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KorgKid · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Central Texas

Hello forum mates,
I'm a beginning keyboardist with the Korg M50.
I've played Guitar for a gazillion years and have enough theory to be semi dangerous. My problem is this, before the Korg I had a yamaha psr series keyboard that allowed me to setup Tunings that corresponded to different Keys. I could hit a button, and my C fingerings would translate to the Key of F, Bb, or whatever key I'd preset. the midi and audio would reflect this new key, although I was playing the CMaj format on the keyboard.
Is it possible to "Create" a Combi or something that would allow me to again change keys on the fly. This feature is important to songwriting as I "hear" some melodies in my head in different Keys.
Thanks in advance for any solutions.

michelkeijzers · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:39 pm Post subject:

You can either change all used timbres in the combi, but you have to change up to 8 parameters for that.

Or you can change in the global page the transpose, then all sound from the M50 will sound transposed, but not what you play externally (through the M50 by Midi).
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Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see http://pcgtools.mkspace.nl

KorgKid · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Central Texas

Thanks for the reply michelkeijzers. Your expertise is appreciated. We've talked in the recent past about your software program.

Bummer about multiple hoops to change keys. I've been seeing the end of all this is I learn to play in more keys. Embarassed

michelkeijzers · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:19 pm Post subject:

Thanks ... I'm afraid I cannot remember every conversation. I have to be honest to say that I get so much email lately about PCG Tools from different people that I barely can find the time to continue with development. However I like the popularity of course and I want to help everybody as good as possible (including you).

Of course learning in multiple keys is the best, but the global transpose key seems like a quick change to make (also live).
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Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see http://pcgtools.mkspace.nl

billbaker · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:05 am Post subject:

To elaborate just a bit, you can save a combi with tracks transposed up or down by 2 octaves (+/- 24). It isn't particularly difficult - its something like the second or third edit combi page. Just look for the tab marked "pitch". Then pitch up or down (number entry is pretty quick) by half steps. 0=no transposition, +1 = up half step, +2 = whole... etc. Once you have things at the correct pitch just save (to a blank slot) and you'll have that transposition every time you select that combi.

Also keep in mind that you don't have to transpose drum programs, in fact I'd say you absolutely should not transpose them as the patterns will sound really odd if you do.

Please note that it can't be undone quickly. So once it's done, saving it to a new user slot would be the best way to have a transposed (new) and un-transposed version.

The only remaining issue then would be remembering that this combi is transposed: maybe calling it something like "F# Song Name".

BB
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billbaker

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Hobson · Junior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 98

[For those of you who can easily move from any key to any other key, please move on - there is nothing to see here.]

When I got a song that has complicated (for me) fingering of chords and changes keys, I deal with them in one of two ways.

If it uses a Combi that plays only one Timbre, I setup Timbre 1 normally and have Play activated for that Timbre. I load the same Program into Timbre 2, but go into P3 and change the Program's pitch. Set the Play/Mute for this Timbre to Mute. Then when the key changes, I simply hit the Solo button on Timbre 2 (Timbre 1 is automatically muted) and I'm in the new key.

If the Combi uses multiple Timbres, set up the first Timbre normally. Then go into P3 and change the Pitch for all the Timbres and save this version at the Combi next higher location. Then when during the song you need to change, hit the Inc button to the left of the display and you are in the new key.
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KorgKid · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Central Texas

Thanks for taking your time to post ideas. I will explore and utilize them, as well as plod along learning new keys on the piano. Embarassed

SanderXpander · Platinum Member Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 2220

For a "quick fix" I would recommend using the transpose function in the global menu. For songs/combis that you need more often I would recommend learning them in the key you want them to be in. Better to spend time getting better at doing something you love than to spend time reprogramming a combi to "cheat". Not to mention another time you'll grab that combi and forget it was transposed and all manner of hell ensues.