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Chapter 6. Using two or more Parts to create an
ensemble (Multitimbral operation)
The XP-10 is a multitimbral
sound source
The XP-10 is a multitimbral synthesizer with 16 Parts.
Each Part corresponds to an individual musician in an
orchestra or band, and is able to independently play a
different sound, and can also have independent effect
settings. “Multitimbral” refers to the ability to pro-
duce two or more types of sound (“timbres”) at once.
By using MIDI to connect the XP-10 to a sequencer or
to a computer that is running sequencing software,
you can create ensembles with many Parts. For details
refer to chapters 7 and 8.
What is MIDI?
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a
world-wide standard that allows electronic musical
instruments and computers etc. to exchange musical
data. Instead of transmitting “sound,” MIDI transmits
digital data and commands that describe a musical
performance. The various types of digital data han-
dled by MIDI are called MIDI messages.
If a device has a MIDI connector, it can be connected
to other MIDI devices simply by connecting a MIDI
cable, regardless of its manufacturer or model type.
For example, you can use the XP-10 to play other
sound sources, or use a sequencer etc. to play the XP-
10.
from another
MID! device
to another
MIDI device
MIDIIN : This connector receives messages
from another MIDI device.
: This connector transmits messages
from the XP-10.
: This connector retransmits the mes-
sages received at MIDI IN.
MIDI OUT
MIDI THRU
MIDI Channels
MIDI uses “channels” to transmit a wide variety of
information over a single cable, in a way somewhat
similar to the way that television channels work.
By changing the channel on a television set, you can
view the program that is being broadcasted on the
selected channel. MIDI channels work in the same
way, so that data on a particular channel is received
only if the receiving device is set to the same channel
as the transmitting device.
The cable from the antenna carries the TV signals
from many broadcast stations.
The TV is set to the channel of the station
you wish to watch.
There is however a major difference between the XP-
10 and a television set. A television set is able to
receive only 1 channel at a time. However the XP-10 is
able to receive data independently on the MIDI chan-
nel of each of its 16 Parts. This means that the XP-10
can receive up to 16 channels of MIDI data to inde-
pendently play up to 16 Tones, creating a rich ensem-
ble.
MIDI messages used by the XP-10
MIDI uses various types of message to transmit a
wide variety of information. This section will discuss
the main types of MIDI message used by the XP-10.
MIDI messages can be broadly divided into the fol-
lowing two groups.
Channel messages:
messages handled separately by MIDI channel
System messages:
messages that apply regardless of MIDI channel
Channel messages
Channel messages transmit musical performance ges-
tures, and make up the majority of MIDI data.
Note-on messages
These messages are transmitted when you play a
note. A Note-on message contains the following 3
types of information.
Note-on : a note was played
Note number __: which note was played
Velocity : how strongly it was played
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