHART MIDI CC FUNCTION BANK SELECT MOD WHEEL POT MOD LFO1 AMOUNT POT MOD LFO2 AMOUNT EXPANDER SUSTAIN SWITCH CC10 EXPANDER SUSTAIN SLIDER CC14 MOD LFO2 TO LPF CC15 MOD ADSR2 TO VCO2 CC16...
  • Page 42 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 CC40 POT MOD ADSR2 AMOUNT CC41 POT MOD VELOCITY TO LFO1 RATE CC42 POT MOD AFTERTOUCH TO LFO1 RATE CC43 POT MOD VELOCITY TO LFO2 RATE CC44 POT MOD AFTERTOUCH TO LFO2 RATE CC45 POT MOD VELOCITY TO WAVEFORM MORPH...
  • Page 43 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 CC66 POT VCO2 WAVEFORM CC67 POT VCO2 VOLUME CC68 POT VCO2 OSC2 DETUNE CC69 POT VCF FREQUENCY CC70 POT VCF VELOCITY CONTROL CC71 POT VCF AFTERTOUCH CONTROL CC72 POT VCF ADSR2 CONTROL CC73 POT VCF RESONANCE...
  • Page 44 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 CC89 MOD LFO1 TO VCO2 CC90 MOD LFO1 TO WAVE1 CC91 MOD LFO1 TO WAVE2 CC92 MOD LFO1 TO SUB CC93 MOD LFO1 TO LPF CC94 MOD LFO1 TO RESO CC95 MOD LFO1 TO VCA CC102...
  • Page 45 OPERATION MANUAL KIJIMI MK2 Roman Filippov Bob Akber Nicholas Benedek Aleksandr Kholenko Black Corporation G.K., All Rights Reserved 2024.

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