DX200 Editor Manual Important Notices The DX200 Editor is a comprehensive editing software program specially designed for the DX200 Desktop Control Synthesizer - providing an easy, intuitive way to edit and create your own original DX200 patterns for the DX200 Desktop Control Synthesizer. IMPORTANT: • Do not use any of the panel controls on an external synthesizer while editing the Patterns with the DX200 Editor, since this may inadvertently change the settings of the DX200.
About the DX200 Editor The DX200 Editor is a full-featured editing software program for the DX200 Desktop Control Synthesizer, providing an exceptionally simple and convenient way to edit and control all of the parameters on the DX200 Desktop Control Synthesizer --- even providing the same control format as used on the original DX7. DX200 Editor lets you store your edits as an original pattern and save up to 64 patterns directly to the DX200.
Operations Selecting a DX200 Pattern Selecting a DX200 pattern is the important first step in editing. Once you've edited a pattern you can store it to the DX200 or save it to a floppy disk/hard disk drive with other patterns as a DX200 File. • Make sure to store your edits to a pattern before selecting another pattern. If you've edited the DX200 Editor parameters and then select a different pattern, all your edited parameters will be replaced by those of the newly selected pattern.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows Opening the Various Windows DX200 Editor Main Window This window provides a comprehensive, at-a-glance display of all DX200 pattern parameters, and allows you to easily change any desired parameter. (For more information, see Editing a DX Pattern.) Alternately, click "Edit" on the menu bar, then select "DX7 Simulator." You can also call it up from the toolbar.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows • About the [<= DETAIL] button Clicking this button lets you toggle between the full editing display (with all parameters shown) and a smaller editing display (with a limited parameter set). The smaller display leaves out many of the more detailed parameters, making the editing display less cluttered and easier to handle.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows Step Sequencer Window This window contains the convenient Step Sequencer function, which allows you to quickly and easily create sophisticated looped Sequences. To call up the window, click the "STEP SEQ." button at the top of the Main window. DX7 Simulator Panel Window Select this window by clicking "Edit" on the menu bar, then selecting "DX7 Simulator." You can also call it up from the toolbar.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows DX7 Edit Panel Window This window provides a "virtual" DX7 panel, and lets you edit the patterns much as you would if you were operating the panel controls of an actual DX7 keyboard. (For more information, DX7 Edit Panel Window.) To call up this window, click anywhere on the panel control area of the DX7 Simulator Panel window.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows Selecting a Mode – Play, Edit or Function In the Edit Panel window, you can select from among the three main modes: Play, Edit and Function. • Play Mode In the play mode, you can: • Select one of the 128 patterns. • Play the selected pattern (from the DX200's keyboard or from the keys in the DX7 Simulator window). To select the Play mode: Click one of the [MEMORY SELECT] buttons: [1-32] or [33-64].
Operations / Editing a DX200 Pattern Editing a DX200 Pattern z Select the desired pattern. Refer to Selecting a DX200 Pattern. x Edit the pattern parameters as desired. c Store the edited settings as a pattern, then save it with other edited patterns as a DX200 File. Use the Store operation to store your newly edited pattern. Then use the Save operation to save that edited pattern with other User Patterns to a DX200 File.
Operations / Compare Compare This function lets you switch back and forth between the current edited condition of the pattern and its original un-edited condition. This allows you to easily hear and compare the changes you make to a pattern with its original condition. z Edit the pattern as desired. x Select "DX200 Compare." Click "Edit" on the menu bar, then select "DX200 Compare.
Operations / Initializing a DX200 Pattern to the Default Settings Initializing a DX200 Pattern to the Default Settings This function allows you to reset all the parameters of the selected pattern to the factory "initial pattern default values". This gives you a "blank slate" from which you can create your own pattern. Keep in mind that this operation automatically erases all the settings of the selected pattern. If you wish to save the pattern for future recall, use the Store and Save functions.
Operations / Storing a DX200 Pattern Storing a DX200 Pattern This operation lets you store your pattern edits as a User pattern. • To ensure that your new pattern is available for future recall, make sure to also save the pattern (with other patterns) to a DX200 File. z Select "DX200 Store." Click "Edit" on the menu bar, then select "DX200 Store." You can also quickly call up this dialog box by clicking any inactive part of the window pressing control key and clicking "DX200 Store" in the pop-up menu.
Operations / Saving Patterns to a DX200 File Saving Patterns to a DX200 File Once you've edited a DX200 pattern to your satisfaction you can save it to a DX200 File. Each DX200 File can contain up to 64 patterns, and these can be called up at any time with the Open command. (Also see Calling Up Patterns from a DX200 File.) Additional DX200 Files of 128 patterns each can be saved to floppy disks or your hard disk drive as DX200 Files --- giving you unlimited storage for your original patterns.
Operations / Calling Up Patterns from a DX200 File (Open) Calling Up Patterns from a DX200 File (Open) Once you've saved a set of User patterns to one or more DX200 Files (see Saving Patterns), you can instantly call up the desired patterns with this command. To create a new DX200 File, use the New DX200 File command. z Select "Open DX200 File." Click "File" on the menu bar, then select "Open DX200 File." x Select the desired folder and file name, then click "Open.
Operations / Receiving Pattern/Voice Data from a DX200/DX7 Series Instrument Receiving Pattern/Voice Data from a DX200/DX7 Series Instrument This operation lets you transfer pattern data from an instrument of the DX7 Series. A single pattern or 128 patterns can be received. (See Receive DX200 Bulk Dump Data). z Select "Receive DX200 Bulk Dump Data" from the Setup menu. x Select the desired Receive Method ("1 Voice/Pattern" or "All Patterns/Voices") and Machine (DX200 or DX7 Series). c Click "Start.
Parameters Virtually all of the DX200 Editor parameters for editing the DX200 patterns are contained in the Main control panel window. From this main panel, you can also jump to other windows for controlling additional DX200 functions (such as the Free EG, Step Sequencer, and DX7 Simulator). DX200 Editor Main Window This is the primary editing window for the DX200 Editor. Virtually all editing functions and operations are done from this window.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • About the EG combo box and EG window Also contained in the Main window is a special EG window, from which you can use the mouse to "draw" envelopes for each Operator's EG, as well as the Pitch EG and Filter EG. To use this, click on the down arrow above the window, and select the EG you wish to edit. Then, click on one of the box "joints" and drag it to change the EG settings. The current relevant EG values appear at the cursor as you drag it.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Toolbar The toolbar gives you quick access to some important functions and controls. These buttons let you easily execute the desired function without having to select a menu. Open DX200 Editor File This is the same as the corresponding command in the File menu. It lets you select and open an existing DX200 File. (See File Menus, Open DX200 File.) Save DX200 Editor File This is the same as the corresponding command in the File menu.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window ■ Setting and Changing Parameter Values ................... • The conventions described here pertain primarily to the DX200 Editor Main Window. For information on the controls in the Edit Panel window, see Edit Panel Window / Play and Edit Modes. • Combo boxes For combo boxes (such as the EG select box in Main, or Track Parameter in Free EG), click the down arrow to expand the box, then highlight the desired setting.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Incrementing/decrementing values Values and settings in the Main window can be changed by clicking on the value box, and then dragging the cursor up or down (or right/left), in the direction of the desired change. To increment or decrement a value, click on the desired parameter, move the cursor to the top or bottom of the box (to select the "up" arrow or the "down" arrow, respectively), then click the mouse button to increase or decrease the value.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window ■ DX200 Parameters ....................................................... Pattern Name Settings: 1 ... 0, A ... Z, -, ., space, (ASCII 20H ... 7FH) This determines the name of the pattern being edited. Up to ten characters can be entered. (In the DX200 Editor window, both uppercase and lowercase letters can be entered.) 1) Click on the PATTERN NAME box. 2) At the cursor position, type the desired name. Up to ten characters (uppercase or lowercase) can be entered.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window Algorithm Range: 1 ... 32 This determines the algorithm used for the pattern. The algorithm determines how the operators are configured for the pattern. The FM synthesis system of the DX200 has 32 of these configurations, called "algorithms." (Refer to the Algorithm List.) This section displays the signal path, showing which operators are "carriers" and which are "modulators.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Filter Type Determines the filter type used for the VCF section. The filter passes only a specified range of frequencies while cutting off the rest. There are several completely different types, as well as a variety of filter slopes (see below).
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window BEF The Band Eliminate Filter passes only those frequencies outside the specified frequency range. The Resonance setting (below) determines the eliminate range. • Filter Cutoff Range: 0 ... 127 Determines the frequency at which the Filter effect starts. The higher the value, the higher the frequency. • Filter Resonance (res) Range: -16 ... 100 Determines the emphasis of the resonant peak of the Filter (at the Cutoff frequency).
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Filter Cutoff Scailing Range: -64 ... 63 This determines how the Filter Cutoff Frequency follows the keyboard. For a setting of "0," the particular notes played on the keyboard have no effect on the Filter. • Filter Input Gain Range: -12 ... 12 (dB) Determines the level of the signal sent to the Filter. If the Filter doesn't seem to have much effect on the sound, try increasing this parameter.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window Filter EG Parameters The Filter EG parameters determine how the timbre of the pattern changes over time. This lets you produce subtle or pronounced filter effects (such as wah, for example). You can also conveniently edit the Filter EG parameters from the EG window. To make changes to this, click on the down arrow above the EG window, and select the Filter EG. Then, click on one of the box "joints" and drag it to change the EG settings.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Filter EG Depth Range: -64 ... 0 ... +63 This determines the range of movement of the cutoff frequency. This must be set to a proper level for the Filter EG parameters (Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release) to have an effect on the sound. Positive values increase the Filter EG Depth. Negative values reverse the shape of the envelope. • Filter EG Velocity Sense Range: -64 ... 0 ... +63 This determines how the Filter responds to keyboard velocity.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window LFO Parameters The LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) parameters are used to regularly modulate the pitch or volume of a pattern, letting you create vibrato, tremolo, or "wah" effects. These are also related to the Modulation Sensitivity parameters.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • LFO PMD (Pitch Modulation Depth) Range: 0 ... 99 This determines the amount of Pitch Modulation Depth. This sets the degree to which LFO modulation affects the pitch of the pattern, or how widely pitch is modulated by the LFO. This produces a vibrato effect for the pattern. This has no effect if Pitch Modulation Sensitivity is set to zero. • LFO AMD (Amplitude Modulation Depth) Range: 0 ... 99 This determines the amount of Amplitude Modulation Depth.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • LFO Mode Settings: sngl (single), mult (multi) This determines the operating mode of the LFO; in effect, it determines how many LFOs are used to modulate the pattern (when several notes are played simultaneously). When set to "sngl," a single LFO affects all notes played. In other words, the LFO effect begins when the first key is played, and continues in the same way at the same phase for all subsequent notes.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window Key Transpose Range: C1 - C5 (MIDI notes 36 - 84) This determines the overall pitch (key) transposition setting for the pattern. The default value is C3 (60). Use this control to change the octave setting of a pattern, or change it to a key for ease in playing. For example, to play the pattern in the key of C but have it sound in the key of F#, enter a value of F#3 or F#2 (depending on whether you want to transpose up or down).
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Pitch Bend Step Range: 0 ... 12 (semitones) This determines the size of the increments by which the Pitch Bend wheel (on a connected MIDI keyboard) changes the pitch. A setting of "0" results in perfectly smooth pitch bending. Values other than "0" represent the number of semitones by which the pitch will "jump" as you move the wheel. For example, the maximum setting of "12" will cause the wheel to change the pitch in a single, one-octave jump.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window When the keyboard is in Mono mode, the available settings are "Fingered Porta" and "Full Time Porta." Fingered Portamento is glide that occurs only when you play legato --in other words, playing successive notes smoothly, not releasing a previously played note until after the next note is played. Full Time Portamento produces glide from one note to the next even when you play staccato (releasing one note before playing the next).
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window Poly/Mono Settings: Poly, Mono This determines how notes of the pattern are allocated. The "Mono" (monophonic) setting allows only one note to be sounded at a time. This is useful for reproducing "classic" synthesizer lead and bass sounds, and is also ideal for playing parts in which you deliberately want the end of one note to be cut off by the next. The "Poly" setting allows you to play up to sixteen notes simultaneously.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Pitch EG Rate 1 - 4 Range: 0 ... 99 These determine the amount of time that elapses between changes in the pitch (as set in Level 1 - 4 below). • Pitch EG Level 1 - 4 Range: 0 ... 99 These determine the overall pitch of the pattern at five points in time. A value of "50" corresponds to normal pitch, or no pitch change. Values under "50" lower the pitch, and values above "50" raise it. The actual pitch range here depends on the Pitch EG Range parameter setting.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Pitch EG Rate Scaling Range: 0 ... 7 This determines how the Rate times of the Pitch EG respond to keyboard position. In other words, this lets you automatically speed up or slow down the overall Pitch EG time (Rate 1 - 4) of the pattern depending on which range of the keyboard you play. This parameter controls the degree of scaling; a value of "0" produces no scaling, and higher values produce a more pronounced scaling effect.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window • Oscillator Sync (Key Synchronization) Settings: ON, OFF This determines whether Oscillator Key Synchronization is on or off --- whether or not the waveforms of all operators start at the beginning of the wave cycle when a key is pressed. Note that this affects all operators together. When Sync is ON, the oscillators are automatically reset to the beginning of their waveforms each time you play a note.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window About Operator On/Off Controls Each operator can be independently turned on and off during editing --- an important tool in hearing the effects of your edits. For example, you may want to temporarily mute one carrier operator to better hear the edits you are making on another carrier. Or you may want to turn an operator alternately on and off to hear how its presence and absence affects the overall sound.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window Envelope Generator (EG) Parameters These parameters (eight for each operator) determine how the level of the operator changes over time. EG applied to a carrier operator changes the volume of the sound over time, while EG applied to a modulator changes the timbre or the tonal characteristics.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window Modulation Sensitivity Parameters The Modulation Sensitivity parameters (Pitch and Amplitude) determine the degree to which LFO modulation affects the pattern --- in other words, the intensity of the LFO effect.
Parameters / DX200 Editor Main Window Keyboard Level Scaling Parameters The Keyboard Level Scaling parameters determine how the Output Level settings of the operators track the keyboard. In other words, these let you automatically change the level of individual operators depending on which range of the keyboard you play. Each operator can be programmed to respond according to any of four curves on either side of an adjustable break point.
