6-4
Program Mode and the Program Editor
KB3 Program Structure
KB3 Program Structure
ThereÕs nothing quite like the sound of the classic Hammondª B-3 tone wheel organ, especially
when played through a Leslieª rotating speaker system. WeÕve done extensive testing and
analysis with several tone wheel organs, and created our own models to emulate the unique
tone wheel sound. We even took into account the way that older organs start to sound different
(and arguably better) as their capacitors begin to leakÑand we included a parameter that lets
you vary the amount of grunge (leakage) in your sound.
We also recruited some very talented organ players to try out KB3 programs, and weÕve used
their feedback to make the real-time controls as convenient and realistic as possible.
KB3 programs use oscillators to emulate the tone wheel sound. Each oscillator operates
independently, and has its own pitch and amplitude control. You can control how many
oscillators are used for a KB3 program. There are two oscillators per voice, for a total of 96. You
can use up to 95 of them in a KB3 program (the 96th is reserved to produce key click). Because
the oscillators start running as soon as you select a KB3 program, there are always voices
availableÑunlike VAST programs, which start ÒstealingÓ notes when you reach the 48-voice
polyphony limit. In other words, with a KB3 program, you can play and sustain more than 48
notes, and the K2600 will continue to play then all. With VAST programs, once 48 notes are on
(for example, when you play and sustain a four-note chord in a 12-layer program), each new
note that you play replaces one of the notes that was already on.
The oscillatorsÑweÕll call them tone wheels from here onÑare divided into an upper and lower
group. By default, the upper tone wheels use the samples in the K2600Õs keymaps (including
your own RAM keymaps if you want) to generate sound, while the lower tone wheels use
waveforms (like sine, square, or sawtooth). You can switch this around if you like, for even more
variety.
KB3 Mode
KB3 programs are different enough from VAST programs that we use the term KB3 mode to
describe whatÕs going on when you play a KB3 program. There are a few important points to
consider if you want to get the most out of KB3 mode.
KB3 Channel
As we mentioned in Chapter 2, you can play KB3 programs only on the KB3 channel, which you
deÞne on the Master-mode page. When youÕre in Program mode, this means that the current
MIDI channel must match the KB3 channel, and when youÕre in Setup mode, any zone that uses
a KB3 program must use the KB3 channel. If this isnÕt the case, the KB3 programs wonÕt make
any sound. If this happens in Program mode, all KB3 program names appear in parentheses,
and the info box reminds you that youÕre not on the KB3 channel. If it happens in Setup mode,
the display looks normal, but if you go into the Setup Editor, the LocalPrg parameter shows the
KB3 program name in parentheses in every zone thatÕs not on the KB3 channel.
Note: If youÕre using a Kurzweil PC88 to control your K2600, you shouldnÕt use Channel 1 as the KB3
channel. The PC88 sends MIDI Controller 90 on Channel 1 to select effects. In KB3 mode, the K2600
maps Controller 90 to internal controller 90, which controls the emulation of leakage that we mentioned
earlier. You probably donÕt want your leakage level ßuctuating every time the PC88 sends Controller 90.
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