This past month, I focused on programming the MS2000r.   While it is an amazing virtual analog synth, most of its programs scream “give me back my glow sticks!” and so I created several of my own in a search for more subtle and less dated sounds. Programming from scratch is a great exercise for understanding the building blocks to any synthesizer and I wanted to share the process I utilized.  This is not intended as a substitute for reading the manual and understanding all the various parameters in depth.  But if you just got your MS2000r and cannot wait to dig in, I have provided below a concise and ordered workflow for building a new program, based on the manual’s recommendations (I will leave some in-depth options like sequencer patterns for another time).

For starters, realize that every parameter can be edited by a combination of the front panel knobs, the SELECT keys at bottom, and the buttons below the LCD display.  The major synthesizer sections correspond to PAGES accessible in the LCD display (e.g. – OSC1, OSC2, EG, LFO, etc.), and can be accessed directly by pressing the respective SELECT key, or PAGE [+ or - ].  Also, notice that the ORIGINAL VALUE LED lights up when you turn a knob or press a button on the front panel and land on the default value for that parameter.

Some options, like modulation and delay effects, can only be viewed and tweaked on the LCD after pressing the respective SELECT [12 or 13] keys (MOD FX or DELAY FX).  I have tried to include the fastest combinations for each step (either a SELECT key, FRONT PANEL controls, the LCD buttons, or combinations).

Assuming you are in a program that you do not mind overwriting, do the following:

1. Press EDIT and then the SELECT [16] key.  Press YES to initialize this program.
2. SELECT [1] to set the TIMBRE (Single, Dual or Split).  Default is Single after initializing.  Note: from here you must press PAGE + to arrive at “02a: NAME“, in order to edit the program name. There is no SELECT key corresponding to this page.
3. SELECT [2] to choose a Voice: Mono, Unison or Poly.
4. FRONT PANEL [OSCILLATORS 1 AND 2]: Set the waveforms and respective controls.
5. FRONT PANEL [MIXER]: Set the volume of each Oscillator.
6. FRONT PANEL [FILTER]: Set Cutoff, Resonance, EG1 INT, KBD Track, and Filter Type.
7. FRONT PANEL [EG 1]: Set the envelope (affects Filter Cutoff).
8. FRONT PANEL [AMP]: Set the output (Level, Pan, EG 2/Gate, and Distortion).
9. FRONT PANEL [EG 2]: Set the envelope (affects Level).
10. FRONT PANEL [LFO 1 and LFO 2]: Set these low frequency oscillators which can be used in the VIRTUAL PATCH section to modulate various parameters.
11. SELECT [12]: Set the modulation effect type by pressing [-/NO or +/YES] (Cho/Flg, Ensemble, and Phaser).  Make sure the [MOD/DELAY] LED is off to make this work.  For other parameters, turn the SPEED/TIME knob and the DEPTH/FEEDBACK knob.
12. SELECT [13]: Set the delay type by pressing [-/NO or +/YES] (StereoDelay, CrossDelay, and L/R Delay). For other parameters, turn the SPEED/TIME knob and the DEPTH/FEEDBACK knob (I often find it useful to set the effects before setting some of the other sections, as it can be further inspiration for programming.)
13. FRONT PANEL [VIRTUAL PATCH]: Press SELECT to pick one of four Patches, each with its own SOURCE and DESTINATION to be set.  Some fantastic character can be added to your program through this section.  Imagine it like an old synthesizer where you physically used patch cables to connect two different sections together.

Note that if you chose DUAL or SPLIT voice (see Step #2), the TIMBRE button will be lit, indicating that you edited the parameters for TIMBRE 1, and now you can press TIMBRE and repeat all the above steps for the TIMBRE 2.  This greatly enhances the sonic potential of your program.

To name the program, see Step #2.  Save your new program by pressing WRITE and follow the prompts.  You can always revert back to the factory settings (see manual, page 30).

Note that all of the exact settings made above can be viewed in the LCD display.  You may have noticed that the values appear in the display when a knob is turned.  Use the [-/NO or +/YES] buttons to change those values directly.

I have left out several other major sections, such as ARPEGGIATOR, VOCODER, and the SEQUENCER, for a later discussion.  Of course, having walked through the above settings, it is a simple matter of experimentation to figure out how to implement them into your program.  One of the exciting aspects of the SEQUENCER is that it can sequence three levels of parameters all at once, using the sixteen knobs.  Note: Those knobs only works if the SEQ EDIT SELECT button is pressed (lighting up either SEQ 1, 2, or 3).  Leave it off to use the knobs for the other functions like EG 1, Virtual Patches, LFO 1, etc.

I welcome any suggestions on how to improve this basic tutorial.  For more information check out the Korg MS2000 Wikipedia entry and the Owner’s Manual.

Tags: Editing, Initialize, Korg, MS2000R, Programming, tutorial, Tweaking

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm and is filed under Gear. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.