U S E R M A N U MIDI CONTROL CENTRES Control Freak STUDIO EDITION & Control Freak ORIGINAL A L
CONTROL FREAK CONTENTS Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Connecting Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Switching On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Edit Buttons in Play Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Data Wheel in Play Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTROL FREAK
CONTROL FREAK INTRODUCTION Foreword Congratulations on your purchase of a Kenton Control Freak. Please take the time to read this manual thoroughly as it explains everything you will need to know in order to get the most from your unit. Because of its ability to generate any type of MIDI message (including SysEx and NRPNs), the Control Freak allows you to unlock the full potential of any device that conforms to the MIDI standard.
INTRODUCTION CONTROL FREAK MIDI OUT Including the Control Freak in your MIDI setup - Connecting up 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 15 MIDI IN MIDI OUT LEARN EDIT F1 F2 F3 F4 MIDI IN 16 DELETE SLIDER SHIFT INSERT BUTTON ON LEARN EXIT F.KEY ON STORE SNAPSHOT EDIT GLOBAL CHANNEL DATA ENTRY CONTROL FREAK KEYBOARD WITH INTERNAL SOUNDS 1) In the most basic setup where you have only a keyboard synthesiser, connect the MIDI out of the Freak to the MIDI in of your synthesiser.
CONTROL FREAK GETTING STARTED Getting Started In order to get you started, many of the programs on the Freak have been pre-loaded at the factory with useful features. For example program 0 contains a profile which is set up so the sliders control MIDI volumes on channels 1 –16 (1 – 8 for Original Control Freak) and the buttons control Mutes. Connect the power supply to the Freak – if you are in the UK one will have been supplied, otherwise you must source one locally.
PLAY MODE CONTROL FREAK Switching on On power up, the LCD illuminates and displays the product name and current software version*1. After a couple of seconds the LCD changes to show: `Program````0` Volumes Ch`1`-16 `Program````0` Volumes Ch`1`-`8 on the Freak STUDIO EDITION, or...
CONTROL FREAK THE EDIT BUTTONS IN PLAY MODE What the edit buttons will do for you in PLAY MODE SHIFT ACCEL S What to expect from the [SHIFT] button in PLAY MODE 1 Pressing [SHIFT] will stop the sliders and buttons sending any MIDI until it has been released. This is useful if you want to know which slider or button does what. Press and hold [SHIFT], then push one of the buttons above the sliders.This will display the button name on the top line of the LCD, and the slider name on the bottom line.
THE DATA WHEEL IN PLAY MODE CONTROL FREAK What to expect from the Data Wheel in PLAY MODE In the home position, the Data Wheel is used to scroll through the available programs.The display will show the names of the profiles they contain. DATA ENTRY For example: ```Program```0`` Volumes`Ch`1`-16 ```Program```6`` `GS/XG`Stuff```` Real-time Edit Each press of the [<––] button displays a different real-time edit item.
CONTROL FREAK HOW THE FREAK USES MIDI CHANNELS Understanding how the Freak uses MIDI channels In the simplest case you don’t need to set any MIDI channel at all, in which case the Freak will use the Global MIDI channel (factory default #1) – You can change this at any time whilst you are in play mode by going to the Real-Time Edit section and using the Data Wheel to change the Global MIDI channel.
EDITING THE CONTROL FREAK CONTROL FREAK Editing Overview The main editing commands are grouped together here for easy reference. Defining objects to edit Moving a slider before entering edit mode will define it as the Slider to Edit.This also works with Push buttons but not the F keys. The [<––] and [––>] edit buttons The [<––] and [––>] buttons are used to navigate through the individual edit pages. In any edit menu Pressing [STORE] will save any edits at any time.
CONTROL FREAK EDITING OVERVIEW When you have pressed the [––>] key to take you into EDIT MODE, the Data Wheel can be used to scroll through the various edit menus.At present there are 21 edit menu options: DATA ENTRY Menu What you see on the top line of the Freak’s screen Description 1 2 3 4 5 6 EDIT`SLIDER`NAME 16/8 sliders and 16/8 buttons These items relate to editing the 16/8 sliders and 16/8 buttons directly above them.
OVERALL MAP OF EDITING SYSTEM CONTROL FREAK PLAY MODE EDIT MODE EDIT [<––] EDIT [<––] EDIT [<––] EDIT [<––] [HOME] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] Realtime value #2 Realtime value #1 Internal Clock Speed Global MIDI Channel Program number select 1 Edit Slider Name Slider to edit Character #1 Character #2 Character #3 Character #4 Character #5 Character #6 2 Edit Slider Data Slider to edit Minimum Level Maximum Level By
CONTROL FREAK OVERALL MAP OF EDITING SYSTEM EDIT MODE EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] EDIT [––>] Character #7 Character #8 Character #9 Character #10 Character #11 Character #12 Character #13 Character #14 Character #15 Character #16 Byte #5 Byte #6 Byte #7 Byte #8 Byte #9 Byte #10 Byte #11 Byte #12 Byte #13 Byte #14 Character #7 Character #8 Character #9 Character #10 Character #11 Character #12 Charact
EDIT MENUS CONTROL FREAK Slider operations EDIT MENU 1 EDIT`SLIDER`NAME Push`>`to`Select `Slider`to`Edit` Slider`Number``x Slider`Name`Edit _``````````````` Normal: With [SHIFT] pressed: Slider name This allows you to enter a name of up to 16 characters for each individual slider. Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen. This allows you to choose the slider to edit by turning the Data Wheel.
CONTROL FREAK EDIT MENUS Button operations EDIT MENU 3 EDIT`PB``ON`NAME Push`>`to`Select EDIT MENU 4 EDIT`PB``ON`DATA Push`>`to`Select `Button`to`Edit` Button`Number``1 Button On name This allows you to enter a name of up to 16 characters for each Button On. Button On names are edited in the same way as slider names.
EDIT MENUS CONTROL FREAK F key operations EDIT MENU 7 EDIT`FK``ON`NAME Push`>`to`Select EDIT MENU 8 EDIT`FK``ON`DATA Push`>`to`Select Func`Key`to`Edit Functn`Key`#```1 F key On name This allows you to enter a name of up to 16 characters for each F key On. F key On names are edited in the same way as slider names.
CONTROL FREAK EDIT MENUS Program operations EDIT MENU 11 EDIT`PROGRM`NAME Push`>`to`Select EDIT MENU 12 EDIT`PROGRM`DATA Push`>`to`Select MIDI`Chan`Assign Use`Global`Chan` Ext`Contrl`In`#1 ```Unassigned``` Ext`Contrl`In`#1 Input`=`Voltage` Program name This allows you to enter a name of up to 16 characters for each individual program. Program names are edited in the same way as slider names.
EDIT MENUS ``R/T`Value`#2`` Minimum`Val=```0 ``R/T`Value`#2`` Maximum`Val=`127 ``R/T`Value`#2` Default`Val=`Off SysEx``byte`#``1 ``End`of`DATA`` CONTROL FREAK These three screens are identical in function to those above but apply to realtime byte #2. Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen: Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen: Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen: This screen shows the first byte of an 8 byte Program SysEx header.
CONTROL FREAK EDIT MENUS Global operations EDIT MENU 13 EDIT`GLOBAL`NAME Push`>`to`Select EDIT MENU 14 Global name This allows you to enter a startup name.This name will be seen on power up, and is edited in the same way as slider names.
EDIT MENUS CONTROL FREAK RX/TX Dump operations EDIT MENU 15 SYSX`RX`PROG`MAP Push`>`to`Select ReMap`to`Prog``0 ``Program`Name`` EDIT MENU 16 SYSX`DUMP`SINGLE Push`>`to`Select Fm`Prg``_`Sldr`1 ```````14``````` ``Slider`name``` Fm`Prg````Sldr`_ ```````14``````7 ``Slider`name``` SysEx RX prog map This allows you to redirect incoming profile dumps to any internal program.
CONTROL FREAK EDIT MENUS EDIT MENU 18 SYSEX`DUMP`BLOCK Push`>`to`Select ``Block`Select`` ``Slider`Block`` SysEx dump block This allows you to dump various different data blocks to an external storage device. Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen: The Data Wheel can be used to select from the available blocks. For example Slider block dumps every slider in every program.
EDIT MENUS USER MANUAL EDIT MENU 21 ``COPY`PROGRAM`` Push`>`to`Select Copy program This allows you to copy any program to any other program location. Pressing the [––>] button will move to the next screen: From`Program```x Name`of`Program` The Data Wheel can be used to select the source program. The bottom line of the display will show the name of the selected program.
CONTROL FREAK COMMANDS Commands When you see the ````COMMAND````` ``End`of`DATA``` prompt you have the option of the following commands.The table below lists all currently available commands and their associated data bytes.As may be seen, the majority of MIDI and Internal Commands use a command followed by one or two variables.
DATA VARIABLES CONTROL FREAK Data variables Most commands require some data to be entered at the subsequent screens. The following data variables can be used at any of these screens. The table lists the data types in the order you see them as you turn the Data Wheel to the left (anti-clockwise).
CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES Editing examples – a step by step guide In all the following examples the naming of the slider/button has been omitted as it is common to all examples and is described fully on page 12. Further editing examples will be made available on our website. Example of making a slider control filter cutoff on the Global MIDI channel In this case we are assuming that filter cutoff can be controlled with controller #74.
EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK Example of making a button send note on & off on the Global MIDI channel – taking the note number from the local slider (the one directly beneath the button) at a fixed velocity of 64 Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.
CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES At this point you have set the button so that it turns a note on when you press it, but now you also need to make it send a note off when you release it, so continue as follows: Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.
EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK Example of making a button send a chord on the Global MIDI channel – taking the velocity from the local silder (the one directly beneath the button) For this example we will send middle C and the major third and fifth above it.These correspond to MIDI note numbers 60, 64 and 67 Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.
CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES Press the [––>] key – the display will show: ```Note`Number Data`Val`00h```0 Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows: Data`Val`43h``67 Press the [––>] key – the display will show: ````Velocity```` Data`Val`00h```0 Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left – the display will show: Data`from`Slider Press the [––>] key – the display will show: ````COMMAND ``End`of`DATA Press the [STORE] key to save your data Press the [EXIT] key to go b
EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK Turn the Data Wheel to the right (clockwise) until the display shows: Data`Val`40h``64 Press the [––>] key – the display will show: ````Velocity```` Data`Val`00h```0 Turn the Data Wheel one click to to the left - the display will show: Data`from`Slider Press the [––>] key – the display will show: ````COMMAND ``End`of`DATA Turn the Data Wheel four clicks to the right and the display will show: Note-Off Press the [––>] key – the display will show: Note`Number Data`V
CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES Example of sending on multiple MIDI channels from one slider How to make a slider send MIDI volume on two MIDI channels at the same time In the example below, we’re using MIDI Channels 1 & 2. Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.
EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK Press the [––>] key – the display will show ````COMMAND ``End`of`DATA Press the [STORE] key to save your data UPDATING`MEMORY Press the [EXIT] key to go back to PLAY MODE As you can see from the above, you have to send the message twice. Setting the channel then sending the message, then setting a new channel and sending the message again.
CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES At this point you have already set the slider to send MIDI volume (controller #7) on MIDI Channel #1. Continue as follows to make it also send inverted data on Channel #2.
EDITING EXAMPLES CONTROL FREAK Example of programming a button to send a System Exclusive Message (SysEx) For this example we are going to send a General MIDI System On message which comprises six bytes as follows: (in hexadecimal) F0h, 7Eh, 7Fh, 09h, 01h, F7h. Press the [––>] key from home position to start edit and display the edit menu options.
CONTROL FREAK EDITING EXAMPLES Example of programming a button to learn Note On/Off messages Press the [––>] edit button to enter EDIT MODE Use the Data Wheel to select… Enter a suitable name as previously described EDIT`PB``ON`NAME Note`On`36`C1 Press [SHIFT] + [STORE] to jump directly to PB on data.
EXTERNAL INPUTS 1 & 2 CONTROL FREAK Using the Each external input can be used to connect either a variable or switch type foot pedal external to replace the operation of a slider, button or F key. The external input settings are selected inputs in ‘Edit program data’ – see page 15 for details of how to assign an input. When an external input is configured to operate as a slider, the input replaces the chosen slider (which is then rendered non-operational, although only in the chosen program).
CONTROL FREAK EXTERNAL INPUTS 1 & 2 Using a variable pedal to control MIDI volume (using In #1) Although this example uses MIDI volume (controller #7) , you could substitute another continuous controller (eg: controller #1 – modulation) or a different type of MIDI message entirely. Remember, all you are actually doing is replacing the operation of a slider with a foot pedal, therefore anything you can do with a slider you can also do with a pedal.
EXTERNAL INPUTS 1 & 2 CONTROL FREAK Setting a button to act as a sustain pedal This is most useful if this button is then assigned to an external switch pedal.
CONTROL FREAK EXTERNAL INPUTS 1 & 2 CV-to-MIDI The external inputs may also be used as CV/Gate inputs in order to perform CV-to-MIDI conversion conversion. As the set up procedure is rather extensive, Program 60 (125 for Control Freak ORIGINAL) has been pre-loaded with a CV-to-MIDI demo patch. An example of how to program this will be made available on our website.
NRPNs & RPNs EXPLAINED CONTROL FREAK Non-Registered Parameter Numbers (NRPNs) explained It is worth mentioning that you really don’t need to know how NRPNs actually work in order to program the Freak to send them. Because of the Freak’s friendly editing system, all you need is the Non Registered Parameter Numbers given in the manufacturer’s product literature, just enter these numbers when prompted and the Freak will do the rest.
CONTROL FREAK NRPNs & RPNs EXPLAINED Non-Registered Parameter Numbers, or NRPNs, are actually made up of multiple continuous controller messages. There are only 128 continuous controllers (0-127) of which the last few are reserved for system messages (eg #121 = reset all controllers). However by combining several controllers into an NRPN the potential number of parameters available for control is greatly increased.
SYSEX EXPLAINED CONTROL FREAK System Exclusive (SysEx) Explained SysEx messages contain data that is specific to one manufacturer and usually to one individual product. Each manufacturer wanting to use SysEx messages has been assigned a Manufacturer ID number.This is always the first byte after the begin SysEx byte [F0H], as in the example below: F0H Manufacturer ID data data data F7H Begin SysEx End SysEx In some cases, the Manufacturer ID number may be three bytes instead of one.
CONTROL FREAK SYSEX EXPLAINED Dealing with SysEx variable data bytes There are several ways in which different manufacturers want their variable data sent.The Freak has got several data options available for dealing with these.When you are in edit mode entering SysEx data, you are offered several new choices for variable data bytes in addition to the options available for controller messages and the like.
PROFILES AND PROGRAMS CONTROL FREAK What is the difference between profiles and programs? A program is any one of the 64 memory locations on a Control Freak STUDIO EDITION (128 on Control Freak ORIGINAL) whereas a profile is a collection of pre-programmed names and data used for controlling a piece of MIDI equipment. Put another way, profiles are what go into program locations.
CONTROL FREAK CUBASE VST USERS Cubase VST users Controlling Cubase VST from the Kenton Control Freak Since 3.7 PC / 4.1 Mac, the ability to control various real-time parameters within VST has been available using a hardware remote device. In the current versions it is only possible to control the volumes, pans, mutes and solos on the audio mixer, plus transport functions – this is due to limitations of VST itself, not of the Freak. However, later versions of VST may offer a greater degree of control.
CAKEWALK PRO AUDIO USERS CONTROL FREAK Cakewalk Pro Audio users Cakewalk users can control the mixing desk from the Freak. Just follow the simple procedure that follows: Open up the mixing desk inside cakewalk and right click on slider 1; this will bring up a sub-menu. Click on remote control.This opens up the remote control toolbox where you can set up your controller. For now select controller and set it to number 7, this is volume control. Set the MIDI channel to channel 1. Press OK.
CONTROL FREAK LOGIC AUDIO USERS Logic Audio users Logic Audio users can control the midi desk from the Kenton Control Freak. Bring up the GM mixing desk inside Logic and the mixer is ready to go. This is done by using the Freak’s factory default profile Program 0 volumes ch 1-16 for volume control and the Freak’s factory default profile Program 1 pans ch 1-16) for pan controls.
SAVING A SYSEX FILE CONTROL FREAK Saving a SysEx File How to save a SysEx file without a sequencer It is possible to save your profiles without using a sequencer. Instead you can use a dedicated SysEx editor. Set the Freak to the type of SysEx dump you would like to do (single, program or block) before you press store. Open up your SysEx editor and make sure the input is set to your sound card. Press store on the Control Freak and you will see the data passed to the SysEx editor. Save the set up.
CONTROL FREAK THE VIRTUAL CONTROL FREAK The Virtual Control Freak The virtual Control Freak is a freeware program that allows the user to set up or edit a profile without using the Freak. This is useful as you can then save and edit till you are happy with it before you send it to your Freak. At the moment it is only an 8 slider program but the 16 slider version will be released soon.You can download this program from: http://www.dheard.dial.pipex.
SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE CONTROL FREAK Details of the Control Freak STUDIO EDITION System Exclusive Specification The first five bytes of the Freak’s own SysEx messages are common to all data types. N.B.
CONTROL FREAK SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE Request for 64 byte single data dump (also Button/Fkey etc.
SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE CONTROL FREAK Details of the Control Freak ORIGINAL System Exclusive Specification The first five bytes of the Freak’s own SysEx messages are common to all data types. N.B.
CONTROL FREAK SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE Request for 64 byte single data dump (also Button/F key etc.
MIDI ANALYSER MODE CONTROL FREAK MIDI Analyser Mode The Control Freak also has a MIDI analyser function.This feature allows you to see what types of MIDI messages are being transmitted by your master keyboard, or sequencer. In this way, the Control Freak may be used as a powerful diagnostic tool if you have a problem with your MIDI set-up. To enter analyser mode, you must power on the Control Freak whilst holding the SHIFT button.The Firmware version will then be displayed until the shift key is released.
CONTROL FREAK OVERVIEW OF THE MIDI MESSAGE FORMAT Overview of the MIDI message format To make it easier to understand, MIDI data is usually represented in either decimal (base 10) or hexadecimal (base 16) numbers. On the Freaks, decimal is suffixed with [d]. Hex is suffixed with [h].
SPECIFICATIONS CONTROL FREAK Specifications Freak User interface Controls: Displays: Connections Inputs: Outputs: Accessories Physical data Dimensions: Weight: STUDIO EDITION Freak ORIGINAL 16 x 60mm sliders 16 x data push buttons 8 x editing push buttons 8 x 60mm sliders 8 x data push buttons 8 x editing push buttons Data entry wheel Power switch Data entry wheel Power switch LCD 2x16 back-lit 4 LED indicators LCD 2x16 back-lit 4 LED indicators Power socket d.c. 2.
CONTROL FREAK FEATURES Features • 16 or 8 fully programmable sliders • 16 or 8 fully programmable buttons • 8 fully programmable function keys (4 x 2 with the shift button) • 4 multi-function edit buttons • Data entry wheel • 2 line LCD screen • MIDI In / Out / Thru (with merge function) • 2 x 1/4” external input jacks (capable of CV-to-MIDI conversion) • 64 user memories for STUDIO EDITION / 128 for ORIGINAL • MIDI clock generator • MIDI analyser mode • Advanced learn mode • Individual names for every sl