Korg Kronos: Combi creation tutorial with KARMA - part 3

Note: this independently contributed article has not yet been reviewed for accuracy by Karma-Lab.

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Note 1: This tutorial covers a lot of information and instructions, some of which are quite complex. This version is a first draft and future revisions will be made to improve the clarity.Please make any changes, or provide critical comments or suggestions for improving either the ease of following the instructions or for correcting any errors in the information.

Note 2: As with the earlier tutorials the procedures described here are for a generalised approach and do not describe how to set-up a specific Combi. You will have to experiment and try out different setups that best reflect the Timbres you chose in Part 1. The approach I have described here follows the 'standard' setup of using Drums on Module A, Bass on Module B and keys/synth/other intruments for Modules C & D.

Part 3 RTP Master Layer Setup

Scenario

You Have followed Parts 1 & 2 of the KARMA Combi Creation Tutorial and have selected and adjusted the Timbres assigned to the four Modules. Now you want to assign KARMA parameters to the Master Layer of the Kronos.

RTP Setup structure

Go to Combi P0: -> Play -> Control Surface and select the RTP/KARMA side tab.
Notice that nothing is assigned and all the controls are set to default.

The Module Layers are setup as Master; Module A; Module B; Module C; and Module D.

These different layers can be selected either using the checkboxes on the right hand side of the screen labelled (M A B C D) in the ‘Module Control’ sub-screen or by pressing the ‘Module Control’ button on the left hand side of the Kronos Control Surface. Pressing the button repeatedly will cycle through the Module layers.

In each layer there are 16 RTP controls made up of 8 buttons and 8 sliders. Modules A, B, C & D will already have the default RTP/GE parameters assigned to their respective Module controls. The Master Layer can control any of the 32 available parameters in any or all of the four Modules, even if they are not currently assigned in the individual Modules. For example the ‘swing’ parameter in all four Modules can be controlled simultaneously from the just Master Layer; or the TSig parameter (when assigned) in the Master Layer could be used to control the TSig parameter on just two of the four Modules, even if the TSig parameter is not assigned to any RTP controllers in the two Modules being controlled by the Master Layer.

It is very worthwhile understanding the difference between GE RTP and Perf RTP. There are reference docs available on KARMA-Lab wiki and I recommend:

  • Reading the Understanding the GE RTP and Perf RTP Parameters WIKI article;
  • Printing out the RTP Master Layer WIKI article for easy reference;
  • Reading articles and other reference documents found on the KARMA 2 WIKI page which give essential information about the different aspects and setups of the KARMA 2 engine, (though it’s still a ‘work in progress’ and not all the details of some RTP setups are available);
  • There are sample video tutorials featuring several chapters of the M3 House 101 Combi Creation DVD to be found at Karma-Lab's Media Player or Karma-Lab's YouTube Channel. Each of these tutorials covers a topic discussed in each of these written tutorials, (except for the final part which has two videos associated with the tutorial). I recommend watching them for a visual demonstration and verbal explanation of some of the setups, albeit for the M3.

Following the RTC Master Layer guidelines we can see that the general structure for the RTP set up is:

  • Switches 1 – 4 control Module Run for Modules A – D (SW1:Mod A / SW2:Mod B / SW3:Mod C / SW4:Mod D)
  • Switches 5 – 8 control Modules A – D respectively (SW5: Mod A / SW6: Mod B / SW7:Mod C / SW8:Mod D)
  • Sliders 5 – 8 control parameters for Modules A – D respectively (SL5: Mod A / SL6: Mod B / SL7:Mod C / SL8:Mod D)
  • Sliders 1 – 4 control specific parameter types (Swing, Pattern, Duration & Velocity) across some or all of the Modules

Master RTP Setup SW 1-4

The standard setup for the Sliders & Switches is for Switches to control On/Off (or binary value parameters) while the Sliders are used to control parameters with multiple value parameters.

  1. Go to P7: - > KARMA -> GE RTP/Scenes -> Module A (B, C, D) side-tab screens to see what controls the parameters are mapped to for the Modules. (The Master Layer in the KARMA -> Master A (B, C, D) side-tab screens won’t have anything set up yet)
  2. The standard setup for the Switches 1-4 in the Master Layer is for ‘Module Run’ which means that when KARMA is activated Switch 1 will turn on Module A and it will play; when Switch 2 is turned on then Module B will play; Switch 3 turns on Module C and Switch 4 turns on Module D. Note that when KARMA is turned on and ‘Latch’ is on, that all four modules will be activated and will run together in sync, however they won’t make any sound unless the ‘Module Run’ Switch is turned on. If you turn on Switch 1-4 after KARMA has been activated the Module will start to play sounds in sync with the KARMA engine.
  3. To assign ‘Module Run’ to the Master Layer Switches go to P7: -> KARMA -> Perf RTP tab screen. In the first line (1) in the ‘Group’ dropdown menu select ‘Mix’, in the ‘Parameter’ dropdown menu select ‘Run’, in the section with the columns A B C D turn on the checkbox for (module) A and in the ‘Assign’ dropdown menu select SW1. (Notice that the max/min values are assigned +0000 and +0001 and the ‘Value’ is greyed out).
  4. In the second line (2) in the ‘Group’ dropdown menu select ‘Mix’, in the ‘Parameter’ dropdown menu select ‘Run’, in the section with the columns A B C D turn on the checkbox for (module) B and in the ‘Assign’ dropdown menu select SW2. Do the same for Lines 3 & 4 (line 3, SW3 for Module C, line 4, SW4 for Module D).
  5. You have now assigned Modules A B C & D to be turned on by SW1 SW2 SW3 & SW4 in the Master Layer. Turn KARMA on and press a key. Nothing will happen. You need to turn on the switches 1-4 on either the Screen Control Surface or press the first four (LH side) button/switches on the Kronos Control Surface to turn the Module Run to ‘On’. When you turn Module Run ‘On’ then you will hear the Module play.
  6. Notice that in P0: Play -> KARMA GE tab the Module ‘run’ checkboxes are greyed out, although the ‘solo’ checkbox is still available.
  7. Save your work.

Master RTP Setup SW 6 -8

Switch 5 and Slider 5 (SW5 & SL5) control parameters in Module A which runs the Drum Timbre. As these parameter settings are different to those in the other three Modules their setup will be described in a later part.
Following the RTC Master Layer guidelines SW6 controls Module B, SW7 controls Module C and SW8 controls Module D, with the generally assigned parameter being an octave transpose of +/-12.
To hear what effect changing the parameters for the Switches or Sliders has on the Module output sound ‘solo’ the Module that you are working on.

  1. To make the ‘Transpose’ assignment for Module B to SW6 go to the Combi P:7 -> KARMA -> Perf RTP screen and in line 6 select ‘mix’ in the Group dropdown menu, select ‘transpose’ in the parameter dropdown menu, set the ‘Min’ value to +0000 and the ‘Max’ value to +0012, select Module B in the checkbox and SW6 in the ‘assign’ dropdown menu. When KARMA is playing and SW6 is turned on you will hear the Module being transposed up by an octave. Transpositions of two or three octaves can be made by using ‘Max’ values of +24 and +36. To transpose down by an octave use a ‘Max’ value of -12. The ‘Min’ value acts as the ‘default’ pitch.
  2. Variations on the ‘default’ pitch can be made either by using ‘Max’ value set to +0000 and the ‘Min’ value set to +/-12 as a transposed default value for when SW6 is ‘off’, or by changing the ‘polarity’ from + to – (at the far right of the line) so that the ‘Max’ setting becomes the default value when SW6 is ‘off’.
  3. Make transposition assignments to SW7 in line 7 by selecting ‘Mix’ & ‘Transpose’ in the respective dropdown menus, ‘Min/Max’ settings of +0000 and +0012 and selecting the Module C checkbox and SW7 in the ‘Assign’ dropdown menu.
  4. Make transposition assignments to SW8 likewise (line 8, Mix, Transpose, Min/Max (choose values), check the box for Module D and change ‘Assign’ to SW8.
  5. Run KARMA by playing a note or pad trigger and check the module octave/pitch variations by turning Switches SW6, SW7 and SW8 on and off while KARMA is playing. Adjust the assigned SW parameter values to get the default sound you like.
  6. Save your work.

In summary: You will have assigned SW 1- 4 to turn on the KARMA Modules and SW 6 – 8 to transpose the pitch of the modules. These are the basic Module setups that control the sound that the Timbres make. The next section(s) will describe how to setup Sliders (SL 1, 2, 3 & 4) which control the parameters that change the way in which these basic setups are played.

Master RTP Setup Slider 1 (Swing)

As the parameter settings for the Sliders have multiple values and can be set operate within a range with a defined default value and with either linear or non-linear responses, I recommend reading the KARMA Lab wiki article:
How MIN-MAX-VALUE works in GE RT Parameters.

  1. Go to Combi P7: KARMA -> GE RTP Scenes page and look at the side tabs for Modules A B C & D – Parameter 1 ‘Rhythm: Swing %’ in the GE Real-time Parameters list. Notice that for all of the Modules this parameter is assigned to Slider 1 (in the ‘assign’ column).
  2. To see how this Slider works, solo Drum Module A and then select Module A in the Control Surface Screen or from the Kronos Module Control button. Set Slider 1 to 0 and slowly move it up while listening to the High-Hats playing on the 16th or 8th notes. You will hear the rhythm start to ‘swing’.
  3. Do the same for the other modules, (solo the Module and select that Module in the Control Surface). The swing effect is most noticeable on those modules playing 16th notes. It probably won’t be noticeable on modules playing just quarter notes. (The Swing note value can be edited using the KK software but can’t be edited in the Kronos, so the Swing effect will depend on what Swing value has been programmed for the GE being used in the Module).
    • Something to understand is that there are two sets of RTP controls for each Module. Those controlling the Module from the Module Layer in P7: KARMA -> GE RTP Scenes (assigned in the side-tabs Module A B C D) and those that control the Module from the Master Layer (assigned in the side-tabs Master A B C D)
  4. To assign the Module A ‘swing’ parameter to the Master Layer SL1 control go to P7: KARMA -> GE RTP Scenes -> Master A screen and select Slider 1 in the ‘Assign’ dropdown menu.
  5. The ‘Min’ value is set to +0 and the ‘Max’ value to +102. In the ‘Value’ column set the value to the mid value of +50 so that the slider will have a linear response from 0 -> 100 (KARMA values 101 & 102 have special properties)
  6. Make the same assignments for Module B in the Master B side-tab screen and do the same for Modules C & D in their respective Master tab screens so that all the Master tabs Parameter 1: Rhythm: Swing % are set to slider 1.
  7. With KARMA on go to the Master Layer, move Slider 1 to 0 and play a note/pad. Move the Slider up and you will hear the Swing changing on all four Modules. This is because the Master Layer Slider 1 is now controlling the Swing % of all the Modules.
  8. Listen to how well the Swing changes work with all the Modules. If any of the Modules don’t sit well with the change in the Swing then that Module can be deselected from the Master Layer control (in the Master side-tab for that particular Module). You can choose any combination of individual Modules to control from the Master Layer.
  9. Save your work.
    • Note 1: In the Swing parameter there are two extra values at the top of the range. (101 and 102). A value of 101 will give a swing of -200% and a value of 102 will give a swing of +200%. Information about the Swing parameter works can be found at:
    • Note 2: There is a difference between the Midi value shown on the Sliders in Combi P0: -> Play -> KARMA GE and Combi P0: -> Play -> Control surface -> RT/KARMA pages and the KARMA value for the Slider. The KARMA value can be seen towards the top of the Control Surface screen, or in the ‘KARMA Value’ sub-screen in the Play -> KARMA GE page. If you select/highlight a slider and move it you will see the KARMA value changing in the sub-screens. A further difference between the KARMA GE and the Control Surface screens is the KARMA GE screen shows both the current Midi value and the default Midi value of the sliders, while the Control Surface screen only shows the current Midi value of the sliders.
    • Note 3: when you select a Slider under assign the max-min-value boxes will reflect the internal default setting for the GE – these can be changed to suit the Module/Timbre/Program used.
    • Note 4: In the Kronos up to 32 parameters can be selected and assigned/adjusted, based on the set selected by the programmer of the GE – with the KK software there are 400 or so parameters that can be changed.
    • Note 5: In different GEs the line on which the parameter to be assigned to the Slider is located may be different from the tutorial; some parameters may not be included. Check through the 32 parameters to find the one being discussed and adjust what you are doing to suit the overall sound you want to achieve.
    • Note 6: remember to retrigger the Modules if they use a ‘gated’ GE.

Master RTP Setup Slider 2 (Rhythm Patterns)

Reference: KARMA 2: Rhythm Template Reference
Again follow the standard settings in Master RTP reference document.

  1. In Combi P7: -> KARMA -> GE RTP -> Master tab (A/B/C/D) -> find the line that contains the parameter (Rhythm Template & Restore) and assign it to Slider 2
    • Note: for parameters containing (& restore) the min value will be the default for the GE value)
    • Note: If there is too much complexity leave the Drum Module unassigned.
    • Lower values for the Slider result in faster rhythm values for the GE and higher values for the Slider will result in slower rhythm values for the GE.
  2. Set Min to +0 and Max to +50 and ‘value’ to +25 for linear response across the range. Moving the Slider up will change the way the pattern plays. The higher the value of the Slider the sparser the pattern will be.
  3. Do the same for remaining Modules (In the Master Layer for the Module assign the parameter ‘Rhythm Template & Restore’ to Slider 2, with a min value set to +0, a max value set to +50 and a ‘value’ setting of +25.
  4. Check out what this sounds like with KARMA running, by moving Slider 2 in the Master Layer
  5. Save your work.

* Remember you can still change the parameters of the individual Modules independently of the Master Layer by going to the individual Module Layer and making changes there.

Master RTP Setup Slider 3 (Duration)

Reference: KARMA 2: Duration Control Reference
The standard setup for Slider 3 is for ‘Duration’ control. Drum GEs don’t have this parameter.

  1. Go to Combi P7: -> KARMA -> GE RTP page -> Master (A/B/C/D) tab -> in the line that contains the parameter ‘Duration’ assign the parameter to Slider 3. Run KARMA and solo the Module.
    • The Duration amount is a percentage of the note value set for the GE
    • The ‘value’ default of the Slider (at Midi value 64 in the middle of the Slider range) will be the GE default (for ‘Duration’ the slider mid range is non-linear and the default value will be that specified in the ‘Value’ field. Different GEs have different min-max-value settings so the onscreen values shown may be different. When Sliders are assigned in the Master layer the Master Layer control will change the values for the Duration simultaneously and will ‘scale’ the amount of change to the values specified in each Module Master Layer.
  2. When the Slider is moved down it will generate shorter notes and when the Slider is moved upit will generate longer notes
  3. Notes will stop re-triggering if their duration is longer than period before next note is played. If the Oscillator is set to ‘mono legato’ setting (In Combi P1: EQ/Vector/Control -> Osc)? Then you can use the ‘Force Mono’ parameter to make notes sound (if you can’t see it then check on the 2nd page of the GE RTP screen via the 17-36 checkbox). This parameter is often assigned to SW1 in the Module GE RTPs for melodic type GEs.
  4. When ‘Force Mono’ is selected and turned on it will play one note at a time and there will be no overlapping of notes (This is good for bass lines, monophonic programs/oscillators and for thinning out polyphonic oscillators).
  5. Use The duration Slider 3 in conjunction with Slider 2 (Pattern/Complexity) to get longer notes to play. If ‘Force Mono’ is not turned on patterns with shorter note pattern values (64th & 32nd) will be play well with short duration values, as they will not get cut off. Conversely patterns with higher value note patterns (1/4 and half note) will play with longer duration values without getting cut-off.
  6. Solo the other Modules and set them up in same way. (Combi P7: -> KARMA -> GE RTP page -> Master (A/B/C/D) tab -> parameter line for ‘Duration’ and in ‘Assign’ set it to Slider 3)
    • Note: In the ‘Min/Max & ‘Value’ fields of a particular KARMA Module you can assign different KARMA values to the values set in the Master Layer or in the other KARMA Modules.
    • If moving a Slider makes no difference to the output of the Module when in the lower range then change the ‘Min’ to a higher value so that Min-Max range is ‘useful’ for the full movement of the Slider between Midi 0 & 127. For example the Module output may not change when the Slider is between the Midi values of 0 -> 25. In this case change the 'Min' value to +25 and then when the Slider is at the bottom of it's range it will transmit the value of +25 and moving it upwards will start to change the output of the Module.
  7. If note durations are still too long when the Slider's KARMA equals +0 then shorter notes can be achieved by making adjustments to the Timbre (i.e. in the ‘Tone Adjust’ setting for the Envelope EG ‘Release Time’ – (also experiment to find out what Program parameters will shorten the note length when in default settings and Slider 3 is set to 0).
  8. When the Individual Modules have been set up then turn all the Modules on and see what the overall sound is like when Master Layer Sliders 3 & 2 are moved.

Master RTP Setup Slider 4 (Velocity/Accent)

References: KARMA 2: Velocity Control Reference & KARMA 2: Velocity group overview
Note: The basic messages sent via general Midi protocol are: which note is played, when it plays, how long for and with how much velocity (volume) it is to be played. (These are like the GE internal parameters: note index, rhythm pattern, duration & velocity).

As a generalization the Control Surface setup is:

  • SW1-4 turn Midi generation On/Off;
  • SW6-8 affect the notes played in the Timbre by means of Transposition or Note Mapping;
  • Sliders 1-4 affect the when, how long for and with how much velocity the notes are played
  • Sliders 6-8 control what effects (repeats/bending/panning/etc) are applied and how they are applied
  • SW5 and Slider 5 are different as they affect the Drum Module parameters, (see below)

Velocity (how strong the signal is) can effect:

  • Volume of note
  • Threshold of note dropout
  • Other velocity switching/attributes like the pattern played, randomisation, filter envelopes, etc
  1. Firstly with the non-Drum Modules go to Combi P7: -> KARMA -> GE RTP -> Master (A/B/C/D) side tab -> find the line with the ‘Velocity Scale’ parameter and assign it to Slider 4
  2. Solo the Individual Module and run KARMA to hear what is changing in the Module output when Slider 4 is moved.
    • The default setting is when the Midi value of the Slider is 64 (Slider at centre position) and is the KARMA value shown in the value box.
    • Counter-intuitively the higher the value/slider the less velocity is applied and more notes drop out. When the Slider value is lower the notes will become busier. In this case (velocity parameters) change the polarity setting (at the end of the line/checkbox next to the slider ‘assign’ column) so that the effect of the position of the Slider is reversed. This will then match the effect of the Velocity slider to match the movements of the other Sliders where ‘up’ is a bigger/higher value. (i.e. ½ note patterns, ¼ note durations, higher % swing, etc)
    • What is happening is that the parameter (Velocity Scale) is acting as a dynamic threshold that plays notes when velocities are processed that fall above the threshold and dropped out when they fall below the threshold. Changing the Slider value changes the threshold as a % value of the GE default (this is a simplified explanation). So when the Slider is at the highest Midi value (at the top) and lowest KARMA value (remember we changed the polarity) then the % value deducted from the full velocity will be 0 and the pattern will play a full complement of notes. Also remember the default value of the slider will be Midi 64 which is not the same as a KARMA parameter value of 0.
    • Note: check whether the Midi 64 value gives a KARMA value of ½ the min-max range to see if the scaling is linear or non-linear.
  3. As with the Sliders discussed earlier check that the range covered by the Slider covers values that make a difference to the output. If not, adjust the Min-Max range in the Min/Max value fields so that the Slider excludes values that have no effect on the output.
    • Note: the Max value can also be increased to bring in more or less note dropouts (the highest Max value that can be set is +999)
  4. Make the same assignments for other Modules that you want to be affected by the velocity parameter and check how they all play together.
  5. Now assign Slider 4 for the Drums in the Master tab for Module A. Look for the parameter [Velocity Pools-Random Factor] and assign it to Slider 4 (Note: you don’t need to change the polarity with this parameter). Solo the Drum Module and start Karma running. Move the Slider down to check out the variation.
    • Note: If the default value is the same as the Max value then there will be no change in the Module output for Slider Midi values above the default ‘Value’ setting.
    • Note: The way the Velocity Pools-Random Factor parameter works is that it includes a ‘Weighting Curve’ which changes the amount of randomisation in the pattern play.

We have now setup the Master Layer Sliders 1-4 to control some or all of the Timing, Pattern, Duration and Velocity Midi signals. (These parameters can determine the note output for the four Modules simultaneously). In the next part Sliders 6-8 will be assigned to parameters that control effects (repeat/bend/etc) that are applied to the notes generated by the GE RTPs for the individual Modules B, C & D.

Master RTP Setup Slider 6 7 8 (Module B C D parameter controls)

The standard setup is to map slider 5 to Module A, Slider 6 to Module B, Slider 7 to Module C and Slider 8 to Module D (see the RTP Master Layer reference document). This parallels the SW 5-8 Module assignments and keeps the Module controls organised in a way that is easy to remember for each Module.

  1. As the Master Layer will be controlling one Module for each Slider it’s useful to assign parameters that haven’t already been assigned in the individual Module’s GE RTP screen. For Module B Go to the Combi P7: -> KARMA -> GE RTP -> Module B tab and look for those ‘Assign’ fields that have been left blank.
  2. Experiment with the different parameters, in Module B, by selecting an unused parameter and then changing the setting of the ‘Value’ box while listening for what changes occur. Don’t assign the Slider in this screen as assignments will be sent to the Module Slider control and not to the Master Layer Slider control.
  3. A useful parameter to use for the Slider 6-8 controls is the TSig Numerator (the Time Signature parameter). To assign this parameter to the Master Layer go to the KARMA -> GE RTP -> Master B side tab. Find the parameter that you want and assign it to the Slider 6. Set the ‘Value’ field to the middle of the range for a linear response across the Slider range.
    • Note: the parameter range for this (and other similar GE parameters is ‘Zero Relative’ – To see what effect a KARMA value will have on the Module for these types of parameter refer to the Kronos Parameter Guide (version 4) – Chapter: KARMA GE Guide page 1015).
    • Changing Time Signatures will allow you, for example, to run one Module in 4/4 time and another Module in 5/4 time which can make for interesting cyclical progressions. I think the Kronos GE TSig parameters are the same as for the Oasys. To see what time signatures are already associated with specific GEs see the reference document:
  4. Follow this setup for any other Module(s) and associated Sliders that you want to control this parameter with.
    • Note: You can have the same parameter assigned to different Sliders – as opposed to what we did earlier when we assigned the same GE parameter type for different Modules to the same Slider.
  5. Another useful parameter to assign to the Master Layer for the 6-8 Slider is ‘Cluster: Template+Restore’. Again select the Slider assignment in the Combi P7: -> KARMA -> GE RTP Master (B, C, D) tab for the parameter and set the Min Value to +0 (this will restore the default GE value) and the ‘Value’ setting to the middle of the Min/Max range to get a linear response. In this parameter there are 63 different variations for the GE Cluster pattern (plus the +0 value which restores the default). Depending on what Timbre and GE you are using you may also want to turn on the ‘Force Mono’ parameter in the Module Layer GE RTP screen, (often assigned to SW1 in the Modules with a Melodic GE), which will prevent chords being played and will then make the Timbre follow a monophonic arpeggiation pattern.
  6. As before, run KARMA with all four Modules and check the overall effect of your changes before saving your work.

Master RTP Setup Drums on SW 5 and Slider 5

Switch 5 and Slider 5 are used to control the Drum Module and are different to the setup for Switches and Sliders 6–8. Read the entries in the "guideline" chart regarding SW5 & SL5:
Reference: KARMA 2: RTC Master Layer

Accordingly Slider 5 (SL5) is generally set to ‘Alt Drum Map’.
Reference: KARMA 2: Global Note Map Reference

The way Note Maps work for the Drums is that the first template (custom) is by default a straight line (no mapping) and the following 36 templates map the standard Drum note setup onto different drum notes, for instance changing snare hits into H/H or Side-Stick sounds or moving between different Snare and Kick sounds (see the reference table for a full list). The Custom Map can be changed to your own preferred map and saved (for the current Combi). Custom Maps can be imported from other Programs and Combis, but currently it’s only possible to have one Custom Map per Combi, although any of Note Map ‘GTables’ 37-56 can be used for the ‘default’ template (a straight line with no mapping). (Note Maps 57-64 can be used for Melodic GEs)

  1. To assign the Note Map parameter to Slider 5 go to Combi P7: -> KARMA -> Perf RTP screen and in Line 5 select ‘Control’ in the dropdown menu for the ‘Group’ column, Slider 5 for the parameter, ‘Note Map Value’ in the dropdown menu for the ‘Parameter’ column, Check Module A and select Slider 5 in the ‘Assign’ column.
    • Note: Drum Tables 19-36 are the same as for the Note Tables 1-18 except that the Snare and Kick drums are mapped to various Cymbal and Percussion sounds and it can be easier to choose between different Note Tables if the Min is set to +0 the Max to +18 and the Value to +9 (unless you want to switch to a Note map in the 18-36 range – in which case set Min to +0 and Max to +36 with a Value setting of +18).
    • Note: Drum Note Maps are different to Drum Pattern variations. The Note Maps change the sounds being played and the Pattern variations change the order and timing of the notes.
  2. Start KARMA and see what effect changing slider 5 has on the drum sounds.
  3. An alternative parameter for SW5 is to assign it in Combi P7: -> KARMA -> GE RTP -> Master A to the parameter ‘Drum: Straight Multiplier’. (This is a ‘virtual parameter’ which functions as a sub-set of another parameter and allows a more refined adjustment of the other parameter). Activating this switch will then toggle the Drum pattern/parameter between two specified values allowing a quick change to the pattern being played.
  4. With the Parameter Drum: Straight Multiplier there are five values available, (see the Parameter Guide 1034 for details), however we only want the two parameters that work best with the current Module setup. For example in Combi P7: -> KARMA -> GE RTP -> Master A side-tab if you set the Min value to 2 (100%) and the Max value to 3 (200%) the Drum pattern will play with a half-time feel when the switch is turned on.
    • Note: It’s also possible to link the Drum Track to KARMA. (See the Operation Guide, Using the Drum Track page 233 and especially page 239 ‘Using KARMA and the Drum Track Together). For example, you can have a percussion pattern or a tom-tom fill assigned to the Drum Track and have it turned on or off for selected scenes (See the next Tutorial for setting up the scenes, including setting up the Drum Track). However the Drum Track doesn’t Swing so if you want to use the Drum Track with KARMA when a swing is applied the best way to do it is to copy the Combi into SEQ Mode, record the KARMA Midi output into the sequencer along with the Drum Track and then quantise just the drum track to the swing value of the KARMA Modules. Unfortunately this can’t be done for real-time play as the Drum Track works independently of the KARMA engine, however it may be possible to copy the quantised SEQ Drum track (using the ‘convert to drum track pattern’ command in the main SEQ RTTP menu) and saving it as a ‘user pattern’ which can then be used in the Drum Track. (I haven’t tried this out, yet).

If you’ve followed this tutorial and made your own settings to create a Combi then you should now have assigned all the Master Layer Switches and Sliders to controlling the four Modules in various configurations. The four individual Modules can still be controlled independently of the Master Layer. You will also have assigned a pad or a slow synth Timbre(s) to the LH side of the keyboard split and a soloing/comping Timbre to the RH side of the keyboard split. The only part of the Master (Perf RTP) setup that is different was when making the Master (Perf RTP) settings for Slider 5, which is the only Slider setting created in the Master Layer Perf RTP.

  1. There’s only one thing left to do, so save your work before moving to the final part of this Tutorial.

Final Preparation for the Setup of Scenes

  1. Go to the Combi P0: -> Play -> KARMA GE screen or the Combi P0: -> Play -> Control Surface -> RT/KARMA side-tab screen. You will see that none of the Switches or Sliders have been named.
  2. Go to Combi P7: -> KARMA -> Name/Note Map screen. If you go to the Module side-tabs you will see that all the Module controls have already been assigned their default GE names, while in the Master side-tab the Sliders and Switches have not had names assigned. This screen (Master side-tab) is where the names are assigned to the controls.
  3. Open one of the dropdown menus for a Switch or Slider and you will presented with a list of 571 different labels for assigning to the Switch or Slider. The trick here is to choose the label most appropriate for the parameter controller you have set up. Choosing different labels/names does not affect the performance of the Modules or Master controls in any way. It just makes it easier to organise and remember which Switch or Slider controls which parameters.
  4. For each Switch and Slider use the dropdown menu to select a name that best suits the function of the controller. (The name should explain what effect the controller achieves as the parameter names of the GE aren’t always clear in terms of what they are doing to the sound. There is a difference between the GE parameter name and the name of the RTP controller for that parameter).
    • Note: To help choose an appropriate name for the control from the rather large choice you can use the ‘Auto assign KARMA RTC Name’ command found in the main dropdown menu, although you may want to refine the automatically assigned names to more accurately reflect the functions of the controls than those the ‘auto assign’ has made.

Finally, to prepare for the next section we want to set up the Scenes so that we are ready for the next Tutorial ‘Scene Setup’.

Currently when working in the Master Layer you will have been working in Scene 1 and will have created a configuration of Switches and Sliders that represent your ‘default’ KARMA Master Layer control settings for the Combi. If you change to any of the other scenes you will see that all the Switches are turned off and all the Sliders are set to their central Midi 64 position. We are going to copy scene 1 to all the other scenes so that we have a common starting point prepared for when it comes to setting up the other seven scenes.

  1. In the Combi P7: -> KARMA page in the main dropdown menu select ‘Copy Scene’ and in the command pop-up set it to copy ‘Scene 1’ of the ‘Master Layer’ to ‘All’. Press OK and the Master Layer Scene 1 will be copied to the Master Layer for the other seven scenes. Check this by going to any of them and you should see that they are all the same.
  2. Save your Work.
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