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Chapter 9 EXS24 mkII 169
Set the EXS24 mkII keyboard mode
A polyphonic instrument, such as an organ or piano, allows several notes to be played
simultaneously. Brass or reed instruments are monophonic, which means that only one note can
be played at a time. EXS24 mkII lets you choose an appropriate keyboard mode for the type of
instrument that is loaded. You are free to use a monophonic mode for polyphonic instruments,
which allows playing styles that are not possible with polyphonic instruments.
Change the keyboard mode
m Click the Legato, Mono, or Poly button.
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In Legato mode, only one note can be played at a time. The envelope generators are
retriggered only if you play staccato—releasing each key before playing a new key.
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In Mono mode, staccato playing retriggers the envelope generators every time a new note
is played. If you play in a legato style (play a new key while holding another), the envelope
generators are triggered only for the rst note you play legato, then they continue their curve
until you release the last legato played key.
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In Poly mode, several notes can be played simultaneously.
Note: In many classic monophonic analog synthesizers, the behavior in Legato mode is referred
to as single trigger, while Mono mode is referred to as multi trigger.
Use Unison and Voices in EXS24 mkII
In Unison mode, up to 64 voices are played when a key is struck. This enables a richer sound,
achieved by slightly detuning each voice. This is ideal when you are emulating classic
analog synthesizers.
Voices are equally distributed in the panorama eld and are evenly detuned. You can use the
Random knob to determine the amount of tuning deviation between voices.
Note: The number of voices actually used per note increases with the number of layered
sample zones.
Use monophonic unison mode
1 Click the Mono or Legato button, depending on the keyboard mode you want to use. See Set the
EXS24 mkII keyboard mode.
2 Click the Unison button.
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The intensity of the unison eect depends on the number you set in the Voices eld. Increase
the Voices value for a fatter sound.
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The intensity of detuning—voice deviation—depends on the value you set with the Random
knob. See EXS24 mkII pitch parameters on page 171.