Soft button for octave change please?

phly23 · Post by **phly23** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:27 am

As a pro touring player, I Must have a dedicated octave transpose button on a 61 note keyboard. As a dedicated owner of a Kronos 61, I feel that that this product cannot deliver a basic functionality that is critical for my playing and interaction with the instrument! I do not wish to give uo SW1 and SW 2 for this purpose or program every sound to do this...Does any one agree? Can we please include and implement a "soft" display tab octave plus & octave minus somewhere in the display?
Thanks guys
P

neomad · Post by **neomad** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:38 am

This can be easily implemented using the 'locate' button + key.

Example: (C3 is transpose =0)

Locate + C4 = + 12.
Locate + C5= +24.
Locate + C2= -12
Locate + C1= -12

These shortcuts may take a few hours development to Korg engineers. Hope they read this

Francois · Post by **Francois** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:40 am

I also believe that any machine sold as a keyboard that may be used on stage should have transpose -/+ buttons.

If you need to transpose, you need something quick, not to have to faff in menus and submenus to get the desired result.

Saxifraga · Post by **Saxifraga** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:49 am

You can use an iPad with 'Midi Touch' Appand define some buttons wich send SysEx messages. I tried it while I had a kronos and it worked well. It´s a really good feature of the Kronos that it has no problem with MIDI and Audio connection via USB. I hve not tried if the iPhone also works now. Since iPhone iOS7 you get support for the camera connection kit! wkr

Saxifraga · Post by **Saxifraga** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:53 am

Francois wrote:If you need to transpose, you need something quick, not to have to faff in menus and submenus to get the desired result.

lol Isn´t that the typical Korg way to do things?

Francois · Post by **Francois** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 11:18 am

No, it's not. If you think Korg menus are convoluted to achieve anything, try the Motif menu system and then come back to me!

However, it is typical of penny pinching by not providing more buttons, which should not be the case with a top of the range workstation.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 11:20 am

If you are using a single keyboard only, just transpose in the menu (takes less than 1 second). I don't see many problems in this.

If you need to transpose a combi, you have to transpose each used timbre .. takes on average 5 seconds.

But of course, a dedicated option like the locate button enhancement would be better.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 11:20 am

Pretty sure all 61 key Motifs have octave buttons though

PCFREE · Post by **PCFREE** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:49 pm

I know the "basic" Yamaha moX has dedicated octave buttons and transpose buttons

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:57 pm

Francois wrote:I also believe that any machine sold as a keyboard that may be used on stage should have transpose -/+ buttons.

If you need to transpose, you need something quick, not to have to faff in menus and submenus to get the desired result.

not looking at my Kronos, is there a cc message for " transpose " ? Then a player can use a switch pedal

Francois · Post by **Francois** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:44 pm

Didn't find any CC to control the transpose function as such. Doesn't mean it's not feasible, but you probably have to program the pedal controller via the assignable switch.

Nothing as immediate as clicking X times a + or - button on the keyboard itself.

Personally, I no longer play on stage, so it's no big deal. But this is part of the list of things that should have been included as standard with the Kronos. I could add a WiFi module on the motherboard to facilitate connecting the keyboard to a router, and, most importantly, a jack/XLR combo plug with phantom power at the back to make using the mic/line functions truly versatile.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:54 pm

Francois wrote:Didn't find any CC to control the transpose function as such. Doesn't mean it's not feasible, but you probably have to program the pedal controller via the assignable switch.

.

I thought the joystick had the option for a +/- octave assignment. with that, a pedal could control it. This is from memory which could be wrong.

I have the 88, don't play live, so its not a need for me, either.

HardSync · Post by **HardSync** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:58 pm

A dedicated octave button is a common request. There are a couple of workarounds if you're willing to consider them. I know most people don't want to have to customise programs and combis, but if you have to do it for the job, then you have to do it. Anyway... thoughts:

1. Use the Set List functionality. This would be my first choice.

2. Use KARMA (either by programming the ON/OFF switch, the LATCH switch or even KARMA scenes) to transpose -- KARMA does not need to generate any note data, you just use it for transposition.

danmusician · Post by **danmusician** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 4:26 pm

I have created Combis and Progs that are transposed as needed. I put them in set list and am good to go. Is it a pain, yes. Is it effective, yes.

The good news, I've used keyboards with dedicated buttons that cut off notes when transposing while holding. Using set list won't cutoff notes.

Saxifraga · Post by **Saxifraga** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 4:33 pm

I think Roland should buy Korg and implement a new killer workstation with +/-OCT Buttons and Transpose.

They could also add a database (mysql?) that allows patch and waveform management without loosing half of the information while saving or loading. The Fantom is worse at that than Kronos but at least does not break the bloody short path length, which is only a very small consolation.

Until that day I don´t buy anymore workstations.