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Power User
Step-by-Step: How to create a Plug-in
Voice from a PLG150-AN Board Voice
Let’s use UniBass (an old AN1x favorite) to learn
something about how the AN synth works using
only on board (S/CS) parameters. Don’t be afraid
to explore when you are paging through EDIT
mode. This Voice features a Step Sequence bass
line. This is generated on the PLG150-AN board.
We will edit it so that we can play it on the
keyboard as a normal bass voice.
•
From [VOICE] mode select the [PLG] bank
that contains your PLG150-AN, [PLG1] or
[PLG2]
•
Press [JOB] and select the Initialize function.
Initialize the current Voice position. Press
[ENTER], [INC/YES] to execute.
•
Press [EDIT]
•
Select the OSC Assign> page – Use the
menu feature to select ‘Elem: OSC’; The
MENU can be viewed by holding [SHIFT]
while turning the PAGE knob. The one touch
Shortcut: touch button [9], then use the
PAGE Knob, if necessary.
•
Using Knob C select Bank 036/001; use Knob
1 to select Program Number = 127[Uni
Bass].
•
Use the PAGE knob to explore the Element
parameter pages; Shortcut: touch buttons
[9], [10], [14], [15] to arrive at a single
page within that area (like bookmarks).
•
Use the PAGE knob or button [15] to select
the ‘NTV_Param’ (Native parameters) page.
Native Parameters refers to parameters that
address the data on the PLG150-AN board.
You are offsetting data that originates on the
board. Locate the
Arp/SEQ Sw
– turn it to
OFF. This will stop the analog Sequence
programmed with the voice.
•
Experiment with making edits – you can add
S/CS parameters on the COMMON level - add
effects, etc. Shortcut to COMMON
parameters: touch Program button [1]
General. Practice navigating the edit area.
•
When you press [STORE] your work will be
saved to one of the 64 PLG locations and
become a proper Plug-In Voice.
•
When you save an ALL DATA file type the
PLG bank Voice data will be saved to
SmartMedia card. However, as we will see,
any custom (user) Board Voices will be saved
separately.
We learned a few things. The PLG150-AN has its
own clock that controls the working of the its
arpeggiator and step sequencer. This is
independent of the arpeggiator and playback
sequencer of the host unit. Also, you may have
noticed that certain parameters make little or no
difference in the sound. The COMMON:
POLY/MONO mode switch is overridden by the
poly-mono-legato setting of the AN board Voice
itself. Polyphony issues of the PLG150-AN board
are always handled at the board level. Set the
poly-mono-legato parameter in the AN Expert
Editor. You may find some parameters make no
difference when you move the knob – this can
happen when the original Voice data does not
use that parameter in the current configuration.
To fully view the entire list of parameters
available you must open the AN Expert Editor
software. The S30/S80 and CS6 will give access
to a smaller set (see below) of the full list (see
editing software).
Explanation: The Native Parameters are
parameters that are native to the technology on
the board in question. These include:
Unison Switch
Arp/SEQ Switch
Tempo
LFO2 Speed
Sync Pitch
FM Depth
VCO Detune
VCO1 Edge (harmonic content of source wave)
VCO2 Edge (harmonic content of source wave)
VCO2 Pulse Width
VCO2 Pulse Width Modulation Depth
Mix VCO1
Mix VCO2
Mix Ring Modulation
Mix Noise
Mix Feedback
VCF (Voltage Control Filter)
Filter Modulation Depth
Filter Envelope Generator Depth
Filter Envelope Generator Attack
Filter Envelope Generator Decay
Filter Envelope Generator Sustain
Filter Envelope Generator Release
VCA Amplitude Modulation Depth
Amplitude Envelope Generator Attack
Amplitude Envelope Generator Decay
Amplitude Envelope Generator Sustain
Amplitude Envelope Generator Release
Distortion Drive
Assignable Control Parameter
Assignable Control Depth
This makes an impressive, but incomplete, list of
AN parameters (there are many, many more).
The others can be reached via the provided Voice
Editor software. You will notice that most of the
parameters in the host offer you an offset value
+/- 00 or a choice that sets the value to “on”,
“off” or default as programmed in the original
Voice (you’ll see “vce”). If you see “***” – this
denotes the parameter is not available. These
offsets are offset from the original programming
value. To get at the real AN parameters for each
