Jump to content

Nextname

Members
  • Posts

    23
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Nextname

  1. I haven't been here in ages but happened to log on to look for MZ-X 500 info and saw this thread. Years ago I tried something like this, though your method is much better. I just used the footswitch to disable the key follow of an oscillator. Assuming the key follow is at the default setting (+064), you can just use a virtual controller with Hold 1 as the source with an amount of -127, and assign it to key follow. Of course, it doesn't have to be the footswitch assigned as the source, other things work as well. It still won't work with PCM layers (it will just revert to the key follow base note), but you can use portamento. The big problem is you have to press the footswitch at the right time, or else the pitch will go to whatever the key follow base is set at. I like your approach far better as you can play much faster because you don't have to worry about hitting the pedal just right. Also, you can directly play two notes at the same time and it works. I just tested now and you can kind of get the PCM layers to work if you combine methods. Use your way except have key follow at +064, and then use the hold pedal to set key follow to 0 when activated. I am tired right now so perhaps I am just imagining that this works. I always wished you could just assign different note priorities to the layers in the solo synth to achieve duophonic playing. A paraphonic mode would've been great, too.
  2. I wouldn't mind seeing something like Korg's Volca Beats. Maybe have the analog drum section be the same as the MT-68 (or even MT-70 for something a little different.) Then as Mihajlo said, the ability to import samples (and perhaps have the drum samples from the XW-G1 in there as well,) and then a couple parts using the Solo Synth from the XW, lots of potential for percussion sounds there. Also, lots of knobs/sliders/buttons and effects.
  3. Assigning NRPNs to the knobs works great. Just watch out if using the step sequencer to control them -- try to avoid using smoothing. Seems to make the poor XW-P1 slow way down. Several months ago I posted an example of using NRPNs to control the waveform of a solo synth sound and posted a clip: https://soundcloud.com/hypnotuba/casio-xw-p1-nrpn-demo-001 I just made a couple more very quick and rough demos of using NRPNs assigned to knobs, controlled by the step sequencer. There are much better things that can be done than these demos, but again, they are just quick demos. One is similar to the one I posted a while back: https://soundcloud.com/hypnotuba/casio-xw-p1-solo-synth The other is using NRPNs to control the levels of Hex Layer...layers:. https://soundcloud.com/hypnotuba/casio-xw-p1-hex-layer-nrpn Explanations included in the descriptions. Sorry if I was unclear in them, I am half-asleep.
  4. The Effects Settings are saved with the Performance, just make sure while in Performance mode to hit the Menu button, go to PrfmFilter, and make sure all the settings for Sys Rev, Sys Cho, and Master EQ are set to Off, or else you will always just be using the global effects settings.
  5. I don't know if I'd call it "downright pleasing" but if you're using the rotary DSP effect and back off on the organ Volume setting (this seems to control the signal level into the rotary effect) you can get a more subtle dirty distortion, rather than the hive of angry bees with chainsaws of the full on distortion.
  6. Yep, this is how it is. Unless we both have buggy XW-P1s. The envelopes in Hex Layer mode don't function consistently between the different waveforms. The synth waveforms seem to work closest to how one would hope they would, but it is frustrating to set an envelope and decide to try a different waveform and now the envelope doesn't work the same. I guess it is because the envelope settings are actually offsets of some preset envelope, but I can't say for sure. The interesting thing is, just as an example, the vibraphone. In Hex Layer mode, the attack parameter doesn't seem to do anything, but you CAN adjust the attack of the vibraphone PCM tone. The Hex Layer mode and kind of the whole XW-P1 seems very kludgey, like they just shoved together existing parts and technology from other instruments. And I say that with affection, as I enjoy the weird obstacles you face with programming sounds on the XW-P1. I think the instrument is very fun and versatile and taken as a whole ends up being greater than the sum of its parts. But I would feel bad for someone trying to learn synthesis and what envelopes do by using Hex Layers, as I think you'd just get so frustrated by the inconsistencies. Oh, and just as another tidbit about Hex Layers in case you haven't encountered it yet, the sliders in Hex Layer mode don't output proper MIDI data, so they are not useful for recording slider movements into a sequencer. I posted about that many months ago so I won't go into it here.
  7. 338 downloads

    Don't know if these will be useful, but I thought I'd upload some Hex Layer sounds. General synth bell kinds of sounds and pads and stuff. Here is a demo of these sounds I posted on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/hypnotuba/casio-xw-p1-hex-layer-demo-001 I also included a Performance called "LoFiBellDron" for use with the sound "bell<>fades". It just assigns the knobs to the DSP effects parameters (in this case, the Lo-Fi effect.) I also added a very simple phrase sequence ("2BarLiveDtne") I recorded which just moves knob K2 back and forth. I use it a lot for automatic detune control for Hex Layers. Turns everything into nice chorusy sounds. lol I included these two files because I use them in the sound demo above. note: Even though I put an "001" at the end of the file name, I doubt I'll ever upload 1000 different bundles of hex layer sounds.
  8. You can get the Hex Layer detune parameter assigned to a knob in Performance mode by using the NRPN for it. Assign a knob to NRPN, then hit Enter to set it. Set MSB to 062, LSB to 023, and Send Data to MSB, and it should work! Making sure that knob is enabled for the Hex Layer zone, of course. It would be cool if Hex Layer detune was available as a choice directly, but this does work. The NRPN stuff comes in handy in Performance mode especially for Solo Synth sounds (most or all the parameters are controllable by NRPNs.) The info is in the MIDI implementation manual. Where I downloaded it from I don't remember offhand, but it was from some Casio site somewhere.
  9. I am not sure if this will address your problem, but maybe the legato settings for the two layers are different? The default solo synth patch has it set On for layer one, but Off for the other layers. The legato setting is found on page 2 of OSC Block. It might explain the difference in how the amp envelopes are behaving, as one layer has it's envelope retriggering with each keystroke while the other does not (when playing legato at least.) Of course, that doesn't really have anything to do with playing notes quickly, but, it is my first guess off the top of my head. You could have the attack time shorten with harder keystrokes by using the Virtual Controller section, so you could also check to see if something is set there. Good luck!
  10. The MT-400V is cool because of its resonant analog filter with envelope and "waw." The sounds are the same as the MT-68 (though it lacks the modulation buttons on the MT-68), and while the overall sound is darker and less crispy than the 68, being able to run the main tones, the rhythm, accompaniment or noise source through the filter is great. There's also a nice stereo chorus with variable rate. There's even an input for a breath controller for the filter, but I have never tried that. Here is a short instrumental I made in 2006, all with the MT-400V. Nothing great, but this thread gives me an excuse to post it I guess. https://soundcloud.com/hypnotuba/springing SO, congrats on the MT-400V! It's a fun keyboard. BTW, there is also the CT-410V which is the same instrument but with full size keys.
  11. Great updates! The PX-5S gets better and better. Reading the manual, the thing I would hope could be addressed in an update is the LFOs. It would be great to have truly independent filter and amp LFOs. Also, it would be nice to have the depth polarity adjustable for each layer of a hex layer, so you could have the filters of two layers moving in opposite directions via the LFO. And tempo sync would be great as well. I apologize if I misunderstood the manual and the PX-5S can already do these things. Again, awesome updates! Can't wait to try this synth!
  12. When the gold XW-P1 was released I thought it would be cool if they made an orange one, taking its cue from the orange trim of the original look. But I figured, nah, would never happen. I now own a gold one, which is a fine looking instrument, but now I see this: http://www.sonicstat...gn=more_stories That is one interesting looking color scheme. I like it a lot, and I like that there are different and cool color schemes available. I am lucky to own an XW-P1, and like my gold one, but if I didn't have it I'd be all over that chrome orange one. Too bad they are limited editions, I wouldn't mind all the colors being available for as long as the XW-P1 is in production. It does make me think that maybe the PX-5S will come in some different color in several months. Perhaps a nice midnight blue/black combo?
  13. Is it possible to run external audio through the effects on the PX-5S? Would be fun to run the XW-P1 organ through this new rotary effect.
  14. I hope it comes close! I think the WhiterShade tone is at least reminiscent of the original, but could use tweaking too. I can't take credit for it though, I got the organ settings from this website: http://keyboardservice.com/Drawbars.asp I also am not super familiar with the song, but I figured a cleaner organ tone might work well on the Casio. Perhaps using the distortion/chorus effect would sound better than the rotary.
  15. Hello! Just to be clear, Radon_22 and I (Hypnotuba on SoundCloud -- Nextname on this forum) are different people. And thanks again for the comment on SC! Got me to post my hex layer here. And I figure, I might as well post more sounds. So here they are. I feel presumptuous posting them, but hopefully at least one will be useful to someone. Some (most?) of the sounds are best when fiddling with the sliders and knobs. (BTW, I am terrible at naming sounds, plus many times I name a sound and then continue to edit it so the name no longer applies exactly.) Drawbar Organs 02-07-2013.zip Hex Layers 02-07-2013.zip Solo Synth 02-07-2013.zip
  16. Hello! A little while back I uploaded a tiny demo of a hex layer to SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.c...e-noodling-demo And here's the hex (I may upload more sounds, don't know how many would be useful to people, but what the heck ): Testpad.zip
  17. Just watched the Sonic State video from NAMM on the PX-5S... ...and it's a pretty nice look at the instrument, but it does confirm one of my worries is that this thing doesn't have an expression pedal input. I hope I'm wrong, I know I miss having one on my XW-P1, and with the great control possible on the PX-5S, it would really be great to have an expression pedal input. Or two. The envelope feature with a standard footswitch is a nice idea, but a standard expression pedal would still be preferable in my opinion. So if Casio can drill a hole in the back panel there and wire in an expression pedal jack, that would be really terrific! If I am wrong about it not having an exp pedal input, I apologize. Besides that, this keyboard looks really great. I look forward to reading the manual when available to find out the full feature set, but it does sound like lots of the shortcomings of the hex layer mode on the XW-P1 have been addressed!
  18. I'm not sure that is a fair comparison. I looked quickly and can't find any place that even lists the SP5-8 yet. The SP4-8 seems to be $1499 most places, except B&H which has it at $1295. And while the Kurzweil has the KB3 organ and I would guess more and potentially better effects available, it overall has less polyphony, and the SP4-8 doesn't seem to have any sliders or knobs (though the SP5-8 does), and there aren't any arpeggiators or a phrase sequencer as near as I can tell. Of course, this is just my quick judgement looking at the Kurzweil's specs while not knowing everything about the PX-5S (can't wait to be able to download the manual!) I guess it would depend on what one needs. If you really needed the organ simulator, that's a plus for the Kurzweil. If you need arpeggiators in a stage piano, maybe the Casio is for you. Both seem like nice instruments. But if Casio wants to cut the price a bit, I won't complain. Or heck, give a coupon to registered XW-P1 owners.
  19. I might be misunderstanding, but you can use knobs assigned to NRPNs to control the XW-P1. I just made a little demo that has a simple sequence going, while adjusting NRPNs to change the waveform of the Solo Synth. Technically, it is controller tracks assigned to the knobs which are assigned to NRPNs. The parameter being controlled is "split ui number" -- whatever that means. I found it in the MIDI spec manual and tried it out. Seems to change the waveform. Anyway, here's the short demo: https://soundcloud.c...1-nrpn-demo-001 Using NRPNs is especially useful with the Solo Synth as most or all the parameters are accessible via NRPN.
  20. I was hoping for an updated drawbar organ simulator, but the lack of enough sliders isn't encouraging. But, I am hoping that area on the right that has us so intrigued is a place to add on expansion board(s). If you could add in a CZ-1 board that would be great. Plus an FZ-1 board. Maybe Rapman, too. Also, I hope the synthesis engine is deep, and somehow involves the AiR engine, so you could say, run any sound through the piano resonator, perhaps there could be different types of resonators, something like the old Technics WSA-1. But I am just dreaming now. It's a nice looking instrument though, I like the white (hopefully...unless it's actually silver) and blue color. Oh, and I hope it has an expression pedal input!
  21. Hello! I actually posted about this on Harmony Central a while back, but this seems like a better place to address it, so...I'm just going to copy and paste my post from there because I am lazy. I was trying to record slider movements into Sonar 8.5 while in hex layer mode, and the NRPN data is...unusual. This picture shows the data from moving the nine sliders in hex layer mode. I moved them all from the bottom to the top, but you can see the first six sliders (individual layer levels) put out data that starts in the middle and then wraps around. This is a problem while the XW-P1 is in local off mode and receiving the data from the computer because the levels of the layers become unusable, as a volume of 0 ends up being in the middle of the slider's movement. I hope I am not overexplaining this. The sliders work fine in solo synth and drawbar organ modes. I should add that controlling the levels in a hex tone locally work fine, it's just the MIDI data the sliders send is messed up. And I think it behaves the same whether sending over USB or the 5-pin MIDI port. Is this a known issue or is it something that could be addressed in a firmware update? Or am I just doing something wrong? Oh, and if it matters, I have a gold XW. Thanks for any help!
  22. I have noticed clicking, but not on the Hex Layer sounds. The Solo Synth sounds have a click at the attack AND release, so the first thing I do with a new sound is set the attack and release of the amp envelope to 001 to avoid them. Unless I want the clicks for a really sharp attack -- they do kind of go away when you turn the cutoff of the total filter down (when its an LPF.) Perhaps interestingly, turning the cutoff down on the individual filter for a layer does not eliminate the clicks. Hopefully you can get the click issue sorted out! I do have other questions about the XW-P1, but that is for another topic.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.