Never enough banks - v1.5 Fixes This!!

[EnjoyRC]

While I deeply appreciate all the patches designed by some of the industries best, I wish 2 banks were left unpopulated. One for HD-1 and one for EXi.

What we have out of the box...
I-A (Exi) = Prefilled with SGX-1, EP-1 and "Best of..." other EXi
I-B (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-C (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-D (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-E (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-F (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-G (HD-1) = Prefilled with GM patches.
U-A (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
U-B (Exi) = Prefilled with AL-1 content
U-C (Exi) = Prefilled with AL-1 & CX-3 content
U-D (Exi) = Prefilled with STR-1 content
U-E (Exi) = Prefilled with MS-20EX & PolysixEX content
U-F (Exi) = Prefilled with MOD-7 content
U-G (HD-1) = Initialized to HD-1 content (only empty bank)

As it is, we only have one unpopulated bank. U-G. And we can only save HD-1 content to it. I'm aware that we can reinitialize it to an EXi bank. You cannot change the bank types of the I- banks. Only the U- banks. (see page 3 of the Parameter Guide).

I have not had an opportunity to audition all of the Combis yet. If I modify any of the factory programs, I would potentially mess up a combi.

I'm shocked that there is such a limit on banks in keyboards these days. For the Virus, Access has created 4 RAM banks (A-D) and 26 ROM banks (A-Z). Yet, you can overwrite the ROM banks with anything you like. Downloaded banks, etc... And plenty of banks are left empty.

I'm aware that anything is overwritable in the Kronos. Except for the I-G banks. But it's nice to keep the factory programs for a while. I guess I have to blast bank U-F. Make an EXi bank of it. If I need anything from it later, load it off disk.

I'd love to utilize all those unwanted GM banks.

[Broadwave]

I have to agree with all you say, especially about the GM banks as they are no use to me whatsoever.

At least with the Fantom X6, when you pop in a new SRX card, new banks are automatically created to take care of the extra patches - nice.

[michelkeijzers]

While I deeply appreciate all the patches designed by some of the industries best, I wish 2 banks were left unpopulated. One for HD-1 and one for EXi.

What we have out of the box...
I-A (Exi) = Prefilled with SGX-1, EP-1 and "Best of..." other EXi
I-B (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-C (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-D (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-E (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-F (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
I-G (HD-1) = Prefilled with GM patches.
U-A (HD-1) = Prefilled with HD-1 content
U-B (Exi) = Prefilled with AL-1 content
U-C (Exi) = Prefilled with AL-1 & CX-3 content
U-D (Exi) = Prefilled with STR-1 content
U-E (Exi) = Prefilled with MS-20EX & PolysixEX content
U-F (Exi) = Prefilled with MOD-7 content
U-G (HD-1) = Initialized to HD-1 content (only empty bank)

As it is, we only have one unpopulated bank. U-G. And we can only save HD-1 content to it. I'm aware that we can reinitialize it to an EXi bank. You cannot change the bank types of the I- banks. Only the U- banks. (see page 3 of the Parameter Guide).

I have not had an opportunity to audition all of the Combis yet. If I modify any of the factory patches, I would potentially mess up a combi.

I'm shocked that there is such a limit on banks in keyboards these days. For the Virus, Access has created 4 RAM banks (A-D) and 26 ROM banks (A-Z). Yet, you can overwrite the ROM banks with anything you like. Downloaded banks, etc... And plenty of banks are left empty.

I'm aware that anything is overwritable in the Kronos. Except for the I-G banks. But it's nice to keep the factory patches for a while. I guess I have to blast bank U-F. Make an EXi bank of it. If I need anything from it later, load it off disk.

I'd love to utilize all those unwanted GM banks.

I agree that there are not enough (free) banks. I know the total PCG size is about 35MB so even if it would be twice as much more it can't be that much of a problem.

You can use my app to check which programs are used by which combis/set list slots to select what to 'ruin'.

[Chriskk]

If I modify any of the factory programs, I would potentially mess up a combi.

This is the reason why I've hardly used combis on Korg synths. I don't understand why Korg still uses a two tone structure program mode more than 20 years after it first appeared in the M1. With an 8 tone structure, a program can do what a combi can do 99% of time.

[RonF]

But this is where a personalized PCG comes into play. Sure...it takes a little work to set things up the way you want....but you can have multiple PCG's (or just work with individual banks if you like), and load them as you see fit, very quickly. You can even audition and play any individual program right from the Disc Mode, and load that program directly.

So why not create a couple of initialized user banks?...some HD1, some Ex1, and edit away. Then save these as a PCG files. Later...load them, or load individual bits from them, as you see fit.

Yes, I know, you may want all the factory stuff un-altered (especially with the way combis rely on program slots) (and remember the whole factory set is saved as a PCG and can be recalled anytime). So just use U-G bank, and create a HD-1 bank (its there) and an Ex1 bank....saving each as a PCG. The unfortunate thing is.....you cannot mix and match these file types (HD1 and EX1), which makes the case for having *at least* two open user banks. Then this would be a non issue, IMO, due to PCG file management. If only we could overwrite the I-G bank....I think most everyone would do that. But overall....using PCG files.....this can all be very well managed with just a little prep work.

[michelkeijzers]

If I modify any of the factory programs, I would potentially mess up a combi.

This is the reason why I've hardly used combis on Korg synths. I don't understand why Korg still uses a two tone structure program mode more than 20 years after it first appeared in the M1. With an 8 tone structure, a program can do what a combi can do 99% of time.

I'm glad combis exist. I tend to use programs not only for layering but splitting too. And I reuse quite some programs. If I improve a program, all combis using that program automatically are improved. This is a very strong feature and hope Korg never will step away from it.

If we don't have programs that could do equal as combis they need to be 32 tones and that would be a lot (too much?) to be edited.

[afr]

I-G (HD-1) = Prefilled with GM patches.

I'd love to utilize all those unwanted GM banks.

A serious company Korg
selling a professional Workstation Kronos
at a not indifferent price 3.000$

should give the possibility to any user to customize the memory location as they want

I hope in some Op.Sys upgrade that allow this feature

[curvebender]

I never understood why there can't be more preset and user banks on any given instrument. Are there expensive memory limitations in the hard- and software?

For example, if the Kronos had double the amount of available banks, would it be so much more expensive that it wouldn't be viable?..

Maybe Dan or Jerry could shed some light on this?

[EnjoyRC]

I hope in some Op.Sys upgrade that allow this feature

The Virus TI didn't originally ship with all those banks. It was an OS update that provided them and the ability to overwrite the RAM banks.

[michelkeijzers]

I-G (HD-1) = Prefilled with GM patches.

I'd love to utilize all those unwanted GM banks.

A serious company Korg
selling a professional Workstation Kronos
at a not indifferent price 3.000$

should give the possibility to any user to customize the memory location as they want

I hope in some Op.Sys upgrade that allow this feature

You mean by mixing HD and EXI programs within one bank?
I agree, on the other hand, just wipe one bank and load it separately when you need it. If necessary you can check with my app what is used or what you want to move. People would also have complained if their would be too many empty banks probably.

[RonF]

People would also have complained if their would be too many empty banks probably.

+1

[EnjoyRC]

I agree, on the other hand, just wipe one bank and load it separately when you need it. If necessary you can check with my app what is used or what you want to move.

Mac version considered yet?

People would also have complained if their would be too many empty banks probably.

You got that right

[jimknopf]

I thought about the problem and found a solution which is ok for me:

1. Initialize bank UG and make it an EXi bank
2. Save the UF-bank as pcg to disk
3. Save your favorite patches from UF to UG (only those you are sure you will use frequently)
4. Change UF to a HD1 bank and get initialised patches there to fill with some favorites and your own programming.

Now you have
a) two initiatised banks for HD1 and EXi, only filled with some patches in UG.
b) easy access to the former UF as pcg in the SSD root directory: you can listen to any of it's sounds from there and load it into any UG slot whenever you feel the need or detect a combi you want with programs from it. Michel's utility is great for keeping good overview on that! You will have to relocate the combi patches for these few combis you really want/need, but that's it.

I guess an update will offer more banks (accessible with a key combination). But for the time being you get by.

[RonF]

I thought about the problem and found a solution which is ok for me:

1. Initialize bank UG and make it an EXi bank
2. Save the UF-bank as pcg to disk
3. Save your favorite patches from UF to UG (only those you are sure you will use frequently)
4. Change UF to a HD1 bank and get initialised patches there to fill with some favorites and your own programming.

Now you have
a) two initiatised banks for HD1 and EXi, only filled with some patches in UG.
b) easy access to the former UF as pcg in the SSD root directory: you can listen to any of it's sounds from there and load it into any UG slot whenever you feel the need or detect a combi you want with programs from it. Michel's utility is great for keeping good overview on that! You will have to relocate the combi patches for these few combis you really want/need, but that's it.

I guess an update will offer more banks (accessible with a key combination). But for the time being you get by.

You got it! Exactly!

The only issue here is the "broken" links to program slots in U-F which any combi may use. Easy enough to resolve with michelkeijzers app, or just by takeing a few notes while paying with combis. Moreover....before paying with combi's, just re-load the default U-F. It takes 3 seconds to do. In a short time you will have established a very usable file management.

Disc mode is sort of the "dark basement mode" for some. Not much reason to go there but rarely. I use it every day as part of my workflow. In a way, its like a whole other "program play mode" with endless banks. You don't even need to leave this mode to play and change patches. You could do a whole live set, from a PCG which you've set up, right from this mode. Don't fear the disc mode!

[michelkeijzers]

Disc mode is sort of the "dark basement mode" for some. Not much reason to go there but rarely. I use it every day as part of my workflow. In a way, its like a whole other "program play mode" with endless banks. You don't even need to leave this mode to play and change patches. You could do a whole live set, from a PCG which you've set up, right from this mode. Don't fear the disc mode!

I don't use synths for Studio / composing purposes (yet), however I can imagine one uses one PCG per song or per project. Just load the new PCG when a new project starts and save it with the on board sequencer or put it in the same folder as the PC/Mac sequencer work directory for that project.

Also backups are much easier this way.