Why is my effected signal much louder than un-effected?

martinukai · Post by **martinukai** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 2:59 am

Hi folks.

Just got a used KP3.

I'm trying to figure out why, when I use fx such as delay and reverb the volume of the effect is noticeably much louder than the uneffected signal. It sounds terrible.

When I press the pad to initiate the effect the effect kicks in but the entire volume goes up by around a third. Sounds woeful.

This is nothing to do with the effect release slider. It is not the releasing sound that is the issue but the effected sound as it's very beginning.

I have the KP3 routed "DIRECT" as the last in the signal chain before the amp/speakers.

Any help here would be much appreciated!:)

Cheers

bradkorg · Post by **bradkorg** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 10:23 pm

You should've figured it now by yourself?

Use FX DEPTH= effects volume.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:27 am

Still they should be equal levels at max,well at 85% with a touch louder at 100.It shouldn't sound woefully louder.
How does it sound with a filter effect?
Try an internal drum or synth sound source and see if it operates any different.Try resampling (shift +sample) or sampling via mic input.
I am wondering if you have a faulty cable connection on your line in.
If it is not this and more what Bradkorg suggests then(my bad) you can gat mix level also by playing lower on the Y axis also (-for reverb/delay).

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 4:24 am

I guess you're right bradkorg ,it was that simple.

martinukai · Post by **martinukai** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:24 pm

Thanks BradKorg and Spheric El for your input.

I understand what fx depth does. It appears to be nothing to do with fx depth. I should have made that clear already.

I'll try to post sound examples or a screenshot of a recording.

Cheers:)

martinukai · Post by **martinukai** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:20 pm

The best way I can describe is as such....

Say that my track is playing at a steady dB peak on the meter.
When I touch the pad, even anywhere near the far right (where the effect will will be weakest) the volume spikes by around 6dB or more.
As I move my finger across pad from right to left or vice versa the volume stays around 6dB higher than if my finger is not touching it, the exception being when using an effect like filter where the high or low is cut dramatically resulting in obvious huge dB drop.

When the effect depth knob is below 25% strength, this dB spike become less noticeable.

Anyways, if the fx depth is at 100%, the level should when the pad is touched should still not be louder than when the pad is untouched. Correct?

I hope that clears it up a little:)

Thanks guys.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:11 pm

It does sound odd.
Try touching the bottom line (zero Y axis).On delay or verb it shouldnt Change the level,even 100% depth.
Re sample internal drums ,then play with sample prog.s just to see if its an external wire or internal software issue.
Are you using line in or mic?
I would get that audio demo together.Can you send it back?
Try different cables both on input and out.

bradkorg · Post by **bradkorg** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:11 pm

Do a Factory Reset.
Maybe touchpad cable have bad contact/broken, that happens alot.
Do Search this through the forum.

Download the Service Manual for trouble shooting:
http://elektrotanya.com/korg_kp3_sm_ver ... nload.html

martinukai · Post by **martinukai** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:29 pm

Hi bradkorg and Spheric El.

I just updated to latest OS. No change.

Then I did as you suggested, Bradkorg, and read the instructions here:
[http://elektrotanya.com/korg_kp3_sm_ver ... nload.html]

I followed the instruction to go into full test mode (making sure that SEND was toggled at rear):

"CONNECTION[SEND] & [4] + [TAP/RANGE] : Full inspection (Internal and External)as outlined."

The errors that showed seemed to correspond to section 5 of that document: "5. OVER LOAD Line Check ( Audio LoopBack )"

Error "ER.5.1" was the first error displayed.
I connected the Left RCA Out to Left RCA In as outlined.
I pressed TAP/RANGE. (from what I gather this is what needed to be pressed to re-check levels after connecting RCA Outs to Ins)
The error did not reappear so I took it that error "ER.5.1" had been fixed.

A 2nd error appeared immediately after pressing TAP/RANGE: "ER.5.3"
Again I followed the instructions in section 5 and connected the Right RCA Out to the Right RCA In.
I pressed TAP/RANGE.
The error cleared and "C.Ins" appeared on LED. This pertains to the SD card. There is no issue with the SD so I rebooted the unit.

Again the volume trouble when the pad is pressed is exactly the same.

I'm pretty sure now it's calibration issue.

I'm going to test the pad calibration X/Y right now but it seems like a level imbalance when an effect is pressed and nothing to do with X/Y. I could be wrong.

I'll report back.

I'm pretty sure Korg have come across this issue and could offer advice on how to remedy it pretty swiftly, but I bought this unit used and it's not under guarantee. Does anyone know if there's a way I can contact them without holding a guarantee?

Thanks:)

Martin

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bradkorg · Post by **bradkorg** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 4:10 pm

OK, I've test it seems normal.

Most effects are too louder and synth, drums are all too loud.

Only way to control is to turn the FX DEPTH to almost minimum.
Pass the quarter FX DEPTH it become already too loud etc.

And set INPUT VOLUME to max and PEAK to red peaking, seems it can closer a little bit the volume difference.

bradkorg · Post by **bradkorg** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 4:13 pm

You can do factory reset if that will make you feel better, it won't change the loud fx volume design:

http://seventrumpet.com/how-to-reset-a- ... -settings/

martinukai · Post by **martinukai** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 4:14 pm

bradkorg wrote:You can do factory reset if that will make you feel better, it won't change the loud fx volume design:

http://seventrumpet.com/how-to-reset-a- ... -settings/

Thanks again Brad. I already did a factory reset. No change.

If this is normal in all Kaoss Pads that makes me feel better because I really thought it was broken.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:13 am

Sorry to through a spanner in the works ,but are you saying your Kp3 now works like this Bradkorg ?
My volume is smooth and works just like my KP mini mk1 .
I have two of each models.The mini is exact volume when pad is touched as without ,when depth is set to 85.(Its numerical on mini).Same on kp3,with just some extra gain (tiny) up to 100%.
I can test this with a looper or with LPF with full frequency and zero res.
It doesn't matter what input level.Same in same out wet or dry.
I thought I should give you heads up-it does sound like a calibration issue to me.
Synths and drums do come in a little loud ,like a maxed input sound and need a touch attenuation.(not less than 50% though usually).

bradkorg · Post by **bradkorg** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:06 pm

OK. just test it more, most fx sound just abit louder, so its NORMAL:
It seems using LOUD input/Sampling volume most peaking RED minimize the volume difference.

I think read the FX description will help understand why some are LOUDER as these E9.1, E9.2, LF.14 etc. DO produce LOUD FX as intended!
--
Eq. 1 4bandEQ 4 band Equalizer Band1-2-3-4 Level (-18dB – +12dB) 0
Eq. 2 8bandEQ 8 band Equalizer Band1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Level (-18dB – +12dB)
---

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 2:18 pm

Yes agreed EQs and Iso distortion are loud.The Iso disto is even half way up the Y axis.
Test with the first effect LPF1.Set depth to 85%,which is nearly max.Touch bottom right (X=full/Y=min).It should stay continuous in level.At max depth there is a hint of gain.