Dream Theater - Octovarium

smythrocks · Post by **smythrocks** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:50 pm

How do I program either the Kronos or NanoPad 2 so that when I play a chord it "holds (sustains) until I play the next chord.

I've programmed two chords (in pad mode) using the stereo analogue strings. I'd like to push the first pad on the NanoPad 2 and have it hold without using the sustain pedal. This will allow me to turn around and play a synth solo (maybe using a Jupiter 80...

). Then I should be able to reach back and push the second pad for the chord change - with chord subsequently sustaining.

I assume this is a Kronos program change, just not sure where to change it. I saw the NanoPad 2 had a hold button but that didn't do anything.

Thanks in advance for your help

Zeroesque · Post by **Zeroesque** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:00 pm

I'm not at the keyboard right now, so read this knowing that I can't see the screens.

I'm not sure if there's a hold function that you're asking for, but you may be able to accomplish what you want by setting your sound's amp release to infinity. Then set polyphony limit of your sound to the exact amount of notes you'll be playing in each chord and it will cut the old notes when you hit a new chord.

You also may be able to stick a 1/4" jack adapter (attached to nothing) in the sustain jack to get it to sustain w/o a footswitch.

To do what you're trying to do, I normally use two sustain pedals so I can play what I want. You also may be able put sustain on one of the Kronos' left hand switches and set it to latch so that you don't have to use your feet.

Hopefully someone else has a better answer that isn't as hacky as this is.

smythrocks · Post by **smythrocks** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:56 pm

I read another post and I think I figured it out.
1 - remove NanoPad 2 from Kronos
2 - Plug NanoPad 2 into PC
3 - Launch Editor software
5 - Select button nine and change parameter from note to control change
6 - Type in 64 (for midi control change - sustain)
7 - Switch should be set for toggle
8 - Save your work. Shut down Editor
9 - Plug Nanopad 2 back into Kronos
10 - Press chord button (one of top 8 buttons) and then press the first button on the second row (#9). This will effectivily hold down the patch. It gets a little tricky though when switching pads (chords) as you have to "unlock" the first chord, then hit the second pad followed by the #9 pad.

Chrutil · Post by **Chrutil** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:38 pm

Would it be possible to have Karma keep holding the nodes for you somehow?

ParadoxMachine · Post by **ParadoxMachine** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:09 pm

Yeah I was wondering this a while ago as well.

Bakerman · Post by **Bakerman** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:42 am

http://karma-lab.wikidot.com/karma2:auto-sustain-notes

ParadoxMachine · Post by **ParadoxMachine** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:16 pm

Man, I really need to delve into this whole Karma thing some time.. at first I thought it was just a fancy drum computer, but these kind of things are actually quite useful

RonF · Post by **RonF** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:38 pm

Don't forget CC66, which may be more to your liking for Octovarium

ParadoxMachine · Post by **ParadoxMachine** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:44 pm

RonF wrote:Don't forget CC66, which may be more to your liking for Octovarium

Yeah, but is there a way to send midi control messages to a channel on pressing or releasing keys? If you could send a 'sustain on' message on releasing a key, and 'sustain off' on pressing a key, then playing a chord would release the sustain, and letting go would enable sustain again, holding the newly played chord.

RonF · Post by **RonF** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:23 pm

ParadoxMachine wrote:
RonF wrote:Don't forget CC66, which may be more to your liking for Octovarium
Yeah, but is there a way to send midi control messages to a channel on pressing or releasing keys? If you could send a 'sustain on' message on releasing a key, and 'sustain off' on pressing a key, then playing a chord would release the sustain, and letting go would enable sustain again, holding the newly played chord.

I use a latching foot pedal (Boss FS6). Works like a charm....and then you can free-wheel over the sustained chord (using CC66) and not have *those* notes sustain. Its the classic Octovarium situation.

BasariStudios · Post by **BasariStudios** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:21 am

The easiest way is this:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... 15&start=0

drchris · Post by **drchris** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:33 pm

See this thread for another solution:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=68423

This example uses the Lemur app for iPad and accomplishes what you want to do.

Chris

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:48 pm

So far I've done an Octavarium fake using my Wavestation as a controller driving a lead sound in the Kronos and the Kronos itself producing a phased strings sound. Unfortunately I have to use a sustain to hold the pads and manually change chords by playing them. When I have more time I'm going to figure a way of using the pad feature am hopefully assigning chords to selected areas of the keyboard. Still working on it.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:42 pm

Well, so far all I've been able to do is use my Wavestation as the lead synth slaving to my Kronos on MIDI ch 2 while I use the pads on ch 1.

And now the big question.

Is there any way to play the pads on the touch-screen and use the keyboard of my Kronos to play the lead sound and not have it trigger the pad sound?
I don't always want to have to bring 2 keyboards to a gig.

2 control surfaces producing 2 different sounds.

BasariStudios · Post by **BasariStudios** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:45 pm

Yes Jeremy, the Pads can be totally independent from the Keys, they can
be assigned to different Channels/Tracks.

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Dream Theater - Octovarium

Dream Theater - Octovarium

Programming Nano Pad for sustain