Retroaktiv Mpg-50 User manual

USER’S MANUAL AND REFERENCE GUIDE

Colorado, USA.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

FEATURESFEATURES

Independent control of any combina-

tion of 2 Alpha Juno or MKS-50 syn-

thesizers.

Control 2 units independently, or as a

single 12-voice polyphonic synthesiz-

er, using Multi-Unit Poly Mode.

On-board 32k of memory for storing

patches, MIDI matrices (ASSIGN), and

setups on the controller. MKI units

can be expanded to 128K of object

storage. MKII units ship with 32K on-

board, expandable to 160K.

Flexible MIDI matrix allows multiple

parameters to be controlled inde-

pendently in real-time, using af-

teouch, mod wheel or any CC, an

expression pedal, or the two ASSIGN

sliders on the MPG-50 front panel.

Chord mode for playing any combina-

tion of notes using a single key. (This

is diﬀerent than AJ CHORD mode)

Store any PATCH with the push of

a buon. MPG-50 eliminates the

“shared-tones” system of saving

sounds on the MKS-50. Each MPG-50

PATCH is stored as one object.

Intelligent patch generator creates new

tones and patches at the push of a buon.

Choose from Basses, pads, bells, strings

and more.

CC to sysex translation allows for DAWs

and sequencers to record and playback

parameter changes on MPG-50 in

realtime. Each of the 2 layers on the con-

troller can be controlled independently by

CCs.

Each ASSIGN, PATCH, and SETUP can be

changed using program and bank change

messages. Independent control of all

layers.

MPG-50 allows users to store and name

custom CC maps, allowing users to create

their own custom control maps for other

gear using the MPG-50 panel.

Receive or transmit banks, individual

patches, or a full memory backup of all

stored user objects. Sysex utility allows

users to quickly load, store, and back up all

of their favorite soundbanks.

MIDI bootloader allows users to use sysex

files to update their MPG-50 allowing for

more new features to be added in the

future.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

FRONT PANEL & JACKSFRONT PANEL & JACKS

MIDI IN

PORT 1

MIDI OUT

PORT 1

MIDI IN & OUT

PORT 2

PASSIVE EXPRESSION

PEDAL JACK

DC ADAPTER 9 - 15v DC

CENTER PIN +, SLEEVE 0v

OLED DISPLAYOLED DISPLAY

OLED display presents information about the

operation being peormed.

OBJECT STORAGEOBJECT STORAGE

Use SHIFT+ASSIGN (STORE) to select a location to

store a PATCH, ASSIGN, or SETUP. Use SHIFT+CHORUS

(LOAD) to load a stored object.

L AYE RL AYE R

Use the MAIN (MAIN/AUX) buon to select the layer

to be edited (MAIN/AUX/BOTH).

ENCODER/(SHIFT)ENCODER/(SHIFT)

The black encoder knob located directly under

the OLED is used to modify values of the currently

selected parameter. If you hold down the encoder

[SHIFT] and turn the encoder, parameter values will

change by larger increments.

MENU NAVIGATION BUTTONSMENU NAVIGATION BUTTONS

The menu navigation buons are used to select

editor pages in the MPG-50. The [LEFT] and [RIGHT]

buons are used to move the cursor in the menu

pages.

The [ENTER] buon is used to execute a variety of

operations within a menu.

[MIDI], [PATCHGEN], [MAIN], and [ASSIGN] buons

are used to navigate to their respective menu

pages.

Special functions are accessed by pressing a buon

while holding [SHIFT].

JACKS & POWERJACKS & POWER

The power adapter jack and power switch are

located on the le side of the back of the unit. Use

only the adapter that came with the MPG-50.

MIDI IN = MIDI IN Po 1

MIDI OUT = MIDI OUT Po 1

MIDI IN/OUT = MIDI IN or MIDI OUT Po 2

Po 2 can function as either a MIDI IN or MIDI OUT,

depending on the MIDI PORT 2 seing in the MIDI:

Seings menu.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

CONNECTIONS & GETTING STARTEDCONNECTIONS & GETTING STARTED

SINGLE UNIT OPERATIONSINGLE UNIT OPERATION

To begin using your MPG-50 mkII, it’s impoant to set up proper MIDI communication between the

programmer and the synth. The most basic setup is to send the MIDI OUT from your DAW or MIDI controller, to

MIDI IN Po 1 of the MPG-50. The MIDI OUT Po 1 of the MPG-50 mk II is connected to the MIDI IN of the AJ/

MKS-50. The default state of the MPG-50 is for MIDI ECHO to be enabled. This means that MIDI data received

by the 50 on its MIDI IN will be immediately processed and passed OUT to the AJ/MKS-50. The figure below

shows a simple configuration of MPG-50

MKS-50 or ALPHA JUNO

MIDI IN

MIDI CONTROLLER OR DAW

To begin making sound, let’s sta by creating a basic setup. Press the [MIDI] buon on MPG-50 and set the

MPG-50 MIDI seings as shown below, and set the AJ/MKS-50 to receive on channel 1. Set Unit 1 to either

JUNO or MKS-50, depending on which you’re using. Enable EXCLUSIVE on the synth so it receives sysex from

the controller. Set your MIDI controller to send on channel 1. The synth should be receiving data from the

controller when a slider is moved, as well as when a key is pressed on your controller.

Basic MIDI menu seings on the MPG-50 mkII

Basic MIDI configuration

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

Basic MIDI menu seings on the MPG-50 mkI

MKS/JUNO UNIT 1 (Ch 2)

MIDI IN

MIDI CONTROLLER (Ch 1)

MIDI OUT

MKS/JUNO UNIT 2 (Ch 3)

MIDI IN MIDI OUT

MIDI THRU

MULTI-UNIT OPERATIONMULTI-UNIT OPERATION

Basic MIDI configuration for 2 Unit Operation

MPG-50 can control 2 MKS/Juno units independently. Users can play the 2 Junos as a “STACK”, where the two

synths are layered, similar to the UPPER & LOWER tone architecture found on synths like MKS-80 and MKS-70/

Super JX. The two synths can also be daisy chained by using MPG-50’s Multi-Unit Poly Mode, which turns the

2 synths into a single 12-voice synth, eﬀectively doubling the polyphony of an Alpha Juno. The figure below

shows the most basic connection scheme for multi-unit operation.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

To begin playing the synths in STACK mode, MIDI: Seings pages should be set as follows.

MPG-50 MIDI: Seings Unit 1 - “Stack” Mode

MPG-50 MIDI: Seings Unit 2 - “Stack” Mode

MPG-50 MIDI: Global Seings - “Stack” Mode

Note that Unit 1 and Unit 2 Input Ch is set to channel 1 on both units. This means that the MPG-50 is listening

for notes and control data on channel 1 on both units. It a note comes in on channel 1, then it will trigger a

sound on both synths. Notice that the Output Ch on Unit 1 is set to channel 2, and the Output Ch on Unit 2

is set to channel 3. MKS/Juno Unit 1 is set to receive on channel 2, and MKS/Juno Unit 2 is set to receive on

channel 3. When playing in STACK mode, the VOLUME slider can be used as a CROSSFADE slider. Be sure that

OMNI is OFF on both units to use this. Go to MAIN screen and move the VOLUME slider to select it. Click the

USING TWO UNITS IN ‘STACK’ MODEUSING TWO UNITS IN ‘STACK’ MODE

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

SHIFT buon once, and the screen will now display CROSSFADE. Moving the slider up and down will crossfade

between unit 1 and 2.

USING TWO UNITS IN MULTI-UNIT POLY MODEUSING TWO UNITS IN MULTI-UNIT POLY MODE

When in Multi-Unit Poly Mode, the 2 units become a single 12-voice synthesizer. This means rather than

stacking two 6-voice synths over each other, we load the same sound onto both, and use them as a 12-voice

synthesizer. The Unit 1 and Unit 2 MIDI: Seings are the same as in STACK mode. The only change is that

MULTI-UNIT POLY MODE is set to ON.

MPG-50 MIDI: Seings Unit 2 - Multi-Unit Poly Mode

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

MENUS AND NAVIGATIONMENUS AND NAVIGATION

The MPG-50 will boot up and display the MAIN menu screen. The diagram below shows the contents displayed

on the MAIN screen.

MPG-50 Navigation Console

MPG-50 MAIN Screen

The MAIN screen displays the following information:

1 - Current active parameter name and value

2 - Unit: The box in the lower le corner of the screen displays the unit currently being controlled by the MPG.

3 - Oct: The center box on the boom of the MAIN screen shows the current octave transposition seing.

4 - MIDI Input Monitor - Displays channel of incoming MIDI activity received at MPG-50 MIDI IN po.

To return to the MAIN screen at any time, press the [MAIN] buon in the navigation console. Pressing MAIN

repeatedly will cycle between editing the MAIN, AUX, or BOTH synths. SHIFT + MAIN will also toggle the layer.

The encoder and arrow buons are used to navigate menus and change seings. The SHIFT function refers

to the switch on the encoder knob. To engage the SHIFT function (used for double-buon combos such as

SHIFT+MIDI buon = MIDI Panic), press and hold the encoder knob. To increment a value with the encoder,

simply turn the encoder knob. To increment or decrement by 8, hold the SHIFT buon in while turning the

encoder.

Use the [MIDI], [PATCHGEN], [ASSIGN], and [MAIN] buons to navigate to the diﬀerent menu pages. To move

the cursor on a menu page, use the [LEFT] and [RIGHT] buons. To change the value of a highlighted menu

seing, use the [ENCODER] dial.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

VOLUME AND CROSSFADE FADERVOLUME AND CROSSFADE FADER

The VOL & X-FADE slider on the front panel allows users to either set the master volume of the MKS-50 (When

in volume mode) or it can crossfade between UNIT 1 and UNIT 2. When used as a VOLUME slider, this will send

CC#7 (Volume) messages to each MKS-50. If used as an X-FADE slider, the fader will crossfade between UNIT

1 and 2, with the volume level of each MKS-50 being equal when the fader is at 50%. Both synths must have

OMNI turned OFF for CROSSFADE to work.

To toggle the VOLUME/X-FADE mode: From MAIN screen, move VOLUME slider to select it. Click [SHIFT] toTo toggle the VOLUME/X-FADE mode: From MAIN screen, move VOLUME slider to select it. Click [SHIFT] to

toggle between VOLUME and CROSSFADE.toggle between VOLUME and CROSSFADE.

IMPORTANT SHORTCUTSIMPORTANT SHORTCUTS

It will be useful to memorize the following editing shocuts.

TONE & PATCH SHORTCUTSTONE & PATCH SHORTCUTS

[SHIFT] + [GLIDE] = toggle KEY ASSIGN MODE (MONO/POLY/CHORD)

[SHIFT] + [LEFT] = TRANSPOSE OCTAVE DOWN

[SHIFT] + [RIGHT] = TRANSPOSE OCTAVE UP

PATCH GENERATOR SHORTCUTSPATCH GENERATOR SHORTCUTS

[SHIFT] + [PATCHGEN] = Generate a random tone

[PATCHGEN] = Mask all sections/Unmask all sections

MIDIMIDI

[SHIFT] + [MIDI] = MIDI panic

ASSIGNASSIGN

[SHIFT] + [PATCHGEN] = Clear all assigns

STORAGESTORAGE

[SHIFT] + [PATCHGEN] = Delete bank

[SHIFT] + [CHORUS] = Increment bank

USER CCUSER CC

[SHIFT] + [PATCHGEN] = Delete current CC map

[SHIFT] + [CHORUS] = Load a new USER CC MAP

[SHIFT] + [ASSIGN] = Store a new USER CC MAP

FREEZE FUNCTIONFREEZE FUNCTION

Pressing ENTER from the MAIN screen will enable the “FREEZE” function on MPG-50. When FREEZE is enabled,

a message will be displayed “Freeze : ENTER to send.”. When FREEZE is on, moving a slider will not send a

message. When ENTER is pressed, the new location of any slider moved during the FREEZE operation will be

sent to the synth. This is an excellent way to send a large number of slider changes all at once, at the exact

moment ENTER is pressed.

“PEEK” MODE“PEEK” MODE

If you want to see that a slider value is currently set to, navigate to the desired layer, then hold SHIFT while

moving the slider. The current value of the slider will be displayed on the screen, and it will not change when

moved. This allows you to safely check the state of any control in a PATCH or TONE without changing the

original value.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

USING ENCODER TO SCROLL THROUGH PRESETS ON SYNTHUSING ENCODER TO SCROLL THROUGH PRESETS ON SYNTH

MPG-50 allows users to use the encoder to scroll through presets on the MKS/Juno. To do this, press MAIN

buon to return to the MAIN screen, and press the LEFT buon once. This will navigate to the MAIN: PresetMAIN: Preset

SelectSelect menu. Scrolling through the PRESET SELECT menu will allow you to scroll through the sounds on the

MKS/Juno usit using the encoder on the MPG-50.

MANUAL MODEMANUAL MODE

To send the current slider and buon seings on the front panel to the synth, go to the MAIN menu by

pressing [MAIN]. Now press [SHIFT] + [ENTER]. A dialog box will pop up, reading “Sending all control positions”.

PATCH M ENUPATCH M ENU

The Alpha Juno and MKS-50 each have a PATCH MENU, which contains the seings for the synth which are not

accessible from the front panel sliders. To navigate to the PATCH PARAMS menu, press MAIN to return to the

MAIN screen, and press the RIGHT buon. The PATCH PARAMS menu will be displayed based on which type of

unit (MKS or JUNO) the currently selected layer is set to.

Alpha Juno PATCH PARAMS menu contains:

•• Key ModeKey Mode - Mono/Poly/Chord (These can also be toggled using SHIFT+GLIDE)

•• Bend RngBend Rng - Sets Alpha Juno bend range

MKS-50 PATCH PARAMS menu contains:

•• Key ModeKey Mode - Mono/Poly/Chord (These can also be toggled using SHIFT+GLIDE)

•• Key ShiKey Shi - Transposes MKS-50 by half-steps

•• Key Range LowKey Range Low - Sets lowest note on MKS-50

•• Key Range HighKey Range High - Sets highest note on MKS-50

•• VolumeVolume- Sets MIDI volume of MKS-50

•• TuneTune - Fine tuning of MKS-50

•• Mod SensMod Sens - Sets mod wheel sensitivity

•• BendBend- Sets pitch wheel sensitivity

•• Chord MemChord Mem - Selects the MKS-50 CHORD from MKS-50 memory

•• VolVol- enables volume messages on MKS

•• PoPo- Enables GLIDE on MKS

•• ModMod - Enables Mod Whl on MKS

•• HoldHold - Enables Sustain Ped on MKS

•• BendBend- Enables Pitch Whl on MKS

•• AeouchAeouch - Enables aeouch on MKS

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

MPG-50 MEMORY STORAGEMPG-50 MEMORY STORAGE

MPG-50 allows users to store a variety of diﬀerent “objects” such as PATCH, ASSIGNS, or a SETUP. MPG-50 has

the following banks of objects available:

• 1 bank of 20 User CC Maps (Or 64 User CC Maps on expanded units)

• 1 bank of 20 ASSIGN objects (Or 2 banks of 64 ASSIGNs on expanded units)

• 1 bank of 20 SETUP objects (Or 2 banks of 64 SETUPs on expanded units)

• 4 banks of PATCH objects (Or 12 banks of 64 PATCH objects on expanded units)

It is impoant to understand what each object type is composed of. Below is a diagram showing what each

object type in the MPG-50 consists of.

PAT C H

UNIT 1

PAT C H

UNIT 2

PAT C H

SETUP STRUCTURESETUP STRUCTURE

A SETUP is a “snapshot” of all of the current seings on all layers in the controller. A bank of 64 setups on the

MPG-50 contains 128 patches and 7 assigns. SETUP consists of the following:

• Unit 1 PATCH + PATCH seings

• Unit 2 PATCH + PATCH seings

• Any User CC MAP being used

• Current ASSIGN seings (Assign A, Assign B, Exp Pedal, Aeouch, and CC Assigns 1-3)

• Vol & X-Fade Slider state

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

PATCH STRUCTUREPATCH STRUCTURE

A PATCH is a “snapshot” of either the UNIT 1 or UNIT 2 LAYER in the controller. In a typical MKS-50 bank, many

tones are shared by multiple patches, which means if a tone is edited and saved, it aﬀects all patches that

share that tone. In the MPG-50, no tones are shared in a patch bank. A bank of 64 MPG-50 patches contains

64 individual tones, thus allowing us to store a patch on the MPG-50 with a single buon press.

ASSIGN STRUCTUREASSIGN STRUCTURE

An ASSIGN is a “snapshot” of all of the ASSIGN menus. An ASSIGN consists of the following ASSIGN Sources:

• CTRL A Slider

• CTRL B Slider

• Expression Pedal

• Aeouch

• CC Source 1

• CC Source 2

• CC Source 3

USER CC MAPSUSER CC MAPS

A CC MAP consists of all sliders EXCEPT CTRL A & B, VOLUME, and the buons. Each slider can be used in a CC

MAP to transmit a specified CC. Users can create their own CC maps for controlling other equipment with

MPG-50.

•

STORING AND RECALLING OBJECTSSTORING AND RECALLING OBJECTS

To store and name an object:To store and name an object:

• Press SHIFT + ASSIGN (STORE), and select thetype of object, and the location that it will be stored.

• Press ENTER, and the storage dialog will appear.

• Enter the new name of the object to be stored. When naming an object, [SHIFT]+ [RIGHT] will clear theSHIFT]+ [RIGHT] will clear the

current namecurrent name. Tapping the encoder buon will cycle through number, punctuation, upper and lower caseTapping the encoder buon will cycle through number, punctuation, upper and lower case

characters quickly. (A - a - ! - 1)characters quickly. (A - a - ! - 1)

• Press [STORE] or [ENTER]. A “Success!” message will be displayed, and the object is now stored in memory.

To load an ObjectTo load an Object

• Press SHIFT+CHORUS (LOAD), and a select the object type to be loaded.

• Use the arrow keys or the encoder to navigate through the BANK. To advance BANK, press the

SHIFT+CHORUS (LOAD) buon again.

• Press ENTER to load the selected object.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

THE MIDI MENUS AND FUNCTIONSTHE MIDI MENUS AND FUNCTIONS

MIDI: UNIT 1 SETTINGSMIDI: UNIT 1 SETTINGS

The MIDI Seings menu contains all of the parameters that determine which MIDI channels the MPG-50

receives data on, and which channels outgoing data will be transmied on. This page is also where we

configure program change handling, as well as CC to sysex translation.

The MIDI:Seings Menu

Unit:Unit: This sets the type of synth being controlled by MPG-50. Use JUNO for Alpha Juno 1 & 2, and MKS-50 for

an MKS-50 rackmount synthesizer.

Input Po:Input Po: Sets the input pos that MPG-50 will listen for incoming note and controller data on. If po 2 is

not set as an INPUT, then PORT 2 will appear in parentheses to indicate that PORT 2 is currently set as a MIDI

OUT po. The Chan:Chan: for the input po determines which MIDI channel the MPG-50 will read incoming note

and control data on for the current Unit. For example, if CHAN is set to 1, then incoming notes on channel 1

will be passed to Unit 1 on the Unit 1 OUT channel. (Which does not necessarily have to be channel 1)

Out Po:Out Po: Sets the output pos that MPG-50 will transmit UNIT 1 controller data on. If po 2 is not set as

an OUTPUT, then PORT 2 will appear in parentheses to indicate that PORT 2 is currently set as a MIDI IN po.

The Chan:Chan: for the output po determines which MIDI channel the MPG-50 will transmit data received at the

UNIT 1 IN PORT on, as well as any slider data on UNIT 1. For example, if MIDI INPUT PORT is set to CH1, and MIDI

OUTPUT PORT is set to CH2, then incoming notes on CH1 will be transmied out to UNIT 1 on CH2. The synth

on UNIT 1 must be set to receive on CH2 for this to work. This scheme allows MPG-50 to prevent feedback

loops by reading incoming data on one channel, but transmiing it on a diﬀerent channel. When this data

comes back to the MPG50, it is not passed through the unit again, because CH2 is not CH1. This eﬀectively

breaks any feedback loop when loop recording. This may be confusing at first, but please make an eﬀo to

make sense of this, as this is a poweul tool when recording slider movements and automating using CCs.

Sysex:Sysex: To transmit sysex when a slider is moved, select SEND SYSEX. To translate incoming CC messages into

sysex (for CC automation), set this to SEND/TRANSLATE CC. When in TRANSLATE CC mode, incoming CCs on

the INPUT CH will be conveed into sysex messages and sent to the synth on the OUT CH. See the CC table at

the end of this manual for a reference.

MIDI Echo:MIDI Echo: Turn MIDI ECHO on to echo data received at the IN PORT on the OUT PORT. When turned on, this

essentially allows the MPG-50 OUT to behave as a MIDI THRU for any valid data received at the MIDI IN PORT.

Turn OFF to disable this function.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

MIDI Filters:MIDI Filters:

•• NoteNote - Filters incoming note data. Set to ON to pass notes and BLOCK to block notes.

•• CCCC - Filters incoming CC data.

•• PitchPitch - Filters incoming pitch bend data.

•• AeouchAeouch - Filters incoming aeouch data.

NOTE: If using a mkI unit, the Po: seing will always be set to Po 1, as there is no Po 2 on mkI units.

•

MIDI: UNIT 2 SETTINGSMIDI: UNIT 2 SETTINGS

Unit 2 Midi: Seings page is nearly identical to the Unit 1 MIDI: Seings page, however, Unit 2 can be configured

as a CC map, which allows the user to create a custom CC map on the MPG-50 control suace, allowing them

to control other gear using CCs.

If Unit 2 is set to OFF, then the MPG-50 will not give users the option to choose which unit is being edited. If

Unit 2 is set to MKS-50, Juno, or CC, then the user will have the option to choose which unit is being edited, by

using the MAIN buon (When on the MAIN screen), or by [SHIFT]+[MAIN] from any other screen.

If using a CC map for unit 2, please refer to the section in this manual called USER CC MAPS for information

about creating, storing, and loading USER CC MAP objects.

MIDI: GLOBAL SETTINGSMIDI: GLOBAL SETTINGS

This page contains global seings that aﬀect how Unit 1 and Unit 2 will behave.

The MIDI: Global Seings Page

MIDI Po 2:MIDI Po 2: This sets the direction of the MIDI IN/OUT jack, which we are calling PORT 2. If this seing is set

to INPUT, then the IN/OUT jack will function as a second MIDI IN. If this is set to OUTPUT, then the IN/OUT jack

will act as a second MIDI OUT. Po 2 allows for a lot of flexibility in seing up the MPG-50 in a rig. Users can

choose which MIDI po Unit 1 and 2 will receive data on and send data on.

Multi-unit Poly Mode:Multi-unit Poly Mode: When enabled, this function allows Unit 1 and Unit 2 MKS-50 to act as a single

synthesizer, which doubles polyphony. When enabled Note/CC/control data will be received on Unit 1 In ChWhen enabled Note/CC/control data will be received on Unit 1 In Ch

only (Unit 2 In Ch will be ignored), and the MPG-50 will send note data on the Unit1Ch and Unit2Ch. For thisonly (Unit 2 In Ch will be ignored), and the MPG-50 will send note data on the Unit1Ch and Unit2Ch. For this

mode to work, Unit 1 Ch and Unit 2 Ch must be diﬀerent channels.mode to work, Unit 1 Ch and Unit 2 Ch must be diﬀerent channels.

Multi-Unit Poly Mode mode is for setups that utilize two MKS-50 synthesizer modules. When enabled, this

allows for a 12-voice Alpha Juno.

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

When Multi-Unit Poly Mode is enabled, the MPG-50 will consider the 2 connected Alpha Junos to be a single

12-voice polyphonic synth. For the 2 synths to act independently, they must each be set to receive on a

diﬀerent MIDI channel. The Unit 1 input channel will be the only active MIDI IN channel when Multi-Unit Poly

Mode is enabled.

Chord Mode:Chord Mode:

•• On/OffOn/Off - When enabled, playing a single note on the keyboard will play the selected chord.- When enabled, playing a single note on the keyboard will play the selected chord.

The MPG-50 CHORD MODE function allows users to input a chord, and then play it by keying a note. The chord

will be transposed anywhere on the keyboard where a new note is keyed. When enabled, a menu dialog will

appear, showing the notes in the current CHORD. (ChordNt) Each of the notes in the chord can be entered

manually, using the cursor and encoder, or the chord can be entered into the MPG-50 by holding SHIFT and

playing a chord into the unit. To clear the current chord, press SHIFT to delete the current chord contents.

Chord Mode will allow 8 notes to be on at one time. Depending on the size of the chord and how many notes

being held, the MPG will not “steal” voices. It will instead play the chords with any available voices.

Chord Mode Parameters

Program Change:Program Change: MPG-50 can handle program change messages in a variety of ways. There are 4 diﬀerent

Program Change Modes on MPG-50:

•• BlockBlock - When a program change is received, it will be blocked.

•• EchoEcho - When a program change is received, it will be passed on to the selected Output Po.

•• Echo + IntEcho + Int - When a program change is received, it will be passed on to the selected Output Po, and MPG-

50 objects will respond to program changes.

•• InternalInternal - When a program change is received, MPG-50 objects will respond to program changes.

When InternalInternal program change is selected, each type of MPG-8X object can be recalled using MIDI programeach type of MPG-8X object can be recalled using MIDI program

changeschanges. Using this function, any tone, patch, assign or setup can be selected using MIDI program change

and bank change messages. Each of the following object types can be recalled on MPG-50 using MIDI

program change messages.

•• Patch U1Patch U1

•• Patch U2Patch U2

•• User CC MapUser CC Map

•• AssignAssign

•• SetupSetup

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

The MPG-50 can accept program change messages from any channel, and each object type and unit can

respond to them. When CHANNEL is set to OFF, this indicates that the object type will note be changed when a

program change message is received.

MIDI: SYSEX MENUMIDI: SYSEX MENU

The MIDI: SYSEX Menu is used to impo and expo sound banks, patches, and other object types.

The MIDI:Sysex Menu

The following operations are possible using the SYSEX utility.

• Send and receive a bank from MKS-50 or Alpha Juno 1 & 2

• Send and receive Alpha Juno 1 & 2 or MKS-50 patch

• Send and receive bank in Retroaktiv format

• Send and receive any PATCH, USER CC, SETUP, or ASSIGN in Retroaktiv format

• System backup of all stored object in internal and expansion memory

When impoing objects from Alpha Juno 1 & 2, or MKS-50, bidirectional communication with the synth is

required. The MPG-50 will give instructions based on which model of synth the MPG is impoing from. Below

is an example of bi-directional communication with the synth.

MKS/JUNO

MIDI INMIDI OUT

PORT 2 = INPUT

RETROAKTIV MPG-50 USER MANUAL

SETUP FOR IMPORTING OBJECTS FROM COMPUTER OR DAWSETUP FOR IMPORTING OBJECTS FROM COMPUTER OR DAW

DAW/COMPUTER

MIDI OUT

MPG-50 mkII can receive objects on both MIDI pos. , so users can connect the DAW to either one.

Impo a bank from Alpha Juno:Impo a bank from Alpha Juno: To impo a bank from an Alpha Juno, set up bi-directional communication

with the Alpha Juno as shown in the figure on page 16. Navigate to Fn: Receive Juno BankFn: Receive Juno Bank in the MIDI: SYSEX

menu.

•• BankBank - This is the destination MPG-50 bank the Juno bank will be impoed to.

•• UnitUnit - This is the Alpha Juno unit that the bank will be impoed from.

To impo bank from Alpha Juno:

•• Select the unit & destinationSelect the unit & destination - Select which AJ unit to impo from, and select the bank to impo to.

•• Press ENTER to begin impoingPress ENTER to begin impoing - You will receive the prompt “On Juno: Hold DATA TRANFER and press ‘1’

buon. Do this and the MPG-50 will display “Receiving Sysex Data” message.

•• SuccessSuccess - MPG-50 will display ‘Success’ message when the objects are impoed into MPG-50 memory.

IMPORT BANK FROM ALPHA JUNOIMPORT BANK FROM ALPHA JUNO

Expo a bank to Alpha Juno:Expo a bank to Alpha Juno: To expo a bank to an Alpha Juno, only the connection shown on page 17 is

needed. Navigate to Fn: Send Juno BankFn: Send Juno Bank in the MIDI: SYSEX menu.

•• BankBank - This is the MPG-50 bank to be expoed to the Juno.

•• UnitUnit - This is the Alpha Juno unit that the bank will be expoed to.

EXPORT A BANK TO ALPHA JUNOEXPORT A BANK TO ALPHA JUNO

To expo MPG-50 bank to Alpha Juno:

•• Prepare Juno to receive a bankPrepare Juno to receive a bank - Hold DATA TRANSFER and the number ‘2’ (LOAD) on the Juno.

•• Press ENTER on MPG to begin expoingPress ENTER on MPG to begin expoing - Data will begin transferring to Juno. Juno will display a success

message and you will find the new objects in the MEMORY bank of the Juno.

IMPORT ALPHA JUNO BANK FROM COMPUTERIMPORT ALPHA JUNO BANK FROM COMPUTER

Follow the steps outlined in IMPROT BANK FROM ALPHA JUNO, but when you receive the prompt “On Juno: Hold

DATA TRANFER and press ‘1’ buon, you will instead send the .SYX file from the computer to the MPG. Do this

and the MPG-50 will display “Receiving Sysex Data” message. A ‘Success’ message will display on MPG-50 when

the operation is complete.

IMPORT BANK FROM MKS-50IMPORT BANK FROM MKS-50

Impo a bank from MKS-50:Impo a bank from MKS-50: To impo a bank from an MKS-50, set up bi-directional communication with the

Alpha Juno as shown in the figure on page 16. Navigate to Fn: Receive MKS-50 BankFn: Receive MKS-50 Bank in the MIDI: SYSEX menu.

If this option does not show up, be sure that the Unit is set for MKS-50 and not Juno operation. Because the

MKS-50 uses the PATCH & TONE structure, there are 3 files that must be tranferred and parsed: TONE A, TONE B,

and PATCH. MPG-50 will take these 3 object files and combine them into Retroaktiv PATCH format, which does

not use the PATCH & TONE distinction.

•• BankBank - This is the destination in the MPG-50 the MKS-50 bank will be impoed to.

•• UnitUnit - This is the MKS-50 unit that the bank will be impoed from.

•• MKS-50 bank select:MKS-50 bank select: - Select bank A or B to be impoed.

To impo bank fromMKS-50:

•• Select the unit & destinationSelect the unit & destination - Select which MKS unit to impo from, and select the bank to impo to.

•• Step 1/3: Receive PATCH A or BStep 1/3: Receive PATCH A or B - You will receive the prompt “On MKS-50: Press DATA TRANSFER. Select

‘Bulk*Dump [P-A]’ and press WRITE.” Do this and the MPG-50 will display “Receiving Sysex Data” message.

•• Step 2/3: Receive Tone AStep 2/3: Receive Tone A- You will receive the prompt “On MKS-50: Press DATA TRANSFER. Select

‘Bulk*Dump [T-a]’ and press WRITE.” Do this and the MPG-50 will display “Receiving Sysex Data” message.

•• Step 3/3: Receive Tone AStep 3/3: Receive Tone A- You will receive the prompt “On MKS-50: Press DATA TRANSFER. Select

‘Bulk*Dump [T-b]’ and press WRITE.” Do this and the MPG-50 will display “Receiving Sysex Data” message.

The MKS-50 bank will now be stored in the MPG-50 memory in Retroaktiv format.

IMPORT MKS-50 BANK FROM COMPUTERIMPORT MKS-50 BANK FROM COMPUTER

Only the connections in the figure on page 17 are needed for this operation. MKS-50 patch banks include 3

files: Patch file, Tone A file, and Tone B file. Follow the steps outlined in ‘IMPORT BANK FROM MKS-50’, but do

the following when prompted:

•• Step 1/3: Receive PATCH A or BStep 1/3: Receive PATCH A or B - When you receive the prompt, dump the PATCH file from the PC.

•• Step 2/3: Receive Tone AStep 2/3: Receive Tone A- When you receive the prompt, dump TONE A file from PC.

•• Step 3/3: Receive Tone BStep 3/3: Receive Tone B- When you receive the prompt, dump TONE A file from PC.

The MKS-50 bank will now be stored in the MPG-50 memory in Retroaktiv format.

Expo a bank to MKS-50:Expo a bank to MKS-50: To expo a bank to an MKS-50, MPG-50 OUT needs to be connected to MKS MIDI IN.

Navigate to Fn: Send MKS-50 BankFn: Send MKS-50 Bank in the MIDI: SYSEX menu.

•• BankBank - This is the MPG-50 bank to be expoed to the Juno.

•• UnitUnit - This is the Alpha Juno unit that the bank will be expoed to.

•• MKS-50 bank select:MKS-50 bank select: - Select bank A or B as the destination

To expo MKS-50 bank from MPG-50:

•• Select the unit & destinationSelect the unit & destination - Select which MKS unit to expo to, and select the destination bank A or B.

•• Step 1/3: Receive PATCH A or BStep 1/3: Receive PATCH A or B - You will receive the prompt “On MKS-50: Press DATA TRANSFER. Select

‘Bulk*Load [P-A]’ and press WRITE.” Press ENTER on MPG and the MKS-50 will receive the PATCH data.

•• Step 2/3: Receive Tone AStep 2/3: Receive Tone A- You will receive the prompt “On MKS-50: Press DATA TRANSFER. Select ‘Bulk*Load

[T-a]’ and press WRITE.” Press ENTER on MPG and the MKS-50 will receive the TONE A data.

•• Step 3/3: Receive Tone AStep 3/3: Receive Tone A- You will receive the prompt “On MKS-50: Press DATA TRANSFER. Select ‘Bulk*Load

[T-b]’ and press WRITE.” Press ENTER on MPG and the MKS-50 will receive the PATCH data.

The MPG-50 bank will now be stored in the MKS-50 memory in standard MKS-50 format.

RECEIVE AN MKS-50 OR ALPHA JUNO PATCHRECEIVE AN MKS-50 OR ALPHA JUNO PATCH

To receive an MKS or Juno patch, simply navigate to Fn: Receive MKS-50 PatchFn: Receive MKS-50 Patch or Fn: Receive Juno Patch,Fn: Receive Juno Patch,

press ENTER on MPG, then do a program change on the MKS/Juno. The patch will be received by MPG-50 and

will now be in the MPG-50 edit buﬀer. You will need to store the PATCH in MPG-50 memory using the normal

STORE procedure.

SEND AN MKS-50 OR ALPHA JUNO PATCHSEND AN MKS-50 OR ALPHA JUNO PATCH

To send an MKS or Juno patch, simply navigate to Fn: Send MKS-50 PatchFn: Send MKS-50 Patch or Fn: Send Juno Patch,Fn: Send Juno Patch, and press

ENTER on the MPG. The patch will be sent to the synth, but will not be stored in the synth’s memory. That

must be done by the user.

RETROAKTIV OBJECT SEND & RECEIVERETROAKTIV OBJECT SEND & RECEIVE

The following object types can be sent in Retroaktiv format, for either sharing with other MPG-50 users, or

backing up your data. Retroaktiv format objects can be impoed or expoed by any MPG-50 mki or mkii.

•• Any Retroaktiv bank of Patch, Setup, Assign or User CCAny Retroaktiv bank of Patch, Setup, Assign or User CC

•• Any individual Patch, Setup, Assign, or User CCAny individual Patch, Setup, Assign, or User CC

To EXPORT: Select the object type to be expoed, and when your DAW/PC is ready to receive the data, press

ENTER on MPG-50. The data will be expoed from MPG-50 to the destination device.

To IMPORT: Select the type of Retroaktiv object to be impoed, press ENTER on MPG-50 so the unit is ready to

receive the incoming data. Send the data from your device to the MPG. You will receive a ‘Success’ message

when complete.

EXPORT A BANK TO MKS-50EXPORT A BANK TO MKS-50

MPG-50 FULL MEMORY BACKUP & RESTOREMPG-50 FULL MEMORY BACKUP & RESTORE

To backup MPG-50 memory contents, navigate to Fn: Storage Backup.Fn: Storage Backup. Press ENTER on MPG-50 when your PC/

DAW is ready to receive the backup data file. When the file is complete, MPG-50 will display a ‘Completed’

message.

To restore MPG-50 memory contents, navigate to Fn: Storage Restore.Fn: Storage Restore. Press ENTER on MPG-50 so MPG is

waiting to receive the backup file. Send the file to the MPG from your DAW/PC. A ‘Success’ message will be

displayed when complete. Storage Restore will overwrite all of your objects. Be sure you have backed up all ofStorage Restore will overwrite all of your objects. Be sure you have backed up all of