20
Main Features and Operation
Effects Section
The K-Station is equipped with seven different Effects which may be
used simultaneously. These effects are saved as an integral part of a
sound when writing it to memory. Adding Effects to a sound can dra-
matically enrich the overall sound texture. Some types of Effect are
particularly useful in giving a sound a perceived position in three-
dimensional space. Adding such sounds to final mix of a piece of
music gives a much greater sense of ‘depth’.
Each type of Effect has several settings associated with it which give
fine control over how the Effect interacts with a sound. These settings
may be changed using the various Effects menus. See Page 28 in the
Advanced Features section for more details.
Effects SELECT buttons
These two buttons are used to select which of the seven Effects is cur-
rently being edited. The seven types of Effect available are :
Delay
This Effect simulates the echoes which would be heard when a sound
is reflected off of a hard, flat surface such as stone wall. The K-Station
actually incorporates a stereo version of this echoing effect.
To visualize a stereo echo, imagine a sound being produced between
two stone walls. The echoes of the sound would bounce off each wall
in turn until the echoes eventually dies away.
Use the LEVEL knob to introduce the Delay effect.
Reverb
The Reverb Effect simulates the acoustic properties of a room. In
everyday life, the materials that a room is made of and its size deter-
mine how sound waves are reflected from the room’s walls. Consider
as an example, how different a sound is when heard in bathroom with
tiled walls. Singing in particular can be dramatically improved !
Chorus
This is a swirling, stereo Effect, often useful for ‘fattening up’ a sound,
creating an impression that several synthesizers are being played in
unison, rather than just one.
This effect is actually achieved by slightly detuning the sound and
adding it back to the original signal.
A similar, related effect to Chorus is the Phaser. Phasers phase-shift
certain frequencies of a sound and add them back to the original sig-
nal. This gives a sound passed through a Phaser, a distinctive swishing
quality. At extreme settings, this can sound similar to jet plane passing
overhead!
In the Chorus Menu, it is possible to select whether the K-Station’s
Chorus Effect behaves as a standard Chorus or as a Phaser.
Use the LEVEL knob to introduce the Chorus or Phaser effect.
Distortion
As its name suggests, the Distortion Effect distorts a sound signal.
Imagine how a sound recorded onto tape sounds when it has been
recorded with the record level far too high. Much loved by guitarists,
distorted sounds have a very gritty, dirty quality to them. This is espe-
cially effective when applied to aggressive lead sounds.
The Distortion Effect also exaggerates any low-level harmonics present
within the sound. Sounds using a level of RESONANCE in the Filter
will especially benefit from added Distortion.
Use the LEVEL knob to introduce the Distortion effect.
EQ
The EQ (short for Equalization) Effect provides a way of diminishing or
emphasizing a specific frequency range within the final sound. It is in
fact, a form of Filter similar to the one found in the K-Station’s Filter
section. It performs a similar function, but it cuts or boosts certain fre-
quencies.
The actual frequency range which will be cut or boosted is determined
by the EQ Frequency Point (the EQ Frequency setting) which is set
within the Effects Menu. See Page 31 in the Advanced Features
chapter for details on how to set this.
The amount of cut or boost applied will depend on the position of the
Effects LEVEL knob. When set to the 12 o’clock position, no cut or
boost is applied. As the knob is turned anticlockwise from the 12
o’clock position frequencies below the EQ Frequency point will be
boosted and frequencies above the point will be attenuated. As the
knob is turned clockwise from the 12 o’clock position, frequencies
above the EQ Frequency will be boosted and those below attenuated.
In the above example, The EQ Frequency point has been set to 50
and the EQ LEVEL set to -10. This has the effect of gently boosting the
lower (bass) end of the frequency spectrum and cutting the higher (tre-
ble) frequecies.
In this example, the EQ LEVEL has been set to its maximum possible
positive setting of 63. This results in a dramatic boost in the higher (tre-
ble) frequencies and a reduction in lower (bass) frequencies.
Panning
The Panning effect dictates where in the stereo field a sound is placed
when heard through stereo speakers or headphones. It is possible to
position a sound hard to the left, hard to the right or anywhere in
between.
The Effects LEVEL knob positions the sound in the stereo field. When
set fully counter-clockwise, the sound will only be heard on the left-
hand side. At the full clockwise position, the sound will be heard only
on the right-hand side. When set at the 12 o’clock position, the sound
is heard on both sides at an equal level.
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