Kurzweil PC88 - The Arpeggiator

The Arpeggiator
Musician’s Guide
6-1
Chapter 6
The Arpeggiator
The Arpeggiator takes input from the PC88 keyboard and turns it into a constant rhythmic
pattern. The speed and nature of the pattern is controllable in real time. It recalls old-time
analog ÒsequencersÓ which played a Þnite series of notes over and over, with changes in the
series dictated by the musician as the instrument played. The power of the Arpeggiator is not
limited to the PC88: it also can control MIDI instruments, by sending MIDI data out just as if
you were playing the keyboard.
The concept behind the PC88Õs Arpeggiator is fairly simple, although the options are extensive.
You might think of it as a Ònote processorÓ, generating complex output from relatively modest
input. You can select any number of notes for the input, and tell the Arpeggiator to recognize
and remember them. This is called ÒlatchingÓ the notes. The Arpeggiator will then process
them by playing them repeatedly, and/or having them ßy up and down the keyboard. You
have control over a number of processing parameters: tempo, velocity, order, duration,
transposition, orchestration, and whether the intervals between notes will be Þlled in
chromatically. You can also tell the Arpeggiator how to deal with new information coming from
the keyboard.
MIDI Setup 3, ÒRhythm PadÓ, provides a good example of how to use the Arpeggiator. Take a
look at it now. And while youÕre at it, double-check to see that the Clock parameter in the
Global menu is set to ÒInternalÓ. If it isnÕt, you will have trouble getting the Arpeggiator to run.
Press the Arpeggiator button in the Zone Parameters section to enter the Arpeggiator mode.
There is one Arpeggiator per Setup, and therefore all of the parameters are common to the
entire Setup, with one exception. The table below summarizes the ArpeggiatorÕs features:
Parameter Values
Arp Active On, Off
Key Range C-1 to G9
Zone Enable On, Off (per Zone)
Latch Mode Keys, Overplay, Arpeggiation, Add, Auto, Pedals
Play Order Played, Up, Down, Up/Dwn, Up/Dwn Rp, Random,
Shufße, Walk
Beats 4th notes Ð 32nd trips
Initial Tempo 20 Ð 300 beats per minute
Duration 1% Ð 100%
Vel Mode Fixed, Played, Last, Pressure, Ctrl 117
Fixed Vel 1 Ð 127
Note Shift -12 to 12
Shift Limit 0 Ð 88
Limit Option Stop, Reset, Unipolar, Bipolar, Flt Reset, Flt Unip
Glissando On, Off