6-2
Program Mode and the Program Editor
VAST Program Structure
VAST Program Structure
You might want to take a look at Figure 6-1 on page 6-3, which depicts the hierarchy of a VAST 
program, from individual samples all the way up to setups, which can contain up to eight 
programs.
Every VAST program contains at least one layer. A layer consists of a keymap and an algorithm 
for processing the samples contained in the keymap. Samples are stored in the K2600Õs ROM, or 
are loaded into Sample RAM via Disk mode, MIDI standard sample transfer, SMDI sample 
transfer, or by your own sampling efforts. Each sample is a separate digital recording of some 
kind of sound: musical, vocal, industrial, any sound at all. Individual samples are assigned to 
speciÞc key ranges (from A 2 to D 3, for example), and are also assigned to be triggered at 
speciÞc attack velocities. These assignments constitute the keymap.
When you trigger a note, the K2600 looks to the keymap of each layer of the currently active 
VAST program(s) to determine which samples to play. The sound engine then fetches the 
requested samples and generates a digital signal representing the sound of the samples. This 
signal Þrst passes through the Þve DSP functions that make up the algorithm. It then passes 
through the KDFX effects processor, and Þnally appearsÑwith some level of effects applied to 
itÑat one or more of the audio outputs.
The layer is the VAST programÕs basic unit of polyphony, that is, each layer constitutes one of 
the 48 voice channels the K2600 can activate at any time. If you have a program that consists of 
two layers covering the note range from A 0 to C 8, each key you strike triggers two voice 
channels.