Korg Forums

I'd like to know if the M50-61 allows seamless switching from one instrument to the next without cutting off the sound. For example, I want to hold an organ chord and while the organ is still playing, push a button for a piano sound that will play as soon as I release the organ and play the piano chords - without any cutoff of sound?

Sorry - having trouble getting my words together!

DusterTail wrote:I'd like to know if the M50-61 allows seamless switching from one instrument to the next without cutting off the sound. For example, I want to hold an organ chord and while the organ is still playing, push a button for a piano sound that will play as soon as I release the organ and play the piano chords - without any cutoff of sound?

Sorry - having trouble getting my words together!

No normally this is not possible. Check out the SST feature on the new Korg Kronos for this.

The answer isn't 'yes', it's 'kinda'.

You can get close by using special programming (including splits and/or layer switches with effects). I use the M50 live, and I need to switch between several sounds very quickly. My approach is:

1) For instant switches, use IFX mutes.
2) For quick crossfade switches, edit the program to use SW1/2 to drive a lag processor (in the AMS mixer), which then is used to scale the volume between full on / full off.
3) For long transitions or simultaneous playing, I use regular splits or layers.

If I used an external MIDI controller keyboard in addition to the M50, I could almost completely cut 1) and 2). But I prefer to travel light, so the trade-off is more preparation time in programming and rehearsing.

I also use a foot controller (the Moog multipedal) to trigger SW1/2 so I can switch sounds without taking my hands off the keyboard. It makes the switch much faster when I have both hands on the keyboard.

I also use the pedal for sustain and the expression pedal for fading in additional sounds or effects. For me, it's better than using two or three individual pedals that are more limited. It's also easier than using the Behringer spaceship and having to patch the EPROM or whatever people do to make it useable.

-Kim.

It's a a misunderstanding that M50 can't handle this. The thing to avoid is to change the effects settings, and that's easily solved by using a combination with generic effects settings and a set of preferred programs.

Set up a bunch of programs in close proximity with the same category and sub category (copied from existing programs or your own ones), so they are quick to choose between.

Then set up a combination with one channel/timbre that uses one of these programs by default, preferably of course the program you use the most or at least earliest.

Then bring up the program selector in the combination and choose programs from there and that way get smooth transitions between programs. Let the program selector be up all the time.

You can hold chords, select a new program and play on, without a glitch.

You can do this in sequencer mode as well. Also there all channels share the same effects settings, even though the routing can be affected per channel.

Workable?

I'm a very "green newbie" when it comes to electronic keyboard terminology, but at the same time, very eager to learn.

I thought I saw seamless switching demonstrated to me in a keyboard shop. Since I have used the Juno Gi, I showed the sales guy what I didn't want to happen, and he show me seamless switching on an M50. It looked easy when he did it. I'm getting closer and closer to buying an M50, and want to be very certain that seamless switching is as simple as it looked. The very minimum I need for NOW, just in order to play the M50 as a second keyboad, is to be able to "line up" a series of basic instruments - piano, strings, organ, pads, etc, without any complex "programming," or storing of any info, and be able to switch between them without interruption of sound.

Once able to do at least that, I'll then be ready to explore the M50's complex features.

There are some very interesting tips here I really should try out. I am using an external controller and splits.

Thanks and nice to learn from another one's question('s answers).

Well, don't have good answer on seamless switching between sounds, but there was mentioned usage of footcontrollers and i spent serious time trying to figure out what will be possible if use it and finally end up with FCB1010 which is cheap and good but not the best possible solution.

The best and the most powerfull solution would be to use footcontroller which allow to send LONG SYSEX messages for real time control.
Roland and Yamaha produce such controllers but these devices are bit expensive.

If using long sysex you can set all sounds you need for one song within one combi and then manipulate it as you like.

I've complied a table. Have a look and you will agree with me that it will be total magic:

Program-Play
Prog Arp All On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 06 00 01 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog Arp All OffF0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 06 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 F7

Prog Drums On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0B 00 0A 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog Drums Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0B 00 0A 00 00 00 00 00 F7

Prog IFX1 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 05 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog IFX1 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 05 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Prog IFX2 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 06 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog IFX2 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 06 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Prog IFX3 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 07 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog IFX3 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Prog IFX4 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 08 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog IFX4 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 08 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Prog IFX5 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 09 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog IFX5 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 0D 00 09 00 00 00 00 00 F7

Prog MFX1 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 13 00 02 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog MFX1 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 13 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Prog MFX2 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 13 00 03 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog MFX2 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 13 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 F7

Prog TFX On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 16 00 01 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Prog TFX Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 02 00 16 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 F7

Prog Poly-Mono F0 42 30 00 01 05 41
Prog Mono-Poly F0 42 30 00 01 05 41

Combination-Play
Combi Arp A On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 08 00 02 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi Arp A Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 08 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi Arp B On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 08 00 03 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi Arp B Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 08 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi Arp All On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 08 00 01 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi Arp All Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 08 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi Drums On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0B 00 0A 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi Drums Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0B 00 0A 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi IFX1 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 05 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi IFX1 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 05 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi IFX2 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 06 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi IFX2 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 06 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi IFX3 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 07 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi IFX3 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi IFX4 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 08 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi IFX4 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 08 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi IFX5 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 09 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi IFX5 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 2C 00 09 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi MFX1 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 32 00 02 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi MFX1 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 32 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi MFX2 On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 32 00 03 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi MFX2 Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 32 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi TFX On F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 35 00 01 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi TFX Off F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 35 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 F7

Combi Mute Tr1 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 28 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi Play Tr1 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 28 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi SoloOn Tr1 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 29 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi SoloOff Tr1 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 29 00 00 00 00 00 F7
etc...
Combi Mute Tr16 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 1B 00 28 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi Play Tr16 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 1B 00 28 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi SoloOn Tr16 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 1B 00 29 00 00 00 00 01 F7
Combi SoloOff Tr16 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 1B 00 29 00 00 00 00 00 F7

Combi VolMinTr1 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi VolMaxTr1 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 02 00 00 00 00 7F F7
etc...
Combi VolMinTr16 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 1B 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 F7
Combi VolMaxTr16 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 1B 00 02 00 00 00 00 7F F7
Combi Channel1 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 04 00 00 00 00 00 F7
etc...
Combi Channel16 F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 04 00 00 00 00 0F F7
Combi ChannelGCh F0 42 30 00 01 05 41 00 00 0C 00 04 00 00 00 00 10 F7

dude i have solution for you

its been pretty long time back that i had a serious conflict wid the forum members and i only after serious conflicts i came to know a decent way of managing easy prog change without note drop out.let me explain

in combi mode u can assign diff timbres/prog to diff key board zones and route individual ifx->mfx->tfx.

having done this turn on exclusive solo mode located in the drop down menu on the upper right hand corner of the lcd.

now u just need to touch the necessary timbre,precisely the box underneath the desired timbre that toggles "solo<->mute" and the machine will be instantly swapped to that without dropping off sound(s)

but remember owing to polyphony restrictions make ur combi wid 3 or max 4 timbres and use fx wisely!.otherwise there could be possibility of getting notes stolen from left and right hand parts.


hope this helps you...

In addition to all the good info here, you can always change Programs without having the previously held sound cut off, the cut off only happens when changing Combis, not Programs. However, you may hear an audible "glitch" (not a cut-off) when changing, presumably because of the fx switching, though I'm not sure that's the only reason, because I tried taking all the fx off a couple of sounds I was switching between, and while the glitch was much less noticeable, it was not gone completely. I don't know whether I just missed something, or if there is something besides fx that can cause that... and if there is, if it is something I can somehow disable, as I did with the fx. Anyone know?

Erm, what about a simple sustain pedal? Will that work?

Has anyone had success seemlessly switching timbres within a single combination with the Yamaha MFC10 or Roland FC200/300 (or other midi pedalboard). I see this was proposed earlier by Yatrix, but wondered if anyone had done it.