ESS M-BLASTER User manual

MIDI FILES MP3 PLAYER
User’s Manual:
Electronic Sound Solutions s.r.l., via Monviso 54, 46042 Castel Goffredo MN, tel.
+ 39 0376 780360, fax + 39 0376 778225
www.essound.com e-Mail [email protected]
Distributed in Australia by The Midi People:
PO Box 270
Jannali NSW 2226
Ph: 02 9542 4105
Web: www.ausmidi.com
Email: [email protected]

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INDEX
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................3
CONNECTION AND COMMANDS..............................................................4
POWER SUPPLY .......................................................................................6
AUDIO CONNECTIONS..............................................................................6
HOW TO START .........................................................................................6
SWITCHING ON..........................................................................................7
SONGS .......................................................................................................8
HOW TO PLAY A SONG ............................................................................8
EASY TUNE.................................................................................................8
OPERATIONAL MODE................................................................................9
FUNCTION KEYS (FIG.1/6).........................................................................9
SONGS MODE .........................................................................................10
CHORDS AND LYRICS VISUALIZATION.................................................11
PLAY/STOP/CONTINUE ..........................................................................12
PARAM. (PARAMETERS).........................................................................13
TRKCHANG (TRACK CHANGE)...............................................................15
PARAMETERS FOR MIDI FILE ................................................................15
PARAMETERS FOR MP3 FILES............................................................. 18
PLAY LIST ................................................................................................19
HOW TO CHOOSE A LIST OF SONGS IN “PLAY LIST” MODE ….….....20
HOW TO PLAY SONGS IN PLAY LIST ................................................... 20
LIST Visualize the list of songs in a group.................................................21
TEXT and TRKCHANG..............................................................................22
MENU/INFO...............................................................................................22
SONGS ERASE.........................................................................................23
USB............................................................................................................24
TV SETUP..................................................................................................24
OPERATING SYSTEM..............................................................................25
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET.......................................................................26
WHAT TO DO IF: ......................................................................................27

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INTRODUCTION
First of all, ESS would like to thank you for your purchase of M-Blaster. M-Blaster
is a MIDI, Karaoke and MP3 player characterised by a very intuitive user
interface.
M-Blaster plays:
Standard MIDI files (.mid format 0 and 1)
Karaoke files (.kar format 1)
MP3 files (VBR/CBR, successfully tested up to 256 Kbps (depending on
the encoder))
M-Blaster uses a Compact Flash Card as a data storage unit. The M-Blaster can
be loaded with up to 511 songs.
Included in the packaging are:
Off- Line Switching Power Supply Adapter;
CD-Rom containing the e-link software to transfer, manage and backup
files;
Operating manual;
USB cable;
Compact Flash card;
Audio/Video cable (L+R Red/White / Video Yellow).

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CONNECTION AND COMMANDS
Frontal panel
1 10 11 12
9 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Fig.1
1) Adjustment knob, to modify the values of the various parameters and change
the displayed page;
2) Use this button to access the global adjustments on the player, like: global
equalization, effects adjustment on the inputs Mic1/Mic2, global transposition on
MIDI songs;

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3) Use this button to access options like: song erasing, adjustment of the TV set
if connected and transferring files from PC to Compact Flash Card. If this button
is pressed while a song is in “play” mode, the screen will display info about the
song. It is possible to adjust the display contrast by pressing this key and rotating
the alpha dial knob.
4) These buttons are used for the “Easy Tune” feature, which enables instant
adjustment of the tonality/key of the song for a Male or a Female performer.
5) Function buttons. These buttons select different functions, depending on the
page displayed on the screen;
6) Compact Flash Card housing;
7) Play/Stop, to start or stop the song playback;
8) Arrow buttons, to select elements visualised on the screen.
9) Exit current screen, or go back to the previous screen;
10) High brightness backlit display;
11) Individual microphones volume fader;
12) Global volume fader.
Back Panel
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Fig.2
1) Stereo mini-jack output for headphones connection;
2) 2 Microphones inputs (Jack 6.3 mm TSR);
3) 2 Audio outputs (to be connected to the audio system);
4) Video connectors. Output (Video out) / Input (Video in)
5) Connector for optional external lyrics display or video camera power supply

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6) Port MIDI Out to connect an external sonic generator;
7) USB connector to connect M-Blaster to a PC;
8) Switch on;
9) Connection to the supplied external power supply adapter;
POWER SUPPLY
Connect the adapter plug (male) to the PWR IN female connector positioned on
the M-Blaster back panel (Fig.2/9). Then connect the adapter plug to a power
point.
IMPORTANT
Please only use the adapter supplied, otherwise the equipment can be
damaged.
AUDIO CONNECTIONS
Connect the M-Blaster Audio Outputs (fig 2/3) to your audio equipment (mixer
line input or directly to the line inputs of audio equipment - AUX or TAPE - of your
home Hi-Fi or similar).
Note: In order not to damage the audio equipment it is strongly recommended
that M-Blaster is not turned on before the amplification set-up.
HOW TO START
M-Blaster is supplied with “e-link” software for the Personal Computer which
allows you to transfer MIDI and MP3 files directly from your PC to the MBlaster
data storage unit (Compact Flash Card). This software can also be used for
backup operations.
First of all install the supplied software on your PC, then connect your M-Blaster
through a standard USB cable A/B (such as the one used for USB printers) to a
properly functioning USB port on the PC.

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Note: when executing the program, if correctly set, M-Blaster will automatically
position on the “USB” page.
After having done this, launch the program by double clicking on the icon created
during installation. As for the software utilization, please refer to the on-line guide
included with the software.
SWITCHING ON
To switch the M-Blaster on, insert the supplied adapter connector into the
corresponding socket positioned on the back panel and push the ON button.
The display will light up and after a few seconds, you will see the following:
READING PROGRAM
Shortly followed by:
ESS
M-BLASTER
VERSION XXXX
MIDI Karaoke Mp3 Player
For its correct functioning M-blaster needs the Data storage unit (Compact Flash
Card), to be inserted in its proper housing (fig1/6). Otherwise, the following
message will appear on the screen:
“COMPACT FLASH NOT PRESENT”
Note: The Compact Flash Cards are formatted when the product is sold;
however, if necessary, the formatting should be executed with the following
characteristics: FAT 12/16 bit formatting (it will be implemented to FAT 32).

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Insert the Compact Flash in its proper housing (fig1/6) without forcing it. M-
Blaster will then display the songs page by page. It is possible to adjust the
display contrast by pressing the MENU key (fig 1/3) and rotating the alpha dial
knob (fig. 1/1).
SONGS
The page on the display contains the songs list, in MIDI or MP3 format, in
alphabetical order, 6 titles of 26 letters per line. The audio songs (MP3) are
marked by the “A” letter before the title while the MIDI files are preceded by the
suffix “M” (.mid) or “K” (.kar). Above left of the display is the current page
number. To visualize the other pages rotate the switch (fig. 1/1): at every click the
page will change to a new one containing 6 songs. It is also possible to move
one song at a time, utilizing the arrow buttons (fig. 1/8); after the last song the
next page will be displayed.
HOW TO PLAY A SONG
It is extremely easy to play a song. Highlight the required song with the arrow
buttons (fig. 1/8), and then push the PLAY button. To stop the playback, just
push the STOP button. It is also possible to keep playing the song from where
you stopped it by using the function buttons (fig. 1/5) to select CONTINUE as it
appears on the display.
EASY TUNE
Thanks to this exclusive function it is possible to instantly adjust, before or while
playing a MIDI song, the tonality key depending on the user needs.
The functioning is extremely intuitive:
MALE: if this key is lighted M-Blaster will adjust the MIDI song key for a
male voice;

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NORMAL: if this key is lighted M-Blaster will play the MIDI song in its original
key;
FEMALE: if this key is lighted M-Blaster will adjust the MIDI song key for a
female voice.
Note: the tonal transposition of “EASY TUNE” is not automatically saved. In order
to do that, the transposition will have to be done (and then saved) in the
“TRKCHANG” (track change) page. Despite the fact that “EASY TUNE”
transposes most MIDI songs correctly depending on the performer
(male/female), it is possible that certain songs, with special peculiarities, will not
adapt perfectly to the transposition. You can find the tonal transposition of “EASY
TUNE” on the PARAM-MIDI page.
OPERATIONAL MODE
The meaning of the words and the symbols visualized on the display varies
depending on the chosen mode:
In SONGS mode: name of the songs;
In PLAYLIST mode: name of the groups;
In MENU/INFO mode: player managing functions or played song
characteristics;
In PARAM. mode: MIDI/Audio global adjustments functions, like the MIDI
transposition and equalizations.
FUNCTION BUTTONS (fig.1/5)
The use given to the four function buttons F1-F2-F3-F4 is variable and changes
from time to time depending on the active operational mode. Clearly, it is not
necessary to remember which function is assigned to every button as it shows on
the last line of the display: there are four boxes at the bottom of the display which
correspond to the four function buttons directly below them.

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In this way the four function keys can always access the “typical” functions of the
operational mode running in that moment.
SONGS MODE
The functions offered by the SONGS mode allow to:
Choose with the arrow buttons a single song to play using the PLAY key;
Visualize chords and lyrics (if memorized in the song);
Adjust volume, effects, transposition and tempo of the song
(“TRKCHANG”);
Instantly exclude the melody track (if present in the MIDI file).
Authorised function keys:
When there are no songs playing in SONGS mode, M-Blaster is in “stand-by”
(the STOP button is lighted while the PLAY button is off). In the last line of the
display the following function keys are active:
“TRCK ON” / “TRCK OFF”: this allows stopping the melody track from
playing. The factory set MIDI channel is 4, however in “Param.” “MIDI” it is
possible to assign the value to other channels as well. Once set, the
parameter will remain active until the equipment is turned off or when the
function is disabled;
o“TRCK ON” the melody track (ch4 default) is activated;
o“TRCK OFF” the melody track (ch4 default) is disabled;
“PLAYLIST”: allows to access the PLAYLIST mode described later;
“TEXT”: allows accessing the visualization mode of chords and lyrics.
When the M-Blaster is in “PLAY” (Green led above the PLAY key is lighted), in
the last line of the display the following function keys are active:
“TRCK ON” / “TRCK.OFF” (see above);
“LIST” (see above);
“TEXT” (see above);
“TRKCHANG (TRACK CHANGE)”: Adjust many variables such as the
volume, reverberation,

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chorus, transposition and tempo of the song being played.
Note: The function TRKCHANG is only available when the song is in “PLAY”
because the adjustment values of the single parameters vary depending on the
starting value that’s preset on each song. To read the preset starting values of
each song (normally included in the first measure of the song) it is necessary to
put the song in PLAY. Pushing the STOP button twice, makes the effects
(Rev./Delay/Chorus) come momentarily off from MIC1/2 (“TALK” mode). The
effects will automatically reactivate when you start playing a song.
When a song is interrupted by pressing the STOP button, the function
TRKCHANG is replaced by:
“CONTINUE”: This function is usually coupled with the functions
Play/Stop, and it is used to restart a song exactly from the point where it
had been interrupted by the STOP button.
CHORDS AND LYRICS VISUALIZATION
This function is activated by the “TEXT” function button, and can be used either
before or after having put a song in PLAY. It is probably better to press text
before you start the song so you can be ready for any lyrics at the beginning of
the song. If the song contains lyrics or chords and lyrics, press TEXT and then
PLAY.
To leave the TEXT mode, push the EXIT button.
NOTE: Lyrics and chords, if present in the midi file, are visualized slightly in
advance with respect to the part of the song being played, to give the

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performer the time to get ready. The amount of time the lyrics come up in
advance depends on the setup of the midi file. It is possible to enter the TEXT
mode even after having the song in PLAY. It is also possible to enter and exit the
TEXT mode at any time during the song performance. If you enter the TEXT
mode while the song is being played, it will sometimes be a short wait before
being able to visualize the correct lyrics on the display. It may also “lose” the lyric
portion that should be visualized while activating the TEXT mode. Don’t worry –
the M-Blaster will catch up to itself.
For the chords and lyrics to be seen on the display, they have got to be
memorised in the MIDI file. The readable formats are:
Tune 1000 (files with extension “.mid”): in format “1” or “0”
Solton (files with extension “.mid”): in format “1” or “0”
Word Box/M-Live (files with extension “.mid”): in format “1” or “0”
Karaoke (files with extension “.kar”): in format “1”
PLAY/STOP/CONTINUE
In SONGS mode, to PLAY a song, select it with the arrow buttons. Pushing the
PLAY button will play the highlighted song. Pushing the MENU/INFO button while
the song is playing will display:
The full title of the song playing;
For MIDI files, the time signature (4/4, 3/4 etc);
For MIDI files the current position, indicated in measures and in quarters
of measures, for Mp3 files the time gone from the start of the track;
For MIDI files the metronomic time, for MP3 files the bit rate value (kbps).
If the STOP button is pushed during the song playback, the song will be paused.
At this point it is possible to use the CONTINUE function key to continue

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(to restart the song playback from the point where it was paused). You can also
push the PLAY button again to restart the song from the beginning.
NOTE: The song that is playing is always the one highlighted with the arrow
buttons. If one song is playing then another one is highlighted pushing the PLAY
button will stop the first song and the new song will start immediately. If a song is
interrupted with the STOP button read the following:
After halting a song with the STOP button and highlighting another one, using the
PLAY button will start the song from the beginning. Using the CONTINUE
function will resume the first song playing (from the point where it was halted).
PARAM. (Parameters)
Press the PARAM. button while a song is playing to access the “Parameters”
page where it is possible to adjust the MIDI and Audio parameters in real time
(during playback). All parameters can be changed using the adjustment
knob (fig. 1/1).
The function keys in PARAM permit the selection of the following pages:
1. MIDI, which enables adjustment to the following:
MIDI TRANSPOSE: This adjusts the global transposition (of all the MIDI
files). The value can be varied by 12 semitones before or during the song
playback. This parameter will be active until the equipment is turned off.
MIDI REVERB: This adjusts the global quantity of the reverberation effect
on MIDI tracks.
MUTE TRACK: This enables you to choose which track is the melody
track (in case you would like it muted with the TRKON/OFF function. The
TRKON/OFF factory preset value is 4 as the melody track is usually
assigned to this MIDI channel.
EASY TUNE: Shows the ‘easy tune’ value (+4 semitones for male, 0 for
normal or -4 for female).
2. “OUT EQ”: This adjusts the output global equalization.

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The adjustable parameters are:
TREBLE : high frequencies;
BASS: low frequencies.
3. “MIC EQ”: This adjusts the equalization of the microphone inputs Mic1 and
Mic2.
The adjustable parameters are:
HIGH: high frequencies;
MID F: MID intervention frequency;
MID: medium frequencies;
LOW: low frequencies.
NOTE: The equaliser on the medium frequencies is of the “semi-parametric”
type. The “MID F” parameter enables adjustment to a particular frequency,
enhancing or easing it up through the “MID” parameter.
This means that intervening exclusively on the “MID F” parameter will make no
tonal variation. The intervention frequencies start from 110hz (identified as low
frequencies) and go up to 1800hz (identified as high frequencies, or high pitched)
and cover the range of frequencies not modifiable by the “HIGH or “LOW”
regulations. A practical example to understand the regulation of the semi-
parametric filter: enhance the “MID” parameter, then, speaking in the
corresponding microphone move as you please the parameter “MID F”. It will be
then possible to hear the different frequencies to enhance (or ease up) using the
“MID”.
4. “MIC FX”. This adjusts the type and quantity of the effect for the Mic1 and
Mic2.
The adjustable parameters are:
DELAY TYPE: To choose among three types of delay:
Mono/Stereo/Triple;
DELAY LEVEL: To change the quantity of delay effect;
REVERB SEND: To change the quantity of reverberation;
CHORUS SEND: To change the quantity of chorus effect.
“EXIT”: To leave the “PARAM.” page.

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TRKCHANG (TRACK CHANGE)
This function allows adjustment to the customized parameters of each song
(volumes/effects /transposition/time etc).
During playback it is possible to adjust and save customizations for each single
song by pressing the TRKCHANG function key (can only be activated while the
song is playing)
The TRKCHANG page is different depending on the type of file played,
MIDI or audio (MP3).
NOTE: The effect generator (reverberation and chorus) is common between the
MIDI playback and the MIC1/2, so the reverberation and/or chorus characteristics
can be changed depending on the type of messages coming from the MIDI file in
playback.
PARAMETERS FOR MIDI FILES
To adjust the volume, effects, transposition, tempo and other parameters of a
MIDI file, select the TRKCHANG function. As explained above, this function is
accessible from the main SONGS page and only available after the song has
started.
Once TRKCHANG is activated, this is what the function keys do:
RESTORE: This zeroes all the variations to their parameters and restores
the presets originally memorized in each song;

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SAVE: Saves the modifications made by the user.
RELOAD: Recalls the last values saved by the user.
MUTE: Mutes a track (same as zeroing the volume MIDI channel). This
function is only available if ‘VOL’ in the TRKCHANG window is highlighted.
SOLO: “Solos” the highlighted channel. This function is only available if
‘VOL’ in the TRKCHANG window is NOT highlighted.
NOTE: None of the variations done through the TRKCHANG function will modify
the original parameters of a song. To understand how TRKCHANG works,
imagine a chart attached to the song, in which all the variations on the default
song values done by the user are memorised (+/- values). For instance a song
with the volume on the MIDI channel n°2 might be recorded with the following
progression:
first measure (beat 1.1) set to Volume=100
tenth measure (beat 10.1) set to Volume=110
When the song is in PLAY, the M-Blaster will display (in correspondence to the
MIDI channel n°2 volume) the value “100” until the tenth measure. After that we
will read “110”.
Let’s imagine we set a variation on the channel 2 volume using the
PAGE/VALUE knob equal to “-020” (saving the variation with the SAVE function
key). Playing the song again will display (in correspondence to the MIDI channel
n°2 volume) the value “080” until the tenth measure and “90” after that.
This means that with the TRKCHANG function it is possible to set variations that
will add up (or subtract) the preset parameter values of songs. Such variations
can be saved on the Compact Flash (in a chart attached to the song) and will
have effect only when the song is being played and will not affect the original
parameters which can be recalled any time.
Once TRKCHANG is activated, the display shows a page divided in two zones by
a status bar.
The upper part concerns the managing of the single MIDI channels, while the
lower one allows choosing from which parameter to work.

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Variations can be made on the following parameters:
VOL (Volume)
TRN (Transpose)
PRG (Program change)
BNK (Bank select)
REV (Reverberation)
CHR (Chorus)
PAN (Panpot)
TEMPO (metronomic time)
Use the arrow buttons to highlight a parameter of the lower part to work on. You
can also globally modify all the MIDI channels using the adjustment knob (fig.
1/1). In that case the modifications shown on the status bar will be those of
GLOBAL followed by the name of the parameter in use and from the word
TRKCHANG. It is impossible to make global changes to PROGRAM CHANGE or
BANK SELECT.
Using the arrow buttons to move to the upper part (the status bar will read the
word “CHANNEL” followed by the name of the variation in use and by the word
TRKCHANG) you can adjust the parameter in use of the particular midi channel
on which the arrow buttons are highlighting. The upper bar reports the name of
the instrument assigned to the MIDI channel where the arrow buttons are
positioned and the value of the parameter in use, visualized as a variation (-/+)
set by the user for that channel.
NOTE: on channel 10 transposing is only possible in “CHANNEL” mode
The usable function keys in the TRACK CHANGE page have the same function
as in the previous operative systems: RESTORE, SAVE, RELOAD and MUTE
with the addiction of a new one that changes its use depending on the parameter
it is working with.
More precisely:
“MUTE”: This is only visualized when working on the volume parameter. Pushing
this function key changes the track on which the arrow buttons are positioned.

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“SOLO”: Visualized for all the other parameters. Pushing this function key will
play only the channel on which the arrow buttons are positioned in that moment.
PARAMETERS FOR MP3 FILES
To make adjustments to an audio file (MP3) select the TRKCHANG function. As
described above, this function is accessible from the main SONGS page by using
the corresponding function key. TRKCHANG is only an option after the song has
started: Once TRKCHANG is selected the function keys have the following uses
assigned:
RESTORE: “Zeroes” all the variations done to the parameters by the user
and restores the presets originally memorized in each song;
SAVE: Saves the modifications made by the user.
RELOAD: Recalls the last values saved by the user.
MUTE: This parameter is not usable on this page.
The parameters available in this page are:
LEVEL: Adjusts the volume of the song in playback,

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TREBLE: Increases or decreases the level of the high frequencies (treble),
BASS: Increases or decreases the level of the low frequencies (bass),
PANPOT: Adjusts the balance between the two stereo channels
(left/right),
PITCH: Modifies the key of the song playing without altering its tempo.
The values allowed are +/- 6 semitones,
TIME STRETCH: Modifies the tempo of the song in playback without
altering its key (pitch). The values allowed are +/- 3.
NOTE: The “PITCH” and “TIME STRETCH” functions can be very useful,
however is important to remember that the sound quality will decrease the more
the original mp3 is modified.
PLAY LIST
The PLAY LIST is what M-Blaster uses to organize the files in a simple and
intuitive manner. You can create a PLAY LIST containing songs to be played
sequentially (to help organize repertoire) or to group song by genre using the E-
LINK software. Also, any song is able to be part of more than one Play List
(without duplicating the song on the Compact Flash). This means you can
choose the same song from alternative play lists. Each Play List can contain a
maximum of 48 songs, mixed between MIDI files and/or MP3. M-Blaster has a
capacity of up to 100 groups.
The functions offered by the play list mode allow to:
Choose a group of songs to play (using the PLAY button).
Choose whether to play the songs in sequence (one after the other) or to
select and then play songs from the PLAY LIST in any order one at a time,
Visualize chords and lyrics (if memorized into a song),
Customize parameters like volumes, effects, transposition and tempo of
the song playback.
To activate the PLAY LIST mode, start from the SONGS mode and then push the
PLAY LIST function key.

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Function Keys activated:
If you are in PLAY LIST mode and there are no songs PLAY LIST (or if the
previous song is finished) M-Blaster is in “Stand-by” (STOP button is lighted –
PLAY button is not); in the last line of the display the following function keys are
active:
LOOP/NOLOOP: To decide whether songs start to play immediately after
the previous song is finished (LOOP) or if the M-Blaster should wait for
you to press PLAY before it plays the next song (NOLOOP) ;
LIST: To show the list of songs that are part of that play list and to choose
which song of the list to play,
TEXT: Shows any text (generally lyrics or chords) that are part of the
highlighted file.
When the M-Blaster is in “PLAY” (green ‘PLAY’ button is lighted) there are
more function keys active:
TRKCHANG: Adjusts many variables such as the volume, reverberation,
chorus, transposition and tempo of the song being played. When the song
playback is halted through the STOP button, the TRKCHANG function key
is substituted by CONTINUE.
CONTINUE: This is used to restart a song exactly from the point where it
had been interrupted by the STOP button.
HOW TO CHOOSE A LIST OF SONGS IN PLAY LIST MODE
Once the PLAY LIST mode is accessed, you can see the group of songs created
on the display (they can be setup only through the management software
supplied with M-Blaster)
To choose a PLAY LIST highlight it with the arrow buttons (fig. 1/8) or move to
another page with the alpha dialer (fig. 1/1).
HOW TO PLAY SONGS IN PLAY LIST
Before playing the songs contained in a PLAY LIST, decide whether the songs
should be played sequentially (one after another), or if the songs will be played in
a different order to how they are listed in the play list (meaning each song