Korg opsix User manual

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Owner’s Manual

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Table of Contents
Introduction.......................................................................... 6
1. Main Features ...............................................................................6
2. About the sound generator of the opsix ....................................7
Operator (modulator, carrier) .................................................................................................................... 7
Algorithms........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Operator modes ............................................................................................................................................. 7
3. Block Diagram ............................................................................11
Panel description and functions ....................................... 12
1. Front panel..................................................................................12
2. Rear panel connections..............................................................15
Connecting the AC adapter......................................................................................................................15
Other connections.......................................................................................................................................15
Operation Guide ................................................................. 17
1. Turning the power on/o...........................................................17
Turning the opsix On ..................................................................................................................................17
Turning the opsix O..................................................................................................................................17
Auto Power-O .............................................................................................................................................18
2. Playing the opsix ........................................................................19
Selecting a program to use when playing..........................................................................................19
Using the analyzer .......................................................................................................................................20
Performing with the arpeggiator...........................................................................................................21
3. Editing the programs .................................................................23
Editing with the OPERATOR MIXER........................................................................................................23
Easy program editing .................................................................................................................................24
Randomized editing....................................................................................................................................24
Detailed editing............................................................................................................................................25
Saving a program.........................................................................................................................................26
Initializing a program..................................................................................................................................28
Canceling the program edits ...................................................................................................................28

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4. Using the step sequencer...........................................................29
How the sequencer works ........................................................................................................................29
Playback and recording on the step sequencer................................................................................30
Step recording...............................................................................................................................................30
Recording motions to the motion sequencer with the knobs and sliders..............................31
Editing sequence data................................................................................................................................31
Parameter Guide................................................................. 34
List of parameters............................................................................34
HOME/ALGO .....................................................................................40
HOME/ALGO (Home/Algorithm) ............................................................................................................40
OPERATORS: MODE..........................................................................41
MODE: OP1...6 (Operator Mode).............................................................................................................41
OPERATORS: PITCH ..........................................................................44
PITCH: OP1...6 (Operator Pitch)................................................................................................................44
P MOD: OP1...6 (Operator Pitch Modulation).....................................................................................45
OPERATORS: LEVEL/EG....................................................................46
EG: OP1...6 (Operator Level/EG) ..............................................................................................................46
KTRK: OP1...6 (Operator Level Key Track).............................................................................................47
L MOD: OP1...6 (Operator Level Modulation).....................................................................................48
MOD ..................................................................................................49
EG1 PITCH, EG2 FLTR (Filter), EG3 (Assignable)..................................................................................49
LFO1 OP (Operators), LFO2 FLTR (Filter), LFO3 (Assignable).........................................................49
FILTER................................................................................................52
FILTER................................................................................................................................................................52
FLTR MOD (Filter Modulation) .................................................................................................................54
EFFECT ..............................................................................................55
FX 1, 2, 3 (Eect 1, 2, 3)...............................................................................................................................55
ARP (Arpeggiator)............................................................................56
ARPEGGIATOR................................................................................................................................................56
SEQ (Sequencer)...............................................................................58
SEQUENCER....................................................................................................................................................58
SEQ NOTE (Sequencer Note)....................................................................................................................59
MOTION ...........................................................................................................................................................60
SEQ UTIL (Sequencer Utility)....................................................................................................................61
VOICE ................................................................................................63
VOICE (Voice Assign)...................................................................................................................................63

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V.PATCH.............................................................................................65
V.PATCH 1...12 (Virtual Patch 1...12)........................................................................................................65
MISC ..................................................................................................66
PROG PITCH (Program Pitch)....................................................................................................................66
PROG MISC (Program Misc) ......................................................................................................................67
USER ALG (User Algorithm) ......................................................................................................................67
OP UTIL (Operator Utilities) ......................................................................................................................69
GLOBAL.............................................................................................70
TUNE .................................................................................................................................................................70
MIDI...................................................................................................................................................................70
CTRL (Controller) ..........................................................................................................................................73
SEQ ....................................................................................................................................................................74
SYS .....................................................................................................................................................................75
Algorithm List...................................................................................76
Waveform List...................................................................................77
Control Source List...........................................................................78
Motion Destination List...................................................................79
Virtual Patch Source List..................................................................81
Virtual Patch Destination List .........................................................82
Eect Parameter List........................................................................84
Appendix............................................................................. 88
Connecting the opsix to a MIDI device or computer.....................88
Connecting/ a computer or MIDI device.............................................................................................88
MIDI-related settings ..................................................................................................................................90
Librarian software........................................................................................................................................91
Loading DX7 sounds ........................................................................92
System exclusive messages that can be loaded ...............................................................................92
Receiving DX7 system exclusive messages ........................................................................................92
Restoring the opsix to factory-set default settings ......................94
Troubleshooting ..............................................................................96
Program Name List ..........................................................................98
Favorite List ....................................................................................101
Specications .................................................................................102
MIDI Implementation Chart ..........................................................104

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About this manual
e owner’s manuals and how to use them
e opsix comes with the following manuals.
• Quick Start Guide (printed and PDF)
• Owner’s Manual (this document, PDF)
A printed copy is included only for the Quick Start Guide.
You can download these PDF manuals from the Korg website (www.korg.com).
• Symbols, , Note, Tip
ese symbols respectively indicate a caution, a supplementary note, or a tip.
• Example screen displays
e 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 LCD screen 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.
COPYRIGHT WARNING
• is professional device is intended only for use with works for which you yourself own the copy-
right, for which you have received permission from the copyright holder to publicly perform,
record, broadcast, sell, and duplicate, or in connection with activities which constitute “fair use”
under copyright law. If you are not the copyright holder, have not received permission from the
copyright holder, or have not engaged in fair use of the works, you may be violating copyright
law, and may be liable for damages and penalties. KORG TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ANY INFRINGEMENT COMMITTED THROUGH USE OF KORG PRODUCTS.
• e content that is built into this product or included with it may not be extracted, recorded, or
stored in a form similar to its original state, and distributed or made publicly available on the
internet. e content of this product (such as sound programs, style data, accompaniment
patterns, MIDI data, PCM sample data, audio data, operating system etc.) is the copyrighted
property of KORG Inc. or is copyrighted material used by KORG Inc. under license from a third
party. You do not need permission from KORG Inc. to use the above content to produce or
perform musical works, or to record and distribute such works.
* All product names and company names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.

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Introduction
ank you for purchasing the Korg opsix altered FM synthesizer. To help you get the most out of
your new instrument, please read this manual carefully.
1. Main Features
• e opsix features an FM sound generator that produces complex harmonics by rapidly
modulating the basic waveforms of its oscillators using other oscillators.
• In addition to FM synthesis, the opsix also features various Operator modes such as a ring modu-
lator, wavefolder and so on. e six Operators can be combined to create a wide variety of
sounds.
• You can use the OPERATOR MIXER (with sliders and knobs) to directly control the parameters
of each Operator. is is useful for intuitive editing and making dynamic sound changes when
you are performing.
• e opsix includes a rich selection of lters including Polysix and MS-20 models, which covers
the bases for making sounds like those generated with subtractive synthesis.
• ree high-denition multi-eects are available, and you can select from 30 types for each.
• 500 programs (250 preset programs and 250 user programs as the factory-set default) can be
called up and saved in an instant.
• Powerful 16-step polyphonic sequencer.
• A spectrum analyzer and an oscilloscope that let you visualize your sound.

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2. About the sound generator of the opsix
e principles of FM sound generation were discovered and established by Dr. John Chowning at
Stanford University in the 1970s, when he was experimenting with vibrato. FM sound generation was
later packaged into an LSI chip and put into practical use by Yamaha Corporation. From the
beginning of the 1980s, FM tone generation was used as an internal sound source on the DX series,
personal computers, game machines and cellphones.
Operator (modulator, carrier)
e FM (Frequency Modulation) sound generator is based on syn-
thesis elements called “Operators.” Operators are modulated using
simple input waveforms (WAVE) such as sine waves, outputting
sounds with complex harmonics. Operators can act as either a
modulator or a carrier. e output sound from a modulator feeds
into another Operator and modies that Operator’s output.
Carriers receive the output sound from modulators and output the
modulated result as audio.
Algorithms
In the FM sound generator, the combination of the roles and
connections of the Operators is called an “algorithm.” Selecting an
algorithm is a good starting point for creating sound. e opsix
sound generator includes six Operators, and more than 40 preset
algorithms are provided. You can use the user algorithm function
to create new combinations as well.
Operator modes
Although the basis of the opsix is the FM sound generator, you
can change the Operator mode to perform dierent kinds of
modulation besides FM. e combination of ring modulator, lter,
and wavefolder makes it possible to create new kinds of sounds
that surpass the range of typical FM sounds.
An Operator includes an input, an output and an oscillator. e
carrier’s Operator mode determines how the oscillator is modulat-
ed by the input of the modulator. is modulation gives the sound
its character. To add to the FM, Ring Mod, Filter, Filter FM and Wave Folder Operator modes, the
opsix features Mute and Bypass modes that are useful when editing.
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1 3
4
5
6
Audio Ouptut
What happens when
modulators modulate
the carriers
Algorithm example
(preset algorithm 1)
Modulator output
Basic carrier waveform
Carrier output
Carriers
Modulators

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FM
Oscillator
Output
Modulator
FB
WIDTHPhase
Pitch
As an example, when the LFO is used to raise and lower the pitch,
you will hear a vibrato-like eect. FM (Frequency Modulation) is
an ultra high-speed vibrato. e phase of an oscillator is modulated
using the input signal from the modulator, which rapidly raises and
lowers its pitch. (is works the same as Korg’s VPM tone
generator and typical FM synthesizers.)
As modulation is incredibly fast, we hear the result not as vibrato,
but as a change in tone.
In this Operator mode, we can use the FB and WIDTH parameters
to control the amount of self-feedback and the width of the
oscillator waveform.
• Typical program: 053: Strum Down, 232: [TMP] 2OP FM
Ring Mod.
Oscillator Rectifier
Output
Modulator
DEPTH1-DEPTH
Modulating the amplitude of a signal creates tremolo. Ring
modulation, or Ring Mod for short, is ultra-fast tremolo. It is
historically called this because of the shape of the electrical circuit
originally used to create the eect. e input signal from the
modulators are multiplied with the carrier oscillator to rapidly
change the amplitude of the signal. As with FM, the extremely fast
modulation is perceived as a change in tonal character. e input
from the modulator(s) can be processed by a rectier, where the
“SHAPE” parameter controls the amount of rectication. e larger
the value, the more overtones will be added.
• Typical program: 069: Ring It On, 236: [TMP] Ring Mod

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Filter
Oscillator
Filter
Output
Modulator
OSCMIX
CUTOFF
Pitch
Frquency
TYPE
RESO
is is a lter with a key tracking function. e input signals
from the oscillator and modulator(s) are input into the lter.
e “OSCMIX” parameter controls the amount of the oscillator
signal fed to the lter. e cuto frequency is synchronized to
the oscillator pitch and the “CUTOFF” parameter adds an
oset.
• Typical program: 100: Formant Pad, 229: [TMP] Reso Noise
Filter FM
Oscillator
Filter
Output
Modulator
CUTOFF
Pitch
Frquency
TYPE
RESO
Modulating a lter’s cuto with an LFO creates an eect like a
wah pedal. Filter FM creates an ultra high-speed wah eect. e
cuto frequency is modulated using the input signals from the
modulator(s), and the oscillator signal is used as audio input for
the lter. As with Filter mode, the modulation center frequency
is synchronized with the oscillator pitch, and you can use the
CUTOFF parameter to add an oset.
• Typical program: 86: FilterFM Pad, 239: [TMP] Filter FM

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Wave Folder
Oscillator
Filter
Output
Modulator
OSCMIX
GAIN
BIAS
is is a waveshaping eect. e wave folder circuit generates
harmonics by inverting the waveform of the input signals from the
oscillator and the modulator at a xed threshold. e “OSCMIX”
parameter controls the amount of the oscillator signal fed into the
wavefolder.
• Typical program: 024: Dynamik, 237: [TMP] Wavefolder