Keystation Mini 32 - Reassigning the Octave/Data Buttons

In addition to setting an octave shift, the Octave/Data “+” and “-” buttons can also be assigned to control any one of the six additional MIDI functions described in this section.  In the diagram below, you will see that the first 7 black keys are labeled “DATA = ________.”   These keys are used when selecting a newly assigned function for the Octave/Data buttons. When assigned to these functions, both buttons will remain lit, regardless of the current setting of that function.

Note: Refer to Appendix A, “Edit Mode Functions” in the Keystation Mini 32 User Guide , for a full-page illustration showing all Keystation Mini 32 advanced functions.  The page can be printed and used as a quick visual reference while using your keyboard in Edit mode.

 

The six additional function that you can assigned the Octave/Data button to are:

Transpose

In some cases it may be useful to raise or lower the pitch by a number of semitones (half-steps) as opposed to an entire octave. For example, if you are playing a song with a singer that is having difficulty singing the top notes, you may want to reduce the pitch by one or two semitones. This is achieved using the Transpose function.  When assigned to this parameter, the keyboard can be transposed a maximum of two octave in either direction.

To assign the Octave “+” and “-” buttons to the Transpose function:

1. Press the Edit button. The Edit button light will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “DATA = TRANSPOSE” key, (D#, 2nd black key from the left).  The keyboard exits Edit Mode as soon as the “DATA = TRANSPOSE” key is pressed, and the Edit light will return to half brightness.
3. Press the “+” key and you will hear the pitch of the note you get higher. Press the “-” key and you will hear the pitch get lower.
4. Press both “+” and “-” together to cancel Transpose and return Transpose to zero.

Note: The DATA=TRANSPOSE assignment is retained when the keyboard is turned off.

Program Change

Program Changes are used to change the instrument or voice you are using. For example, you could use this function to change the instrument to a bass sound. To do this, you need to send a program change message of 32, which selects an acoustic bass sound from the General MIDI Instruments list in Appendix B, “General MIDI instruments” in the user guide.

You can send a program change by:

• Sending and Incremental or Decremental program change using the Octave/Data buttons in conjunction with the “Data=Program” key, which lets you step through each program number in either direction. If your MIDI hardware or software can receive MIDI Program changes, the buttons will increment or decrement between 0 and 127
  – or –
• Entering the program number using the numerical keys (0 - 9) in conjunction with the “PROGRAM” key on your Keystation Mini 32.  Both methods are explained below:

To send Incremental or Decremental Program Change messages:

1. Press the Edit button to engage Edit Mode. The Edit button light will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “Data=Program” key, which is the black key above F (F#, 3rd black key from the left).
3. The Edit Mode button will return to half brightness as soon as the “Data=Program” key has been pressed.
4. Press the Octave/Data “+” or “-” button to step upwards or downwards through the sounds while continuing to play notes, until you find the instrument you want to use.

Pressing the “+” and “-” buttons simultaneously will recall Program 0, which selects a grand piano sound if you are playing a General MIDI (GM) Instrument. A full list of General MIDI instrument sounds that can be accessed via Program Change messages is listed in Appendix B, “General MIDI instruments” in the user guide.

Note: The Data=Program assignment is retained when the keyboard is turned off. However the setting is not.

To send a Program Change message using the numerical keys:

1. Press the Edit button to enter Edit Mode. The Edit button will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “PROGRAM” key (F#, 6th black key from the right).
3. Use the numerical keys (0 - 9) to enter the program number for the instrument you wish to play.
4. Press the “ENTER” key (G, last white key on the right) to exit Edit Mode. The Edit button will return to half brightness indicating that programming is complete.

If you have made an error while entering the numerical data value, press the CANCEL key (C, first white key on the left). This exits Edit Mode without sending a program change message.

To return Program function to the default setting (Program 0):

1. Press the Edit button to enter Edit Mode. The Edit button will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “PROGRAM” key (F#, 6th black key from the right as indicated in the graphic above).
3. Press the “DEFAULT” key (C, 8th white key from the left). The Edit light will dim to half brightness indicating that programming is complete.
   
   The program change message has been sent, selecting the default value of General MIDI Instrument “0” (Grand Piano).

 

Bank LSB and Bank MSB

Program Changes are most commonly used to change instruments and voices. However, the number of instruments accessible via Program Changes is limited to 128. However, some devices have more than 128 patches and require a different method of accessing these extra sounds. Most modern hardware synthesizers and many software synthesizer programs have hundreds of patches that are organized in banks of sounds.

Generally, these devices use Bank LSB and Bank MSB messages to access the banks, then use program changes within the banks to access specific patches. Most devices only accept MSB messages, but you should check refer to the documentation for your device or software to confirm which bank message must be sent first, as this is determined by each manufacturer.

You can send either message type by:

• Sending and Incremental or Decremental change using the Octave/Data buttons, which lets you step through each bank number in either direction.
  – or –
• Entering the bank number using the numerical keys (0 - 9) on your Keystation Mini 32.
  
  For more information about Bank LSB and Bank MSB messages, refer to Appendix H, “MIDI Messages
  In-Depth” in the user guide.

Both methods are explained below for each message type:

To send Incremental/Decremental Bank LSB changes using the “Oct/Data” buttons:

1. Press the Edit button to enter Edit Mode. The Edit button will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “DATA = BANK LSB” key (G#, 4th black key from the left).
3. Press the Octave/Data “+” or “-” button to step upwards or downwards through the Bank LSB values. This takes you through each bank of sounds.
4. Use the “DATA = PROGRAM” or “PROGRAM” function, as described in “Program Change” on page 10, to access individual sounds within the bank you’ve chosen.
5. Press “+” or “-” while continuing to play notes until you find the patch or preset you want. The keyboard will exit Edit mode as soon as you have made your selection.

To send Incremental/Decremental Bank MSB changes using the “Oct/Data” buttons:

1. Press the Edit button to enter Edit Mode. The Edit button will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “Data = Bank MSB” key (A#, 5th black key from the left).
3. Press the Octave/Data “+” or “-” button to step upwards or downwards through the Bank MSB values. This takes you through each bank of sounds.
4. Use the “DATA = Program” or “PROGRAM” function, as described in “Program Change” on page 10, to access individual sounds within the bank you’ve chosen.
5. Press “+” or “-” while continuing to play notes until you find the patch or preset you want. The keyboard will exit Edit mode as soon as you have made your selection.

To send Bank LSB Changes using the numerical keys:

1. Press the Edit button to enter Edit Mode. The Edit button will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “BANK LSB” key (G#, 5th black key from the right).
3. Use the numerical keys (0 - 9) to enter the Bank LSB number for the bank of sounds you wish to access.
4. Press the “ENTER” key (G, last white key on the right). The Edit button will return to half brightness indicating that programming is complete.
5. Use the “DATA = Program” or “PROGRAM” function, as described in “Program Change” on page 10, to access individual sounds within the bank you’ve chosen.
   
   If you have made an error while entering the numerical data value, press the CANCEL key (C, first white key on the left). This exits Edit Mode without changing the Bank LSB value.

To send Bank MSB Changes using the numerical keys:

1. Press the Edit button to enter Edit Mode. The Edit button will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “DATA = BANK MSB” key (A#, 5th black key from the right).
3. Use the numerical keys (0 - 9) to enter the Bank MSB number for the bank of sounds you wish to access.
4. Press the “ENTER” key (G, last white key on the right). The Edit button will return to half brightness indicating that programming is complete
5. Use the “DATA = Program” or “PROGRAM” function, as described in “Program Change” on page 10, to access individual sounds within the bank you’ve chosen.
   
   If you have made an error while entering the numerical data value, press the CANCEL key (C, first white key on the left). This exits Edit Mode without changing the Bank LSB value.
   
   Note: The Data=Bank LSB, Data=MSB value or any data assigned to LSB or MSB is not retained when the keyboard is turned off. However, the assignment data keys will be.

To recall the default bank number (0):

Simultaneously press the “+” and “-” buttons.

 

Channel

MIDI data from the keyboard can be sent on any of 16 MIDI Channels. However, certain MIDI devices and software require transmission of MIDI data on a specific channel number. If this is the case, you can change the MIDI channel number as described below.

To change the MIDI Channel number:

1. Press the Edit button to enter Edit Mode. The Edit button will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “DATA = CHANNEL” (named C#, 6th black key from the left). The Edit button light will return to half-brightness.
3. Press the Octave/Data “+” or “-” button to step upwards or downwards through the MIDI Channel numbers.

Pressing both the “+” and “-” buttons together will recall Channel 1.

When Channel 16 is reached and “+” is pressed, Channel 1 will be selected. The lights above the buttons will not change,
since it is not possible to have a Channel with a negative value. For example, if a device specifies that you need to send
data on Channel 10, press the + button nine times to change from the channel 1 to select Channel 10.

Note: The Data=Channel value is retained when the keyboard is turned off.

 

Tuning

The Tuning function can be used to alter the instrument being controlled to have its pitch shifted to be slightly sharp or slightly flat. The default Tuning value is 64, and it can be raised to 128 or lowered to 0 as described below.

Note: Check your third party hardware or software documentation to confirm that your sound source responds to “MIDI Master Tune.”

To assign the “+” and “-” keys to control the Tuning function:

1. Press the Edit button to enter into Edit Mode. The Edit button light will illuminate to full brightness.
2. Press the “DATA = TUNING” key (D#, seventh black key from the right). The Edit button will return to half-brightness. The Oct/Data “+” button will illuminate green, and the “-” button will be red.
3. Press “+” or “-” while continuing to play notes until the instrument is tuned to the pitch that you want.

Note: Selecting a value below the default setting of 64, changes the Oct/Data “-” button from Red to Green. Selecting a value greater than 64, changes the “Oct/Data” “+” button to Red.

To return the turning to the default setting (concert pitch):

Press the “Oct/Data” “-” and “+” buttons simultaneously. Both buttons will return to their default value of Red at half-brightness.