Kurzweil K2500 - PERFORMANCE GUIDE REV F PART NUMBER 910251 CHAP 6 Manual page 16

Program Mode and the Program Editor
Program Editor— KEYMAP Page
sound characteristics). The nature of the change depends on the timbre itself, so this parameter
calls for experimentation. Basically, timbre shifting changes a note's timbre by imposing
different harmonic qualities onto the note. A timbre-shifted note retains its original pitch, but its
harmonics are those of the same timbre at a higher or lower pitch. Positive values for this
parameter tend to brighten a sound, while negative values darken.
Here's an example. If you shift the timbre up 4 semitones, then playing C 4 will result in the
pitch C 4, but will actually play the sample normally assigned to G# 3, and shift its pitch up 4
semitones. This will increase the playback rate of the sample, so although the pitch remains
normal, the timbre is brighter. You'd get the same effect by setting the Xpose parameter on the
Keymap page to -4 semitones, then setting the Adjust on the PITCH page to + 4 semitones. For
multi-sample layers with narrow key ranges, large amounts of timbre shifting will cause
different sample roots to be played back.
Playback Mode
This gives you four options for manipulating the samples in the current layer as you trigger
them. Normal leaves the samples unaffected, while Reverse plays them in reverse. At a value of
Reverse, the samples will continue to loop as long as notes are sustained. To play them just once
in reverse, you would adjust the length of the layer's amplitude envelope (explained later in
this chapter). BiDirect (bidirectional) causes the samples to loop infinitely, alternating between
normal and reversed playback. Finally, Noise replaces the samples with a white noise
generator.
Alternative Switch (AltControl and AltMethod)
You can assign a control source to change the sound by using an alternate start point or
alternate end point for the current keymap. Whether or not it is an alternate start or alternate
end depends on the position of the Alt parameter for the sample (set in the Sample Editor).
When set before the end point, it is used as an alternate start (the Alt point can be before or after
the normal Start point). When set after the end it is used as an alt end.
If you place the Alt point after the initial attack transients of the sample, then you can use the
Alt Switch to emulate legato playing in an acoustic instrument. As an example, set the Keymap
to "#14 Flute". Now set the AltControl parameter to Chan St (Channel State). Now if you play
notes separately, the initial breathy chiff will be heard. But if you play the notes legato
(connecting them smoothly), the Alt point is used and you do not hear the chiff. This is because
the Chan St is turned on as long as any note is being held. Most of the K2500's ROM samples
have their Alt points set for purposes of legato play. In most cases the difference in attacks is
subtle, but for some sounds, like drums, the difference can be more noticeable.
The AltMethod parameter lets you choose between continuous or switched interpolation.
Continuous interpolation will set the alternate start or end point based on the value (0-127) of
the control source. Switched means that the control source will simply switch between using
the alternate or normal start or end point, depending on whether the control source transmits a
value greater or less than 64.
For more information, refer to the discussion of the TRIM page's Alt point on page 15-17.
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