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Mastering MONTAGE 7: Super Knob Value Ranges

Written by Bad Mister on May 16, 2018. Posted in MONTAGE.

PERFORMANCE 8: Super Knob Values

In the previous examples the range and envelope of the modulations was set in the Part Control Box using the parameter Curve, Polarity and Ratio. Additionally, you can use another setting for shaping the modulation that is a bit more targeted. This is possible using the Super Knob Value 1 and Value 2 of the Super Knob window. The values are setting limitations for the modulation ranges. (Basically setting MINIMUM and MAXIMUMs). (Please note: The Live Set that is used in the Mastering MONTAGE series is located here.)

If you have programmed a wide, or even the whole-range, for controlling a specific parameter in the Part’s Controller Assign you can limit this range using the Super Knob Values 1 and 2.

In the default setting you will find the Super Knob set to full range (0 – 127) for all knobs. Stored value here is Super Knob = 64:

Limiting the range via the Super Knob Values might be easier than trying to find the intended ranges using only the parameter of the Part Controller Box. If you make rough settings in the Part Controller Box first you can do the fine adjustment of the range to be controlled in the Super Knob window with Value 1 and Value 2.

To be clear: It is not the range of the Super Knob itself that is limited with the Value settings. The Super Knob is still working for the complete range from leftmost to rightmost. Only the controlled parameter range of the target will get smaller.

You can use the example Performance 0008 Super Knob Values for checking the Value 1 + 2 function. It includes only one Part and one control set with the Destination LFO Speed of the chorus effect. This allows you to recognize the parameter changes very easily.

The settings in the Common/Audio and Part1 Controller Boxes are very simple and basically not different from previous examples:

The CURVE is Standard; The POLARITY is Bi; the RATIO is set to +32, which enables full parameter control when the KNOB is moved minimum to maximum:

For fine adjusting the controlled parameter range now you can use Value 1 and Value 2 of the Super Knob window. Please change the default values of 0 and 127 to values, which are setting a useful control range:

The setting 12 – 86, for example, would allow a control from a very slow chorus to a fast vibrato chorus. As you initially make the setting you may need to move the Super Knob to REFRESH its control over the parameter.

These parameters are found in the actual MONTAGE:
• From the main PERFORMANCE (HOME) screen.
• Press “Motion Control”.
• Select “Super Knob”.

Across the top is what is referred to as VALUE 1 (green) and the bottom is VALUE 2 (blue).
I have set the VALUE 1 to 12 and the VALUE 2 to 86

As you move the SUPER KNOB from its 0 position (7 o’clock) through its 127 position (5 o’clock), you will see that this parameter is only moving from a value of 12 through a value of 86 (with a Value of 49 in the center).
Please note: If you use the center position of the Super Knob as start position, the center position will no more correspond to the current parameter setting. In general, set the range for what you require, and STORE the PERFORMANCE with the Super Knob’s direct value wherever you desire/require.

For example: If the Values range is set to 32 – 96 the value of the center will not change, because the amount of decrease and increase is basically 32 on both sides of the center position. But in case of 12 – 86 the center position would change.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, please join us to discuss them on the Forum here.

Catch up on the previous article in the series – “Mastering MONTAGE 6: Super Knob Complex“.

Next article now available here: “Mastering MONTAGE 8: Assignable Knobs“

Mastering MONTAGE 8: Assignable Knobs

Written by Bad Mister on May 16, 2018. Posted in MONTAGE.

PERFORMANCE 9: Assignable Knobs

The previous examples were showing how to use the Assignable Knobs of the Performance Parts for building Super Knob assignments. Independent of the Super Knob use, you can use the Part Assignable Knobs for individual assignments, which are used after selecting the Part. (Please note: The Live Set that is used in the Mastering MONTAGE series is located here.)

Important: You can control only one Part at the same time with Assignable Knobs (the currently selected/highlighted PART). But you can use the Super Knob and the Assignable Knobs of the *selected* Part at same time!

This example shows how Super Knob assignments can be combined with individual assignments to the Part Assignable Knobs, which are not routed to the Super Knob. Getting your head around this may take some time, but before there was a Super Knob, an Assignable Knob would be assigned to control a specific parameter within the current PART. This can still be done, and it remains unaffected by the movement of the Super Knob for this PART. Often a PART of your PERFORMANCE may be selected (highlighted) for individual direct play/control, while the others are responding to messages generated by the Arpeggiator. For example, you might have a two Part split Performance, a lead sound in the right hand and a bass in the left; you might want to have a knob that just affects the lead Part. In such a case you may opt to simply use the Assignable Knob independent of the Super Knob movement.

Each PART, when selected for direct play/control, has access to the three rows of eight Knob functions plus it’s own eight Assignable Knobs. In affect, you have 32 Knobs, plus the physical controllers (MW, PB Wheel, the two Assignable Switches, Ribbon, Aftertouch, FC1/FC2, Faders (Control Sliders)), the Motion Sequences, Arpeggios, the Envelope Follower, etc., that can all be called upon while this Part is selected. An extensive Receive Switch matrix allows you to determine which physical controllers are active per Part, thus making your performing work as necessary. Between the Super Knob which can work independently, and the controls available to your currently highlighted (selected) Part, you can design most any scenario.

This example Performance includes only one Part with a typical fat sawtooth synth pad. All eight Part Assignable Knobs are assigned to parameters within this PART, but only two of them (1 + 2) are also routed/linked to the Super Knob:

Translation: In the previous examples of the SUPER KNOB assignment, we saw how on the Performance upper “COMMON/Audio” level you needed to assign “Part 1 Assign 1”, “Part 1 Assign 2” and so on, to make each Knob accessible via the Super Knob. In this example only these first two are using the Super Knob. The other six Knobs are individually accessible when you highlight/select the PART, as we’ll see below. (This is very similar to the Motif XS/XF Performance where when you selected an individual PART, the Assign 1 and 2 Control Knobs would address just that individual PART parameters).

To view the Assignable Knob layout go to the OVERVIEW screen: [SHIFT] + [PERFORMANCE (HOME)] or from the main screen touch “MOTION CONTROL” > “OVERVIEW”.
First view the Performance COMMON Assignable Knob assignment:

Change the PART parameter from “COMMON” to “PART 1” to view the Assignable Knob layout for PART 1:

There is one DESTINATION parameter assignment to each of the PART’s eight Assignable Knobs.
To view the actual 8 Destination Control Settings use the “Edit Part 1 Control Settings” shortcut.
Set the DISPLAY FILTER to “ALL”.
You can view Destination 1 ~ Destination 4 on the first Page.
There are two PAGES:

PAGE 2:

The currently displayed “DESTINATION” (blue) has a number 1-16, touch that designation to view it’s data. Touch the parameter setting to view an overlay of possible parameter Destinations.

Looking at DESTINATIONs 1 and 2, (above) you learn that CUTOFF and RESONANCE are being controlled by AssignKnob 1 and AssignKnob 2, respectively. Because the AUTO SELECT is active (green) moving the SUPER KNOB will reveal that, indeed these are the “PART 1 ASSIGN 1” and “PART 1 ASSIGN 2” parameters that are linked to the movement of the Super Knob:

The Super Knob starts with the center position (64). This is useful for combining with the use of Part Assignable Knobs, which are set to center position by default. For this reason selecting Bipolar (Polarity) for all assignments in the Part Controller Box is needed: Bipolar allows you to move the parameter up or down depending on whether a Positive or Negative value is set for RATIO. Positive values increase as the Knob is turned clockwise.

The Assignable Knobs can be used for controlling the listed eight parameters: Cutoff, Resonance, Insert “A” Dry/Wet, Insert “A” LFO Speed, Insert “A” Feedback Level, Element LFO Pitch Modulation Depth (vibrato), AEG Attack, AEG Release.

At same time you can use the Super Knob, which controls the Assignable Knobs 1+2. But you should avoid using the Super Knob and the Assignable Knobs 1+2 at same time, because they are controlling the same parameter.

You can see the movements of the Super Knob at the LEDs of the Assignable Knob 1+2.

I’ve edited and stored this PERFORMANCE renaming the individual Destinations for this PART (PART 1) (DISPLAY NAME). By default, they are simply named: Assign 1, Assign 2, Assign 3, Assign 4 and so on.
This DISPLAY NAME will appear on the main PERFORMANCE screen when PART 1 is the “selected” (highlighted) PART. Shown below:

DSNAP 42

When you *select* the PART, Part 1, the name you provide as the “Display Name” will appear – very useful when performing to know what your assignable knobs are going to do (select the Part by pressing [PART SELECT 1/1] or by touching the TYPE/NAME box above PART1) – Now you will see that I’ve identified what each of them is doing to PART 1. Because you can SELECT only one PART at a time, it makes total sense to be able to read what that Knob is assigned to (this cuts down immensely on the guessing about what a Knob is doing!) It appears that many of the PRESETs have the word “Assigned” simply as the PART “Display Name” – which at least lets you know it is doing something – if it is not assigned the Display name area appears blank.

Using the “Display Name”:
Hint: From the upper COMMON/Audio level (or when the PERFORMANCE NAME is highlighted) the KNOBS will simply read ASSIGN 1 – ASSIGN 8. When you select an individual PART (either by touching the PART Name or by pressing [PART SELECT 1/1] ~ [PART SELECT 8/8] you have the option of viewing the KNOB assignment by what it is doing. You can even give it a “nickname” – it can be anything that you wish. This is extremely cool because you can be descriptive. The Presets only indicate with Knob is “Assigned” when you select an individual PART.

Imagine the PART Knob is controlling an FM Element that causes RING MODULATION when you raise its Modulation Index (Output Level) saying it is “Output Level” is not as helpful as naming it “+RingMod”.

So selecting any single PART 2-8 (so that it is the highlighted PART) will show you what each of the knobs is assigned to control. This can be very useful and can make exploring Performances much easier because when scuba diving, it can get quite deep!

If you have any questions or comments about this article, please join us to discuss them on the Forum here.

Catch up on the previous article in the series – “Mastering MONTAGE 7: Super Knobs Values“.

Next article now available: “Mastering MONTAGE 9: Controller Box Switches“.