Keystation Mini 32 - The Knobs & Buttons Explained

Octave/Data Buttons (Oct/Data)

The assignable Octave buttons are used to shift the keyboard up or down in one octave increments (12 semitones at a time). This extends the range of the keyboard up to 4 Octaves in either direction, which lets you play notes that lie outside of the 32 keys.

In their default state, such as when you first switch on your Keystation keyboard, the buttons are backlit in red. However when you press either of them the color of that button turns green indicating that the octave change is active.

If you press the octave “+” button once, the button will turn green indicating the keyboard’s octave is now shifted up. If you press the octave “+” key again, you will shift one more octave up, and so on. To shift the octave down, press the octave “-” button and notice that the button turns green. If only the octave “-” key is lit in green, the octave is shifted down and, if only the octave “+” key is lit in green, the octave is shifted up.

To return the octave shift to 0, press both the octave “+” and “-“keys together. Both LEDs will return to their normal red color at half brightness, indicating that the octave shift has returned to 0.

The Oct/Data buttons will default to Octave shift when the keyboard is powered on. However, if the Octave buttons have been assigned to a different function as described in “Reassigning the Octave/Data Buttons” in the Keystation Mini 32 User Guide, the new assignment is retained when the keyboard is switch off. The Octave buttons will only default to the factory assignment, after a full reset (see “Full Reset” in the user guide), or when reassigned in Edit mode (see Chapter 4, “Edit Mode”).

Pitch Bend Buttons

As the name indicates, the assignable pitch bend buttons are primarily used to bend the notes played on the keyboard up or down. Pressing and releasing these buttons while playing lets you play phrases not normally associated with keyboards, such as guitar-style phrases.  Your sound source determines if and how far you can bend the note. The usual setting is two semitones, however you should refer to the documentation provided with your sound source for information about how to change the Pitch Bend range.

Modulation Button

The modulation button takes the place of a wheel that is typically used for modulation of the sound you are playing. The depression of the button mimics the rotation of a wheel. This type of real-time controller was originally introduced on electronic keyboard instruments to give the performer options such as adding vibrato, just like players of acoustic instruments do.  Just like the pitch bend buttons, the modulation button is fully MIDI assignable, as described in Chapter 4 of the user guide, “Edit Mode”. The default Continuous Controller number (MIDI CC) for Modulation is 1.

Volume Knob

The Volume Knob sends a MIDI message that controls the volume of the notes you are playing.  The Volume Knob which is assigned the default Continuous Controller number (MIDI CC) of 7, and it can also be assigned to different parameters, such as pan (balance), attack, reverb, chorus and many more. A list of available MIDI CC numbers can be found in Appendix D, “Standard MIDI CC Numbers” of the user guide.

Refer to you MIDI hardware or software documentation to confirm that it is able to receive MIDI Volume massages.

Sustain Button

The Sustain button can be use for sustaining the sound that you are playing, without having to keep your hands on the keyboard (just like the sustain pedal on a piano). Pressing the Sustain button engages Sustain; pressing it again disengages Sustain. While the keyboard is in Edit Mode, the Sustain button can be set to either Toggle mode, or Gate mode in which it works as a momentary switch.

Refer to “Sustain Mode” in the User Guide for more information about Toggle and Gate mode.

Edit Button

The Edit button is used to access the advanced Keystation Mini 32 functions located on the keybed.

Pressing the Edit button switches your keyboard into “Edit Mode.” The Edit button turns blue, and you can use the keys to select various advanced functions and enter data.  Depending on the function, your keyboard will exit Edit Mode as soon as a function is selected, or the CANCEL or ENTER keys are pressed. At this point, the Edit button light will turn off, and the keyboard can be used for playing notes again.

Refer to you MIDI hardware or software documentation to confirm that it is able to receive MIDI Volume massages.  Refer to “Sustain Mode” in the user guide for more information about Toggle and Gate mode. 

Refer to Chapter 4 in the user guide, “Edit Mode” for more information about using the keys in Edit mode.