Korg Poly800/EX800 Users

Hi there team,

Over the weekend I managed to implement a new "Global Mode".

While NOT in sequencer edit mode you push the "Step" button. This
places you into Global Parameter edit mode. The screen changes to "GL"
where the patch number would normally be. The third and fourth
displays show the global parameter that is being edited (00-63) and
the fifth and sixth displays show the global parameter value (also
00-63). The global parameter number flashes and while flashing you can
edit the parameter using either the numeric keypad or with the up/down
switches. When using the keypad, the "8" key does double duty as zero.
Pressing the Program/Parameter button makes the global parameter
number stop flashing while the global parameter data value begins to
flash. In this state, you can edit the actual global parameter data
value. Changes made to a global parameter are immediately saved.

With this now working we can add as many global parameters as we want
according to our need. For example, Omni Off/On on power up will be
saved as a global parameter. And the extended note playing width
function (that I implemented some months ago) will now be able to be
turned on or off at will.

I've not yet written any of the code to restrict the number of
possible global parameters (at the moment you can edit all 64 of 'em)
and have not restricted the values to those acceptable for each global
function (you can set each one from 00 thru 88 which corresponds to
0-63). So there's still some cleaning up work to do there but the
basic problem of being able to have a global parameter set up is solved.

One thing I'm going to do is remove Bend Depth, MIDI Receive Channel,
Sequencer Clock, Program Change Enable from the general parameters and
integrate them into the Global Mode. This would potentially free up
parameters 85-88 for a second MG.

There are a few things worth mentioning in closing. First, my
understanding of the existing software in the EX800 has advanced far
enough that I have been able to completely isolate the
programming/editing capabilities of the instrument as well as deploy
new functions into the MIDI implementation and I am able to understand
most of the real time calculations of the tone generator, the
modulation generator and VCF control etc. I also have a pretty good
understanding of the sequencer and have now been able to patch into
the editing capabilities as well. The only thing left to fully
understand is the set up and control of the envelope generators during
note on/off activity. I have already begun to understand some of the
code but it is clear that the handling of the envelopes is the most
complex part of the whole code.

However, once I understand the envelope generators we are going to see
some real time features such as the fourth EG.

On the basis of everything mentioned above I estimate that within six
months the mod kit will be available. At that point, I am most likely
going to make my assembler code available for everyone so that anyone
that wants to can help develop new functions and capabilities.

Oh and I thought about another little feature. Instead of waiting the
delay time before the MG kicks in, how about we have the MG
immediately kick in on note on then wait the delay time and turn off
MG once the delay time expires?

Mike H.