Korg microSTATION User manual

2E
Operation guide

ii
About this manual
About the documentation and how
to use it
ThemicroSTATIONisshippedwiththefollowing
documentation.
•microSTATIONEasyStartGuide
•microSTATIONOperationGuide(PDF)
•microSTATIONParameterGuide(PDF)
•microSTATIONUSB‐MIDISetupGuide(PDF)
•microSTATIONEditor/Plug‐InEditorUser’sGuide
(PDF)
•microSTATIONVoiceNameList(PDF)
TheabovePDFfilesareinthe“MANUALS”folderof
theincludeddisc.ThemanualfortheKORGUSB‐
MIDIdriverislocatedinthesamefolderasthedriver.
microSTATION Easy Start Guide
Readthisfirst.Itexplainshowtomakeconnections
andperformbasicoperations.
microSTATION Operation Guide
ThisexplainswhateachpartofthemicroSTATION
does,howtomakeconnectionsandperformbasic
operations,providesasummaryofeachmode,and
explainsthebasicknowledgeyou’llneedineachmode
toeditsoundsandrecordonthesequencer.This
manualalsoexplainsthearpeggiatorandeffects.
Inaddition,itprovidestroubleshootinghelp,alistof
errormessages,andspecifications.
microSTATION Parameter Guide
Thisprovidesadetailedexplanationofthe
microSTATION’sparameters,organizedbymodeand
page.Refertothisguidewhenyouwouldliketolearn
moreaboutanunfamiliarparameter.
microSTATION USB-MIDI Setup Guide
ThisexplainshowtoinstalltheKorgUSB‐MIDIdriver
andsetupthemicroSTATION.
microSTATION Editor/Plug-In Editor User’s Guide
ThisexplainshowtosetupandusemicroSTATION
Editor/Plug‐InEditorandmicroSTATIONEditor/Plug‐
InEditor.
microSTATION Voice Name List
Thisliststhenamesofthemultisamples,drum
samples,andfactory‐setcombinations,programs,
drumkits,userarpeggiopatterns,anddemosongs
insidethemicroSTATION.Refertothiswhenyou
wanttolearnmoreaboutthepreloadedcontent.
Conventions in this manual
Abbreviations for the manuals: OG, PG
Inthedocumentation,referencestothemanualsare
abbreviatedasfollows.
OG:OperationGuide
PG:ParameterGuide
Parameters in the LCD display screen “ “
ParametersdisplayedintheLCDscreenareenclosed
indoublequotationmarks““.
Symbols , , Note, Tips
Thesesymbolsrespectivelyindicateacaution,aMIDI‐
relatedexplanation,asupplementarynote,oratip.
Example screen displays
Theparametervaluesshownintheexamplescreensof
thismanualareonlyforexplanatorypurposes,and
maynotnecessarymatchthevaluesthatappearinthe
Displayofyourinstrument.
MIDI-related explanations
CC#isanabbreviationforControlChangeNumber.
InexplanationsofMIDImessages,numbersinsquare
brackets[]alwaysindicatehexadecimalnumbers.
What is ?
(ResonantstructureandElectroniccircuit
ModelingSystem)isKORG’sproprietarysound
modelingtechnologywhichpreciselyreproducesthe
complexcharacterandnatureofbothacousticand
electricinstrumentsaswellaselectroniccircuitsinreal
worldenvironments.emulatesawidevarietyof
soundgenerationcharacteristicsincludinginstrument
bodies,speakers&cabinets,acousticfields,
microphones,vacuumtubes,transistors,etc.
*AppleandMacaretrademarksofAppleInc.,
registeredintheUS.andothercountries.
*WindowsXP,WindowsVista,andWindows7are
registeredtrademarksofMicrosoftCorporationin
theU.S.andothercounties.
*Intel,IntelCore,andPentiumaretrademarksofIntel
CorporationintheU.S.andothercountries.
*Allotherproductandcompanynamesare
trademarksorregisteredtrademarksoftheir
respectiveholders.
ThankyouforpurchasingtheKorgmicroSTATIONMusicWorkstation.Tohelpyougetthemostoutofyournew
instrument,pleasereadthismanualcarefully.

iii
Table of Contents
About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Introduction to
the microSTATION . . . . . . . . . 1
Main features of the microSTATION . . . . . . . . . 1
Front and rear panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Frontpanel................................2
Rearpanel .................................4
Basic Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
AboutthemicroSTATION’smodes...........5
Basicoperatingmethods.....................7
UsingControllers...........................9
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Turning the power on/off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ConnectingtheACadapter.................11
Turningthepoweron ......................11
Turningthepoweroff......................11
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Connectingaudioequipment ...............12
Connectingadamperpedal,footpedal,orfoot
switch ..............................13
ConnectingthemicroSTATIONto
acomput
er..........................13
ConnectingMIDIdevices ...................14
Playing and editing programs . . 15
Playing programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Selectingaprogram........................15
UsingControllers..........................16
Performingwiththearpeggiator.............16
Editing a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Easyeditingusingthebuttonsandknobs .....17
Restoringsettingsyou’veedited .............18
Savingyouredits ..........................18
Editing a program in detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Beforeyoustartediting.....................19
Summaryoftheeditpages..................20
Basicoscillatorsettings .....................20
UsingLFOsandEnvelopes(EGs) .............21
Adjustingthefilter.........................21
Adjustingtheamp .........................22
Arpeggiator...............................23
Effects....................................23
Assigningfunctionstoknobs................23
Automaticallyimportingaprograminto
Sequencermode.....................23
Playing and
editing combinations . . . . . . 24
Playing combinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Selectingacombination.....................24
Performingwiththearpeggiator .............25
Usingcontrollerstomodifythesound ........25
Easy combination editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Simpleeditingusingtheknobs..............25
SavingaCombinationyou’veedited.........25
Editing a combination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Asuggestedapproachforediting ............26
Changingtheprogramassignedto
eachtimbre .........................27
Layers,Splits,andVelocitySwitches.........27
Editingparameters.........................29
MIDIsettings .............................29
AlteringProgramsto
fitwithin a Combination..............30
Arpeggiatorsettings .......................30
Effects....................................30
Revertingtheeditedsettings................30
Automaticallyimportingacombinationinto
Sequencermode.....................30
Creating songs
(Sequencer mode) . . . . . . . . . 31
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
AboutthemicroSTATION’sSequencer.......31
Sequencermodestructure ..................31
Whateachbuttondoes.....................32
Performing in Sequencer mode. . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Playingback..............................33
SwitchingMIDItracksduringplayback.......33
MIDI recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Let’stryrecording.........................34
RecordingwiththeLoopfunction............35

iv
Recordingwiththearpeggiator.............37
Play/Mutefunction ........................37
GridSequencefunction....................38
Preparationsforrecording..................41
Multi‐trackrecording ......................44
Recordingexclusiveevents .................44
Using Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
An overview of
the microSTATION’s effects. . . . . . . . . . 45
EffectI/O.................................45
Effectsineachmode .......................46
Routing and effect settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Effectsettingsforaprogram ................46
Effectsettingsforacombinationorsong .....49
Dynamicmodulation(Dmod)...............49
Arpeggiator function . . . . . . . . . . 50
Using the arpeggiator while you play . . . . . . 50
PerformingwiththearpeggiatorinProgram
mode ..............................50
PerformingwiththearpeggiatorinCombination
mode ..............................53
Linkingthearpeggiatortoprogram,
combinations .......................54
Arpeggiatorsynchronization ...............54
Settings for the entire
microSTATION, and saving/
loading data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
How Global/Media mode is organized. . . . . . 55
Global settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Basicsetup...............................55
MIDIsetup ...............................56
Controllersettings.........................56
External control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Saving & loading data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Typesofdatathatcanbesaved .............57
Loadingdata .............................60
Mediautility .............................62
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Restoring the factory settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Loadingthepreloadeddata ................63
Initialization ..............................63
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Powersupply .............................64
Display ..................................64
Audiooutput.............................64
ProgramsandCombinations ................65
Songs ....................................65
Arpeggiator ..............................66
Effects ...................................66
MIDI ....................................66
Damperpedal,Footpedaldonotrespond
correctly ............................6
6
Media....................................6
6
Connectionswithacomputer...............67
Includedaccessorydisc ....................6
7
Error messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Variousmessages .........................68
Specifications and option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Specifications.............................71
Option ...................................72
Operatingrequirements ....................73
MIDI Implementation Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

1
Introduction to the microSTATION
Main features of the microSTATION
EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis -
integrated)
Thistonegenerationsystemintegratesthemain
functionalityofthe“EDS”(EnhancedDefinition
Synthesis)systemfeaturedontheM3andM50,
includingtheoscillators,filters,amps,LFO/EG,and
effects,deliveringrichandvividsounds.
Theoscillatorsectionuses49Mbytes(whencalculated
as16‐bitlineardata)ofhigh‐qualityPCMsources
sampledat48kHzandcoveringawidevarietyof
sounds.Thefiltersectionthat’ssoimportantto
creativesound‐makingprovidestwohigh‐quality
filtersforeachoscillator,andallowsyoutofreely
combinefourdifferenttypesoffilters:low‐pass,high‐
pass,band‐pass,andband‐reject.
Modulationfunctionalityisanindispensiblepartof
thisdetaileddesign.TheEDS‐itonegenerationsystem
inheritsnumerousfeaturesfromtheEDSsystem
including:theEG(envelopegenerator),LFO,key
trackinggenerator,AMS(alternatemodulation
source),andAMSmixer,givingyouanenormous
rangeofsynthesispotential.
Thefinaltouchestothesoundareprovidedbythe
effectsection,whichgivesyouuptofiveinserteffects,
twomastereffects,andonetotaleffect.Inadditionto
delayandreverb,thereareatotalof134different
effectsincludingmodulation‐typeeffectssuchas
chorus,phaser,andflanger,dynamic‐typeeffectssuch
ascompressionandlimiting,andalsoeffectssuchas
ampmodelingpoweredbyKorg’sproprietary
“REMS”modelingtechnology.Effectdynamic
modulation(Dmod)allowsyoutocontroltheeffectsin
awidevarietyofways.
Programs and combinations
ThemicroSTATIONprovides512userprogramsas
wellas256+9(drums)GM2‐compatibleROMpreset
programs.Whenshippedfromthefactory,the
memorycontains480preloadprogramsorganized
intoeightcategoriesforconvenientsearching.
Drumprogramsusedrumkitsastheoscillator;there
are32userdrumkitsand9GM2‐compatibleROM
drumkits.Whenshippedfromthefactory,the
memorycontains27preloaddrumkitsthatcovera
broadrangeofmusicalstyles.
Thereare384usercombinations.Whenshippedfrom
thefactory,thememorycontains256preload
combinationsorganizedintoeightcategoriesfor
convenientsearching.Asinglecombinationletsyou
combineuptosixteenprogramsaslayers,splits,or
velocity‐switches,andthenaddeffectsandtwo
arpeggiatorstocreatecomplexsoundsthatwouldnot
bepossibleforasingleprogram.Externalaudio
sourcescanbeplayedatthesametimeasa
combination.
Sequencer and Auto Song Setup function
Ahigh‐performance16‐trackMIDIsequencerisbuilt
intothemicroSTATION,allowingyoutorecordupto
128songswithatotalof210,000notes.Withahigh‐
precisiontimingresolutionof1/480,itcancapture
everynuanceofyourperformance.
Thesequencerfeaturesintuitiveoperation,and
providesnumerousfunctionsthatallowyouto
producemusicquickly.Templatesongsforeverystyle
ofmusic,alooprecordingfunction,gridsequence
function,andarpeggiatorwillpowerfullyenhance
yourcreativity.
UsingtheAutoSongSetupfunction,your
performanceusingaprogramorcombinationplusthe
arpeggiatorcaneasilyberecordedtomultipletracks,
instantlycreatingthebasictracksthatformthecoreof
yoursongproduction.
Dual polyphonic arpeggiator
Forarpeggiopatterns,fivepresetpatternsand640
userarpeggiopatternsarebuiltin.Inadditiontowhat
atypicalarpeggiatorcando,themicroSTATION’s
polyphonicarpeggiatorcandevelopchordsand
phrasesinavarietyofwaysdependingonthepitchor
timingatwhichyouplaythekeyboard.Youcanuse
thistoperformawidevarietyofpatternsincluding
drumorbassphrases,orguitarorkeyboardbacking
riffs.Thearpeggiatorisalsousefulasoneelementof
creatingsoundssuchaspads,synthsounds,and
soundeffectsthatinvolvesubtlemotion.
InCombinationorSequencermodes,the
microSTATIONprovidesdualarpeggiatorsthatlet
youruntwoarpeggiopatternssimultaneously.This
allowspowerfulperformancepossibilitiessuchas
applyingdifferentarpeggiopatternstodrumsand
bassprograms,orusingsplitorvelocitytoswitch
betweenarpeggiopatterns.
Realtime control
Thefourrealtimecontrolknobsgiveyouheightened
expressivenessandrealtimecontrolforcreatingyour
soundorcontrollingthearpeggiator.Theycanalsobe
usedinanexternalmodesetupforcontrollingyour
externalMIDIdevices.
Editor and Plug-In editor
Thebundled“microSTATIONEditor”and
“microSTATIONPlug‐InEditor”softwareare
applicationsthatletyouuseyourcomputertoeditthe
microSTATION’sprograms,combinations,drumkits,
andarpeggiopatterns.
Theseeditorsallowmoredetailededitingthanis
possibleonthemicroSTATIONitself.Theyalsoletyou
editandcreateuserarpeggiopatternsanddrumkits,
whichcannotbeeditedfromthemicroSTATION.
“microSTATIONEditor”isastandaloneeditor.
“microSTATIONPlug‐InEditor”isaneditorthat
supportsVST,AudioUnits,andRTASformats.It
allowsyoutousethemicroSTATIONfromwithin
yourDAW(DigitalAudioWorkstation)orotherhost
applicationasaplug‐ininstrument.

Introduction to the microSTATION
2
Front and rear panels
Front panel
1. Joystick
Youcancontrolsynthesisparametersoreffect
parametersbymovingthejoystickup/down/left/right.
(p. 9)
2. VOLUME knob
ThisknobadjuststhevolumeoftheOUTPUTL/
MONO,Routputs,aswellasthevolumeofthe
headphonejack.(p. 11)
3. PHONES jack
Connectyourheadphoneshere.
ThisjackwillprovidethesamesignalastheOUTPUT
L/MONOandRjacks.
TheheadphonevolumeiscontrolledbytheVOLUME
knob.
4. REALTIME CONTROLS
Thissetofrealtimecontrollersconsistsoffourknobs
andtwobuttons.Youcanusetheminthefollowing
ways.
•Tocontrolthesoundsandeffectsofprogramsor
combinations.
•TotransmitMIDImessagestocontrolexternalMIDI
devices.
•Tocontrolthearpeggiatorandplaybacktempo.
SELECT button, knobs 1–4
UsetheSELECTbuttontoswitchbetweenrealtime
controlA,B,andCmode,anduseknobs1–4tocontrol
thesound,effects,andarpeggiatorwhileyouperform.
(p. 9“RealtimeControls”)
(p. 17“Usingrealtimecontrolstoeditthesoundor
effects”)
EXTERNAL button
Ifyoupressthisbuttontoturniton(lit),knobs1–4
willtransmitMIDImessagesthatcancontrolexternal
MIDIdevices.(p. 56)
TEMPO LED
IfrealtimecontrolCmodeisselected,andyouuse
knob4tospecifythetempo,thisLEDwillblinkat
quarter‐noteintervalsofthecurrenttempo.
5. AUDITION button
InProgrammode,thisbuttonrepeatedlyplaysariff
(phrase)that’sappropriatefortheselectedsound.
Whenitison,theLEDattheleftofthebuttonwillbe
lit‐up.
6. Arpeggiator
ARP ON/OFF button
Thisbuttonturnsthearpeggiatoron/off.TheLEDat
theleftofthebuttonwilllight‐upifthearpeggiatoris
on.(p. 50)
ARP LATCH button
Ifthisison,thearpeggiatorwillcontinueplayingeven
afteryoutakeyourhandoffthekeyboard.Whenitis
on,theLEDattheleftofthebuttonwilllight‐up.
(p. 50)
7. Mode
COMBI, PROG, SEQ, GLB/MEDIA buttons
Pressoneofthesebuttonstoenterthecorresponding
mode.ThemicroSTATIONhasfourmodes.Whenyou
enteramode,theLEDtotheleftofthebuttonwill
light‐up.(p. 7“Selectingmodes”)
8. CATEGORY
CATEGORY SELECT buttons
Whenselectingprogramsorcombinations,usethese
buttonstochooseacategory.
CATEGORY indicators
Oneoftheseindicatorswilllight‐uptoshowthe
categorythatisselected.
1
2
56
4
7
8
3

Front and rear panels Front panel
3
9. Sequencer
Thebuttonsinthissectionareusedforoperationsin
Sequencermode,suchasrecordingandplayback.
(p. 32).
LOCATE button
REC button
KEY button
WA
(Start/Stop) button
E
(REW)/
R
(FF) button
D
(Pause) button
LOOP button
10.Display
Thisshowsthenamesofprogramsorcombinations,or
thevaluesofparameters.
11.WRITE button
Thisbuttonsavestheprogramorcombination.
12.COMPARE button
Thisbuttoncomparesthesoundorrecordingtake
withtheuneditedorprevioustake.
(p. 8“COMPAREbutton‐theComparefunction”)
13.CURSOR/VALUE
buttons
Usethesebuttonstoselectthepageorparameter
showninthedisplay,ortoeditavalue.
14.Function buttons
PLAY/MUTE button
Ifthisbuttonison(theLEDtotheleftofthebutton
willlight‐up),youcanusethefunctionbuttons01–16
tocontroltheplay/mutestatusoftheoscillators,
timbres,andtracks.Thefunction01–16LEDswill
indicateplay/mutestatusofthecorrespondingitem.
GRID SEQ button
Ifthisbuttonison(theLEDtotheleftofthebutton
willlight‐up),theGridSequencefunctioninSequencer
modewillbeon.Thisletsyouusethefunctionbuttons
01–16andLEDs01–16toeasilycreatedrumpatterns.
NUM LOCK button
Ifthisbuttonison(theLEDtotheleftofthebutton
willlight‐up),functionbuttons01–16willoperateas
numerickeys,aclearbutton,anenterbutton,andas
groupup/downbuttonswhenselectingaprogramor
combination.
Function buttons 01–16
Whenthethreebuttonsdescribedaboveareoff
(normalstate),youcanusethesebuttonstodothe
following.
•Toselectprogramsorcombinations.
•(WhentheTIMBRE/TRACKLEDislit)Toselecta
timbreortrack.
15.Function LEDs
Function 01–16 LEDs
Whenthethreebuttonsdescribedaboveareoff
(normalstate),theseLEDsindicatethefollowing.
•AnLEDwilllight‐uptoindicatethenumberwithin
thecurrentlyselectedprogramorcombination
category.
•(WhentheTIMBRE/TRACKLEDislit)AnLEDwill
light‐uptoindicatethetimbreortrackthat’s
currentlyselectedforediting.
TIMBRE/TRACK LED
Thiswilllight‐upwhenthefunction01–16buttonsand
LEDscanbeusedtoselecttimbresortracks.
GRID SEQ LED
Thiswilllight‐upinSequencermodewhenyoupress
theGRIDSEQbuttontoturnontheGridSequence
function.
10
9
11 12 13
14
15

Introduction to the microSTATION
4
Rear panel
1. Power supply
Besuretoreadthe“Turningthepoweron/off”section
onpage 11andfollowthecorrectproceduredescribed
there.
Power switch
Thisswitchturnsthepoweron/off.(p. 11)
AC adapter connector
TheincludedACadapterisconnectedhere.(p. 11)
Connectionsmustbemadewiththepowerturned
off.Pleasebeawarethatcarelessoperationmay
damageyourspeakersystemorcause
malfunctions.
Cable hook
UsethistosecurethecableoftheincludedAC
adapter.AfterconnectingtheACadapter,loopthe
cablearoundthehooklocatedonthemicroSTATION’s
rearpanelsothatthecablewon’tgetpulledout
inadvertently.Leaveenoughslackontheplugendso
thatyoucandisconnectitifyouwantto.Fordetails,
pleasesee(“Connectionsandpower”onpage 8of
EasyStartguide).
Becarefulnottobendthebaseoftheplugany
morethannecessary.
2. OUTPUT L/MONO, R jack
Thesearethemainstereoaudiooutputs.Usethe
VOLUMEknobtoadjustthevolume.(p. 12)
3. USB 2.0 jack
UsethisjacktoconnectthemicroSTATIONtoyour
computer.
WhenrunningDAWsoftwareonyourcomputer,you
canusethemicroSTATIONasacontrollerorasaMIDI
soundmodule.
Youcanalsousethededicatededitortoeditthe
parametersofthemicroSTATIONfromyourcomputer
asifitwereplug‐insoftware.
Note: ThemicroSTATION’sUSBconnectorisonlyable
totransmitandreceiveMIDIdata.
4. SD card slot
YoucaninsertanSDcardhere,anduseittosave/load
microSTATIONprograms,combinations,orsongdata.
(p. 57)
5. Contrast knob
This knob adjusts the contrast of the display for the best
viewing from any angle or under changing light conditions.
6. MIDI IN, OUT connector
MIDIletsyouconnectthemicroSTATIONtoa
computerorotherMIDIdevices,forsendingand
receivingnotes,controllergestures,soundsettings,
andsoon.(p. 14)
7. DAMPER/PEDAL/SW connector
Youcanconnectadamperpedal,footswitch,andfoot
pedaltothisjack.(p. 13)
1
2
5
6
743

Basic Information About the microSTATION’s modes
5
Basic Information
About the microSTATION’s
modes
ThemicroSTATIONhasnumerousfunctionsthatlet
youplayandeditprogramsorcombinations,record
andplaybacksequencedata,andmanagemedia.
Thesefunctionsaregroupedinto“modes.”The
microSTATIONhasfourmodes.
Program mode
ProgramsarethebasicsoundsofthemicroSTATION.
InProgrammode,youcan:
•SelectandplayPrograms
•Useonearpeggiatorinyourperformance.
•Usetherealtimecontrolstomodifythesoundand
controlthearpeggiator.
•EditPrograms
Youcanadjusttheparametersandsettingsofthe
oscillators,filters,amps,EGs,LFOs,effects,
arpeggiator,etc.
Youcanuseuptofiveinserteffects,twomaster
effects,andonetotaleffect.
Combination mode
Combinationsaresetsofupto16programsthatcanbe
playedsimultaneously,lettingyoucreatesoundsmore
complexthanasingleProgram.
InCombinationmode,youcan:
•SelectandplayCombinations
•Usetwoarpeggiatorsinyourperformance.
•UsethemicroSTATIONasasixteen‐track
multitimbraltonegenerator
•EditCombinations
YoucanassignProgramstoeachofthe16Timbres,
eachwithseparatevolume,pan,andkeyboardand
velocityzones,andmakesettingsforeffectsandthe
arpeggiator.
Youcanuseuptofiveinserteffects,twomaster
effects,andonetotaleffect.
Sequencer mode
Sequencermodeletsyourecord,playback,andedit
MIDItracks.Youcan:
•Usethesixteen‐trackMIDIsequencertorecordand
playbacksongs.
•RecordasingleMIDItrackatatime,orrecordas
manyasallsixteentrackssimultaneously.Youcan
alsorecordsystemexclusivemessages.
•Recordusingtwoarpeggiators.
• Createupto128songs.
•UsethemicroSTATIONasasixteen‐trackmulti‐
timbralsoundmodule.
•Adjustsettingsforeachtrack
Performsimpleeditstotheprogramusedbyeach
track.
Editthetrackvolume,pan,effects,andarpeggiator
settings.
Youcanuseuptofiveinserteffects,twomaster
effects,andonetotaleffect.
Global/Media mode
Inthismodeyoucanadjustoverallsettingsforthe
entiremicroSTATION,andsaveorloaddata.
InGlobal/Mediamodeyoucan:
•Adjustsettingsthataffecttheentire
microSTATION,suchasmastertuneandglobal
MIDIchannel.
•Specifythefunctionoftheassignablepedaland
assignableswitch.
•FormatanSDcard.
• SaveorloadsounddataorsequencerdataonanSD
card.
• SavesongscreatedinSequencermodeasSMF
formatdata,orloadSMFfilesasSequencermode
songs.
•Calibratethehalf‐damperpedalandfootpedal.

Introduction to the microSTATION
6
IFX 1
IFX 5
MFX 1
MFX 2
TFX
Insert / Master / Total Effect
OSC 1
PITCH1 FILTER1 AMP1
OSC 2
PITCH2 FILTER2 AMP2
PROGRAM
TRACK 1
TRACK 8
TRACK 2
TRACK 3
TRACK 4
TRACK 5
TRACK 6
TRACK 7
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
SEQUENCER
TRACK 9
TRACK 16
TRACK 10
TRACK 11
TRACK 12
TRACK 13
TRACK 14
TRACK 15
COMBINATION
GLOBAL/MEDIA MODE
DS2 Drumsample
DS1 Drumsample
Key
Assign
DRUM KIT
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
MS1 (Multisample)
MS2 (Multisample)
MS3 (Multisample)
MS4 (Multisample)
Drum Kit
MS1 (Multisample)
MS2 (Multisample)
MS3 (Multisample)
MS4 (Multisample)
Drum Kit
Arpeggiator B
Arpeggiator A
IFX 1
IFX 5
MFX 1
MFX 2
TFX
Insert / Master / Total Effect
TIMBRE1 1
TIMBRE8
TIMBRE2
TIMBRE3
TIMBRE4
TIMBRE5
TIMBRE6
TIMBRE7
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
TIMBRE9
TIMBRE16
TIMBRE10
TIMBRE11
TIMBRE12
TIMBRE13
TIMBRE14
TIMBRE15
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Arpeggiator
Arpeggiator B
Arpeggiator A
IFX 1
IFX 5
MFX 1
MFX 2
TFX
Insert / Master / Total Effect
MIDI TRACK 1...16
DS4 Drumsample
DS3 Drumsample
PCG / SNG
PCG
ARPEGGIO PATTERN
Preset Pattern: P0 - 4
User Pattern
MEDIA

Basic Information Basic operating methods
7
Basic operating methods
Afteryou’veturnedonthepower,usethefollowing
methodstoselectmodesorpages,andeditthe
settings.
Selecting modes
•InordertouseafunctionofthemicroSTATION,
youmustfirstselecttheappropriatemode.Press
oneofthefrontpanelmodebuttonstoenterthe
correspondingmode.
COMBI button:Combinationmode
PROG button:Programmode
SEQ button:Sequencermode
GLB/MEDIA button:Global/Mediamode
Selecting a combination, program, or
song
Normallyyou’llusetheCOMBIPLAYorPROGPLAY
pagetoselectacombinationorprogram.
ThebasicprocedureistousetheCATEGORYSELECT
buttonstospecifyacategory,andthenusethe
buttonsorfunctionbuttons01–16toselectaprogram
orcombinationwithinthatcategory.
Fordetailsontheprocedure,refertop. 15“Selectinga
program”andp. 24“Selectingacombination”
Fordetailsonselectingasong,refertop. 33“Playback
methods”
Editing in each mode
Eachmodecontainsnumerousparametersand
commands,whichareorganizedintogroupsand
pages.
Toeditaparameterorexecuteacommand,usethe
CURSOR/VALUEbuttonstomovetothe
desiredparameterorcommand.
Selecting a parameter and editing its value
We’lluseProgrammodeasanexampleforthis
explanation.
1. PressthePROGbuttontoenterProgrammode.
ThePROGPLAYpagewillappear.Theupperlineof
thedisplayshowsthepagename,andthelower
lineshowsthenameoftheprogramthatʹscurrently
selected.
The“”shownattherightedgeofthelowerline
indicatesthatyoucanpressthebuttontomoveto
anotherpage(inthiscase,PROGEDIT).
2. PressthebuttontoenterPROGEDIT.
WhenyouenterPROGEDIT,theupperlineofthe
displaywillindicatePROGEDIT.A“”symbolis
shownattheleftedge,indicatingthatyoucanuse
thebuttontomove(return)tothepreviouspage
(inthiscase,PROGPLAY).
Thelowerlineofthedisplayshowstheparameter
groupnameorparametername.Ineachmode,the
editableparametersareorganizedintoseveral
groups.Dependingonthemode,agroupmightbe
dividedintomultiplesub‐groups,sotheremightbe
severallevelsofparameters.
The“”,“”,or“”symbolsshownattheleft
edgeofthelowerlineindicatethatyoucanmoveto
higherorlowerparametergroupsorparameters.
Usethebuttonstomove.
The“”symbolshownattherightedgeofthe
lowerlineindicatesthatyoucanmovetoanother
pageofthecurrentparametergroup,orselecta
parametervalue.Usethebuttonstomoveor
select.
3. Usethebuttonsorthebuttonstomove
betweengroupsandselectthedesiredparameter.
A“”,“”,or“”shownattheleftofthe
parametervalueindicatesthatyoucaneditthe
valueofthatparameter.
4. Usethebuttonsorfunctionbuttons01–16to
editthevalueoftheparameter.
 buttons
Thesebuttonsincreaseordecreasethevalueofthe
selectedparameterinstepsofone.Ifyouhold
downabuttonforseveralseconds,thevaluewill
increaseordecreaseconsecutively.
Function buttons 01–16
IfyoupresstheNUMLOCKbuttontoturnNum
Lockon(LEDlit),youcanusefunctionbuttons01–
16toenteranumericalvalueforaparameter.This
methodisusefulwhenyouknowthevalueyou
wanttoenter.
Usethe01(1)–10(0)buttonstoenterthevalue,and
thenpressthe14(ENTER)buttontoconfirm.
The11(–)buttonswitchesthesign(+/–)ofthe
parametervalue.
The12(.)buttonentersadecimalpoint.
Ifyoudecidetocancelthevalueyou’reentering,
pressthe13(CLEAR)button.
KEY button
TheKEYbuttonhasafunctionthatisavailable
whenthebuttonisusedinconjunctionwithanote
ofthekeyboard.
Whenyou’reeditingaparameterthatspecifiesa
notenumber(e.g.,G4orC#2)oravelocityvalue,
youcanspecifythedesirednotenumberorvelocity
valuebyholdingdowntheKEYbuttonandplaying
anoteonthekeyboard.
Note: BypressingtheCOMPAREbuttonyoucan
comparethesoundbeforeandafterediting.

Introduction to the microSTATION
8
Selecting and executing a command
Eachmodeallowsyoutoexecutevariouscommands,
suchasCopy.
ForexampleinProgrammode,itisconvenienttocopy
arpeggiatororeffectsettingswhenyou’reediting.
1. InPROGPLAY,pressthebuttontoenterPROG
EDIT.
2. Usethebuttonstochoose“Command,”and
thenpressthebutton.
3. Usethebuttonstoselectthedesired
parameter,andpressthebutton.
4. Usethebuttonstospecifythevalueorcopy‐
destination.Tospecifyanumericalvaluesuchasa
programorcombinationnumber,youcanalso
turnNUMLOCKonandusefunctionbuttons01–
16toenterthevalue.
5. Whenyou’vefinishedadjustingsettings,pressthe
buttontoreturn.
6. Toexecute,pressthebuttontomakethedisplay
indicate“OK?”,andthenpressthebutton.
Ifyoudecidetocanceltheoperation,pressthe
button.
COMPARE button - the Compare
function
Program or Combination mode
Here’showtocomparethesoundoftheprogramor
combinationyou’reeditingwiththeoriginal
(unedited)sound.
1. Duringediting,presstheCOMPAREbutton(the
LEDwilllight‐up).
Thesoundthatwassavedbeforeyoubeganediting
willberecalled.
2. PresstheCOMPAREbuttononceagain(theLED
willgodark).
Thesoundyouwereeditingwillreappear.
Note: Ifyoueditthesoundthat’srecalledbypressing
theCOMPAREbutton(i.e.,thesavedsetting),theLED
willgodarkatthatpoint,andyouwon’tbeableto
returntothepriorsettingsbypressingtheCOMPARE
buttonagain.
Sequencer mode
Here’showtocomparethe“beforeandafter”stateof
yoursongrecordingortrackediting.
Forexample,thisisusefulduringrecording.
1. Recordonadesiredtrack(Take1).
2. Recordonceagainonthesametrack(Take2).
3. WhenyoupresstheCOMPAREbutton(theLED
willlight‐up),Take1willberecalled.
4. Pressthebuttonagain(theLEDwillgodark),and
Take2willberecalled.
5. Ifyourecordontothesametrackagain(Take3)
fromthestateofstep3,theComparefunctionwill
recallTake1.
6. Ifyourecordontothesametrackagain(Take3)
fromthestateofstep4,theComparefunctionwill
recallTake2.Inthisway,youcanrecallthestate
ofthepreviousrecording.
Note: IfyoueditwhiletheCOMPAREbuttonislit,the
buttonwillgodark;thatperformancedatawillbethe
datathatisrecalledwhentheCOMPAREbuttonis
dark.(PGp. 30“TheComparefunction”)
Global/Media mode
TheComparefunctionisnotavailableinGlobal/Media
mode.
Writing/saving
Afterediting,youshouldwriteorsaveyourchanges
asnecessary.
Forexampleifyou’veeditedaprogram,yourchanges
willbelostifyouselectanotherprogramorturnoff
thepower.Thesameappliestoacombination.
SettingsthatyoueditinGlobal/Mediamodewillbe
rememberedaslongasthepowerison,butyour
changeswillbelostwhenyouturnoffthepower,
unlessyouwritethesechangesintomemory.
FordetailsontheWriteoperations,seethefollowing
pages.
• Programsp. 58
•Combinationsp. 58
•Globalsettingsp. 59
•UsertemplatesongsPGp.48
Preset/usertemplatesongsaresavedininternal
memoryevenwhenthepoweristurnedoff.Track
settingsandeffectsettingsofasongyoucreatecan
besavedininternalmemorybythesongcommand
SaveTemplateSong.
•Fordetailsonwritingtointernalmemoryp. 58
Refertothefollowingpagesformoreaboutsaving.
• Savingtomedia(Media–Save)p. 58
Note: OnthemicroSTATION,theactionofwritingto
internalmemoryiscalled“Write,”andtheactionof
savingtoanSDcarddeviceiscalled“Save.”

Basic Information Using Controllers
9
Using Controllers
Inadditiontousingthekeyboard,themicroSTATION
letsyoucontrolthesoundbyusingthejoystick,knobs
1–4,damperpedal,andfootswitchorfootpedal.
Thesecontrolsletyoumodifythetone,pitch,volume,
effects,etc.inrealtimeasyouplay.
Joystick
Thejoystickmovesinfourdirections:left,right,up
(awayfromyourself),anddown(towardsyourself).
Eachofthefourdirectionscanbeusedtocontrola
differentfunction,suchasmodulatingProgramor
effectsparameters.Theseassignmentscanbedifferent
foreveryProgram,butgenerally,theydothe
following:
Standard Joystick functions
Keyboard
Velocity
Velocityisameasureofhowhardyouplayanoteon
thekeyboard.Thiscanbeusedtomodulatemany
differentaspectsofthesound,suchasvolume,
brightness,orthecharacteroftheattack.
Note Number
Soundscanbeprogrammedtochangeincharacter
basedonthenotebeingplayed.
Asyouplayhigherorloweronthekeyboard,thenote
numbercanmodulatethetimbre–suchasbecoming
brighterasyouplayhigher.Envelopesmayalso
becomefasterorslower;thevolumemaychange;and
soon.
Realtime Controls
Therealtimecontrolsconsistsoffourknobsandtwo
buttons(SELECTandEXTERNAL).
Youcanusetherealtimecontrolsto:
• Applymodulationtosounds,orcontrolthetone.
• Controlthearpeggiator.
• ControlanexternalMIDIdevice.
1. PresstheREALTIMECONTROLSSELECTbutton
toselectthesetoffunctionsthatyouwantto
control(modesA–C),andthenuseknobs1–4.
TheREALTIMECONTROLSSELECTbuttonlets
youchooseoneofthefollowingthreesetsof
functions.
AmodeandBmode:Theknobswillmodifythe
soundsoreffects.
Cmode:Theknobswillcontrolthearpeggiatorand
thetempo.
Youarefreetoswitchbetweenthesesetsof
functionswithoutaffectingthecontentyou’ve
editedineachdifferentrealtimecontrolmode.
2. PresstheREALTIMECONTROLSEXTERNAL
button,anduseknobs1–4.
TherealtimecontrolswillbeinExternalmode.
MovingtheknobswilltransmitMIDImessages,
allowingyoutocontrolanexternalMIDIdevice.
Thefunctionofeachknobcanbespecifiedin
GLOBAL/MEDIA:MIDI‐ExternalSetup.
Whenyoumoveaknobintheregionofits
minimumormaximumvalue,theremightbea
slightdiscrepancybetweenthevalueandthe
knob’sposition.
Adjusting the tempo
InrealtimecontrolCmode,knob4(TEMPO)adjusts
theoveralltempooftheentiremicroSTATION,which
willaffecttheitemslistedbelow.
Whenadjustingthetempo,theLEDwillblinkat
quarter‐noteintervals.
• Arpeggiator
•Sequencermodesongs
•TemposyncLFO
•Temposync(BPM)delayeffects
Note: Knob4(TEMPO)willnotfunctionifthe
GLOBAL/MEDIA:MIDI‐MIDIClocksetting“Clock”
issettoExt.MIDIorExt.USB,orifthisissettoAuto
andMIDIclockisbeingreceived.
Youcannotchangethetempooftheprogram
auditionfunction.Knob4willnotfunctionwhile
theauditionisplaying.
Move the joystick… Controller
Name Normally controls…
Left JS–X Pitch bend down
Right JS+X Pitch bend up
Up (away from yourself) JS+Y Vibrato
Down (towards yourself) JS–Y Filter LFO (wah)

Introduction to the microSTATION
10
Damper pedal / Foot switch /
Foot pedal
ThemicroSTATIONhasarearpanelDAMPER/
PEDAL/SWjackwhereyoucanconnecteithera
damperpedal,afootpedal,orafootswitch.
Damper Pedal
Thedamperpedalisalsosometimescalledthesustain
pedal.Itactslikethesimilarly‐namedpedalonan
acousticpiano;whenyouholddownthepedal,notes
willcontinuetosustainevenwhenyouliftyourhands
offofthekeyboard.
InCombinationandSequencemode,youcanalso
choosesettingssothatthedamperwillaffectsome
soundsbutnotothersounds.
Assignable Foot Switch
Thisletsyouuseasimplefootswitch,suchastheKorg
PS‐1,asanassignablecontroller.Thefootswitchcan
performawidevarietyoffunctions,suchas:
•Anassignablesourceformodulatingsoundsand
effects
•Portamentoon/off
•Programselectupordown
• Sequencerstart/stoporpunchin/out
•TapTempo
• Arpeggiatoron/off
•OperatevariousmicroSTATIONcontrols(realtime
controlknobs,joystick,etc.)
Assignable Foot Pedal
Thisletsyouuseacontinuouscontrollerpedal,suchas
theKorgEXP‐2footcontrollerorKorgXVP‐10EXP/
VOLpedal,asanassignablecontroller.
LiketheAssignableFootSwitch,describedabove,the
FootPedalcanbeusedformanydifferentfunctions,
including:
• MasterVolume
• ChannelVolume,Pan,orExpression
•Assignablesoundmodulation
•Ef
fectsSendlevelcontrol
•AdjustvariousmicroSTATIONcontrols(realtime
controlknobs,Joystick,etc.)
IfyouusetheDAMPER/PEDAL/SWjack,you’ll
needtochoosetheappropriatesettinginGlobal/
Mediamodetospecifythetypeofoptionthat’s
connected(damperpedal,footpedal,orfoot
switch).
Toensurethatahalf‐damperpedalorfootpedalis
operatingoptimally,pleaseusethecalibration
functionregularly.
(PGp. 66“HalfDmprCalib(HalfDamper
Calibration)”)
(PGp. 66“PedalCalib(PedalCalibration)”)

11
Setup
Turning the power on/off
Connecting the AC adapter
ConnecttheACadaptertothemicroSTATION.For
detailsonthisconnection,pleasereadthe
ʺConnectionsandpowerʺonpage 8ofEasyStart
guide.
YoumustusetheincludedACadapteronly.Using
anyotherACadaptermaycausemalfunctions.
Turning the power on
1. LowerthemicroSTATION’sVOLUMEknob.
Ifyouhaveconnectedpoweredmonitorspeakersor
astereoamp,turndownthevolumeofthese
devices.
2. PresstherearpanelPowerswitchtoturnonthe
power.
Thedisplaywillshowthemodelnameand
softwareversion.
3. Turnonyourpoweredmonitorsorstereoamp.
4. RaisethemicroSTATION’sVOLUMEknobtoan
appropriateposition,andadjustthevolumeof
yourpoweredmonitorspeakersorstereoamp.
Turning the power off
Afteryou’vefinishedediting,besuretowrite
(save)yourchanges.
Ifyoueditaprogramandthenselectadifferent
programorturnoffthepower,thechangesyou
madewillbelost.Thesameistruefora
combination.
ThesettingsyoueditinSequencermodeand
Global/Mediamodearerememberedaslongasthe
powerison,butwillbelostwhenyouturnoffthe
power,sobesuretosaveallyourdatabefore
turningthepoweroff.
1. LowerthemicroSTATION’sVOLUMEknob.
Alsoturnthevolumeofyourpoweredmonitor
speakersorstereoampdowntozero.
2. Turnoffthepowerofyourpoweredmonitoror
stereoamp.
3. PresstherearpanelPowerswitchtoturnoffthe
power.
Thedisplaywillindicate“Nowexecuting”while
dataisbeingwrittentointernalmemory.Never
turnoffthepowerduringthisprocedure.
Ifyouturnoffthepowerduringthisprocess,
writingtomemorycannotbecompletednormally.
Inthiscase,themicroSTATIONmightfailto
operatecorrectlywhenyouturnthepoweron
again.
Ifthisoccurs,proceedasfollowstoinitializethe
microSTATION’sinternalmemory.
1.Power‐offthemicroSTATION.
2.WhileholdingdownthePLAY/MUTEbutton
andthefunction08button,turnonthe
microSTATION.
ThemicroSTATIONwillbeinitialized,and
internalmemorywillbewritten.Thedisplay
willindicate“Initializing...”duringthistime.
Afterinitializing,you’llneedtoloadthepreload
data.Fordetails,referto(“Loadingthe
preloadeddata”p.63).
Note: Initializationwillrequireapproximately30
secondstobecompleted.

Setup
12
Connections
Connectionsmustbemadewiththepowerturnedoff.Pleasebeawarethatcarelessoperationmaydamageyour
speakersystemorcausemalfunctions.
Connecting audio equipment
Here’showtoconnectthemicroSTATIONtoyour
analogampormixer.
Ifyou’veconnectedastereoaudioamp,beaware
thatplayingathighvolumemaydamageyour
speakersystem.Becarefulnottoraisethevolume
excessively.
OUTPUT L/MONO and R
Allofthefactorysoundsusetheseoutputs.
1. ConnecttheOUTPUTL/MONOandRoutputsto
theinputsofyourpoweredmonitorormixer.
Ifyou’reusingthemicroSTATIONinstereo,use
boththeL/MONOandRjacks.Ifyou’reusingthe
microSTATIONinmono,useonlytheL/MONO
jack.
Ifyou’replayingbackthroughastereoaudioamp
oracassetterecorderthathasanexternalinputjack,
connectthemicroSTATIONtothejacks(s)labeled
LINEIN,AUXIN,orexternalinput.(Usean
adaptercablewiththeappropriatetypeofplug.)
Headphones
1. Ifyou’reusingheadphones,connectthemtothe
microSTATION’sheadphonejack.
2. UsetheVOLUMEslidertoadjustthevolumeof
theheadphones.
ThemicroSTATION’sheadphonejackoutputsthe
samesignalastheOUTPUTL/MONOandRjacks.
Connections to computers
AC adapter power
supply connector
Analog audio output
Connecting the AC adapter
Powered
monitors, etc.
Connections to MIDI equipment
MIDI cable
Computer
Pedal connections etc.
MIDI keyboard
Mixer
to an AC outlet
USB
ASSIGNABLE PEDAL
ASSIGNABLE SWITCH
DAMPER
MIDI OUT
MIDI IN
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
INPUT
AUDIO OUTPUT
R L/MONO
Monitor OUTPUT
INPUT
Powered
monitor
Headphone
INPUTINPUT
L/MONO R
PHONES

Connections Connecting a damper pedal, foot pedal, or foot switch
13
Connecting a damper pedal,
foot pedal, or foot switch
Youcanconnecteitheradamperpedal,afootpedal,or
afootswitchtothemicroSTATION’srearpanel
DAMPER/PEDAL/SWjack,anduseittocontrola
varietyoffunctionsandeffects.
Youcanusethedamperpedaltoapplyadampereffect
whileyouplay.
Youcanusethefootswitchtoturnthesostenutoor
softpedaleffecton/off,toturnthearpeggiatoron/off,
toswitchprogramsorcombinations,ortocontroltap
tempo.
Youcanusethefootpedaltocontrolvolumeor
modulation.
IfyouconnectapedaltotheDAMPER/PEDAL/
SWjack,you’llneedtochoosetheappropriate
settinginGlobal/Mediamodetospecifythetype
ofoption(i.e.,damperpedal,footpedal,orfoot
switch)that’sconnected.
SettingsthatyoueditinGlobal/Mediamodeare
maintaineduntilyouturnoffthepower,butwill
notbesavedwhenyouturnoffthepower.Ifyou
wanttokeepthesesettings,youmustwritethem.
(p. 59)
Connecting a damper pedal
Thispedalcanprovideadampereffectasyouplay.
Thisinstrumentalsosupportshalf‐damping.Here’s
howtoconnectanoptionalKorgDS‐1Hdamperpedal
totheDAMPER/PEDAL/SWjackanduseittocontrol
thehalf‐dampereffect.
1. ConnectanoptionalDS‐1Hdamperpedaltothe
DAMPER/PEDAL/SWjack.
You’llbeabletocontrolthehalf‐dampereffectif
you’veconnectedtheDS‐1H.Ifyou’veconnecteda
differentswitch‐typepedal,itwillfunctionasa
damperswitch.
2. Afteryouturnthepoweron,selecttheoption
that’sconnectedtothejack,andchoosethe
appropriateGlobal/Mediamodesettingsfor
“Type”and“Polarity”(GLOBAL/MEDIA:
Controllers‐PEDAL/SW)tospecifythefunction
thatwillbecontrolledbythepedalandthe
polarityofthepedal(p. 56,PGp. 65).
Ifyou’reusingahalf‐damperpedal,performthe
half‐dampercalibrationtoensurethatthepedalis
operatingcorrectly(PGp. 66).
Connecting a foot switch
Ifyouconnectanon/off‐typefootswitchsuchasthe
KorgPS‐1pedalswitchtotheDAMPER/PEDAL/SW
jack,youcanuseittoturnthesostenutoorsoftpedal
effecton/off,tocontroltaptempo,ortoapply
modulationtoasoundoraneffect.
Thisswitchwillalwaysfunctioninthesameway
regardlessoftheProgram,Combination,orSong
you’veselected.Youcanassignthefunctioninthe
Global/Mediamode.
1. ConnectafootswitchsuchastheoptionalPS‐1to
theDAMPER/PEDAL/SWjack.
2. Afteryouturnthepoweron,selecttheoption
that’sconnectedtothejack,andchoosethe
appropriateGlobal/Mediamodesettingsfor
“Type,”“SW,”and“Polarity”(GLOBAL/MEDIA:
Controllers‐PEDAL/SW)tospecifythefunction
thatwillbecontrolledbythefootswitchandits
polarity(p. 56,PGp. 65,PG p. 295).
Connecting a foot pedal
IfyouconnectaoptionalEXP‐2footcontrollerorXVP‐
10expression/volumepedaltotheDAMPER/PEDAL/
SWjack,youcanuseittoapplymodulationtosounds
oreffects,ortoadjusttheoverallvolume.
Thispedalwillalwaysfunctioninthesameway
regardlessoftheProgram,Combination,orSong
you’veselected.Youcanassignthefunctioninthe
Global/Mediamode.
1. ConnectanoptionalXVP‐10orEXP‐2tothe
DAMPER/PEDAL/SWjacks.
2. Afteryouturnthepoweron,selecttheoption
that’sconnectedtothejack,andchoosethe
appropriateGlobal/Mediamodesettingsfor
“Type”and“Pdl”(GLOBAL/MEDIA:Controllers‐
PEDAL/SW)tospecifythefunctionthatwillbe
controlledbythepedal(p. 56,PGp. 65,
PG p. 296).
Performthefootpedalcalibrationprocedureto
ensurethatthepedalisoperatingcorrectly(PG
p. 66).
Connecting the microSTATION
to a computer
ThemicroSTATIONprovidesbothMIDIandUSB
connectorsasstandardequipment.Byconnectingthe
microSTATIONtoyourcomputerviaUSB,youcanuse
itasacontrollerandMIDIsoundmoduleforyour
DAWsoftwarewithsinglecableconvenience;and
withouttheneedforaMIDIinterface.
Byusingthededicatededitor,youcaneditthe
microSTATIONfromyourcomputerasthoughitwere
asoftwareplug‐in.
Fordetails,readthe“microSTATIONEditor/Plug‐In
EditorUser’sGuide”(PDF).
PEDAL SWITCH DAMPER

Setup
14
Connecting MIDI devices
ByconnectingthemicroSTATION’sMIDIconnectors
toanexternalMIDIdeviceyoucantransfersound
settingsandperformancedatasuchasnotemessages
betweenyourexternalMIDIdeviceandthe
microSTATION.
About MIDI
MIDIstandsforMusicalInstrumentDigitalInterface,
andisaworld‐widestandardforexchangingvarious
typesofmusicaldatabetweenelectronicmusical
instrumentsandcomputers.WhenMIDIcablesare
usedtoconnecttwoormoreMIDIdevices,
performancedatacanbeexchangedbetweenthe
devices,eveniftheyweremadebydifferent
manufacturers.
Controlling an external MIDI tone
generator from microSTATION
IfyouwanttousethemicroSTATION’skeyboardand
othercontrollers,sequencer,andarpeggiatortoplayor
controlanexternalMIDIsoundmodule,useaMIDI
cabletoconnectthemicroSTATION’sMIDIOUT
connectortotheMIDIINconnectorofyourexternal
MIDIsoundmodule.
Controlling microSTATION’s tone
generator from an external MIDI
device
WhenyouwishtoplayorcontrolthemicroSTATION’s
tonegeneratorfromanexternalMIDIkeyboardor
sequenceretc.,useaMIDIcabletoconnecttheMIDI
OUTconnectoroftheexternalMIDIdevicetothe
MIDIINconnectorofmicroSTATION.
Controlling two or more external
MIDI tone generators from
microSTATION
YoucanalsouseaMIDIpatchbaytocontrolmultiple
MIDIdevices.
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
microSTASTION
MIDI keyboard
microSTASTION
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI keyboard
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
microSTATION
MIDI keyboard
MIDI patch bay
MIDI tone generator

15
Playing and editing programs
About the microSTATION’s programs
OnthemicroSTATION,a“program”isthebasic
sound.You’lluseProgrammodetoplayprograms.
ProgramsarealsousedoutsideofProgrammode.
InCombinationmodeyoucancombinemultiple
programstocreatecomplexsounds.
InSequencermodeyoucanassignaprogramtoeach
MIDItrackoftheinternalsequencer,orusethe
microSTATIONasasoundmodulethat’splayedfrom
anexternal16‐channelMIDIsequencer.
Inthissectionwe’llexplainbasicwaystouse
programs,suchasusingthepanelbuttonsinProgram
modeandbasicediting.
Playing programs
Selecting a program
Youcanselectaprograminanyofthefollowingways.
•UsetheCATEGORYSELECTbuttonsandthe
buttonsorthefunction01–16buttons
•Useaconnectedfootswitchtoselectprograms:PG
p.65
• ReceiveMIDIprogramchangestoselectprograms:
PGp.60,PGp.63,PGp.305
Fordetails,refertotheexplanationsbelow.
Using the CATEGORY SELECT buttons
and the  buttons
1. PresstheMODEPROGbutton(theLEDwilllight).
YouwillenterProgrammode,andthePROGPLAY
pagewillappear.
Thelowerlineofthedisplayshowstheindex
numberandthenameoftheprogram.
The“”shownattheleftoftheindexnumber
indicatesthatyoucanpressthebuttontoselect
programswithinthecurrentcategory.Ifa“‐”is
shownattheleftofthenumber,thatcategory
containsonlyoneprogram.
Note: IftheGlobal/Mediamode“ScrollText”setting
isOn,namesetc.thatcannotbeshowninthe
displaybecauseoftheirlengthwillscroll.
2. UsetheCATEGORYSELECT
buttonstochooseaprogram
category.
Youcanchoosefromthefollowingninecategories.
ThefrontpanelCATEGORYindicatorsshowthe
selectedcategory.
Thefirsttimeyouselectacategory,program001of
thatcategorywillbeshown.
3. Usethebuttonstoselect
aprogram.
4. Playthekeyboardtohearthe
soundoftheselected
program.
Using the CATEGORY SELECT buttons
and the function 01–16 buttons
Selecting a program by entering a numerical
value
1. UsetheCATEGORYSELECTbuttonstochoose
thedesiredprogramcategory.
2. PressthefrontpanelNUM
LOCKbuttontoturnNum
Lockon(LEDlit‐up).
3. Usefunctionbuttons01(1)–10
(0)toenteranumericalvalue,andthenpressthe
14(ENTER)button.You’llswitchtotheprogram
oftheindexnumberyouspecified.
Selecting programs in groups of 16
1. UsetheCATEGORYSELECTbuttonstochoose
thedesiredprogramcategory.
2. TurnthefrontpanelPLAY/MUTE,NUMLOCK,
andGRIDSEQbuttonsalloff(LEDunlit).
Category Explanation
ALL All categories
KEYBOARD Acoustic piano, electric piano, clavi/
harpsichord, and organ sounds
STRINGS/BRASS/
WOODWIND
String, vocal, brass, woodwind, and
reed sounds
GUITAR Acoustic and electric guitar sounds
BASS&BASS SPLIT Electric, acoustic, and synth bass
sounds
SYNTH Fast, slow, and motion synth sounds
LEAD&SOLO SPLIT Synth lead sounds
DRUM/MALLET/
HITS
Drum and percussion, bell, mallet, and
sound effects
USER
Sounds saved as the user category
(when shipped from the factory,
contains initialized programs)

Playing and editing programs
16
3. Nowyoucanusefunctionbuttons01–16toselect
theprogramsofindexnumbers1–16withinthe
chosencategory.
4. Toselectaprogramfromindexnumber17and
higherinthatcategory,presstheNUMLOCK
buttontoturnNumLockon(LEDlit‐up),and
thenpressthe16(GROUPUP)button.
5. PresstheNUMLOCKbuttontoturnNumLock
off(LEDoff).
6. Nowyoucanusefunctionbuttons01–16toselect
programsfromindexnumbers17–32withinthe
chosencategory.
WhentheNUMLOCKbuttonison,pressingthe15
(GROUPDOWN)buttonorthe16(GROUPUP)
buttonwillcyclethroughthegroupofindexnumbers
thatcanbeselected:17–32,33–48,49–64,...etc.
Overview of the program memories
WhenthemicroSTATIONisshippedfromthefactory,
itsprogrammemorycontains480preloaded
programs,plusanother256programsand9drum
programsthatareGM2compatible.Theseprograms
areorganizedintobanksasshowninthetablebelow.
InPROGPLAYwhenyouturnNumLockonand
pressthe14(ENTER)button,thebankandnumberare
shownontherightsideoftheupperlineofthe
display.
Program memories
OnthemicroSTATION,youselectprogramsusing
indexnumberswithineachcategory.Acategoryispre‐
assignedtoeachprogram,orcanbespecifiedwhen
youwriteaprogram.
Thebanksandnumbers(Bank,ProgNo.)showninthe
tableaboveareusedtospecifythewriting‐destination
whenwritingaprogram,andtospecifythecopy‐
destinationwhenexecutingacopycommand.
OnthemicroSTATIONitself,youcan’tselecta
programbyspecifyingabankandnumberfrom
thetableabove.
The AUDITION function
Whenselectingprograms,youcanusethe
Auditionfunctionwhichletsyouusethe
AUDITIONbuttontoplayarifforphrase.
IfyoupresstheAUDITIONbutton(located
belowREALTIMECONTROLSknob1)to
maketheLEDatitsleftlight‐up,ariff(phrase)suitable
forthatprogramwillplayautomatically.
Using Controllers
Fordetailsonperformingwiththejoystickandthe
realtimecontroller,readthe“UsingControllers”
sectiononpage 9.
Performing with the
arpeggiator
Basedonnotedataitreceivesfromthekeyboardor
fromtheMIDIINconnector,thearpeggiatorcan
generateawiderangeofphrasesandpatterns
includingarpeggios,guitarorkeyboardbackingriffs,
bassphrases,ordrumpatterns.Youcanalsousethe
frontpanelRealtimeControllerknobstovarythe
lengthanddynamicsofthearpeggiatednotes.
Formoreaboutthearpeggiator,pleaseseepage 50.
Bank Prog No. Explanation
A...D 000...127
D:000...095
Preloaded
programs
These programs are loaded
when the microSTATION is
shipped; they use a variety
of multisamples, effects,
and arpeggiators.
D 096...127 Initial
programs
These are initialized
programs for the user.
G (GM) 001...128
GM2
capital
programs
These are 256 programs
and 9 drum programs that
are compatible with the
GM2 sound map. The
programs of this bank are
read-only.
Bank GM contains 128
programs, banks g(1)–g(9)
contain 128 programs, and
g(d) contains 9 programs.
These programs cannot be
written (saved).
1...9
(g(1)...
g(9))
001...128
GM2
variation
programs
d
(g(d)) 001...128 GM2 drum programs