GEM WK2 Owner's manual

Owner’s manual English

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-

SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO

QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equi-

lateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence

of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s

enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute

a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation mark within an equilateral triangle is in-

tended to alert the user to the presence of important

operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the

literature accompanying the product.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK

OR INJURY TO PERSONS

1. Read all the instructions (Safety, Installation and FCC if applicable) before using the product.

2. Do not use this product near water (example, near a swimming pool, spa, tub, sink or wet basement) and do not expose to rain.

3. This product should be used only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer, or should be used with the components supplied.

If this product requires assembly before being played, take special care to follow the assembly instructions found at the back of the manual.

4. This product, whether alone or in combination with an amplifier and headphones or speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that

could cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for long periods of time at a high volume level or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you

experience any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist.

5. WARNING: Do not place this product or any other objects on the power cord, or place it in a position where one could walk on, trip over or roll

anything over power or connecting cords of any kind.

6. This product should be located so that its location does not interfere with its proper ventilation.

7. This product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other products that produce heat.

8. This product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the product.

9. This product may be equipped with a polarised line plug (one blade wider than the other). This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert

the plug into the wall outlet, contact an electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the plug.

10. The power supply cord of the product should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for long periods of time.

11. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.

12. This product should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:

a) the power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or

b) objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product; or

c) the product has been exposed to rain; or

d) the product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits marked changes in performance; or

e) the product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

13. Do not attempt to service the product beyond that described in the user-maintenance instructions. All servicing should be referred to qualified

service personnel.

14. Some products may have benches and/or accessory mounting fixtures that are either supplied as part of the product or as optional accessories.

Please ensure that benches are correctly assembled and stable and any optional fixtures (where applicable) are well secured before use.

15. Electromagnetic Interference (RFI) This electronic product utilises digital sample wave processing technology (S.W.P.) that may adversely

affect radio/TV reception. Read the FCC note on the inside back cover of the owner’s manual for additional information.

General user maintenance

• Clean the outer surface of your instrument using a soft, clean, slightly damp cloth and polish with a soft, dry cloth.

• Never use industrial cleaners, detergents, abrasive cleansers, waxes, solvents or polishes as they may damage the instrument finish.

• Always turn off the power supply after use and never turn the unit on and off repeatedly in quick succession as this places an undue

load on the electronic components.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Sito Internet Generalmusic: http://www.generalmusic.com

The information in this publication has been carefully prepared and checked. The manufacturers however decline all liability for

eventual errors. All rights are reserved. This publication may not be copied, photocopied or reproduced in part or in whole without

prior written consent from Generalmusic S.p.A. Generalmusic reserves the right to apply any aesthetic, design or function

modifications it considers necessary to any of its products without prior notice. Generalmusic declines all liability for damage

to property or persons resulting from improper use of the instrument.

Products and brand names that are referred to in this publication (Apple, IBM, Macintosh, MS-DOS, Windows, OS2, Windows

95) may either be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents i

Contents

The Owner’s Manual .................................................................................... 1

Specifications ............................................................................................... 1

Important information ................................................................................... 2

Important preliminary notes.......................................................................... 3

How to update your instrument .................................................................... 3

SYSTEM RESET ......................................................................................... 3

Front Panel WK2.......................................................................................... 4

Rear Panel WK2 (Connections) ................................................................... 7

• 1 Get started.................................................................................................. 8

Powering up and preliminary operations...................................................... 8

POWER ON/OFF ......................................................................................... 8

Select Performances and play keyboard sounds......................................... 9

Select Styles and play with automatic accompaniments............................ 10

Play the Programmable Pads .................................................................... 10

Play using the Pitch/Modulation ball .......................................................... 11

Play with Effects or bypass them ............................................................... 11

Play with headphones ................................................................................ 11

Play with the pedals ................................................................................... 12

Regulate the general Effect volumes ......................................................... 12

Transpose the instrument (Semitones) ...................................................... 12

Demo.......................................................................................................... 13

How to listen to the Demo Styles ............................................................... 13

Song Play - Direct from Disk ...................................................................... 13

• 2 Basic concepts ........................................................................................... 14

Style, Song Style and Song ....................................................................... 14

Style and RealTime modes (Style accompaniments off)............................ 14

STYLE LOCK and SINGLE TOUCH PLAY buttons ................................... 15

Song Style mode........................................................................................ 15

Song mode................................................................................................. 15

Performance............................................................................................... 16

Tracks......................................................................................................... 17

Sounds ....................................................................................................... 17

ROM-Sounds ............................................................................................. 17

Drumkits ..................................................................................................... 17

Samples ..................................................................................................... 17

Connections ............................................................................................... 18

Power ......................................................................................................... 18

Output: Right/mono – left .......................................................................... 18

Input: Right/mono – left ............................................................................. 18

Vocal processor (OPTIONAL): Mic/Line + Gain........................................ 18

Midi............................................................................................................. 18

Pedals ........................................................................................................ 19

Computer ................................................................................................... 19

Video interface ........................................................................................... 19

Headphones............................................................................................... 19

Music Stand ............................................................................................... 19

The Display ................................................................................................ 20

Data Entry .................................................................................................. 21

Inserting Alphanumeric data....................................................................... 21

Enter / Escape............................................................................................ 21

ii Contents

• 3 Sounds & Performances............................................................................ 22

The Sounds and tracks .............................................................................. 22

The 3 Real Time Keyboard tracks (Upper 1, Upper 2, Lower) ................... 22

Sounds & The keyboard mode................................................................... 22

Full mode ................................................................................................... 22

Split mode .................................................................................................. 22

Selecting Sounds ....................................................................................... 24

You can select Sounds using one of the following methods: ..................... 24

To select Keyboard Sounds ....................................................................... 24

BANK 1, 2, 3 and 4 ................................................................................... 24

Selecting Performances ............................................................................. 25

How to program the Performances ............................................................ 25

The Performance parameters .................................................................... 26

Store Performance ..................................................................................... 28

Save changes to a different Performance (or create a new one)............... 28

The Performance name ............................................................................. 28

To Restore the original Performance settings ............................................ 29

• 4 The Styles ................................................................................................ 30

About THE WK2 Styles .............................................................................. 30

Selecting Styles.......................................................................................... 30

Recall a Style using the Direct Style Memory buttons ............................... 31

Recall a Style by selecting the Performances............................................ 31

Total cancellation of the user style (CLEAR).............................................. 32

The Style controls ...................................................................................... 33

START / STOP ........................................................................................... 33

Key Start .................................................................................................... 33

Intro ............................................................................................................ 33

Ending ........................................................................................................ 33

VAR 1, VAR 2, VAR 3, VAR 4..................................................................... 34

FILL A, FILL, FILL B ................................................................................... 34

Tap Tempo (also FILL B) ............................................................................ 34

Fade In/Out ................................................................................................ 34

The Arranger section.................................................................................. 35

Arrange On/Off........................................................................................... 35

Arrange Memory ........................................................................................ 35

Lower Memory ........................................................................................... 35

Bass To Lowest .......................................................................................... 35

The Style Tempo ........................................................................................ 36

Tempo Lock................................................................................................ 36

Saving the Tempo to a Performance .......................................................... 36

Saving the TEMPO IN one of the 16 DIRECT STYLE MEMORY slots...... 36

The Split Point............................................................................................ 37

Setting a new split point ............................................................................. 37

Chord Lock (ChoLock) ............................................................................... 37

Maintaining the chord notes (chord lock) ................................................... 37

Arrange Mode ............................................................................................ 38

Fingered 1 .................................................................................................. 38

Fingered 2 .................................................................................................. 38

One finger .................................................................................................. 38

FreeStyle.................................................................................................... 38

Single Touch Play, Store Performance/Performance Recall,

Style/Tempo Lock................................................................................. 39

Single Touch Play....................................................................................... 39

PERFORMANCE RECALL / Store Performance ....................................... 39

Contents iii

Style/Tempo Lock....................................................................................... 39

The Utility section....................................................................................... 40

Metronome ................................................................................................. 40

Sustain ....................................................................................................... 40

Harmony..................................................................................................... 40

VOCAL P (optional).................................................................................... 40

Reverb........................................................................................................ 41

Chorus........................................................................................................ 41

• 5 Disk & Hard Disk....................................................................................... 42

Floppy Disk ................................................................................................ 42

The Hard Disk ............................................................................................ 42

The Floppy Disk and Hard Disk functions .................................................. 43

Incorporated functions................................................................................ 43

What is a MIDI file? .................................................................................... 43

General MIDI (GM)..................................................................................... 43

GMX format................................................................................................ 44

Loading Songs and MIDI files .................................................................... 44

Loading Styles............................................................................................ 44

Loading Performances ............................................................................... 44

Loading Samples ....................................................................................... 44

Loading Song Styles .................................................................................. 44

Load operations ......................................................................................... 45

The Load procedure................................................................................... 45

Floppy disk ................................................................................................. 45

Recognising files with extensions .............................................................. 45

HARD DISK................................................................................................ 46

Save operations ......................................................................................... 47

The Save procedure................................................................................... 47

Floppy disk ................................................................................................. 47

HARD DISK................................................................................................ 48

Saving MIDI Files ....................................................................................... 48

Saving Song Styles .................................................................................... 48

Delete......................................................................................................... 49

Disk ............................................................................................................ 49

HARD DISK................................................................................................ 49

Disk Formatting procedures ....................................................................... 50

Format 720 Kb ........................................................................................... 50

Format 1.44 Mb.......................................................................................... 50

Floppy disk Formatting procedure.............................................................. 50

Hard disk partition formatting procedure .................................................... 51

Creating a new partition (New Part) ........................................................... 51

Utility .......................................................................................................... 52

COPY ......................................................................................................... 52

HARD DISK PROTECT ............................................................................. 53

HARD DISK FORMAT................................................................................ 53

General disk handling information.............................................................. 54

Inserting a Disk into the drive..................................................................... 54

Ejecting a Floppy Disk................................................................................ 54

The Write Protect Tab ................................................................................ 54

Handling Floppy Disks ............................................................................... 54

Back-up copies........................................................................................... 54

Disk Drive Head Cleaning .......................................................................... 55

Precautions to observe when using WK2 disks with a computer............... 55

iv Contents

• 6 Songs ....................................................................................................... 56

What is a Song?......................................................................................... 56

The Song Performance .............................................................................. 56

Selecting and playing back Songs ............................................................. 56

To select a Song......................................................................................... 56

Song Playback ........................................................................................... 56

FF / REW ................................................................................................... 57

CANCELLATION of a SONG (CLEAR function) ........................................ 57

Melody off................................................................................................... 57

Play All Songs ............................................................................................ 57

Play a Song with a track in Real Time........................................................ 58

Displaying lyrics ......................................................................................... 59

• 7 Song Styles .............................................................................................. 60

Song Style Performances .......................................................................... 60

To select and playback a Song Style ......................................................... 60

Select a Song Style.................................................................................... 60

Play a Song Style in real time .................................................................... 61

Song Style Recording ................................................................................ 61

Entering the Song Style Record mode....................................................... 61

Listen to the Song Style playback .............................................................. 62

Clear Song Style (User Song / Style)......................................................... 63

Song Style name........................................................................................ 63

• 8 Digital Signal Processor ............................................................................ 64

Reverb........................................................................................................ 64

Chorus........................................................................................................ 64

Assigning the effect types .......................................................................... 64

How to select the effect types .................................................................... 64

Deactivating (bypassing) the effects .......................................................... 65

Regulating the Send levels ........................................................................ 65

Revsend ..................................................................................................... 65

Chosend..................................................................................................... 65

• 9 MIDI........................................................................................................ 66

What is MIDI?............................................................................................. 66

The Computer port ..................................................................................... 66

Tracks and MIDI channels.......................................................................... 66

MIDI Connection rules................................................................................ 67

Assigning MIDI channels............................................................................ 67

MIDI Lock ................................................................................................... 67

The Common Channel ............................................................................... 67

CHORD CHANNEL .................................................................................... 67

MIDI Numeration ........................................................................................ 68

Principal MIDI applications......................................................................... 68

Piloting an expander (or other keyboard) with WK2................................... 68

Piloting WK2 from a MIDI accordion .......................................................... 69

Using the WK2 in Song Mode with a computer (or external sequencer) ... 70

Piloting WK2 with a Master Keyboard........................................................ 71

SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE (Generalmusic system exclusive) ......................... 74

• 10 Sampling / Vocal Processor & Programmable Pads .................................. 75

Digital Audio Sampler................................................................................. 75

Regulating the Mic/Line signal ................................................................... 75

Sampling procedure and selection of the sample ...................................... 75

The Sample Edit parameters ..................................................................... 76

Contents v

Reverb........................................................................................................ 76

Chorus........................................................................................................ 76

Volume ....................................................................................................... 76

Pan............................................................................................................. 76

Tuning ........................................................................................................ 76

Cancelling samples .................................................................................... 77

Programmable Pads Assign....................................................................... 78

The WK2 Pads ........................................................................................... 78

VOCAL PROCESSOR (Vocal harmonizer) ................................................ 79

Activation of the vocal processor ............................................................... 79

VOCAL PROCESSOR EDIT ..................................................................... 79

PRESET ..................................................................................................... 79

PADS (Vocal P active)................................................................................ 80

• 11 MIDI/General ........................................................................................ 81

MIDI Dump procedure................................................................................ 83

To receive the data ..................................................................................... 83

• Reference section

Technical specifications WK2 .............................................................. Ref. 2

Index ..................................................................................................... Ref. 3

• Appendix

Sound table WK2 ..................................................................................... A. 1

Style, Song, Performance tables.............................................................. A. 3

Reverb table............................................................................................. A. 4

Chorus table............................................................................................. A. 4

Drumkit table ............................................................................................ A. 5

Recognised chords- examples in the key of C......................................... A. 8

MIDI Implementation chart ....................................................................... A. 9

Recognised Control Change messages (MIDI Controllers) ................... A. 10

Control Changes on the track ................................................................ A. 10

vi Contents

Introduction 1

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for having purchased Generalmusic’s WK2 Multimedia workstation. This instrument is the successful result of the

combination of extraordinary sound quality, automatic accompaniments and an easy-to-operate user interface.

MULTIMEDIA WORKSTATION

WK2 is workstation with multimedia features that can render music making fun. With WK2 you can sing following the lyrics projected on a television

(or other video projection device), connect a microphone or musical instrument to the MIC o LINE inputs of the Vocal Processor (optional) and sample

the signals, processing them with the powerful on-board digital effects processors.

THE OWNER’S MANUAL

Ton ensure long, trouble-free operation, please read this manual carefully. It helps to understand how WK2 operates, saving much time.

The manual is divided into several User Guides. At the end is the Appendix with various tables and MIDI specifications.

Specifications

• Polyphony & multitimbricity

WK2 is 32 note polyphonic (maximum), 16 part multi-timbral in Song mode and 8 part multi-timbral in Style mode. Each part is assigned to a

track. In Real Time mode, 3 tracks (maximum) are assigned to the keyboard.

• Sound Generation

The WK2 sound generation uses PCM and Wavetable technology. The Sounds are based on elaborated sampled waveforms. The instrument’s

32 oscillators generate “single” (32-note polyphonic) or “layer” sounds (16 note polyphonic).

• ROM Sounds

The WK2’s ROM (Read Only Memory) contains 444 Sounds including 17 Drumkits.

• Sample-RAM

The battery-backed Sample-RAM can contain Samples captured by sampling them or loaded from disk. By installing the optional Vocal Proces-

sor card, it is possible to sample sounds fed into the Mic/Line inputs.

• Digital Signal Processor

WK2 features two on-board Digital Signal Processors, controlled in real time, which enrich the sounds with effects (reverbs and modulations).

Two different effects (1 Reverb and 1 Modulation/Delay) can be assigned and memorised to each Performance.

• Sequencer

The on-board Sequencer allows you to record Song Styles (real time recording method), to playback Songs and to play with Styles. User-

programmed sequence data are conserved in the battery-backed System-RAM.

• Preload, Play Direct from Disk

The Preload function automatically loads Songs in WK, PK, CD or SMF format into memory while the sequencer is in play or while you play in

real time. The Play Direct from Disk feature allows you to play a WK, PK, CD or SMF Song directly from disk without first loading all the data

into memory. This is particularly useful for Songs and Midi files that are larger in terms of memory than the available Sequencer memory.

• Automatic Accompaniments

WK2 features 96 ROM Styles which provide automatic accompaniments for the three real time keyboard sections (Upper 1, Upper 2, Lower).

Each Style has 4 Variations consisting of Basic, Intro, Fill and Ending patterns, totalling 40 different patterns. The WK2 memory can house up to

8 disk-based Styles (User Styles).

• Direct Style Memory and Direct Sound Memory

WK2 allows you to select and memorise 16 Styles and 16 Sound combinations in the direct access memory locations for quick access during

play, useful for LIVE performances!

• Disk Drive and Hard Disk

The Disk Drive is a device that permits the transfer of useful data to and from Disks, allowing you to build a library of Songs, Styles, Performances

and Samples. The disk drive can read and write onto WK2 format 3.5” floppy disks with a capacity of 720 Kbytes (2DD type) and 1.4 Mbytes

(2HD type). Other formats recognised are Ms-Dos (1.44 Mb) and Atari ST/Falcon (720 kb), both used for the exchange of MIDI Files. The on-

board Hard Disk is a high-speed access device devised to store large amounts of data (Songs, Styles, Performances and Samples) without

having to use a large number of floppy disks. The Hard Disk can also be partitioned into several sections.

2 Introduction

having to use a large number of floppy disks. The Hard Disk can also be partitioned into 512 sections (it’s like having 512 floppy disks incorpo-

rated in the keyboard!).

• Karaoke

The instrument’s incorporated Video Interface allows you to use WK2 in Karaoke style: the Song or MIDI File lyrics can be projected onto a

Television screen (or other video device). The AVI can be configured for different video standards (Europe and USA). To read lyrics, the “TV”

option must be enabled (ON) in the MIDI/GENERAL page and the supplied RGB/SCART cable must be connected to the television set (set to AV

mode).

• Vocal Processor (optional)

The Vocal Processor allows you to sing (or play) through the WK2’s internal amplification using the instrument’s internal digital effects. The signal

fed into the Mic/Line inputs can also be processed by the Vocal Processor in order to add vocal harmonies to your performance.. With the Vocal

Processor it is also possible to sample the signal fed into the Mic/Line input.

• Updateable Operating System from floppy disk

Since the WK2 operating system resides in a flash ROM, it is possible to load updates from floppy disk which can add new functions to the

instrument.

• Multitasking operating system

The WK2 operating system allows you to perform different functions simultaneously, such as loading a file while the sequencer is in playback, or

formatting a disk while you play.

• MIDI

Thanks to the fully implemented MIDI features, WK2 can act as a Master controlling device, or as a 16 part multi-timbral slave device, regardless

of the current playing mode.

• Direct Connection to a computer

As an alternative to the MIDI Interface; the Computer jack permits the connection of computers (Mac, PC or Atari) not fitted with a MIDI interface

to WK2 via a single serial cable. The communication speeds can also be configured to suit your specific computer system.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. The WK2 should contain the following items from the factory:

a) Instrument;

b) one floppy disk containing the operating system;

c) one demonstration floppy disk;

d) Music stand;

e) Owner’s manual;

f) Power cord;

g) RGB/SCART cable;

h) Warranty certificate;

i) list of Generalmusic distributors

2. When contacting your retailer or authorised Generalmusic technical assistance centre, always quote the model name and serial number of your

instrument.

Introduction 3

Important preliminary notes

Observe these important preliminary notes before getting into your instrument

AVOID PLACING DISKS ON TOP OF THE SPEAKERS

Do not place floppy disks on top of speakers, near magnets, telephones, or other sources of

electromagnetic fields. The disk contents could be damaged.

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR INSTRUMENT

To implement new functions in your instrument, you can update your instrument as de-

scribed below.

1. Before turning on the WK2, insert the floppy disk containing the latest release of the

Generalmusic Operating System.

2. Turn on the instrument. The message “Load OS?” appears in the display.

3. Press ENTER to confirm (pressing ESCAPE cancels the operation).

4. After pressing ENTER, the display shows the message “Loading!”.

5. When the operation is complete, WK2 is ready to play.

NB. To check the date of the Operating System, select the last page of the MIDI/GENERAL

functions.

SYSTEM RESET

To restore the instrument’s factory set status (default settings), proceed as described be-

low:

• Simultaneously press and hold the UPPER 1 selector button (located to the right of the

display) together with the PADS buttons 2, 3 and 4. The display shows the message

“SysRESET” for a few seconds the sets ready for playing.

WARNING

The Reset operation irremediably cancels all user-programmed data contained in the in-

strument’s RAM.

RECHARGEABLE, BACK-UP BATTERY

The WK2 is fitted with a Ni-Cd rechargeable battery to retain data while the instrument is off.

The battery is recharged while the instrument is turned on (not just plugged in !). When the

instrument is turned off, data is conserved in memory for appriximately 30 days. If the

battery discharges after not using the instrument for a long period of time, leave the instru-

ment on for at least 8/10 hours to recharge it completely.

4 Front/Rear Panel

Front Panel WK2

7. DEMO. Gains access to the demonstration Songs. After pressing the

buttons, use the buttons F1…F8 to select the individual demo songs.

Button F9 chains the 8 demo songs into a single melody.

8. SINGLE TOUCH PLAY. When On (display indicator on) ROM Style-

Performance sounds are assigned to all the tracks when you select the

Styles. The ARRANGE ON/OFF and ARRANGE MEMORY functions are also au-

tomatically activated. In this mode, the 9 Function buttons F1 … F9 also

recall nine different Single Touch Play ROM panel settings which differ

according to the Style. When OFF (display indicator off), selecting Styles

recalls sounds for the accompaniment tracks (Drum, Bass, Acc 1, 2, 3)

while those of the keyboard tracks remain unchanged.

9. RECALL/STORE PERFORMANCE. A twin action button: RECALL

press the button then use the Function buttons 1…9 to recall Perform-

ances from the current Performance Group. Other Performance Groups

are selected with the +/– buttons of the right numeric keypad. STORE

PERFORMANCE: press and hold the button to activate the Store Perform-

ance function which allows you to save your settings to the Perform-

ances and change the Performance name.

10. FUNCTION BUTTONS F1 … F9 (S.T.PLAY/PERFORMANCE).

These buttons select Demo Songs, Performances, Single Touch Play

settings and the tracks of the current Style, Song Style or Song, depend-

ing on the current status of the instrument. In Song mode the two rows

of numbers under the buttons correspond to the 16 Song Tracks which

are selected with the buttons F1 … F8. Button F9 toggles between

tracks 01-08 and 09-16.

11. ARRANGER. 4 functions which control the Styles.: ARRANGE ON/

OFF enables (LED On) or disables (LED Off) the Style arrangements.

ARRANGE MEMORY, the Style arrangements continue playing (display indi-

cator on) or stop (display indicator off) after releasing the keys from the

1. POWER ON/OFF:. Push button to turn the instrument on

and off.

2. VOLUME. Regulates the overall volume of the entire instru-

ment (speakers, headphones and the stereo Right/M-Left out-

puts).

3. STYLE/SONG. Numeric selection keypad to select the Styles

(00-95), User Styles (96-103), Song Styles (104-110) and Songs

(111-117) by specifying the corresponding Program change

number using the STYLE / SONG lists as a reference. Three

digit selections are specified by pressing the + 100 button fol-

lowed by the remaining two digits.

4. DIRECT STYLE MEMORY. Each of the 16 memory buttons

of this section memorise a preferred Style selected from the

ROM or User banks (the User Style must be loaded to memory)

for a rapid recall. The overall memorised status of both direct

memory sections can be stored to floppy disk or hard disk for

future loading.

5. CURSOR/PAGE. Navigational arrows: the CURSOR [ ] and

[ ] buttons select the functions listed in the MENU to the left of

the display. The currently selected function is indicated by the

arrowhead in the display which points to the name of the func-

tion. The PAGE [ ] and [ ] buttons pass from function page to

another.

6. MELODY OFF. This button turns off the melody of a Song in

playback, useful if a singer wants to sing along with the backing,

or if you want to play the melody yourself.

1

2

keyboard below the split point. LOWER MEMORY, the Sound assigned to

the Lower keyboard section continues playing (display indicator on) or

stops playing (display indicator off) after releasing the keys from the key-

board below the split point. BASS TO LOWEST, when on (LED on), the Bass

track of the Style auto accompaniment follows the lowest left note of the

chord played, allowing real time changes of the bass accompaniment

according to the lowest note played. When OFF, the bass track follows

the programmed pattern of the Style, regardless of the chord inversion

played.

12. VARIATION 1, 2, 3, 4: These buttons allow you to change the cur-

rent Style Variation (the display indicator illuminates then goes off. The

current variation (1, 2, 3 or 4) is indicated by the corresponding LED

which turns on.

13. FADE IN/OUT, FILL IN A, FILL IN, FILL IN B/TAP. . Fade In/Out:

Starts and stops a Style with a gradual increase or decrease of volume.

Starting requires pressing the Start button. During the fade cycle, the

corresponding display indicator turns on. FILL IN A [ ] (Fill-to-previous-

variation): recalls a Fill pattern (display indicator turns on) then passes

to the previous Style Variation. FILL IN [ ] (Fill-to-current-variation): re-

calls a Fill pattern then continues with the same Style variation. FILL IN B

[ ] (Fill-to-next-variation): - pressed during Style play (display indicator

turns on), it recalls a Fill pattern then passes to the next variation. TAP -

sets the Style playing speed by tapping on the button and starts the Style

automatically.

14. START/STOP, INTRO, ENDING, KEY START/CONTINUE. START/

STOP starts and stops the playback of a Style. INTRO places the introduc-

tion of a Style on “standby” before Style start. ENDING (the correspond-

ing display indicator turns on). KEY START synchronises the start of a

Style with a note (or chord) pressed on the lower keyboard area. Press-

ing CONTINUE restarts the Song Style or Song from the current stop point.

3

4

31

30

Front/Rear Panel 5

15. TEMPO/DATA DIAL, ENTER, ESCAPE. TEMPO/DATA DIAL: in Song,

Song Style and Style modes, the Dial is active for Tempo changes. When

the instrument is set to one of the edit modes, the Dial operates as a data

entry device . Enter confirms specified data in edit situations. ESCAPE

cancels specified data and/or escapes an edit situation.

16. OCTAVE –/+. A Track octave transposer which transposes the se-

lected track over the maximum range of

±

2 octaves. Pressing both +

and – buttons at the same time cancels the setting.

17. TRANSPOSE b / #. Raises (#) or lowers (

b)

the pitch of the instru-

ment as a whole in semitone steps, over a range of

±

12 semitones.

Pressing both buttons at the same time resets to 0.

18. STYLE/TEMPO LOCK. STYLE LOCK: when on (corresponding dis-

play indicator on), selecting Performances recalls keyboard sounds only

without changing Style. When off (display indicator off), selecting Per-

formances recalls keyboard and accompaniments sounds and changes

Style. TEMPO LOCK: when selected (flashing indicator shown in the dis-

play), the current Tempo setting is locked for all Style changes. When off

(flashing stops), each Style recalls memorised Tempo data.

19. PLAY ALL SONGS. If a Song or MIDI File disk is inserted in the disk

drive, this buttons triggers the playback of all the Songs or MIDI Files

directly from disk, playing them back one after the other as a medley.

This function can also be used to listen to all the Songs or MIDI files in a

partition of the Hard Disk.

20. DISPLAY. A coloured, backlit, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) of the

multi-function type that simultaneously displays and provides access to

several parameters. The user interface displays the current situation of

the instrument at all times, showing the On/Off status of several panel

buttons with the corresponding display indicator. The surrounding mark-

ings also form part of the display area (explained in detail afterwards).

21. UPPER 1, UPPER 2, LOWER. These buttons activate (LED on) or

Mute (LED off) the respective keyboard sections.

22. FLOPPY DISK. ENTERS THE DISK OPERATING FUNCTIONS

(LOAD, SAVE, Delete, Format) which allow the transfer of files to and

from floppy disk.

23. HARD DISK. Enters the Hard Disk operating functions (Load, Save,

Delete, Format and Utility) which allow you to organise the Hard Disk

data.

24. SOUND. Numeric selection keypad to select the Sounds (00-127),

including the Drumkits of banks 2, 3 and 4, by specifying the correspond-

ing Program change number using the SOUND lists as a reference.

Three digit selections are specified by pressing the + 100 button fol-

lowed by the remaining two digits. The Sound Banks (1, 2, 3 and 4) are

selected in cyclic order by simultaneously pressing the + and – buttons.

25. PROGRAMMABLE PADS/VOCAL P. 4 buttons which provide

sounds or samples that can be played in real time in any mode. All

buttons are assignable (samples or percussive sounds). VOCAL PROCES-

SOR: when working with the Vocal Processor, each pads gains access to

a related function (Track Mute [Pad1], Equal/Mic [Pad2], Edit [Pad3] and

Vocal Mute [Pad4]);

26. DIRECT SOUND MEMORY. Each of the 16 memory buttons of this

section can memorise a preferred configuration of the Upper 1, Upper 2

and Lower sections (including Sound and Effects assignments, Volume

settings, etc.) for quick and easy selection during your live performances.

The overall memorised status of both direct memory sections can be

stored to floppy disk or hard disk for future loading.

27. SEQUENCER. Two buttons dedicated to the recording and play-

back of Song Styles and to the playback of Songs. RECORD automati-

12

10

14

16

18

19

21

20

24

22

25

26

27

29

24

9

7

8

11

5

15

23

28

17

13

6

32

6 Front/Rear Panel

cally sets the sequencer for Song Style recording. Holding the button

pressed for a few seconds gains access to the Clear function which al-

lows you to cancel recording errors and parts not wanted (all, chord, etc.)

PLAY/STOP starts and stops the Song Style recording and playback and

the playback of Songs.

28. UTILITY. 6 useful functions which affect the instrument in several

different ways. METRONOME activates/deactivates the metronome in play-

back and record mode. SUSTAIN applies the sustain effect to the three

keyboard sections (Upper 1, 2 and Lower). HARMONY enables/disables

the melody harmony function according to the current Harmony Type.

VOCAL P: gains access to the Vocal Processor functions. Reverb acti-

vates/deactivates the Reverb effect processor. CHORUS activates/deacti-

vates the Chorus effect processor (delay/modulations). Holding down

the VOCAL P, HARMONY, REVERB and CHORUS buttons gains access to the

edit of the corresponding function.

29. SAMPLING (RECORD, SAMPLES). RECORD ACTIVATES THE SAMPLING

PROCESS

, ALLOWING YOU RECORD YOUR VOICE (THROUGH A MICROPhone) or a

musical instrument connected to the Mic/Line jack of the Vocal Proces-

sor interface. SAMPLES gains access to the SAMPLES bank (disk-based

Samples can be loaded to the Sample bank even if the Vocal Processor

is not installed).

30. PITCH/MODULATION BALL. This physical controller is preset for

PITCH BEND (horizontal movements) and MODULATION (vertical movements)

which affect the Performance tracks enabled for one or both effects.

31. HEADPHONES. Jacks for headphones connection (optional). Con-

necting a pair of stereo headphones to the left jack automatically exclude

the internal speakers (for silent playing). connecting to the right jack

does not affect the internal speaker system.

32. DISK DRIVE. The Disk Drive is situated to the left of the instrument,

under the keyboard. This device works with 3.5" DD disks and 2HD

disks.

Front/Rear Panel 7

Rear Panel WK2 (Connections)

3

4

2

5

6

1. VOCAL PROCESSOR (optional). A Mic/Line interface installed by

sliding the unit into the corresponding back-panel location. The Vocal

Processor allows you to play through the instrument and add vocal har-

monies to your playing (or to your voice), processes the signals fed into

the Mic/Line jacks with the internal effects and allows you to sample the

signals.

2. VIDEO INTERFACE. An Interface with RGB and S-VHS ports which

allows you to project song lyrics on a domestic television or RGB moni-

tor. A video cable is supplied as a standard accessory.

3. PEDAL (Damper, Pedal, Volume). Jacks for the connection of Switch

action pedals (Damper, Pedal) and a continuous action pedal (Volume).

The DAMPER pedal (optional) allows you to sustain the notes played,

the PEDAL pedal (optional) allows you to control various functions (Switch

UP1/2, Start/Stop, Fill A, Fill IN, Fill B, Intro, Ending), the VOLUME pedal

(optional) allows you to control the overall volume or section volume.

4. COMPUTER. Serial port which permits WK2 to be connected directly

to a computer (Apple Macintosh or IBM PC and compatibles). Data

interchange between WK2 and PC or Mac requires appropriate setting

in the MIDI/General functions .

5. MIDI: A MIDI interface consisting of MIDI IN, MIDI OUT and MIDI

THRU ports to communicate with other external devices fitted with a

MIDI interface (keyboards, computers, etc.). MIDI cables are not sup-

plied with the instrument.

When using WK2 on its own, these ports do not require to be con-

nected.

6. INPUT (RIGHT/MONO - LEFT). Audio input jacks to allow external

instruments to play through the internal amplification of the WK2. The

input level can be controlled with the appropriate potentiometer.

7. OUTPUT (RIGHT/MONO - LEFT). Stereo audio outputs to allows

WK2 to play through an external amplification system (mixer, powered

speakers, etc.).

8. AC POWER CONNECTOR. Connect the supplied power cord to

this connector and the other end to a suitable outlet.

RGB S VHS

DAMPER

PEDAL VOLUME

COMPUTER THRU OUT IN

MIDI

VOLUME

RIGHT/M

LEFT

RIGHT/M

LEFT

INPUT OUTPUT

PEDAL

7

RGB S VHS

DAMPER

PEDAL VOLUME

COMPUTER THRU OUT IN

MIDI

VOLUME

RIGHT/M

LEFT

RIGHT/M

LEFT

INPUT OUTPUT

PEDAL

8

1

8 Owner’s manual

• 1 Get started

In this chapter, you’ll find step by step instructions on some basic functions that will help you

get to know your instrument right away.

Powering up and preliminary operations

POWER ON/OFF

The power switch (located on the left lateral panel) turns the keyboard on and off.

Insert one end of the power chord into the rear-panel mains socket, and the other end

into a suitable wall outlet.

Be sure that the local AC mains voltage matches the voltage specified on the instru-

ment’s name plate.

Play on the keyboard and change the sounds

1. Play on the keyboard.

You will hear the “Piano” sound play across the full keyboard extension.

The group of Keyboard Activators (Upper 2, Upper 1, Lower) shows Upper 1 selected

(LED on), indicating that the UPPER 1 keyboard section is active to play.

The Upper 2 and Lower keyboard sections are also enabled for activation.

2. Press UPPER 2.

A second sound is introduced, layered with the first.

Pressing a single note on the keyboard plays two sounds simultaneously.

3. Press LOWER and play with both hands.

A third sound is introduced and the keyboard is now divided with a Split Point at note

B3. The LOWER keyboard plays over the range C2 - B3. The UPPER 1 and UPPER

2 sections are assigned to the range C4 - C7.

4. Adjust the overall volume.

Use the VOLUME sliding control (slider) to adjust the general volume of the instrument.

A comfortable level is about two thirds of the maximum course of the slider.

Piano

Polysynth

Piano

Polysynth

HaloPad

Get started 9

Select Performances and play keyboard sounds

1. Set the instrument to PERFORMANCE mode by pressing the [] and [] CURSOR buttons as many

times as necessary until the arrowhead in the display appears next to the “PERF” function in the

MENU list .

A quicker method is by pressing the Performance Recall button.

2. Select a Performance.

Use the Function buttons F1…F9 to select one of the 9 Performances belonging to the

first group.

3. Play on the keyboard.

The selected Performance recalls a different sound combination. The keyboard mode

may also change (Split or Full mode). The sound combination and keyboard mode will

depend on the selected Performance.

The Performances can:

• recall combinations of up to 3 keyboard sounds;

• recall different panel settings;

• recall different Styles.

What happens when Performances are selected is discussed in detail afterwards.

4. Change the sounds.

Using the group of 16 direct access buttons on the right (Direct Sound Memory), you

can quickly recall as many sound combinations as there are buttons. You can also save

your preferred sound combinations to the same memory slots. Assign your sounds to

the Real keyboard sections using the right selection keypad then hold down one of the

direct access memory buttons for a few seconds: your programmed combination is

saved to the memory button.

The 16 Direct Sound Memory buttons can:

• recall sound combinations relating to the keyboard sections (up to 3 sections of the

keyboard);

• recall different panel settings;

ATTENTION: The sound group names pertaining to the 16 Direct Sound Memory

buttons serve as a further indication in addition to the numerical recall, to help

remember the location of a preferred Sound. For example, the sound “Nylon”

can be saved to the Guitar group button and so on....

10 Owner’s manual

Select Styles and play with automatic accompaniments

A Style will already be selected but you can select another Style in the following manner:

1. Press SINGLE TOUCH PLAY.

The S.T.PLAY function on the right of the display turns on. Also activated are the AR-

RANGE ON/OFF button (panel LED on) and ARR MEM function (display indicator on

the right).

2. Select a Style by specifying the corresponding number on the STYLE/SONG numeric keypad to

the left of the display.

3. Press START/STOP (the big red button under the display).

The Drum accompaniment (drum track) starts to play.

4. Play a chord with the left hand (below split point B3) and a melody with the right.

You’ll hear a fully orchestrated arrangement start to play together with the melody of the

keyboard sound(s).

The combination of sounds that play will depend on the Style selected.

You can change the combination of keyboard sounds by intervening on the keyboard

activators (Upper 2, Upper 1 and Lower).

Styles are discussed in detail in the relative chapter afterwards.

5. Use the Direct Style Memory buttons to change style.

Using the group of 16 direct access buttons on the left (Direct Style Memory), you can

quickly recall as many Styles as there are buttons. To save your preferred ROM Style

to the memory slots, recall the Style using the left selection keypad then hold down one

of the direct access memory buttons for a few seconds.

Play the Programmable Pads

• Strike the Pads freely.

While you play keyboard sounds, you can add additional sounds in real time by striking

the PADS.

Each PAD provides a different sound (a sample or a percussive instrument).

N.B.: the Pads also gain access to the Vocal Processor functions, provided that the

Vocal Processor unit is installed. To use the Pads, therefore, be sure that the Vocal

Processor indicator is not enabled (display indicator pointing to Vocal P).

Get started 11

Play using the Pitch/Modulation ball

While you play, you can apply Pitch Bend and Modulation to the keyboard sounds by using

the Pitch/Modulation ball located to the left of the keyboard.

• To obtain Pitch Bend, move the ball Up or Down.

To obtain Modulation, move the ball in Left/Right directions.

Pitch Bend is a “glide” (or glissato) effect which simulates the effect that certain instru-

ments can produce (trombone, guitar, violin, etc.).

Modulation is an effect which simulates the natural vibrato of such instruments as the

violin, cello, human voice, etc..

Play with Effects or bypass them

One or both effects (REVERB and CHORUS) will be active (shown by the corresponding

display indicators), according to how the current Performance is programmed (in Style or

RealTime modes).

You can temporarily modify the way in which a Performance or Style is processed by changing

the On/Off configuration of the REVERB and CHORUS panel buttons.

When the corresponding display indicator is on, the sounds of the current Performance are

being processed by the effect; when the display indicator is off, the effect is bypassed.

Bypass

1. To bypass an effect, press the corresponding panel button.

The corresponding display indicator goes off, indicating that the current Performance is

not processed by the relative effect.

To activate an effect

2. Press the corresponding panel button.

The corresponding display indicator turns on to show that the current Performance is

processed by the relative effect.

22 Reverbs (Reverb) and 22 Modulation/Delays (Chorus) are available in the WK2.

Play with headphones

• Plug a set of headphones into one of the rear panel HEADPHONES jacks.

You can play and listen in total silence over the headphones without disturbing others in

the same room by plugging into the left Headphone jack (the instrument’s speakers are

automatically excluded). Plugging into the right headphone jack does not affect the

internal speakers.

Use the Volume slider to regulate the headphone volume.

MODULATION

PITGCH BEND

12 Owner’s manual

Play with the pedals

If you have purchased the optional Generalmusic pedals (volume pedal and footswitch type

pedals), plug them into the jacks on the rear connections panel: Damper, Pedal and Vol-

ume.

The configuration of the pedals is as follows:

• Damper = Damper (sustain)

• Pedal = Switch Upper 1/2, Start/Stop, Fill<, Fill, Fill>, Intro, Ending (program-

mable)

• Volume = Master Volume or Section volume programmable)

Regulate the general Effect volumes

It is possible to regulate the general effect volumes to suit the surroundings.

Although each Performance recalls appropriate effect volume and mixer settings for each

track, a general setting can be applied to render the General Effect Volume more or less

intense with a single command.

1. Press the cursor buttons as many times as necessary until the arrowhead in the display appears

next to the “REVERB” or “CHORUS” functions in the MENU list.

2. Press the PAGE buttons repeatedly to scroll through the 22 Reverb or Chorus effects.

The General Effect Level, shown next to the selected effect, can be regulated with the

DIAL or the + and – buttons of the right hand numeric keypad.

If you store the new settings to the current Performance (with the Store Performance

command), they remain in memory (RAM) after turning off the instrument.

Transpose the instrument (Semitones)

If you are playing a difficult tune that requires the use of several black keys, or a tune that is

too high or too low for a singer or another instrument, you can transpose WK2 to play the

tune in an easier key.

The TRANSPOSE

b

/

#

buttons allow real time semitone adjustments (transpositions) of the

overall pitch (range

±

12 semitones (12 semitones = 1 octave).

1. Press either TRANSPOSE b or TRANSPOSE #.

The current status of the keyboard transposition is shown at the centre of the display for

about 3 seconds under the TRANSPOSE section in the central part of the display (00

= standard pitch).

2. Press TRANSPOSE b to lower the pitch or TRANSPOSE # to raise the pitch.

Every time you press TRANSPOSE

b

, the display shows a decrease of one semitone.

Every time you press TRANSPOSE

#

, the display shows an increase of one semitone.

Holding either button pressed changes the value continually until the maximum trans-

pose value of +12 or –12 is reached.

Clear the keyboard transpose setting

3 To clear the transpose setting, press both TRANSPOSE buttons simultaneously.

The display returns to the normal setting (00).

DAMPER

PEDAL VOLUME

PEDAL

Hall 1>

Hall 2 >I00

Hall 2 >I20

Note: Pressing both Transpose buttons at the same time

also provides a PANIC function.

TRANSPOSE

0

TRANSPOSE

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GEM WK2 Owner's manual

GEM WK2 Owner's manual

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