Operation Guide

E 1

Precautions
Location
Using the unit in the following locations can result in a malfunction.

In direct sunlight
Locations of extreme temperature or humidity
Excessively dusty or dirty locations
Locations of excessive vibration
Close to magnetic fields

Power supply
Please connect the designated AC adapter to an AC outlet
of the correct voltage. Do not connect it to an AC outlet of
voltage other than that for which your unit is intended.

Interference with other electrical devices

Radios and televisions placed nearby may experience
reception interference. Operate this unit at a suitable distance from radios and televisions.

Handling
To avoid breakage, do not apply excessive force to the
switches or controls.

THE FCC REGULATION WARNING (for U.S.A.)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
Unauthorized changes or modification to this system can
void the users authority to operate this equipment.

Care
If the exterior becomes dirty, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.
Do not use liquid cleaners such as benzene or thinner, or
cleaning compounds or flammable polishes.

Keep this manual

After reading this manual, please keep it for later reference.

Keeping foreign matter out of your equipment

Never set any container with liquid in it near this equipment. If liquid gets into the equipment, it could cause a
breakdown, fire, or electrical shock.
Be careful not to let metal objects get into the equipment. If
something does slip into the equipment, unplug the AC
adapter from the wall outlet. Then contact your nearest
Korg dealer or the store where the equipment was purchased.

CE mark for European Harmonized Standards

CE mark which is attached to our companys products of
AC mains operated apparatus until December 31, 1996
means it conforms to EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) and CE
mark Directive (93/68/EEC).
And, CE mark which is attached after January 1, 1997
means it conforms to EMC Directive (89/336/EEC), CE
mark Directive (93/68/EEC) and Low Voltage Directive (73/
23/EEC).
Also, CE mark which is attached to our companys products
of Battery operated apparatus means it conforms to EMC
Directive (89/336/EEC) and CE mark Directive (93/68/
EEC).

Apple, Mac and Audio Units are trademarks of Apple

Computer, Inc., registered in the US. and other countries.
Windows XP is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other counties.
VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH.
RTAS is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.,
or its subsidiaries or divisions.
All other product and company names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.

ii

Thank you for purchasing the Korg microX Synthesizer/Controller. To help you get the most out of
your new instrument, please read this manual carefully.

About this manual

The owners manuals and how to use
them
The microX come with the following owners
manuals.
Operation Guide
Parameter Guide (included in the CD-ROM)

Operation Guide
Please read this first. It explains the names and
functions of each part of the microX, how to make
connections, basic operation, an overview of each
mode, and how to edit sounds. This guide also
explains the arpeggiator function, effects, and
drum kits.

The Operation Guide also contains troubleshooting information, and supplemental information
such as specifications.

Parameter Guide
The Parameter Guide contains explanations and
other information regarding the operations of the
parameters and settings on the microX.
The explanations are organized by mode, and
page. Explanations and other information on the
effects and their parameters are also provided for
teach effect.

Refer to this guide when an unfamiliar parameter appears in the display, or when you need to
know more about a particular function.

Conventions in this manual

Abbreviations for the manuals OG, PG
In the documentation, references to the manuals
are abbreviated as follows.

OG: Operation Guide

PG: Parameter Guide

Procedure steps 1. 2. 3.
This indicates the steps of a procedure.

Symbols

, Note

These symbols respectively indicate a caution, a

MIDI-related explanation, a supplementary note.

Example screen displays

The values of the parameters shown in the example screens of this manual are only for explanatory purposes, and may not necessary match the
values that appear in the LCD display of your
instrument.

MIDI-related explanations
CC# is an abbreviation for Control Change Number.

In explanations of MIDI messages, numbers in

square brackets [ ] always indicate hexadecimal
numbers.

iii

Table of Contents
Precautions............................................................... ii

About this manual ....................................... iii

Quick Start .........................................1

Simple program editing ............................. 43

Performance Edit................................................43
REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], [4],
[SELECT] .............................................................43
Saving your edits................................................45

Setup ......................................................................1
Playing programs and combinations ................2

Detailed Editing with Programs ................ 46

Listening to the demo songs...............................8

Before you begin editing ...................................46

Basic oscillator settings......................................48

Introduction ......................................9
Main features ................................................ 9

Using LFOs and Envelopes (EGs)....................50

Using Alternate Modulation ............................51
Controlling Pitch ................................................52

Front and rear panel ................................... 11

Using Filters ........................................................53

Front panel ..........................................................11

Using the Amp section ......................................55

Rear panel............................................................14

Effects...................................................................56

Objects in the Display and their functions .....15

Playing and Editing Combinations...57

Basic Information........................................ 17
About the microX modes .................................17
Basic operations..................................................19

Playing combinations................................. 57
Selecting combinations......................................57
Using Controllers ...............................................59

Setup................................................23
Turning the power on/off........................... 23
Connecting the AC adapter ..............................23
Turning the power on........................................23

Simple combination editing ...................... 60

Changing the programs within the
Combination .......................................................60
Adjusting a timbres pan and volume ............60

Turning the power off .......................................24

REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], [4],

[SELECT] .............................................................61

Connections................................................. 25

Saving your edits................................................61

Basic connections................................................25

Detailed Editing with Combinations ......... 62

Connecting a damper pedal, foot switch,

or foot pedal........................................................26

Before you begin editing ...................................62

Connecting a computer .....................................27

Connecting MIDI devices .................................35

Selecting a program for each timbre ...............63

Status and MIDI settings...................................63
Layers, Splits, and Velocity switches ..............64

Playing and Editing Programs .......37

Altering Programs to fit within a

Combination .......................................................66

Playing programs........................................ 37

Effects...................................................................68

Selecting programs ............................................37

Using Controllers ...............................................40

iv

Using and Editing Multi sets.......... 69

Saving a user arpeggio ....................................104

Synchronizing the arpeggiator.......................105

MIDI considerations ................................... 69

Selecting a multi set ...........................................69

Using Drum Kits............................ 107

Assigning a program to a track, and setting

the volume and pan ...........................................70

What is a Drum Kit? ........................................107

Copying the settings of a combination to a

multi set ...............................................................72

Editing Drum Kits............................................108

What you can do in Multi mode ......................73

Using Controllers ...............................................74
Altering Programs to fit within a Multi set....74
Layers, Splits, and Velocity Switches..............75
Effects...................................................................75
Saving your edits................................................75

Before you start editing ...............................107

Saving a drum kit.............................................110

External control settings ............. 111

Using external controls....................................111
External control setups....................................112
Saving an external control setup....................112

Control via MIDI ................................................75

Other functions ............................ 113

Effects settings ............................... 79

Restoring the factory settings (Loading the

preloaded data) ................................................113

Effects in each mode ..........................................79

Assigning a name (Rename)...........................114

Effect types..........................................................79
Effect settings for a program ............................81

Assigning functions to REALTIME

CONTROLS B-mode knobs [1][4]................115

Effect settings in combination, and Multi.......84

Adjusting the display contrast .......................115

Dynamic modulation and BPM/MIDI Sync. ..85

Tap tempo control............................................115

Saving edited effect settings .............................86

Bypassing the insert effect or the master
effects ...................................................................86

Appendices ................................... 117

Saving data ............................................... 117

Global Mode ................................... 87

Types of data that can be saved .....................117

How Global mode is structured.......................87

About the Edit Buffer ......................................118

System setup 0: System ...................................87

Troubleshooting....................................... 119

MIDI-related settings 1: MIDI ........................89

Creating user scales 2: User Scale ..................89

Specifications and options ...................... 122

Setting category names

3: Category Name ..............................................90

Specifications ....................................................122

Saving the global settings .................................90

Operating requirements for connection to a

computer ...........................................................123
Options ..............................................................123

Drum kit 4: DKit,

Arpeggiator 5: Arp.Pattern, External
Control 6: Ext.Control settings .......................90

MIDI Implementation Chart..................... 124

Arpeggiator settings...................... 91

Index .......................................................... 126

Arpeggiator features in
Program mode ....................................................91
The arpeggiator in Combination and Multi
modes...................................................................95
Creating a user arpeggio pattern .....................99

vi

Quick Start

This Quick Start is provided for those who just want to get started trying out the sounds right
away.
It explains how to set up the microX, how to select programs and control the sound, and how to
listen to the demo songs.

Make all your connections with the power off (on all units!). If you dont, you may damage
your speaker system or damage your microX and/or other equipment. Please use caution.
1. Connect the included AC adapter.

1 Power connector
AC adapter
2
Plug into an AC
outlet

If youre listening through headphones,

connect them to the headphone jack
located on the left front of the microX.
The headphones produce the same signal
as the (MAIN OUTPUT) L/MONO and R jacks.
Audio output device
connections

Power switch

Be careful not to
bend this portion
excessively when you
wrap the cable
through the cable
hook.

3 Power cable

Drum Kit

Powered
monitors
INPUT

INPUT

Power switch
R

Other functions External control

L/MONO
Adjust the
[VOLUME] slider

Effect

Using standard audio cables with 1/4"

phone plugs, connect the microX (MAIN
OUTPUT) L/MONO and R output jacks
to the input jacks of your mixer,
amplified monitor speakers, or audio
recording device.

4 Cable hook

Global

2. Connect the microX to your audio

monitoring system.

Connecting the AC adapter

Arpeggiator

Use only the AC adapter included with

the microX. Do not use any other AC
adapter.

Multi

Setup

Combination

Program

After youve finished reading this Quick Start section, please also take a look at the full explanations that follow.

Setup

Introduction

Quick Start

Headphones

Appendices

PHONES

Quick Start

3. Turn the microXs [VOLUME] knob down (to the left).

Turn on your audio monitor system and set the volume to a normal level.
4. Turn on the microX by pressing the power switch located on the rear panel.
5. Slowly raise the microXs [VOLUME] knob to an appropriate volume.

Playing programs and combinations

By default, Combination mode will be selected when you turn on the power.
Play the keyboard, and you will hear the sound of bank A combination number 000.
A combination consists of up to eight programs that are split, zoned, layered or velocityswitched across the keyboard. A combination can also use up to two Arpeggiators simultaneously (a program can use only one Arpeggiator), letting you produce far more complex
sounds than a single program.
Although you could simply continue selecting and playing different combinations, lets start by
selecting and listening to the basic sounds of the microX programs.
Note: If you dont hear any sound when you play the keyboard: Check the connections once
again. Also make sure that the microXs VOLUME and the volume of your powered speakers or
stereo amp are turned up appropriately.

Selecting programs by bank and number

1, 4
5

2
3

1. Press one of the PROGRAM [A][GM] buttons. (The button will light.)
You will enter Program mode, and the bank you specified will be selected. Notice that the
upper line of the display indicates PROG 0: Play (mode name, page number and name).
Mode name

Page number and name

Category number
Tab name
and name

Parameter name
Tempo

Bank
number
Program
Select
(program
number
and name)
Tab

Knob B assign list

2. Make sure that Program Select (program number and name) is selected.
If this is not selected, use the ClickPoint [][] to highlight the Program Select indication.

For example, to select bank B, press the PROGRAM [B] button. The [B] button will light, and
the name Bank B will appear in the left of the display. The [GM] button operates differently
from the other bank buttons. Each time you press this button, the bank will switch in the
order of G g(d) G g(d) ... etc.
The programs are organized into banks of 128 (except for g(d)). Select the desired bank, and
then select a program number within that bank.
5. Play the keyboard to hear the program you selected.
While playing the keyboard, use the joystick, and realtime controllers to modify the sound.
The result will differ depending on the program, so play the keyboard while operating these
controllers to hear what they do. You can use the OCTAVE [][] buttons to change the
pitch in steps of one octave.
For more about the controllers, see Using controllers to modify the sound (p.5).
You can also press the [AUDITION] button (it will light) and a riff (phrase) suitable for that
program will play automatically.

Setup

When you select a different Bank, that buttons LED will light, and the selected bank will
appear in the left side of the display.

Program

4. Press one of the PROGRAM [A][GM] button to switch banks.

Combination

You can also press the center of the ClickPoint to highlight the field, then use [][] to select
a program, and press the center to finalize your selection.

Multi

3. Turn the [VALUE] dial to select the program you want to play.

Introduction

Quick Start

Playing programs and combinations

Using the [CATEGORY] and PROGRAM/COMBINATION buttons to select a category

Effect

The microX lets you choose programs from categories such as synthesizer, bass, or
drums.

Arpeggiator

Global

Drum Kit

Category

Sel (Select)

Program

2. Press the PROGRAM or COMBINATION button for the desired category. The category you
specify will be selected. (A category name is printed below each bank button.)

Appendices

Category No.

Other functions External control

1. Press the [CATEGORY] button.

The category menu will appear.

Quick Start

For example if you press the [CATEGORY] button and then press the PROGRAM [E] button,
youll be able to choose only from programs in the Keyboard category. The Keyboard
category contains programs such as acoustic piano, and electric piano etc.
You can also use the [PAGE+][PAGE] buttons to step through the categories one by one.
3. By using the [VALUE] dial or the ClickPoint [][] to select programs, you can step through
the programs in the same category.
4. Press the [MENU/OK] button to confirm your selection. If you decide not to select a
program, press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button.

Selecting combinations by bank and number

1, 4

2
3

1. Press a COMBINATION [A][C] button. (The button will light.)

You will enter Combination mode, and the bank you specified will be selected. Notice that
the upper line of the display indicates COMBI 0: Play (mode name, page number and
name).
Mode name

Page number and name

Category number
and name

Parameter name
Tab name

Tempo

Bank
number
Combi Select
(combination
number and
name)
Tab

Control assign list

2. Make sure that Combi Select (combination number and name) is selected.
If this is not selected, use the ClickPoint [][] to highlight the Combi Select indication.
3. Turn the [VALUE] dial to select the combination you want to play.
4. Press a COMBINATION [A][C] button to switch banks.
When you select a different Bank, the buttons LED will light, and the selected bank will
appear on the left side of the display.
For example, to select bank B, press the COMBINATION [B] button. The [B] button will light,
and the name Bank B will appear in the left of the display.
Combinations are organized into banks of 128. Select the desired bank, and then select a
combination number within that bank.

Quick Start

Playing programs and combinations

5. Play the keyboard to hear the combination you selected.

You can operate the microXs joystick, OCTAVE [][], and realtime controllers to add expressive variation to your performances.

Joystick
You can use the joystick to vary the pitch or adjust the depth of modulation. The actual result
will depend on the program and combination, but these controllers are normally used to apply
the following effects.

+X
Raise the
pitch

Global

X
Lower the
pitch

Effect

+Y
Deepen the vibrato

Program

Using controllers to modify the sound

Combination

Selecting combinations by category

In Combination mode you can select combinations by category just as in Program mode. For the
procedure, see Using the [CATEGORY] and PROGRAM/COMBINATION buttons to select a
category (p.3).

Multi

Note: You cant use the [AUDITION] button to play a riff (phrase) in Combination mode.

Setup

Introduction

While playing the keyboard, use the joystick, and realtime controllers to modify the sound.
The result will differ depending on the combination, so play the keyboard while operating
these controllers to hear what they do. You can use the OCTAVE [][] buttons to change
the pitch in steps of one octave.

Y
Deepen the wah effect

Arpeggiator

OCTAVE

Appendices

Other functions External control

Drum Kit

You can use the OCTAVE [][] buttons to shift the pitches assigned to the keyboard in oneoctave steps over a range of 3 octaves.

Quick Start

REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], [4], [SELECT]

Use the [SELECT] button to select realtime controller mode A/B/C, and use knobs [1][4] to
control the tone, effects, MIDI control changes, and arpeggiator etc. while you perform. Use
these knobs when you want to modify the sound while performing, or to make simple edits.
[SELECT] button

Knobs [1][4]

Here well explain how to use the realtime controllers in Program mode.
Note: We wont be using the External Control function, so make sure that the [EXT.
CONTROLLER] button is dark. If it is lit, press the [EXT. CONTROLLER] button once.
1. Press one of the PROGRAM [A][GM] buttons. (The button will light.)
2. Choose Program Select (program number and name), and turn the [VALUE] dial to select
the program that you want to control using the realtime controllers.
3. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT] button to light the A LED located at the right
of the button.
4. Turn knob [1] (LPF CUTOFF) to adjust the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter.
When you adjust the cutoff frequency of the filter, the brightness of the sound will change.
The effect will depend on the settings of the program parameters, but normally, rotating the
knob toward the left will darken the sound, and rotating it toward the right will brighten it.
5. Turn knob [2] (RESONANCE/HPF) to adjust the resonance level of a low pass filter or the
cutoff frequency of a high pass filter. The content that is controlled will depend on the filter
type specified by the program. By adjusting the filter resonance level, you can increase or
decrease the resonance level to add a unique character to the sound.
Adjusting the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter will modify the thickness of the sound
from which the low frequency range has been filtered out.
6. Turn knob [3] (EG-INTENSITY) to adjust filter EG intensity (the depth at which the filter EG
is applied).
Rotating the knob will affect the depth of the filter EG. Normally, rotating the knob toward
the left will make the filter EG apply less deeply, and rotating it toward the right will make
the filter EG apply more deeply. Since the filter EG will operate based on the cutoff frequency
of the filter, knobs [1] and [3] will work together to control the tonal changes produced by the
filter.
7. Turn knob [4] (EG-RELEASE) to adjust EG release times of the filter and amp. This will
determine the time from note-off until the sound disappears.
When you adjust the knob, the release times of the filter EG and the amp EG will change.
Normally, rotating the knob toward the left will shorten the release time, and rotating it
toward the right will lengthen the release time.
8. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT] button to light the B LED located at the right
of the button.
In B-mode, effective functions for each of the preloaded programs and combinations are
assigned to the knobs. This lets you use the knobs to control volume, portamento time, pan,
filter and amp EG, pitch LFO, master effect send levels, and other parameters.
Turn each knob to hear the result.
Note: The B-mode functions for the REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], and [4] knobs can be
viewed for Program mode in the 0: Play, Program page, and for Combination mode in the 0:
Play, Combination page.

In Program mode you can use one arpeggiator.

In Combination mode and Multi mode you can use two arpeggio patterns simultaneously (dual
polyphonic arpeggiator). This gives you a variety of possibilities, such as applying separate
arpeggio patterns to a drum program and a bass program, or using splits or velocity to switch
between arpeggio patterns.
Here well explain how to use the arpeggiator in Program mode.

Setup

The arpeggiator is a function that automatically generates arpeggios (the notes of a chord
played individually in a rhythmic pattern). Most arpeggiators produce an arpeggio when you
play a chord on the keyboard. In addition to this, the microXs arpeggiator is a polyphonic
arpeggiator that is able to produce a variety of chordal transformations or phrases based on the
pitch or timing of the notes you play on the keyboard. These functions let you use the arpeggiator to play a wide range of patterns including drum or bass phrases, and guitar or keyboard
backing riffs. It is also effective to use the arpeggiator as part of the sound-creating process
when creating subtly-moving pads, synth-sounds, or sound effects.

Program

As you selected and listened to various programs and combinations, you probably noticed that
some of them began playing automatically. This is because of the arpeggiator.

Combination

Using the arpeggiator

Introduction

Quick Start

Playing programs and combinations

2. Choose Program Select (program number and name), and turn the [VALUE] dial. You will
notice that the [ARP ON/OFF] button is lit for some programs. Select one of these programs,
and play the keyboard; the arpeggiator will start playing.
Even for other programs, you can press the [ARP ON/OFF] button (the button will light) to
turn on the arpeggiator. Play the keyboard to make the arpeggio start.

Effect

1. Press one of the PROGRAM [A][GM] button. (The button will light.)

Multi

Using the realtime controllers to control the arpeggiator

3. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT] button to light the C LED located at the right
of the button.

6. Turn the [2] (ARP-VELOCITY) knob to change the level of the arpeggiated notes.
7. Turn the [3] (ARP-LENGTH) knob to change the length of the arpeggio pattern.
Changing the length of the arpeggio pattern will change the character of the pattern. This
doesnt work for the preset patterns (UP, DOWN, ALT1, ALT2, and RANDOM).

Changing the arpeggio pattern

The microX contains preset arpeggio patterns Preset-0 through Preset-4, and user arpeggio patterns U000250.
1. Press the [PAGE+] button to access the PROG 0: Play, Arp. Play page.

Appendices

2. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to choose Pattern, and use the [VALUE] dial to select an
arpeggio pattern.

Drum Kit

Note: When knobs [1][3] are at their center position (12 oclock), the parameters they control
will have the values specified within the program.

Other functions External control

5. Turn the [1] (ARP-GATE) knob to change the duration of the arpeggiated notes.

Arpeggiator

Global

4. Turn the [4] (TEMPO) knob to change the tempo.

3. Play the keyboard and try out various arpeggio patterns.

Quick Start

Listening to the demo songs

The microX contains demonstration songs.
Take a moment to listen to these demo songs to experience the diverse sounds and rich expressive potential of the microX.

2, 3

4.1
4.2

5
1. Hold down the [CATEGORY] button and press the [AUDITION] button.
The Demo Song Player page will appear.

2. Press the [AUDITION] button to begin playback.

3. Press the [AUDITION] button once again to stop playback.
4. To select a song for playback, use the ClickPoint [][] to select the song name (Demo
Song Select) and use the [VALUE] dial to change songs.
5. To exit the Demo Song Player page, press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button.
You can also exit by pressing one of the PROGRAM [A][GM], COMBINATION [A][C],
[GLOBAL], or [MULTI] buttons.

Changing the play mode

You can play back the demo songs in succession or only one song at a time; use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select Play Mode and use the [VALUE] dial etc. to change the setting.
Continue to next song: When the currently selected demo song finishes playing, the next
demo song will play automatically.
Stop at end of selected song: When the currently selected demo song finishes playing,
playback will stop.
If you want all of the demo songs to continue playing repeatedly, use the ClickPoint
[][][][] to select the Repeat All check box and then press the ClickPoint center to
add a check mark.
Note: This is available only if Play Mode is set to Continue to next song.
This Quick Start section is just an introduction to introduce you to your new synthesizer. Please
take the time to read the more in-depth sections of this manual that follow.

Quick Start

Main features

Filter/synthesis section:
24 dB/oct Low Pass Resonance type or 12 dB/
oct Low Pass & High Pass type filters can be
used. A wide variety of filter effects can be
achieved, from active sounds with aggressive
resonance to subtle tones using a high pass filter.
A broad range of editing parameters gives you
control over every aspect of the sound.

Effect section:
One insert effect (stereo-in/stereo-out), two
master effects (mono-in/stereo-out), and a
three-band master EQ (stereo-in/stereo-out)
can all be used simultaneously. You can select
from 89 types of effect algorithms, and edit
them.
Highly flexible effect routing is possible. Effects
can also be routed freely to the individual outputs.

Alternate Modulation and Effect Dynamic

Modulation:
The synthesis section (filter etc.) provides Alternate Modulation functionality, and the effect
section provides Effect Dynamic Modulation
functionality. This allows you to freely apply
modulation to parameters that affect the pitch,
filter, amp, EG, LFO, effects etc.

Drum programs that support any style

of rhythm part
Based on 40 user drum kits and nine GM2-compatible ROM drum kits, and taking full advantage
of numerous editable parameters, effects, and
arpeggiators, the microX provides a great selection
of preset programs for any style of music.
The drum kits that are the basis of each drum program allow you to freely map any of the 929 drum
or percussion sounds to each note of the keyboard.
You can also create your own drum kits, and even
specify filter and amp settings, effect settings, and
individual audio output routings for each separate
key.

384 different combinations let you

freely combine programs
The microX provides 384 user combinations. The
factory settings contain a wide variety of Preloaded combinations.

Multi

Combination

Program

Based on 642 different multisamples that deliver a

broad range of sounds ranging from acoustic
instruments such as piano, guitar, and trumpet, to
synthesizer sounds or sound effects (oscillator),
the preset programs provide a rich variety of editable parameters (filter and amp), effects, and
arpeggiators.

Effect

The sampling frequency is 48 kHz, and the

maximum polyphony is 62 voices.

Programs using multisamples that provide a broad range of sounds

Global

64 MB of preset PCM ROM containing 642 multisamples and 929 drumsamples.

In the Program mode, the microX provides 640

user programs, plus 128 programs + 9 drum sets
for GM compatibility.
When shipped from the factory, it is loaded with
high-quality programs that cover a wide range of
musical needs.

Arpeggiator

Tone generator section:

A great selection of 640 programs

Drum Kit

The HI (Hyper Integrated) synthesis system is a

PCM tone generator system with extensive modulation and effect routing capabilities, as well as full
digital signal processing that guarantees a rich,
pristine sound.

Other functions External control

The microX Music Synthesizer features Korgs

acclaimed HI (Hyper Integrated) synthesis system.

LFO and delay time parameters can be synchronized to MIDI clock/tempo. You can synchronize sounds or effects to the tempo of the
sequencer or the arpeggiator.

Appendices

High-quality sound featuring the HI

synthesis system

Setup

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

A combination allows you to use layers, splits, or

velocity switching etc. to combine up to eight programs together with the effects and the two arpeggiators, in order to create complex sounds that
could not be produced by a program. You can also
create combis that include external tone generators.

Effects that can creatively manipulate the sound or generate subtle

ambience
The microXs effects can be used in many ways,
ranging from manipulating the sound dramatically to creating spacious reverberation. (p.9
High-quality sound featuring the HI synthesis
system)

4 channel audio outputs

In addition to the (MAIN OUTPUT) L/MONO
and R main stereo audio outputs, microX provides
two individual audio outputs, for a total of four
channels of audio output. The sound from each
oscillator, drum, timbre/track, or insert effect can
be routed freely to any output.

Multi mode plays multiple tracks of

data from an external sequencer
In Multi mode, the microX can operate as a 16track MIDI multi-timbral sound module, receiving
multiple tracks of performance data from an external sequencer or similar device. Since you can use
the effects and the two arpeggiators as well, the
microX will also function as a more advanced
sound module.
You can create, save and recall numerous Multi
sets in the microX and it also supports GM (General MIDI System Level 1), making it easy to use as
a sound module for a desktop music system.

Dual polyphonic arpeggiator

Five preset arpeggio patterns (UP, DOWN, ALT1
ALT2, RANDOM) and 251 user arpeggio patterns
are provided. With the factory settings, these contain a wide variety of preload arpeggio patterns.
In addition to providing conventional arpeggiator
functions, the polyphonic arpeggiator of the
microX can respond to the pitches or timing of
your keyboard playing, and produce a diverse
range of chords or phrases. This can be used to
play a variety of drum phrases, bass phrases, or
guitar and keyboard backing riffs. The arpeggiator

10

is also effective for use with subtly moving pads,

synth sounds, or sound effects.
In Combination mode, and Multi mode, the
microX provides dual polyphonic arpeggiators
that can simultaneously play two arpeggio patterns. You can apply separate arpeggio patterns to
drum and bass programs, or use keyboard splits
or velocity to switch between arpeggio patterns
for an even more dynamic performance.

External control setups

You can assign twelve MIDI control changes to the
REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] knobs. The
microX can hold 64 such sets of twelve control
change assignments. You can use this capability to
control a wide range of parameters in realtime,
such as on the KORG Legacy Collection or other
soft synthesizers, or the level and pan of your
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

Direct USB connection to your computer

The microX provides a convenient USB connector
that allows single-cable connection to your computer, without requiring a MIDI interface or MIDI
connectors. The microX supports Windows XP
and Macintosh OS X 10.3 or later.

microX Plug-In Editor supports editing from within your DAW software
The microX Editor is a stand-alone program that
lets you edit the microX from your Macintosh or
Windows computer.
On the other hand, the microX Plug-In Editor
lets you edit the microX as a plug-in instrument
from within a host application such as DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software. It supports VST,
Audio Units, and RTAS formats. Both editors are
included with your microX.

Appendices

13

Other functions External control

11

12

Drum Kit

10
9
Arpeggiator

5
Global

1
Effect

14
6
Multi

Combination

Program

Setup

Quick Start

Front and rear panel

Front panel
Introduction

Front and rear panel

11

Introduction

1. [VOLUME] knob

5. MODE/BANK Select

This adjusts the volume of the (MAIN OUTPUT)

L/MONO, R jacks, as well as the volume of the
headphone jack.

Use these buttons to select banks and enter modes.

The microX has four modes. (p.19)

2. REALTIME CONTROLS
[SELECT] button
[1][4] knob
Use the [SELECT] button to choose one of the realtime controller modes - A/B/C - and use knobs
[1][4] to control the tone, effects, MIDI control
changes, and arpeggiator etc. while you perform.
(p.43, 92)

PROGRAM [A], [B], [C], [D], [E], [GM] button

COMBINATION [A], [B], [C] button
[GLOBAL] button
[MULTI] button

6. Display
You can select a page, tab, or parameter in the display, and specify its value. (p.15)

When you turn the [EXT. CONTROLLER] button

on (lit), External Control will be on, and the REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] knobs will transmit
MIDI messages to external MIDI devices. (p.111)

7. CATEGORY

3. Arpeggiator

[CATEGORY] button

The microXs arpeggiator is a polyphonic arpeggiator.

Press this button to access the category menu, and

choose a program etc. from the list. The category
menu will appear if you have selected an appropriate mode, page, or parameter. (p.38, 45, 82,
108)

[ARP ON/OFF] button

This button turns the arpeggiator on/off. When
on, the button will light. (p.91)
The LED located above the [ARP ON/OFF] button
blinks at quarter-note intervals of the tempo.
In REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode, you can use
the [1], [2], [3], and [4] knobs to vary the arpeggio
pattern in realtime.

4. External
You can use the REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2],
[3], and [4] knobs to transmit MIDI messages.

[EXT. CONTROLLER] button

This switches the external function on/off. When
on, the button will light. (p.111)
When this is on, you can use the [SELECT] button
to select the MIDI messages assigned to the knobs,
and operate the REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2],
[3], and [4] knobs to transmit these MIDI messages
to an external MIDI device.

You can select programs, multisamples, combinations, timbre/track programs, effects, or drum
samples by category.

8. AUDITION, Demo Song Player

[AUDITION] button
In Program mode when you press the [AUDITION] button (the button will light), a riff (phrase)
appropriate for the preloaded or preset program
will play. (This is called the Audition function.) To
stop auditioning, press the [AUDITION] button
once again.

Demo song player

When you hold down the [CATEGORY] button
and press the [AUDITION] button, the Demo
Song Player page will appear.
Select a song and press the [AUDITION] button to
begin playback. Press the [AUDITION] button
once again to stop playback.
To exit from this mode, press the [EXIT/CANCEL]
button. (p.8)

9. VALUE controller
The [VALUE] dial is used to set the value of the
selected parameter. (p.20)

[VALUE] dial

12

When you are in a page other than 0 of each mode,

you can press this button to move to page 0 of that
mode.
If you press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button while
pressing the ClickPoint center, the selected value
will be reset to 0 or the minimum value.

While the category menu is displayed, you can use

these buttons to step through the categories one
by one. (p.38)

When a dialog box is open, this button will cancel

the settings made in the dialog box and close the
dialog box (corresponds to the Cancel). If a Utility menu or page menu is open, pressing [EXIT/
CANCEL] button will close the menu.

ClickPoint

11. UTILITY, COMPARE

The ClickPoint is a multi-function controller.

You can move the ClickPoint in the
([][][][]) direction to select parameters. In
addition, you can press directly down on the center of the ClickPoint (in toward the body of the
instrument) to select an item in the display.
After selecting a parameter expressed as a numerical value etc., press the center of the ClickPoint;
the value will be highlighted, and now you can
use [][] to increase or decrease the value. To
finalize the value, press the center once again.

[UTILITY] button

If you press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button while

pressing the ClickPoint center, the selected value
will be reset to 0 or the minimum value.

12. JOYSTICK

[MENU/OK] button

This controls pitch or modulation, etc.

Move the joystick up/down or left/right (+Y, Y,
X, +X) to control (p.40).
Various program parameters and effect parameters will determine what is controlled by the joystick.

13. OCTAVE
OCTAVE [][] buttons
These buttons change the pitch range assigned to
the keyboard over a 3 octave range in one-octave
steps. (p.41)

Press this button to access the page menu. (p.19)

If a dialog box is open, this button will confirm the

settings in the dialog box and close it. (This is the
same function as the OK button.)

14. Headphone jack

This 1/8" mini-stereo phone jack carries the same
signal as the (MAIN OUTPUT) L/MONO, R jacks.
The headphone volume is controlled by the [VOLUME] knob.

Appendices

By holding down the [MENU/OK] button and

pressing the [PAGE+] button or [PAGE] button,
you can move forward or backward in steps of one
page.

Global

Effect

Use this button when you wish to compare the

sound of the program, combination or multi set
that you are currently editing with the un-edited
sound that was written into memory. (p.20)

Multi

[COMPARE] button

Arpeggiator

You can also press the ClickPoint center to access a

dialog box, to set the numerical value of an editable condition, or to turn a switch on/off. If you
press the ClickPoint on the utility menu, page
menu, or a text edit button (p.15), the selected
command or page will appear. Pressing the ClickPoint center on a check box will switch the item
on/off. Pressing the ClickPoint center on a button
such as OK or CANCEL will confirm the corresponding choice.

Press this button when you want to use the utility

functions. (p.21)

Drum Kit

By holding down the [MENU/OK] button and

pressing these same buttons you can move forward or backward through the pages themselves,
such as page 0, 1, 2, etc. (p.20)

Other functions External control

You can use these buttons to move forward or

backward through the different tabs in a page.

Setup

[PAGE+][PAGE] buttons

Program

[EXIT/CANCEL] button

Combination

10. PAGE, CURSOR

Introduction

Quick Start

Front panel

13

Introduction

Rear panel

1. AUDIO OUTPUT

What is USB?

Connect these outputs to the input jacks of your

amp or mixer. In addition to the (MAIN OUTPUT)
L/MONO and R main stereo audio outputs, the
microX provides two individual audio outputs.
(p.25)

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and is an

interface for transferring data between a computer, a keyboard and/or peripheral devices.

MAIN OUTPUT L/MONO, R jack

INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT 1, 2 jack

2. PEDALS
You can connect a damper pedal, foot switch, and
foot pedal to these jacks. This gives you a broader
range of functions and effects to control. (p.26)

ASSIGNABLE PEDAL jack

ASSIGNABLE SWITCH jack
DAMPER jack

3. MIDI
MIDI lets you connect microX to computers or
other MIDI devices, for sending and receiving
notes, controller gestures, sound settings, and so
on. (p.35)

MIDI IN connector
MIDI OUT connector

4. USB
USB connector
(for connecting to computer)
You can connect your computer to this connector.
Using a single USB cable, your microX can send
and receive MIDI information directly to and from
a computer, without requiring a MIDI interface.
(p.32)

14

Note: The USB connector of the microX is only able

to transmit and receive MIDI data.

5. Power supply
Be sure to see Turning the power on/off (p.23)
and follow the correct procedure described there.

Power switch
This switch turns the power on/off.

AC adapter connector
Connect this to the included AC adapter.
Connections must be made with the power
turned off. Please be aware that careless
operation may damage your speaker system
or cause malfunctions.

Cable hook
Use this to secure the cable of the included AC
adapter. After connecting the AC adapter, fasten
the cable around the hook located on the microXs
rear panel so that the cable will not be pulled out
inadvertently. Leave enough slack on the plug end
so that you can disconnect it if you want to.
Be careful not to bend the base of the plug any
more than necessary.

For details on selecting and executing a utility

command, see 4. Selecting and executing a Utility
function (p.21).

From the left, this area shows the mode name,

page number: name, tab name, and the parameter
name of the edit cell.
Mode name

Page number:name
Tab name

Parameter name

When you select a utility menu command etc., a

dialog box will open.
Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select parameters. To enter a parameter value, use the [VALUE]
dial, the ClickPoint [][].To execute the utility
command, press the [MENU/OK] button.
If you decide not to execute, press the [EXIT/
CANCEL] button. The [EXIT/CANCEL] button is
equivalent to Cancel, Done, or Exit.

b: Tab
Most pages are divided into two or more tabs.
Use the [PAGE+][PAGE] buttons to select a tab
and view that page.

* Text dialog box

c: Parameters
The parameters for various settings are displayed
in the display. Use the ClickPoint [][][][]
to select the desired parameter.

d: Edit cell

Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select a text

button such as , and press the center to open the
text dialog box.
In this dialog box you can rename text (e.g., the
name of a program, combination, or multi set).
(p.114)

Drum Kit

When you use the ClickPoint [][][][], the

selected parameter will be highlighted in the display. This area is called the edit cell, and your
editing will affect the highlighted area. For details
on how to edit the value, see 3. Selecting a
parameter and editing the value (p.20).

* Function buttons
e: Check box
Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select a
check box, and use the [VALUE] dial, the center of
the ClickPoint to add or remove the check mark.

Introduction

* Dialog boxes
Combination

This indicates the current page within the selected

mode.

Multi

a: Current page

Effect

b: Tab

c: Parameters

Setup

When you press the [UTILITY] button in a page,

the utility menu will appear. The utility menu contains commands that can be used in that page. The
utility menu that appears will differ depending on
the page that is selected.

Program

e: Check box

Global

d: Edit cell

Arpeggiator

a: Current page

* Utility menu

Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select one of

these buttons and press the center to execute the
following functions.

Appendices

When checked, the parameter will function, when

unchecked, the parameter will not function.

Other functions External control

Objects in the Display and

their functions

Quick Start

Objects in the Display and their functions

15

Introduction

* Scroll bar
This indicates that the list contains more selections
or parameters than can be shown in the screen at
one time. Use the ClickPoint [][] to move
within the list.
Scroll bar

* Page menu
In Combination, Program, Global, or Multi modes,
pressing the [MENU/OK] button will display a
list of the pages in that mode.
To select a page, use the ClickPoint [][][][]
to select the desired page and press the center.
(p.19 Using the page menu to move)
When Page Menu Style = Icon

When Page Menu Style = List

Note: You can set Page Menu Style in the

GLOBAL 0: System, Preference page.

* Other objects
To use slider- or knob-shaped objects, use the
ClickPoint [][][][] to select the desired
item, and use the VALUE controllers to adjust the
value.
Other types of objects are shown in the effect routing screen.
Slider

Routing

16

Knob

Program mode
Programs are the basic sounds of microX. In Program mode, you can:

Global mode
Global mode lets you make overall settings for the
entire microX, and edit arpeggiators, drum kits
and external control sets. For instance, you can:
Make settings that affect the entire microX,
such as master tune and global MIDI channel

Select and play Programs

Create user drum kits, arpeggiators, user scales

and external control sets

Edit Programs

Rename program, and combination categories

Make detailed settings for oscillators, filters,

amps, EGs, LFOs, effects, arpeggiator, etc.

Set the function of the assignable pedals and

assignable switches

Create drum programs using drum kits (as created in Global mode)

Make settings for the external control function.

(p.111)

Play and control one Arpeggiator (p.43)

Transmit MIDI System Exclusive data dumps

Setup
Program

Assign Programs to each of the 16 MIDI Tracks,

each with separate volume, pan, EQ, and
keyboard and velocity zones; make settings for
effects, and two Arpeggiator (p.69)

Combination

The microX has a wide range of capabilities; it lets

you play programs/combinations, edit them, play
the microXs sound generator using musical performance data from an external MIDI sequencer,
and make settings that affect the entire microX,
such as transposition and tuning. The largest unit
used to organize these features is called a mode.
The microX has four modes.

You can use the Tone Adjust function to make

simple edits for the program of a track.

Multi

About the microX modes

Effect

Basic Information

Introduction

Quick Start

Basic Information

Combination mode
Global

Combinations are sets of up to 8 Programs that

can be played simultaneously, letting you create
sounds more complex than a single Program. In
Combination mode, you can:

Arpeggiator

Select and play Combinations

Use microX as a 8-track multitimbral tone generator
Edit Combinations

Drum Kit

You can use the Tone Adjust function to make

simple edits for the program of a timbre.

Other functions External control

Assign Programs to each of the 8 Timbres, each

with separate volume, pan, EQ, and keyboard
and velocity zones; make settings for effects,
and Arpeggiator. (p.60)
Control and play up to two Arpeggiator

Multi mode
You can use the microX as a 16-track multi-timbral
sound generator.

Appendices

The microX will receive GM or other performance

data from an external MIDI sequencer, and play
back this data.
Select and playback Multi sets
Edit Multi sets

17

Introduction

PROGRAM MODE
OSC 1

Multi Sample - H
Drum Kit

Insert / Master Effect

Multi Sample - L

MFX 2

PITCH1 FILTER1
OSC 2

IFX

AMP1

MFX 1

MEQ

Multi Sample - H
Multi Sample - L

Arpeggiator

PITCH2 FILTER2 AMP2

GLOBAL MODE
DRUM KIT
Key
Assign Drum Sample / Sample - H
Drum Sample / Sample - L

ARPEGGIATOR PATTERN

COMBINATION MODE
TIMBRE 1

PROGRAM

TIMBRE 2

PROGRAM

TIMBRE 3

PROGRAM

TIMBRE 4

PROGRAM

TIMBRE 5

PROGRAM

Insert /Master Effect

IFX

TIMBRE 6

PROGRAM

User Pattern: Preset-0 - 4

TIMBRE 7

PROGRAM

User Pattern: U000 - 250

TIMBRE 8

PROGRAM

MFX 1
MFX 2

MEQ

Arpeggiator - A
Arpeggiatpr - B

MULTI MODE
TRACK 1 PROGRAM TRACK 9

PROGRAM

Insert /Master Effect

IFX

TRACK 2 PROGRAM TRACK 10 PROGRAM

MFX 1
MFX 2

TRACK 3 PROGRAM TRACK 11 PROGRAM

TRACK 4 PROGRAM TRACK 12 PROGRAM

MEQ

TRACK 5 PROGRAM TRACK 13 PROGRAM

TRACK 6 PROGRAM TRACK 14 PROGRAM

Arpeggiator - A

TRACK 7 PROGRAM TRACK 15 PROGRAM

TRACK 8 PROGRAM TRACK 16 PROGRAM

18

Arpeggiatpr - B

Quick Start

Basic operations

Introduction

Basic operations
After youve powered-on the microX, heres how
to perform basic operations such as selecting
modes and pages.

For example if youre editing a program in

Program mode, and you press a different
PROGRAM [A][GM] button, the program
will change and the settings you had been
editing will disappear. The same is true for
Combination mode, and the settings you had
been editing will disappear if you press a
different COMBINATION [A][C] button.
For the [GLOBAL] button or [MULTI] button,
pressing that button once again will take you
back to the mode and page in which you had
previously been.
Note: For example, suppose youre editing a
program in Program mode, and you press the
[GLOBAL] button to enter Global mode. When
youve finished editing the Global settings and
are ready to resume editing the program, press
the [GLOBAL] button once again to return to
Program mode. If you return to Program mode
by pressing the PROGRAM [A][GM] of any
bank other than the bank in which you were
editing, the settings you had been editing will
disappear. For this reason, we recommend that
you return to Program mode by pressing the
[GLOBAL] button once again, rather than by
pressing a PROGRAM [A][GM] button. The
same is true for the [MULTI] button.

Program
Combination
Multi

In this explanation well use Combination

mode as an example.
Press the COMBINATION [A][C] buttons.

Effect

[GLOBAL] button: Global mode

When you press one of the PROGRAM [A]
[GM] buttons or COMBINATION [A][C] buttons, you will enter the selected mode, and the
corresponding bank will also be selected as
well as a program or combination within that
bank.

For details on selecting a mode, see 1.

Selecting modes, above.

Note: The COMBI 0: Play page will appear. (This is

shown in the upper left of the display.)
In Combination, Program, or Multi modes (i.e., in
other than Global mode), you will normally
perform in this 0: Play page. You can also make
simple adjustments (edits) to the sound while
youre in this page. To make more detailed
adjustments, use page 1 (COMBI 1: EdTone
Adjust, etc.) and following.

Selecting a page
Using the page menu to move
In Combination, Program, Global, and Multi
modes, you can press the [MENU/OK] button to
view a list of the pages that make up that mode.
1. Press the [MENU/OK] button.
The page menu will appear.
The page in which you were when you pressed
the [MENU/OK] button will be highlighted as
an indication.

Global

[MULTI] button: Multi mode

Make sure that the desired mode is selected.

Arpeggiator

COMBINATION [A][C] button:

Combination mode

Each mode has a large number of parameters,

which are grouped into pages. These are further
subdivided by tabs into up to eight tab pages.

Drum Kit

PROGRAM [A][GM] button: Program mode

2. Selecting pages

Other functions External control

Press one of the front panel mode buttons to

enter the corresponding mode.

Appendices

In order to use a particular function on the

microX, you must first select the appropriate
mode.

Setup

1. Selecting modes

19

Introduction

2. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select the

page you want to view.
3. When youve made your selection, press the
center of the ClickPoint.
You will jump to the selected page, and that
page will appear.
As an example here, try selecting Key Zone.
The 5: EdKey Zone page will appear.

Note: The page that appears will be the page of the

tab you selected most recently.
Note: If you set the Global mode setting Page
Menu Style to List, you can move by selecting
pages and tabs as shown in the following
illustration. (The display shown in step 2 is for
when Page Menu Style = Icon.)

2. As you repeatedly press the [PAGE+] button or

[PAGE] button, you will move consecutively
through the tabs. As you page up past the last
tab of a page, you will then move to the first tab
of the next page. Likewise, as you page down
past the first tab of a page, you will then move
to the last tab of the preceding page.

3. Selecting a parameter and editing

the value
1. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select the
parameter you want to edit.
The value will be highlighted, and the
parameter name is displayed in the upper right
of the display. (We call this the edit cell.)
2. To modify the value of the edit cell, use the
[VALUE] dial or the ClickPoint.
Note: You can use the [COMPARE] button to
compare the sound youre editing with the
original unedited sound.

Using the [MENU/OK] button +

[PAGE+][PAGE] buttons to move

VALUE controllers

Hold down the [MENU/OK] button and press

the [PAGE+] ([PAGE] button.

[VALUE] dial

In Combination mode, you will move between

pages in the order of 0: Play 1: EdTone Adjust
2: EdTrack Parameter 3: EdMIDI Filter1
... etc. The page that appears will be the page of
the tab you selected most recently.

[EXIT/CANCEL] button
You can press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button to
return to page 0 from any page.

Selecting tabs
[PAGE+][PAGE] buttons
You can press these buttons to move forward or
backward in steps of one tab.
1. Press the [PAGE+] button to access the page for
the next (right) tab. (Press [PAGE] button to
access the page for the previous (left) tab.)
This example shows the Combination page
through Prog page of COMBI 0: Play.

20

Use this dial to edit the selected parameters value.

ClickPoint
After selecting a parameter expressed as a numerical value etc., press the center of the ClickPoint;
the value will be highlighted, and now you can
use [][] to increase or decrease the value. To
finalize the value, press the center once again.
If you press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button while
pressing the ClickPoint center, the selected value
will be reset to 0 or the minimum value.
In addition, you can press the ClickPoint center to
turn a check box or switch on/off.

[COMPARE] button
Use this when you wish to compare the edits you
have made to a program or combinations sound
with the un-edited original (i.e., the sound that is
written into memory).
When editing a program or combination, press
this switch. The LED will light, and the last-written settings for that program number or combination number will be recalled. When you press the
[COMPARE] button once again, the LED will go

If you edit the settings that are recalled by pressing the [COMPARE] button (i.e., the settings that
are written into memory), the LED will go dark,
and it will not be possible to return to the previous
edits by pressing the [COMPARE] button again.

When youre finished editing, you can save your

changes if necessary.

The Compare function is not available in

Global mode.

4. Selecting and executing a Utility

function

For example if youve edited a program, your

changed will be lost if you select another program
or turn off the power. The same applies to a combination or multi set.
Settings you edit in Global mode will be remembered as long as the power is on, but your changes
will be lost when you turn off the power.
For details on the Write operations, see the following pages.
Programs p.45

Combination

Combinations p.61
Multi sets p.75
Drum kits p.110
Arpeggio patterns p.104
External control p.112

Multi

For example, the utility functions in Program

mode let you write (save) the settings, or let you
perform convenient editing operations such as
copying settings between oscillators or effects, or a
Sync function that lets you edit two EGs together.

Global settings (pages 03) p.90

Saving data p.117

Effect

The utility functions provide commands that are

specific to each page, such Write (save) or Copy.
The available utility functions will depend on the
page you select.

Setup

5. Writing (saving)

Program

dark and you will return to the settings that you

were editing.

Introduction

Quick Start

Basic operations

1. Press the [UTILITY] button.

The utility menu will appear.

Global

2. Use the ClickPoint [][] to select a

command.
3. Press the ClickPoint center.

Arpeggiator

A dialog box for the selected utility will appear.

(Alternatively, you can access the dialog box by
pressing the [UTILITY] button once again or
pressing the [MENU/OK] button.)

Drum Kit

For check-type commands, the status of the

command will simply change without any
dialog box appearing.
4. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select a
parameter in the dialog box.

Other functions External control

5. To set the parameter value, use the [VALUE]

dial, or the ClickPoint (press the center and
then use [][]).
6. To execute the utility command, press the
[MENU/OK] button.

Appendices

If you decide not to execute, press the [EXIT/

CANCEL] button. The [EXIT/CANCEL]
button is the same as Cancel, Done, or
Exit.
The dialog box will close.
If the utility menu is displayed, press the
[EXIT/CANCEL] button to close the menu.

21

Introduction

22

Quick Start
Introduction

Setup

3. Plug the power cable into an AC outlet.

4. To prevent the plug from being pulled out
accidentally, wrap the AC adapter cable
through the cable hook located on the rear of
the microX. Be careful not to bend the base of
the plug unnecessarily.

The display will show the model name,

software version.
(The following graphic shows the factory-set
display. The version number is subject to
change without notice.)

Connecting the AC adapter

Power switch

1 Power connector
AC adapter

2
Plug into an AC
outlet

Be careful not to
bend this portion
excessively when you
wrap the cable
through the cable
hook.

Program

3. Turn on your powered monitors or stereo amp.

4. Turn the microXs [VOLUME] knob to an
appropriate position, and adjust the volume of
your powered monitor speakers or stereo amp.
Note: The state of microX when the power is
turned on will depend on the setting of Power
On Mode (GLOBAL 0: System, Preference page).
(p.88)

Drum Kit

4 Cable hook

Combination

2. Connect the power cable to the AC adapter.

2. Press the rear panel Power switch to turn on

the power.

Multi

1. Connect the plug of the included AC adapter to

the power connector on the microXs rear
panel.

If you have connected powered monitor

speakers or a stereo amp, turn down the
volume of these devices.

Effect

Note: Make sure that the microXs power switch is

set to STANDBY (the outward position).

1. Turn the microXs [VOLUME] knob toward the

left.

Global

You must use only the included AC adapter.

Using any other AC adapter may cause
malfunctions.

Turning the power on

Arpeggiator

Connecting the AC adapter

Setup

Turning the power on/off

Appendices

Other functions External control

3 Power cable

23

Setup

Turning the power off

After youve finished editing, be sure to write
(save) your changes.
If you edit a program and then select a
different program or turn off the power, the
changes you made will be lost. The same is
true for a combination or multi set.
The settings you edit in Global mode are
remembered as long as the power is on, but
will be lost when you turn off the power.
1. Turn the microXs [VOLUME] knob toward the
left.
Also turn the volume of your powered monitor
speakers or stereo amp down to zero.
2. Turn off the power of your powered monitor or
stereo amp.
3. Press the rear panel Power switch to turn off
the power.
Never turn off the power while data is being
written into internal memory.
If the power is turned off while processing is
being performed, memory write operations
will not be completed correctly. If this occurs,
microX will automatically initialize its
internal memory so that it will operate
correctly. This is not a malfunction.
While data is being written, the display will
indicate Now writing into internal memory.
Data is written into internal memory by the
following operations.
Writing (updating) a Program, Combination,
Multi, Global Setting, Drum Kit, Arpeggio Patterns, or External Control Setup
Loading a Preload data for Program, Combination, Multi, Global Setting, Drum Kit, Arpeggio
Patterns, or External Control Setup
Receiving a MIDI data dump for Program,
Combination, Multi, Global Setting, Drum Kit
data, Arpeggio Patterns, or External Control
Setup

24

Here, you can connect a set of amplified monitor

speakers or your audio system to output microXs
sound.

Connecting the MAIN OUTPUT L/MONO

and R
These are the main outputs. They are unbalanced
phone jacks.
These are the main stereo outputs; their volume is
controlled by the [VOLUME] knob. All of the factory Programs and Combis are programmed to
play through these outputs.
If youre editing a program or combination, or
playing back from an external MIDI sequencer in
Multi mode, you can set BUS Select to L/R so
that the sound will be sent from these jacks.
1. Connect the (MAIN OUTPUT) L/MONO and
R jacks to the INPUT jacks of your powered
monitor system, mixer etc.

If you playback microX through your stereo

audio system, be aware that high volumes
may damage your speakers. Be careful not to
raise the volume excessively.

If desired, you can connect these two individual

(independent) outputs. They are unbalanced
phone output jacks.
These jacks allow you to send the microXs sounds
to external equipment independent of the (MAIN
OUTPUT) L/MONO and R jacks. This can be convenient when recording, or when using a complex
live performance setup.
1. Connect the (INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT) 1 and 2
jacks to the input jacks of your mixer etc.
Note: The [VOLUME] knob does not affect the
volume of jacks 1 and 2.
Note: The sound will be sent from these jacks if
you set BUS Select to 1, 2, or 1/2.

Powered monitors

Other functions External control

INPUT

Power switch
L/MONO

Setup
Drum Kit

Audio output device connections

INPUT

Program

Connecting INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT 1 and 2

Multi

Connecting audio output devices

Effect

Connect the audio cables as shown in the connection diagram below.

If youre playing back through a stereo audio

amp or a stereo radio-cassette player that has
external input jacks, connect these jacks to the
jacks marked LINE IN, AUX IN, or External
Input. (You may need to use an adapter plug or
adapter cable.)

Global

Basic connections

If you are outputting in stereo, make

connections to the L/MONO jack and the R
jack. If you are outputting in monaural, make
connections to the L/MONO jack. We
recommend that you playback in stereo if
possible.

Arpeggiator

Connections must be made with the power

turned off. Please be aware that careless
operation may damage your speaker system
or cause malfunctions.

Combination

Connections

Introduction

Quick Start

Connections

Appendices

Headphones

PHONES

25

Setup

Headphones

Powered monitors

PHONES

Mixer

INPUT

INPUT

Connecting a damper pedal,

foot switch, or foot pedal
By connecting an optional damper pedal, foot
switch, or foot pedal, you can control even more
functions and effects.

1
L/MONO

2
PEDAL

Headphones
1. When using headphones, plug them into the
headphones jack located on the front panel.
Use the [VOLUME] knob to adjust the volume
of the headphones. The microXs headphone
jack carries the same signal as the (MAIN
OUTPUT) L/MONO and R output jacks.
Note: If you want to monitor the (INDIVIDUAL
OUTPUT) 1 and 2 jacks in addition to the main
outputs, an external mixer may be required.

SWITCH

DAMPER

Connecting a damper pedal

This pedal can provide a damper effect as you
play. This instrument also supports half-damping.
Heres how to connect an optional Korg DS-1H
damper pedal to the DAMPER jack and use it to
control the half-damper effect.
1. Connect an separately sold DS-1H damper
pedal to the DAMPER jack.
Youll be able to control the half-damper effect
if youve connected the DS-1H. If youve
connected a different switch-type pedal, it will
function as a damper switch.
2. After you turn on the power, set the switch
polarity and adjust the half-damper response to
ensure that the half-damper pedal works
correctly. (PG p.77, 80)

Connecting a foot switch

If you connect an on/off-type foot switch such as
the Korg PS-1 pedal switch to the ASSIGNABLE
SWITCH jack, you can use it to turn the sostenuto
or soft pedal effect on/off, to turn the arpeggiator
on/off, to switch programs or combinations, to
control tap tempo, or to apply modulation to a
sounds or an effect.
This switch will always function in the same way
regardless of the program, combination, or multi
set youve selected. You can assign the function in
the Global mode 0: System, Foot page.
1. Connect a foot switch such as the separately
sold PS-1 to the ASSIGNABLE SWITCH jack.
2. After turning the power on, use GLOBAL 0:
System, Foot page Foot SW Assign and Foot
SW Polarity to assign the function controlled
by the foot switch and to specify the polarity.
(p.88)

26

Connecting a computer

If you connect a separately sold EXP-2 foot controller or XVP-10 expression/volume pedal to the
ASSIGNABLE PEDAL jack, you can use it to
apply modulation to sounds or effects, or to adjust
the overall volume.

You can connect the microX to your computer and

use it as both an input keyboard and a MIDI
sound module.

This pedal will always function in the same way

regardless of the program, combination, or multi
set youve selected. You can assign the function in
the Global mode 0: System, Foot page.

You can connect the microX to your computer in

either of the following ways.

Program
Effect

Operating requirements for the

KORG USB-MIDI Driver and the editor software

Combination

Use a commercially available MIDI interface,

and connect the microX via its MIDI connectors.

Multi

Note: Use the KORG USB-MIDI Driver if youre

connecting the microX via USB to a computer
that meets the requirements described in
KORG USB-MIDI Driver operating
requirements, below.

Contents of the CD-ROM

microX Editor/Plug-In Editor
(for Windows XP / Mac OS X)

Global

KORG USB-MIDI Driver

(for Windows XP / Mac OS X)
microX External Control Template

microX External Control Template List (PDF)

Software License Agreement (PDF)

Please note before use

Copyright to all software included in this product is the property of Korg Inc.
The license agreement for this software is provided separately. You must read this license
agreement before you install this software.
Your installation of this software will be taken
to indicate your acceptance of this agreement.

KORG USB-MIDI Driver operating

requirements
Windows:
Computer
A computer with a USB port, that satisfies the
requirements of Microsoft Windows XP

27

Drum Kit

Editor/Plug-In Editor Manual (PDF)

Arpeggiator

Parameter Guide (PDF)

Other functions External control

2. After turning the power on, use GLOBAL 0:

System, Foot page Foot Pedal Assign to
assign the function controlled by the foot pedal.
(p.89)

Use a USB cable

Appendices

1. Connect an separately sold XVP-10 or EXP-2 to

the ASSIGNABLE PEDAL jacks.

You can also use the included editor to edit the

microX from your computer.

Setup

Connecting a foot pedal

Introduction

Quick Start

Connecting a computer

Setup

Operating system
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,
Professional or x64 Edition (The driver for x64
Edition is a Beta version.)

Windows XP:
Installing the KORG USB-MIDI Driver
and the editor software

Macintosh:

microX/X50 application installation

Computer

The microX application installer automatically

installs the KORG USB-MIDI Driver Tools and
microX Editor/Plug-In Editor that are provided
on the included CD-ROM.

An Apple Macintosh with a USB port that

satisfies the requirements of Mac OS X
Operating system
Mac OS X version 10.3 or later
Please be aware that in the case of some
computers, the system may not function
correctly even if your computer meets the
above requirements.

microX Editor/Plug-In Editor operating

requirements
You must install the KORG USB-MIDI Driver
if you want to connect the microX to your
computer via USB and use the microX Editor/
Plug-In Editor.
It is not possible to run multiple instances of
microX Editor/Plug-In Editor on the
operating system. This means that it is not
possible to use these editors to edit two or
more microX units simultaneously.

Note: You must install the KORG USB-MIDI

Driver Tools before you connect the microX to
your computer via USB.
1. Insert the included CD-ROM into your CDROM drive.
Normally the microX/X50 Application
Installer will start up automatically.
If your computer is set so the installer does not
run automatically, double-click
KorgSetup.exe on the CD-ROM.
2. From the list, select [KORG microX
SYNTHESIZER/CONTROLLER], and click
[Next >].

Windows:
Computer
CPU: Pentium III/1 GHz or better
Memory: 256 MB or more
Monitor: 1,024 768 pixels, 16-bit color or
better
A computer with a USB port, that satisfies the
requirements of Microsoft Windows XP
Operating system
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition or
Professional, Service Pack 1 or later

3. From the list, select the applications that you

want to install, and click [Install].
If you want to install the preloaded application
template files for external control, click
microX External Control templates to select
it.

Macintosh:
Computer
CPU: Apple G4/400 MHz or better
Memory: 256 MB or more
Monitor: 1,024 768 pixels, 32,000 colors or
better
An Apple Macintosh with a USB port that
satisfies the requirements of Mac OS X
Operating system
Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later

28

The applications you selected will be

successively installed.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install each
application.

Quick Start

Connecting a computer

Introduction

If youve made settings as shown in the screen

shot for step 2, the KORG USB MIDI Driver
Tools Installer screen will appear first.
Click [Next >].

6. When all the selected applications have been

installed, click [Finish] to exit the installer.

For example if you want to install the standalone version, click [Install Stand-alone
version]. Then follow the on-screen
directions to perform the installation, and
click [Close] when the installation has been
successfully completed.
If you want to install a plug-in version, click
in the Installer screen to select the format of
plug-in that you want to install, and perform
the installation.

Setting up the KORG USB-MIDI Driver

1. Before you perform the procedure below, you
must finish installing KORG USB-MIDI Driver
Tools into your computer.
Then restart the operating system of your
computer, and power-on the microX. (p.23)
Note: The driver must be installed for each USB
port. If you connect the microX to a different
USB port than the one you used when
installing KORG USB-MIDI Driver for
Windows, you will need to use the same
procedure to install the driver again.
2. Using a USB cable, connect the USB connector
of the microX to the USB connector of your
computer.
Make sure that the plug is oriented correctly,
and push it all the way into the connector.
Windows will detect that the microX has been
connected.

29

Effect
Global
Arpeggiator

Successively select and install the Editor

(Standalone), Plug-In Editor (VST), and/or
Plug-In Editor (RTAS) as desired.

If you want to use the KORG USB-MIDI Driver

for Windows XP, please re-install the driver
manually using the procedure described below.

Drum Kit

Install the next application in the same way.

5. If you selected microX Editor/Plug-In Editor in
step 2, choose the application(s) you want to
install.

Other functions External control

When the installation is complete, click [Finish] to exit the installer.

7. The first time you connect the microX to the

USB port of your computer, the standard USBMIDI driver provided by Windows will be
installed automatically.

Appendices

Click [Next >] to begin the installation.

Multi

Specify the installation destination. The

screen will show the installation destination
folder. If you want to change this, click
[Change] and select the desired installation
destination.

Combination

When youve finished installing the application(s) you want, click [Exit installer] to exit
the installer.

Program

Setup

The License agreement will appear. Carefully read the contents, and if you agree,
check I accept the terms of the license agreement and click [Next>].

Setup

Then the standard driver will be installed

automatically.

Note: For details on installation and setup, and on

uninstallation, see the Installation manual
(HTML) on your computer. To view the
Installation manual, click from your taskbars
[Start] [All Programs] [KORG] [KORG
USB-MIDI Driver Tools] [Installation manual].

About the microX and driver ports

3. In the task bar, choose [Start] [All Programs]

[KORG] [KORG USB-MIDI Driver Tools]
[Install KORG USB-MIDI Device] to start up
the setup utility.
The KORG USB-MIDI devices currently
connected to your computer will be shown in
the list above. The lower area will show the
version of the KORG USB-MIDI Driver that
you will be installing. Select microX in the list
above, and click [Install]. Driver installation
will begin.

KEYBOARD port
Applications on your computer use this port to
receive MIDI messages from the microX (data
from the keyboard and controllers).
SOUND port
Applications on your computer use this port to
send MIDI messages to the microXs internal
sound generator, making it produce sound.

Setting up the microX Editor/Plug-In

Editor
For details on setting up and using the microX
Editor/Plug-In Editor, see Editor/Plug-In Editor
Manual (PDF).

About the microX external control templates

See microX External Control Template List
(PDF) for details on the control change (CC#) settings assigned by the preloaded external control
templates and the application settings to which
they correspond.

4. If a warning dialog box regarding digital

signature authentication appears during the
installation, click [Continue] to continue the
installation.

5. Driver installation has been completed. Click

[Finish] to exit the installer. If you are asked
whether you want to restart Windows now,
choose [Yes] to restart.

30

2. In the CD-ROM, navigate to the KORG USBMIDI Driver folder, and double-click KORG
USB-MIDI Driver.pkg to start up the installer.
3. Depending on the version of your operating
system, a confirmation dialog box may appear
at this point. If so, enter your password and
click [OK]. When the installer starts up, the
following screen will appear. Click [Continue].

Introduction
Setup

About the microX and driver ports

KEYBOARD port
Applications on your computer use this port to
receive MIDI messages from the microX (data
from the keyboard and controllers).
SOUND port
Applications on your computer use this port to
send MIDI messages to the microXs internal
sound generator, making it produce sound.

Installing the microX Editor/Plug-In Editor

To install the software in Mac OS X, proceed as follows.
1. Insert the included CD-ROM into your CDROM drive.

Global

2. In the CD-ROM, navigate to the microX

Editor folder, and double-click microX Editor
Installer.pkg to start up the installer.

Program

1. Insert the included CD-ROM into your CDROM drive.

9. When the installation has been successfully

completed, click [Close] to exit the installer.

Combination

Note: Use the KORG USB-MIDI Driver if you are

connecting the microX via USB to a computer that
satisfies the conditions listed in KORG USB-MIDI
Driver operating requirements (p.27).

8. Depending on the version of your operating

system, a confirmation dialog box may appear
at this point. If so, enter your password and
click [OK].

Multi

Installing the KORG USB-MIDI Driver

7. The Easy Installation dialog box will appear.

Click [Install].

Effect

Mac OS X:
Installing the KORG USB-MIDI driver
and editor software

Quick Start

Connecting a computer

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install

application.

For details on setting up and using the microX

Editor/Plug-In Editor, see Editor/Plug-In Editor
Manual (PDF).

Installing the microX External Control

Temperate
To install the software in Mac OS X, proceed as follows.
1. Insert the included CD-ROM into your CDROM drive.
2. In the microX External Control folder on the
CD-ROM, double-click microX External
Control.pkg to start up the installer.

31

Drum Kit

6. A screen where you can choose the

Installation destination will appear. Choose
the installation destination and click
[Continue].

Setting up the microX Editor/Plug-In

Editor

Other functions External control

A dialog box will ask whether you accept the

terms of the license agreement. If you accept,
click [Agree].

Note: If youre using Mac OS X, the plug-in version

will also be installed in the appropriate folder.

Appendices

5. The License agreement will appear. Carefully

read the contents, and click [Continue].

4. When the installation has been successfully

completed, click [Restart].

Arpeggiator

See Installing the KORG USB-MIDI Driver.

4. Import information will appear. Read the
contents, and click [Continue].

Setup

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install

application.
See Installing the KORG USB-MIDI Driver
(p.31).
4. When the installation has been successfully
completed, click [Close] to exit the installer.

About the microX external control templates

See microX External Control Template List
(PDF) for details on the control change (CC#) settings assigned by the preloaded external control
templates and the application settings to which
they correspond.

Connecting to your computer via

MIDI
Heres how to connect the microX to your computer via a commercially available MIDI interface.
1. Connect the microXs MIDI OUT connector and
MIDI IN connector to your computer via the
MIDI interface.
For details on how to use your MIDI interface,
see its owners manual.
Some models of USB-MIDI interface may be
unable to transmit or receive the microXs
MIDI exclusive messages.
Computer

MIDI interface

Connecting via the microXs USB

connector, and setting-up

MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

microX

USB connector (for connecting to computer)

If you connect the microXs USB connector to your
computer, youll be able to send and receive note
data and other performance information and
sound settings between your computer and the
microX as MIDI messages.
Note: The USB connector of the microX is only able
to transmit and receive MIDI data.
Note: Use the KORG USB-MIDI Driver if youre
connecting the microX via USB to a computer that
meets the requirements described in KORG USBMIDI Driver operating requirements.
1. Using a USB cable, connect the USB connector
of the microX to the USB connector of your
computer.
Make sure that the plug is oriented correctly,
and push it all the way into the connector.
Computer
USB cable
USB

microX

2. Make the necessary settings in the microXs

Global mode.
See Global mode settings on the microX,
below.

32

2. Make the necessary settings in the microXs

Global mode.
See Global mode settings on the microX,
below.

Global mode settings on the microX

Local Control On settings
Turn on the Echo Back function of the external
MIDI/USB sequencer or computer (so that data
received at MIDI IN will be re-transmitted from
MIDI OUT/USB), and turn off the microXs Local
Control setting (so that microXs keyboard and
tone generator will be internally disconnected).
When you play the keyboard of the microX, the
musical data will be transmitted to the external
MIDI sequencer or computer, and then echoed
back to play the microX tone generator. In other
words, by turning Local Control OFF, you can prevent notes from being sounded in duplicate, as
would otherwise occur if a note were sounded by
the microXs own keyboard and again by the data
that was echoed-back.
If the arpeggiator function is on, playing the
microXs keyboard will not cause the arpeggiator
to operate, and only the musical data produced by
playing the keyboard will be transmitted. The
arpeggiator will operate only in response to the
notes that are echoed-back and received at MIDI
IN. In this way, turning off Local Control prevents
the arpeggiator from operating in duplicate.
Use this setting when you wish to record on the
external MIDI sequencer or computer only the
notes that trigger the arpeggiator, and to use the

Sound generator section

Trigger

Sequencer or
computer
(Echo Back on)

Arpeggiator

OFF

Keyboard

ON

MIDI OUT
USB

This connection
is broken when
you turn Local
Control off.

MIDI Filter Exclusive setting

If you want the microX to transmit and receive
system exclusive data, you must check the GLOBAL 1: MIDI page MIDI Filter Exclusive check
box. Check this box if the microX is connected to
your computer and you want to edit the microX
from your computer (or bi-directionally). You
must also check this box if youre using the
microX Editor/Plug-In Editor. By default, the
MIDI Filter Exclusive setting is checked.

The Convert Position setting

On the microX, the parameters Key Transpose
and Velocity Curve (GLOBAL 0: System, Basic
page) allow you to transpose the pitch, adjust the
velocity sensitivity.
The Convert Position setting (GLOBAL 1: MIDI
page) specifies the point at which these settings
affect the data from the keyboard and the data
sent or received via MIDI IN/USB or MIDI OUT/
USB.
When controlling an external MIDI tone generator from the microX, select Pre MIDI. The

Depending on which of these two situations

describes your needs, you can set the Multi
Mode setting in the GLOBAL 0: System, Preference page so that the microX will operate optimally for your situation.
for Ext-Seq is the setting you should choose when
using the microX as a multi-timbral sound module. When you switch multi sets on the microX,
tracks whose Status is EXT or BTH will not
transmit MIDI messages such as program
changes. This will avoid the undesired situation of
the echo back from your external MIDI sequencer
switching microX tracks of the identical channel to
the same program, pan, and volume settings etc.
for Master is the setting you should choose when
using the microX as a master keyboard. In this
case when you switch multi sets on the microX,
tracks whose Status is EXT or BTH will transmit
program changes and other MIDI messages to set
up your external MIDI sound module.

Making settings in Global mode

Heres how to set parameters in Global mode.
1. Press the [GLOBAL] button (the button will
light) to enter Global mode.

Introduction
Setup
Program
Combination

You will normally use Multi mode when youre

using the microX as a multi-timbral sound module
to simultaneously play multiple tracks from an
external MIDI sequencer. However, you can also
use Multi mode when you want to use the microX
as a master keyboard to control an external MIDI
sound module. (Normally you will use Combination mode if youre using the microX as a master
keyboard.)

Multi

MIDI IN
USB

Multi Mode setting

Effect

MIDI OUT
USB

The default settings are Key Transpose +00,

Velocity Curve 4 (Normal), and Convert Position PreMIDI.

Global

MIDI IN
USB

Outgoing MIDI data will be handled with

settings equivalent to Key Transpose 0 and
Velocity Curve 4.

Arpeggiator

Note: The microXs Local Control setting can be

turned Off by the Local Control Off message sent
from the editor when you start up microX Plug-In
Editor.

When controlling the microXs tone generator

from an external MIDI device, select PostMIDI.
The above-listed settings will affect the MIDI
data that is received.

Drum Kit

The default setting for Local Control is On. To turn

off Local Control, the Local Control On (GLOBAL 1: MIDI page) check box to uncheck it (PG
p.82).
When using the microX by itself, leave Local Control turned on. (If this is off when microX is used
by itself, playing the keyboard will not produce
sound.)

Incoming MIDI data will be handled with

settings equivalent to Key Transpose 0 and
Velocity Curve 4.

Other functions External control

Note: If you want the note data produced by the

arpeggiator to be recorded on the external
sequencer/computer, set Local Control on, and
turn off the Echo Back setting of the external
sequencer/computer.

above-listed settings will affect the MIDI data

that is transmitted.

Appendices

echoed-back notes to operate the arpeggiator

while monitoring your recording or during playback.

Quick Start

Connecting a computer

2. Press the [MENU/OK] button to access the

page menu.

33

Setup

Example connections when using

the microX Editor/Plug-In Editor
3. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select a
page, and press the ClickPoint center.
Local Control On

If you want to mix the microXs audio signals with

the audio signals sent from your host application
via your audio interface, or with audio signals
from another sound module, make connections as
shown below.

MIDI Filter Exclusive

Powered monitors

Convert Position
Choose MIDI if you want to make these
settings.

INPUT

INPUT

The GLOBAL 1: MIDI page will appear.

Audio interface

USB cable

Multi Mode
Choose System if you want to make these
settings.

1
L/MONO

Computer

USB

One of the GLOBAL 0: System pages will

appear. Use the [PAGE+][PAGE] buttons to
select the Preference page.

4. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select the

parameter whose setting you want to change.
For Local Control On or Exclusive, select
the parameter and press the ClickPoint center
to switch the parameter on/off.
For the Local Control On parameter, local
control will be off when the box is unchecked.

microX

If you want to apply a plug-in effect to the

microXs audio signals, or to control the microXs
audio signals in your host application together
with the audio data from the KORG Legacy Collection or other audio tracks, make connections as
shown below. Make settings as appropriate for the
host application youre using.
For details on setup, see Editor/Plug-In Editor
Manual (PDF).
Powered monitors

For Convert Position and Multi Mode,

select the parameter and turn the [VALUE] dial
to change the setting.

INPUT

INPUT

Audio
interface

USB cable
1
L/MONO

Computer

USB

microX

34

About MIDI
MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and is a world-wide standard for exchanging
various types of musical data between electronic
musical instruments and computers. When MIDI
cables are used to connect two or more MIDI
devices, performance data can be exchanged
between the devices, even if they were made by
different manufacturers.

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

microX

MIDI keyboard

Controlling two or more external

MIDI tone generators from microX
You can also use a MIDI patch bay to control multiple MIDI devices.

MIDI IN:
This connector receives MIDI data.

microX

Use this to play the microX from another MIDI

device, or from an external sequencer.

MIDI OUT

Global

MIDI keyboard

MIDI tone generator

Connecting an external MIDI

sequencer

MIDI OUT:
This connector transmits MIDI data.
Use this to control external MIDI devices, or to
record into an external sequencer.

You can connect the microX to your external MIDI

sequencer and use it both as an input keyboard
and as a MIDI sound module.

Controlling an external MIDI tone

generator from microX

1. Connect the microXs MIDI OUT connector to

your MIDI sequencers MIDI IN connector, and
connect the sequencers MIDI OUT connector
to the microXs MIDI IN connector.

When you wish to use the microXs keyboard,

controllers, and arpeggiator etc. to play an external MIDI tone generator, use a MIDI cable to connect microXs MIDI OUT connector to the MIDI
IN connector of the external MIDI tone generator.

2. Make the necessary settings in the microXs

Global mode.
See Global mode settings on the microX
(p.32).
MIDI
sequencer

MIDI IN

MIDI keyboard

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

Appendices

microX

Arpeggiator

MIDI OUT

Drum Kit

MIDI patch bay

Other functions External control

MIDI OUT

Effect

MIDI IN
MIDI IN

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

Introduction
Multi

MIDI connectors

Setup

When you wish to play or control the microXs

tone generator from an external MIDI keyboard or
sequencer etc., use a MIDI cable to connect the
MIDI OUT connector of the external MIDI device
to the MIDI IN connector of microX.

Program

By connecting the microXs MIDI connectors to an

external MIDI device you can transfer sound settings and performance data such as note messages
between your external MIDI device and the
microX.

Controlling microXs tone generator

from an external MIDI device

Combination

Connecting MIDI devices

Quick Start

Connecting MIDI devices

microX

35

Setup

36

Turn the [VALUE] dial.

Press the center of the ClickPoint to highlight the field, then use [][] to select a
program, and press the center to finalize
your selection.

Use the PROGRAM [A][GM] buttons to

select a program bank.

Selecting programs by program category

You can select programs by categories such as
piano or drums. (p.38)

Multi

Using Program Select to select a program

Bank
number
Program
Select
(program
number
and name)

Tab

2. Make sure that Program Select (program

number and name) is selected.
If this is not selected, use the ClickPoint [][]
to highlight the Program Select indication.
3. Use the [VALUE] dial etc. to select the program
you want to play.

Selecting programs by using a foot-switch:

You can change programs even while both
hands are busy playing on the keyboard convenient for live applications.

Knob B assign list

Effect

Selecting programs from the front panel:

Mode name Page number and name

Parameter name
Category number
Tempo
Tab
name
and name

Arpeggiator

There are several different ways to select programs. Each one is convenient in a different way:

The bank number you specified is shown below

PROG 0: Play.

1, 4
5

Selecting programs by receiving MIDI program changes:

Drum Kit

Selecting programs

You can switch programs from an external

MIDI sequencer or an external MIDI controller.
See below for details.

You can use the following methods to select a program.

Selecting programs from the front

panel

Turn the [VALUE] dial.

1. Press a PROGRAM [A][GM] button. (The

button will light.)
You will enter Program mode, and the bank
you specified will be selected. Notice that the
upper line of the display indicates PROG 0:
Play (mode name, page number and name).

Introduction

Quick Start

Playing programs

Combination

Program

This section of the manual takes a quick look at

playing Programs, including tours of the frontpanel controllers and basic editing techniques.

Global

Programs are important elements of other modes

as well. In Combination mode you can combine
multiple programs to create complex sounds, and
in Multi mode you can play multiple programs by

Press the center of the ClickPoint to highlight

the field, then use [][] to select a program,
and press the center to finalize your selection.
4. Press a PROGRAM [A][GM] button to switch
banks.
When you select a different Bank, the buttons
LED will light, and the selected bank will
appear on the left side of the display.

37

Other functions External control

Programs are the basic sounds of the microX.

receiving MIDI messages from multiple tracks of

your MIDI sequencer or other DAW program.

Appendices

Whats a Program?

Setup

Playing and Editing Programs

Playing and Editing Programs

For example, to select bank B, press the

PROGRAM [B] button. The [B] button will
light, and the name Bank B will appear in the
left of the display.
Each time you press the [GM] button, the bank
will alternate as shown below.
Gg(d)Gg(d)G

Selecting by Category
You can select Programs from within a category,
such as keyboard, organ, bass, and drums.
When shipped from the factory, the preloaded
Programs are organized into 16 categories.
In the PROG 0: Play page you can select programs
by category as follows.

Auditioning the sound

5. Play a note on the keyboard to hear the sound
you selected.
Alternatively, you can press the [AUDITION]
button (the button will light) to turn on the
Audition function and the microX will
automatically play a riff (phrase) suitable for
the selected program.

Using [CATEGORY] and the PROGRAM/

COMBINATION buttons to select
1. Press the [CATEGORY] button.
The category menu will appear. The categories
are displayed in the left side of the screen, and a
list of the programs in the selected category are
displayed in the right side.
Category No.

Overview: Program Banks

Sel (Select)

When shipped from the factory, it is loaded with

640 Programs. You can also save any programs
that you create.
Programs are organized into six banks as shown in
the following table.
Program banks
Bank

A, B,
C, D, E

g(d)

Prog.
No.

for
000
preloaded
127
programs

001 GM
128
programs

Category

Explanation
With the factory settings, these
banks contain a wide variety of
preloaded programs that use
the internal PCM ROM
multisamples, effects, and
arpeggio patterns.
128 programs can be written or
rewritten to each bank (for a
total of 640).

These banks contain 128 GM

programs and nine GM drum
programs that are compatible
with the GM sound map. The
programs of these banks are
read-only.
Bank G contains the GM
001 GM2 drum programs. G lets you select 128
128
programs programs numbered from 001
128, and g(d) lets you select
nine drum programs.
You cant write (save) data to
these banks.

Program

2. Press the PROGRAM [A][GM] or COMBINATION

[A][C] button for the desired category.

The category you specify will be selected. A

category name is printed below each bank
button.
Note: This method lets you select up to nine
categories.
You can use the [PAGE+][PAGE] buttons to
step through the categories one by one.
3. By using the [VALUE] dial or the ClickPoint
[][] to select programs, you can step
through the programs in the same category.
4. Press the [MENU/OK] button to confirm your
selection. If you decide not to select a program,
press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button.
2

3
4

Note: You can also switch categories by using the

ClickPoint [][] to select Category No. in the
top line of the category menu and then turning the
[VALUE] dial.

38

This lets you change Programs without using your

handsgreat for quick Program changes in live
performance situations.
To set this up:
1. Connect a foot switch to the rear-panel
ASSIGNABLE SWITCH jack.
Use a simple on/off footswitch, such as the
optional KORG PS-1.
2. Press the [GLOBAL] button to enter Global
mode.
3. Press the [EXIT] button to access the GLOBAL
0: System page.
4. Press the [PAGE+] button to access the Foot tab.

You can also install the included microX Plug-In

Editor into your DAW program as a plug-in, and
easily select microX programs or combinations
from a list within your DAW. For more details, see
Editor/Plug-In Editor Manual (PDF).

MIDI channel setting

In order to play the microX via MIDI, the transmitting device (MIDI sequencer or computer) and
receiving device (the microX) must be set to the
matching MIDI channel. In Program mode, the
microX receives data on the global MIDI channel.
1. Make sure that the microX and your external
MIDI device or computer are connected
correctly.

Setup

By sending MIDI program change messages along

with MIDI bank select messages to the microX
from an external MIDI device (a MIDI sequencer
such as a DAW program, or a MIDI controller,
etc.), you can select any program in the seven
banks.

Program

You can assign a footswitch to step through Programs one by one, either going up (0, 1, 2, 3, etc.)
or going down (3, 2, 1 etc.).

Combination

Using MIDI program change messages to select programs

Multi

Using a footswitch to select Programs

Introduction

Quick Start

Selecting programs

Global

4. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select

MIDI, and press the center.

Arpeggiator

The GLOBAL 1: MIDI page will appear.

6. Set the Foot SW Polarity to the polarity of the

pedal youve connected.
If youve connected a separately sold PS-1
pedal switch, choose the () KORG Standard
setting.
With these settings, you will step through the
programs one at a time each time you press the
foot switch.
If you want this setting to be remembered even
after you turn off the power, be sure to write
the changes you made. (p.45)
7. Use the PROGRAM [A][GM] buttons to enter
PROG 0: Play, and press the foot switch; the
program will change.
Note: This setting applies to selecting Combinations,
as well.

5. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select

MIDI Channel, and use the [VALUE] dial to
specify the global MIDI channel.
With the default settings, the global MIDI
channel MIDI Channel is set to 01.

Selecting programs
To switch programs, send a MIDI program change
from your external MIDI device or computer.
To switch banks, send a Bank Select control
change message (CC#0: upper byte, CC#32: lower
byte). The microX will switch to the program of
the specified bank at the time that it receives a program change following the bank select message.

39

Drum Kit

Program Down lets you select the next lower

program number each time you press the foot
switch.

3. Press the [MENU] button to access the PAGE

MENU.

Other functions External control

Program Up lets you select the next higher

program number each time you press the foot
switch.

2. Press the [GLOBAL] button to enter Global

mode.

Appendices

5. Select Foot SW Assign, and specify either

Program Up or Program Down.

Effect

For details on connections, see p.27.

Playing and Editing Programs

microX
Bank #

microX
Program #

Bank
Select
CC#0

Bank
Select
CC#32

Program #

0 127

63

0 127

0 127

63

0 127

0 127

63

0 127

0 127

63

0 127

0 127

63

0 127

1 128

121

0, 1 9

0 127

1 128: R

56

0 127

1 128: (XG) R

0, 1

0 127

0 127

0 127

1 128

120

0 127

1 128: R

62

0 127

1 128: (GS) R

g(d)

Note: In bank G, program numbers 000 through

127 correspond to 001128.
Note: R (Receive) indicates that only reception is
supported.
Note: Bank select messages will not be transmitted
or received if the GLOBAL 1: MIDI page MIDI
Filter Bank is unchecked.
Note: The table above describes the operation with
Bank Map set to GM. For details on the KORG
mapping (PG p.78).

Using Controllers
The microX provides realtime controllers such as a
joystick and OCTAVE [][] buttons that let you
make your performances more expressive.
These controls let you modify the tone, pitch, volume, effects, etc. in realtime while you play.
For example, a piano sound can be played realistically using only the keyboard, but your performance will be more expressive if you connect a
damper pedal. If youre playing guitar or wind
instrument sounds, you can use the joystick to
control the pitch or to apply vibrato.
Note: In the pages that follow, our explanation will
center on the dedicated functionality of each
controller. However, you can also use these
controllers as sources for alternate modulation
or effect dynamic modulation, giving you a
much wider range of possible uses than we
describe here. For details on these capabilities, see
Using Alternate Modulation (p.51) and PG
p.151.

40

Keyboard
Velocity
How hard you play the keyboard affects the expressiveness of the sound. You can adjust the volume
level setting so that playing the keyboard softly will
produce a soft sound, and playing hard will produce a loud sound. In addition, you can also adjust
the brightness of the sound and the envelope settings such as attack rate and release time.
Using Velocity Switch in Combination Play mode
and Multi mode, you can play different Programs
by changing the keyboard velocity.
See PROG 6: EdAmp1/2, Mod (p.55, PG
p.21) for information on how to change the volume level and envelope using key velocity.
See PROG 4: EdFilter1/2, Basic, Mod.1
(p.54, PG p.16) for information on how to
change the brightness and tonal color of the
sound using key velocity.
See PROG 2: EdPitch, OSC1/2 (PG p.10) for
information on how to control the pitch change
using key velocity.

Note Number
Sounds can be programmed to change in character
based on the note being played. As you play
higher or lower on the keyboard, the note number
can modulate the timbresuch as becoming
brighter as you play higher. Envelopes may also
become faster or slower; the volume may change;
and so on.

Joystick
You can use the joystick to vary the pitch or adjust
the depth of modulation. The actual result will
depend on the program, but these controllers are
normally used to apply the following effects.
+Y
Deepen the vibrato

X
Lower the
pitch

+X
Raise the
pitch

Y
Deepen the wah effect

Joystick movement in the +X/X axis can

adjust the amount of pitch bend
PROG 2: EdPitch, OSC1 (p.52, PG p.10)

You can press the OCTAVE [][] buttons simultaneously to recall the written (saved) settings.
OCTAVE [][] functions
Press the
[]
button

Keyboard
range

LED status

Press the
[]
button

C6 C8

Rapid blinking

C5 C7

Slow blinking

C4 C6

Lit

C3 C5

Dark

C2 C4

Lit

C1 C3

Slow blinking

C0 C2

Rapid blinking

Press the [][]

buttons
simultaneously
+

Keyboard
range
Written value

LED status
Corresponds to
pitch range

Note: With the factory settings, changing the

program, combination, or multi set will also recall
the OCTAVE [][] button setting that was
written as part of that data. This is because the
GLOBAL 0 OCTAVE Keys [/]: Use Prog/
Combi/Multis Octave setting is checked. If this
setting is not checked, changing the program etc.
will not affect the OCTAVE [][] setting until
you change the octave yourself. (p.88)

The REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], and [4]

knob B-mode functions can be viewed for Program
mode in the 0: Play, Program page; for Combination mode in the 0: Play, Combination page; and
for Multi mode in the 0: Play, Multi page. (p.37)
Note: If you turn the [EXT. CONTROLLER] button
on (lit), these knobs will be switched to the
external control function, and will be disconnected
from the internal sound generator. The
REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] knobs will
transmit MIDI messages (as specified by the
external control setup) to your external MIDI
equipment.

Introduction
Arpeggiator

Pressing the [] button will raise the pitch in oneoctave steps. Pressing the [] button will lower
the pitch in one-octave steps.

2. Rotate the desired knob to control the sound,

etc.

Using the pedals for control

Damper Pedal (Sustain)
The damper pedal is also sometimes called the
sustain pedal. It acts like the similarly-named
pedal on an acoustic piano; when you hold down
the pedal, notes will continue to sustain even
when you lift your hands off of the keyboard.

Damper Switch vs. Half-Damper

You can use either a standard footswitch (such as
the Korg PS-1) or a special half-damper pedal
(such as the Korg DS-1H) as the Damper.
If you use a footswitch, it will work like a normal
synthesizer sustain pedal: notes will sustain forever, as long as the pedal is held down.
A half-damper pedal is a special type of continuous foot pedal (normal foot pedals wont work
properly for this application). It offers more subtle
control of sustain, which can be especially useful
for piano sounds.

41

Drum Kit

These buttons shift the range of pitches assigned

to the keyboard in one-octave steps over a range
of 3 octaves.

Other functions External control

OCTAVE

1. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT]

button to switch the function of the realtime
controllers to A-mode, B-mode, or C-mode.

Appendices

Joystick movement in the +Y axis can adjust the

speed of the LFO
PROG 3: EdLFOs, OSC 1/2 LFO 1/2 (PG
p.14)

Setup

Specifically, you can use these controllers to edit

the filter cutoff frequency, resonance, amp and filter EQ, volume, portamento time, pan, pitch LFO,
and master effect send level, etc. You can also use
them to modify the arpeggiator tempo, gate,
velocity, and length. For more details, see p.43 and
p.91.

Program

Joystick movement in the Y axis can adjust the

depth of the wah effect
PROG 4: EdFilter1/2, LFO Mod. (p.54, PG
p.18)

Combination

Use the [SELECT] button to select realtime controller mode A/B/C, and use knobs [1][4] to control the tone, effects, MIDI control changes, and
arpeggiator etc. while you perform.

Multi

Joystick movement in the +Y axis can adjust the

depth of vibrato
PROG 2: EdPitch, OSC 1/2 LFO (p.52, PG
p.11)

Effect

REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], [4],

[SELECT]

Global

Joystick movement in the +X/X axis can vary

the cutoff frequency
PROG 4: EdFilter1/2, Mod.2 (PG p.16)

Quick Start

Using Controllers

Playing and Editing Programs

The microX will automatically sense when a halfdamper is connected to the rear-panel DAMPER
jack. For proper operation, you will also need to
calibrate the pedal, using the Half Damper Calibrate command in the Global page menu. (PG
p.77)

Assignable Foot Switch

This lets you use a simple footswitch, such as the
Korg PS-1, as an assignable controller. The footswitch can perform a wide variety of functions,
such as:
Sound and effect modulation
Portamento on/off
Program select up or down
Tap Tempo
Arpeggiator on/off
Duplication of many front panel controls,
including the modulation Joystick, Real-Time
Knobs
Functions other than the above Sound and effect
modulation will always operate as specified by
the GLOBAL 0: System, Foot page, regardless of
the currently selected program, combination, or
multi set.
For more information, see Specifying the function of the ASSIGNABLE Switch and ASSIGNABLE Pedal (p.88).

Assignable Foot Pedal

This lets you use a continuous controller pedal,
such as the Korg EXP-2 foot controller or Korg
XVP-10 EXP/VOL pedal, as an assignable controller.
Like the Assignable Foot Switch, described above,
the Foot Pedal can be used for many different
functions, including:
Master Volume
Channel Volume, Pan, or Expression
Assignable sound modulation, as several different AMS or Dmod sources
Effects Send level control
Duplication of many front panel controls,
including the modulation Joystick, Real-Time
Knobs
Functions above will always operate as specified
by the GLOBAL 0: System, Foot page, regardless
of the currently selected program, combination, or
multi set.
For more information, see Specifying the function of the ASSIGNABLE Switch and ASSIGNABLE Pedal (p.88).

42

External control
You can use the REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2],
[3], and [4] knobs to transmit MIDI messages. This
can be used to control a KORG Legacy Collection
software synthesizer or DAW program running on
your computer, or to control an external MIDI
device.
You can assign three control changes to each knob
and switch between them using the [SELECT] button, giving you a total of twelve different control
changes. These twelve assignments (four knobs x
three sets) are one set, and the microX provides
64 such sets. (p.111)

[EXT. CONTROLLER] button

This switches the external function on/off. If this
is on, the button will light and the realtime control
functions will be disabled.
When this is on, you can use the [SELECT] button
to select the MIDI messages assigned to the scene
and use the REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3],
and [4] knobs to send messages to your external
MIDI device.
When the external function is on, the REALTIME
CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], and [4] knobs operate
independently, and are not affected by the settings
of Program, Combination, or Multi mode.

Sending MIDI information from the

various controllers
When you operate a controller of the microX, the
corresponding or specified control change will be
transmitted via MIDI. Pitch bend messages are
transmitted only when you operate the joystick.
In Program mode, these messages are transmitted
on the global MIDI channel.
For details on the MIDI messages transmitted
when you operate an microX controller, and on the
AMS (Alternate Modulation Source) and DMS
(Dynamic Modulation Source) corresponding to
the MIDI messages, see MIDI transmission when
the X50/microXs controllers are operated (PG
p.166).

2. Press the [PAGE+] button (or [PAGE] button)

to access the PROG 0: Play, Perform. Edit page.

3. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select the

performance editor parameter you want to
adjust.
4. Use the [VALUE] dial etc. to adjust the value.
(p.20)
Octave: Indicates the octave setting.
Pitch Stretch: Simultaneously adjusts the
transpose and tune settings of the oscillator.
This allows you to produce a variety of tonal
changes without losing the character of the
original sound.
This is particularly effective for acoustic-type
programs such as guitar, bass, or piano. Select
various programs and try this out.
OSC Balance: Adjusts the level balance
between oscillators 1 and 2.
Note: For programs whose Mode (Oscillator
Mode) (PROG 1: EdBasic, Prog Basic page)
setting is Single, oscillator 2 will not sound.
Only the level of oscillator 1 will change. For a
Drums program, this performance editor will
have no effect.

Note: Depending on the settings of the program

parameters, the result may not be noticeable.
5. If you want to save the modified sound, select
the utility menu command Write Program,
and write the program. (p.45)
The edited content will be lost if you select
another program or turn off the power before
saving.

REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2],

[3], [4], [SELECT]
The REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] knobs can be
used to edit parameters such as the filter cutoff frequency, resonance, the amp and filter EGs, volume, portamento time, pan, LFO speed and more.
Three different modes - A, B, and C - allow each
knob to control one of three separate parameters.
The REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] knobs can
transmit MIDI messages (as specified by the external control setup) to your external MIDI equipment. If you turn the [EXT. CONTROLLER]
button on (lit), these knobs will be switched to the
external control function, and will be disconnected
from the internal sound generator. For more about
external control, see External control settings
(p.111).
1. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT]
button to switch the function of the realtime
controllers to A-mode, B-mode, or C-mode.
Each time you press the button, A-mode, Bmode or C-mode will be selected alternately,
and the corresponding LED will light.

43

Setup
Program
Combination

MFX Balance: This simultaneously adjusts the

Return 1 and 2 parameters of the master effects.

Multi

1. In Program mode (PROG 0: Play page), select

the program that you want to edit.

IFX Balance: This simultaneously adjusts the

W/D (Wet/Dry) balance of all insert effect.

Effect

When you move a slider, multiple program

parameters are adjusted simultaneously, meaning
that you can edit multiple parameters by adjusting
a single slider.

Decay Time: Indicates the decay time and

slope time of the filter EG and amp EG.

Global

By using the eight sliders of the Performance Editor, you can make overall adjustments to the sound.

Note: In order to maximize the effect of the

Attack Time adjustment, the amp EG Start
Level, Attack Level, Start Level Modulation,
and Attack Time Modulation parameters are
also adjusted.

Arpeggiator

Performance Edit

Attack Time: Indicates the attack time of the

filter EG and amp EG. This will adjust the
speed of the attack from note-on.

Drum Kit

On the microX, you can use the eight sliders in the

Performance Editor display and the realtime controller knobs and switches of the front panel to
make simple changes to a program without having to enter the editing pages that contain the
detailed editing parameters.

Amp Level: Indicates the amp level. This will

adjust the volume of the entire program.

Other functions External control

You can edit any of the Programs shipped with

microX, or you can start with an initialized Program to create sounds from scratch.

Appendices

Simple program editing

Introduction

Quick Start

Simple program editing

Playing and Editing Programs

Note: If CC#7079 are assigned to REALTIME

CONTROLS A-mode or B-mode, the sound edited
by knobs [1][4] can be saved by the Program
Write operation (p.45).
[SELECT] button

Adjusting the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter will modify the thickness of the sound from
which the low frequency range has been filtered
out.
Level

Knobs [1][4]
LPF

2. Rotate the desired knob to control the sound,

etc. See the explanations that follow.

HPF
Cutoff
frequency

A-mode controls
In A-mode, knobs [1][4] will control/edit the following functions.
Note: Placing the knobs in the center (12 oclock)
position will produce the values specified by the
program parameters.

Knob [1]: LPF CUTOFF

Adjust the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter.
When you adjust the cutoff frequency of the filter,
the brightness of the sound will change. The effect
will depend on the settings of the program parameters, but normally, rotating the knob toward the
left will darken the sound, and rotating it toward
the right will brighten it.

Knob [3]: EG-INTENSITY

Adjust the filter EG intensity (the depth at which
the filter EG is applied).
Rotating the knob will affect the depth of the filter
EG. Normally, rotating the knob toward the left
will make the filter EG apply less deeply, and
rotating it toward the right will make the filter EG
apply more deeply. Since the filter EG will operate
based on the cutoff frequency of the filter, knobs
[1] and [3] will work together to control the tonal
changes produced by the filter.
Level

Level
Time

LPF
Frequency
Low

Cutoff
frequency

High

Knob [2]: RESONANCE/HPF

Adjust the resonance level of a low pass filter or
the cutoff frequency of a high pass filter.
The content that is controlled will depend on the
filter type specified by the program.
By adjusting the filter resonance level, you can
increase or decrease the resonance level to add a
unique character to the sound.

44

Knob [4]: EG-RELEASE

Adjust the EG release times of the filter and amp.
This will determine the time from note-off until
the sound disappears.
When you adjust the knob, the release times of the
filter EG and the amp EG will change. Normally,
rotating the knob toward the left will shorten the
release time, and rotating it toward the right will
lengthen the release time.

Introduction

note-off

Release Level
Sustain Level

B-mode controls
You can control parameters such as volume, portamento time, pan or filter and amp EG, pitch LFO,
and master effect send levels etc.
The B-mode function settings are made for each
individual program, combination, or multi set.
You can specify the B-mode functions separately
for each individual program, combination, or
multi set.
The B-mode functions of the REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], and [4] knobs can be viewed
for Program mode in the 0: Play, Program page,
for Combination mode in the 0: Play, Combination
page, and for Multi mode in the 0: Play, Multi
page. (p.37)
Each knob in B-mode can also be used as a source
for Alternate Modulation or Effect Dynamic Modulation to control program parameters or effect
parameters, allowing you to adjust the sound in a
wide range of ways.

If you want to change the bank and number of

the writing destination, use the ClickPoint to
select the program name located at the right of
the To, and use the [VALUE] dial to select the
desired writing destination.
Note: You cant save in banks G or g(d).
If you want to change the name, use the ClickPoint to select the text button ( ) and then
press the ClickPoint center to open the text edit
dialog box.
You can give the Program a descriptive name
using the on-display keyboard. (p.114)
After entering the name, press [MENU/OK]
button.
The text edit window will disappear, returning
you to the main Write dialog.
If you want to specify the category, use the
ClickPoint to select Category, and use the
[VALUE] dial to specify the desired category.

C-mode control

The category you specify here can be used

when selecting by category with the
[CATEGORY] button.

You can control the effect of the arpeggiator in

realtime.

You can select by Category in the following

pages.

For details on operation, see p.91.

PROG 0: Play page

COMBI 0: Play, Prog page Program Select
COMBI 1: EdTone Adjust, Prog page
MULTI 0: Play, Program page.

Saving your edits

Once youve tweaked the sound to perfection,
youll want to save your work. To save your edits:
Be aware that if you modify the sound of a
program or write it to a different bank or
number, and then use a combination that uses
the modified program, the combination will
sound different.

Setup

3. Optionally, you can also select a new location,

or change the Programs name.

Program

Start Level

Combination

Release Time

Multi

Slope Time

Arpeggiator

Decay Time
Attack Time

Note: If the display indicates Memory

Protected, the program memory protect is
turned on. Go to GLOBAL 0: System,
Preference page, and uncheck the Memory
Protect Program setting. (p.88)

Drum Kit

Time

Effect

Break Level

Global

Attack Level

4. In the Write Program dialog box, press the

[MENU/OK] button to write (save) the
program.
5. A message will ask you for confirmation. If you
are sure you want to write the program, press
the [MENU/OK] button once again.
The program will be written (saved).

Appendices

1. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility

menu.

Other functions External control

note-on
Level

Quick Start

Saving your edits

2. Use the ClickPoint to select Write Program,

and then press the ClickPoint center.
The Write Program dialog box will appear.

45

Playing and Editing Programs

Detailed Editing with Programs

You can create your own original sounds by editing the factory Programs, or by initializing a Program (Bank E 127: Init. Program) and starting from
scratch. You can save these Programs into any
bank other than Bank G or g(d), which cannot be
modified.

Before you begin editing

The three attributes of sound: pitch,
tone, and volume
Sound has three basic attributes; pitch, tone, and
volume.
To control these attributes, the microX provides
oscillator, filter, and amp (amplifier) sections.
The oscillator settings vary the pitch, the filter
settings modify the tone, and the amp settings
modify the volume.

The microXs oscillator, filter, and

amp

These three sections determine the basic sound of

the program.

EG, LFO, keyboard tracking, AMS,

Dmod, controllers
In addition to the sections described above, the
microX provides ways in which the sound can be
varied according to time, key range, or various
types of performance expression. These are controlled by modulators and controllers such as EG
(envelope generator), LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), keyboard tracking, AMS (Alternate Modulation Source), Dmod (Dynamic modulation) and
the joystick. You can use these modulators and
controllers to apply change to the basic sound of
the program.
Take a look at the diagram entitled Program
structure and corresponding pages. Notice that
the audio signal flows in the order of Oscillator/
Pitch Filter Amp. Also notice how modulators such as EG and LFO can affect these blocks.
As shown in figure, a program consists of OSC 1/
2, effects, and the arpeggiator.

On the microX, the settings that determine the

pitch are located in the PROG 1: EdBasic and
PROG 2: EdPitch pages. In the EdBasic page
you can specify the waveform (multisample) and
the basic pitch of the waveform. In the EdPitch
page you can specify how the pitch will follow the
keyboard, and make other pitch-related settings.

OSC 1/2

Filter settings are made in the PROG 4: Ed

Filter1 and PROG 5: EdFilter2 pages. These settings adjust the tone.

EFFECTS

Finally, Amp settings are made in the PROG 6:

EdAmp1/2 pages. These settings adjust the volume, and send the sound to the outputs.

Each timbre consists of Oscillator/Pitch, Filter,

Amp, EG, and LFO blocks. You can create more
complex programs by using two oscillators
together in one program using the Layer feature.
Note: The Pitch EG is shared by OSC1 and OSC2.

The output of OSC 1/2 is sent to the insert effect,

the master effects, and the master EQ. The mixer
section lets you control the routing, so you can
specify where the sound will be sent.

Program structure and corresponding pages

Program Basic : 1-1

Controller Setup:
7-3

Oscillator1 Basic : 1-2, 4

OSC1 Pitch Mod. : 2-1, 2

Arpeggiator :
7-1, 2

OSC1 LFO2 : 3-2

OSC1 LFO1 : 3-1

Filter1(A/B) : 4-1

Insert Effect :
8-1
OSC1, 2

Amp1 Level/Pan : 6-1

Insert Effect
Master Effect
IndividualOutput

Amp1 Mod. : 6-2

Filter1 Mod. : 4-2,3

Filter1 LFO Mod. : 4-4
Filter1 EG : 4-5

46

Insert Effect:
8-2, 3

MasterEQ : 9-4

Filter

Amplifier

AUDIO OUTPUT
L/MONO, R
AUDIO OUTPUT
INDIVIDUAL 1, 2

OSC 1
OSC 2

Pitch EG : 2-5

Oscillator / Pitch

Amp1 EG : 6-3

Master Effect 1, 2:
9-1...3

Effect
11, 94, etc. indicate the microX on-screen pages and tabs.

Overview of editing pages

In the PROG 0: Play page you can select and play
programs, and use the performance editor or realtime controllers to make simple edits to the sound.
You can also adjust the arpeggiator settings.

Pressing [COMPARE] button again returns you to

the version you are editing, and the LED will go
out again.
If you edit while the COMPARE LED is lit, the
button will again go dark and your previous edits
will be lost.

Pitch settings. Pitch EG settings.

3: EdLFOs

Type and speed settings etc. for the two

LFOs provided for each oscillator. (Make
settings in the pitch, filter, and amp
pages to specify the depth of the LFO
settings you make here.)
Filter (tone) settings. Filter EG settings.

6: EdAmp1/2

Settings related to Amp 1/2 (volume),

including amp EQ and pan (stereo
position).

7: EdArp/Ctrls

Arpeggiator settings. (Shared with 0:

Play parameters. You may edit either.)
Controller settings.

8: EdInsertFX

Select the BUS and master effect send

level for the oscillator output.
Insert Effect routing, selection and
settings.

9: EdMasterFX

Master Effect selection and settings.

Master EQ settings.

Introduction
Drum Kit

5: EdFilter2

Other functions External control

4: EdFilter1

Effect

2: EdPitch

Global

1: EdBasic

Specify the program type as Single,

Double, or Drum.
Select multisamples.
Specify Mono or Poly voice assignment.
Select the temperament (e.g., equal
temperament).

Arpeggiator

0: Play

Multi

The other pages let you modify the sound in more

detailed ways.
Select and play programs.
Use the Performance Editor for easy
editing, and to do simple editing of
arpeggio patterns.
Select an external control set.

Setup

A program can use one arpeggiator. You can select

an arpeggio pattern, specify the range in which
the arpeggio will be generated, and specify the
range of notes (keys) and velocities that will trigger the arpeggiator.

When youre in the process of editing a sound,

pressing the [COMPARE] button will recall the
saved version of the sound, as it was before you
started editing. To indicate that you are listening
to the saved version, the buttons LED will light
up.

Program

ARPEGGIATOR

Comparing (original and edited

sounds)

Combination

For the one insert effect and the two master effects,
you can choose from 89 effect types. The master
EQ is a stereo three-band EQ.

Quick Start

Before you begin editing

Appendices

For details on how to access each mode, page, and

the utility commands, and how to edit values, see
Basic operations (p.19).

47

Playing and Editing Programs

Basic oscillator settings

EGs will not re-trigger, so that you can move from

note to note in a true legato fashion. If the previous note is released before the next note is played,
the note will trigger normally.

Program type setting (single, double, drum kit)

Try switching between Poly and Mono, and listen

to the results.

Here you can specify the type of program

(whether to use one oscillator, two oscillators, or a
drum kit). Use the PROG 1: EdBasic, Prog Basic
Oscillator Mode to specify the program type.

Working with Multisamples

What is a multisample?

Single Programs have one oscillator, and Double

Programs have two oscillators. Each oscillator
includes a complete synthesis voice, with velocityswitched Multisamples, dual filters, EGs, LFOs,
and so on.

A sample is a digital recording of a particular

instrument or waveform (or other natural or artificially processed sound) recorded at a specific
pitch. A multisample is a collection of similarly
voiced samples, used to create the same type of
sound - piano, bass, guitar, strings, organ - across
the entire keyboard, as the basis of a program. The
oscillators of single and double programs use multisamples. There are 624 multisamples available in
this instrument.

Drums mode is a special variation of Single mode,

and uses a Drum Kit (as created in Global mode)
instead of Multisamples.

You can assign up to two multisamples to each

oscillator and switch between them by velocity.
This is called velocity multisample switching.

Polyphony

Multisamples and Drum Kits

Polyphony is the number of notes that can be

played simultaneously, such as in a chord. The
polyphony depends on the program type.

Multisamples and Drum Kits allow you to play

samples in different ways.

Program type

Polyphony

Single

62

Double

31

Drums

62

Polyphonic/monophonic playing
The Voice Assign Mode selects whether the Program will play polyphonically (Poly) or monophonically (Mono).

Multisamples lay out one or more samples

across the keyboard. For instance, a very simple
guitar Multisample might have six samples
one for each string.
As the name suggests, Drum Kits are optimized
for playing drum samples.

Selecting Multisamples
If you specify a High and Low multisample for an
oscillator, either the High or the Low multisample
will sound depending on the velocity of the note
(i.e., the strength at which you play the keyboard).
This function is called velocity multisample
switching.
Note: To make it easier for you to hear the result,
set the program type to Oscillator Mode Single.

When this is set to Poly, you can play both chords

and melody lines. When this is set to Mono, only
one note will sound even if you play a chord.
Normally youll set this to Poly, but Mono is useful when playing sounds such as synth basses,
synth leads, and other solo instruments. Another
important aspect of monophonic playing is Legato
triggering. When Legato is on (the box is checked),
if a new note on the keyboard is played before the
previous note is released, the filter and amplifier

48

1. Access the PROG 1: EdBasic, OSC1 page.

2. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to highlight
High Multisample.
Use the [VALUE] dial to make your selection.

3. Specify the basic pitch of the oscillator. This is

set by the Octave parameter.

Using velocity to switch between oscillator 1 and 2

You have now assigned the High and Low

multisamples. Next well set the velocity range.

For example if you set Velocity SW LH to

100, playing the keyboard softly will sound the
Low multisample, and playing strongly will
sound the High multisample.
6. Adjust the Level for High and Low
multisamples to set their volume balance.
Note: If you do not wish to use this function, set
the Velocity SW L H value to 001. Only the
High multisample will sound.

Reverse check box

Reverse lets you play the selected multisample
backwards, without looping. This can produce
interesting results for sound effects or other
unusual timbres. Normally you will not check
this.

Using oscillators 1 and 2 to create a

detuned sound
You can use a double program (i.e., a program
whose Oscillator Mode is Double) to create a
detuned sound as follows.

In the example shown above, the velocity ranges

are as follows.

Introduction
Setup

OSC1 will sound for all velocity values.

OSC2 will sound only for strongly played notes
(64 and above).
You can use Velocity Multisample Switching in
addition to this (High Multisample, Low
Multisample). For this example, set OSC1 in
Velocity SW LH to 32 and OSC2 to 96.
The settings are shown as vertical lines in the
velocity zone display.
In this example, the multisamples will sound
over four levels.
Velocity values 001031:
sound only the OSC1 Low multisample.
Velocity values 032063:
sound only the OSC1 High multisample.

Other functions External control

Notes played on the keyboard at a velocity less

than the value you specify will sound the Low
multisample; velocities at or above this velocity
value will sound the High multisample.

Here you can specify the range of velocities that

will sound oscillators 1 and 2.

Velocity values 064095:

sound the OSC1 High multisample and the
OSC2 Low multisample.
Velocity values 096127:
sound the OSC1 High multisample and the
OSC2 High multisample.

Appendices

5. Specify a velocity value for Velocity SW

LH.

Program
Multi

4. In the same way, select a different multisample

for Low Multisample.

Combination

Press the [MENU/OK] button to finalize your

selection.

Effect

Then use the [VALUE] dial to select a

multisample.

The playback pitch can be set independently.

By using the same multisample with slightly
different Tune settings, you can detune the
oscillators to produce a richer sound. Generally
speaking, people hear flat notes as sounding
sour or out of tune more easily than they do
sharp notes. So when detuning two oscillators,
it may sound more musical to tune one
oscillator up in pitch, and leave the other
oscillator close to or just slightly below normal
pitch.

Global

Use the [PAGE+][PAGE] buttons to select a

category.

2. Specify the playback pitch for OSC1 and OSC2.

Arpeggiator

With High Multisample highlighted, press

the [CATEGORY] button to access the category
menu. (p.38)

It will be convenient to use the Utility Copy

Oscillator to make the oscillator settings
match each other.

Drum Kit

Alternatively, you can select a multisample by

category.

Quick Start

Basic oscillator settings

1. Make the same multisample and EG settings,

etc. for OSC1 and OSC2.

49

Playing and Editing Programs

Copying settings between OSC1 &

OSC2
Many of the Program parameters can be set differently for OSC1 and OSC2.
These include all of the parameters on:
All of the tabs on the EdPitch page, except for
the Pitch EG
All of the tabs on the EdFilter page
All of the tabs on the EdAmp page

5. Specify the basic pitch of the oscillator. For a

drum kit, set Octave to +0 [8'].

Using LFOs and Envelopes (EGs)

All of the tabs on the EdLFOs page

You can use the utility menus Copy Oscillator
command to copy these parameters from one
Oscillator to another. You can even copy parameters from an Oscillator in a different Program.
This command is useful when you want to set
both Oscillators to the same settings, or when you
want to duplicate settings youve used before.

Assigning a drum kit

What is a drum kit?
If you want to use a drum kit in a program, set the
Oscillator Mode to Drums. Then choose one of
the 40 user drum kits or nine GM-compatible
drum kits for the program to use.
A drum program uses a drum kit for its oscillator. A drum kit consists of multiple drum instrument samples placed across the keyboard. There
are 929 drum instrument samples. (p.48 Multisamples and Drum Kits)
In Global mode you can create or edit a drum kit
itself. You can assign up to two drum samples
(High and Low) to each note of the keyboard, and
switch between these drum samples by velocity.
You can also specify the effects and the routing to
the audio output jacks. (p.108 Editing Drum
Kits)

Using LFOs
Each Oscillator has two LFOs: LFO1 and LFO2.
You can use these LFOs to modulate many different Program parameters, including:
Pitch (vibrato): PROG 2: EdPitch, OSC1 LFO
Intensity, and the same parameter of the
OSC2 LFO
Filter (wah effect): PROG 4: EdFilter1, LFO
Mod. Intensity to A and to B, and the same
parameters for PROG 5: EdFilter2
Volume (auto-tremolo): PROG 6: EdAmp1/2,
Mod, LFO1 Mod. Intensity, and the same
parameters for LFO2 Mod.
In addition to the uses described above, you can
use an LFO as a source for Alternate Modulation
and Effect Dynamic Modulation to modulate a
wide range of parameters. By assigning an LFO to
Pan AMS (PROG 6: EdAmp1/2, Level/Pan)
you can create an auto-pan effect.

Basic LFO settings

Note: Depending on the program youve selected,
you may be unable to hear the result of the
following edits. If so, increase the value of one of
the Intensity parameters listed above so that
you can hear the result.

1. Access the PROG 1: EdBasic, Prog Basic page.

For example in order to use OSC1 LFO1 to modulate filter 1, you should increase the PROG 4: Ed
Filter1, LFO Mod. LFO1 Intensity to A or Intensity to B value.

2. Set Oscillator Mode to Drums.

1. Access the PROG 3: EdLFOs, OSC1 LFO page.

3. Access the PROG 1: EdBasic, OSC1 page.

2. Select the Waveform parameter.

4. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to highlight

Drum Kit.

3. Use the [VALUE] dial etc. to select the desired

LFO waveform.

Selecting a drum kit

Use the [VALUE] dial to select a drum kit.

50

The display shows a graphic of the waveform.

note-on

Attack Level

Slope Time

Release Time

For more information on LFOs, see PROG 3: Ed

LFOs (PG p.14).
All of these parameters control the way that the
LFO itself works. In order for the LFO to actually
affect the sound, you can use the dedicated LFO
routings on the Filter, Pitch, and Amp pages, or
use the LFOs as AMS sources for a wide variety of
parameters.

Frequency Modulation
AMS can be used to vary the LFO speed. This lets
you change the LFO speed by operating a controller, or by the EG or Keyboard Track settings. (PG
p.14)

MIDI/Tempo Sync.
If MIDI/Tempo Sync is checked, the Frequency setting will be ignored, and the LFO will
synchronize to the system tempo, as set by the
TEMPO knob or external MIDI clocks.
This lets you produce vibrato, wah, auto-pan, or
tremolo effects that lock to arpeggiator, or external
MIDI sequencers.

EGs (Envelope Generators)

An envelope creates a modulation signal by moving from one level to another over a specified time,
and then moving to another level over another
period of time, and so on.

Built-in physical controllers, such as the Joystick, and Real-Time Knobs

Incoming MIDI controllers
Modulators such as the Filter, Pitch, and Amp
EGs, or the LFOs
Intensity is a parameter that sets the degree
(speed, depth, amount etc.) to which AMS will
control the modulation.
A number of frequently-used modulation routings, such as using the joystick to vary the pitch,
are provided as additional, dedicated routings,
separate from AMS.
Note that not all AMS sources may be available for
some modulation destinations.
For details on alternate modulation and AMS, see
Alternate Modulation Source (AMS) (PG
p.151).

Suggestions on using AMS

When making settings for alternate modulation,
think of the effect that you wish to produce, what
type of modulation will be necessary to produce
that effect, and what parameter of the oscillator,
filter, or amplifier needs to be controlled.
Next, select a source (AMS) and set the Intensity.
If you proceed logically in this way, you will
achieve the desired effect.
For example, if you want to control a guitar sound
so that it approaches feedback when you move the
joystick, you might set up the joystick to modulate
the filter frequency and resonance.

51

Multi

AMS (Alternate Modulation Source) refers to any

of the assignable modulation sources in microX,
including:

Effect

5. Use the Frequency parameter to set the speed

of the LFO.

Global

Using Alternate Modulation

Combination

Start Level

4. After looking at the different waveforms, select

Triangle.

6. Use the Fade and Dly (Delay) settings to

control the way the LFO sounds at the
beginning of the note.

Introduction
Setup

Time
Decay Time
Attack Time

Arpeggiator

Random 1 (S/H) creates the classic sample-andhold effect, which is great for modulating a
resonant filter.

Release Level

Sustain Level

Program

The Guitar waveform is designed especially for

guitar vibrato, since it bends only upwards
from the base value.
Saw and Exponential Saw Down are good for
rhythmic filter and amp effects.

note-off
Break Level

Level

Drum Kit

Square is useful for gated filter and amp

effects, and creates a police siren effect when
modulating pitch.

Other functions External control

Triangle and Sine are the classic LFO shapes

for vibrato, tremolo, panning, and filter wah
effects.

Each program includes three EGs, one for Pitch,

one for the Filter, and one for the Amp. These produce time-varying changes in pitch, tone, and volume respectively. They can also be used to
modulate a number of other Program parameters
via AMS.

Appendices

There are a number of waveforms to choose

from. Each are suited to different applications:

Quick Start

Using Alternate Modulation

Playing and Editing Programs

Controlling Pitch
Here you can specify how the pitch of the multisample selected for the oscillator will change.
Pitch EG and LFO settings allow the pitch to varied over time.
Note: To specify the basic pitch of the multisample,
use the Octave parameter in the PROG 1: Ed
Basic, OSC1 or OSC2 page.

Varying the pitch according to keyboard position (Pitch Slope)

On keyboard instruments such as piano or organ,
the pitch will rise as you play toward the right
side of the keyboard, and fall as you play toward
the left.
You can use the Pitch Slope setting to specify
how this will occur.
With positive (+) settings, the pitch will rise as you
play toward the right side of the keyboard. With
negative () settings, the pitch will fall as you play
toward the right side of the keyboard.
Normally you will leave this set to +1.0.

Modulating the pitch

pitch will change over a longer time. With a value

of 000, there will be no portamento.

Creating Vibrato
You can use an LFO to create vibrato.
LFO 1/2 Intensity sets the depth to which the
selected LFO will affect the pitch. With a setting of
+12.00, vibrato will produce a maximum of 1
octave of pitch change.
JS+Y Int specifies the amount of vibrato that the
LFO will produce when the joystick is pushed
away from yourself.
AMS Intensity specifies the depth of the vibrato
effect created by LFO when you operate an AMS
(Alternate Modulation Source). For example, suppose you set LFO1 AMS to KnobM1 [+] (Knob
Mod1: CC#17), and raise the AMS Intensity. If
Knob B Assign Knob 1-B is set to Knob Mod.1
(CC#17), vibrato will be applied when you turn
the microXs knob [1] or when CC#17 is received.

Pitch EG
When the Intensity value is set to +12.00, the pitch
EG specified in the Pitch EG page will produce a
maximum of 1 octave of pitch change.

Pitch bend
The JS (+X) and JS(X) settings specify the
amount of pitch change (in semitones) that will
occur when MIDI pitch bend messages are
received or when the joystick is moved to left or
right. A setting of +12 allows the pitch to be controlled a maximum of one octave upward; a setting of 12 allows the pitch to be controlled a
maximum of one octave downward.
Ribbon (#16) specifies the amount of pitch
change (in units of a semitone) that will occur
when CC#16 is received (or when you operate the
ribbon controller of a connected TRITON Extreme
or similar device).

Portamento
Portamento makes the pitch change smoothly
when you play the next note before releasing the
previous note.
The Time parameter controls how long it take
the pitch to change. As this value is increased, the

52

To realistically simulate the slight change in pitch

that occurs when a string is plucked or at the
attack of a brass or vocal sound, you can use the
EG to create a subtle change in pitch at the attack.

High pass filter

Level

High Pass

Setup

microX provides Filter1 for OSC1 and Filter2 for

OSC2. For each of these filters, you can select from
two types (Low Pass Resonance or Low Pass &
High Pass). Filter2 can be used if Mode (Oscillator Mode) is set to Double.

12dB/oct

Frequency

Program

The filters allows you to diminish or emphasize

specified frequency areas of the sound.
The tone of the sound will depend significantly
on the filter settings.

This type of filter passes the high frequency range

and cuts the low frequency range. Use this when
you wish to make the sound thinner. However if
the cutoff frequency (Frequency) is raised excessively high, the volume will become very low.

Level

Resonance
Overtones included
in the original multisample
Frequency (pitch)

When Resonance is set to a higher value, the

overtones in the region of the cutoff frequency will
be boosted as shown in the diagram below, giving
a distinctive character to the sound.

Combination

Using Filters

Introduction

Quick Start

Using Filters

When resonance is applied

Filter

This selects the parts of the sound which will be

affected by the filter, as described below.

Low pass filter

This is the most common type of filter, which
passes the low frequency range and cuts the high
frequency range. When the overtones of the high
range are cut, a bright sound will become darker
(more mellow).
24 dB/oct and 12 dB/oct see the steepness of the
cut. 24 dB/oct means that the gain will decrease 24
dB in one octave (i.e., as the frequency doubles). A
12 dB/oct filter would decrease the gain 12 dB in
one octave. The 24 dB/oct filter produces a steeper
cut.
Level

Low Pass

12dB/oct
24dB/oct

Frequency

When this is set to 0, there is no emphasis, and frequencies beyond the cutoff will simply diminish
smoothly.
At medium settings, the resonance will alter the
timbre of the filter, making it sound more nasal, or
more extreme. At very high settings, the resonance
can be heard as a separate, whistling pitch.
To make the resonance track the keyboard pitch,
see 42a: Keyboard Track (PG p.17).

Global

Filter Types

High resonance
value

Selecting a filter to modify the tone

Heres how to select a filter type and adjust the
Frequency (cutoff frequency) and Resonance
(resonance level).
1. Use Type to select a filter type.

Drum Kit

Frequency (pitch)

Low resonance
value

2. If youve selected Low Pass Resonance as the

filter type, you can set the parameters for Filter
A.

Other functions External control

Overtones after
passing through
the filter

Frequency specifies the cutoff frequency.

Overtones above the specified cutoff frequency
will be diminished, making the tone more
mellow (darker).

Appendices

Level

Arpeggiator

Level

Filter characteristics
This area of overtones
will be diminished

Effect

Multi

Low Pass

Low Pass Resonance: This is a 24 dB/octave

low pass filter with resonance.
Low Pass & High Pass: This is a 12 dB/octave
low pass filter and a 12 dB/octave high pass
filter connected in series.

53

Playing and Editing Programs

Resonance specifies the resonance level. This

boosts the overtones in the region of the
specified Frequency, giving the sound a
distinctive character.

Int. to A and Int. to B adjust the effect that

keyboard tracking will have on filters A and B.
For more details, see 42a: Keyboard Track
(PG p.17).

Filter EG

If youve selected Low Pass & High Pass as the

filter type, you can use the Filter A parameters
to adjust the low pass filter and the Filter B
parameters to adjust the high pass filter.
Overtones above the Filter A Frequency will
be diminished, making the sound more mellow
(darker).
Overtones below the Filter B Frequency will
be diminished, decreasing the low-range and
making the sound thinner.

The Filter EG is a multi-stage envelope, which you

can use to modulate the filter (naturally!) as well
as other Program parameters. The EG itself is set
up on the Filter page; the way that it affects the filters is controlled by the parameters described
below, on the Filter Mod page:
The Int. to A and Int. to B settings control the
basic amount of EG modulation for filter frequencies A and B, respectively, before other modulation.
The Vel to A and Vel to B settings let you use
velocity to scale the amount of EG modulation.
The AMS setting selects a AMS modulation
source to scale the amount of the Filter EG applied
to Filters A and B. The two filters share a single
AMS source, with separate intensity settings.

Modulating the filters

You can modulate the filter cutoff frequency using
the Filter EG, the LFOs, keyboard tracking, and
other built-in and MIDI controllers. This is a great
way to add a rich variety of tonal change to the
sound.

Keyboard Track

LFO modulation

Most acoustic instruments get brighter as you play

higher pitches. At its most basic, keyboard tracking re-creates this effect by increasing the cutoff
frequency of a lowpass filter as you play higher on
the keyboard. Usually, some amount of key tracking is necessary in order to make the timbre consistent across the entire range.

You can modulate the filter via LFO1 and LFO2.

Among other applications, LFO modulation of the
filter can produce the classic auto-wah effect.
The EdFilter1, LFO Mod (or EdFilter2) page lets
you set up the following parameters separately for
each LFO:

When Ramp Low is set to a positive (+)

value, the cutoff frequency will rise as you play
lower on the keyboard, making the sound
brighter. When set to a negative () value, the
cutoff frequency will fall as you play lower on
the keyboard, making the sound darker.
When Ramp High is set to a positive (+)
value, the cutoff frequency will rise as you play
higher on the keyboard, making the sound
brighter. When set to a negative () value, the
cutoff frequency will fall as you play higher on
the keyboard, making the sound darker.

54

Intensity to A and Intensity to B specify how

much the LFO changes the tone.
JS-Y Int. to A and JS-Y Int. to B specify the
depth of the wah effect created by the LFO when
you move the joystick toward yourself or when
CC#2 is received.
The AMS setting selects a AMS modulation
source to scale the amount of the LFO applied to
Filters A and B. The two filters share a single AMS
source, with separate intensity settings.
For example if you set Knob B Assign Knob 1-B
to Knob Mod. 1 (CC#17), and set AMS to Knob
M1#17, you can turn the REALTIME CONTROLS
B-mode knob [1] to apply an auto wah effect.

Introduction

Quick Start

Using the Amp section

Applying modulation to the amp

Program

In addition to the EG, LFOs, and Key Track, you

can use two AMS sources to modulate the filters.
For instance, you could use the joystick to change
the brightness.

Setup

AMS modulation

This lets you vary the volume relative to the note

you play.
For more details, see Keyboard Track (p.54).

Using the Amp section

Volume

Piano
Volume decays
gradually

Organ
Volume remains
constant until note
is released

Specifies how the LFOs will produce cyclic

changes in volume (tremolo effect).
The volume will be affected by the LFO(s) for
which you set an LFO1 Mod Intensity, LFO2 Mod
Intensity value.
Intensity (AMS Intensity) adjusts the depth by
which the tremolo effect produced by the LFO will
be affected when you assign an AMS (LFO1 AMS,
LFO2 AMS).
For example if you set AMS (LFO1 or LFO2) to
JS-Y #02, you can move the joystick toward yourself or receive CC#2 to apply a tremolo effect.

Amp EG (Amp Envelope Generator)

Time

Time

The Amp EG lets you control how the volume

changes over the course of a note.

Setting the basic amp level

The basic volume level is set by the Amp Level
parameter.

Effect
Appendices

You can then alter this using the modulation

sources below:

Global

LFO1/2 Mod.

Arpeggiator

For example, the volume of a piano note begins at

a high volume the instant you play the note, and
then decreases gradually.
The volume of an organ note, on the other hand,
remains constant as long as you continue pressing
the key.
The volume of a note on a violin or wind instrument can be varied during the note by the musician (i.e., by regulating the amount of pressure on
the bow or the force of the breath).

Drum Kit

Different sounds have characteristic shapes to

their volume levels.

Other functions External control

Each Oscillator has its own Amp section: Amp1

for OSC1, and Amp2 for OSC2.

Velocity Intensity is used by most programs to

decrease the volume of softly played notes and
increase the volume of strongly played notes.
Normally you will set Amp Modulation to positive (+) values. As this setting is increased, there
will be greater volume difference between softly
played and strongly played notes.

Multi

Velocity (Amp Modulation)

The Amp section includes controls for volume and

pan. You can control the volume using the Amp
EG, LFO 1/2, Keyboard Track, and velocity, along
with other AMS sources.

Volume

Combination

Keyboard Track

55

Playing and Editing Programs

Every instrument has its own characteristic volume envelope. This is part of what gives each
instrument its identifiable character.
Conversely, by changing the volume contourfor
instance, applying a string-like Amp EG curve to
an organ multisample you can produce interesting and unusual sounds.

If this is checked, the Program can use a different

pan position for each drum sound, as specified by
the Drum Kit. If this is unchecked, all drum
sounds will use the Programs pan position. The
factory presets and GM drum kits use individual
pan positions for the different drums, so normally
its best to leave this checked.

Piano

Organ

Strings

Effects
Effects are covered in their own section of the
manuals, so we wont go into too much detail
here. (p.79)

Adjusting the pan (stereo position)

Insert Effect
You can make insert effect settings in the PROG 8:
EdInsertFX page.

The main Pan parameter determines the placement of the sound in the stereo field after the signal has passed through the oscillator, filter, and
amp.
Normally youll set this to C064, so that the sound
is centered equally between the left and right
speakers.
To create a stereo effect when Oscillator Mode is
set to Double, set the Amp1 Pan to L001, and
the Amp2 Pan R127. This will make OSC1 go to
the left speaker, and OSC2 go to the right speaker.
With a setting of Random, the pan will change
randomly each time you play a note on microX,
producing an interesting effect.

Pan AMS and Intensity

Intensity specifies the depth of the pan modulation from the selected AMS source.
If you set AMS to Note Number, the pan will
change according to the keyboard position of each
note played.
With a setting of LFO1 or 2, the sound will sweep
from side to side, creating an auto-pan effect.

Pan - Use DKit Setting

Use DKit Setting applies when Oscillator Mode
is set to Drums.

56

The Insert Effect can be assigned to either an individual oscillator or the entire Program. You can
use any type of effects, from distortions and compressors to choruses and reverbs.
The Insert Effect can be routed to the main outputs, or to any of the individual outputs. (p.84)

Master Effects
You can make master effect settings in the PROG
9: EdMasterFX page.
There are two Master Effects, which are accessed
through Sends 1 and 2. These are best-suited to
effects such as reverbs and delays, but you can use
them with any type of effect. (p.85)

Master EQ
You can make master EQ settings in the PROG 9:
EdMasterFX page.
The master EQ is located immediately before the
(MAIN OUTPUT) L/MONO and R outputs. Use it
to adjust the overall tone. (p.85)

Playing combinations
Selecting combinations
There are several different ways to select Combinations. Each one is convenient in a different way:
Selecting combinations from the front panel:
Using Combi Select to select a program

Turn the [VALUE] dial.

Press the center of the ClickPoint to highlight the field, then use [][] to select a
program, and press the center to finalize
your selection.

Use the COMBINATION [A][C] buttons to

select a combination bank.

Selecting combinations by program category

You can select programs by categories such as
piano or drums. (p.38)
Selecting combinations by using a footswitch:
You can change combinations even while both
hands are busy playing on the keyboard convenient for live applications
Selecting combinations by receiving MIDI
program changes:
You can switch combinations from an external
MIDI sequencer or an external MIDI controller.

Quick Start
Introduction
Program

Combinations, or Combis for short, let you split

and layer up to 8 Programs at once.
A Combi is made up of 8 Timbres. Each Timbre
has a Program, along with parameters for key and
velocity zones, mixer settings, MIDI channel and

controller filtering, and so on.

As with Programs, each Combi has 1 Insert Effect,
2 Master Effects, and a Master EQ, for shaping and
transforming the sounds of the individual Timbres. Finally, Combis can use 2 Arpeggio patterns
modules at once.

Selecting combinations from the

front panel
1. Press a COMBINATION [A][C] button. (The
button will light.)
You will enter Combination mode, and the
bank you specified will be selected. Notice that
the upper line of the display indicates COMBI
0: Play (mode name, page number and name).
The bank number you specified is shown below
COMBI 0: Play.
Parameter name
Mode name Page number and name
Category number
Tempo
Tab name
and name

Bank
number
Combi
Select (combination
number and
name)

Tab

Control assign list

2. Make sure that Combi Select (combination

number and name) is selected.
If this is not selected, use the ClickPoint [][]
to highlight the Combi Select indication.
3. Use the [VALUE] dial etc. to select the
combination you want to play.
1, 4

See below for details.

5

2
3

You can use either of the following methods to

select a program.
Turn the [VALUE] dial.

57

Combination

Whats a Combination?

Setup

Playing and Editing Combinations

Playing and Editing Combinations

Press the center of the ClickPoint to highlight

the field, then use [][] to select a program,
and press the center to finalize your selection.

Using a footswitch to select Combinations

4. Press a COMBINATION [A][C] button to

switch banks.

You can assign a footswitch to step through Combinations one by one, either going up (0, 1, 2, 3,
etc.) or going down (3, 2, 1 etc.).

When you select a different Bank, the buttons

LED will light, and the selected bank will
appear on the left side of the display.
For example, to select bank B, press the
COMBINATION [B] button. The [B] button will
light, and the name Bank B will appear in the
left of the display.

Auditioning the sound

5. Play a note on the keyboard to hear the sound
you selected.
Note: You cant use the [AUDITION] button to
play a riff (phrase) in Combination mode.

Overview: Combination Banks

When shipped from the factory, it is loaded with
384 Combinations. You can also save any combinations that you create.
Combinations are organized into three banks as
shown in the following table.
Combination banks
Bank

A, B, C

Prog.
No.

Explanation

With the factory settings,

these banks contain a wide
variety of preloaded
combinations that use
multiple programs, effects,
for
000
and arpeggio patterns.
preloaded
127
combination 128 programs can be written
or rewritten to each bank AC
(for a total of 384). You cant
write (save) data in these
banks.

This lets you change Combinations without using

your handsgreat for quick Combination changes
in live performance situations.
For details on how to do this, refer to Using a
footswitch to select Programs (p.39).

Using MIDI program changes to

select combinations
You can select combinations in the COMBI 0: Play
page or switch the programs of timbres by sending MIDI program change messages from your
external MIDI device (DAW software or other
sequencer, or MIDI controller) to the microX.
If youve installed the included microX Plug-In
Editor into your DAW program as a plug-in, you
can easily select microX programs or combinations
from a list within your DAW software. For more
details, see Editor/Plug-In Editor Manual
(PDF).

Switching combinations via MIDI

The combination will change when the microX
receives a program change on a channel that
matches the global MIDI channel.
However, this is affected by the GLOBAL 1: MIDI
Combi (Combination Change) setting. This setting must be checked. If this setting is unchecked,
the combination will not change; instead, the program will change for the timbre of the matching
channel.

Selecting by Category

With the factory settings, the global MIDI channel

is set to channel 1. If you want to change this setting, see MIDI channel setting (p.39).

You can select Combinations from within a category, such as keyboard, synthesizer, bass, and
drums.

Switching the program of a timbre via

MIDI

When shipped from the factory, the preloaded

Combinations are organized into 16 categories.
For details on how to do this, refer to Using
[CATEGORY] and the PROGRAM/COMBINATION buttons to select (p.38).

58

The MIDI channel of a timbre is specified by the

COMBI 2: EdTrack Param, MIDI MIDI Channel setting. When a program change message on
a MIDI channel that matched the timbres channel
is received, the program will change for timbres
whose Status is INT. However, program
changes for timbres are affected by the COMBI 3:
EdMIDI Filter1, -1 page Program Change setting.

These controls let you modify the tone, pitch, volume, effects, etc. in realtime while you play.

Introduction
Setup

Just as in Program mode, you can use controllers

such as the joystick, OCTAVE [][] buttons, and
REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] to add a broad
range of expression to your playing in Combination mode.

For more details, see Using Controllers (p.59).

REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], and [4] will
also function as external controls.

Sending MIDI information from the

various controllers
When you select a combination on microX, a MIDI
program change for the selected combination
number will be transmitted on the global MIDI
channel. At the same time, bank select, program
change, and volume (CC#7) messages will be
transmitted on the MIDI channel specified for
each timbre that is set to Status of EXT or EX2.
However, these messages will not be transmitted
for timbres that are set to the same MIDI channel
as the global MIDI channel. In this case, EX2 timbres will show the Program Select Bank as ,
and will transmit the bank number that was specified in Bank (EX2) MSBand Bank (EX2) LSB
(21a).
MIDI messages transmitted when you operate
microX are transmitted on the global MIDI channel. At the same time, timbres whose Status is
EXT or EX2 will transmit the same messages on
their own MIDI channel.
For details on the MIDI messages transmitted
when you operate an microX controller, and on the
AMS (Alternate Modulation Source) and DMS
(Dynamic Modulation Source) corresponding to
the MIDI messages, see MIDI transmission when
the X50/microXs controllers are operated (PG
p.166).

59

Program

The result of receiving a program change on the

global MIDI channel will depend on the GLOBAL
1: MIDI Combi (Combination Change) setting.

Using Controllers

Combination

The Status setting is located in the COMBI 2:

EdTrack Param, MIDI page, and the Program
Change setting is located in the COMBI 3: Ed
MIDI Filter1, -1 page.

Quick Start

Using Controllers

Playing and Editing Combinations

Simple combination editing

You can edit any of the Combinations shipped
with microX, or you can start with an initialized
Program to create sounds from scratch.
On the microX, you can use the edit of COMBI 0:
Play page and the realtime controller knobs and
switches of the front panel to make simple
changes to a program without having to enter the
editing pages that contain the detailed editing
parameters.

1. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility

menu.

2. Use the ClickPoint [][] to choose Solo

Selected Timbre, and press the ClickPoint
center.
Now you will hear only the program sound of
the currently selected timbre. The lower part of
the display will indicate [Solo].

Changing the programs

within the Combination
Changing the Program assigned to each timbre (1
8) is a quick way to dramatically alter the sound of
the Combination.
Note: You can make the following settings from
either the COMBI 0: Play page or the 1: EdTone
Adjust page.

Selecting programs from the front

panel and LCD
To change the Program assigned to a Timbre:
1. Access the COMBI 0: Play, Prog page.

3. To cancel this setting, choose Solo Selected

Timbre once again and press the ClickPoint
center.

Receiving MIDI program changes to

switch timbre programs
See Switching the program of a timbre via MIDI
(p.58).
Note: MIDI program changes only work for
Timbres whose Status is set to INT.

This page shows information about the

programs assigned to Timbres 18.

Adjusting a timbres pan and

volume
2. Use the ClickPoint to highlight Program
Select, and use the [VALUE] dial etc. to select a
program.
You can use either of the following methods to
select a program.

Adjusting the pan (stereo position)

Heres how to adjust the pan of each timbre.
1. Access the COMBI 0: Play, Mixer page.
This page shows the pan and volume settings
for the programs assigned to timbres 18.

Turn the [VALUE] dial.

Press the center of the ClickPoint to highlight
the field, then use [][] to select a program,
and press the center to finalize your selection.
Selecting by Category (p.38)

Listening to the program sound of just

one timbre
Heres how you can listen to the sound of a single
timbre by itself.

60

2. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to highlight

the Pan of the timbre whose pan setting you
want to adjust, and use the [VALUE] dial etc. to
adjust the setting.
A setting of C064 is center, L001 is far left, and
R127 is far right. With a setting of RND, the
stereo location will change randomly between
left and right each time a note is played.

Adjusting the volume while preserving

the volume balance between timbres

1. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility

menu.
2. Use the ClickPoint to select Write
Combination, and then press the ClickPoint
center.
The Write Combination dialog box will appear.

1. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility

menu.

2. Use the ClickPoint [][] to select Hold

Balance, and press the ClickPoint center.
The upper right of the display will indicate
Hold Bal.

Note: If the display indicates Memory

Protected, the combination memory protect is
turned on. Go to GLOBAL 0: System,
Preference page, and uncheck the Memory
Protect Combination setting. (p.88)
3. Optionally, you can also select a new location,
or change the Combinations name.
If you want to change the bank and number of
the writing destination, use the ClickPoint to
select the combination name located at the right
of the To, and use the [VALUE] dial to select
the desired writing destination.

3. When you change the Volume value of any

timbre, the volume of all timbres will also
change to preserve the volume balance at the
time you checked the Hold Balance setting.

If you want to change the name, use the ClickPoint to select the text button ( ) and then
press the ClickPoint center to open the text edit
dialog box.

4. To defeat this setting, press Hold Balance

once again and press the ClickPoint center.

You can give the Combination a descriptive

name using the on-screen keyboard. (p.114)
After entering the name, press [MENU/OK]
button.

REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2],

[3], [4], [SELECT]

The text edit window will disappear, returning

you to the main Write dialog.

Just as in Program mode, you can use the realtime

controller [1][4] knobs and [SELECT] button in
Combination mode to modify sounds and effects,
or to control the arpeggiator. See REALTIME
CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], [4], [SELECT] (p.43).
The REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] knobs can
transmit MIDI messages (as specified by the external control setup) to your external MIDI equipment. If you turn the [EXT. CONTROLLER]
button on (lit), these knobs will be switched to the
external control function, and will be disconnected
from the internal sound generator. For more about
external control, see External control settings
(p.111).

Introduction

2. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to highlight

the Volume of the timbre whose volume
setting you want to adjust, and use the
[VALUE] dial etc. to adjust the setting.

Once youve tweaked the sound to perfection,

youll want to save your work. To save your edits:

Setup

1. Access the COMBI 0: Play, Mixer page.

Saving your edits

Program

Heres how to adjust the volume of each timbre.

If you want to specify the category, use the

ClickPoint to select Category, and use the
[VALUE] dial to specify the desired category.
The category you specify here can be used
when selecting by category with the
[CATEGORY] button. (p.58)
4. In the Write Combination dialog box, press the
[MENU/OK] button to write (save) the
program.
5. A message will ask you for confirmation. If you
are sure you want to write the program, press
the [MENU/OK] button once again.
The combination will be written (saved).

Note: The REALTIME CONTROLS A-mode and Bmode can control timbres of the same channel as
the global MIDI channel.

61

Combination

Adjusting the volume

Quick Start

REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], [4], [SELECT]

Playing and Editing Combinations

Detailed Editing with Combinations

You can edit any of the preloaded combinations or
start with an initialized Combination (Bank C 127:
Init. Combination) to create your own original
sounds.
You can use the factory Programs to create new
Combinations, or use your own custom Programs.
You can write (save) these combinations in any
bank AC.

Layer, split, and velocity switch

In the COMBI 5: EdKey Zone, Key page and the
6: Vel Zone, Vel page, specify the range (layer,
split, velocity switching, etc.) in which each program will sound.

Adjust the programs so that they fit

within the combination
For each timbre program, specify the poly/mono
setting and adjust timbre parameters such as portamento and transpose.

Before you begin editing

A combination has eight timbres. Each timbre consists of a program with parameters such as keyboard zone, velocity zone, mixer settings, MIDI
channel, and filter. See the diagram entitled Combination structure and corresponding pages.

Overview of Combi mode parameters

Effects
The output of each timbre is sent to the insert
effect, the master effects, and the master EQ. You
can use the mixer section to freely specify how the
audio signals will be routed.
There is one insert effect and two master effects,
and for each of these you can choose one of 89
effect types. The master EQ is a stereo three-band
EQ.

In the COMBI 0: Play, Prog page (or COMBI 1: Ed

Tone Adjust, Prog page), select a program for each
timbre.

Note: The effect settings created and saved with a

program in Program mode are not used in
Combination mode. Effect settings are made
independently for the combination.

Status and MIDI settings

Arpeggiator

Select a program for each timbre

In the COMBI 2: EdTrack Param, MIDI page, set

Status to INT for the timbres that you want to
play, and set their MIDI channel to the global
MIDI channel.

A combination can use two arpeggiators (dual

polyphonic arpeggiators). You can select the
arpeggio pattern, specify the range in which the
arpeggio is generated, and specify the region of
notes (keys) or velocities that will trigger the
arpeggiator.

Combination structure and corresponding pages

Controller Setup : 7-5
Timbre1
Program

Parameters
Arpeggiator: 7-1...4

Timbre2
Parameters
Program
Timbre3
Program

Parameters

Timbre4
Program

Parameters

Timbre8
Program

Insert Effect :
8-1
Master Effect 1, 2 :
9-1...3
Timbre

Insert Effect
Master Effect
Individual Outputs

Insert Effect :
8-2, 3

MasterEQ :9-4

AUDIO OUTPUT
L/MONO, R
AUDIO OUTPUT
INDIVIDUAL 1,2

Parameters

11, 94, etc. indicate the microX on-screen pages and tabs.

62

0: Play

Select and play combinations.

Select a program for each timbre, and set
status, pan, and level. (Same as the 1: Ed
Tone Adjust parameters; can be edited
from either page.)
Select an arpeggio pattern and make
settings.
Select an external control set.

1: EdTone Adjust

Select a program for each timbre, and set

status, pan, and level.
Use Tone Adjust to adjust parameters.

MIDI, OSC, Pitch, Delay, and Scale settings

2: EdTimbre Param
for each timbre.
3: EdMIDI Filter1
4: EdMIDI Filter2

MIDI message transmission/reception

filter settings for each timbre.

5: EdKey Zone

Key zone settings for each timbre.

6: EdVel Zone

Velocity zone settings for each timbre.

7: EdArp/Ctrls

Arpeggiator settings. (Same as the 0: Play

parameters; can be edited from either
page.)
Controller settings.

8: EdInsertFX

BUS and master effect send level settings

for each timbre.
Insert Effect routing, selection, and
settings.

9: EdMasterFX

Master Effect selection and settings.

Master EQ settings.

For details on how to access each mode, page, and

the utility commands, and how to edit values, see
Basic operations (p.19).

Comparing (original and edited

sounds)
When youre in the process of editing a sound,
pressing the [COMPARE] button will recall the
saved version of the sound, as it was before you
started editing. To indicate that you are listening
to the saved version, the buttons LED will light
up.
Pressing [COMPARE] button again returns you to
the version you are editing, and the LED will go
out again.
If you edit while the COMPARE LED is lit, the
button will again go dark and your previous edits
will be lost.

For the procedure, see Changing the programs

within the Combination (p.60)

Introduction

You can select a program for each timbre in the

COMBI 0: Play, Prog page or in the COMBI 1: Ed
Tone Adjust, Prog page.

Setup

The other pages let you modify the sound in more

detailed ways.

Selecting a program for each

timbre

Program

In the COMBI 0: Play page you can select and play

combinations, select the program used by each
timbre, adjust the mixing, and adjust the arpeggiator setting.

Status and MIDI settings

Status and MIDI channel
Status
This controls the status of MIDI and the internal
tone generator for each Timbre. Normally, if
youre playing an internal Program, this should be
set to INT.
If the status is set to Off, EXT, or EX2, that internal
sounds will not be played. Off simply disables the
Timbre entirely. The EXT and EX2 settings allow
the Timbre to control an external MIDI device.

Bank Select (when status=EX2)

When the Status is set to EX2, these parameters
allow you to transmit MIDI Bank Select messages
for changing banks on external MIDI devices.

MIDI Channel
Timbres that you wish to play from microXs keyboard must be set to the global MIDI channel.
Your playing on the keyboard is transmitted on
the global MIDI channel, and will sound any timbre that matches this channel. Normally you will
set this to Gch. When this is set to Gch, the MIDI
channel of the timbre will always match the global
MIDI channel, even if you change the global MIDI
channel.
On some preloaded combinations, Timbres
used by arpeggiator may have their MIDI
Channels set to something other than Gch.
These will be timbres that play only when
arpeggiator is ona very useful technique for
creating arpeggiator-utilized combinations.
For more details, see The arpeggiator in
Combination and Multi modes (p.95). In
particular, note the relationships between
arpeggiator assignments and MIDI Channel.

63

Combination

Overview of editing pages

Quick Start

Selecting a program for each timbre

Playing and Editing Combinations

MIDI filter settings

Here you can specify whether the MIDI data sent
and received by timbres 18 will be filtered.

Layers, Splits, and Velocity

switches
Within a Combination, you can use note number
and velocity to determine which Timbres will
sound.

If a check box is checked, the corresponding MIDI

data can be sent and received. If Status is INT,
movements of the microXs controllers or incoming MIDI data will apply an effect for the program
of that timbre. (Effect Dynamic Modulation functionality is not affected by these settings.) If the
Status is EXT or EX2, movements of the
microXs controllers will transmit MIDI data on
the channel of that timbre. MIDI transmit/receive
settings for the entire microX are made in MIDI
Filter (GLOBAL 1).
If a check box is unchecked, the corresponding
MIDI data will not be sent or received.
As another example, lets say that youve selected
a bass Program for Timbre 1, and a piano Program
for Timbre 2, with the goal of creating a bass/
piano split. You could make the following settings
so that pressing the damper pedal affects only
Timbre 2s piano sound:

The Programs assigned to each Timbre can sound

in three ways: as part of a layer, a split, or a velocity switch. A Combination can be set to use any
one of these methods, or to use two or more of
these methods simultaneously.

Layer
Layers cause two or more Programs to sound
simultaneously when a note is played.
Program A
Program B
Layer:
Two or more programs sound
simultaneously.

Split
Splits cause different Programs to sound on different areas of the keyboard.
Program A

Program B
Split:
Different programs will sound in
different areas of the keyboard.

1. Access the COMBI 3: EdMIDI Filter1, -2 page.

2. Un-check the Damper CC#64 box for Timbre 1.

Velocity Switch

3. Check the Damper CC#64 box for Timbre 2.

Velocity Switches cause different Programs to

sound depending on the velocity (how hard you
play the notes).
Program B
Program A

Strong
Soft

Keyboard playing
dynamics

Velocity Switch:
Keyboard playing dynamics
(velocity) switches between
different programs.

On microX, you can use a different Program for

each of up to eight Timbres, and combine two or
more of the above methods to create even more
complex setups.
Program B

Program A
Program D
Program C

Strong
Soft

Keyboard playing
dynamics

Example:
B and C/D are split. In the lower
keyboard range, A and B are
layered. In the higher keyboard
range, C and D are switched by
velocity and layered with A.

As an additional possibility, you can set the slope

for a key zone or velocity zone so that the volume
diminishes gradually. This lets you change a split
into a keyboard crossfade, or a velocity switch into
a velocity crossfade.

64

the sound will change gradually instead of

changing suddenly.

Introduction

Keyboard X-Fade (keyboard

crossfade):
As you play from low notes to
high notes, the volume of A
will fade out, and the volume
of B will fade in.

Program B

Program A

Quick Start

Layers, Splits, and Velocity switches

Timbre 1

Piano

Timbre 2

Brass

Timbre 3

Strings

C1

B3

C4

5. The COMBI 5: EdKey Zone, Review page

shows a graphic indication of the region of keys
(or note data) for which timbres 18 will play.
The region that will sound is shown as a line,
and the shaded area indicates the portion
occupied by the slope.

G9

Combination

1. Access the COMBI 0: Play, Prog page.

2. Select a piano sound for Timbre 1, a brass
sound for Timbre 2, and a strings sound for
Timbre 3.
3. Access the COMBI 2: EdTimbre Param, MIDI
page.

Creating Velocity Switches

4. For Timbres 13, set Status to INT and MIDI

Channel to Gch (the Global Channel).

Next, lets create a simple velocity switched Combination, like the diagram below:

5. Access the COMBI 5: EdKey Zone, Key page.

6. Set Timbre 1s Top Key to G9, and its Bottom
Key to C4.
7. Set Timbres 2 and 3 to a Top Key of B3, and a
Bottom Key of C1.
The piano program will sound when you play a
key above or including C4. The brass program
and strings program will sound when you play
a key below C4.

Timbre 1

Brass

Timbre 2

Strings

127
64
63
1

Velocity
switch

1. Access the COMBI 0: Play, Prog page.

2. Select a brass sound for Timbre 1, and a strings
sound for Timbre 2.
3. Access the COMBI 2: EdTimbre Param, MIDI
page.
4. For Timbres 12, set Status to INT and MIDI
Channel to Gch (the Global Channel).
5. Access the COMBI 6: EdVel Zone, Vel page.
6. Set Timbre 1s Top Velocity to 127, and its
Bottom Velocity to 64.

Key Zone Slope

In addition to hard splits, in which the sound
changes abruptly, you can use the Slope parameters to gradually fade a sound in or out over a
range of keys.

Program

Lets create a Combi which combines both splits

and layers, like the diagram below:

Setup

Creating Key Splits and Layers

7. Set Timbre 2 to a Top Velocity of 63, and a

Bottom Velocity of 1.
The strings program will sound when you play
the keyboard softly, and the brass program will
sound when you play strongly.

Well assume that you are continuing to edit from

the preceding example.
1. Access the COMBI 5: EdKey Zone, Key page.
2. In the example above, you could set the
Bottom Key of timbre 1 to G3, and set the
Top Key of timbre 2 to G4, so that these two
timbres overlap.
3. Access the COMBI 5: EdKey Zone, Slope page.
4. Next, if you set the Bottom Slope of timbre 1
to 12, and set the Top Slope of timbre 2 to 12,

65

Playing and Editing Combinations

Velocity Zone Slope

Similar to Key Zone Slopes, as described above,
these let you fade in and fade out sounds gradually over a velocity range, instead of a simple hard
switch.
Well assume that you are continuing to edit from
the preceding example.
1. Access the COMBI 6: EdVel Zone, Vel page.
2. In the case of the above example, you could set
the velocity zones of the two Timbres so that
they partially overlap.
3. Access the COMBI 6: EdVel Zone, Slope page.
4. Then, set the Top Slope and Bottom Slope
so that the sound changes gradually, instead of
changing suddenly between velocity values of
63 and 64.

Altering Programs to fit

within a Combination
You can make various changes to Programs within
the context of a particular Combination, to make
them fit better with other Programs, or to create
particular sonic effects. These changes do not
affect the original Programs, or how those Programs sound in other Combinations.

Specifying how the timbre will

sound

You can make these settings in COMBI 2: EdTimbre Param, OSC.

5. The COMBI 6: EdVel Zone, Review page
shows a graphic indication of the region of
velocities for which timbres 18 will play. The
region that will sound is shown as a line, and
the shaded area indicates the portion occupied
by the slope.

Force OSC Mode

Normally this should be set to PRG, so that the
sound will play as set by the original Program.
If you wish to force a polyphonic program to
sound monophonically, set this either to Mono or
LGT (Legato). Conversely, set this to Poly if you
wish to force a monophonic program to play polyphonically.

OSC Select
Normally, this should be set to Both.
If the timbre is using a program whose Oscillator
Mode is Double, and you want only OSC1 or
OSC2 (not both) to sound, set this to OSC1 (only
OSC1 will sound) or OSC2 (only OSC2 will
sound).

Portamento
Normally, this should be set to PRG.
If the Program uses portamento, but youd like to
disable this for the current Combination, set this
parameter to Off.
Conversely, if you want to force the portamento to
be on, or just to change the portamento time, set
this to a value of 001127. The portamento will
change to use the newly specified time.

66

Quick Start

Altering Programs to fit within a Combination

Delay and scale settings

You can make these settings in COMBI 2: EdTimbre Param, Pitch.

You can make these settings in COMBI 2: EdTimbre Param, Other.

Transpose, Detune (BPM Adjust)

Delay

These parameters adjust the pitch of the timbre.

You can set some Timbres so that they dont sound

immediately at note-on. This can create cool
effects, and more dramatic layers.

In split-type combinations, you can use Transpose to shift the pitch (in semitone units) of
the programs specified for each key zone.
If you wish to change the playback pitch of a
drum program, use Detune. If you change
the Transpose setting, the relationship
between notes and drum sounds will change.

You can specify the delay for each Timbre either in

milliseconds (ms), or in rhythmic values which
sync to the system tempo.
If you set the Delay to Key Off, the Timbre will
sound when the note is released.

Use Programs Scale

This specifies the scale for each timbre.
If you check Use Programs Scale, the scale
specified by the program will be used. Timbres for
which this is not checked will use the Scale setting
Type (Combi scale).

Adjusting the BPM of multisamples

If youre using a phrase or rhythm loop multisample in the program of a timbre, you can adjust its
BPM. You can use the utility menu Detune BPM
Adjust to call up a new BPM value. This changes
the BPM by adjusting the playback pitch.
For more details, see Detune BPM Adjust (PG
p.41).

Editing Programs with Tone Adjust

Using Tone Adjust, you can make detailed edits to
Programs within the context of the Combi. You
can assign six parameters to each timbre and
adjust them, but you can also re-specify parameters and make further adjustments.
Proceed as follows.

Specifying the range of pitch change

controlled by the joystick (+X, X)

1. Of the COMBI 1: EdTone Adjust, TA1TA3

pages, access the page that you want to edit.

This is specified by the Bend Range. You can

specify the range in semitone units. With the PRG
setting, the pitch bend range will be as specified
by the program.
2. For each timbre, use Destination 16 to select
the parameter that you want to adjust for the
program.
3. Use the [VALUE] dial etc. to adjust the value of
the parameter you selected in Destination 1
6. The sound will change accordingly.
With the default settings you can control the following parameters.
LPF Fc: Adjusts the low pass filter cutoff frequency of
program OSC 1/2. This will affect the brightness of
the sound.

67

Program
Combination

In a layer-type combination, you can set two or

more timbres to the same program, and create a
richer sound by using Transpose to shift their
pitch apart by an octave or by using Detune
to create a slight difference in pitch between the
two.

Setup

Introduction

Adjusting the pitch

Playing and Editing Combinations

Reso.HP: Adjusts the resonance level of the low

pass filter or the cutoff frequency of the high pass
filter for program OSC 1/2. The parameter that is
controlled will depend on the filter type specified
for the program.
F EG Int: Adjusts the filter EG intensity (the depth
of the filter EG) for program OSC1/2.
A EG A: Adjusts the EG attack times of the program OSC 1/2 filter and amp. To maximize the
result of this adjustment, the Amp EG sustain
level, attack level, start level modulation, and
attack time modulation will also be adjusted at the
same time.
A EG D: Adjusts the EG decay time and slope
time of the program OSC 1/2 filter and amp.
A EG R: Adjusts the EG release time of the program OSC 1/2 filter and amp.

Effects
Effects are covered in their own section of the
manuals, so we wont go into too much detail
here. (p.79)

Insert Effect
You can make settings for the insert effect in the
COMBI 8: EdInsertFX page.
The output of each timbre can be sent to the insert
effect. You can use any type of effects, from distortions and compressors to choruses and reverbs.
The Insert Effect can be routed to the main outputs, or to any of the individual outputs. (p.84)

Master Effects
You can make master effect settings in the COMBI
9: EdMasterFX page.
There are two Master Effects, which are accessed
through Sends 1 and 2. These are best-suited to
effects such as reverbs and delays, but you can use
them with any type of effect. (p.85)

Master EQ
You can make master EQ settings in the COMBI 9:
EdMasterFX page.
The master EQ is located immediately before the
(MAIN OUTPUT) L/MONO and R outputs. Use it
to adjust the overall tone. (p.85)

68

Quick Start

for Ext-Seq: Choose this if youre using the

microX as a multi-timbral sound module. When
you switch multi sets on the microX, program
changes and other MIDI messages will not be
transmitted even by tracks whose Status is EXT
or BTH.

You can make settings such as volume and pan for

each of these tracks. You can also use realtime controllers to vary the sound.

for Master: Choose this if youre using the microX

as a master keyboard. In this case when you
switch multi sets on the microX, program changes
and other MIDI messages will be transmitted from
tracks whose Status is EXT or BTH, allowing
you to set up your external sound module in this
way.

These settings can be transferred to your MIDI

sequencer by sending a data dump from the
microX (if your MIDI sequencer can receive exclusive messages) or by using the included microX
Plug-In Editor software to read this data from the
microX. Then you can send these settings from
your sequencer back to the microX when needed.

Multi
Parameter name
Mode name Page number and name
Category number
Tempo
Tab name
and name

Global

Cntrol
Track
Multi Select
(multi set
number and
name)

Tab

Arpeggiator

In Multi mode you will normally switch programs

and control the volume and pan etc. by sending
MIDI messages from your MIDI sequencer or
DAW software, but in this section of the manual
well explain how to make these settings from the
microX itself. However, making these settings in
the microX does not automatically make these settings a part of the sequence itself.

Effect

MIDI considerations

Control assign list

2. Make sure that Multi Select (multi set

number and name) is selected.
3. Use the [VALUE] dial etc. to select the multi set
you want to play.

Other functions External control

2
3

Selecting a multi set

1

Selecting multi sets from the front

panel

You can use either of the following methods to

select a program.

1. Press a [MULTI] button. (The button will light.)

Turn the [VALUE] dial.

You will enter Multi mode. Notice that the

upper line of the display indicates MULTI 0:
Play (mode name, page number and name).

Drum Kit

The microX can also be used as a master keyboard

to control your external MIDI sound modules.

Press the center of the ClickPoint to highlight

the field, then use [][] to select a multi set,
and press the center to finalize your selection.

69

Appendices

In addition, you can use the arpeggiator and synchronize it to the tempo of your external MIDI
sequencer.

Introduction

You can use the microX as a sixteen-channel multitimbral sound module. It has sixteen tracks, and
you can assign a different sound program to each
track, such as track 1 playing the drums, track 2
playing the bass, track 3 playing the piano, and so
on.

This setting is located in GLOBAL 0: System, Preference page, Multi Mode, and you can change it
to suit the way in which youre using the microX.

Setup

The Multi Mode setting

Program

Multi mode is great when you want the microX to

simultaneously play multiple tracks of data from
your external MIDI sequencer. This section
explains how to use the Multi mode.

Combination

Using and Editing Multi sets

Using and Editing Multi sets

Other ways to select a multi set

You cant use a foot switch connected to the
ASSIGNABLE SWITCH jack to change multi sets.
For details on how to select a multi set via MIDI,
see p.77.

Assigning a program to a
track, and setting the volume
and pan
Selecting a track program from the
microX
1. Access the MULTI 0: Play, Program page.
This page shows all 8 Tracks at once, including
their Program assignments, volume, pan, play/
mute, solo, and more.

If Status (p.71 Status and MIDI

channel) is INT or BTH, you can play the
microXs keyboard and operate its controllers
to hear the microXs internal tone generator
with the settings (program and level etc.) of the
track you specified as the Control Track. Any
other tracks that have a matching MIDI channel
will also sound at this time. If the Status of
the track is EXT, EX2, or BTH, the
corresponding MIDI messages will be
transmitted on the MIDI channel that is
specified for that track.

Receiving MIDI data from an external

sequencer to play the microX
By default, the microXs tracks 1 through 16 are set
to MIDI channels 1 through 16, with track 1 receiving channel 1, track 2 receiving channel 2, and so
on.
1. To hear the track (1) whose MIDI Channel
setting is 1, transmit performance data (MIDI
note-on/off messages) from your external
MIDI sequencer on MIDI channel 1.
If the Status is INT or BTH, the microXs tone
generator will sound. If the Status is Off,
EXT, or EX2, the microXs tone generator will
not sound.

2. Use the ClickPoint to highlight Program

Select, and use the [VALUE] dial etc. to select a
program.
You can use either of the following methods to
select a program.
Turn the [VALUE] dial.
Press the center of the ClickPoint to highlight
the field, then use [][] to select a program,
and press the center to finalize your selection.
Selecting by Category (p.38)

Checking the sound of a track

Playing the microXs keyboard to hear
the sound
1. Use the Control Track setting to choose the
track that will respond to the microXs
keyboard.

Silencing a specific track (Mute)

The microX provides a Mute function that lets you
temporarily silence the desired track(s) 116. For
example, you can use this to listen only to the
rhythm section while you record a new track. You
can also use this function to modify the structure
of the song.
1. Access the MULTI 0: Play, Program page.
2. Select the PLAY/MUTE and press the
ClickPoint center.
Each time you press, the PLAY and MUTE
settings will alternate.
If MUTE is selected, this track will not produce
sound even if it receives note data from the
microXs keyboard or from an external device.

Note: The mute setting of each track will not be

written (saved).

70

A setting of C064 is center, L001 is far left, and

R127 is far right. With a setting of RND, the
stereo location will change randomly between
left and right each time a note is played.

BTH

For more details, see Status (PG p.61).

Bank select (when Status = EX2)

If the Status is EX2, the LSB value and MSB
value of the Bank Select MSB/LSB will be
enabled, and the bank number you specify here
will be transmitted via MIDI.

MIDI channel

Adjusting the volume

Heres how to adjust the volume of each track.
1. Access the MULTI 0: Play, Mixer page.
2. Use the ClickPoint to highlight the Volume of
the track whose volume setting you want to
adjust, and use the [VALUE] dial etc. to adjust
the setting.

Status and MIDI channel

This specifies the MIDI channel that the track uses

to send and receive note data. If multiple tracks
are set to the same MIDI channel, and their Status is set to INT, they will all sound and be controlled in the same way when they receive MIDI
data.
The Control Track setting specifies the track that
is played by the microXs keyboard and controlled
by its controllers. Data on the MIDI Channel of
the Control Track will play the microXs internal
tone generator according its track settings (program, level, etc.) if the tracks Status is INT or
BTH, and will also play any other tracks on the
same MIDI channel whose Status is INT or BTH.
If the Status is EXT, EX2, or BTH, these messages will be transmitted on the MIDI channel
specified by the track.

If you want the microXs internal tone generator to

sound, choose the INT or BTH setting. These settings let you use your external MIDI sequencer to
play the microX as a multi-track sound module.
The BTH setting lets you control an external MIDI
device at the same time that you play the internal
tone generator.

Introduction
Drum Kit

Status
This specifies the MIDI status of the internal tone
generator for each track.

Setup

Program

Combination

2. Use the ClickPoint to highlight the Pan of the

track whose pan setting you want to adjust,
and use the [VALUE] dial etc. to adjust the
setting.

INT
EXT, EX2

Multi

Status

Data from Arp.

Operations on the
Received data
microX
Internal
Internal
MIDI OUT/
MIDI OUT/
tone
tone
USB
USB
generator
generator

Effect

This page shows the pan and volume settings

for the programs assigned to tracks 116.

Global

1. Access the MULTI 0: Play, Mixer page.

Arpeggiator

Heres how to adjust the pan of each track.

MIDI data is transmitted and received on the

MIDI channel that is specified separately for each
track by MIDI Channel.

MIDI filter settings

Each MIDI filter item specifies whether the corresponding MIDI message will be transmitted and
received. The message can be transmitted and
received if the check box is checked. (p.64
MIDI filter settings)

Appendices

Choose the Off setting for tracks youre not using.

With the Off, EXT, or EX2 settings, the internal
tone generator will not sound.

Other functions External control

Adjusting the pan (stereo position)

Quick Start

Assigning a program to a track, and setting the volume and pan

With the BTH, EXT, or EX2 settings, you can play

an external sound module on the MIDI channel of
the Control Track.

71

Using and Editing Multi sets

Copying the settings of a

combination to a multi set
You can copy the settings of a combination to a
multi set. If you have a favorite combination, this
function provides a convenient way to copy those
sounds to the tracks of a multi set.
Note: Set the global MIDI channel (GLOBAL 1:
MIDI, MIDI Channel) to 01.
1. Select a multi set. (p.69 Selecting a multi
set)
2. Choose the Copy From Combi utility.
A dialog box will appear.

3. Use the Combi field to select the combination

that you want to copy.
4. If you also want the effect settings of the
combination to be copied, check the With
Effects check box.
5. Specify the tracks of the multi set to which you
want the eight timbres of the combination to be
copied.
If you want to copy the settings of the
combination to tracks 18, choose Track 1 to
8. If you want to copy them to tracks 916,
choose Track 9 to 16.
6. If you want the sound of the combination
including its arpeggiator performance to be
recorded on your external MIDI sequencer in
order to reproduce the same sounds as when
you were recording, you should check the
Auto adjust Arpeggio setting check box.
This will make adjustments to the MIDI
channel and other settings of some tracks, and
add tracks as necessary to ensure that the
arpeggio performance will be reproduced.
Depending on the settings of the combination,
you may need to make additional changes to
the track settings.
Note: This is available if youve selected Track
1 to 8. In order to use the Auto adjust
Arpeggio setting function, the combination
youre copying must have already been written
with its [ARP ON/OFF] button turned on.
7. Press the [MENU/OK] button to execute the
copy.
8. Set the Control Track to 01.

72

In order to play the sounds and the arpeggiator

in the same way as in Combination mode, you
must choose a track that is set to the global
MIDI channel. Play the keyboard, and you will
hear the same sounds as when playing the
combination.
9. Begin multi-track recording on your external
MIDI sequencer, and operate the microXs
keyboard and controllers.
When you perform multi-track recording, the
multiple channels sounded by the arpeggiator
will also be recorded at the same time.
10.When youve finished performing, stop
recording. Play back the recording, and verify
that it reproduces the sounds you heard while
recording.

A multi set has sixteen tracks. Each track consists

of one program, and parameters such as keyboard
zone, velocity zone, mixer settings, MIDI channel,
and filter settings.
See the illustration Multi set structure and corresponding pages.

The Tone Adjust function lets you make

detailed adjustments to the program used by
each track.

Introduction

The PLAY/MUTE setting lets you quickly

mute or un-mute a desired track.

Setup

You can copy the settings of a combination to a

multi set.

What you can do in Multi

mode

Quick Start

What you can do in Multi mode

Overview of Multi set parameters

Each multi set lets you make settings for one

stereo insert effect, two master effects, and a
stereo master EQ.

Status and MIDI settings

Multi

For each track program, specify the poly/mono

setting and adjust timbre parameters such as portamento and transpose.

Layer, split, and velocity switch

You can control the program parameters of a

track in realtime using AMS (Alternate Modulation) or control changes. You can also use the
MIDI Sync. function to synchronize the LFO
speed to the tempo.

In the MULTI 5: Key Zone, Key page and the 6: Vel

Zone, Vel page, specify the range (layer, split,
velocity switching, etc.) in which each program
will sound.

You can use the Dmod (Dynamic Modulation)

function to control effect parameters in realtime. You can also use MIDI Sync. to synchronize the LFO speed or delay time to the tempo.

Effects

You can assign a name to the multi set and to

each track.

The output of each track can be sent to the insert

effect, the master effects, and the master EQ. You
can use the mixer section to freely specify how the
audio signals will be routed.

Global

By setting the Status of a track to BTH, EXT,

or EXT, you can play an external sound module
on the MIDI channel of the Control Track.
(PG p.56 Multi Mode)

Adjust the programs so that they fit

within the multi set

Arpeggiator

By setting the Status of a track to INT or

BTH, you can play the microX from your external MIDI sequencer as a multi-track sound
module. (PG p.55 Multi Mode)

In the MULTI 2: Track Param, MIDI page, set Status to INT for the tracks that you want to play,
and set their MIDI channel to the global MIDI
channel.

Drum Kit

You can use two arpeggiators, and you can synchronize them to your MIDI sequencer.

In the MULTI 0: Play, Program page, select a program for each track.

Combination

Select a program for each track

Effect

There are 128 multi sets. Each set lets you

assign a program to each of the sixteen tracks,
and you can combine these programs as splits
and layers just as in a combination.

Program

Multi mode has the following major functions.

Controller Setup : 75

Arpeggiator: 715
(A, B)
Track 2

Setting parameters

Track 3

Setting parameters

Master Effect 1, 2 :
91...3

BUS : 81, 2

MIDI IN

MIDI Ch

Setting parameters

USB

Track 4

Setting parameters

Track 5

Setting parameters

Track 6

Setting parameters

Track 7

Setting parameters

Track 8

Setting parameters

Insert Effect :
83, 4

MasterEQ : 94

AUDIO OUTPUT
L/MONO, R

Track

Insert Effect
Master Effect
Individual Outputs

AUDIO OUTPUT
INDIVIDUAL 1,2

Appendices

External MIDI
sequencer

Track 1

Control Track

Track 16 Setting parameters

The microXs keyboard

Other functions External control

Multi set structure and corresponding pages

11, 94, etc. indicate the microX on-screen pages and tabs.

73

Using and Editing Multi sets

There is one insert effect and two master effects,

and for each of these you can choose one of 89
effect types. The master EQ is a stereo three-band
EQ.
The effect settings created and saved with a program in Program mode are not used in Multi
mode. Effect settings are made independently for
the Multi set.

Arpeggiator
A multi set can use two arpeggiators (dual polyphonic arpeggiators). You can select the arpeggio
pattern, specify the range in which the arpeggio is
generated, and specify the region of notes (keys)
or velocities that will trigger the arpeggiator.

Overview of editing pages

The following pages let you edit a multi set in
detail.

0: Play

Select a multi set and play the microXs

keyboard.
Receive and play performance data from
an external MIDI sequencer.
Select a program for each track, and
specify its pan and level.
Select an external control set.

1: Tone Adjust

Use Tone Adjust to adjust parameters.

2: Track Param

MIDI, OSC, Pitch, Delay, and Scale settings

for each timbre.

3: MIDI Filter1
4: MIDI Filter2

MIDI message transmission/reception

filter settings for each track.

5: Key Zone

Key zone settings for each track.

6: Vel Zone

Velocity zone settings for each track.

7: Arp/Ctrls

Arpeggiator settings.
Controller settings.

8: InsertFX

BUS and master effect send level settings

for each track.
Insert Effect routing, selection, and
settings.

9: MasterFX

Master Effect selection and settings.

Master EQ settings.

For details on how to access each mode, page, and

the utility commands, and how to edit values, see
Basic operations (p.19).

74

Comparing (original and edited

sounds)
When youre in the process of editing a sound,
pressing the [COMPARE] button will recall the
saved version of the sound, as it was before you
started editing. To indicate that you are listening
to the saved version, the buttons LED will light
up.
Pressing [COMPARE] button again returns you to
the version you are editing, and the LED will go
out again.
If you edit while the COMPARE LED is lit, the
button will again go dark and your previous edits
will be lost.

Using Controllers
Just as in other mode, you can use controllers such
as the joystick, OCTAVE [][] buttons, and
REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] to add a broad
range of expression to your playing in Combination mode.
These controls let you modify the tone, pitch, volume, effects, etc. in realtime while you play.
REALTIME CONTROLS [1], [2], [3], and [4] will
also function as external controls.

Altering Programs to fit

within a Multi set
You can make adjustments to the sound of the program for each track, for example by changing the
way it plays or by adjusting its pitch or scale.
You can make various changes to Programs within
the context of a particular Multi set, to make them
fit better with other Programs, or to create particular sonic effects. These changes do not affect the
original Programs, or how those Programs sound
in other Multi sets. It is the same as for a Combination. For more details, see Altering Programs to
fit within a Combination (p.66).

You can use keyboard regions and velocity to

switch between different tracks in a combination,
just as you can in a combination. For more details,
see Layers, Splits, and Velocity switches
(p.64).

Saving your edits

Once youve tweaked the sound to perfection,
youll want to save your work. To save your edits:
1. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility
menu.
2. Use the ClickPoint to select Write Multi, and
then press the ClickPoint center.

Setup

Layers, Splits, and Velocity

Switches

Introduction

Quick Start

Layers, Splits, and Velocity Switches

The Write Multi dialog box will appear.

Master Effects
You can make master effect settings in the MULTI
9: MasterFX page.
There are two Master Effects, which are accessed
through Sends 1 and 2. These are best-suited to
effects such as reverbs and delays, but you can use
them with any type of effect. (p.85)

Master EQ
You can make master EQ settings in the MULTI 9:
MasterFX page.
The master EQ is located immediately before the
(MAIN OUTPUT) L/MONO and R outputs. Use it
to adjust the overall tone. (p.85)

After entering the name, press [MENU/OK]

button.
The text edit window will disappear, returning
you to the main Write dialog.
4. In the Write Multi dialog box, press the
[MENU/OK] button to write (save) the
program.
5. A message will ask you for confirmation. If you
are sure you want to write the program, press
the [MENU/OK] button once again.
The multi will be written (saved).

Control via MIDI

Multi mode enables the microX to function as a
MIDI tone generator that is controlled from the
connected computer to play ensemble music consisting of multiple instrument parts. This mode
also permits you to use the microX as a GM tone
generator.

Parameters and performance data

A multi set consists of tracks 116, parameters
such as the multi set name, effect and arpeggiator
parameters, and a tempo setting.

75

Multi

Combination

You can give the Multi set a descriptive name

using the on-screen keyboard. (p.114)

Effect

If you want to change the name, use the ClickPoint to select the text button ( ) and then
press the ClickPoint center to open the text edit
dialog box.

Global

The Insert Effect can be routed to the main outputs, or to any of the individual outputs. (p.84)

3. Optionally, you can also select a new location,

or change the Multi sets name or category.

Arpeggiator

The output of each track can be sent to the insert

effect. You can use any type of effects, from distortions and compressors to choruses and reverbs.

Drum Kit

You can make settings for the insert effect in the

MULTI 8: InsertFX page.

Other functions External control

Insert Effect

Note: If the display indicates Memory

Protected, the multi set memory protect is
turned on. Go to GLOBAL 0: System,
Preference page, and uncheck the Memory
Protect Multi setting. (p.88)

Appendices

Effects are covered in their own section of the

manuals, so we wont go into too much detail
here. (p.79)

Program

Effects

Using and Editing Multi sets

You can store 128 of these multi sets in the microX.

Tracks 116 consist of the following setting
parameters, and will transmit and receive the
performance data listed below.

external MIDI sequencer. By receiving this data,

you can change the setting of the multi set during
the playback.
** You can use performance data (MIDI RPN data)
to change the settings of a multi set during playback.

MIDI tracks 116

Setup parameters
Bank/Program No.*, Pan*, Volume*, Status, MIDI
Channel, Bank Select (When Status=EX2), Force
OSC Mode, OSC Select, Portamento*, Transpose**,
Detune**, Bend Range**, OSC On/Off Ctrl, Delay,
Use Program's Scale, MIDI Filter, Key Zone, Velocity Zone, Track Name, IFX/Indiv.Out BUS Select,
Send1(MFX1)*, Send2(MFX2)*

Performance data

Other parameters: By editing the settings during

realtime recording, you can record the corresponding MIDI exclusive messages as performance data on your external MIDI sequencer. This
gives you a way to change the settings of the multi
set during playback. (GLOBAL 1: MIDI, MIDI Filter Exclusive must be checked.)
For details on Control Change messages and
RPN (PG p.172, 175).
For details on MIDI System Exclusive messages
(PG p.176).

Note On/Off
Program Change (including Bank Select)
Pitch Bend
After Touch (Poly After)
Control Change
Exclusive Message

Default Settings in Multi Mode

The following table shows the default settings for
Multi mode that are automatically selected, when
GM Initialize is executed, or when the microX
receives a GM ON messages (F0 7E 7F 09 01 F7).

Tempo*
* You can record tempo as performance data by
adjusting it while you realtime-record onto an
Parameter
0

Program Select

76

Track10
g001: (d): STANDARD Kit

Pan

C064

C064

Volume

100

100

Status

The setting remains unchanged

Use Programs Scale

The setting remains unchanged

Arpeggiator Assign

The setting remains unchanged

Other Arpeggiator parameters

The setting remains unchanged

L/R

DKit

IFX/Indiv.Out BUS Select

Send1(MFX1)

Send2(MFX2)

40

40

IFX

Track19, 1116
G001: Acoustic Piano

The setting remains unchanged

Pan(CC#8)

The setting remains unchanged

BUS Select

The setting remains unchanged

Send1

The setting remains unchanged

Send2

The setting remains unchanged

Other Insert Effect parameters

The setting remains unchanged

MFX1

16: St. Chorus

MFX2

53: Rev Smth. Hall

Return1

127

Return2

050

Other Master Effect and Master EQ parameters

Default settings

Note: In order to select programs via MIDI

program changes, the tracks Status must be
set to INT.
The MIDI channel of a track is specified by MULTI
2: Track Param, MIDI MIDI Channel. When a
program change is received on a MIDI channel
that matches the channel setting of a track, the
program will change if the Status of that track is
INT. However, program changes for a track will
also depend on the Program Change setting.
The Status setting is located in the MULTI 2:
Track Param, MIDI page, and the Program
Change setting is in the MULTI 3: MIDI Filter1, -1
page.

Other MIDI control

For details on how the microX operates when
transmitting or received control change messages,
see MIDI transmission when the X50/microXs
controllers are operated (PG p.166). For more
about MIDI in general, see MIDI applications
(PG p.171).

Introduction
Setup
Program
Combination
Multi

Receiving MIDI program change messages to

select programs: (p.39 Using MIDI program
change messages to select programs)

For more about the MIDI messages transmitted

when you operate the microXs controllers, and
the AMS (Alternate Modulation Source) and DMS
(Dynamic Modulation Source) that correspond to
each MIDI message, see MIDI transmission when
the X50/microXs controllers are operated (PG
p.166).

Effect

Switching the program assigned to a

track via MIDI

If the Status is INT or BTH, playing the keyboard or operating the controllers on the Control
Track will play/control the microXs tone generator with the settings (program, level, etc.) of the
selected track, and any other track set to the same
MIDI channel will also sound at this time. If the
Status is EXT, EX2, or BTH, these messages will
be transmitted on the MIDI channel specified for
that track.

Global

You can switch multi sets via MIDI by sending

MIDI Song Select messages. A song select message
will be transmitted when you switch multi sets.
Conversely, you can switch multi sets by receiving
a song select message from the source you specify.
If the Global Multi Mode is set to for Master,
switching the multi set number will cause each
track with a Status of EXT, EX2 or BTH to transmit bank select, program change, volume, pan,
portamento, send 1 and 2, post-IFX pan, and postIFX send 1 and 2 messages on the channel specified for that track.

MIDI control from the microXs controllers

Arpeggiator

Selecting a multi set

Quick Start

Control via MIDI

Appendices

Other functions External control

Drum Kit

If youve installed the included microX Plug-In

Editor control plug-in into your DAW software,
you can conveniently select the microX programs
from a list within your DAW. For more details, see
Editor/Plug-In Editor Manual (PDF).

77

Using and Editing Multi sets

78

Send

PROG 9: EdMasterFX
Master Effect selection and settings.
Master EQ settings.
Send

Amplifier

OUTPUT
L/MONO, R

Insert Effect

Master Effect 1,2

Return

Master EQ

OUTPUT
L/MONO, R

Combination mode, Multi mode

In Combination mode, and Multi mode, the
insert effect can be applied to each timbre/track.
The master effects are used to apply overall spatial processing, and the master EQ is used to make
overall adjustments in tone.
These settings are made in Combination mode
independently for each combination, and in Multi
mode for each multi set the entire mode.
COMBI 8: EdInsertFX
BUS and master effect send level settings for
each timbre.
Insert Effect routing, selection and settings.
COMBI 9: EdMasterFX
Master Effect selection and settings.
Master EQ settings.

Effect types
You can choose from 89 types of full-digital effects
for each effect. The effects are categorized as follows.
Categories of the 89 effect types
Effect types

Effect

Effect No.

Multi

Combination

Timbre 8 / Track 16

0115

Filter and dynamics effects, such as EQ and

compressor

1631

Pitch and phase modulation effects, such as

chorus and phaser

3240

Other modulation and pitch-shift effects such

as rotary speaker and pitch shifter

4151

Early reflection and delay effects

5257

Reverb effects

5889

Mono and mono-chain effects in which two

mono effects are connected in series

Here we will describe some representative effects

in each category.

Filter and dynamics control effects

Equalizers (07: St.Para.4EQ08: St.Graphic7EQ)
divide the frequency range into several bands, and
allow you to boost or cut the level of each band.
Normally they are used to correct or compensate
the sound, but they can also be used to simulate
the frequency response that is typical of a particular instrument (such as the resonances of a guitar
or string instrument).
Compressors (02: St.Compressor) compress the
dynamic range of the input signal. Compression
makes the sound punchier and more consistent.
This is particularly effective on guitar, piano, or
drum sounds.

79

Global

PROG 8: EdInsertFX
Select the BUS and master effect send level for
the oscillator output.
Insert Effect routing, selection and settings.

Filter

Master EQ

Insert Effect

Timbre 2 / Track 2

In Program mode, the insert effect can be used as

part of the sound-creating process, in the same
way that the output sound of the oscillator (OSC)
is processed by the filter and amp to create the
final sound. Then the master effects can be used to
apply spatial-type effects such as reverb. The stereo 3-band master EQ located immediately before
the (MAIN OUTPUT) L/MONO and R outputs is
used to make final adjustments in tone. These settings can be made independently for each program.

Oscillator

Return

Arpeggiator

Program mode

Master Effect 1,2

Drum Kit

Timbre 1 / Track 1

Other functions External control

Effects in each mode

Introduction

Quick Start

MULTI 9: MasterFX
Master Effect selection and settings.
Master EQ settings.

Setup

MULTI 8: InsertFX
BUS and master effect send level settings for
each track.
Insert Effect routing, selection and settings.

Appendices

The effect section of the microX provides one

insert effect, two master effects, one master EQ
(stereo 3-band EQ), and a mixer that controls the
routing of these components.

Program

Effects settings

Effects settings

Limiters (03: St.Limiter04: Mltband Limit) limit

the level of the input signal to a maximum level
that you specify.
Exciters (11: St.Exct/Enhcr) give the sound greater
clarity and definition. Enhancers sharpen the outline of the sound, bringing it to the front of the
mix. By using these appropriately, you can bring
out sounds that were unclear or easily lost in the
mix.
Distortion (06: OD/HiGain Wah) distorts the
sound. This simulates the distorted sound that is
typically created on a guitar by making the amplifier distort the sound. It is often used not only on
guitar sounds, but also on rock organ sounds.

Early reflection and delay effects

Early reflection effect (41: Early Reflect) produces
only the early reflections of a reverb effect. Using
just these early reflections, you can add weight or
spatial effects to a sound, such as reverberation.
Without the reverberation, you can achieve a clean
effect sound.
Delays (43: LCR Delay51: Sequence Dly) create
an echo effect by delaying the sound for a fixed
length of time. You can also make the delayed
sound repeat (feed back).
Level

Dry sound

Delay sound

Pitch/phase modulation effects

Chorus effects (16: St.Chorus19: St.Ensemble, 26:
St.BiphaseMod) are an effective way to add spaciousness and thickness to any type of sound.
These are ideally suited for use with electric
pianos, strings, guitars, and so on. In an ensemble,
pitch variations between instruments create a rich,
slightly warbling sound. Essentially, this gives the
impression that a number of musicians are playing
together. The chorus effect simulates this. In stereo
performance, the stereo image is widened, thus
creating a magnificent spatial ambience.
Flanger effects (20: St.Flanger22: St.Env.Flanger)
add unique characteristics to a sound. Although
similar to chorus, a flanger uses a shorter delay
time and feeds some of the output signal back into
the effect, creating a strong swell. Flangers work
very well on sounds that contain a lot of harmonics, as well as on distorted guitar sounds.
Phasers (23: St.Phaser25: St.Env.Phaser) cyclically
modulate the phase of the sound. They are similar
to the chorus and flanger effects in that both use
modulation, but the manner in which the tonal
quality changes is different. They are effective
with electric piano, guitars, and synth sounds with
a reasonable sustain.

Other modulation and pitch shift

effects
Rotary speaker effect (40: Rotary SP) simulates the
rotating speaker effect used in organs. It is ideal
for use with organ sounds, but it will also create a
unique effect with other sounds.
Pitch shifters (38: Pitch Shifter, 39: PitchShift Mod)
shift the pitch of the input signal. You can mix the
pitch-shifted sound with the original sound to create a chorus effect, or create special effects in
which the pitch continues to rise (or fall).

80

Time

Delay time

Reverb effects
Reverb (52: Rev Hall57: Rev Brt. Room) is an effect
that creates the spacious reverberation of sounds
played in a hall or room. Reverb simulates the
sounds that are reflected from the ceiling and wall.
When you hear music in a concert hall, the sound
from the instruments and voices reaches your ear
directly, but also reaches your ear after being
reflected off the ceiling and walls (and being
delayed by a corresponding length of time). In this
way, the direct sound (the dry sound) is joined
by numerous reflections that create the impression
of a large acoustical space. The way in which the
sound is reflected will depend on the materials of
the ceiling and walls, and also on the size and
shape of the hall. These factors also affect the way
in which the reverberation decays. Different effect
types let you simulate a broad range of reverberation, and you can also edit the parameters to make
detailed changes to the character of the sound.
Level

Sound
source

Dry sound
Early reflections

Dry sound

Reverb sound
Pre Delay

Time

Effects that combine two mono

effects connected in series
These connect two mono effects in series. They
include a four-band parametric equalizer connected in series with some other effect (e.g.,
exciter, chorus, delay), or a compressor connected
with another effect (of the types listed above).

Routing
The structure of the insert effect, master effects,
and master EQ is the same in each mode. However, the routing will determine how the oscillator
output of the program is sent to the insert effect
and the master effects. As an example, heres how
to specify the routing and make effect settings in
Program mode.

1, 2, 1/2: The output will be sent to

(INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT) 1 or 2. (See diagram
below)

2. Set BUS Select (All OSCs) to specify where

the oscillator output will be sent.
L/R: The output will be sent to (MAIN
OUTPUT) L/MONO and R. (See diagram
below)

Off: The sound will not be sent to (MAIN

OUTPUT) L/MONO, R, (INDIVIDUAL
OUTPUT) 1 and 2. After passing through the
master effects, the sound is sent to the MAIN
OUTPUT. Choose this setting if you want to
send the sound in series through the master
effects at the send level specified by MFX
Send. (See diagram below)

Effect

Note: After passing through the master EQ, the

sound will be sent to (MAIN OUTPUT) L/
MONO and R.

Multi

1. Access the PROG 8: EdInsertFX, BUS page.

Combination

Program

Note: It will not be sent to the insert effect, the

master effects, or the master EQ.

Setup

Effect settings for a program

Introduction

Quick Start

Effect settings for a program

Global

IFX: The output will be sent to insert effect IFX.

(See diagram below)
BUS Select (All OSCs) = L/R
PROG 8: Insert FX

Send1 Send2

L/R BUS

BUS Select
= L/R
Select from:
L/R
IFX
1
2
1/2
Off

Insert Effect
IFX BUS

stereo

Post IFX
Pan(CC#8)

BUS Select

Post IFX
Send1 / 2

stereo

Master EQ

AUDIO OUTPUT
(MAIN) L/MONO, R

BUS Select
= L/R

IFX

Select from:
L/R
1
2
1/2
Off

Chain Master Effects

MFX1

mono

mono

Drum Kit

OSC 2

Return1 / 2
stereo

MFX2
stereo

mono x 2

Arpeggiator

Pan
OSC 1

PROG 9: Master FX

IFX / Indiv.Out
BUS Select

mono x2

BUS Select (All OSCs) = IFX

OSC 1
OSC 2

PROG 9: Master FX

IFX / Indiv.Out
BUS Select

Send1 Send2

L/R BUS

BUS Select
= IFX
Select from:
L/R
IFX
1
2
1/2
Off

Insert Effect
IFX BUS

stereo

IFX

Post IFX
Pan(CC#8)

BUS Select

Post IFX
Send1 / 2

stereo

Master EQ

AUDIO OUTPUT
(MAIN) L/MONO, R

BUS Select
= L/R
Select from:
L/R
1
2
1/2
Off

Chain Master Effects

MFX1

mono

mono

Return1 / 2
stereo

MFX2
stereo

mono x 2
mono x2

AUDIO OUTPUT
(INDIVIDUAL)1/2

81

Appendices

PROG 8: Insert FX

Pan

Other functions External control

AUDIO OUTPUT
(INDIVIDUAL)1/2

Effects settings

BUS Select (All OSCs) = 1/2

PROG 8: Insert FX

Pan
OSC 1

PROG 9: Master FX

IFX / Indiv.Out
BUS Select

Send1 Send2

L/R BUS

BUS Select
= 1/2

OSC 2

Select from:
L/R
IFX
1
2
1/2
Off

Insert Effect
IFX BUS

stereo

Post IFX
Pan(CC#8)

BUS Select

Post IFX
Send1 / 2

stereo

Master EQ

AUDIO OUTPUT
(MAIN) L/MONO, R

BUS Select
= L/R

IFX

Select from:
L/R
1
2
1/2
Off

Chain Master Effects

MFX1

mono

mono

Return1 / 2
stereo

MFX2
stereo

mono x 2
mono x2

AUDIO OUTPUT
(INDIVIDUAL)1/2

BUS Select (All OSCs) = Off

PROG 8: Insert FX

Pan
OSC 1
OSC 2

PROG 9: Master FX

IFX / Indiv.Out
BUS Select

Send1 Send2

L/R BUS

BUS Select
= Off
Select from:
L/R
IFX
1
2
1/2
Off

Insert Effect
IFX BUS

stereo

Post IFX
Pan(CC#8)

IFX

BUS Select

Post IFX
Send1 / 2

stereo

Master EQ

AUDIO OUTPUT
(MAIN) L/MONO, R

BUS Select
= L/R
Select from:
L/R
1
2
1/2
Off

Chain Master Effects

MFX1

mono

mono

Return1 / 2
stereo

MFX2
stereo

mono x 2
mono x2

AUDIO OUTPUT
(INDIVIDUAL)1/2

3. MFX Send specifies the send level from each

oscillator to the master effects.

2. In Insert Effect, select the desired insert

effect.

This is valid only if BUS Select (All OSCs) is

set to L/R or Off.

You can press the [CATEGORY] button and

choose an effect from six categories.

If IFX is selected for BUS Select (All OSCs),

the send level to the master effects is adjusted
by the Send 1 (MFX1) and Send 2 (MFX2)
parameters (PROG 8: EdInsertFX, Setup page)
after the signal has passed through the insert
effect.

3. In IFX On/Off, turn the insert effect on/off.

Selecting an insert effect, and routing after the insert effect

1. Access the PROG 8: EdInsertFX, Setup page.
The Setup page displays the state of the routing
and the insert effect settings. In this page you
can also make BUS Select settings. Use the
ClickPoint to choose (All OSCs), and use the
[VALUE] dial etc. to make a selection.
Insert Effect
IFX On/Off

BUS Select

82

BUS Select
Pan (CC#8)

Send2(MFX2)

Send1(MFX1)

IFX On

Insert Effect

If this is set to Off, the result will be the same as

if 00: No Effect is selected. The input sound
will be output without change.
Note: You can use the Utility Copy Insert
Effect to copy effect settings from another
program, etc.
4. Set the Pan (CC#8), BUS Select, S1 (Send1
(MFX1)), and S2 (Send2 (MFX2)) parameters
that follow the insert effect.
Pan (CC#8): Set the pan. This is valid only if
BUS Select is set to L/R.
BUS Select: Specify the output destination.
Normally you will set this to L/R. If you want
to output the sound from (INDIVIDUAL
OUTPUT) 1 and/or 2, set this to 1, 2, or 1/2.
Send1 (MFX1), Send2 (MFX2): Set the
send level to the master effects. For this
example, set these to 127.

L/R BUS

Send1 Send2

stereo

MFX1

mono

stereo

Chain Direction

L/R BUS

MFX Chain
=On

2. In Master Effect 1 and Master Effect 2,

select the type of each master effect.
You can press the [CATEGORY] button and
choose an effect from six categories.
Note: The input/output of the master effect is
mono-in/stereo-out. Even if you select a stereoinput type effect, the input will be monaural.
3. In MFX1 On/Off and MFX2 On/Off,
switch each master effect on/off.

If this is Off, the output of the master effect

will be muted.
4. In Return 1 and Return 2, adjust the output
level of each master effect.
For each effect, the W value of W/D (Wet/
Dry) is the effect output level. This is
multiplied by the return value (Rtn=127 is
x1.0) to determine the actual master effect
output level.
5. Specify the routing of master effects 1 and 2.
If the MFX Chain check box is checked,
MFX1 and MFX2 will be connected in series.
The settings described below are valid if this
check box is checked.

Master
Effects

Chain
Level

=LR Mix,
L Only,
R Only

Master EQ

AUDIO OUTPUT
(MAIN) L/MONO, R

Return1 / 2

MFX1

Chain Signal

Multi

=MFX1MFX2

stereo

MFX Chain
Chain Signal
Chain Direction
Chain Level

Program

Return1 / 2
Chain stereo
Level

Send1 Send2

mono

AUDIO OUTPUT
(MAIN) L/MONO, R

MFX2

mono
=LR Mix,
L Only,
R Only

mono

Master EQ

Combination

MFX Chain
=On

Master
Effects

Effect

Master Effect 2 Return2

L/R BUS

stereo

MFX2
Chain Direction

stereo

=MFX2MFX1

6. Move to the MFX1 or MFX2 page, and set the

parameters of the effect that you selected as the
master effect.
For details on the parameters of each effect, see PG
p.104.

Master EQ
1. Use the stereo 3-band master EQ to make final
equalizing adjustments immediately before the
sound is output from the (MAIN OUTPUT) L/
MONO and R jacks.
Set the Low, Mid, and High gain in the PROG 9:
EdMasterFX, Setup page. Low and High are
shelving-type, and Mid is a peaking-type
adjustment. These settings are linked with the
Low, Mid, and High Gain settings of the
Master EQ page. In addition to these settings,
the Master EQ page also lets you specify the
center frequency and bandwidth (Mid only) of
each band, and make settings for dynamic
modulation.

Global

Master EQ

stereo

Arpeggiator

MFX2 On/Off

Master Effect 1 Return1

stereo

stereo

Chain Signal

MFX1 On/Off

AUDIO OUTPUT
(MAIN) L/MONO, R

MFX2

Send1 Send2

1. Access the PROG 9: EdMasterFX, Setup page.

Master EQ

Return1 / 2

MFX1

mono
mono

The input level of the master effect is determined

by the send level 1 and 2 settings (routing step 3,
or insert effect step 4). If send levels 1 and 2 are 0,
no master effects will be applied. Send level 1 is
for MFX1, and send level 2 is for MFX2.

Master
Effects

Drum Kit

Selecting master effects, and chain

settings

MFX Chain
=Off

Appendices

For details on the parameters of each effect, see PG

p.104.

Chain Level specifies the level at which the

signal is sent from one master effect to the other
master effect.

Introduction

Chain Signal specifies whether the signal

sent from one master effect to the other will be
stereo, or only L or R.

Setup

Chain Direction specifies the direction in

which MFX1 and MFX2 will be connected.

Other functions External control

5. Move to the IFX page, and set the parameters of

the effect that you selected for the insert effect.

Quick Start

Effect settings for a program

83

Effects settings

OUTPUT. Choose this setting if you want to

send the sound in series through the master
effects at the send level specified by MFX
Send. (See diagram below)

Effect settings in combination, and Multi

Routing
In Combination and Multi modes, you can specify
the routing of each timbre/track to the insert effect
and master effects. These settings are made in the
same way in each of these modes. We will be using
the example of Combination mode in our explanation here.

3. S1 (Send1(MFX1)), S2 (Send2(MFX2))
specifies the send level from each timbre to the
master effects.
This can be set only if BUS Select is set to L/R
or Off.
The actual send level will be the send level of
each timbre multiplied by the send level of each
oscillator of the program selected for the
timbre. If the send level of a program is 0, the
actual level will be zero even if the send level
setting is raised here.

1. Access the COMBI 8: EdInsertFX, BUS page.

If IFX is selected for BUS Select, set the send

levels to the master effects by adjusting the S1
(Send1(MFX1)) and S2 (Send2(MFX2))
parameters (COMBI 8: EdInsertFX, Setup
page) located after the signal has passed
through the insert effect.

2. In BUS Select, specify where the output of

each timbre will be sent. (See diagram below)
L/R: The output will be sent to (MAIN
OUTPUT) L/MONO and R.
Note: After passing through the master EQ, the
sound will be sent to (MAIN OUTPUT) L/
MONO and R.

Selecting an insert effect, and routing after the insert effect

Insert Effect

IFX: The output will be sent to insert effect IFX.

BUS Select
Pan (CC#8)

IFX On/Off

Send2(MFX2)

Send1(MFX1)

1, 2, 1/2: The output will be sent to

(INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT) 1 or 2.
Note: It will not be sent to the insert effect, the
master effects, or the master EQ.
Off: The sound will not be sent to (MAIN
OUTPUT) L/MONO, R, (INDIVIDUAL
OUTPUT) 1 and 2. After passing through the
master effects, the sound is sent to the MAIN

Routing

IFX On

The Setup page displays the state of the routing

and insert effect settings.

COMBI/MULTI 8: Insert Effect

Pan
Timbre / Track 1
Timbre / Track 2
Timbre / Track 3
Timbre / Track 4

Timbre / Track 8

COMBI/MULTI 9: Master Effect

IFX / Indiv.Out
BUS Select

Send1 Send2

L/R BUS

BUS Select
= L/R
BUS Select
= IFX
BUS Select
=1
BUS Select
= Off

BUS Select
= 1/2
stereo

Track 16

Insert Effect

Master EQ

AUDIO OUTPUT
(MAIN) L/MONO, R

BUS Select
=2
Select from:
(DKIT)
L/R
IFX
1
2
1/2
Off

Insert Effect
IFX BUS

stereo

IFX

Post IFX
Pan(CC#8)

BUS Select

Post IFX
Send1 / 2

BUS Select
= L/R
Select from:
L/R
1
2
1/2
Off

Chain Master Effects

MFX1

mono

mono
mono x 2

mono x 2

Return1 / 2
stereo

MFX2
stereo

AUDIO OUTPUT
(INDIVIDUAL)1/2

84

You can specify the MIDI channel that will control

the insert effect dynamic modulation (Dmod) and
the Pan (CC#8), Send 1 (MFX1), and Send 2
(MFX2) settings that follow the insert effect.

1. As described in the procedure for Effect

settings for a program (p.81), set IFX to
49: LCR BPM Delay. Verify that a delay sound
is being output.

An asterisk * is shown at the right of Ch0116

for the channel numbers of timbres that are routed
to IFX. If multiple timbres/tracks of different
MIDI channels are routed to IFX, set the Control
Channel to specify the channel youll use to control the effect.

Then continue on to set the items described

below.

For a multi set, you can use any MIDI channel that
is convenient.

Moving the joystick to vary the delay

level via Dmod

All Rt. stands for All Routed, indicating that

you can control the effect using the channel of any
timbre/track that is routed.

1. Access the PROG 8: EdInsertFX, IFX page.

2. Set InLvl Mod to +100.
3. Set Src to JS+Y#1.

You can specify the MIDI channel that will control

dynamic modulation (Dmod) for the master effects.
For a combination, you will normally use the Gch
(global MIDI channel) to control the effects.
For a multi set, you can use any MIDI channel that
is convenient.

Introduction
Setup
Arpeggiator

For a combination, you will normally use the Gch

(global MIDI channel) to control the effect.

Master effects

Program
Global

Effect

Insert effect

These examples show how you can use dynamic

modulation to control an effect parameter in realtime.

Combination

Specifying the MIDI channel that will

control effects

Using dynamic modulation to control effects in realtime

Multi

These settings are made in the same way as for

programs (p.83).

BPM/MIDI Sync. is another function that controls

effect parameters, and is used to synchronize the
LFO speed of modulation-type effects or the delay
time etc. of delay-type effects to the tempo of the
arpeggiator or an external sequencer.

The joystick will control the input level to the

effect.
When you set Src to JS+Y#1, the level of
delayed signal will be set to zero, and will
gradually increase as you push up on the
joystick.

Pressing a foot switch to vary the feedback level via Dmod

1. In the GLOBAL 0: System, Foot page, set Foot
SW Assign to Foot SW (CC#82).

85

Drum Kit

Master effects
Master EQ

Dynamic modulation (Dmod) is a function that lets

you use MIDI messages or the microXs controllers
to control specific effect parameters in realtime.

Other functions External control

In the same way as for a program, you can select

the insert effect, turn it on/off, and set the Pan
(CC#8), BUS Select, S1 (Send 1 (MFX1)), and
S2 (Send2 (MFX2)) parameters that follow the
insert effect. (p.82)

Dynamic modulation and

BPM/MIDI Sync.

Appendices

In this example, IFX is used by 2 (timbre 2) and 5

(timbre 5).

Quick Start

Dynamic modulation and BPM/MIDI Sync.

Effects settings

time will change in synchronization to any

changes you make in the arpeggiator tempo.

2. Return to the PROG 8: EdInsertFX, IFX page,

and set the C Fb (C Delay Feedback) (Source)
to SW1 #82.
3. Set (Amount) to +30.

4. (Move the joystick up.) Press the foot-switch;

the feedback level will increase, and the delay
sound will continue for an extended time.
The (Amount) setting determines the
feedback level when the foot-switch is pressed.
If you set (Amount) to 10 and press the footswitch, the feedback level will be 0.

Using the BPM/MIDI Sync. function

to synchronize the delay time to
arpeggiator tempo changes.
The BPM/MIDI Sync. function lets you synchronize the delay time to the tempo of the arpeggio.
1. In the PROG 8: EdInsertFX, IFX page, set
BPM to MIDI.
2. For L, C, and R, set L/C/R Bs and Times as
desired.
For this example, set L/C/R Bs to
and
Times to 1 so that the effect will be easily
understandable. The delay time will repeat at
an interval of a 8th note.

If you rotate the REALTIME CONTROLS

knob [4] to change the tempo while the delay
is sounding, noise may occur in the delay
sound. This is because the delay sound
becomes discontinuous, and is not a
malfunction.
For some effects, you can synchronize the
LFO frequency to the tempo. Set the effect
parameters BPM/MIDI Sync to On, and
BPM to MIDI. For details see PG p.160.

Saving edited effect settings

Effect parameters that you edit in Program mode
are saved when you write the program. Similarly,
effect parameters that you edit in Combination
mode or Multi mode are saved when you write
the combination or multi set. (p.45, 61, 75)

Bypassing the insert effect or

the master effects
Normally, you will switch the effects on/off individually for each program, combination, or multi
set. However, you also have the option of bypassing the insert effect or master effects for the entire
microX if you dont want to use them.
For example, this can be useful when youre using
an outboard effect such as reverb, chorus, or compressor to create an effect that you would otherwise create using the microXs master effects, or
when youre using a plug-in effect on your computer to process the sound of the microX together
with other sound sources.
1. Press the [GLOBAL] button to enter Global
mode.
2. Access the GLOBAL 0: System, Basic page.

3. Set the realtime controller function to C-mode,

and rotate REALTIME CONTROLS knob [4]
(TEMPO).
(Move the joystick up.) Operate the knob; the
delay time will change.
4. Turn on the [ARP ON/OFF] button to start the
arpeggiator.
Select an arpeggio pattern as desired.
(Move the joystick up.) When you rotate
REALTIME CONTROLS knob [4], the delay

86

3. Check the IFX Off check box if you want to

bypass the insert effect.
Check the MFX1 Off dialog box if you want
to bypass master effect 1, or the MFX2 Off
dialog box if you want to bypass master effect
2.

 User registered scale settings.

Specify 16 octave scales, and one allnote scale.

3: Category Name

Edit category names for programs and

combinations

4: DKit

Edit drum kits

5: Arp.Pattern

Edit user arpeggio patterns.

6: Ext Control

External control settings.

Assign CC# to REALTIME CONTROLS
knobs

For details on how to access each page, tab or utility command, and how to edit the values, see
Basic operations (p.19).
The edits you perform in Global mode will be
preserved until you turn off the power is
turned off, but will be lost when the power is
turned off. Four types of data are handled in
Global mode: user drumkit settings (GLOBAL
4), arpeggiator settings (GLOBAL 5), external
control settings (GLOBAL 6), and all other
global settings (GLOBAL 03). You into its
own memory area.
Note that Compare cant be used in Global
mode.

Quick Start
Setup
Program

Key Transpose shifts the pitch in semitone steps.

Edit this setting when you want to transpose the
sound of the entire microX. You can adjust the
transposition in a range of 1 octave.

Adjusting the way in which velocity

will affect the volume or tone
You can adjust the way in which changes in velocity will affect the volume or tone by selecting different velocity curves. Each curve has its own
character, so you can select the curve that is appropriate for your own playing dynamics, playing
style, and the effect that you wish to obtain. (PG
p.76)
Velocity Curve selects the velocity curve.

Bypassing the effects

If the FX SW IFX Off, MFX1 Off, and MFX2
Off boxes are checked, the insert effect, master
effect 1, and master effect 2 will respectively be
bypassed. This applies to the entire microX
regardless of the mode. For example, if youve
connected the microXs outputs to an external
mixer and are using an external effect processor to
apply reverb or chorus to the sound, you can turn
off the microXs master effects.

87

Combination

2: User Scale

Multi

MIDI-related settings for the entire

microX

Effect

1: MIDI

Master Tune adjusts the overall pitch. Edit this

setting when you are playing the microX with
other instruments, or when playing along with
music on CD or tape. You can adjust the pitch in a
range of 50 cents (one semitone = 100 cents). If
this is at 0, middle A is tuned to 440 Hz.

Global

Basic settings for the entire microX

Controller settings for the pedals etc.
connected to the rear panel

Arpeggiator

0: System

Tuning to another instrument/Transposing

Drum Kit

In addition, you can create user drum kits, arpeggiator, and scales, make settings for the damper
pedal and assignable foot switches/pedals, and
specify category names for programs and combinations.
Global mode page structure

Basic Page

Other functions External control

In Global mode you can make overall settings that

apply to the entire microX, such as master tuning,
key transpose, effect global switch, global MIDI
channel, and system clock.

System setup 0: System

Appendices

How Global mode is structured

Introduction

Global Mode

Global Mode

Linking the arpeggiator to programs

and combinations
You can specify whether the arpeggiator settings
written to a program or combination will also be
selected when you select that program or combination, or whether the arpeggiator settings will
remain in their current state when you switch the
program or combination.
When the microX is shipped from the factory, the
former setting is selected. You can use the latter
setting if you want to use the same arpeggiator
settings to generate phrases and patterns while
you select and try out different programs and
combinations.
If the Auto Arp. Program or Combination
boxes are checked, selecting a program or combination respectively will also select the arpeggiator
settings that are written in that program or combination.

If Power On Mode is set to Memorize, microX

will power on using the same mode and page that
were selected when the power was previously
turned off.

Protecting the memory

If one or more of the Memory Protect boxes are
checked, operations such as writing, loading etc.
will be prohibited for the corresponding type of
memory.
If you want to edit and write (save) settings, youll
need to uncheck this box. In order to load the preloaded data, youll first need to uncheck the Memory Protect box for the data you want to load.

Foot Page

OCTAVE
When you switch programs, combinations, or
multi sets, you have the option of also recalling
the OCTAVE [][] button setting that is written
as part of this data.
If the OCTAVE Keys [/]: Use Prog/Combi/
Multis Octave box is checked, the OCTAVE
[][] button setting written in the data will be
recalled when you select the program etc. If this
box is not checked, the OCTAVE [][] setting
will not change when you select the program etc.;
the current setting will be maintained until you
switch the octave yourself.

Specifying the function of the

ASSIGNABLE Switch and ASSIGNABLE Pedal
Assignable Switch
Foot SW Assign lets you assign a function to a
footswitch, such as the optional Korg PS-1, connected to the rear-panel ASSIGNABLE SWITCH
jack.
This is set by Foot SW Assign.

Preference Page

Recalling the last-selected mode and

page at power-on
The state of microX when the power is turned on
will depend on the setting of Power On Mode.
If Power On Mode is set to Reset (factory setting), microX will automatically select the Combination mode 0: Play.

88

You can choose from the following functions:

Alternate modulation source
Effect dynamic modulation source
Switch portamento on/off
Control the sostenuto effect
Turn the soft pedal effect on/off
Arpeggiator on/off
Select programs or combinations (up/down)
Tap tempo
Aftertouch transmission
The functions of controllers such as the joystick
or knobs [1][4]. (PG p.164)

MIDI-related settings 1: MIDI

The user scales you create here can be used by

specifying the scale for a program, for each timbre
of a combination, or for each track of a Multi set.
You can choose these scales from the following
pages.
Mode
Program

Program

Page
1: EdBasic, Program Basic

Combination

2: EdTimbreParam, Other

Multi

2: Track Param, Other

Heres how to set the scale type for each track in

Multi mode.

Arpeggiator

1. Create a user octave scale or a user all notes

scale.

MIDI Setup, MIDI Filter

Select a key, and use the VALUE controllers to
adjust the pitch. The range of 99 raises or
lowers the pitch approximately one semitone
above or below the standard pitch.
Note: You can copy one of the preset scales and
edit it to create an original scale. To do so, use
the Copy Scale utility.
2. Press the [MULTI] button to enter Multi mode.
3. Press the [MENU/OK] button, choose Track
Param from the PAGE MENU, and then
press the [PAGE+] button to access the 2: Track
Param, Other page.

Appendices

Here you can make MIDI-related settings for the

entire microX, such as the global MIDI channel
and the MIDI clock setting. You can also use the
utility commands of this page to transmit MIDI
System Exclusive data dumps. (PG p.81)

Setup

Introduction

By adjusting the pitch of each key in the range of

99 cents, you can raise or lower it by approximately one semitone relative to the normal pitch.

Combination

On the User Scale page, you can create your own

original scales. These include sixteen different
User Octave Scales, in which the pitch of each note
of the octave is repeated for all octaves, and one
User All Note Scale, in which the pitch of each of
the 128 notes can be specified independently.

Multi

Note: You can use this as a source for alternate

modulation or effect dynamic modulation, and
use it to control program parameters or effect
parameters. In this case, set Foot SW Assign to
Foot SW (CC#82), and Foot Pedal Assign to Foot
Pedal (CC#04).

Creating an original scale, and

assigning it to a Program

Effect

You can choose from the following functions:

Master volume
Alternate modulation source
Effect dynamic modulation source
Portamento pitch change speed
Volume
The pan following an insert effect
Pan
Expression
Send levels to the master effects
Aftertouch transmission
Duplicate the function of another controller,
such as the joystick or knobs [1][4] (PG
p.165)

Global

This is set by Foot Pedal Assign.

Creating user scales

2: User Scale

Drum Kit

You can specify the function of an assignable

pedal, such as the optional XVP-10 EXP/VEL
pedal or EXP-2 foot controller, connected to the
ASSIGNABLE PEDAL jack.

Other functions External control

Assignable Pedal

Quick Start

MIDI-related settings 1: MIDI

89

Global Mode

4. If you want the Track to use the scale saved

with its individual Program, check the tracks
Use Progs Scale check box.
Tracks that are not checked will use the scale
specified by Scale Type (Multis Scale).
5. Set Type (Multis Scale) to select the scale for
the currently selected song.

Setting category names

3: Category Name
Program, Combination Category
The Category Name pages let you assign names to
the Program, and Combination categories. (PG
p.86)

Saving the global settings

When youve finished editing in the Global mode,
youll need to write (save) your settings.
The edits you perform will be lost when the
power is turned off, unless you save them.
1. Select one of the GLOBAL 0: System3:
Category Name pages.
2. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility
menu, and choose Write Global Setting.
3. To write (save) your settings, press the
[MENU/OK] button.
A dialog box will ask you to confirm that you
want to write the settings.
4. Press the [MENU/OK] button to write your
settings, or press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button if
you decide not to write.
The global settings will be written (saved).

Drum kit 4: DKit,

Arpeggiator 5: Arp.Pattern,
External Control 6: Ext.Control settings
Here you can make drum kit, arpeggiator, and
external control settings.
See the corresponding page listed below.
p.107 Using Drum Kits
p.91 Arpeggiator settings
p.111 External control settings

90

UP,
DOWN,
ALT1,
ALT2,
RANDOM

Preset arpeggio patterns

U000250

With the factory settings, this contains a variety

of preloaded user arpeggio patterns. You can
create and write your own user arpeggio
patterns.

Quick Start

2. As described in the following sections

Arpeggio controllers and Editing arpeggio
settings that appear in the display (p.92),
move the controllers or modify the parameters
to change the way in which the arpeggios are
played.

Combination
Multi
Effect

For other programs, you can press the [ARP

ON/OFF] button (the button will light) to turn
on the arpeggiator. Arpeggios will begin
sounding when you play the keyboard.

Arpeggio controllers
Arpeggiator on/off (ARP ON/OFF)
Each time you press the [ARP ON/OFF] button, the arpeggiator will be switched on/off.
When this is on, the button will light, and
playing the keyboard will start the selected
arpeggio pattern.
[ARP ON/OFF] button

[SELECT] button: C

Arpeggiator

In Program mode you can use one arpeggiator.

In Combination mode and Multi mode, the
microX features a Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiator
that lets you simultaneously use two arpeggio patterns. You can take advantage of this in many
ways, such as applying separate arpeggio patterns
to a drum program and a bass program, or using
keyboard zones or velocity splits to switch
between two arpeggio patterns.

As you select various programs, you will notice

that the [ARP ON/OFF] button will light for
some programs. Play the keyboard of the
microX and the arpeggio will start.

Other functions External control

In addition to this, the microXs arpeggiator is a

polyphonic arpeggiator that is able to produce a
variety of chordal transformations or phrases
based on the pitch or timing of the notes you play
on the keyboard. These functions let you use the
arpeggiator to play a wide range of patterns
including drum or bass phrases, and guitar or
keyboard backing riffs. It is also effective to use
the arpeggiator as part of the sound-creating process when creating subtly-moving pads, synthsounds, or sound effects.

Program mode is selected. (p.37 Selecting

programs)

Knobs [1][4]

Appendices

The chord you play on

the keyboard is sounded
as an arpeggio
(individual notes)

1. Press one of the PROGRAM [A][GM] buttons.

(The button will light.)

Global

Using the arpeggiator in Program

mode

Program

Setup

Arpeggiator features in
Program mode

Drum Kit

The arpeggiator is a function that automatically

generates arpeggios (playing the notes of the
chord individually, with a constant tempo). Most
arpeggiators produce an arpeggio when you play
a chord on the keyboard.

Introduction

Arpeggiator settings

91

Arpeggiator settings

Adjusting the arpeggiator tempo (TEMPO)

1. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT]
button to make the right C LED light.
2. Rotate the [4] (TEMPO) knob to adjust the
tempo. The  = value in the upper right of the
display will change.
You can set this in the range of 40240. The LED
located above the [ARP ON/OFF] button
blinks at quarter-note intervals of the timing
you specify.
You can also set the timing from within the
display. Use the ClickPoint to select  = and
turn the [VALUE] dial to specify the tempo.
The LED will blink at the specified tempo.
Note: You can set the tempo by pressing a
separately sold PS-1 foot switch that is
connected to the PEDAL jack (when Foot SW
Assign is set to Tap Tempo).
Note: The arpeggio playback speed is affected
by the Reso (Resolution) setting (0: Play, Arp.
Play page, 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Setup page).
If MIDI Clock (GLOBAL 1: MIDI) is set to
Ext-MIDI or Ext-USB, or set to Auto and MIDI
clock messages are being received from an
external device, the display will indicate  =
EXT. This lets you synchronize the tempo
with an external MIDI device. In this case you
wont be able to adjust the tempo on the
microX.

Adjusting the length of the arpeggiated

notes (ARPGATE)
1. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT]
button to make the right C LED light.
2. Rotate the [1] (ARP-GATE) knob to adjust the
duration of the arpeggiated notes.
Rotating the knob toward the left will shorten
the notes, and rotating it toward the right will
lengthen the notes. At the center position (12
oclock), the note length will be as specified by
the program parameter Gate (7: EdArp/
Ctrls, Setup page).
Note: You can control the effect by
simultaneously adjusting the REALTIME
CONTROLS A-mode [4] (EG-RELEASE) knob.

Adjusting the level of the arpeggiated

notes (ARP-VELOCITY)
1. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT]
button to make the right C LED light.
2. Rotate the [2] (ARP-VELOCITY) knob to adjust
the strength (or level) of the arpeggiated notes.

92

Rotating the knob toward the left will make the

notes weaker, and rotating the knob toward the
right will make the notes stronger. At the center
position (12 oclock), the velocity will be as
specified by the program parameter Velocity
(7: EdArp/Ctrls, Setup page).
Note: You can control the tone effectively by
simultaneously adjusting the REALTIME
CONTROLS A-mode [1] (LPF CUTOFF), [2]
(RESONANCE/HPF), and [3] (EGINTENSITY) knobs.

Changing the length of the arpeggio

pattern (ARP-LENGTH)
1. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT]
button to make the right C LED light.
2. Turn the [3] (ARP-LENGTH) knob to change
the length of the arpeggio pattern.
At the center position (12 oclock), the length
will be the same as the arpeggiators Lgth
(Length) setting (7: EdArp/Ctrls, Setup
page). Turn the knob toward the left to shorten
the pattern, or toward the right to lengthen the
pattern. The arpeggio pattern will play
repeatedly for the number of times specified by
LENGTH. Changing this value will change the
character of the pattern.
Note: This has no effect for the preset patterns
(UP, DOWN, ALT1, ALT2, RANDOM).

Saving your settings

The [ARP ON/OFF] button on/off status together
with the REALTIME CONTROLS knob and key
settings are saved when you write the program,
combination, or multi-set.

Editing arpeggio settings that

appear in the display
You can make arpeggiator-related settings in the
PROG 0: Play, Arp. Play page or in the PROG 7:
EdArp/Ctrls, Setup and Zone pages. The 0: Play,
Arp. Play page contains selected parameters
(taken from the 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Setup page) that
are particularly effective for editing during a performance. However, parameters other than
Swing can be controlled as described in Arpeggio controllers (p.91).

Quick Start

Arpeggiator features in Program mode

Introduction

Preset-3: ALT2
ALT2

RANDOM

Program

Selecting an arpeggio pattern (Pattern)

An arpeggio pattern can be selected from preset
arpeggio patterns Preset-0Preset-4 and user
arpeggio patterns U000250. With the factory settings, U000250 contain a wide variety of preload
user arpeggio patterns.

Preset-1: DOWN
DOWN

Use the ClickPoint to select Reso, and then

use the [VALUE] dial to specify the spacing
between the arpeggiated notes.

Selecting the octave range of the arpeggiated notes (Octave)

Use Octave to specify the octave range in which
the arpeggio is produced.
Use the ClickPoint to select Octave, and use
the [VALUE] dial to specify the octave range in
which the arpeggio is produced.
Octave: 4
UP

Effect
Other functions External control

Preset-2: ALT1

Global

UP

Use Reso (Resolution) to specify the spacing

between the arpeggiated notes in a range of  .

Arpeggiator

Preset-0: UP

Changing the timing value of the arpeggiated notes (Resolution)

Drum Kit

The way in which the pattern is played will

depend on settings such as Octave and Sort.
Preset-0Preset-4 in the following diagrams show
how the arpeggio will be played when Octave is
set to 1, and Sort is checked. Preset-4: RANDOM is one possibility.

U000U250
With the factory settings, various arpeggio patterns are preloaded. These include a variety of patterns such as drum or bass phrases, or guitar or
keyboard backing riffs.

ALT1

Note: If a user arpeggio pattern is selected, the

Octave Motion setting (GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern,
Setup page) will affect the way in which the
arpeggio is played.

93

Appendices

Use the ClickPoint to select Pattern, and use

the [VALUE] dial to select an arpeggio pattern.

Combination

Preset-4: RANDOM

Multi

Access the PROG 0: Play, Arp. Play page.

Setup

Editing in the PROG 0: Play, Arp. Play

page

Arpeggiator settings

Sort is different than selecting the arpeggiator

pattern. Sort specifies whether the notes of the
arpeggio will be sounded in order of their pitch
(regardless of the order in which they were
played) or in the order in which you played them.

Checked: When you take your hands

completely off of the keyboard, the arpeggio
pattern will immediately start over from the
beginning in sync with the first key you press.
This setting is suitable when you want the
arpeggio to start from the beginning of the
measure as you are playing in realtime.

Use the ClickPoint to select the Sort check

box, and press the center.

Unchecked: The arpeggio will always be

synchronized to the MIDI clock tempo.

Selecting the playback order of the

arpeggiated notes (Sort)

Checked: the arpeggio will sound each note in

the order of its pitch, regardless of the order in
which you actually played the notes.
Unchecked: the arpeggio will sound each note
in the order in which you actually played the
notes.
Sort
OFF, UP

Sort
ON, UP

Selecting whether to hear the arpeggiated notes, the notes you physically
play on the keyboard, or both. (Keyboard)
Use the ClickPoint to select the Keyboard
check box, and press the center.
Checked: The notes you play on the keyboard
and the notes played by the arpeggiator will
both sound.
Unchecked: Only the arpeggiated notes will
sound.

Editing in the PROG 7: EdArp/Ctrls,

Setup page

Letting the arpeggio continue playing

even after you take your hand off the
keyboard (Latch)
Latch specifies whether the arpeggio will continue playing even after you take your hand off
the keyboard, or stop playing when you take your
hand off the keyboard.
Use the ClickPoint to select the Latch check
box, and press the center.
Checked: The arpeggio will continue playing
even after you remove your hand from the
keyboard.
Unchecked: The arpeggio will stop playing
when you remove your hand from the
keyboard.

Synchronizing the arpeggiator to your

keyboard timing or to the tempo (Key
Sync.)
Key Sync. specifies whether the arpeggio pattern will begin the moment you play the keyboard, or always follow the tempo in
synchronization with the MIDI clock.
Use the ClickPoint to select the Key Sync.
check box, and press the center.

94

See the preceding section for details on parameters that can also be set from the PROG 0: Play,
Arp. Play page. Here we will explain the remaining parameters.
Access the PROG 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Setup page.

Setting the duration of the arpeggiated

notes (Gate)
Gate lets you specify the duration (gate time) of
the arpeggiated notes. If a user arpeggio pattern is
selected, you can set this to Step. In this case, the
value of the Gt setting for each step (GLOBAL 5:
Arp.Pattern, Edit page) will be used.
Note: This value will be in effect when the
REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode [1] (ARP-GATE)
knob is in the center position (12 oclock). Be sure
that the knob is in the center position when you
make this setting.

Setting the velocity of the arpeggiated

notes (Velocity)
Velocity lets you specify the velocity of the
arpeggiated notes. If this is set to Key, the velocity
with which you actually played the note will be
used. If a user arpeggio pattern is selected, you
can set this to Step. In this case, the value of the
Vel(Velocity) setting for each step (GLOBAL 5:
Arp.Pattern, Edit page) will be used.

Specifying the range of notes in which

the arpeggiator will operate (Key Btm,
Key Top)
Key Btm, Key Top: The arpeggiator will operate when you play keys within the specified range.
Keys outside of this range can be played in the
normal manner, and will not be affected by the
arpeggiator on/off.
For example if you set Pattern to Preset-0: UP,
check Latch, set Key Top to B3, and Key
Btm to C-1, playing a note B3 or lower will trigger the arpeggiator. Since Latch is on, the arpeggio will continue even after you release the keys.
You can use the C4 and higher keys to play conventionally along with the arpeggio sounded by
the B3 and lower keys. To change the arpeggio,
play keys in the range of B3 and below.

Specifying the range of velocities in

which the arpeggiator will operate (Vel
Btm, Vel Top)
Vel Btm, Vel Top: The arpeggiator will operate when you play notes with a velocity (playing
strength) that is within the specified range. Notes
played with a velocity outside this range will be
sounded normally, without regard to the arpeggiator on/off.

In Combination and Multi mode, the microX provides dual polyphonic arpeggiator functionality
that lets you use two arpeggio patterns simultaneously. The settings in each of these modes are
made in the similar way.
As an example, the following explanation shows
how to make settings in Combination mode.

Using the arpeggiators as you play in

Combination mode
1. Press a COMBINATION [A][C] button. (The
button will light.)
You will enter Combination mode. (p.57
Selecting combinations)
As you select various combinations, you will
notice that the [ARP ON/OFF] button will light
for some combinations. When you play a key
on the keyboard, the arpeggiator will start.
For other combinations, you can press the [ARP
ON/OFF] button (the button will light) to turn
on the arpeggiator.
In Combination and Multi set, depending on
the arpeggiator A, B settings, the arpeggio
may not start when you press the [ARP ON/
OFF] button to turn it on. (p.96 Select the
arpeggiator(s) that will run)
2. As described in Arpeggio controllers (p.91)
and in Editing arpeggio settings that appear in
the display (below), operate the controllers or
edit the parameters to hear how the arpeggio
changes.

95

Introduction
Setup
Program
Combination
Multi

The arpeggiator in Combination and Multi modes

Effect

Access the PROG 7: EdArp/Ctrls, ScanZone

page.

Global

Editing in the PROG 7: EdArp/Ctrls, ScanZone page

You can specify whether the arpeggio settings written in a program will also be selected when you
switch to that program, or whether the existing
state of the arpeggiator will be maintained. With
the factory settings, the former setting is selected. If
you want to use the latter setting, check Program in
Auto Arp (GLOBAL 0: System, Basic page).

Arpeggiator

Swing modifies the timing of the even-numbered arpeggiated notes, letting you give a shuffle character to the pattern.

Linking the arpeggiator to a program

Drum Kit

Making the arpeggio pattern shuffle

(Swing)

Arpeggio parameters you edit in Program mode

are saved along with the data when you write the
program. For details on how to write, see Saving
your edits (p.45).

Other functions External control

Note: When a preload user arpeggio pattern is

selected, setting the Gate or Velocity to Step
will add a sense of groove to the arpeggio pattern.

Writing (saving) the arpeggiator settings

Appendices

Note: This value will be in effect when the

REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode [ARPVELOCITY] knob is in the center position (12
oclock). Be sure that the knob is in the center
position when you make this setting.

Quick Start

The arpeggiator in Combination and Multi modes

Arpeggiator settings

Note: The [ARP ON/OFF] button and the

REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode [1] (ARP-GATE),
[2] (ARP-VELOCITY), [3] (ARP-LENGTH), and [4]
(TEMPO) knobs are valid for both arpeggiators A
and B. Their state will be memorized when the
combination is written.

Checking the structure of a user arpeggio pattern

Lets see how arpeggiators of the combination is
constructed.
1. Select combination C053: Echo Jamm, and look
at the Arp. Play A page and Arp. Play B page.

Editing arpeggio settings that

appear in the display
You can make arpeggiator-related settings in the
COMBI 0: Play, Arp. Play A and B pages or in the
COMBI 7: EdArp/Ctrls page. The 0: Play, Arp.
Play A and B pages contain selected parameters
(taken from the 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Arp. A and B
pages) that are particularly effective for editing
during a performance. However, parameters other
than Swing can be controlled as described in
Arpeggio controllers (p.91).
With the following exceptions, the display settings
in the 0: Play, Arp. Play A and B pages are essentially the same as for a program.
1. Access the COMBI 0: Play, Arp. Play A page,
and make settings for arpeggiator A.
2. Access the COMBI 0: Play, Arp. Play B page,
and make settings for arpeggiator B.
Arpeggiator A/B

Arpeggiator Run

Timbre Assign

As you can see from the Timbre Assign table

in the upper right, arpeggiator A is assigned to
timbre 4 and 8, and arpeggiator B is assigned to
timbre 2. When you play the keyboard, the DrBigBeats 2 arpeggio pattern will play the program DrumnBass Kit of timbre 4. The GtStab Rhythm arpeggio pattern will play the
program Funkin Guitar of timbre 2.
If you uncheck Arpeggiator Run A or
Arpeggiator Run B, the unchecked arpeggiator will stop.
If you check it once again and play the
keyboard, the arpeggiator will begin running.

Arpeggio Pattern

Select the arpeggiator(s) that will run

Use the Arpeggiator Run check boxes to specify
the arpeggiator(s) that you want to run. The
arpeggiator(s) that are checked here will operate
when the [ARP ON/OFF] button is on.
However, the arpeggiator will play a timbre only
if the table displayed beside the check boxes
assigns arpeggiator A or B to a Timbre 18. These
settings are made in COMBI 7: EdArp/Ctrls,
Setup page Assign (p.96).

Arpeggiator-A, Arpeggiator-B
For each arpeggiator A and B, you can make settings for Pattern, Reso (Resolution), Octave,
Sort, Latch, Key Sync, and Keyboard.
(p.92)

Look at the COMBI 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Scan

Zone page, and you will see that the A keys
Btm and Top are set so that arpeggiator A
will operate only for B3 and lower keys, and
that the B Top Key and Bottom Key are set
so that arpeggiator B will operate only for C4
and higher keys.

Dual polyphonic arpeggiator settings

The dual polyphonic arpeggiator functionality lets
you do the following things.
Assign an arpeggiator for each timbre. Choose
from Off, (arpeggiator) A, or (arpeggiator) B.
step 5
Independently specify whether A and B will
operate. step 6

96

Arpeggiator settings
1. Select COMBI 0: Play, Prog page.
Select programs for the timbres that you wish
to use. For this example, select any desired
program for timbres 14.
2. Select COMBI 2: EdTimbreParam. MIDI page.
For the timbres that you will be using, set
Status to INT, and set MIDI Channel to
Gch or to the global MIDI channel (set in
GLOBAL 1: MIDI MIDI Channel).
For this example, set timbres 14 to a Status
of INT, and timbres 58 to a Status of Off. Set
the MIDI Channel of timbres 14 to Gch.

The parameters for A and B are the same as for

a program (p.92).
8. In the Scan Zone page, specify the range in
which arpeggiators A and B will operate.
The parameters for A and B are the same as for
a program (p.94).
You can use keyboard ranges or playing
velocity to operate the arpeggiator, or to switch
between arpeggiators A and B. By using the
COMBI 5: EdKey Zone, Key page and COMBI
6: EdVel Zone, Vel page to set keyboard ranges
and velocity ranges in conjunction with each
other, you can create even more variations.
9. If you wish to save the edited combination
settings in internal memory, turn off memory
protect in Global mode, and write the
combination.
In the GLOBAL 0: System, Preference page,
uncheck the Memory Protect Combination
check box. (p.88)

3. Select COMBI 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Setup page.

Introduction
Setup
Program
Combination

7. In the Arp. A and Arp. B pages, set the

parameters for arpeggiators A and B.

10.The Status, MIDI Channel and Assign

settings shown in the display of steps 2 and 3
can be made so that certain timbres will sound
only when the arpeggiator is On, and will be
silent when the arpeggiator is not Off.

4. Set  (Temp) to specify the tempo.

Appendices

This is the same as for a program (p.92).

However, the tempo is shared by both
arpeggiators A and B.

Multi

Note: If Assign is Off or Arpeggiator Run is

not checked, the arpeggiator will not operate even
if this key is on.

If all timbres Assign are Off, or if neither

Arpeggiator Run A or B is checked, the
arpeggiator will not function.

Effect

Each time you press the [ARP ON/OFF] button,

the arpeggiator will be switched on or off. When
on, the [ARP ON/OFF] button will light. The
selected arpeggio pattern will begin when you
play the keyboard. The on/off setting is saved
when the combination is written into memory.

With the settings shown in the display for steps

2 and 3, turning the [ARP ON/OFF] button on
will cause arpeggiator A to operate for timbres
1 and 2, and arpeggiator B to operate for timbre
3. When the [ARP ON/OFF] button is turned
off, timbres 14 will sound as a layer.

Global

Arpeggiator on/off

Check the arpeggiator(s) that you want to

operate. The arpeggiator(s) checked here will
run when the [ARP ON/OFF] button is turned
on.

Arpeggiator

Make settings for timbres that will be silent

when the arpeggiator is Off, and will sound
only when the arpeggiator is On. step 10

6. Make Arpeggiator Run settings.

Drum Kit

Make Scan Zone page settings so that you can

use keyboard range or playing velocity to
switch between normal playing and arpeggiated playing, or to switch between arpeggiators
A and B. step 8

Assign arpeggiator A or B to the desired

timbres. Each timbre will be played by the
arpeggiator that has been assigned to it.

Other functions External control

Select an arpeggio pattern and set parameters

independently for A and B. step 7

Quick Start

The arpeggiator in Combination and Multi modes

5. Make Assign settings.

97

Arpeggiator settings

Setting examples

Combination B071: In The Pocket

Although this is a somewhat sophisticated editing

technique, we will describe the settings of one of
the preset combinations as an example.

Select and play combination B071: In The

Pocket.

Combination B021: Urban Nature RnB

Select combination B021: Urban Nature RnB, and
play it.
Before you play, make sure that the global MIDI
channel (GLOBAL 1: MIDI MIDI Channel) is set
to 01.
Arpeggiator A is assigned to T (timbre) 4 and 5.
When you play the keyboard, the arpeggio pattern Dr-Nature RnB will sound only the T4
program Trance/GarageKit.
The arpeggio pattern uses the Fixed Note setting, which is appropriate when playing a drum
arpeggio. (Fixed Note is checked in, GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern, Setup page.) With this setting, the arpeggio pattern will always play the
specified pitches regardless of the note numbers
received from the keyboard. (p.102)
The A Key Btm and Key Top (COMBI 7:
EdArp/Ctrls, Scan Zone page) are set so that
arpeggiator A will operate only for notes B3
and lower.
Arpeggiator A is also assigned to T5, but this is
so that the T4 program Trance/GarageKit will
sound only when the arpeggiator is on.
Notice the timbre settings for T4 and T5
Status

MIDI Channel

Assign

T4

INT

02

T5

Off

Gch

If the arpeggiator is off, playing the keyboard

will sound the timbre(s) that are set to Gch or
to the global MIDI channel (in this case, 01).
Since the MIDI Channel of T4 is set to 02, it
will not sound. T5 is set to Gch, but since Status is Off it will not sound.
Any MIDI channel that is assigned to a timbre
will trigger the arpeggiator. In this case, these
will be MIDI Channel 02 and Gch (global
MIDI channel). When the arpeggiator is on,
playing the keyboard will trigger arpeggiator A
which is assigned to T5 (Gch). T4 will be
sounded by arpeggiator A. Since the Status
of T5 is Off, it will not sound.
Since the Status of T5 is Off, it will not
sound, regardless of whether the arpeggiator is
on or off. It is a dummy timbre that causes T4 to
sound only when the arpeggiator is on.

98

Before you play, make sure that the global MIDI

channel (GLOBAL 1: MIDI MIDI Channel) is set
to 01.
Arpeggiator A is assigned to T7 and T8, and
arpeggiator B is assigned to T5. When you play
the keyboard, the T7 program HipHop Kit will
be sounded by the arpeggio pattern Dr-In The
Pocket. The T5 program Chord Trigger will be
sounded by the arpeggio pattern Bs-Echo.
The B Key Btm and Key Top (COMBI 7:
EdArp/Ctrls, Scan Zone page) are set so that
arpeggiators B will operate only for the G3
note and above.
Arpeggiator B is assigned to T8 as well, but this
setting is so that the T7 program HipHop Kit
will sound only when the arpeggiator is on. See
the preceding section Combination B021:
Urban Nature RnB.

Writing the arpeggiator settings

Arpeggio parameters you edited in Combination
or Multi mode are saved along with the settings
when you write the combination or multi set. For
the writing procedure, see Saving your edits
(p.61) for a combination, or to Saving your
edits (p.75) for a multi set.

Linking the arpeggiator to the combination

If you want the arpeggiator settings of a combination to become active when that combination is
selected, check Combi for Auto Arp (GLOBAL 0: System, Basic page).

User arpeggio patterns: There are 251 patterns U000U250 - which can develop chords or phrases
in a wide variety of ways, based on the pitches
that you play on the keyboard or the timing at
which you play them.
In GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern you can modify these
user arpeggio patterns, or create a new user arpeggio pattern from an initialized condition. Edited
user arpeggio patterns can be written to internal
memory areas U000U250.

If you want to create a new arpeggio pattern,

choose an appropriate arpeggio pattern and initialize it.
Note: Even if youve initialized a pattern, you can
reload the factory preset data at any time using the
Global mode. (p.113)
1. Press the [GLOBAL] button to enter Global
mode, and access the GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern,
Setup page.
2. Select the arpeggio pattern that you want to
initialize.

Changing the memory protect setting

When you wish to edit a user arpeggio pattern,
first turn off memory protect by unchecking the
Memory Protect Arp. UsrPat check box in the
GLOBAL 0: System, Preference page.

3. Access the GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern, Edit page.

4. Press the [UTILITY] button. From the menu
that appears, choose Initialize Steps to open
the dialog box.

Saving and comparing data

The edits you perform in Global mode will be
preserved until you turn off the power is
turned off, but will be lost when the power is
turned off. Four types of data are handled in
Global mode: user drumkit settings (GLOBAL
4), arpeggiator settings (GLOBAL 5), external
control settings (GLOBAL 6), and all other global settings (GLOBAL 03). You into its own
memory area.

Introduction
Setup
Program
Combination

With the factory settings, all of the microXs user

arpeggio patterns U000U250 contain preloaded
data.

Multi

Preset arpeggio patterns: There are five patterns;

UP, DOWN, ALT1, ALT2, and RANDOM.
The operation of these patterns is fixed, and cannot be edited.

Initializing an arpeggio pattern

Effect

The microX has 251 arpeggio pattern memory

areas, divided into preset arpeggio patterns and
user arpeggio patterns as follows.

When you edit a user arpeggio pattern, the

changes will have an effect on any Program, Combination, or Multi set that uses this same pattern.

Global

Memory structure for the arpeggio

patterns

Caution when the arpeggiator is

used by multiple programs or combinations

Arpeggiator

If you moved from Multi mode to Global mode,

playing the keyboard will sound the program
and arpeggiator of the track that matches the
global MIDI channel (GLOBAL 1).

5. If you set Type to Empty, the pattern will be

initialized to an empty state without any tones.
If you select Full, all tones will be occupied. In
this example, choose Empty and press the
[MENU/OK] button. The pattern will be
initialized.

99

Drum Kit

When you play the keyboard in Global mode,

the instrument will sound in the state of the
mode in which you were.

Other functions External control

User arpeggio patterns can be created in Global

mode.

Note that Compare cant be used in Global

mode. If you want to edit a user drum kit or
user arpeggio pattern, you should first use
Copy Drum Kit or Copy Arpeggio Pattern
to copy the drum kit or user arpeggio pattern
you want to edit into a vacant number, and
then edit the copy.

Appendices

Creating a user arpeggio pattern

Quick Start

Creating a user arpeggio pattern

Arpeggiator settings

Editing a user arpeggio pattern in

Program mode
If you enter this mode from the Program mode,
your editing will apply to the arpeggio pattern
specified for the selected program.

7. The Type (Arpeggio Type), Octave Motion,

and Fixed Note parameters specify how the
arpeggio will be developed.
These settings can be changed during or after
editing.
8. Access the Edit page.

1. In Program mode, select a program for which

the arpeggio pattern you wish to edit is
selected, or a program that you wish to use as a
basis for editing the arpeggio pattern.
2. Press the [ARP ON/OFF] button to turn the
arpeggiator on (the button will light).
Even if you moved to Global mode from a
program in which the arpeggiator was turned
off, you can use the [ARP ON/OFF] button to
turn it on.
3. Access the GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern, Setup
page.

A pattern consists of Steps and Tones.

Step: A user arpeggio pattern can have a maximum of 48 steps. The arpeggiator will play
from the first step, in steps equal to the timing
value specified by Reso (Resolution). The
vertical lines of the grid shown in the center of
the display indicate the steps.
Use Step (Step No.) to select the step. For
each step, specify Ptch (Pitch Offset), Gt
(Gate), Vel (Velocity) and Flam.

4. In Pattern, select the arpeggio pattern that

you wish to edit.
For this example, select an empty user arpeggio
pattern.
If a blank pattern is selected, playing the
keyboard will not start an arpeggio.
Note: Although preset arpeggio patterns Preset0Preset-4 can be selected, they cannot be
edited.
5. In Lgth (Length), specify the length of the
pattern.
After the pattern has played for the length
specified, it will return to the beginning. This
setting can also be changed during or after
editing. For this example, set it to 8.
6. Make settings for the  (Tempo), Reso
(Resolution), Oct (Octave), Sort, Latch,
K.Sync (Key Sync.), and Kbd (Keyboard)
parameters.
Note: These are program parameters, but can be
set from here as well.
If after moving here from Program mode, you
modify these parameters and wish to keep
your changes, return to Program mode and
write the program. These parameters are not
saved by Write Arpeggio Pattern.
For this example, make the settings shown in
the illustration 3.

100

To change the step, use the ClickPoint to select

Step (Step No.), and then use the [VALUE]
dial to select the desired step. In this page you
can use the ClickPoint [][] to move
between steps.
Tone: At each step, a chord consisting of up to
12 tones (Tone No. 0011) can be sounded.
The grid of horizontal dotted lines in the center
of the display indicate the tones.
When Step (Step No.) is selected, you can
press the center of the ClickPoint to specify the
tone.
Use the ClickPoint [][] to select a tone, and
press the center to enter that tone. The tone will
switch on/off each time you press the center.
Use the ClickPoint [][] to move to the next
or previous step. Select a step, use [][] to
select a Tone, and then press the center to enter.
Press the [MENU/OK] button when youre
finished.

1. Set Step (Step No.) to 01, and press the center

of the ClickPoint.
2. Select Tone 0, and press the center of the
ClickPoint.
3. Use the ClickPoint [] to change Step to 02,
and enter Tone 1.
4. In the same way, change Step to 03 and enter
Tone 2.
5. Set Step to 04 and enter Tone 1.
6. Set Step to 05 and enter Tone 3.

Note: Before you set Gt (Gate), move the

REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode [ARP-GATE]
knob to the center position (12 oclock).
Note: Before you set Vel (Velocity), move the
REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode [ARPVELOCITY] knob to the center position (12
oclock).

7. Set Step to 06 and enter Tone 1.

8. Set Step to 07 and enter Tone 2.
9. Set Step to 08 and enter Tone 1.
10.Press the [MENU/OK] button.
13.To change the user arpeggio pattern name, use
the Utility Rename Arpeggio Pattern
(p.114).

11.When you play the keyboard as shown in the

illustration, the arpeggiator will begin playing.
Tone 0 corresponds to the pitch of the lowest
key of chord you play on the keyboard. (If
Sort is unchecked, it will correspond to the
pitch of the first note you play.)
12.For steps 0108, make settings for Ptch (Pitch
Offset), Gt (Gate), Vel (Velocity), and
Flam.

14.If you wish to save the edited user arpeggio

pattern to internal memory, be sure to Write the
user arpeggio pattern (p.104).
If you turn off the power without writing, the
edited contents will be lost.
15.If you wish to save the state of the program at
the same time, return to Program mode and
write the program (p.45).

Setup
Program
Appendices

Ptch (Pitch Offset): This offsets the pitch of

the arpeggio note in semitones up or down.
You can input the same tone for each step, and
change the Ptch (Pitch Offset) value for each

Combination

Note: The Gt (Gate) and Vel (Velocity)

settings you make here will be valid if the Gt
(Gate) and Vel (Velocity) parameters (PROG
7: EdArp/Ctrls, Setup page) of the program
selected in Program mode are set to Step. If
these parameters have a setting other than
Step, the Gt (Gate) and Vel (Velocity) that
were specified for each individual step will be
ignored, and all notes of the arpeggio will
sound according to the settings in PROG 7: Ed
Arp/Ctrls. Be sure to verify the settings of the
program.

Multi

Creating an example pattern

Vel (Velocity): Specify the strength of the note.

With a setting of Key, the note will sound at the
strength with which it was actually played.

Effect

Step No.

Global

05

Lgth(Length)

Arpeggiator

01

Gt (Gate): Specify the length of the arpeggio

note for each step. With a setting of LGT, the
note will continue sounding either until the
next note of the same tone or until the end of
the pattern. With a setting of Off, the note will
not sound.

Drum Kit

4
3
2
1
0

Other functions External control

to create a melody using a single tone.

(Melody pattern)

Tone No.

Introduction

Quick Start

Creating a user arpeggio pattern

101

Arpeggiator settings

Other examples of creating a user

arpeggio pattern

Chordal pattern

Melody pattern

1. Set Step (Step No.) to 01, and press the center

of the ClickPoint.
1. Set Step (Step No.) to 01, and press the center
of the ClickPoint.

2. Select Tone 0, and press the center of the

ClickPoint.

2. Select Tone 0, and press the center of the

ClickPoint.

3. Use the ClickPoint [] to change Step to 03,

and enter Tones 1, 2, 3, and 4. (We wont enter a
tone in Step 02.)

3. Use the ClickPoint [] to change Step to 02,

and enter Tone 0.

4. In the same way, change Step to 04, and enter

Tones 1, 2, 3, and 4.

4. In the same way, change Step to 03 and enter

Tone 0.

5. Change Step to 06, and enter Tones 1, 2, 3,

and 4. (We wont enter a tone in Step 05.)

5. Set Step to 04 and enter Tone 0.

6. Step to 08, and enter Tones 1, 2, 3, and 4. (We

wont enter a tone in Step 07.)

6. Set Step to 05 and enter Tone 0.

7. Set Step to 07 and enter Tone 0. (We wont
enter a tone in Step 06.)
8. Set Step to 08 and enter Tone 0.
9. Press the [MENU/OK] button.
10.Use the [VALUE] dial to change Step (Step
No.) to the appropriate step. Use the
ClickPoint to select Ptch (Pitch Offset) and
make the following settings.
Set the Step 01 Ptch (Pitch Offset) to +00.
Set the Step 02 Ptch (Pitch Offset) to +10.
Set the Step 03 Ptch (Pitch Offset) to +00.
Set the Step 04 Ptch (Pitch Offset) to +00.
Set the Step 05 Ptch (Pitch Offset) to +12.
Set the Step 07 Ptch (Pitch Offset) to +00.
Set the Step 08 Ptch (Pitch Offset) to 02.

7. Press the [MENU/OK] button.

8. Use the [VALUE] dial to change Step (Step
No.) to 01. Use the ClickPoint to select Gt
(Gate) and change it to LGT.
9. Use the [VALUE] dial to change Step (Step
No.) to 06. Use the ClickPoint to select Gt
(Gate) and change it to LGT.
Note: To simulate the timing nuances of a
strummed guitar chord, select Flam. In
Program mode, select an acoustic guitar
program, and choose the user arpeggio pattern
that you created here. In the Setup page of
PROG 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Setup, set Gate to
Step.
Then return to the GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern,
Edit page. For odd-numbered steps, set Flam
to a positive (+) value. For even-numbered
steps, set Flam to a negative () value.

Drum pattern
You can use the arpeggiator to play a rhythm pattern by using Fixed Note with a drum program.
1. Select a drum kit program.
For this example, select preset program B020:
Standard Kit 1.

102

Choose Step (Step No.) 01, 02, 03, 05, 06, and
07, and enter Tone 02 for each of these steps.
7. Input the open hi-hat (Tone03).

Tone No.

Fixed Note No.

00

C2 (kick)

01

F2 (snare)

02

F#3 (closed hi-hat)

03

A#3 (open hi-hat)

The drumsamples that correspond to each note

number will differ depending on the drum kit.
After youve used the keyboard to find the
drum sound you want to use, you can enter
Fixed Note No.
3. Access the Edit page.
Each Tone in the display will be shown as a
small circle.
For each horizontal line (Tone) in the display,
you will specify a drumsample (note number)
of the drum kit.
Next we will input a rhythm pattern.

If Mode (Fixed Note Mode) is set to Trigger

All Tones, playing a single note on the
keyboard will cause the rhythm pattern to play.
If Mode (Fixed Note Mode) is set to Trigger
As Played, playing a single note on the
keyboard will cause only the kick (Tone00) to
play. Playing two notes on the keyboard will
cause only the kick (Tone00) and snare
(Tone01) to play. In this way, the number of
keys that you play will be played by the same
number of tones.
9. Set the parameters for each step.
Use Vel (Velocity) etc. to add accents to the
rhythm pattern.
Note: The Gt (Gate) and Vel (Velocity)
settings you make here will be valid if the
Gate and Velocity parameters (PROG 7:
EdArp/Ctrls, Setup page) of the program
selected in Program mode are set to Step.
If these parameters have a setting other than
Step, the Gt (Gate) and Vel (Velocity) that
were specified for each individual step will be
ignored, and all notes of the arpeggio will
sound according to the specified gate and
velocity.

Introduction

Note: Before you set Gate, move the

REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode [1] (ARPGATE) knob to the center position (12 oclock).

Other functions External control

Here, set Tone No. and Fixed Note No. as

follows.

8. Press the [MENU/OK] button.

Note: Before you set Velocity, move the

REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode [2] (ARPVELOCITY) knob to the center position (12
oclock).

Appendices

Select Tone No., and then set Fixed Note

No. to specify the note number that the tone
will sound.

Multi

If Fixed Note is checked, you will be able to

set Tone No. and Fixed Note No.

Effect

Fixed Note
Tone No. Fixed Note No.
Mode(Fixed Note Mode)

Set Step (Step No.) to 04, and enter Tone 03.

Then set Step (Step No.) to 08, and enter Tone
03.

Setup

6. Input the closed hi-hat (Tone02).

Program

Set Step (Step No.) to 03, and enter Tone 01.

Then set Step (Step No.) to 07 and enter Tone
01.

Combination

5. Input the snare (Tone01).

Global

If you set Mode (Fixed Note Mode) to

Trigger All Tones, playing a single note will
cause all Tones to sound. If you set Mode
(Fixed Note Mode) to Trigger As Played, the
notes you play will determine how Tones are
sounded.

Set Step (Step No.) to 01, and press the center

of the ClickPoint. Enter Tone 00. Then set Step
(Step No.) to 05 and enter Tone 0.

Arpeggiator

Check Fixed Note. If this is checked, tones

will always sound at the specified pitch.

4. Input the kick (Tone00).

Drum Kit

2. Select the GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern, Setup page,

and set the parameters.

Quick Start

Creating a user arpeggio pattern

103

Arpeggiator settings

Dual polyphonic arpeggiator editing

in Combi and Multi modes
Here we will use a combination as an example in
our explanation.
The same procedure applies when editing an
arpeggio pattern in Multi mode.
If you have entered this mode from the Combination mode, the arpeggio pattern selected by the
combination will be affected by your editing.
1. In Combination mode, select a combination
that uses the arpeggio pattern you wish to edit.
For this example, select a combination to which
arpeggiators A and B is assigned.
2. Press the [ARP ON/OFF] button to turn on the
arpeggiator (the button will light).
Even if the arpeggiator had been turned off
when you moved here, you can use the [ARP
ON/OFF] button to turn it on. However, if
Arpeggiator Run A or B are not checked, and
if no timbres have been assigned in Assign,
then the arpeggiator will not operate.
3. Access the GLOBAL 5: Arp.Pattern, Setup
page.

4. If you moved here from Combination mode,

use the Arp (Arpeggio Select) A and B to
select the arpeggiator that you wish to edit.
If this is A, your editing will apply to the
parameters and user arpeggio pattern of
arpeggiator A.
If this is B, your editing will apply to the
parameters and user arpeggio pattern of
arpeggiator B.
5. Switch between arpeggiators A and B, and edit
their respective user arpeggio patterns.
If you wish to stop one of the arpeggiators,
return to Combination mode, and in COMBI 0:
Play, select the Arp. A or the Arp. B page and
uncheck the Arpeggiator Run check box.
6. To modify the name of a user arpeggio pattern,
use the Utility Rename Arpeggio Pattern
(p.114).
7. If you wish to save the edited user arpeggio
pattern in internal memory, you must write the
user arpeggio pattern.
In this case, both user arpeggio patterns will be
written simultaneously. If you turn off the power
without writing, the edited contents will be lost.

104

8. If you wish to save the state of the combination

at the same time, return to Combination mode
and write the combination (p.61).
Note: When editing a user arpeggio pattern,
pay attention to the global MIDI channel, the
channel of each track, and the arpeggiator
assignments, and make sure that the
arpeggiator you are hearing is the pattern that
you wish to edit.

Assigning a name
We recommend that you assign a name to the
arpeggio pattern you create.
You can do this by using the Rename Arpeggio
Pattern utility. For details on assigning a name,
see p.114.

Saving a user arpeggio

When youre finished editing, you should save the
user arpeggio.
The Tempo, Pattern, Octave, Resolution,
Sort, Latch, Key Sync., and Keyboard settings of a user arpeggio pattern are parameters
that are saved together with the program, combination, or multi set. These parameters are not
saved by the Write operation described here. If
you want to save these parameters, return to the
previous mode and write the data.
Note: Youll need to turn off the memory protect
setting for user arpeggio patterns. In the GLOBAL
0: System, Preference page, uncheck the Memory
Protect Arp. UsrPat box. (p.88)
1. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility
menu, and choose Write Arpeggio Patterns.
2. To write (save) your settings, press the
[MENU/OK] button.
A dialog box will ask you to confirm that you
want to write the arpeggio patterns.
3. Press the [MENU/OK] button to write your
settings, or press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button if
you decide not to write.
The arpeggio patterns will be written (saved).

If this is checked, the arpeggiator will immediately start playing from the beginning from the
first note-on you play after all the keys had been
previously released.
If this is unchecked, the arpeggiator will operate
in synchronization with the internal or external
MIDI clock.

Synchronization to the MIDI Start message

When the arpeggiator is on and operating,
receiving a MIDI Start message will cause the
arpeggiator to reset to the beginning of the pattern. (This has no relation to the Key Sync.
setting.)

Combination

The paragraphs below explain how synchronization occurs when the Key Sync. check box is
unchecked. (However, synchronization with Song
Start and with the MIDI realtime command Start
message are exceptions to this.)

Introduction

The arpeggiator will synchronize to the 

(Tempo) based on the timing of the external
MIDI clock.

Setup

The note timing of the arpeggiator will differ

depending on the state of the arpeggiator Key
Sync. check box.

Synchronization to external MIDI clock

Program

Synchronizing the arpeggiator

Quick Start

Synchronizing the arpeggiator

Multi

Synchronization between arpeggiators A and B

Effect

In Combination and Multi mode, two arpeggiators can operate simultaneously. In this case, if you
start an arpeggiator (whose Key Sync. is
unchecked) while the other arpeggiator is already
running, the arpeggiator you started will synchronize to the  (Tempo) based on the timing of the
already-running arpeggiator.

Global

Note: If Key Sync. is checked, A and B will each

operate on their own timing.

Arpeggiator

Synchronization with an external

sequencer in Program, Combination,
or Multi modes
When the microX is the master

Drum Kit

If  (Tempo) is INT, the arpeggiator will operate

based on the timing of the internal MIDI clock.

Other functions External control

 (Tempo) will be INT if GLOBAL 1: MIDI

MIDI Clock is Internal. The tempo will also be
INT if the Auto setting is selected and MIDI clock
is not being received from an external device.

When the microX is the slave

If  (Tempo) is EXT, the arpeggiator will synchronize to the MIDI clock and Start messages etc.
received from the external MIDI sequencer or similar device.

Appendices

 (Tempo) will be EXT if GLOBAL 1: MIDI MIDI

Clock is Ext-MIDI or Ext-USB. The tempo will also
be EXT if the Auto setting is selected and MIDI
clock is being received from an external device.

105

Arpeggiator settings

106

Drum Kit memory structure

The microX has 49 Drum Kits, divided into Internal, User, and GM (General MIDI) groups as
shown below.
You can edit or write into any of the locations
except for the GM bank, which cannot be erased.
If you want to start with a GM bank drum kit and
edit it, use the Copy Drum Kit utility to select a
drum kit and copy it to the USER bank.
Drum Kit banks
Bank

No.

Contents

INT

0031

Factory Drum Kits

USER

3239

User (initialized) Drum Kits

GM

4048

GM2 Drum Kits

Drum Kit Programs and Oscillator

Mode
The PROG 1: EdBasic, Prog Basic page Oscillator Mode setting specifies whether the oscillator
will be a drum kit or a conventional multisample
(such as piano or strings).
You can verify this setting in the PROG 2: Ed
Pitch, OSC1 page. If Oscillator Mode is set to
Single, youll be able to specify two multisamples
and a velocity switch. If this is set to Double,
youll be able to make an additional set of settings
in the OSC2 page.

Quick Start
Introduction
Program

So, before you enter the GLOBAL 4: DKit pages,

its best to select a Program which is already set up
for drums in Program mode, with the appropriate
EG settings, effects, and so on. Choose a drum
Program such as B020: Standard Kit 1.
If you moved from Multi mode to Global mode,
playing the keyboard will sound the program and
arpeggiator of the track that matches the global
MIDI channel (GLOBAL 1).

Combination
Multi

You can use Drum Kits only in Programs whose

Oscillator Mode is set to Drums.

In Global Mode, youll play the kit that youre

editing as if you were playing it from within the
Program, Combination, or Multi set which was
selected before you entered Global mode.

Effect

You can specify the insert effect routing and

master effect send level for each note. For
example, you can use this to send just the snare
to a compressor.

First, select a Drum Program

Global

Each note has separate settings for the most

important sound parameters, including volume, filter cutoff and resonance, envelope
attack and decay, pitch.

Before you start editing

Match the note mapping and key

position for the drum kit
In order for the note mappings to match the keyboard, the Oscillators Octave setting needs to be
+0 [8']. All Drum Kit Programs should have this
setting already. If youre unsure, you can check
this yourself:
1. Access the Program mode PROG 1: EdBasic,
OSC1 page.
2. Check that the Octave parameter (near the
top of the page) is set to +0 [8'].
With a setting other than +0 [8'], the
relationship between the keys and the Drum
Kit sound map will be incorrect.

Check the memory protect setting

When you wish to edit a user drum kit, first turn
off memory protect by unchecking the Memory
Protect Drum Kit check box in the GLOBAL 0:
System Preference page.

107

Arpeggiator

On each note, you can use up to two Drum

Samples, with velocity switching

Drum Kit

Each note can play a different sound

Other functions External control

Drum Kits, as the name implies, are optimized for

creating drum sounds.Drum Kits are created in
Global Mode. They offer a number of special features, such as:

If Oscillator Mode is set to Drums, youll be

able to make settings for one drum kit. A drum kit
does have velocity switch settings, but these settings are made for the drum kit in Global mode,
and cannot be edited or saved in Program mode.

Appendices

What is a Drum Kit?

Setup

Using Drum Kits

Using Drum Kits

Saving and comparing data

The edits you make in Global mode will be lost
when the power is turned off, so you need to
write (save) your edits if you want to keep
these changes. Four types of data are handled
in Global mode: user drumkit settings (GLOBAL 4), arpeggiator settings (GLOBAL 5),
external control settings (GLOBAL 6), and all
other global settings (GLOBAL 03). You can
save each type of data into its own memory
area.
Note that Compare cant be used in Global
mode. If you want to edit a user drum kit or
user arpeggio pattern, you should first use
Copy Drum Kit or Copy Arpeggio Pattern
to copy the drum kit or user arpeggio pattern
you want to edit into a vacant number, and
then edit the copy.

Caution when a drum kit is used by

more than one program
When you edit a drum kit, your changes will affect
all programs that use that same drum kit. If you
want to edit one of the preloaded drum kits, it is
best to copy the drum kit into a vacant area of the
USER bank, and then edit the copy of the drum
kit.

Editing Drum Kits

Basic Editing
1. Select the Program that you wish to use while
editing the Drum Kit.
For more details, see First, select a Drum
Program (p.107).
2. Press the [GLOBAL] button to enter Global
mode.
3. Access the GLOBAL 4: DKit, High Sample
page.

4. Use the Drum Kit parameter, at the top of the

screen, to select the Drum Kit that you wish to
edit.
5. Use the Key parameter to select the note that
you wish to edit.
Use the front panel [VALUE] dial etc. to edit the
setting.
This Key selection applies to all three Drum
Kit editing tabs.
6. Use the Assign check box to specify whether
the key will have its own settings, or use the
same settings as the next higher note.
If Assign is checked, the key will have its
own settings. This is the default.
If Assign is not checked, the key wont have
its own settings. Instead, it will use the same
settings as the next higher noteexcept that the
drum samples will be played at a lower pitch.
The pitch that sounds will depend on the
PROG 2: EdPitch, OSC1 page Pitch Slope
setting.
Use this setting when you want only to change
the pitch, such as with tom or cymbal sounds.

Placing drum samples

Heres how to place two drum samples and switch
between them using velocity.
1. Access the GLOBAL 4: DKit, High Sample
page.
2. Select the High Drum Sample.
Press the [CATEGORY] button to view a list of
the drum samples organized by category. For

108

The Low drum sample will sound when you

play a key less strongly than the specified
velocity value, and the High drum sample will
sound when you play more strongly.
For example if you set Velocity SW LH to
100, the drum sample assigned to Low will
sound when you play the keyboard softly, and
the multisample assigned to High will sound
when you play strongly.
Note: If you dont want to use this function, set
Velocity SW LH to 001. Only the High
drum sample will sound.
Note: This is the same type of function as
velocity multisample switching in a program.
(p.49)

Fine-tuning the sound of each sample

1. If you like, adjust the Levels for the two Drum
Samples.
Set the High and Low Level settings to adjust
the volume balance.

Play the open hi-hat sound.

While its still ringing, play the closed hi-hat.
The open hi-hat sound will be cut offsimulating the action of a physical hi-hat.

Using Hold
The Program Hold parameter can be especially
useful for drum programs, since it lets the samples
ring out naturally regardless of how long you hold
down the note. The way that this works depends
on settings in both the Program and the Drum Kit,
as described below.
To enable Hold:
1. Access the PROG 1: EdBasic, Prog Basic page.
2. Voice Assign, make sure that the Hold check
box is checked.
Once youve turned on Hold for the
Program, the function is controlled on a noteby-note basis according to settings within the
Drum Kit.
3. Access the GLOBAL 4: DKit, Voice/Mixer
page.

2. Set the tuning and EG parameters as desired.

3. You can adjust the sound or specify reverse

playback for each drum sample.
For each drum sample, set the FC (Filter
Cutoff) and Reso (Resonance) parameters,
and specify S.Ofs and Rev (Reverse). (PG
p.87)
4. Repeat steps 13 to set up each key of the Drum
Kit.

4. For each key, set the Enable Note Off Receive

parameter as desired.
If this check box is unchecked, the key will be
held. If it is checked, the key will not be held.
If you turn off Hold in the Program, no keys
will be held - regardless of their Enable Note
Off Receive setting.

Introduction
Setup
Program
Appendices

For each Drum Sample, you can control offsets

to the Programs settings for transposition,
tuning, and EG attack and decay times.

Combination

7. Set the Velocity SW LH.

For example, lets say that youve assigned an

open hi-hat and a closed hi-hat to the same
exclusive group:

Multi

Now you have assigned drum samples to the

High Drumsample and Low Drumsample.
Next, well assign the velocity range for these
drum samples.

2. Use the Excl Group (Exclusive Groups) to make

one drum sound cut off another drum sound such as closed and open hi-hats.

Effect

6. Specify the Low Drumsample as you did in

steps 24.

1. Access the GLOBAL 4: DKit, Voice/Mixer

page.

Global

5. Press the [PAGE+] button to access the

GLOBAL 4: DKit- Low Sample page.

Using Exclusive Groups

Arpeggiator

4. Press the [MENU/OK] button to confirm the

selection.

Drum Kit

3. Select a drum sample name in the list so that it

is highlighted.

You can also copy settings from one Key to

another, using the Copy Key Setup utility
command.

Other functions External control

details on how to make a selection, see

Selecting by Category (p.38).

Quick Start

Editing Drum Kits

109

Using Drum Kits

Controlling effects for each key

A drum kit lets you set the insert effect and master
effect send for each key.
1. Access the PROG 8: EdInsertFX, BUS page.
2. Make sure that the Use DKit Setting check
box is checked.
When Use DKit Setting is checked, the
Program will use the BUS Select and Effects
Send settings for each key of the Drum Kit.
When Use DKit Setting is unchecked, the
Program will ignore the Drum Kits BUS
Select and Effects Send settings.
3. Access the GLOBAL 4: DKit, Voice/Mixer
page.
4. Use the BUS Select parameter to send drum
sounds through their own Insert effect, or to the
individual outputs.
If you like, you can send each note to its own
Insert effect, or to the individual audio outputs,
in addition to the main L/R outputs.
For example, you might send all snare sounds
to IFX, and the remaining sounds to L/R.
5. Use Send1(MFX1) and Send2(MFX2) to set
the send levels to the master effects.

Setting the pan for each key

To use separate pan settings for each key:
1. Access the PROG 5: EdAmp1/2, Level/Pan
page.
2. Under Pan, make sure that the Use DKit
Setting check box is checked.
When Use DKit Setting is checked, the
Program will use the pan settings for each key
of the Drum Kit.
3. Access the GLOBAL 4: DKit, Voice/Mixer
page.
4. Use the Pan parameter to specify the keys
stereo output position.

Assigning a name
We recommend that you assign a name to the
Drum Kit you create.
You can do this by using the Rename Drum Kit
utility. For details on assigning a name, see p.114.

110

Saving a drum kit

When youve finished editing your drum kit, you
can save it.
Note: Youll need to turn off the memory protect
setting for drum kits. In the GLOBAL 0: System,
Preference page, uncheck the Memory Protect
Drum Kit check box. (p.88)
1. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility
menu, and choose Write Drum Kits.
2. Press the [MENU/OK] button to write the
drum kit data.
A dialog box will ask you for confirmation.
3. Press the [MENU/OK] button to save, or press
the [EXIT/CANCEL] button if you decide not
to save.
The drum kit data will be written (saved).

Using external controls

Selecting external controls
Note: Before you continue, adjust your settings so
that the microX can send MIDI data to your
computer application or MIDI device.
1. Press a PROGRAM [A][GM] button. (The
button will light.)
Weve selected Program mode as an example
here, but you are free to select Combination or
Multi mode if you wish.

Quick Start

Note: The microXs keyboard and other

controllers will operate as usual.
6. Enter Combination or Multi mode, and operate
the knobs.
The External Control function lets you use the
REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] knobs as
independent controllers in any mode.
If the [EXT. CONTROLLER] button is on,
changing programs in Program mode or
switching to Combination mode etc. will not
affect the control set. This means you can select
another sound on the microX without changing
the way youre controlling an external MIDI
device, or conversely you can change the way
youre controlling an external MIDI device
without switching sounds on the microX.

[SELECT] button: A/B/C

External control

[EXT. CONTROLLER] button

Drum Kit

2. Press the [EXT. CONTROLLER] button. (The

button will light.)

Program

Setup

5. When you turn knobs [1][4], the assigned

MIDI control change (CC#) will be transmitted
on the assigned MIDI channel.

Combination

4. Press the [SELECT] button to select the

functions (group) that will be controlled by the
REALTIME CONTROLS [1][4] knobs.

Multi

See the microX External Control Template List

(PDF) for details on the control change (CC#) settings assigned by the preloaded external control
templates and the application settings to which
they correspond.

The set list is shown in the lower lines. The

functions of the currently-enabled knobs are
highlighted.

Effect

With the factory settings, the control sets contain

preloaded data. For example, there are setups that
let you control soft synthesizers such as the KORG
Legacy Collection, and other setups that let you
control the level and pan of a DAW (Digital Audio
Workstation) program in realtime.

3. Choose Setup Select, and select the external

control set that you want to use.

Global

One set of control settings consists of twelve such

assignments (four knobs three groups), and
there are a total of 64 sets.

The 0: Play, Ext.Control page will appear.

Arpeggiator

The microXs external control function lets you

use the four REALTIME CONTROLS knobs to
control an external MIDI device. You can specify
the MIDI channel and MIDI control change that
each knob will transmit.

Introduction

External control settings

Knobs [1][4]

111

External control settings

External control setups

You will use Global mode to create external control setups.
The content that you edit in Global mode is
preserved until you turn off the power, but will
be lost when the power is turned off. There are
four types of data that you manage in Global
mode; user drum kit settings (GLOBAL 4), user
arpeggio patterns (GLOBAL 5), external control
settings (GLOBAL 6), and all other global settings (GLOBAL 03). You can write each of
these into its own memory area.

Selecting an external control setup

and assigning control changes
1. Press the [GLOBAL] button to enter Global
mode.
2. Access the GLOBAL 6: Ext.Control, Knob A
page.

3. Use Setup Select to select the external control

set that you want to edit.
4. Use Knob 1-A MIDI Channel to select the
MIDI channel on which you want to transmit
the message.
Next, use Knob 1-A CC Assign to specify the
MIDI control change (CC#) that you want to
transmit.
These two settings determine the CC# and
MIDI channel of the message that is
transmitted when (in Program mode etc.) you
select this external control setup, use the
[SELECT] button to select group A, and operate
knob [1].
5. Next make settings for Knob 2-A through Knob
4-A, and then use the [SELECT] button to select
groups B and C, and specify the channel and
message transmitted by Knob 1-BKnob 4-B
and Knob 1-CKnob 4-C.

Assigning a name
Its a good idea to name any external control setups that you create so that you can remember its
purpose.
Use the Rename Ext. Control Setup utility to
assign a name. For more details, see page 124.

112

Saving an external control

setup
When youve finished editing, save your external
control setup.
Note: Youll need to turn off external control
memory protect. In the GLOBAL 0: System,
Preference page, uncheck the Memory Protect
Ext. Control item. (p.88)
1. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the utility
menu, and choose Write Ext. Control Setup.
2. To write (save) your settings, press the
[MENU/OK] button.
A dialog box will ask you to confirm that you
want to write the settings.
3. Press the [MENU/OK] button to write your
settings, or press the [EXIT/CANCEL] button if
you decide not to write your settings.

1. Press the [GLOBAL] button to enter Global

mode. (The button will light.)
2. Press the [EXIT] button.
You will be in the GLOBAL 0: System page.
3. Press the [UTILITY] button to access the Utility
menu.

Quick Start

When rearranging programs, you need to be

aware that if you write them to another bank
or number, any combination that had used the
program formerly occupying the writing
destination will sound differently.
For example if you want to load combination
A000 into C127, proceed as follows.

Setup
Program

This is convenient when you want to restore just

one item from the factory preload data, or when
you want to rearrange combinations in a specific
order for live performance.

Combination

This operation will rewrite any data that had

been previously written to the internal
memory. If you dont want to lose this data,
you should save it using the included
microX Editor/Plug-In Editor; or save the
data using a commercially available data filer.

The microX allows you to load individual banks,

programs, or combinations. Multi set, drum kits,
arpeggio patterns and external controls can also be
loaded individually or as a group.

Multi

If desired, you can restore the microXs programs,

combinations, multi sets and Global mode settings
to their factory-set state. You can do this by reloading the preloaded data.

Loading individual banks or data

items

1. Access the dialog box as described in steps 14,

above.
Effect

Restoring the factory settings (Loading the preloaded

data)

Introduction

Other functions

4. Use the ClickPoint [] to select Load Preload

Data, and press the center.

3. Use the ClickPoint [] to move down, and use

the [VALUE] dial to select Single.

6. Press the [MENU/OK] button.

A dialog box will ask you to confirm the
operation.

5. In the same way, select combination C127 as the

load-destination (To).

Drum Kit

Choose All if you want to restore all settings to

the factory-set state. If you execute this with the
All setting, all programs, combinations, multi
sets, drum kits, arpeggio patterns, global
settings, and external control sets will be
loaded.

4. In the same way, select combination A000 as the

copy-source.

6. Press the [MENU/OK] button.

A dialog box will ask you to confirm the
operation.
7. Press the [MENU/OK] button once again.
The data will be loaded, and the preloaded
combination A000 will be copied into C127.

7. Press the [MENU/OK] button once again.

All preloaded data will be loaded.

Appendices

If the Memory Protected dialog box

appears, un-check the memory protect
setting, and perform the load operation once
again (p.88).

Other functions External control

5. Choose Kind, and use the [VALUE] dial to

select the data that you want to load.

Arpeggiator

2. Choose Kind, and use the [VALUE] dial etc.

to select Combination.

Global

A dialog box will appear.

113

Other functions

Assigning a name (Rename)

You can modify the name of any program, combination, multi set, category, arpeggio pattern, etc.
The following table shows the items that you can
rename, and the corresponding page.
Item to rename

Page

Program name

PROG 0...9 Utility: Write Program

Combination name

COMBI 0...9 Utility: Write

Combination

Multi set name

MULTI 0-1 Utility: Rename Track

You can enter text using just the ClickPoint.

When you press the ClickPoint center, the
square-framed cursor in the text box will
change.
Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select a
character. Press the center once again to finalize
the selection.
Use the ClickPoint [] to select the next
character, and enter it in the same way.
The function buttons shown in the lower line
perform the following operations. Use the
ClickPoint [][][][] to select a function,
and press the center to execute it.

Track name

MULTI 0...9 Utility: Write Multi

Drum kit name

GLOBAL 4 Utility: Rename Drum

Kit

Arpeggio pattern name

GLOBAL 5 Utility: Rename

Arpeggio Pattern

Del (Delete): Delete the character at the cursor

location.

External control set

name

GLOBAL 5 Utility: Rename

Ext.Control Setup

Ins (Insert): Insert a space at the cursor

location.

Program category name

GLOBAL 3: TEXT

Combination category
name

GLOBAL 3: TEXT

1. Use the ClickPoint to select the text button ( ),

and press the center to open the text dialog box.
See the table above for the appropriate page.
Note: In a utility menu command, select the text
button ( ) in the dialog box that appears.
In GLOBAL 3, select the text button ( ) in the
page.
The text dialog box will appear.

For example to enter the text shown in the

illustration, you would proceed as follows.
2. Use the ClickPoint [][][][] to select
Clear.
All text will be erased from the text box.
3. Enter A.
Use the [VALUE] dial to select A.
Press the ClickPoint []. The cursor will move.

114

Clear: Erase all text.

Cap. (Capital): Switch between uppercase and

lowercase letters.
4. Enter the remaining characters as described in
step 3.
5. Press the [MENU/OK] button.
If you opened the text dialog box from the
utility dialog box in step 1, you will return to
the previous dialog box. In that dialog box,
press the [MENU/OK] button (twice) to
execute the Rename operation.
If you opened the text dialog box from the
GLOBAL 3 page in step 1, the Rename
operation will be executed.

Program

PROG 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Controls

Combination

COMBI 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Controls

Multi

MULTI 7: Arp/Ctrls, Controls

The default assignments for knobs 14 are

Knob Mod.1 (CC#17), Knob Mod.2 (CC#19),
Knob Mod.3 (CC#20), and Knob Mod.4
(CC#21), respectively. For a complete list of the
possible assignments, see Knobs 14 B
Assign (PG p.162).
Heres an example of how to set up knob [1] to
control a Programs filter and amp EG attack time:
1. Press the [PROG] button to enter Program
mode.
2. Access PROG 7: EdArp/Ctrls, Controls.
Press the [MENU/OK] button, use the
ClickPoint to select Arp/Controls, and then
press the center.
3. Choose Knob 1-B Knob B Assign, and use the
[VALUE] dial etc. to select F/A Attack (CC#73).
4. Press the REALTIME CONTROLS [SELECT]
button to select B-mode, and turn knob [1] to
control the EG attack for the filter and amp.

The following example shows the procedure for

using Tap tempo in Program mode.
1. In Program mode, select a drum program.
You may find it convenient to choose from the
Drum category.
2. In the PROG 0: Play, select the Arp. Play page
and check the Latch check box.

Setup
Program

The Tap tempo feature also provides real-time

control over any BPM or tempo based effects.

Combination

Page

Multi

Mode

This function is convenient when you want to

match the playback tempo of the arpeggiator playback to another beat in real-time.

3. Turn on the front panel [ARP ON/OFF] button.

4. Press the foot switch (when Foot SW Assign
is set to Tap Tempo) several times at the desired
tempo. The tempo  = indication in the upper
right of the display will change according to the
playback tempo.
When you play the keyboard, the arpeggiator
will play a drum pattern at the specified tempo.
5. Lightly press the foot switch on the beat, and
slightly shorten the intervals at which you
press the button.
The playback tempo of the drum pattern will
speed up slightly.
Note: Tap tempo control can be used whenever the
[TEMPO] knob can be operated.

Other functions External control

Note: If you wish to keep these settings after the

power is turned off, you must save the Program,
Combination, or Multi set.

Effect

You will make these settings in Knob B Assign

in the following pages.

In each mode while the arpeggiator is playing,

you can press the foot switch (when Foot SW
Assign is set to Tap Tempo p.88) several times
at the desired tempo to control the playback
tempo in realtime.

Global

The functions of these knobs in B-mode can be

separately assigned for each program, combination, and multi set.

A tap tempo control function is available in Program, Combination, and Multi modes.

Arpeggiator

Heres how you can assign functions to REALTIME CONTROLS B-mode knobs [1][4].

Tap tempo control

Drum Kit

Assigning functions to REALTIME CONTROLS B-mode

knobs [1][4]

Introduction

Quick Start

Assigning functions to REALTIME CONTROLS B-mode knobs [1][4]

Adjusting the display contrast

You can change the display contrast by adjusting
the GLOBAL 0: System, Preference page LCD
Contrast setting.

Appendices

Note: If you wish to keep these settings after the

power is turned off, you must save the Global
mode.

115

Other functions

116

Quick Start

Combinations

COMBI 0...9 Utility: Write Combination

Send a MIDI data dump to a MIDI data filer or

similar device

Multi sets

MULTI 0...9 Utility: Write Multi

Global settings

GLOBAL 0...3 Utility: Write Global Setting

Drum kits

GLOBAL 4 Utility: Write Drum Kits

Writing data into the microX

Arpeggio
patterns

GLOBAL 5 Utility: Write Arpeggio Patterns

Data areas that you can write

External control
GLOBAL 6 Utility: Write Ext.Control Setups
sets

You can write data into the following data areas.

For the procedure, see the page given.
Programs
Programs 0127 in banks AE p.45
Combinations
Combinations 0127 in banks AC p.61
Multi sets 000127 p.75
Global settings (pages 03) p.87
Drum kit 00 (INT)40 (User) p.110
Arpeggio patterns U000U250 p.104
External control sets 0063 p.112
You cant write to the following data areas.
Program banks G: 001128, g(d): 001128
Preset drum kits 40 (GM)48 (GM)
Preset arpeggio patterns
Preset-0 Preset-4
Program audition riffs 000383
When the microX is shipped, the writable areas
already contain data. This data is referred to as the
preloaded data. The preloaded data is also
stored inside the microX, and can be reloaded
using the Load Preload Data operation
(p.113).

MIDI data dump

You can save data by transmitting it as MIDI
exclusive data to a connected MIDI data filer, computer, or to a second microX unit. (PG p.83)
The following data can be transmitted via MIDI
data dump to an external data filer or similar
device.
Programs, combinations, multi sets, global settings, user drum kits, user arpeggio patterns,
external control sets

Using the microX Editor/Plug-In Editor control plug-in software to save

data
You can use the microX Editor/Plug-In Editor
control plug-in to save microX data. For more
details, see Editor/Plug-In Editor Manual
(PDF).

Program
Appendices

The non-writable areas contain preset data. This

data cannot be rewritten.

Combination

Save the data using the included microX Editor/Plug-In Editor software

Multi

Page
PROG 0...9 Utility: Write Program

Effect

Writable items
Programs

Global

Write the data into the microX

You can write the following items of data in the

corresponding pages.

Arpeggiator

You can save data in the following ways.

Modes and pages in which you can write

data

Drum Kit

Types of data that can be

saved

Other functions External control

Saving data

Setup

Introduction

Appendices

117

Appendices

About the Edit Buffer

Memory in Global mode

About the memory in Program, Combination, and Multi modes

When the power is turned on, the Global mode

data is called from internal memory into the Global mode memory area. Then when you modify
the parameters in Global mode, the data in the
memory area will be modified. If you wish to save
this modified data in the internal memory, you
must first Write (save) it.

When you select a program, combination, or multi

set in PROG 0: Play, COMBI 0: Play, and MULTI 0:
Play, the data of the selected program, combination, or multi set is called into the microXs edit
buffer.
When you edit the parameters in pages such as 0:
Play, your editing will modify the data in the edit
buffer.
If you wish to save this modified data into internal
memory, you must perform the Write operation.
When you perform the Write operation, the data
in the edit buffer is written to the specified program number, combination number or Multi set
number of the specified bank.
If you select another program, combination or
Multi set number without writing, the data of the
newly selected program, combination or multi set
number will be called into the edit buffer, and
your changes will be lost.
When you press the [COMPARE] button in these
modes, the data in memory (i.e., the written content) is temporarily called into the edit buffer. This
lets you compare the settings being edited with
the settings prior to editing.
Editing applies to the data in the edit
buffer. Programs or combinations will play
according to the data in the edit buffer.
Edit

When you write, the program

or combination settings will
be saved in internal memory.

Edit Buffer
Write

When you select a program or

combination, its data is called
Select from internal memory into the
edit buffer.

Internal Memory
Program
Bank A 0...127

118

Combination
Bank A 0...127

Multi
0...127

When you write, the data in the memory area will

be written into the global settings, drum kits
arpeggio patterns, and external control sets of
internal memory.
If you turn off the power without writing, the
modified data in the memory area will be lost.
Editing will affect the data that has been
called into the memory area.
Edit

When you write, the

various Global mode
settings will be saved
in internal memory.

Memory Area
Write

When the power is turned

Power On on, the settings are called
into the memory area.

Internal Memory
Global Setting

Drum Kits

Arpeggio
Patterns

External
Control Sets

Due to changes in the surrounding temperature, the display may on rare occasions be difficult or impossible to read. If this occurs,
perform the following procedure.
1. While holding down the [EXIT/CANCEL]
button, press the [UTILITY] button. The
[GLOBAL] button will blink, and the Global
mode Update Global Setting dialog box will
appear.
If you are unable to read the display, or if the
Update Global Setting dialog box does not
appear, check whether the [GLOBAL] button
is blinking. If the [GLOBAL] button is lit or
dark, the microX may be writing data that
was received from an external connected
MIDI device, or may be responding to a
request for output. If so, make sure that the
microX is not writing data from an external
connected MIDI device or transmitting data
in response to a request, or that any such
operation has been completed. Then turn the
power of the microX off and on again, and
repeat this procedure from step 1.
2. Use the [VALUE] dial to adjust the LCD
contrast.
3. Press the [MENU/OK] button.
The LCD contrast setting will be memorized.
Note: Other global settings will also be memorized
at this time.

2. Hold down the [ENTER] button and the [0]

button, and turn on the power.
The microX will be initialized, and the factory
preload data will be written into internal
memory. While the data is being written, the
display will indicate Now writing into
internal memory.

Setup
Program
Combination

The power is turned on, but nothing is

shown in the display.
The microX functions normally when you
play the keyboard or perform other operations.

1. Turn off the power.

Effect

Display

Audio output
No sound
Are connections made correctly to your amp,
mixer, or headphones?
Is your amp or mixer turned on?

Global

Is the Power switch turned on?

Turn on the rear panel Power switch. p.23

Is Local Control turned on?

In GLOBAL 1: MIDI, check the Local Control
On check box. PG p.82
Is the [VOLUME] knob raised? p.12
If there is no sound from the INDIVIDUAL
OUTPUT 1, 2 jacks, make sure that BUS
Select or BUS Select following the insert
effect is set to 1, 2, 1/2. p.81
If specific tracks in Multi mode do not
sound, Make sure that the PLAY/MUTE is
set to PLAY. p.70
Make sure that the Status is INT or BTH.
p.71
Are the Key Zone and Velocity Zone set so
that sound will be produced when you play?
p.65

Notes do not stop

In PROG 1: EdBasic, select the Prog Basic
page, make sure that the Hold check box is
unchecked. PG p.6

119

Arpeggiator

Is the AC adapter connected to an outlet?

p.23

This type of problem may occur if a data writing operation to internal memory was not completed correctly, for example if the power of the
microX was turned off while a program or
other data was being written. If this occurs, use
the following procedure to initialize the
microXs internal memory.

Drum Kit

Power does not turn on

Other functions External control

Power supply

The power is turned on, but the display

does not display normally, or an error
message is displayed. There is no sound
when you play the keyboard, and the
microX does not function normally.

Appendices

If you experience problems, see the relevant item

and take the appropriate measures.

Multi

Troubleshooting

Introduction

Quick Start

Troubleshooting

Appendices

In GLOBAL 0: System, Foot page, make sure

that Damper Polarity or Foot SW Polarity
is set correctly. PG p.80

Noise or oscillation is heard

When using the BPM/MIDI Sync. function to
control the delay time of an effect, noise may
occur in the delay sound. This noise is due to
discontinuities in the delay sound, and is not a
malfunction.
Some effects, such as 015: St.AnalogRecd, generate noise intentionally. It is also possible to
create oscillation using a filter with resonance.
These are not malfunctions.

Programs and Combinations

Settings for oscillator 2 are not displayed
Make sure that the PROG 1: EdBasic, Prog
Basic page Mode (Oscillator Mode) parameter is set to Double.

A combination does not play correctly

after you load data
Are the bank/numbers of the programs used
by the combination the same as when the combination was created?
If you have switched program banks, you can
use the Change all bank references menu command to change the program bank for each timbre of a combination. PG p.77

Effects
Effects are not applied
Are the Effect Global SW IFX Off, MFX1 Off,
or MFX2 Off (GLOBAL 0: System, Basic page)
settings checked? p.87
If you are in Combination, and Multi mode,
and master effects are not applied when you
raise the S1(Send1(MFX1)) or S2(Send2(MFX2))
of the timbre/track, does Rtn1(Return 1) or
Rtn2(Return 2) from the master effect need to
be raised? p.83
Alternatively, has Send 1 or Send 2 for each
oscillator of the program used by the timbre/
track been lowered? p.84
The actual send level is determined by
multiplying the send setting of each oscillator
in the program with the send setting of the
timbre/track.

Arpeggiator
Arpeggiator does not start
Is the [ARP ON/OFF] button turned on (lit)?
If the arpeggiator does not start for a combination or Multi set, make sure that Arpeggiator
Run is checked, and that an arpeggiator is
selected for Assign. p.96
Is the GLOBAL 1: MIDI MIDI Clock parameter set to Internal? PG p.81

Multi set

Drum Kits

When you loaded data, a Multi set does

not sound correctly

The drum samples pitch does not change

Are the bank/number of the programs used by

the song the same as when the Multi set was
created?

A combination copied using Copy From

Combi sounds different than it did in
Combination mode
Did you make the correct settings in the Copy
From Combination dialog box? p.72
In the Copy From Combination dialog box,
check the Auto adjust Arpeggio setting box
before you execute the copy.

You have left the Assign check box

unchecked, and want to play the drum sample
at the adjacent right a semitone lower, but the
pitch does not change.
If you have selected a drum program in Program mode, and then want to edit the drum kit
in Global mode, go to the PROG 2: EdPitch,
OSC1 page and set Pitch Slope to +1.0 before
you enter Global mode.

Audition
No sound when the [AUDITION] button is
turned on
The Audition function is available only in Program mode.

120

If you wish to receive MIDI exclusive messages, is the GLOBAL 1: MIDI page MIDI Filter
Exclusive box checked? p.33
Does this instrument support the types of messages that are being sent to it?

When using USB, sound processing is

slow, or the tempo is unstable
Is the MIDI driver installed for the USB port
youve connected?
The driver must be installed for each USB port
you use. If you connect the microX to a USB
port other than the port you used when installing the KORG USB-MIDI Driver for Windows
XP, youll need to reinstall the KORG USBMIDI Driver.
Have you made the correct echo back setting
on your computer and the correct Local Control
setting on the microX?

Included CD-ROM
Cant install the driver included CD-ROM
Is the USB cable connected correctly?
Is the CD-ROM inserted in your CD drive?
Make sure that the CD-ROM is inserted correctly.
Could the lens of your CD drive be dirty?
Use a commercially-available lens cleaner to
clean the lens.

Your software does not respond to the

microX
Is the USB cable connected correctly?
Did you install the driver?
Has your computer detected the connected
microX?
If you are using Windows XP, go to Control
Panel Sounds and Audio Devices Properties and click the Hardware tab.
If you are using Mac OS X, go to Macintosh HD
Application folder Utility folder
Audio MIDI Settings, select the MIDI
Devices tab, and check that the microX has
been detected.
Some computers may not recognize the microX
because of their hardware configuration.
Check the microXs assignments and USBMIDI port settings.
The connected device or software may not support the messages you are transmitting. See the
owners manual of the connected device or
software to verify that it responds to the messages you are transmitting.

Software does not operate correctly

Does your computer meet the operating
requirements of the software?
Even if your computer meets the requirements,
there may be cases in which the software does
not operate correctly because of the computer
you are using.

121

Introduction
Setup
Program
Combination
Multi

Are the GLOBAL 1: MIDI page MIDI Filter settings Enable Program Change, Bank,
Combi, Ctrl Change, AfterT, and Exelusire each checked? PG p.82

Effect

This instrument does not respond correctly to incoming MIDI data

If you are using Windows XP, go to [Control

Panel] [System], select the [Hardware] tab,
and check [Device Manager]. If the microX has
not been detected correctly, it will be displayed
in Other devices or Unknown devices.
Reconnect the USB cable; if the microX is again
displayed as an Unknown device, the computer has failed to detect it correctly. Delete the
Unknown device entry, and reinstall the
driver. p.28

Global

Is the MIDI data being received on the channel

on which it is being transmitted? PG p.81

Has the microX been detected as an unknown

device?

Arpeggiator

Are all MIDI cables connected correctly?

p.32, 35

Are you able to use USB?

If you are using Windows XP, go to [Control
Panel] [System], and select the [Hardware]
tab. In [Device Manager], check the settings for
Universal Serial Bus Controller and USB Root
Hub.

Drum Kit

This instrument does not respond to

incoming MIDI data

This software cannot be installed from a network-connected CD drive.

Other functions External control

MIDI, USB

Are you attempting to install from a network

CD drive?

Appendices

If no sound is played when you turn on the

[AUDITION] button in Program mode, make
sure that the PROG 1: EdBasic, Audition page
parameter Audition Riff has not been turned
Off. PG p.9

Quick Start

Troubleshooting

Appendices

Specifications and options

Specifications
Operating temperature +0 +40 C (do not allow condensation)

System
Keyboard

Sound Engine

Programs

Combinations

Multi sets
Drum Kits
The number of

-Combinations
-Programs
-Multi sets
-Drum Kits

Effects

Arpeggiators

Controllers

User Interface

122

HI (Hyper Integrated) Synthesis System

25 key
Synthesis types
HI (Hyper Integrated) Synthesis System
Single mode
62 voices (62 oscillators)
Maximum polyphony
Double mode
31 voices (62 oscillators)
Waveform memory
64 Mbyte PCM ROM ( 642 multisamples, 929 drumsamples)
Single = OSC1 only; Double = OSC1 & OSC2
Oscillator
Two-level velocity switching per oscillator
Filters
24 dB/octave LPF with resonance, 12 dB/octave LPF + HPF
Two envelope generators (Filter & Amp), two LFOs, and two key tracking
generators (Filter & Amp) for each voice
Modulation
In addition, pitch EG and alternate modulation (AMS) functions
Maximum 8 timbres, key and velocity splits/layers/crossfading, Tone Adjust
Number of timbres,
function allows program settings to be modified, control from external MIDI
master keyboard
devices
functionality
Maximum 16 tracks, key and velocity splits/layers/crossfading, Tone Adjust
Number of tracks, master
function allows program settings to be modified, control from external MIDI
keyboard functionality
devices
Drum sample assignments, two-level velocity switching available
User combinations
384 combinations/384 preloaded
User programs
640 programs/640 preloaded
Multi sets
128 multi sets/16 preloaded
User Drum Kits
40 Drum Kits/32 preloaded
Preset Programs
128 GM preset programs + nine GM2 preset drum programs
Insert Effect
1 insert effect (stereo in/out)
Master Effects
2 master effects (mono in/stereo out)
Master EQ
1 master EQ (3-band stereo)
Effect types
89 effect types (available for insert effects or master effects)
Modulation
Effect dynamic modulation function (Dmod)
Dual polyphonic
Program mode: one arpeggiator
arpeggiators
Combination and Multi modes: two arpeggiators
Tempo
40240
Number of arpeggio
5 preset, 251 user/251 preloaded
patterns
Controllers
ON/OFF, REALTIME CONTROLS C-mode knobs [1][4]
JOYSTICK, OCTAVE [][]
KNOBS
[1][4]
REALTIME CONTROLS
SELECT
A, B, C
Arpeggiator
ARP ON/OFF
64 set (1 set = 12 control
External control
REALTIME CONTROLS KNOBS [1][4], [SELECT] A, B, C
Display
Graphical user interface: 240 x 64 pixel LCD display
Mode
Buttons = [COMBI], [PROG], [GLOBAL], [MULTI]
Pages
Buttons = [PAGE+][PAGE], [EXIT], [MENU]
VALUE Controllers
Dial = [VALUE], (ClickPoint)
VALUE select
ClickPoint [][][][] center, Buttons = [OK], [CANCEL]
UTILITY
Button = [UTILITY]
BANK
Buttons = PROGRAM [A][GM], COMBINATION [A][C]
TEMPO
Knob = PREALTIME CONTROLS C [4]
CATEGORY
Buttons = [CATEGORY], ([CATEGORY], PROGRAM [A][GM], COMBINATION [A][C])
Other
Buttons = [COMPARE], [AUDITION], Knob = [VOLUME]

Control Inputs
MIDI
USB
Power
Dimensions
(W D H)
Weight
Power supply
voltage
Power Consumption
Accessories

606 226 80 (mm)

2.4 kg

Setup

DC 12V
10W
AC adapter, Operation guide, CD-ROM (microX Editor/Plug-In Editor, KORG USB-MIDI driver, Parameter
guide, External Control Template)

Multi

Analog

Program

1/4" phone jacks (unbalanced); [VOLUME] slider controls only the MAIN OUT L/
MONO and R jacks
Output impedance
1.1k stereo (L/MONO is 550 for mono)
L/MONO, R: +12.0 dBu
Maximum
Level
INDIVIDUAL OUTPUTS 1, 2
(INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT)1, 2: +11.6 dBu
Load impedance
100 k or greater
1/8" mini-stereo phone jack; volume controlled by [VOLUME] slider (linked
with MAIN OUTPUT L/Mono)
Output Impedance
33
Headphones
Maximum Level
36 mW
Load impedance
33
DAMPER (half-damper supported)
ASSIGNABLE SWITCH, ASSIGNABLE PEDAL
IN, OUT
USB B
DC power inlet, switch
MAIN OUTPUTS
L/MONO, R

Combination

Audio Outputs

Introduction

Quick Start

Operating requirements for connection to a computer

Effect

Operating requirements for connection to a computer

Macintosh

Operating system
Computer
Operating system

A computer with a USB port, that satisfies the requirements of Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Professional or x64 Edition (The driver for x64 Edition
is a Beta version)
An Apple Macintosh with a USB port that satisfies the requirements of Mac OS X
Mac OS X version 10.3 or later

Arpeggiator

Computer
Windows

microX Editor/Plug-In Editor operating requirements

Macintosh

Computer
Operating system

Drum Kit

Operating system

CPU: Pentium III/1 GHz or better

Memory: 256 MB or more
Monitor: 1,024 768 pixels, 16-bit color or better
A computer with a USB port, that satisfies the requirements of Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition or Professional, Service Pack 1 or later
CPU: Apple G4/400 MHz or better
Memory: 256 MB or more
Monitor: 1,024 768 pixels, 32,000 colors or better
An Apple Macintosh with a USB port that satisfies the requirements of Mac OS X
Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later

Other functions External control

Windows

Computer

Options
XVP-10 EXP/VOL pedal
EXP-2
PS-1
DS-1H
MIDI cable

Appendices

Expression/volume pedal:
Foot controller:
Foot switch:
Damper pedal:
Other:

Global

KORG USB-MIDI Driver operating requirements

* Appearance and specifications of this product are subject to change without notice. (Feb./06)

123

124

Note On
Note Off

Control
Change

Pitch Bend

0, 32
1, 2
4, 5, 7, 8, 10
11, 12, 13
64, 65, 66, 67
70 79
80, 81, 82, 83
93, 91, 92, 94, 95
6, 38
96, 97
98, 99

Aftertouch Polyphonic (Key)

Monophonic (Channel)

Velocity

True Voice

Memorized
Messages
Altered

Mode

Note
Number:

Default
Changed

Basic
Channel

Function

microX:

[Synthesizer/Controller]

9n, V=0 127

0 120

1 16
1 16

1 16
1 16

9n, V=0 127

0 127
0 127

Recognized

Transmitted

MIDI Implementation Chart

Bank Select (MSB, LSB)

*P
Joystick (+Y, Y)
*C
Pedal, Portamento Time, Volume, IFX pan, Pan *C
Expression, Effect Control 1/2 *C
Damper, Portamento Sw., Sostenuto, Soft *C
Sound (Realtime Controls 14A: 74, 71, 79, 72) *C
Switch 1, 2, Foot Switch, Controller *C
Send 1, 2, Effect ON/OFF (IFX, MFX1, MFX2) *C
Data Entry (MSB, LSB)
*C
Data Increment, Decrement
*C
NRPN (LSB, MSB)
*C, *2

*C

Transmitted only as ASSIGNABLE PEDAL, *A

ASSIGNABLE SWITCH
*A

Arpeggiator data can transmit all

note numbers 0127

Memorized

Remarks

Date : 2006. 1.24

Appendices

MIDI Implementation Chart

Appendices

Variable Range

Song Position
Song Select
Tune
0 127

0 127

123 127

0 127

0 127
0 127

*1
*1

*1
Corresponds to Arpeggiator control *1

Corresponds to Arpeggiator reset

*E*4

*P

RPN (LSB, MSB)

*C, *3
Realtime Controls knobs 14 B-assign *C
Ext. Control Data
(receive *C)
All Sound Off, Reset All Controllers *C

Mode 4: OMNI OFF, MONO

Mode 3: OMNI OFF, POLY

Other functions External control

Drum Kit

Arpeggiator

Global

Effect

Multi

Combination

Consult your local Korg distributor for more information on MIDI IMPLEMENTATION.

Mode 2: OMNI ON, MONO

Mode 1: OMNI ON, POLY

Program

: No

: Yes

Setup

Introduction

Notes
*P, *A, *C, *E: Transmitted/received when GLOBAL 1: MIDI Filter (Program Change, After Touch, Control Change, Exclusive) is Enable, respectively.
*1: When GLOBAL 1: MIDI Clock is Internal, transmitted but not received. The opposite for Ext-MIDI or Ext-USB.
*2: LSB,MSB=02,00: Arpeggiator ON/OFF, 0A,00: Arpeggiator Gate control, 0B,00: Arpeggiator Velocity control
*3: LSB,MSB=00,00: Pitch bend range, 01,00: Fine tune, 02,00: Coarse tune
*4: In addition to Korg exclusive messages, Inquiry, GM System On, Master Volume, Master Balance, Master Fine Tune,
and Master Coarse Tune are supported.

Local On/Off
Aux
All Notes Off
Messages Active Sense
Reset

Clock
System
Real Time Command

System
Common

System Exclusive

Program
Change

100, 101
0 95
0 101
120, 121

Quick Start

MIDI Implementation Chart

125

Appendices

Index
A
Alternate modulation 51
Amp 55
Amp EG 55
AMS 51
ARP ON/OFF 91
Arpeggiator 91
Adjusting the tempo 92
Link 88
On/Off 91, 97

Copying the settings of a

combination (multi set) 72

D
DAMPER jack 26
Damper pedal 26, 41

G
Global mode 87

H
Half-Damper 41

Demo song 8

HI (Hyper Integrated) synthesis

system 9

Detune 67

High pass filter 53

Detuned sound 49
Dialog 15

Arpeggio pattern 93
Initialization 99
User arpeggio pattern 99

Display 15, 119

Contrast 115

Insert effect 82, 84

ASSIGNABLE PEDAL 27, 89

Audio output 25

Drum Kit 50, 107

Bank 107
Edit 108
Effect send 110

AUDITION 38

Drum sample 108

Audition function 38

Drums Program 48

ASSIGNABLE SWITCH 26, 88

Assigning a name 114

B
Bank Select 39, 63, 71
BPM/MIDI Sync. 86
Bypass 86

C
Category
Combination 58
Name 90
Program 38

Double Program 48

Dual polyphonic
arpeggiator 96, 104
Dynamic modulation 85

Install
Mac OS X 31
Windows XP 28

J
Joystick 40, 52, 55, 67, 85

K
Key Sync. 94

Layer 64

Edit Buffer 118

LFO 50

Edit cell 15

Load 113

Effect 79

Local Control 32

EG 51

Low pass filter 53

EG-INTENSITY 44

LPF CUTOFF 44

EG-RELEASE 44

Chain 83

Envelope Generator 51

Check box 15

Exclusive 33

Master effect 83

ClickPoint 13

Exclusive Group 109

Master EQ 83

Combination 57
Bank 58
Category 58
Select 57

External control 111

Master keyboard 33

Combination mode 57
Compare 47, 63, 74, 99, 108

Memory Protect 88

F
Filter 53
EG 54
Keyboard Track 54

MIDI 14, 35, 75, 89

Channel 39, 63
Data dump 117
Filter 64
Program change 39, 58, 77

Connection 25
Computer 27

Fixed Note Mode 103

Foot pedal 27, 42

Control Track 70

MIDI channel that will control

effects 85

Foot switch 26, 39, 42

MIDI/Tempo Sync. 51

Convert Position 33

126

N
Note Number 40

O
OCTAVE 41, 88
Oscillator 48
Oscillator Mode 48, 107

P
Page 15
Select 19
Page menu 16
Pan
Drum Kit 110
Program 56
Timbre 60
Track 71
Parameter 15
Select 20
Performance Edit 43
Pitch 52
Varying the pitch according to
keyboard position 52

Reverse 49

VALUE controller 20

Routing 81, 82, 84

Velocity 33, 40, 49, 55, 87

Value 20

Velocity Switch 64
Vibrato 52

Save 21, 117

Combination 61
Drum kit 110
External control 112
Multi set 75
Program 45
User arpeggio 104

Volume 42
Timbre 61
Track 71

Scroll bar 16

Wah 54

Shuffle 95

Write 21, 117

Combination 61
Drum kit 110
External control 112
Multi set 75
Program 45
User arpeggio 104

Single Program 48
Slope 65
Split 64
Status 63, 71
Synchronization 105

Combination

Restoring the factory

settings 113

Multi

Mute 70

RESONANCE/HPF 44

Volume balance 61

Effect

Multi-timbre 33

Utility 21

W
Global

Multisample 48

Resonance 53

Arpeggiator

Multi set 69

Rename 114

User Scale 89
User All Note Scale 89
User Octave Scales 89

System exclusive 33

Drum Kit

Multi Mode (Global) 33

User arpeggio pattern 99

Chord 102
Drum 102
Edit 100
Melody 102

T
Tab 15, 20

Other functions External control

Multi mode 69

USB connector 32

Tap tempo 115

TEMPO 92
Tempo Sync. 51
Text dialog 114

Pitch bend 52

Three attributes of sound 46

Pitch EG 52

Tone Adjust 67

Polyphony 48

Transpose 33, 67, 87

Portamento 52, 66

Tremolo 55

Power 23, 88

Tuning 87

Appendices

Monophony 48

REALTIME CONTROLS 43
B-mode 115

Introduction

Modulation
Amp 55
Filter 54
Pitch 52

Program mode 37

Setup

Program 37
Bank 38
Category 38
Select 37

Program

Mode 17
Combination mode 57
Global mode 87
Multi mode 69
Program mode 37
Select 19

Quick Start

Index

Power On Mode 88

127

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONSUMERS

This product has been manufactured according to strict specifications and voltage
requirements that are applicable in the country in which it is intended that this product
should be used. If you have purchased this product via the internet, through mail order,
and/or via a telephone sale, you must verify that this product is intended to be used in
the country in which you reside.
WARNING: Use of this product in any country other than that for which it is intended
could be dangerous and could invalidate the manufacturers or distributors warranty.
Please also retain your receipt as proof of purchase otherwise your product may be
disqualified from the manufacturers or distributors warranty.

4015-2 Yanokuchi, Inagi-city, Tokyo 206-0812 Japan

2006 KORG INC.