ISLA Instruments KordBot User manual

KORDBOT USERS GUIDE
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INSTANT GRATIFICATION 4
PLAY MODES 6
KEY + MOD 7
DIATONIC MODE 8
DIATONIC STRUM 10
POLYPHONIC KEYS 10
COMMON FUNCTIONS 12
PUSH/TURN CHANGES 13
SETTINGS 15
MIDI SETUP
MOD KEYS/NOTE KEYS/MEM KEYS
FOOT CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION
EXPRESSION PEDAL/FOOT SWITCH
ARPEGGIO BUILDER 17
PATTERNS 20
SCALE BUILDER 21
DIATONIC PROGRESSION EDITING 22
DIATONIC THEORY 23
SCALES 24
CHORDS 25
DIATONIC PROGRESSIONS 25
FILE MANAGER 27
MOUNTING AND UNMOUNTING
FORMATTING
CREATE SYSTEM CARD
SAVE / LOAD SYSTEM DATA 28
MIDI
MIDI CC VALUES 29
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INSTANT GRATIFICATION
It’s always nice to be able to check something out without needing to read a manual, or struggle at all so here is a
quick start guide for jumping right into the KordBot in order to check it out right away and get a basic sense of what
it’s capable of.
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1. Connect the AC power supply, or the USB cable to either a USB/Power adapter or your computer and power up
the unit. It takes a moment to boot, so don’t panic. It’s not broken.
2. Connect a midi cable out of the KordBot into the synth you’d like to play, or if you’re using software in a DAW
then just boot your machine and load up your software.
3. By default KordBot starts off on MIDI channel 1, so make sure your destination synth is receiving on channel 1
4. Enter PLAY MODE by holding down ENCODER A (the first knob, top row, beside the screen) and you will be
presented with KEY+MOD play mode Here you can use the encoders to play chords, and explore the
arpeggiator to your heart’s content.
5. Switch modes by holding the ALT button and selecting your mode with the fn (FUNCTION) buttons. Choose
between KEY + MOD Mode (chords and arpeggios), DIATONIC MODE (scales and chords of a guitar or string
instrument), DIATONIC STRUM MODE (diatonic mode with a strum feature using the ribbon style strum strip)
and POLYPHONIC MODE (standard keyboard controller mode.)
6. Choose a scale using one of the 32 SCALE buttons
7. Play keys on the keyboard and explore.
Be sure and take a look at the functions available on the screen. Each main function corresponds with the encoders
on the KordBot and can be adjusted and set however you like best. These functions are editable and customizable to
do whatever you’d like them to do (more about that later) but while you’re getting to know the KordBot it’s a good idea
to mess around with the arp note length, hold, and the other immediate functions of whichever mode you’re in. These
settings can all be saved and recalled to make the KordBot useful in more than one situation, and in more than one
way.
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PLAY MODES
POWER UP
When powering up the KordBot the home screen is presented. Here the operation mode is selected. Choose which
section you would like to use by either scrolling Encoder A, or using the left and right arrow keys. Select the section
by pressing Encoder A.
PERFORMANCE MODE
This is where you play the KordBot as an instrument. Using the KordBot as a midi controller, creating
scales and arpeggios and strums
SEQUENCER MODE
Not implemented in the current version of the firmware (3.08.00 BETA) but will soon offer an onboard
sequencer for internal phrases and patterns within the KordBot.
FILE MANAGER
This is the section for saving and loading your files to SD card
SETTINGS
This is the section for MIDI SETTINGS, CHORD BUILDER, ARPEGGIO BUILDER, SCALE BUILDER,
PEDAL and FOOT CONTROL.
ABOUT
This is a scrolling credits section with acknowledgements and information all about the KordBot
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PLAY MODES
There are 4 play modes available with the current KordBot firmware: KEY + MOD, DIATONIC MODE, DIATONIC
STRUM and POLYPHONIC KEYS.
These modes allow you the freedom to configure and use the KordBot in many ways, from live performance to studio
recording and anything between. Each mode has configuration options to allow you to tailor your workflow to
whatever suits you best. Plus, the system can be saved, so you can store and retrieve configurations at your leisure.
Each mode has a common graphical interface. There are 8 encoder rotary position indicators in the center of the
screen. The functions available by pushing the encoder switch are shown at the top of the screen. Finally, there is a
hot-key menu and a status grid at the bottom of the screen.
The 8 “push” functions and the 8 “rotary” functions can be assigned to various KordBot control functions as well as all
MIDI Continuous Controller (MIDI CC) functions.
The available MIDI CC control subset for the encoder push functions are limited to MIDI CC messages which were
designed for two-state conditions, such as toggling Portamento on or off. See the list of supported MIDI CC functions
in the MIDI section of this manual for more information.
KEY + MOD
Key + MOD mode uses the pre-programmed chord modifier keys in conjunction with the NOTE keys of the piano
style keyboard (see “Parts Of The KordBot on page X-Y). Pressing and holding a NOTE key (for example C) sets the
“root” note. Then, pressing a chord modifier key (for example m7) will cause the KordBot to emit a chord known as a
Cm7 or C minor seventh chord. Like wise pressing a D NOTE key along with the Maj9 chord modifier key will produce
a DMaj9 or D Major 9th chord. Note that the LEDs under the NOTE keys will also light up to show you the notes in
the chord you’ve just played. So for the Cm7 chord, the NOTE keys for C, Eb, G and Bb will light. For D9 you should
see the NOTE keys D, F#, A, C# and E light up. Also, the display will show the note name, octave and chord type
played. This appears in the bottom status line, to the left of the mode indicator (Key + MOD).
In addition, you can press one of the f keys 1-4 to play an inversion of the chord. So, pressing the Maj MOD key, f1
and then the C NOTE key you can play a CMaj or C Major chord in the first inversion. The C NOTE will light because
you pressed it, but then you’ll also see the E, G and C an octave above light up. A C Major in the first inversion has
the notes E, G and C. Likewise the second inversion is G, C and E, which you can get by pressing the Maj, f2 and C
keys. Third and fourth inversions are available but note that for chords with only 3 notes, the third inversion actually
repeats the root position of C, E and G, only an octave higher. If you try using inversions with more complex chord
MOD keys – such as the Maj9, you’ll see that the notes are all the same, but in order according to the inversion
selected.
Key + MOD mode was designed to offer the largest palette of 32 chord types and up to 4 inversions per type, for a
total of 128 chord type variations. If you can’t find the sound you’re looking for in that batch, don’t worry: elsewhere in
this guide you can learn how to easily create your own chords.
Each mode has the ability to store up to 12 chords in the MEM key pads (M1-M12). For the Key + MOD mode, this is
simply done. First, play any chord – you just have to play it, not keep the keys pressed. Next, press the SHIFT key
and press one of the MEM pads M1-M12. The chord that was played last is now stored into the slot you chose,
including the scale or key note you played. So, for instance, if you press the chord modifier dim7 and key note D
keys, it forms a D°7 ( D diminished 7th)
If you wish to store an inversion of the chord, press the INVERSION key AND the SHIFT key and then press the
MEM pad you want to save the inversion to. So, as in the above example, if you press the chord modifier dim7 and
key note D keys, to form a D°7 ( D diminished 7th), then wanted to save the first inversion of that chord, press f1,
SHIFT and then the MEM key you wish to save it to. Note that you can also “mix and match”. Any chords you enter
into MEM slots will be available in all the other modes.
You may also elect to save a chord template to a MEM key. Chord templates do not store the key note and act
essentially like the MOD keys. It means you must press a note key along with the MEM key to play a chord. The
advantage here is you can carry this stored key to other modes – for instance you might want to have a 7sus4 chord
in memory so that you can add that to your available choices of chords in, say, the Diatonic Mode.
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To save the chord as a template play the desired chord modifier and any note (the note will be ignored). For instance,
pressing the “Maj 9” and a “C”. Then simply press the ALT and SHIFT keys at the same time and finally press the
MEM key you wish to save it to. Note that in the current firmware, you may not store inversions of chord templates
(but you can play them back with inversions). In KEY+MOD mode, play the template back by pressing the MEM key
and any note key. If you hold the MEM key down and change notes, the chord will re-play with the new note selected.
Changing octaves in the Key + MOD mode is simple. Pressing the octave up or octave down changes the octave of
the notes played on the NOTE keys. Holding ALT and pressing the octave up or down keys shifts the octave of
whatever is stored in the MEM pads.
That is the basic concept of the Key + MOD mode. Much, much more can be done in this mode, using the built-in
KordBot functions. Things like arpeggiation, chord spreading, tempo change and velocity modifications all designed
to enhance your playing experience. Since these functions can be used in other modes, they are covered in depth in
the section “KordBot Common Built In Functions”.
DIATONIC MODE
The Diatonic mode is the most complex mode that KordBot offers. While it may seem daunting, once you get the
hang of it, you will be able to explore musical areas few other MIDI controllers have ventured into.
To jump to the Diatonic mode, from any other mode, press the ALT key. The hotkey menu on the bottom will then
show the fn key to press to jump to the Diatonic mode. The screen will refresh and you should see all the same
controls as before, with the mode in the lowest right status box noting “Diatonic” for the mode.
In this mode, the layout of the MOD keys is different from the Key + MOD mode. Here, each row of 8 MOD keys are
comprised of 7 diatonically related (normally) chords, based on a scale. Using the advanced setup features, you can
make these 7 chords related, unrelated, random or whatever you desire. But the basic reason for the mode is that the
MOD keys alone generate chords. The NOTE keys allow the user to play along with the chords, providing 6-note
polyphony.
The default key and scale rows on the KordBot are C Major, G Yo (not a typo, the Yo scale is a traditional folk scale
see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo_scale), C Natural Minor (Aeolian mode) and Ab Blues. The default
progression for each row is also the default for that scale type. The key and scale can be changed by choosing from
a list. But there are also 10 “User” progressions. In those 10, you can change the scale to any pre-programmed scale,
or you can build your own scale. Then you can also change the chord type for each of the 7 ‘slots’. Currently you can
pick from any of the chord modifier key chord types (Maj through 9sus4). In a future release you will also be able to
create your own chord templates and choose those as well.
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For now, we’ll look at the default C Major row – the top row of MOD keys. Refer to the section on “Diatonic
Progression Editing” for more advanced features. Also, since all the encoder functions are shared by each play mode,
you might want to look at the section “KordBot Common Built In Functions”.
In the top row, the chords are laid out in standard diatonic progression for a Major scale in the key of C.
With just this small ‘palette’ of chords, you have the ability to play literally millions of songs. There are an uncountable
number of hits that use just the I, IV and V chords. Throw in the vi chord and you have an uncountable number more.
Each mode has the ability to store up to 12 chords in the MEM key pads (M1-M12). For the Diatonic mode, this is
done similarly to the Key + MOD mode: First, play any chord – you just have to play it, not keep the keys pressed.
Note, you do not need to press a key note, since diatonic chords already know which note is their key note.
Next, press the SHIFT key and press one of the MEM pads M1- M12. The chord that was played last is now stored
into the slot you chose. If you wish to store an inversion of the chord, press the inversion key AND the SHIFT key and
then press the MEM pad you want to save the inversion to. So, for instance, if you press an Em (third key on the top
row in the default Diatonic mode) chord and then wanted to save the first inversion of that chord, press f1, SHIFT and
then the MEM key you wish to save it to. Note that you can also “mix and match”. Any chords you enter into MEM
slots will be available in all the other modes. You may also elect to save the chord as a template but since the
Diatonic mode also allows a polyphonic keyboard, playing the stored chord back requires pressing the MEM key after
a note is pressed. This is because the playing of keyboard notes must be prioritized over playing a MEM chord.
To save the chord as a template play the desired chord (the chord’s key note will be ignored). Then press the ALT and
SHIFT keys at the same time and press the MEM key you wish to save it to. Note that in the current firmware, you
may not store inversions of chord templates (but you can play them back with inversions).
Changing octaves in the Diatonic mode is simple. Pressing the octave up or octave down changes the octave of the
notes played on the NOTE keys. Holding SHIFT and pressing the octave up or down keys shifts the octave of the
MOD keys. Holding ALT and pressing the octave up or down keys shifts the octave of whatever is stored in the MEM
pads.
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PROGRESSION SUGGESTION
Music theory also has a concept that, in every diatonic progression there are “allowed” movements to other chords.
This set of rules has been broken more often than not, but KordBot has included this feature because it can stimulate
all sorts of creativity. In future versions of the firmware, the user will be able to create their own map of suggestions to
mate up with any user scales and user chords. This is because the traditional 17th century method was designed
around a very limited set of scales – mostly the Major scale.
To activate the Progression Suggestion mode, simply press the last MOD key in any row. A message box lets you
know it’s been activated. Press OK and then press the Maj MOD key to play a C Maj chord. All the LEDs in that row
light up, indicating that, from the I chord in a Major scale, you are ‘allowed’ to progress to any other chord. If you next
press the Dm chord (the MOD key labeled ‘6’) you will see that the number of choices has dwindled to a total of 4.
You can hit the Dm (ii) chord again, or choose from the F Maj (IV), G Maj (V) or B dim (vii°) chords. In any sequence,
the total progression you develop would make Mozart a happy guy, since you followed the rules.
DIATONIC STRUM
Diatonic strum mode works mostly like regular Diatonic mode – the chord modifier keys are set up to produce
harmonically related chords and the note keys offer 6 note polyphony. The major difference is how the MOD and
MEM keys are played.
These keys are held and the user’s finger activates the notes by using the touch sensitive slider strip on the right of
the KordBot. The touch strip responds to 12 zones which are capacitance sensors. Bringing your finger near a zone
will activate the note associated with that zone. Wiping the finger causes a strumming effect and can be done right or
left and start and stop anywhere along the strip. Also one can ‘pick’ the zones much like a guitar player or banjo
player plucks the strings. One of the KordBot controls available is a touch strip sensitivity control. At the default level,
generally the finger will activate 2 notes at a time. Adjusting the ‘Slider damping’ value changes the sensitivity of each
zone, allowing different expression capabilities.
The sequence of the 12 notes assigned from left to right are controlled by the Arpeggio note pattern setting. The
movement right to left moves down the arpeggio and from the left the pattern ascends. The velocity humanize and
offset values also affect each note as they would during an arpeggio.
Since the touch strip is tied to the arpeggio, you can set the play mode to allow the strip to stay on after releasing a
MOD or MEM key by turning the Chord hold to ON and the Arp repeat to LATCH. Using the Arp note length setting
will increase or decrease the ‘ring out’ of the note. This is most effective during the simulated picking mode as
a short tap emits a short pluck and a tap and hold lets the note stay on (depending of course on the destination
patch’s sustain setting). With Arp note length set to max, the short tap lets the note ring out thru the release cycle on
the destination.
Changing octaves in the Diatonic strum mode is simple. Pressing the octave up or octave down changes the octave
of the notes played on the NOTE keys. Holding SHIFT and pressing the octave up or down keys shifts the octave of
the MOD keys. Holding ALT and pressing the octave up or down keys shifts the octave of whatever is stored in the
MEM pads.
POLYPHONIC KEYS
Polyphonic key mode turns all the MOD keys into single note keys. This is useful for working with a destination unit
which allows you to set up triggers based on a MIDI note. For instance, you might trigger a bank of 16 sound samples
with the MIDI notes from 0 to 15. In that case, the top 2 MOD key rows would be set up to play notes 0-15. Also,
since each key is capable of having its own MIDI channel and destination, you could have the top row of notes 0-7
assigned to different channels on a USB port and 8-15 assigned to output over channel 10 on the MIDI DIN.
Up to 6 notes can be played at once, so you could trigger hits and still play a melody at the same time on yet another
MIDI channel. The KordBot was designed to be flexible and configurable for most things you can imagine.
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