8-4
All built-in sounds have a pre-selected timbre formula as a component of every note. Timbre-Shift allows you to override the
default timbre and choose another timbre for a keyboard key when it is pressed. With Timbre-Shift, you can override the
internal formula and use the timbres from other notes in the scale in conjunction with the nominal pitch. Timbre shifts are
similar to transpositions, but they only change the harmonic content of the note and have no effect on the pitch of the note.
The effect of timbre-shifting varies depending on the built-in voice. In the case of the acoustic piano voice, positive timbre
shifts, which will cause the timbres from lower notes to played at higher pitches, result in a bright, funky sound. Negative
adjustments, which use the timbres from higher notes to be played at lower pitches, result in a darker sound.
The Timbre Mode Options
When the display reads .T-MODE, you can choose among four options for selecting your timbres. The default option is
manual. Use INCR and DECR to step through the choices.
Manual
When used with the default value for .T-SHIFT (0 semitones), this option creates the default timbre mode.
Picking a shift in semitones with .T-SHIFT changes the sound (See Timbre-Shift Value).
Slider
If your MIDI controller has a MIDI-assignable slider or wheel, you can set it up so that you can interactively shift
the timbre between the nominal timbre and .T-SHIFT selected timbre by moving the controller. In order for this
option to work, you have to make the proper MIDI assignment of the controller (see Assignment Editor).
Attack Velocity (A-VELOC) If your MIDI controller can transmit key velocity information, the amount of .T-SHIFT timbre
applied to the nominal pitch can be proportional to the velocity with which the key is played by selecting the .A-
VELOC Timbre-Shift option.
Select
Used in conjunction with the .T-SELECT, this option takes the timbre from one note and applies it to all notes.
You choose the note with the .T-SELECT parameter (see Timbre-Select). The default note is middle C (C4 = C in
the 4th octave).
Timbre-Shift Value
Used in conjunction with the first three Timbre-Shift Modes described above (manual, slider, or a-veloc), this parameter
appears as a Layer Editor Parameter only if one of those first three modes is selected, and not if the select option is chosen. It
allows you to specify the amount to shift the timbre, relative to the played note, in semitones. For instance, if the Timbre-
Shift Value is given as +1ST, and C is played, then the timbre for C# will be played with the nominal B pitch. Likewise, if
the Timbre-Shift Value is given as -1 ST, and C is played, then the timbre for C# will be played.
When the display reads .T-SHIFT you can adjust the timbre shift of the layer from 0 to ±60 semitones. 0 is the default, and
applies all timbre-shifts to their nominal pitches. Enter a value using the numeric button-pad and press ENTR, or use INCR
and DECR to change the value by 1 semitone increments. To change the sign of the value, use the - key.
In general, positive timbre-shifts result in a brighter sound, while negative timbre-shifts result in a duller sound.
Timbre-Select
Used in conjunction only with the Select option of the Timbre-Shift Mode parameter, this parameter allows you to specify the
note whose timbre will be applied to all the notes. The default note is middle C (C4 = C in the 4th octave).
There are 2 ways to select the note. Press INCR and DECR to step through the musical scale. Alternatively, you can select
the MIDI number of the key whose timbre shift you want. Input the value using the numeric button-pad and press ENTR.
The MIDI number for each key is shown in Table 8-3, and Figure 8-1 relates the MIDI numbers to keys on the keyboard.
Table 8-3. MIDI Key Number Chart.
Note
Octave
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
C
12
24
36
48
60
72
84
96
108
