The Zone feature allows you to layer or split sounds on a hardware or virtual instrument, by dividing the keyboard into a maximum of four programmable non-overlapping or overlapping sections. When active, each Zone will transmit MIDI notes on a separate MIDI channel. This makes it possible to play up to 4 different instrument sounds on a connected multi-timbral synthesizer, by playing notes in different sections (Zones) of the keyboard. If any of the Zones are configured to overlap partially or completely, multiple instrument sounds will be layered, and played simultaneously in those areas of the keyboard.

Zone Selection & Activation
Pressing the Zone button (Zone) changes the function of the Shift, Track Select and Mute buttons to Zone buttons one through four as indicated on each button. The Zone button will illuminate to indicate that Axiom is in “Zone Mode.” At this point pressing any of the four Zone buttons will activate the corresponding keyboard Zone, and all other Zones will be deactivated. To activate multiple Zones, simultaneously press their respective Zone buttons. In either case, each button will illuminate indicating that its corresponding Zone is active.

Editing Zones
Holding down the Zone button (Zone) for at least one second will put Axiom into Zone Edit Mode. The Zone button and buttons for all active Zones will flash. Parameters such as Zone Range and Octave/Transpose shift can be edited for each Zone. The information on the LCD screen will also display values for lowest Zone number. These settings are saved as part of a user patch when stored to a Memory Location. When more than one Zone is active, all changes will be applied to all selected Zone numbers.

Zone Range
This function sets the range of notes used by a Zone. By default, all Zones span the entire length of the keyboard. On Axiom 61 this default Range is from note C1 on the far left to C6 on the far right. However it is from C1 to C5 on Axiom 49, and C2 to C4 on Axiom 25. If two or more active Zones are configured to overlap partially or completely, multiple instrument sounds will play simultaneously (layered) if a key is pressed in that area.

To set the Zone range:

1. Select a Zone as described earlier.
2. Hold down the Zone button (Zone) for at least one second. The LCD screen will display the current range of notes used in the Zone.
3. Press the lowest note to be included in the Zone. The LCD screen will display the note value.
4. Press the highest note to be included in the Zone. The LCD screen will display the note value.
5. Repeat steps 1 – 5 to set the range of notes for all remaining Zones.

Simultaneously holding down multiple Zone buttons and then setting the range as described above, will apply the same Zone Range to all active Zones. This will layer all sound patches that are played. After setting the Range, activate all desired Zones by simultaneously pressing their respective Zone buttons.

Zone Octave
The Zone Octave parameter lowers or raises the pitch of a Zone, in one octave increments, to a maximum of 10 Octaves. Zone Octave shift settings work in combination with the Global Octave shift setting (see Section 7, Octave / Transpose buttons). This can be useful when working with different Octave or Transpose shift settings across multiple Zones. The Global Octave function shifts the entire keyboard up or down, while preserving relative pitch settings between Zones. For example, if a Zone is configured for an Octave shift of +1, and a Global Octave shift setting of +2 is applied, the effective Octave shift for that Zone is +3.

To set the Zone octave value:

1. Select a Zone as described earlier.
2. Hold down the Zone button (Zone) for at least one second. The LCD screen will display the current range of notes used in the Zone.
3. Repeatedly press the Octave “–” or “+” button to lower or raise the Octave shift value. The LCD screen will display the current value. Axiom will return to Performance one second after the “last button press.”
4. Repeat steps 1 – 3 to set the Octave shift for the remaining Zones. 

After setting the Octave shift value and exiting Edit mode, activate all desired Zones by simultaneously pressing their respective Zone buttons.

Zone Transpose
The Zone Transpose parameter lowers or raises the pitch of a Zone in one semi-tone (half-step) increments, to a maximum of 12 semi-tones. Zone Transpose shift settings work in combination with the Global Transpose shift setting (see Section 7, Octave/

Transpose buttons). This can be useful when working with different Transpose or Octave shift settings across multiple Zones. The Global Transpose function shifts the entire keyboard up or down, while preserving relative pitch settings between Zones. For example, if a Zone is configured for a Transpose shift of +5, and a Global Transpose shift setting of +2 is applied, the effective Transpose shift for that Zone is +7.

To set the Zone Transposition value:

1. Select a Zone as described earlier.
2. Hold down the Zone button (Zone) for at least one second. The LCD screen will display the current range of notes used in the Zone.
3. Simultaneously press the Octave “–” and “+” buttons. The LCD screen will display the current value.
4. Repeatedly press the Octave “–” or “+” button to lower or raise the pitch. Axiom will return to Performance one second after the last button press.
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 to set the Transpose value for the remaining Zones.

After setting the Transpose value and exiting Edit mode, activate all desired Zones by simultaneously pressing their respective Zone buttons.

Zone Channel
The Zone Channel parameter specifies which MIDI Channel a Zone will use when transmitting MIDI data. Assigning each Zone to its own channel will allow you to play up to 4 different sound patches on a connected synthesizer. This setting is saved as part of a user patch when stored to a Memory Location.

To set the Zone Channel:

1. Select a Zone as described earlier.
2. Press the Edit button.
3. Press the Zone Channel key (Zone Chan). The LCD screen will display the current function (“CHAN”), the active Zone number, and Zone MIDI Channel number.
4. Enter the new MIDI Channel number using the number keys, or by repeatedly pressing the Patch “Up” or “Down” buttons.
5. Press the Enter key.
6. Repeat steps 1 – 5 to assign set the MIDI channel for the remaining Zones.

After setting the Zone channel and exiting Edit mode, activate all desired Zones by simultaneously pressing their respective Zone buttons.

 

You can use the 4 zones to quickly switch among 4 different MIDI Channels.  When the Zone button is lit you can press any of the 4 zone buttons to instantly access the zone and begin playing on the MIDI Channel assigned to the zone.

Zone Program
Program change messages are sent on active Zone channels, defining the instrument sound for each Zone. This information is included in a stored Axiom preset, ensuring that the correct sound is accessed for each active Zone whenever the preset is recalled.

To set the Zone Program Change number:

1. Select a Zone as described earlier.
2. Press the Program button (Prog). The LCD screen will display the current value and the active Zone number.
3. Enter the new program number using the number keys, or by repeatedly pressing the Patch “Up” or “Down” buttons.
4. Press the Enter key. A program change message will be transmitted immediately.
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 to assign new program numbers for the remaining Zones.
   

After configuring the program numbers and exiting Edit mode, activate all desired Zones by simultaneously pressing their respective Zone buttons.

Zone LSB
Bank LSB messages are sent on active Zone channels, defining the instrument sound for each Zone. This information is included in a stored Axiom preset, ensuring that the correct sound is accessed for each active Zone whenever the preset is recalled.

To set the Zone LSB value:

1. Select a Zone as described earlier.
2. Press the Edit button.
3. Press the Bank LSB key. The LCD screen will display the current Bank LSB value and active Zone number.
4. Enter the new Bank LSB value using the number keys.
5. Press the Enter key. The assigned Bank LSB value will be transmitted immediately.
6. Repeat steps 1 – 5 to assign new Bank LSB value for the remaining Zones.

After setting the Bank LSB values and exiting Edit mode, activate all desired Zones by simultaneously pressing their respective Zone buttons.

Zone MSB
Bank MSB messages are sent on active Zone channels, defining the instrument sound for each Zone. This information is included in a stored Axiom preset, ensuring that the correct sound is accessed for each active Zone whenever the preset is recalled.

To set the Zone MSB value:

1. Select a Zone as described earlier.
2. Press the Edit button.
3. Press the Bank MSB key. The LCD screen will display the current Bank MSB value and active Zone number.
4. Enter the new Bank MSB value using the number keys.
5. Press the Enter key. The assigned Bank MSB value will be transmitted immediately.
6. Repeat steps 1 – 5 to assign new Bank MSB value for the remaining Zones.

After setting the Bank MSB values and exiting Edit mode, activate all desired Zones by simultaneously pressing their respective Zone buttons.

When a patch is stored, the Bank LSB, Bank MSB, and Program values for each active Zone are saved. When the patch is recalled, this data is sent out on the active Zone channels to set up the correct instrument sound for each Zone. If this is undesirable, please ensure the Zone button is de-activated when recalling the patch.