Korg Forums

[Steve Pavao]

Here's a simple way to make a big-sounding, slowly-evolving drone using MS-20EX. If you like Fripp & Eno, you will probably like this. I provide the parameter edits rather than a PCG, to encourage programming sounds and learning. This is something OASYS owners can also try.

1. In Program mode, select an Init EXi Program
2. Set Common --> Basic/Vector --> Program Basic --> EXi1 Instrument Type to MS-20EX
3. Change the following parameters (leave all other parameters unchanged):

On the OSC & Filter page

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR 1
Waveform: PWM
PW: 8.20

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR 2
Scale: 8'

VCO MIXER
VCO1 Level: 5.90
VCO2 Level: 6.00

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED HIGHPASS FILTER
Cutoff Frequency (HPF Cutoff): 4.85
AMS: LF01
Intensity: +00.60
HPF Peak: 7.40

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED LOWPASS FILTER
Cutoff Frequency (LPF Cutoff): 5.00
AMS LF02
Intensity: -00.65
LPF Peak: 7.00

CUTOFF FREQUENCY MODULATION (the one directly below the lowpass filter)
EG2 /EXT (LPF FREQUENCY MODULATION - LPF EG 2/EXT): 0


On the MG, EG, & Mod page

ENVELOPE GENERATOR 2
Attack Time: 4.80
Decay Time: 4.50
Sustain Level: 7.80
Release Time: 10.00


On the LFO pages:

LFO1
Frequency: 05

LFO2
Frequency: 03


While holding down the sustain pedal, gently hit a typical C chord using two hands (C octaves on the left hand, C triad on the right hand), as if playing a regular piano sound. Play the chord again gently. Keep holding the sustain pedal down for a minute or more, not letting up on it.

At this point, you will hear a slowly-evolving drone that sounds something like Frippertronics. Here's an example of how it sounds (but remember it sounds less good on SoundCloud):



4. If you wish, while the drone is still playing, press Play-->Control Surface tab. Then Press the Tone Adj tab on the left. Use knobs 3, 4, 6, and 7 to control the LPF and HPF Cutoff and Peak parameters. Change them fairly slowly for best effect. (If Global-->Basic-->Knob/Slider Mode is set to "Catch", you can avoid sudden jumps in the parameter values when you first turn one of the aforementioned knobs.).

5: If you wish to brighten up the drone a bit, add a couple of dB boost to the High Gain value on the EQ page. If you do that, you may need to turn down the VCO1 & 2 levels slightly if that causes you to hear any undesirable clipping.

6: If you wish, Write Program to store it.

[Francois]

Excellent post, thanks.

[Ksynth]

Will try your program shortly.

Thanks for your inputs.

Its a good idea to make us learn something this way.

[BillW]

Pretty cool...thanks for sharing it.
_________________
Korg Kronos 61 (2); Kurzweil PC4; Casio Privia PX-350m; Macbook Pro

[zzz]

Nice sound! I'll try and find time to fiddle with it this week. Great post, which encourages hands on, a good place to start, and then further exploration, all in one. Any more for any more?

[KevinH]

Thank you very much, Steve. I love posts like this, where I can follow along and build a sound step-by-step. It really helps me get a better understanding of the instrument. I'll be trying this out as soon as I get home tonight.

[Ksynth]

Tried this and it was fine except I was slightly confused at Line 2 where I did not know that the Program Basic window contained the EXi1 instrument type options. Others like me may find it helpful to see what I mean below:

2. Set Common --> Program Basic --> EXi1 Instrument Type to MS-20EX

[Steve Pavao]

Thanks Ksynth!

I changed that step of the directions so it's clearer now.

[danatkorg]

Nice, Steve! I hadn't seen this before.
_________________
Dan Phillips
Manager of Product Development, Korg R&D
Personal website: www.danphillips.com
For technical support, please contact your Korg Distributor: http://www.korg.co.jp/English/Distributors/
Regretfully, I cannot offer technical support directly.
If you need to contact me for purposes other than technical support, please do not send PMs; instead, send email to dan@korgrd.com

[X-Trade]

That's a really nice sound in that demo recording.

I'll have to try this later.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro

[johnnydr]

Cool!! Thanx Steve!!
_________________
Kronos 61
Nord Stage -classic
Yamaha Motif XS Rack

[RKfan]

Cool patch - thanks for sharing

[michelkeijzers]

Very nice sound ... you're not only a good software developer
_________________

Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/

[jazlover]

Awesome............. It is titled the Pava-Drone
_________________
“I’m into scales right now.”
John Coltrane

[X-Trade]

I increased the attack, and added a bit of ensemble (set shimmer to ~78 ) and tape delay.. Also assigned SW1 to put osc1 down two octaves.

Sounds really great - can't believe I only just got around to this!
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro