Oberheim MC 3000 User manual

MC 3000
Midi Master controller
MANUALE OPERATIVO
OPERATING MANUAL
I - GB Ver. AA4

CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
WARNING! TO REDUCE THE DANGER OF ELECTRIC SHOCK:
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL
This simbol is intended to
alert the user to the presence
of important operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
This simbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
uninsulated “dangerous
voltage“ within the product’s
enclouser that may be of
sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electronic
shock to persons.
“INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE,
ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS“
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
“INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE,
ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS“
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: When using electric products, basic precautions should always be fallowed,
including the following:
1) Read all instructions before using the product.
2) To reduce risk of injury, close supervision is necessary when product is used near
children.
3) Do not use this product near water – for example, near a batnub, washbowl, kitchen
sink, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, or the like.
4) This product, either alone or in combination with an amplifier and headphones or
speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that could cause permanent
hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of time in high volume level or at a level
that is unconfortable. If you experience any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you
should consult an audiologist.
5) This products should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat
register, or other products that produce heat.
6) The power supply cord of the instrument should be unplugged from the outlet when left
unused for a long period of time.
7) Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the
enclosure of the instrument.
8) The products should be serviced by qualified personnel when:
a. The power supply cord or the plug has been demaged; or
b. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product; or
c. The products has been exposed to rain; or
d. The products does not appear to operate normally or exibist a marked
change in performance; or
e. The products has been dropped, or the enclosure demaged.
9) Do not attemp to service the product beyond that described in the user-maintenance
instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified personnel.

MC 3000
Operating Manual
73
INDEX
1. General presentation
1.1 The Keyboard
1.2 The patch concept
1.3 Let's take a look at the instrument and discover some if its features
1.3.1. Wheels and sliders
1.3.2. The zone keys and the zone concept.
1.3.3. The display, the write key and the function keys
1.3.4. The dynamic encoder, the INC and DEC keys and the cursor keys
1.3.5. The Numeric pad and the mode keys
1.3.6. Using the mouse and its characteristics
1.3.7. The MC3000 MIDI ports and MIDI potential
1.3.8. The other items on the rear panel
2. Let's switch on the MC 3000
2.1. What the instrument does at switch-on
2.2. Setting the switch-on mode
2.3. Selecting the patch which will automatically appear at switch-on.
3. The PROGRAM operating mode
3.1. Introduction
3.2. TOP page
3.3. LIST
3.4. VIEW
3.5. INFO
3.5.1 Introduction
3.5.2 INFO 1
3.5.3 INFO 2
3.5.4 INFO 3
3.5.5 INFO 4
3.5.6 INFO 5
3.6. PRG (send program change) function
3.7. SOLO function
3.8. The WRITE procedure in the PROGRAM mode.

MC 3000
Operating Manual
74
4. The EDIT operating mode
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Out channels (CFG)
4.3. Zone Definition (DEF)
4.4. Out Messages (MSG)
4.4.1. Introduction
4.4.2. Messages 1
4.4.3. Messages 2
4.5. Curves (CRV)
4.5.1. Introduction
4.5.2. Curves 1
4.5.3. Curves 2
4.6. Controllers (CTL)
4.6.1. Introduction
4.6.2. Sliders
4.6.3. Pedals
4.7. PATCH BAY
5 The CHAIN operating mode
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Play Chain
5.3. Edit Chain
6. The UTILITY operating mode.
6.1. Introduction
6.2. MIDI common
6.2.1. Introduction
6.2.2. Control Channel (CCH)
6.2.3. MIDI Filter (FLT)
6.2.4. MIDI Program map (MAP)
6.2.5. MIDI Bulk Dump (BLK)
6.3. MIDI monitor
6.4. System Controls
6.4.1. Introduction
6.4.2. Wheels SET-UP (WHL)
6.4.3. System Pedals (SPD)
6.4.4. Range (RNG)

MC 3000
Operating Manual
75
6.5. Edit Tables
6.5.1. Introduction
6.5.2. Port Names Table.
6.5.3. Program change Tables.
6.5.4. Sys-ex Tables
6.6. Edit curves.
6.6.1. Introduction
6.6.2. Dynamic curves
6.6.3. Aftertouch Curves
6.7. Tools
6.7.1. Introduction
6.7.2. Mouse Set up
6.7.3. Battery Status.
6.7.4. Memory Status.
6.7.5. Power on procedures.
7 Additional Messages
7.1 Malfunction messages
7.2 Error messages
7.3 Status messages
8 Annex
8.1 Reset Procedures (Factory settings)
8.2 Panic Function

MC 3000
Operating Manual
76
1 GENERAL PRESENTATION
1.1 THE KEYBOARD
The instrument is equipped with 88 weighted keys with after-touch sensitivity.
The keyboard's sensitivity to key velocity and after-touch varies depending on the
response curve set in the patch.
Up to 48 key velocity and after-touch response curves can be set with point to point
resolution by means of edit procedures we will be describing later.
1.2 THE PATCH CONCEPT
A patch can be defined as a program containing all the information which presets the
instrument to provide a given type of performance. For example, as well as the key
velocity response curves, a patch may contain the program changes assigned to the
various MIDI channels and lots of other parameters to be described in greater detail later.
The MC 3000 is able to store no less than 1024 patches. They can all be programmed
throughout by the user and recalled in real time, allowing the user to draw on a large
quantity of data without having to wait for them to be loaded from a sequencer or a
computer.
1.3 LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE INSTRUMENT and discover some if its features
1.3.1 Wheels and sliders
If we look at the front panel, we will find that from left to right it contains 3 wheels and 8
sliders; any type of MIDI control of our choice can be assigned to each of these objects.
1.3.2 The zone keys and the zone concept.
In front of the sliders there are 8 zone keys. The zone is a specific region of the keyboard,
which can be set as we choose to include the entire range of 88 keys or just one key, in
which given parameters have been set. If a different program change assigned to a
specific MIDI channel, sent to one of the MIDI OUT ports available in the instrument,
corresponds to each zone, the zone is identified with a specific sound. In this case, if 8
zones are activated in our patch, we have 8 different sounds distributed within the range
of our keyboard. Therefore the zone is a real program assigned to a portion of the
keyboard or to the whole keyboard
3 Wheels
8 Sliders
8 Zone Keys

MC 3000
Operating Manual
77
Each zone key has a LED indicating its activation status; when it is off, the zone is not
active, while when it is on the zone is active. When the LED flashes, the relative zone
is in standby condition, meaning that the zone is not yet active, but is ready to be
activated next time the key is pressed.
A standby status is useful if the parameters assigned to a given zone are to come into use
at a certain point in the player's performance, while the overall parameters of the patch
remain unchanged.
1.3.3 The display, the write key and the function keys
The centre of the front panel contains a high contrast graphic LCD of 240x60 pixels, with
neon back-lighting. Thanks to this large display and widespread use of the explanatory
graphics adopted by the instrument, programming of the MC3000 is simple and intuitive.
In front of the display there are 8 keys; the first is the write key (WRITE) , used to save the
settings which have been modified. This key is followed by 6 function keys (from F1 to F6)
used to select the function which appears on the display close to the key, and then the exit
key (ESC) pressed to return to the previous video page or the instrument's main menu
page.
1.3.4 The dynamic encoder, the INC and DEC keys and the cursor keys.
Further to the right on the front panel, we find a wheel called the
DYNAMIC ENCODER, used to vary parameters of any kind such as the
values of a specific control selected, or the number of the patch to be
selected, etc. The ENCODER can be turned in both directions to
change the selected value on a continuous scale, and can also be used
(in some enviroments) to move from one part of the display to another
to select different options or data.
Below this wheel there are 2 keys which provide the same function: the
left-hand key, marked DEC, decreases a value, while the right-hand
one, marked INC, increases a value. When the variation to be made is
of the order of magnitude of many values, it is more convenient to use
the encoder, which can provide very large variations in a short time. In
the opposite conditions, the INC and DEC keys should be used, since
they increase or decrease a value in steps of one unit.
In front of the INC and DEC keys are the cursor keys which allow the user to move around
the parameter setting fields in the display, in the direction in which the keys are located in
relation to a central square bounded by 4 arrows.
WRITE Key ESC Key
6 function ke
y
s

MC 3000
Operating Manual
78
1.3.5 The Numeric pad and the mode keys.
Moving to the right, we now come to the NUMERIC PAD, a
combination of keys for selecting the patch number, also used to
set a parameter at a given value directly, without using the
encoder or the INC and DEC keys.
When the value set is too high, the instrument will automatically
set the maximum permitted value for the parameter.
For example, when selecting a program change, for which the
range is 0 to 127, if the user types the number 150 the machine
will automatically set 127. Similarly, when the number typed is too
low, the instrument will automatically set the minimum value
permitted for that parameter. The Numeric pad is a real
alphanumeric keyboard, and is thus also used for writing.
The Numeric pad contains the BANK key for selecting the bank in
which the patch to be recalled is located. This selection does not always start from bank
A, but starts from the bank current when the operation is carried out.
Finally we come to the ENTER key used to confirm the selection or confirm the name
typed; each patch typed in the Numeric pad, each value set in the Numeric pad must
always be confirmed with the ENTER key.
The last set of buttons on the right is the Mode set, consisting of 4 LED buttons allowing
the user to select one of the instrument's 4 operating modes, which are:
•PROGRAM MODE: Main operating mode; in this mode, the user can select the
programs (patches) and use all the instrument's real-time functions.
•EDIT MODE: Programming mode; this model allows the user to create and modify all
the parameters in a program (patch).
•CHAIN MODE: Concatenation; mode allowing the user to create and perform 128
different chains of several patches.
•UTILITY: This mode allows the user access to all the instrument's auxiliary functions
and the creation of user tables.
ENTER Key
BANK Key

MC 3000
Operating Manual
79
.
1.3.6 Using the mouse and its characteristics
The mouse mat supplied with the instrument is housed inside the far right of the front
panel.
The MC-3000 requires a serial Mouse having the following characteristics:
•9 pin RS-232 connector
•3 buttons
•presence of
PC/MS switch on the mouse. During use with the MC-3000, this switch
must be set on PC.
For correct operation of this peripheral, only MICE which comply perfectly with the
specifications given above may be connected.
As soon as the mouse is connected to the port provided in the rear panel, the mobile
pointer used to select the various fields or icons on the screen appears on the display.
When using the mouse, bear in mind that the left-hand key selects, the central key
decreases and the right-hand one increases.
In addition:
•Clicking the left-hand button on a function key icon enables the relative page.
•A double click of the left-hand button on the section in the top left-hand corner of the
display enables the ESC function (return to the main page of the section, aborting the
modifications made).
To increase the legibility of the display, the Mouse pointer disappears if it is unused for
about 6 seconds, and reappears next time the Mouse is moved.
Program Mode
Chain Mode
Edit Mode
Utility Mode
Mouse mat

MC 3000
Operating Manual
80
1.3.7 The MC3000 MIDI ports and MIDI potential.
Viewed frontally, the rear panel is structured as follows.
Moving from right to left, we find 2 MIDI In ports, 2 THRU ports and 8 OUT ports, all
consecutively numbered.
The presence of 8 separate MIDI outputs means that data can be transmitted on 128
independent MIDI channels, 16 for each port.
The MC3000 offers much more than a large number of outputs; the instrument is able to
act as a MIDI patch-bay, meaning that it is capable of providing a large number of IN-
OUT setups which can be programmed for every single patch.
A powerful MIDI MONITOR in the display allows the user to monitor the entire flow of data,
in both DEC and HEX formats, on the various ports. The instrument offers the user 48
SYS-EX tables with auto-acquisition function; it will therefore be possible to acquire the
exclusive system codes from the instruments connected to the MC3000, save them inside
the tables and send them as assignment of the individual zone.
1.3.8 The other items on the rear panel
Moving towards the left, we find the trimmer for adjusting the display contrast and 8 inputs
for the pedals, the first 3 of which are defined as SYSTEM PEDALS, which act on the
entire patch zone simultaneously, and the others as ASSIGNABLE PEDALS, which act
only on the zones assigned to them.
Finally, we come to the RS2332 serial port for connection of the mouse, the on-off switch
and the network connection.
Mouse Port 5 Zone Pedals 3 System Pedals
LCD contrast

MC 3000
Operating Manual
81
2. LET'S SWITCH ON THE MC 3000
2.1 WHAT THE INSTRUMENT DOES AT SWITCH-ON
What the MC 3000 does at switch-on depends on the settings the user has made. The
user can choose between two types of switch-on: NORMAL switch-on and FAST switch-
on. In NORMAL mode, as soon as we switch on the instrument the display shows a
message informing us about the status of the 3 lithium batteries inside the MC3000.
There may be 3 types of message: the batteries are charged,
they are almost flat (so the data stored inside the instrument should be saved),
the batteries are flat (all user data can be lost !)
Immediately afterwards, the display switches to the Program mode, showing the TOP
PAGE, or the main page of this operating environment, containing the name and number
of the patch selected
In the other mode, as soon as the instrument is switched on the patch is selected
immediately and the display does not show the name of the instrument or the message
indicating the status of the batteries, unless the batteries are flat, in which case the

MC 3000
Operating Manual
82
message becomes especially urgent, because the user may have lost all the data the
instrument contained.
N.B.: The estimated lifetime of the lithium batteries installed in the MC-3000 is about 4
years. However, specific conditions of use (such as high operating temperatures) may
significantly shorten the battery lifetime. Users are urged to save the memory by MIDI
Bulk Dump as soon as the instrument gives the battery low warning.
2.2. SETTING THE SWITCH-ON MODE.
•Press the UTILITY key on the right of the front panel (MODE section).
At this point the display will show the 6 sections of the UTILITY operating mode.
•Select the number 6(TOOLS) in the bottom right-hand corner of your display using the
function key provided (or by turning the encoder until the word TOOLS on the display is
highlighted and confirming with ENTER). The display will show the following:
This is the first page of the TOOLS section, relating to the mouse parameters. The 4
pages of the section are shown in the bottom of your display, with the page currently
displayed with reverse illumination.
•Now press F4 (PWR icon) to select the fourth page, entitled POWER ON
PROCEDURES. The video page which appears is as follows:
POWER ON
PROCEDURES page

MC 3000
Operating Manual
83
•Use the cursor keys to move to the line where the words POWER ON TYPE appear: at
this point the current function (NORMAL mode in the illustration) is selected, and the
word NORMAL will be highlighted.
•The INC and DEC keys or the encoder can now be used to vary the setting of the
switch-on mode from NORMAL to FAST and vice-versa.
•Press ESC to exit (Utility Menu page). All modifications will be saved automatically.
2.3 SELECTING THE PATCH which will automatically appear at switch-on.
You can choose the patch which will automatically appear when the instrument is switched
on. To do this, access the POWER ON PROCEDURES page (just described) in the
TOOLS section 6 of the UTILITY operating mode
•Now select the third line where the words PATCH POWER ON appear, using the cursor
keys to move around the display.
•Set the number of the patch you wish to appear automatically when the instrument is
switched on using the encoder or the alphanumeric keypad. The rectangle in the
bottom right-hand corner where the word LAST appears refers not to a page but to a
special function. When this function is selected using the corresponding function key
(F6), the last patch selected before switch-on will automatically appear.
•Press ESC to exit (Utility menu)
N.B. Function Key F6 (LAST) works only when the field PATCH POWER ON is selected.
Switch-on
mode selection
function
Automatic switch-
on patch selection
function
Function Key
LAST

MC 3000
Operating Manual
84
Available Functions
3. THE PROGRAM OPERATING MODE
3.1 INTRODUCTION
As already mentioned, this operating mode is automatically selected in switch-on. On
many other keyboards, its equivalent is known as the Play mode, meaning that the
keyboard is ready to be played. The keyboard also plays in the other modes, but the
program and chain modes are the typically "live" modes, because they allow the
immediate change of the patches prepared for the various musical and instrumental
contexts.
3.2 TOP PAGE
The first page which appears when the PLAY mode is accessed, and therefore also at
switch-on, is the TOP PAGE
.
This page contains all the information necessary during performance of a song. The
centre of the display shows the name of the bank and the number and name of the patch
being played, with a comments field of 24 letters.
In the top of the screen, we find the name of the page and the current operating mode,
while the box in the top right-hand corner indicates the activation status of the 8 zones in
that patch; the solid circles indicate the active zones which are being played, while the
empty ones show the active zones not being played, and the zones surrounded by
dotted lines are in standby mode. No icons appear for the zones not active in that
patch; if only 4 zones are active in that patch, only 4 circles will appear, solid, empty or
with dotted lines depending on the conditions described above. At the bottom of the
screen there are rectangles indicating the pages of the Program mode. Here again, the
page selected, and thus the rectangle selected, is indicated by reverse lighting.
All the data input devices, such as the encoder, the INC and DEC keys and the numerical
keypad are enabled for patch selection; if the keypad is used a message on the display
will show the sequence of data entered with regard to the patch number and bank.
Remember that selections made from the numerical keypad must be confirmed by
pressing ENTER.
Current Page Operating Mode Zone icons
Patch Name
Comment Field
Selected
Function
Bank and
Number

MC 3000
Operating Manual
85
3.3 LIST
If LIST is selected using the corresponding function key F2 from the TOP PAGE or from
any other successive page in the program mode, the second page of the program mode,
called the LIST PAGE, appears. The top of the page shows the name of the page, the
current operating mode and the number of the selected patch.
This page contains the list of the patches present in the current bank, displayed in groups
of 10 patches at a time (except for the last group, from 120 to 128). The group shown as
soon as this page is accessed is the one to which the current patch belongs. For
example, if we are in patch n. 02 of bank A when we access the LIST PAGE, this page will
show the group which goes from patch n. 00 to n. 09 of the respective bank A. At this
point, if we wish to display the groups which follow we simply press F6 located in line with
the rectangle marked +10, in the bottom right-hand corner of the display, and whenever
the key is pressed the groups belonging to gradually rising tens, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, etc.,
will appear. Similarly, to display the previous groups press F5 close to the rectangle
marked -10, and whenever the key is pressed the groups of lower tens, 90-99, 80-89, 70-
79, etc., will appear.
When the lowest group, 00-09, is displayed, only +10 appears in the bottom right-hand
corner, meaning that only F6 is enabled, while F5 will be disabled because it is not
possible to select a group lower than the group displayed.
When the group displayed is the highest, the display will only show the rectangle marked -
10, meaning that only function key F5 is enabled.
Current Patch
selected
Tens
selection

MC 3000
Operating Manual
86
Once the group required is displayed, the chosen patch can be selected using the cursor
keys or the encoder, and as soon as the choice is confirmed with ENTER the instrument
switches to the desired patch, which will appear with its TOP PAGE
The usefulness of the LIST page lies in the rapid consultation it allows. For example, if we
do not remember the number to which we have associated the patch required, instead of
scrolling through them one by one in the TOP PAGE, the patches can be displayed in
groups of ten at a time. Note that the patch being played remains active even during the
location process, until ENTER is pressed.
3.4 VIEW
F3, below the rectangle marked VIEW on the display, can be pressed from the previous
page or any other page in the program mode to select the VIEW PAGE. In this page, the
name of the page, the current operating mode and the number of the selected patch
appear in the top of the display.
This page shows the setup of the splits and layers relating to the current patch.
Each letter which appears on the right and left of the display under the image of the
keyboard represents a zone, and each of these is associated to a line which informs us of
the key range of that specific zone, or in other words the region of notes which the zone
covers. Any zone overlaps or layers are immediately visible in this window.
Let us suppose we have a patch with 4 zones active, each of which associated to a
different MIDI channel and Program Change, so basically we have 4 different instruments
available on the keyboard. When the VIEW PAGE is accessed, we can immediately see
where these instruments are positioned, and the placing of any layers. One possible
video page is shown below:
By scrolling over the letters representing the zones using the cursor keys or the encoder,
the user can display the key range of the selected zone in detail on the rectangle marked
"current range" in the centre of the lower part of the display.
Selection of zone A and detailed information about its key range.

MC 3000
Operating Manual
87
Selection of zone B and detailed information about its key range.
Selection of zone C and detailed information about its key range.
Selection of zone D and detailed information about its key range.
Press F1 or ESC to leave this function and go to the TOP PAGE.
The function key F6 switches directly to the EDIT environment of the ZONE DEFINITION
page, which allows the user to modify the key ranges
So if F6 is pressed the following page will appear :
Key for direct
access to the
EDIT mode

MC 3000
Operating Manual
88
For the procedure for making the modifications in this page, refer to the EDIT section of
this manual, point 4.3
Press ESC twice to go back to the TOP PAGE
3.5 INFO
3.5.1 Introduction
F4, below the rectangle marked INFO, can be pressed on any program mode page to
select the last page of the mode, the INFO page. In actual fact this is a multiple page,
consisting of 5 subpages. Naturally, the first subpage which appears as soon as the INFO
page is selected is Info1. F5, under the word PAGE, can be pressed to scroll through the
successive subpages in increasing order up to 5, after which when F5 is pressed again
the system returns to INFO 1.
The name of the page (INFO) and the current mode appear at the top of all 5 subpages,
alongside the circles indicating the activation status of the current patch zones.
3.5.2 INFO 1
In this first subpage of the Info page, is reported a prospect where are shown the 8 zones
(colums from A to H) and, for each of them, is reported :
•The activation status (ON =Active, OFF = Not active, SB = Standby)
•The MIDI OUT port assigned to each zone
•The MIDI channel assigned to each zone
Zone status
Assigned Port
Assigned
Channel PAGE (F5)
Zone columns

MC 3000
Operating Manual
89
3.5.3 INFO 2
This subpage displays the program changes, whether or not auxiliary messages are
present and the base volumes for each zone. The base volume is the volume of each
zone when the patch is selected, which must be set and then saved with the edit
procedures. The volumes of the individual zones can be varied temporarily while playing
using the sliders, the volume pedal or any other controller, but are not saved, and are lost
whenever the user exits from the patch concerned and then re-selects it, or whenever the
MC 3000 is switched off. On the other hand, the volumes you assign to the zones in the
EDIT environment can be saved and recognized as base volumes, so whenever you
switch on the instrument and select that specific patch, the zones will retain the variations
in volume you have made.
Therefore, temporary variations in volume made in the program mode will never appear in
this subpage.
3.5.4 INFO 3
This subpage displays the type of control on which each of the first 3 sliders act for each
zone.
3.5.5. INFO 4.
This subpage displays the type of control on which sliders 4, 5 and 6 act for each zone.
Zone columns
Zone PG
Auxiliary
messages Y/N
Colonne delle
Zone
CC assigned to
slider 1
CC assigned to
slider 3
CC assigned to
slider 2

MC 3000
Operating Manual
90
3.5.6. INFO 5.
This subpage displays the type of control on which sliders 7, 8 and 9 act for each zone.
In all the INFO subpages the user can press function key F6 (next to the EDIT icon) to
move straight to the relative EDIT page corrisponding to the section present on the
display.
If ESC is pressed during display of the INFO video page, the MC 3000 returns to the TOP
PAGE; use the dedicated function keys to move directly to the Program Mode functions
analyzed previously.
3.6 PRG (send program change) FUNCTION
The PRG (send Program Change) function which is the exclusive property of the TOP
PAGE allows the user to send a Program Change message which does not belong to the
patch programming data. This function is particularly useful, for example to recall a given
sound on a connected expander for testing purposes, without having to save it.
From the TOP PAGE, press key F5, corresponding to the PRG icon. The following video
page will appear:
The user is able to use the following fields:
Jump to related
EDIT procedures
Send program
change (PRG)
function