KARMA 2: How MIN-MAX-VALUE works in GE RT Parameters
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Scenario

You're having trouble understanding the interaction of the MIN, MAX, and VALUE settings of a GE RTP parameter. The descriptions of these fields in the Korg documentation gives you some clues but the full picture isn't spelled out.

Note: this article may also be useful with the applicable KARMA Software, in understanding better how to set these values.

Effects of the "VALUE" parameter

Also referred to as the "stored" or "center" value, the VALUE setting in a GE RTP parameter sets the knee point within the Min-Max range of a continuous controller (slider/knob) at its center position. In other words:

  • If the VALUE setting is the exact midpoint between the MIN and MAX values specified for the GE RTP parameter, you have a constant slope between the min/max position of the slider or between the L/R position of the knob. When the slider/knob is at its center position, the current value of the GE RTP parameter is equal to its defined VALUE.
  • If the VALUE setting is not the exact midpoint between MIN and MAX, you have one slope below the center position and a different slope above the center position. For example, if MIN is +0000 and MAX is +0100, and you specify VALUE as +0030, then from the min position of the slider/knob to its center position, the current value of the GE RTP parameter moves from 0 to 30. Then as you move the slider/knob from its center position to its max position, the current value of the parameter moves from 30 to 100.

Understanding the "Value" column in the RTC Model articles

In the reference articles describing all the RTC Models, the Value column in the GE Real-Time Parameters table uses Ctr: for some parameters and Val: for others. And some parameters have only a - - - - in the Value column.

  • Ctr: means that the listed value is very close to the midpoint between the Min and Max values, so the slider has a linear response.
  • Val: means that the listed value is not the midpoint between the Min and Max values, so the slider has a non-linear response (different slopes on either side of the slider's center position).
  • - - - - means that the parameter is assigned to a switch by default, so only the Min and Max values actually mean anything. (If the Polarity of the parameter is +, then when the switch is off the current value of the parameter is the Min value. When the switch is on, the current value is the Max value.

Details and examples from the KARMA Software Help

Note: Assignment labels in the KARMA Software look different than they do on the GE RTP tab of the Korg M3 (and the corresponding tab on the Kronos/Oasys).

KARMA Software label Keyboard label and Korg documentation
"Slider w/Switch Action" "Slider SW"
S1, S2, etc (sliders) SL1, SL2, etc (sliders)
W1, W2, etc (switches) SW1, SW2, etc (switches)
A1, A2, etc (sliders w/Switch action) SL1s, SL2s, etc (Slider SWs)
D1, D2, etc (Dynamic MIDI destinations) Dyn1, Dyn1, etc (Dynamic MIDI destinations)

Also note that the original Korg Karma keyboard had knobs that could be used for real-time control of GE RTP parameters, but the M3, Kronos and Oasys only have control surface sliders that can do this.

On A Continuous Controller (Slider, Knob, etc.)

For example, let’s assume that the RT Parm has a Min/Max range of +0000…+0100.

If you set Value = +0050, Assign = S1 (Slider 1), and Polarity = + (plus):

Slider 1 at the center position (12 o’clock) will produce a value of +0050. At far left the value will be +0000, and at far right the value will be +0100. Turning the knob from center toward the left will control the value from +0050…+0000, and turning it from center toward the right will control the value from +0050…+0100. This is known as a linear response.

0      32     64     96    127   Controller Value 
'------'------'------'------' 
0      25     50     75    100   RT Parm (linear) 
0<----------->50<--------->100

If you set Value = +0080, Assign = S1 (Slider 1), and Polarity = + (plus):

Knob 1 at the center position (12 o’clock) will produce a value of +0080. At far left the value will be +0000, and at far right the value will be +0100. Turning the knob from center toward the left will control the value from +0080…+0000, and turning it from center toward the right will control the value from +0080…+0100. This is known as a non-linear response, since one side of the control has a larger variation than the other.

0      32     64     96    127   Controller Value 
'------'------'------'------' 
0      40     80     90    100   RT Parm (non-linear) 
0<----------->80<--------->100

On A Switch (Slider w/Switch Action, Switch, etc.)

For example, using the RT Parm example above, with a range of +0000…+0100, If you set Value = +0050, Assign = A1 (Slider 1 w/Switch Action), and Polarity = + (plus):

Turning the knob toward the left will produce a value of +0000. Turning it to center or right will produce a value of +0100. There will be no in between values.

Note that the maximum and minimum values controlled by Slider w/Switch Action 1 ~ 8 and Switch 1 ~ 2 will depend on the Value (Center) setting.

The Value setting becomes a “hypothetical” center value that is flip-flopped around by the On/Off setting of the switch. In other words, to have a switch go from 0 to +100, you set min/max to 0/+100, and again the value (center) to 50. However, if the value is not exactly half of the range (max - min), you can make it jump between the Min setting and any value within the available range, or the Max setting and any value within the available range, by varying the Value setting. Some examples of switch settings:

For example, RT Parm range: +0000…+0100


Value (center) setting: +0050
Minimum (Off) value controlled by A1…A8, W1…W2: 0
Maximum (On) value controlled by A1…A8, W1…W2: 100

Off                         On 
0                          127   Controller Value 
'------'------'------'------' 
0             50           100   RT Parm = 0 <> 100

Value (center) setting: +0025
Minimum (Off) value controlled by A1…A8, W1…W2: 0
Maximum (On) value controlled by A1…A8, W1…W2: 50

Off                         On 
0                          127   Controller Value 
'------'------'------'------' 
0             25            50   RT Parm = 0 <> 50

Value (center) setting: +0075
Minimum (Off) value controlled by A1…A8, W1…W2: 50
Maximum (On) value controlled by A1…A8, W1…W2: 100

Off                         On 
0                          127   Controller Value 
'------'------'------'------' 
50            75           100   RT Parm = 50 <> 100
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