21
Main Features and Operation
Effects Section - Display and Data Entry Section
Vocoder
A Vocoder is a device which analyzes selected frequencies present in
an audio signal (called a Modulator), and superimposes these frequen-
cies onto another sound (called the Carrier).
It actually does this by feeding the Modulator signal into a bank of band
pass filters. Each of these filters (12 of them on the K-Station) covers a
set band in the audio spectrum from low to high frequencies.
In the K-Station’s Vocoder, a Program (for example a string sound) is
always used as the Carrier. It is routed to another complete set of 12
filters that have the same frequency band settings as the bank of filters
used for the Modulator. Each of the outputs from the 12 band pass fil-
ters in the Modulator bank control the volume of each of filters in the
Carrier bank.
The final character of the vocoded sound will depend greatly upon the
harmonics present in the Carrier Program. Programs very rich in har-
monics (for example using Sawtooth Waves) will generally give the
best results.
Typically, the Modulator signal used by a Vocoder would be a human
voice speaking into a microphone. This creates the distinctive robot or
‘talky’ like sounds which have recently returned to popularity and are
now being used more frequently in modern Pop and Dance music.
Bear in mind however, that the Modulator signal need not be restricted
to human speech. Other types of Modulator signal can be used (for
example, an electric guitar or drums) and can often give quite unex-
pected and interesting results.
Modulator audio signals such as from a microphone or CD should
always be fed into the K-Station’s AUDIO IN socket, located on the
rear panel.
The pitch of the final vocoded sound will depend on whatever pitch the
Carrier (currently selected Program) is playing. Notes can either be
played on the K-Station’s keyboard or received via MIDI from an exter-
nal keyboard or sequencer. These notes must be played simultaneous-
ly while the Modulator signal is present, otherwise the Vocoder effect
will not appear to work.
The Vocoder is activated and balanced by using the Effect LEVEL
knob. When this knob is turned fully counter-clockwise, the Vocoder is
disabled. As the knob is slowly turned clockwise from the full counter-
clockwise position, the Carrier signal will be heard. As the knob is
moved towards the 12 o’clock position, the Carrier signal will diminish
and the fully vocoded sound will become more prominent. At the 12
o’clock position, only the fully vocoded will be heard. The Carrier or
Modulator signals will not be present. As the LEVEL knob is moved
clockwise from the 12 o’clock position, more of the raw Modulator sig-
nal will be introduced until at the fully clockwise position, only the
Modulator signal will be present.
More settings are available to help shape the final Vocoder Effect.
These are detailed on Page 33 in the Advanced Features chapter.
Note : If either of the Effect SELECT buttons are pressed while the
Effects Menu is active in Menu Mode, the display will be updated to
show settings relevant to the newly-selected Effect.
Effects LEVEL knob
This control’s function depends upon the Effect currently selected for
editing by the SELECT buttons. In most cases, it will control the
Effect’s level, but there are exceptions. All possibilities are detailed in
the table given below.
As well as containing the display, this section also contains controls,
whose vary according to which mode the K-Station is currently in. For
more information on modes, refer to the section Modes and Menus on
Page 14.
PAGE / PROGRAM Buttons
While in Program Select Mode, these buttons may be used to
advance / decrease the currently selected Program. If pressed and
held down, the Programs will start advancing / decreasing in steps of
ten Programs at a time. This is useful since on the K-Station, similar
types of sound are spaced apart at ten Program intervals.
While in Menu Mode, these buttons are used to move up and down
through the various linked pages within the currently selected menu.
DATA / PROGRAM Knob
In Program Select Mode, this knob may be used to step forwards or
backwards through the available sounds (programs). The interval used
in stepping through the Programs is determined by how quickly the
knob is turned.
In Program Edit Mode, this knob may be used to adjust the value of
any functions displayed on the screen.
In Menu Mode, this knob is used to adjust the value of the function rel-
evant to the currently selected Menu Page.
Displaying a Program Edit
When playing the K-Station it is useful to know whether the current
selected sound has been modified in any way from the original pro-
gram.
If any changes have been made to the program, (a knob has been
tweaked or a button has selected a different function) an asterisk will
appear in the display soon after the tweak or button press has been
made. It will appear immediately to the left of the Program number
when in Program Mode.
If the change is reversed (the control returned to its position as defined
by the original Program), the asterisk will disappear.
To Next Page
Loading...