Generalmusic S2 Turbo User manual

INSTRUCTION PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS.
WARNING - When using electric products, basic precautions should always be followed, including the following:
1. Read all the Safety and Installation instructions and explanations of Graphic Symbols before using the product .
2. This product must be earthed. If it should malfunction or breakdown, grounding provides a path of least resistance for
electric current to reduce the risk of electric shock. This product is equipped with a cord having an equipment-grounding
conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and earthed in
accordance with all local codes and ordinances.
DANGER -Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock. Check
with a qualified electrician or serviceman if you are in doubt as to whether the product is properly grounded. Do not modify
the plug provided with the product - if it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
3. To reduce the risk of injury, close supervision is necessary when this product is used near children.
4. Do not use this product near water - for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement, or near a
swimming pool or the like.
5. This product should only be used by a stand or cart that is recommended by the manufacturer.
6. This product, either alone or in combination with an amplifier and headphones or speakers, may be capable of producing
sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of time at a high volume level or at a
level that is uncomfortable. If you experience any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist.
7. This product should be located so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation.
8. This product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other products that produce
heat.
9. The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked
on the product.
10. This product may be equipped with a polarized line plug (one blade wider than the other). This is a safety feature. If you
are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact an electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety
purpose of the plug.
11. The power-supply cord of the product should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.
When unplugging the power supply cord, do not pull on the cord, but grasp it by the plug.
12. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
13. The product should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product; or
C. The products has been exposed to rain; or
D. The product does not appear to be operating normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
E.The product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
14. Do not attempt to service the product beyond that described in the user-maintenance instructions. All other servicing
should be referred to qualified service personnel.
15. WARNING - Do not place objects on product power cord or place it in a position where anyone could trip
over, walk on or roll anything over it. Do not allow the product, or its bench, or its pedal board to rest on or to be installed
over power cords of any type. Improper installations of this type create the possibility of fire hazard and/or personal injury.
16.Electromagneticinterference(RFI).Thiselectronicproductutilizesdigitalsampledwaveprocessingtechnology(S.W.P.)that
may adversely affect radio/tv reception. Read FCC information inside back cover for additional information.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER
(OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
EXPLANATION OF GRAPHIC SYMBOLS:
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol,
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to
alerttheusertothepresenceofuninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within the product’s
enclosurethatmaybeofsufficientmagnitude
toconstituteariskofelectricshocktopersons.
The exclamation mark within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.

MUSICPROCESSORS
OWNER’S MANUAL

Registered trademarks cited in this publication
Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore/Amiga, Inc.Akai and Akai S1000 are registered trademarks of Akai
Professional. Apple File Exchange and Macintosh are registered trademarks ofApple Computer, Inc.Atari and Atari ST
are registered trademarks of theAtari Corporation. Sound Designer is a registered trademark of DigiDesign, Inc. Notator
and Notator Logic are registered trademarks of Emagic GmbH. AccesPC is a registgered trademark of Insignia Solutions,
Inc. MS-DOS and Wave are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. Avalon and Cubase are registered
trademarks of Steinberg Research GmbH. SampleVision is a registered trademark of Turtle Beach Systems, Inc. All other
trademarks cited are the property of the respective manufacturer.
********************************
The information contained in this publication has been carefully prepared and checked. However, no responsibility will be
taken for eventual errors. All rights are reserved and this document may not be copied, photcopied or reproduced in part or
in whole without prior consent from Generalmusic S.p.A.. Generalmusic S.p.A. reserves the right to apply whatever
aesthetic, design or functional modifications are considered necessary to any of their products without prior notice.
Generalmusic S.p.A. assumes no responsibility for the use or application of the products or circuits described herein.
This symbol, silkscreened on the instrument’s back panel, is an indication that the S Series unit incorporates
two rechargeable Ni/Cd (Nickel-Cadmium) batteries which are recharged while the instrument is in use.
These batteries maintain data intact (when the instrument is off) in the Ram (if installed), and any user-
programmed data in EDIT GENERAL (date, time, footswitch polarity and operating status, General MIDI
compatibility, Dynamic and Aftertouch sensitivity in S2/S3 and the Sound Test note in S2R).
© 1994 by Generalmusic S.p.A. All rights reserved.

GENERAL INDEX I
SUBJECT INDEX
This index lists all the subjects discussed in the manual. Each subject shows the section and relative chapter where
the subject appears.
Abbreviations
U/S User Interface/Selection P Practical guide
ST SampleTranslator R Reference
For example, “Song-load from disk, P2, R11” shows that the description of the procedure to load a Song from disk
is described in the Practical Guide section, chapter 2 and also in the Reference section, chapter 11.
Song
- load from disk P2, R11
- load as Midi-file P4, R11
- save to disk P3, R11
- save as Midi-file P4, R11
- erase from memory P7, R9
- copy to another Bank/Song R16
- create a Bank/Song P7, R8
- Edit Song R9
Sequencer
- controls P6, R8
- select a Song U/S, P6, R8
- playback a Song P6, R8
- record a Song P9, R8
Performance
- how to programme a Performance P8, R3
- programming the tracks P8, R4
- viewing options of the tracks U/S, R1
Sound
- Sound Library
load from disk (as a Sound Library Setup ) P2, R11
save to disk (as a Sound Library Setup ) P3, R11
import a Song from disk R12
organisation R12
- selection (and assignment to a track)
from the control panel U/S
via Midi P12
- Edit Sound
select the type of Sound R5
select the Waveform R5
creat a Waveform ST, R6
definition of an Envelope P11
definition of Tracking P11
- Real time Sound editing P10
- Edit Sound via MIDI P14
Effects
- Effects Bypass U/S
- Effects Libraries
loading from disk (as an Effects Libraries Setup) P2, R11
save to disk (as an Effects Libraries Setup) P3, R11
organisation R13
- Edit Effects R14
- assignment to the Performance P8, R13
- activation of the tracks P8, R13
- selecting the Effects via Midi P13
- modifying the Effects via Midi P13
Drumkits & Sound Patch
- definition and editing R7
Midi
- assigning the Midi channels to the tracks R4
- difinition and programming the Midi-Common R10
- Midi-Merge R10
- General Midi P4, R10
- communcating with an external sequencer P15
Pedals, Footswitches
- assigning the functions P8, R3-10
- activation of the tracks P8, R4
Wheels
- assigning the functions P8, R3
- activation of the tracks P8, R4
Function Controllers
- use P10 (S2R: R3)
- editing R3
Audio Outputs
- programming R4
SUBJECT INDEX

II GENERAL INDEX
GENERAL INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................ 2
About the S Series instruments ...................................................................................................................................... 2
How to use this manual .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Convention used in the manual ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2. LAYOUTS ........................................................................................ 5
FRONT PANEL S2/S3 ............................................................................................................................... 6
REAR PANEL S2/S3.................................................................................................................................. 9
FRONT PANEL S2R ................................................................................................................................ 10
REAR PANEL S2R................................................................................................................................... 12
3. OVERVIEW OF THE INSTRUMENT
& ITS EDIT/DATA HANDLING CAPACITY ....................................... 13
OVERVIEW OF THE INSTRUMENT ....................................................................................................... 14
The Music Processor concept ...................................................................................................................................... 14
Sound synthesis ........................................................................................................................................................... 14
Sampling............................................................................................................................................................................ 14
Waveforms ......................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Filters and Sounds............................................................................................................................................................. 15
Bank/Song and Performance........................................................................................................................................ 16
Performance ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Tracks ........................................................................................................................................................................... 16
The Track playing mode .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Bank/Song ......................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Track configuration ........................................................................................................................................................... 17
Multi-timbral ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17
The mixer........................................................................................................................................................................... 17
“Mute” and “Solo”........................................................................................................................................................... 17
Sources and Destinations............................................................................................................................................. 18
MIDI events ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Sources .............................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Destinations....................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Internal memory and disks............................................................................................................................................ 19
Overview of the data and the memorising facilities (floppy disk and Ram-disk).............................................................. 19
The data............................................................................................................................................................................. 19
MODES OF OPERATION: NORMAL, EDIT/HANDLING......................................................................... 20
Normal operative mode..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Edit/Data Handling mode ................................................................................................................................................. 20
Multitasking....................................................................................................................................................................... 20

GENERAL INDEX III
OVERVIEW OF THE EDIT/HANDLING ENVIRONMENTS ..................................................................... 21
Edit, handling, utility environments ............................................................................................................................... 21
The pages..................................................................................................................................................................... 21
The menus.................................................................................................................................................................... 22
The structure and selection of the menus .......................................................................................................................... 22
Commands/options....................................................................................................................................................... 22
Parameters ................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Simple parameter .............................................................................................................................................................. 22
Main menu and secondary menus ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Multiple parameter............................................................................................................................................................ 23
Graphic parameter............................................................................................................................................................ 23
Escape from edit/handling ............................................................................................................................................ 24
Analysis of the ‘edit sound’edit environment ................................................................................................................... 24
Analysis of two edit/handling environments.................................................................................................................. 24
The “Are you sure?” display............................................................................................................................................. 24
Analysis of the ‘disk’handling environment ..................................................................................................................... 25
4. INSTALLATION, POWER UP, DEMO ........................................... 27
CONNECTING THE POWER CABLE ..................................................................................................... 28
CONNECT THE AUDIO CABLES............................................................................................................ 28
Connecting to an external amplification system ............................................................................................................... 28
Stereo headphones............................................................................................................................................................. 28
S2R: CONNECTING TO A MASTER KEYBOARD OR TOAN EXTERNAL SEQUENCER .................... 29
Connecting to a Master keyboard................................................................................................................................. 29
Connect the Midi ports...................................................................................................................................................... 29
Connecting to a monosplit master keyboard (via Midi-Common) .................................................................................... 29
Connecting to a multisplit master keyboard ..................................................................................................................... 29
Connecting to an external sequencer ........................................................................................................................... 30
Connecting the Midi ports................................................................................................................................................. 30
Check the track status of the midi in Source ..................................................................................................................... 30
Deactivation of Midi-Common.......................................................................................................................................... 30
How to deactivate the Midi-Common channel .............................................................................................................. 31
Save the Midi-Common status to disk .......................................................................................................................... 31
How to save the Midi-Common status to floppy disk ........................................................................................................ 31
Save the Midi-Common status to the Ram-disk................................................................................................................. 32
POWER UP.............................................................................................................................................. 33
Powering up with empty disk drive RAM-disk .................................................................................................................. 33
Powering up with a floppy disk inserted in the drive........................................................................................................ 33
Powering up with data in the RAM-disk ........................................................................................................................... 33
Regulating the volume....................................................................................................................................................... 33
Before turning off the instrument... ................................................................................................................................... 33
S2R: “SOUND TEST”............................................................................................................................... 34
Sound Test in the main display .......................................................................................................................................... 34
Sound Test in the Sample Translator................................................................................................................................. 34
DEMO ...................................................................................................................................................... 35
The ROM demonstration Song ..................................................................................................................................... 35
The “Demo Disk 01” and “Demo Disk 02” demo songs ................................................................................................ 35
Load the contents of “Demo Disk 01” automatically ....................................................................................................... 35
Play back the “Demo Disk 01” demo songs ..................................................................................................................... 35
Interrupt the “Demo Disk 01” demo songs ...................................................................................................................... 35

IV GENERAL INDEX
Load the contents of “Demo Disk 02” in Ram ................................................................................................................. 36
Playback the “Demo Disk 02” demo song ....................................................................................................................... 36
Cancel the “Demo Disk 02” demo song from the Music Processor’s memory ................................................................ 36
5. USER INTERFACE / SELECTION ................................................ 37
DATA ENTRY COMMANDS..................................................................................................................... 38
Dial, +1/> and -1/<, Enter, Exit...................................................................................................................................... 38
Alphanumeric keypad ................................................................................................................................................... 38
How to specify numeric data............................................................................................................................................. 38
How to enter alphabetic characters .................................................................................................................................. 39
Navigating with the Dial, Enter and Exit........................................................................................................................ 39
Use of the numeric keypad to navigate in the menus................................................................................................... 40
«EMERGENCY» BUTTONS.................................................................................................................... 41
PANIC................................................................................................................................................................................ 41
MIDI OFF (S2/S3) ............................................................................................................................................................ 41
EFF. BYPASS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 41
UNDO ............................................................................................................................................................................... 41
DISPLAY AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLS ............................................................................................. 42
MAIN DISPLAY / SAVE PERFORMANCE ............................................................................................... 43
“Performance” mode........................................................................................................................................................ 43
“Sounds” mode ................................................................................................................................................................. 43
“Save Performance” (save) .............................................................................................................................................. 44
“Save Performance” in S2/S3........................................................................................................................................... 44
“Save Performance” in S2R ............................................................................................................................................. 44
BANK/SONG AND PERFORMANCE SELECTION ................................................................................. 45
Selecting the Bank/Songs and Performances in S2/S3................................................................................................ 45
Selecting with the buttons of the Bank/Song and Performance sections .......................................................................... 45
Selecting the Bank/Songs and Performances in S2R .................................................................................................. 45
Selecting in “Performance” mode .................................................................................................................................... 45
Selecting Bank/Song and Performances in “Sounds” mode............................................................................................. 45
Selecting in “Performance” mode .................................................................................................................................... 45
Selecting a Performance of the active Bank/Song in “Sounds” mode.............................................................................. 45
SELECTING SOUNDS ............................................................................................................................ 46
Selecting Sounds with the Dial (or the +1/> and -1/< buttons) ....................................................................................... 46
Selecting Sounds with the alphanumeric keypad .............................................................................................................. 46
Selecting Sounds directly from the Sound Library ............................................................................................................ 46
CORRECT TRACK VISUALISATION ...................................................................................................... 47
Visualisation of the tracks that can be played on a keyboard ........................................................................................... 47
Visualisation of the tracks that can be played via Midi In (not Midi-Common)............................................................... 47
Visualisation of the tracks played by a Song..................................................................................................................... 47
TRACK PLAYING MODE......................................................................................................................... 48
Track playing modes available for each Source ............................................................................................................... 48
Description of the track playing modes ............................................................................................................................ 48
i How to set a split point for the split track playing mode ................................................................................................ 49
PLAY, MUTE, SOLO................................................................................................................................. 50
Play ................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Mute................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Solo.................................................................................................................................................................................... 50

GENERAL INDEX V
6. PRACTICAL GUIDE...................................................................... 51
1 PREPARE A WORK DISK WITH THE S SERIES DISK DRIVE .......................................................... 52
2 LOAD THE CONTENTS OF A DISK INTO MEMORY ......................................................................... 53
Load all the instrument’s data from disk ........................................................................................................................... 53
Load a Group of Bank/Songs ............................................................................................................................................ 54
Load a Single Bank/Song .................................................................................................................................................. 54
Load a Setup...................................................................................................................................................................... 55
3 SAVE THE CONTENTS OF MEMORY TO DISK................................................................................. 57
Save all the instrument’s data to disk ................................................................................................................................ 57
Save all the Bank/Songs in a Group .................................................................................................................................. 58
Save a single Bank/Song ................................................................................................................................................... 58
Save a single Setup............................................................................................................................................................ 59
4 LOAD AND SAVE A MIDI-FILE ............................................................................................................ 61
Memory format and Midi-files .......................................................................................................................................... 61
Compatibility of the sounds (Midi-files in General Midi/GS standard)............................................................................ 61
Activation of the General Midi/GS compatibility.............................................................................................................. 61
Load a Midi-file ............................................................................................................................................................. 62
Save a Midi-file ............................................................................................................................................................. 63
5 OVERVIEW OF THE DISKS SUPPLIED WITH THE INSTRUMENT .................................................. 65
“Demo Disk 01”............................................................................................................................................................. 65
The Bank/Song directory ................................................................................................................................................... 65
The Setup directory ........................................................................................................................................................... 66
Check the Ram-Sounds contained in Demo Disk 01 ......................................................................................................... 67
Load the Bank/Songs and Setups from Demo Disk 01 ...................................................................................................... 67
“Demo Disk 02”............................................................................................................................................................. 68
Load the new pianoforte from Demo Disk 02 ................................................................................................................... 68
“Freeware Disk” ............................................................................................................................................................ 69
The “Hardcopy” program................................................................................................................................................. 69
The “Disk_Dir” program.................................................................................................................................................. 69
The “Copy_Prg” program ................................................................................................................................................ 69
6 SONG PLAYBACK / THE SEQUENCER CONTROLS........................................................................ 70
Load a Song using the standard procedure....................................................................................................................... 70
Use Preload to load a Song in background ...................................................................................................................... 70
How to select the Song ...................................................................................................................................................... 70
The Sequencer ................................................................................................................................................................... 71
7 CREATE OR MODIFY THE BANK/SONGS......................................................................................... 72
Cancel Song 1 (Demo) ................................................................................................................................................. 72
Prepare a start-up disk to power up without Song 1 (Demo)........................................................................................ 72
Record a new Song using the Performances of an existing Bank/Song ...................................................................... 73
Using a Bank/Song already present in memory ................................................................................................................ 73
Using a Bank/Song contained in a disk............................................................................................................................. 73
Create a new Bank/Song.............................................................................................................................................. 74
Cancel one of the 10 default Bank/Songs present in memory ........................................................................................... 74
Create a completely new Bank/Song ................................................................................................................................. 74
8 EDITING THE PERFORMANCES ....................................................................................................... 75
Create, copy and cancel the tracks .............................................................................................................................. 75
How to cancel tracks ......................................................................................................................................................... 75
How to create tracks ......................................................................................................................................................... 75
Copy a track to another..................................................................................................................................................... 76

VI GENERAL INDEX
How to assign the Sounds to the tracks ....................................................................................................................... 76
Select the Sounds from the main display ........................................................................................................................... 76
Select the Sounds from the Sound Library ........................................................................................................................ 76
Set the tracks to Play or Mute....................................................................................................................................... 77
Track volumes .............................................................................................................................................................. 77
How to vary the track Volumes with the Function Controllers ......................................................................................... 77
How to vary the Volumes in edit performance/tracks ....................................................................................................... 78
TRANSPOSE ........................................................................................................................................... 78
How to vary the track transposition in the track transposer ............................................................................................ 78
How to vary the track transposition in edit performance/tracks ...................................................................................... 79
Effects........................................................................................................................................................................... 79
How to assign the Effects to a Performance ..................................................................................................................... 79
How to engage the Effects to the tracks ............................................................................................................................ 80
How to activate and programme the pedals and wheels .............................................................................................. 80
How to assign a function to a pedal and wheel ................................................................................................................ 80
How to activate/deactivate the pedals and wheels for the tracks ..................................................................................... 81
Save the modifications to the Performance .................................................................................................................. 81
9 HOW TO RECORD A SONG ............................................................................................................... 82
What is a Song?................................................................................................................................................................. 82
The Song tracks ................................................................................................................................................................. 82
Prepare the tracks for the recording ................................................................................................................................. 82
Activate Record mode and select the recording options ................................................................................................... 83
Select the parameters of the Song ..................................................................................................................................... 84
The Song pointer (locator) ................................................................................................................................................ 84
Now record the Song ......................................................................................................................................................... 85
Recording methods ............................................................................................................................................................ 85
10 REAL TIME SOUND EDITING........................................................................................................... 86
The S2/S3 hardware Function Controllers.................................................................................................................... 86
Panel mode........................................................................................................................................................................ 87
User mode ......................................................................................................................................................................... 88
The S2R Function Controller ........................................................................................................................................ 88
Save the modifications to the Performance .................................................................................................................. 89
11 EDITING SOUNDS IN THE STUDIO ................................................................................................. 90
Types of Sound............................................................................................................................................................. 90
The three fundamental Sound types .................................................................................................................................. 90
The combinations: Sound Patch and Drumkits................................................................................................................. 90
Rom-Sound, Ram-Sound, Ram Sound..........................................................................................................................91
Waveform...................................................................................................................................................................... 91
Filters ............................................................................................................................................................................ 91
The filters and the Cutoff-frequency.................................................................................................................................. 91
Resonance ......................................................................................................................................................................... 91
The filter envelopes ........................................................................................................................................................... 92
Envelopes ..................................................................................................................................................................... 92
Types of Envelopes ............................................................................................................................................................ 92
Programming the envelopes.............................................................................................................................................. 92
Tracking ........................................................................................................................................................................ 93
Types of Tracking .............................................................................................................................................................. 93
Programming the Tracking ............................................................................................................................................... 93
Lfo, Pitch, Pan .............................................................................................................................................................. 94
Lfo ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 94
Pitch .................................................................................................................................................................................. 94
Pan .................................................................................................................................................................................... 94
Memorising the Sound in the Sound Library................................................................................................................. 95

GENERAL INDEX VII
Escape from edit sound ..................................................................................................................................................... 95
Escape edit sound and cancel the modifications............................................................................................................... 95
Escape from edit sound saving the Sound in the Sound Library....................................................................................... 95
Save the Sound Library to disk.......................................................................................................................................... 95
12 SELECTING THE SOUNDS VIA MIDI...............................................................................................96
Selecting the Sounds with Bank Select and Program Change..................................................................................... 96
The Program Change ........................................................................................................................................................ 96
The Bank Select (Midi Controller 0) ................................................................................................................................. 96
Select the Sounds via the Performance Change event ................................................................................................ 98
Programming the Midi-Common channel......................................................................................................................... 98
Select the Performances via Midi-Common...................................................................................................................... 98
13 SELECTING THE EFFECTS VIA MIDI............................................................................................ 100
Programming the Midi-Common channel....................................................................................................................... 100
Controlling the Effects via Midi-Common ...................................................................................................................... 100
14 EDITING SOUNDS VIA MIDI........................................................................................................... 101
15 PROGRAMMING WITHAN EXTERNALSEQUENCER — PERFORMANCE 10 OF BANK/SONG 1 ... 102
7. SAMPLE TRANSLATOR............................................................. 105
SAMPLE TRANSLATOR 2.0.................................................................................................................. 106
About Sample Translator................................................................................................................................................. 106
Waveforms and multi-samples......................................................................................................................................... 106
Accessing Sample Translator .......................................................................................................................................... 107
Temporary escape from Sample Translator .................................................................................................................... 107
The “Waveform” display.............................................................................................................................................. 108
The “Waveform” command functions ............................................................................................................................. 108
Loading samples (“Load”)........................................................................................................................................... 109
1. Loading a sample contained in a Ram-Sound............................................................................................................. 109
2. Loading a sample via MIDI ........................................................................................................................................ 109
3. Loading samples from Ms-Dos/Atari floppy disks .......................................................................................................111
4. Loading Samples and Programs from an Akai S1000 floppy disk ...............................................................................112
“Cut End” ........................................................................................................................................................................114
Assigning samples to a keyboard range (“Assign”) .....................................................................................................114
Cancelling assignments (“UnAssign”) ............................................................................................................................115
Re-assigning limits after an Unassign command.............................................................................................................115
“Play Single” display ....................................................................................................................................................116
“Zoom” ............................................................................................................................................................................116
“Gain” .............................................................................................................................................................................117
“Loop nr:(x)”...................................................................................................................................................................117
“Send”..............................................................................................................................................................................117
“Exit” ...............................................................................................................................................................................118
The “Info about” display ...............................................................................................................................................118
“Note”..............................................................................................................................................................................118
“SR” .................................................................................................................................................................................119
“Length” (cannot be modified) ........................................................................................................................................119
“Loop Start” & “Loop End” ...........................................................................................................................................119
“Loop Type”.................................................................................................................................................................... 120
“Note range” (cannot be modified) ................................................................................................................................ 120
Commands in the right-hand column .............................................................................................................................. 121
Cancelling a sample (“Delete”) ................................................................................................................................... 121
Copying a sample to a different location (“Copy & Paste) .......................................................................................... 121
Saving a Waveform (“Save”)....................................................................................................................................... 122
Escape from Sample Translator ................................................................................................................................. 123

VIII GENERAL INDEX
8. REFERENCE GUIDE .................................................................. 125
1 THE SOURCE SECTION................................................................................................................... 126
The buttons in the Source section.................................................................................................................................... 126
Local Source.................................................................................................................................................................... 126
i The Set split command ................................................................................................................................................. 127
Midi in Source ................................................................................................................................................................. 127
Song Source..................................................................................................................................................................... 128
Option Source.................................................................................................................................................................. 128
The solo button ................................................................................................................................................................ 128
2 TRACK TRANSPOSER / MASTER TRANSPOSER.......................................................................... 129
The track transposer button ............................................................................................................................................ 129
Track Transposer............................................................................................................................................................. 129
Master Transposer .......................................................................................................................................................... 129
The master transpose buttons (only S2/S3) ..................................................................................................................... 129
3 EDIT PERFORMANCE/CONTROLS ................................................................................................. 131
Page 1 Effects.................................................................................................................................................................. 131
Page 2 Controllers (S2/S3) ............................................................................................................................................. 131
Page 3: User Keys (S2/S3) .............................................................................................................................................. 132
Page 4: User Controllers (S2/S3) ................................................................................................................................... 132
Page 2: Controllers (S2R)............................................................................................................................................... 132
Page 3: Function Controller (S2R) ................................................................................................................................. 132
Assignable MIDI messages ........................................................................................................................................... 133
4 EDIT PERFORMANCE/TRACKS ...................................................................................................... 134
General commands.......................................................................................................................................................... 134
Page 1: Configuration..................................................................................................................................................... 135
Page 2: Common............................................................................................................................................................. 136
Page 3: Local (S2/S3) ..................................................................................................................................................... 137
Page 3: Local (S2R) ........................................................................................................................................................ 138
Page 4: Internal Sound ................................................................................................................................................... 139
Page 5: Midi Filter In ..................................................................................................................................................... 139
Page 6: Midi Filter Out................................................................................................................................................... 140
MIDI messages assignable to the Midi Filters (In & Out) ........................................................................................ 140
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 141
5 EDIT SOUND ..................................................................................................................................... 142
Single Oscillator (SO), Dual Oscillator (DO), Dual Crossfade (DC) Sounds ............................................................... 142
Sound types...................................................................................................................................................................... 142
Polyphony obtained with different types of sounds ......................................................................................................... 143
Maximum polyphony obtainable in the various track playing modes............................................................................. 143
Access the edit sound environment.................................................................................................................................. 143
The edit environment (the editors of the edit sound menu) ............................................................................................. 143
The editors of the edit sound menu ................................................................................................................................. 143
......................................................................................................................................................................................... 143
The options of the main menu and of the editors ............................................................................................................ 144
The options of the main menu ......................................................................................................................................... 144
The editor options (secondary menus) ............................................................................................................................ 144
Status of the instrument in edit sound mode.................................................................................................................... 144
Temporary escape from edit sound.................................................................................................................................. 144
Escaping from edit sound and saving the modified sound .............................................................................................. 144
Possible error messages during the Sound save task...................................................................................................... 145
Escape from edit sound without memorising the modified sound ................................................................................... 145
Converting a Sound to a different type ....................................................................................................................... 146
Conversion limits ............................................................................................................................................................ 146
Waveset ...................................................................................................................................................................... 147
Waveform (Sound Dual Crossfade) ................................................................................................................................. 147
Waveform (Single Oscillator Sound) ............................................................................................................................... 147

GENERAL INDEX IX
Page 1 Waveform (Dual Oscillator Sound)..................................................................................................................... 148
Page 2 Oscillator Balance (Dual Oscillator Sound) ...................................................................................................... 148
Volume........................................................................................................................................................................ 149
Page 1 Volume................................................................................................................................................................. 149
Page 2 Volume Tracking.................................................................................................................................................. 149
Amplitude envelope .................................................................................................................................................... 150
Page 1 Amplitude Envelope Control ............................................................................................................................... 150
Page 2 Amplitude Key On ............................................................................................................................................... 151
Page 3 Amplitude Key Off............................................................................................................................................... 152
Page 4 Amplitude Envelope Tracking ............................................................................................................................. 152
Lfo............................................................................................................................................................................... 153
Lfo ................................................................................................................................................................................... 153
Filter 1/2...................................................................................................................................................................... 154
Page 1 Filter 1 ................................................................................................................................................................ 155
Page 2 Filter 2 ................................................................................................................................................................ 155
Page 3 Filter 1 Tracking ................................................................................................................................................. 156
Page 4: Filter 2 Tracking ................................................................................................................................................ 156
Filter Envelope (dc and do sounds) ............................................................................................................................ 157
Page 1 Filter Envelope Control ...................................................................................................................................... 157
Page 2: Filter Key On Envelope ..................................................................................................................................... 157
Page 3 Filter Key Off Envelope ...................................................................................................................................... 158
Page 4 Filter Envelope Tracking .................................................................................................................................... 159
Pitch Envelope............................................................................................................................................................ 160
Page 1 Pitch Envelope Control....................................................................................................................................... 160
Page 2 Pitch Key On Envelope ....................................................................................................................................... 160
Page 3: Pitch Key Off Envelope...................................................................................................................................... 161
Page 4 Filter Envelope Tracking .................................................................................................................................... 162
Pan ............................................................................................................................................................................. 163
Page 1 Pan Envelope Control (DC and DO Sounds) ..................................................................................................... 163
Page 2 Pan Key On Envelope (DC and DO Sounds)...................................................................................................... 163
Page 3 Pan Key Off Envelope (Sound DC and DO) ....................................................................................................... 164
Page 4 Pan Tracking (DC and DO Sounds) ................................................................................................................... 165
Pan Control (Sound SO) ................................................................................................................................................. 165
ROM-Waveforms with separate Pitch Envelopes for the two oscillatori even when Detune=0 ............................ 166
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 167
6 SAMPLE TRANSLATOR.................................................................................................................... 169
Accessing Sample Translator .......................................................................................................................................... 169
The instrument status during the Sample Translator tasks ............................................................................................. 170
Controlling the S2R......................................................................................................................................................... 170
Temporary escape from Sample Translator .................................................................................................................... 170
A closer look at Sample Translator ............................................................................................................................. 170
The Waveform display ..................................................................................................................................................... 171
Load................................................................................................................................................................................. 171
Save ................................................................................................................................................................................. 172
Assign .............................................................................................................................................................................. 172
UnAssign ......................................................................................................................................................................... 172
Play Single ...................................................................................................................................................................... 173
Info About ........................................................................................................................................................................ 173
Exit .................................................................................................................................................................................. 174
Cut End............................................................................................................................................................................ 175
Delete .............................................................................................................................................................................. 175
Copy ................................................................................................................................................................................ 175
Paste ................................................................................................................................................................................ 175
7 SOUND PATCH AND DRUMKIT ....................................................................................................... 176
The Sound Patch edit environment.................................................................................................................................. 176
Commands/options .......................................................................................................................................................... 176
Parameters ...................................................................................................................................................................... 177

XGENERAL INDEX
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 178
8 SEQUENCER AND SONG ................................................................................................................ 179
What is a Sequencer – The S Series Sequencer............................................................................................................... 179
Playback and Record ...................................................................................................................................................... 179
The Song and the Performance Bank.............................................................................................................................. 179
The sequencer controls.................................................................................................................................................... 180
Creating a Song............................................................................................................................................................... 180
Creating a Bank/Song ..................................................................................................................................................... 180
Creating a Performance with default values................................................................................................................... 180
Cancelling the Song ........................................................................................................................................................ 181
Recording a new Song..................................................................................................................................................... 181
“Undo” ........................................................................................................................................................................... 182
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 182
9 EDIT SONG MODE............................................................................................................................ 184
Accessing edit song mode................................................................................................................................................ 184
The main menu editors of edit song ................................................................................................................................ 184
Options of the main menu of edit song............................................................................................................................ 184
Options of the secondary menus ..................................................................................................................................... 184
Selecting the Tracks in Edit............................................................................................................................................. 185
Selection Screen .............................................................................................................................................................. 185
“Execute”........................................................................................................................................................................ 185
“Undo” ........................................................................................................................................................................... 185
Erase events.............................................................................................................................................................. 186
Page 1: Erase from track ................................................................................................................................................ 186
Page 2: Erase from Master Track ................................................................................................................................... 186
Move events .............................................................................................................................................................. 187
Move from track .............................................................................................................................................................. 187
Insert/delete bars ....................................................................................................................................................... 188
Page 1: Insert bars.......................................................................................................................................................... 188
Page 2: Delete bars......................................................................................................................................................... 188
Dynamic..................................................................................................................................................................... 189
Dynamic .......................................................................................................................................................................... 189
Transpose.................................................................................................................................................................. 189
Transpose ........................................................................................................................................................................ 189
Quantize .................................................................................................................................................................... 190
Page 1: Quantize Key On................................................................................................................................................ 190
Page 2: Quantize Key Off ............................................................................................................................................... 191
Copy .......................................................................................................................................................................... 191
Page 1: Copy from single track....................................................................................................................................... 192
Page 2: Copy all tracks................................................................................................................................................... 192
Page 3: Append ............................................................................................................................................................... 192
Microscope ................................................................................................................................................................ 193
Accessing the events of the Event List and their parameters .......................................................................................... 193
Moving to a data bar....................................................................................................................................................... 193
Selecting an event with Catch Locator............................................................................................................................ 194
Programmable Events and Parameters .......................................................................................................................... 194
The Command/Options Column ...................................................................................................................................... 195
Commands/options .......................................................................................................................................................... 195
“Undo” ........................................................................................................................................................................... 196
Utility .......................................................................................................................................................................... 196
Utility............................................................................................................................................................................... 196
Master Track .............................................................................................................................................................. 197
Accessing the events on the Event List and their values ................................................................................................. 197
Moving to a data bar....................................................................................................................................................... 197
Selecting an event with Catch Locator............................................................................................................................ 198
Programmable Events and Parameters .......................................................................................................................... 198
The Command/Options Column ...................................................................................................................................... 198

GENERAL INDEX XI
Commands/options .......................................................................................................................................................... 198
“Undo” ........................................................................................................................................................................... 199
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 200
10 EDIT GENERAL............................................................................................................................... 201
Tuning/Scale .............................................................................................................................................................. 201
Page 1: Tuning/Scale ...................................................................................................................................................... 201
Page 2: Edit Keyboard Scale .......................................................................................................................................... 202
Footswitch controls .................................................................................................................................................... 203
MIDI....................................................................................................................................................... 203
Page 1: Midi (1) .............................................................................................................................................................. 204
Page 2: Midi (2) .............................................................................................................................................................. 205
Date/Time set ............................................................................................................................................................ 205
Date & Time .................................................................................................................................................................... 205
Dynamic/touch sensitivity (s2/s3) .............................................................................................................................. 205
Sensitivity ........................................................................................................................................................................ 205
Sound test (s2r) ......................................................................................................................................................... 206
Sound test ........................................................................................................................................................................ 206
General Midi .............................................................................................................................................................. 206
General Midi ................................................................................................................................................................... 207
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 208
11 DISK ................................................................................................................................................. 209
Automatic loading when powering up............................................................................................................................. 209
The Ram-disk................................................................................................................................................................... 210
The Groups ...................................................................................................................................................................... 210
Organisation of the disk environment ..........................................................................................................................211
General commands/options..............................................................................................................................................211
i Directory ....................................................................................................................................................................... 212
i Data displayed in the directories .................................................................................................................................. 213
The Disk environment pages (Load, Save, Erase, Utility) ......................................................................................... 214
Load................................................................................................................................................................................. 214
Save ................................................................................................................................................................................. 215
Erase ............................................................................................................................................................................... 216
Utility............................................................................................................................................................................... 216
Possible error messages during disk operations ........................................................................................................ 219
Errors common to all operations .................................................................................................................................... 219
Load errors...................................................................................................................................................................... 219
Load and Erase Errors.................................................................................................................................................... 219
Formats of the magnetic supports used .......................................................................................................................... 220
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 220
12 SOUND LIBRARY............................................................................................................................ 221
How the Sound Library is organised............................................................................................................................... 221
The Sound Library display .............................................................................................................................................. 221
Selecting Families and Sounds........................................................................................................................................ 221
Selecting Sounds by entering the Program Change and Bank Select number................................................................ 222
Selecting Sounds with the search function ...................................................................................................................... 222
Commands/options .......................................................................................................................................................... 222
Types of Sounds and their identification symbols ........................................................................................................... 224
13 EFFECTS LIBRARIES ..................................................................................................................... 225
How the Effects Libraries are organised......................................................................................................................... 225
Selecting the Effects ........................................................................................................................................................ 225
Command/options ........................................................................................................................................................... 226
Library 1 (standard) ..................................................................................................................................................... 226
Library 2 (standard) ..................................................................................................................................................... 226

XII GENERAL INDEX
14 EDIT EFFECT .................................................................................................................................. 227
How to access the effect edit ........................................................................................................................................... 227
How to escape from the effect edit .................................................................................................................................. 227
How the edit effect environment is organised ................................................................................................................. 227
How to Programme the Effects of Library 1................................................................................................................ 228
Reverbs without programmable early-reflections ........................................................................................................... 228
Reverbs with programmable early-reflections ................................................................................................................ 228
How to Programme the Effects of Library 2................................................................................................................ 229
Delay, Panecho, Dubbing ............................................................................................................................................... 229
Chorus ............................................................................................................................................................................. 229
Flanger ............................................................................................................................................................................ 230
Phaser, Ensemble ............................................................................................................................................................ 230
Rotary .............................................................................................................................................................................. 231
Fladel, Panmix ................................................................................................................................................................ 231
Notes and suggestions ..................................................................................................................................................... 232
15 CLIPBOARD .................................................................................................................................... 234
Layout of the “Clipboard” page ..................................................................................................................................... 234
How to copy an edit page................................................................................................................................................ 234
How to copy a clip to an edit page.................................................................................................................................. 234
How to cancel a clip from the Clipboard ........................................................................................................................ 234
16 UTILITY............................................................................................................................................ 235
“Juke_box” ..................................................................................................................................................................... 235
Utility............................................................................................................................................................................... 235
17 PRELOAD ........................................................................................................................................ 237
APPENDIX............................................................................................ i
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART.............................................................................................................IV
MESSAGGI MIDI / MIDI CONTROLLERS.................................................................................................V
MIDI SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE CODE INTERFACE .....................................................................................VI
LIST OF THE WAVEFORMS RESIDENT IN ROM (ROM-WAVEFORMS)............................................ XIV
THE ROM SOUND MAP......................................................................................................................... XV
TABLE OF THE PERFORMANCES CONTAINED IN ROM ................................................................. XXII
THE DRUMKITS OF THE STANDARD SOUND LIBRARY .................................................................XXVI
PERCUSSION SAMPLES .................................................................................................................XXXVI
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................................................................XXXVIII
GLOSSARY / ALPHABETICAL INDEX .............................................. a
GLOSSARY ...............................................................................................................................................B
MIDI MESSAGES/MIDI CONTROLLERS..................................................................................................E
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................................................................ I

INTRODUCTION 1
1
❏INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

2INTRODUCTION
I NTRODUCTION
Congratulations and thanks for purchasing the S Series Music Processor - an instrument
conceived and developed with the most up-to-date technology to guarantee a high degree
of reliability and durability.
The name “Music Processor” describes the instrument’s ability to handle the complete
creative process, starting from sound synthesis right down to the registration of multi-
timbric songs and the complete control of the entire MIDI setup.
We are confident that you will find your S Series Music Processor beyond all expecta-
tions.
About the S Series instruments
S2 Turbo and S3 Turbo Music Processors are keyboard synthesizers with 61 keys and
76 keys respectively. This manual also refers to the previous models upgraded with the
“Turbokit” board. S2 and S3 also operate as Master Keyboards, thanks to the integrated
controls (Wheels, Function Controllers) and extensive MIDI programmability.
S2R is the 19” rack version of the S2/S3 Turbo. It is totally compatible with these two
keyboard synthesizers.
• Multitimbral generator
The S Series instruments are 16 part multi-timbral units with a maximum polyphony
of 32 notes.
• Sound generation method
Sound generation is based on a mixed digital/analog technology which permits,
through the use of analog techniques, the manipulation of Samples of real or synthetic
origin. The S Series Sounds are based on sampled Waveforms which are processed by
one or two digital State Variable Filters with programmable envelope. Separately,
each filter provide a 12 dB per octave slope (2 pole). Combined, they operate as a 4
pole filter with a 24 dB per octave slope.
• ROM and RAM Sounds
The permanent memory (ROM) houses 6 Megabytes of Waveform, the basic element
which provides more than 500 Rom Sounds.
2 Megabytes of Sample RAM are ready to receive (from disk or MIDI) other Wave-
forms, for the creation of Sounds based on new Waveforms created with the Sample
Translator.
The new Waveforms can be loaded from Atari/MS-DOS floppy disks in the formats
Sound Designer, Avalon, Sample Vision, Wave. They can be loaded from Akai S1000
disks, or received via MIDI.
The Sound Library is where the Sounds are housed. It can contain up to 2048
Sounds (ROM + RAM Sounds).
• Amount of RAM
The S Series units are fitted with 4 Megabytes of RAM (volatile):
– 2 Megabytes of Operative-Ram to process and control the Banks and the Songs;
– 2 Megabytes of Sample-Ram to control the Waveforms created with Sample Transla-
tor or loaded with the RAM-Sounds.
• 2 Digital Signal Processors
Two Digital Effects Processors, controlled in real time, enrich the sound with environ-

INTRODUCTION 3
mental and creative effects (reverbs and modulations). The Effects Libraries house the
Effects and they can store up to 64 reverbs and 64 modulations.
• Sequencer
The multi-track sequencer can memorise 250.000 events in the 2 Megabyte Operative-
RAM. This 16 track sequencer has a very extensive Event Edit facility, including the
functions Master Track, Copy, Insert/Delete Events, Quantize, Microscope and others.
• Disk drive
The S Series Music Processor data can be saved to floppy disk via the disk drive,
which handles 3.5” HD floppy disks and force-formats them with a capacity of 1.62
Megabytes. The drive can also format and use Ms-Dos floppy disks (1.44 Mb or 720
Kb) or Atari (720 Kb), for the transferring of MIDI Files and Samples read by Sample
Translator.
•RAM-disk
The S Series Music Processor can be fitted with a 512 kb or 2 Mb optional Static RAM
(NON-VOLATILE), backed by a small rechargeable Nickel/Cadmium battery. The RAM-
disk is a fixed disk with high speed accessing facilities.
•MIOS multitasking operating system
The S Series Music Instrument Operating System allows simultaneous operation of
several tasks, such as modifying a Sound, playing back a Song, loading a Song in
background, etc..
• User Program
The MIOS can be expanded by User Programs, made available from time to time by
Generalmusic, providing the instrument with additional functions by loading appropri-
ate software via floppy disk.
• Advanced MIDI control
The S Series Music Processors incorporate 2 independent MIDI lines with MIDI-Merge
and MIDI-Thru functions. These instruments are fully implemented MIDI units.
• SampleTranslator 2.0 incorporated
SampleTranslator is a Waveform creating programme which allows the creation of
new Sounds starting from samples originating from Akai S1000 floppies, from
floppies containing files generated by the more popular computer editors, or from data
received via MIDI.
• Samples and Programs read from Akai S1000™ floppy disks
The possibility of reading the Akai format allows the S Series instruments to gain
access to the greatest sample library available on the market. The Programs
(multisamples) are converted into Music Processor Waveforms.
How to use this manual
This manual is divided into several sections.
❑Overview of the instrument and the edit/handling environments describes the sound
synthesis technique and how the data handling operations are organised.
❑Installation, power up, demo explains how to setup and turn on the instrument and
how to listen to the demonstration songs (demo).
❑User interface/selection explains how to use the Data Entry controls, examines the
display and takes a look at the operations common to sound and data selection.
❑Practical guide is a simplified guide for the non-expert synth user. The information
contained in this section is sufficient for a normal use of the instrument: how to load
songs and new Sounds from disk, how to record and play back a song, how to control

4INTRODUCTION
the instrument via MIDI.
❑Sample Translator is the practical guide to the Sample Translator 2.0.
❑Reference guide lists all the edit environment parameters and describes the instrument
and all its functions in detail.
❑Appendix contains schematic information (standard Sound Library, MIDI tables,
technical specifications...).
❑Glossary/Index contains the Glossary and an Alphabetical Index. The Glossary pro-
vides a list of the most commonly used technical terms. The alphabetical index lists all
arguments dealt with in alphabetical order, indicating the relative page number and its
relation to other arguments. This section also contains a Troubleshooting table to help
you solve problems of a technical nature which may occur from time to time.
Convention used in the manual
The appearance of the symbols “S2/S3” or “S2R” indicate that the paragraph which
follows is dedicated only to S2/S3 or S2R respectively.
The symbol (s.) indicates the presence of a detailed explanation of the argument in
another part of the manual or glossary.
The symbols “Rom-” or “Ram-” cited before “Sound” or “Waveform” indicate, respec-
tively, that the elements are contained in the instrument’s Rom (and, therefore, are a
standard part of the instrument’s library), or in Ram (and, therefore, erasable and ex-
changeable).