KARMA 2: Sending KARMA-generated MIDI from a Combi

Scenario

You'd like to send the KARMA MIDI output from a combi, to substitute an external synth's sound for one of the parts, or layer an external synth with the internal sounds, or to record the MIDI output.

When you play a combi, there are sounds on the Global Channel that are played by the keyboard. Combi Mode automatically sends MIDI on the Global Channel from what you play on the keyboard. So if you want to layer an external device to those sounds, that's simple - just plug in the external device to the MIDI out port and set it to respond on the Global Channel, and you're done. This can also be used to record your performance to an external sequencer as a "control track" for KARMA. See this related article:

• Recording KARMA Output to external sequencers

But what if you want to replace one of KARMA's parts with an external sound, or layer it, or even record it into an external sequencer while in Combi Mode?

1. Sending KARMA-generated MIDI to an external device

Background

Combi Mode has the Timbre Status setting of "EXT", which will send the MIDI output of that timbre to the MIDI out port. However, this will also disconnect it from playing the internal tone generator sound on that timbre.

This is fine if you want to control an external synth, say to use the bass from another module instead of the bass in that particular combi.

Procedure (Korg M3)

1. We'll use Combi A000 Towards The Sun as an example.
2. With KARMA Playing, we use the solo buttons to determine that the bass is being performed by a layering of timbres 10 and 11.
3. Go to P3-2 Timbre Param > MIDI 9-16.
4. On Timbre 10, change the Track Status setting to EXT. This removes the internal sound, and sends the output to the MIDI out port.
5. On Timbre 11, change the Track Status setting to OFF. This removes the internal sound. (Note that you could set it to EXT as well, it wouldn't make any difference, since they are both on the same MIDI Channel only one set of data would be sent to the MIDI out port.)
6. Connect an external synth to the MIDI out port of the M3, and set it to receive on the MIDI Channel that Timbres 10 and 11 are set to, which is Channel 4 in this example. You could also change the MIDI Channel in the M3 to match the external device, as long as it is not one that is being used by other timbres of the Combi, and you edit the output channel of the KARMA Module on 7-1 to match.)

Procedure (Korg Kronos and OASYS)

to be written

2. Playing KARMA-generated MIDI on the internal sounds and sending MIDI output at the same time

Background

Typically, to record MIDI from KARMA, it is recommended to copy the combi into the sequencer mode and set the Track Status parameter of the tracks that you want to transmit MIDI to "BTH" (Both), which plays the internal tone generator and sends MIDI to the MIDI out jack (when Local Control is on in Global Mode > MIDI). This is the easiest method for recording the output of KARMA on multiple Modules and tracks at the same.

Combi Mode does not have the corresponding Timbre Status setting of "BTH". But there is a "trick" to accomplishing this in Combi Mode as well, by setting an additional unused timbre to the same MIDI channel as the timbre you want to layer it with, such that one timbre is playing the internal tone generator, and the other is sending the MIDI to EXT. You might wish to use this in a live setting, for example, to layer external sounds with internal sounds. You could also set up a combi like this to be recorded to an external sequencer, provided you have enough unused timbres to cover the KARMA Modules that you wish to record.

Procedure (Korg M3)

1. We will use Combi A028 Flight Of The Eagle as an example. Let's say we want to double the synth bass part played by Module C with an external synth (or record it into an external sequencer while still hearing the internal sound).
2. Using the Solo/Mute buttons, we determine that Timbre 9 is the only sound being used for the bass, playing the internal "Phone Home" program.
3. To layer an external device's sounds with this (and not lose the internal one), simply add an additional unused timbre on the same MIDI Channel and set it to EXT.
4. On P0-2 Prog 9-16, we can see that the first unused timbre is Timbre 12 (Mute button is On). Turn the Mute button Off.
5. Go to P3-2 Timbre Param > MIDI 9-16.
6. On Timbre 12, change the Track Status setting to EXT. Then change the MIDI Channel to 04 (matching the channel of Timbre 9). Now, Timbre 9 is still playing the bass part, while Timbre 12 is directing the MIDI output of that to the MIDI out port, for layering an additional external device, or recording into an external sequencer.

Procedure (Korg Kronos and OASYS)

to be written