Korg Forums

Hi all, I have a microkorg (great tool, used extensively for vocoder feature in ELO tribute). Problem is when I send a program change message from my sequencer the A/B page key flashes and the program requested is not set (until the flashing key is manually pressed). Sequencer is Voyetra under DOS PC which works fine on my M1, DW8000, 05R/W (as well as Roland RD300) so I don't suspect a sequencer problem.

Any ideas and info would be welcome...

For what it's worth, here's a quick response until someone more knowledgable replies....page 52 in manual says you need to use the Shift MIDI Filter function to enable Program Changes. Haven't tried it myself so can't confirm if the A/B light flashes if you're not enabled.
The manual also says it doesn't accept bank-select messages but this seems an unlikely reason as you say it works when you press the flashing button.
HTH,
Phil.

Thanks for the response, Phil but PAGE 2 reveals all! Apparently the SIDE key blinks to indicate that a MIDI program change message has been received and that the program in use no longer matches that indicated by the PROGRAM DIAL. What a blonde fool I am.

I've checked this and it does not blink if the PROG DIAL is set to VOCODER when I send (EG) prog_change=#60.

I still don't get why the vocoder sometimes doesn't work when I send the prog change info - more investigative work required I guess.

Thanks again for your prompt response (that did actually force me to read the manual, it's a .PDF so I wasn't looking forward to it!).
Trap

Ok Trap, glad it helped in some way. It's amazing - I looked through the manual when answering your question and never noticed page 2 (must try and read them from front to back instead of the other way round).
So I presume it only accepts program changes within the current bank because it can't handle bank change messages like some other synths - you have to physically rotate the switch to change banks; so now I've learnt something! Good thing, this forum
Don't know why the vocoder doesn't always work. As far as I'm aware (although I've not tried it), the vocoder bank is nothing special; it's just another bank. The vocoder function is a parameter you set within a program to make it a vocoder as opposed to a synth program, and you can store any program in any bank. Korg just happen to have stored all the preset vocoder programs in bank 8.
Phil.

Yeah that's about it, any program anywhere - I guess the reason it don't accept bank messages is because it only has 1 bank so it would be pointless - would have been nice from a MIDI programmers point of view though, to have extra banks (even if only accessible with MIDI) then again whad'y want for £200?!

I've got to the bottom of the mystery now anyway - I had a set list of 8 songs (all by ELO!), and because of the MIDI problem I decided to set the MK to the vocoder program I made and leave it at that, the PC would then just send note data when vocoder parts arose. The MK was set to MIDI CH#9 which used to be the DW8000 but that is now redundant. Anyway on the night after about 4 songs I got to one where I must have missed some old DW prog changes which of course were sent to the MK and so at the 'Mr Blue Sky robot voice bit' I duly sang the part but sod all came out!

I thought I was the only person who read books from the back to the front! Why is that?!?!?!

Trap

Well I take my hat off to you 'performance' guys. I couldn't handle the stress; it's much safer in the home studio environment
Good luck with the music.
Phil.