Korg Forums

Carbo · Junior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2019 Posts: 63

I'm a new user. Can someone explain to me the difference between EXT and EX2 when using the Kronos to send midi program info to an external device. The manual says they both do the same thing but I am wondering if thats correct. Also, on the control surface there is an EXT button. Can I use that to set the midi channel or is that for other controller info? Thanks!

voip · Platinum Member Joined: 27 Nov 2014 Posts: 3777

The EXT button on the front panel sets the control surface so that it sends MIDI control data to external synths. The buttons above and below that button set the other "modes" of the control surface i.e. to make changes to Audio, Karma, Tone and so on.

The difference between EXT and EX2 seems to be the way Program or patch change messages are sent from the Kronos. EXT sends Bank Select per the control surface changes, whilst with EX2, only the specific Bank Select MSB and LSB messages defined in MIDI channel settings BankSelect MSB and Bank Select LSB, are sent. See the Parameter Guide page 469.

Carbo · Junior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2019 Posts: 63

thank you!

Mike Conway · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 6:19 am Post subject:

Carbo · Junior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2019 Posts: 63

Mike thanks for showing me your video. So I get that you use LSB for selecting the bank on your external device and then go back to the timbre to select the program from the selected bank.
What does the MSB option do?

And can you please tell me what those acronyms stand for out of curiousity?

Thanks in advance,

Peter

voip · Platinum Member Joined: 27 Nov 2014 Posts: 3777

MSB - Most Significant Byte, LSB - Least Significant Byte.

Carbo · Junior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2019 Posts: 63

Voip, thank you. I would never have guessed that!

So, last remaining question:

Under what circumstances does one use the MSB? I get that LSB targets the bank of the ext synth and you select program in the usual timbre spot.

Peter

voip · Platinum Member Joined: 27 Nov 2014 Posts: 3777

The answer is not simple and straightforward. Looking at Roland's MIDI Bank select values for different models, in the link in Mike's post above, illustrates this rather well. To use the correct values, one has to read the target device's MIDI specification, or other relevant document.

Bear in mind also, that a data byte, as used by MIDI in this context, has 7 bits, allowing 128 possible values, whilst a byte used in computing, and for MIDI status, is generally 8 bits, allowing 256 possible values.

The intentions laid out in *THE* MIDI Detailed Specification document, paint a rather more straightforward picture, though it does allow for manufacturers to use their own MIDI implementation, provided they make it clear to the user.

The MSB is used to extend the number of Banks specified by the LSB in the Bank Select message, from 128 to 16,384 (i.e. 128 x 128). This is done by sending, in rapid order (there should be no delay) CC#00 followed by MSB, then CC#32 followed by LSB, followed by the Program Select byte. Of course, the user doesn't have to think about this since it is the controller that is sending the MIDI data.

If one had 16,384 banks of 128 Programs, that would give a theoretical maximum possible number of Programs, accessible using only Bank Select (MSB & LSB) and Program Change messages, to be 2,097,152.

Bear in mind that MSB and LSB data can also be used to allow finer resolution to be applied to modulation, pitch bend and the like.
.