The illustrations depicting the LED display in this manual may differ from the appearance on your LED display, and are for instructional purposes only.
Please always turn the power off when the unit is not in use. The operating system of PLUGSTATION is flashrom upgradeable, and thus may have enhancements or minor modifications not listed in this manual. Please visit the KENTON website for the very latest information relating to PLUGSTATION. http://www.kenton.co.
Contents Introduction Special notes Package contents and other items Familiarising yourself with the PLUGSTATION Installation and setup of PLG cards Installation of the X, Y and Z boards. Front Panel editing Use with the SW1000XG Using as a stand alone Modular synth hosting system Notes on MSB, LSB and SYSEX Technical support and contact info.
Introduction Thank you very much for purchasing the KENTON PLUGSTATION. In this package you will find a fantastic hardware solution for supporting up to four of Yamaha's PLG series Modular Synthesis Plug in system (MSPS) cards (PLG100 and 150 series) both as a stand-alone module (with the optional Y - board fitted) and also with the Yamaha SW1000XG.
Special Notes • The KENTON PLUGSTATION hardware and this owner's manual are exclusive copyrights of KENTON Electronics. KENTON acknowledge all third party product copyrights. • Copying or reproduction of this manual in whole or in part by any means is expressly forbidden without the written consent of the manufacturer.
KENTON ELECTRONICS CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY IMPROPER CARE AND USE OF THE PLUGSTATION SYSTEM.
Package Contents and Other Items Before using your new PLUGSTATION, check that all the items below are included in the package. In the rare case that some item is missing, contact the store where you purchased your PLUGSTATION as soon as possible.
To install and use the software that accompanies your SW1000XG package, at least 20 MB of hard disk space is required. CD-ROM Drive: All the software that came with your sound card is included on the supplied CD-ROM that accompanies the SW1000XG card. PCI Expansion Slot: To install the sound card, an empty PCI slot is required. Please also ensure that sufficient space is left between adjacent cards to accommodate the KENTON X board PLG card, and ribbon cable connection to the D-SUB front plate.
Familiarising yourself with the PLUGSTATION. This section will provide a brief overview of the KENTON PLUGSTATION front and rear panels and facilities. THE FRONT PANEL OF THE KENTON PLUGSTATION DIAGRAM 1: THE FRONT PANEL OF THE KENTON PLUGSTATION The front panel of the KENTON PLUGSTATION is relatively simple. It features the main DATA ENTRY rotary control knob, which works also as a push button control for switching between menu options, and for entering deeper levels of editing within the unit.
expander when used with the SW1000XG. If PLG cards are found, the display will then attempt to auto detect any optional boards that may be fitted, such as the Y-BOARD, or Z-BOARD. The letters corresponding to each board that is fitted or connected will flash on screen whilst this process is taking place. Once the boot sequence is complete then you can begin to start to use PLUGSTATION. To explain what is happening during the boot sequence, we will now take you through the procedure on start up.
DIAGRAM 3: MIDI DATA ACTIVITY MONITOR If you have MIDI devices connected to the PLUGSTATION or the SW1000XG card correctly connected and are sending MIDI data, the MIDI RECEIVE segment should light up. If not please ensure your connections are correct (outlined in the section relating to installation), and that your cables (MIDI or SW1000XG connector) are firmly attached.
DIAGRAM 5: NO PLG CARD FOUND IN SLOT 2 NOTE: THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLG100 AND 150 SERIES CARDS IS MEMORY BUFFER LOCATIONS ON THE 150 SERIES, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOME OF THE YAMAHA PROFESSIONAL SYNTHESISERS SUCH AS THE CS6X AND MOTIF. THESE DIFFERENCES DO NOT APPLY WHEN USING WITH PLUGSTATION, SO IF YOU HAVE A 100 SERIES CARD, AND THINK THAT YOU NEED TO UPDATE IT TO A 150 SERIES TO GET IT TO WORK, THEN YOU ARE MISTAKEN. ANY 100 SERIES CARD WILL WORK FINE WITH PLUGSTATION.
VAL – This is the value section. It is here where you enter data values that correspond to the parameter that you are editing. If we press the DATA ENTRY button quickly again, we drop to this level, and the white dot is now shown underneath the VAL line. Values can be numerical or sometimes text (such as ON or OFF in the memory SHLD menu). Values can range from 0-127 or lower (for example MIDI channel range is 1-16).
NOTE: THE 44.1K LIMIT IS A RESTRICTION OF THE SW1000XG WORDCLOCK STANDARD, WHICH HAS TO BE FED TO THE FITTED PLG CARDS. SW1000XG OWNERS WILL ALREADY BE FAMILIAR WITH THIS.
Installation and Setup of Yamaha PLG (also known as MSPS) cards. Yamaha PLG100 and 150 series cards feature a unique Yamaha interface system. These systems offer powerful expansion and upgrade capabilities for not only the KENTON PLUGSTATION but also a wide range of Yamaha synthesizers and tone modules.
the only PLG hosting device that supports up to 8 discrete digital audio channels over the industry standard ADAT format. Fitting PLG cards is a relatively easy operation, which we will discuss now. To begin fitting a PLG series card to the PLUGSTATION, first we recommend that you turn off the power to PLUGSTATION and remove all connecting plugs (such as ADAT, audio and power cable).
The brackets are arranged to allow two cards at each level, one towards the front and one towards the rear. Correctly fitting the cards is quite a delicate operation, but once installed, you should not have to remove or tamper with cards again. (See diagram 11) DIAGRAM 11: FITTING PLG CARDS When you have attached and fitted each card correctly, you may replace the back cover with the attachment screws, and reconnect all power and audio cables to the PLUGSTATION.
This display will only flash for a brief time before the display will drop the one similar to diagram 2.
Installation of the X, Y and Z boards This is an operation, which requires some level of technical knowledge especially in the case of the Y and Z boards. If you are at all unsure about fitting the optional Y and Z boards to PLUGSTATION then please contact KENTON Electronics or a qualified service engineer to assist you. You can find the contact details for KENTON towards the back of this manual.
DIAGRAM 13: A FITTED Y-BOARD The 34-way ribbon cable supplied should now be connected (checking that you have it correctly orientated) between the 34-way connector on the Y-BOARD and the 34-way connector on the main PCB of PLUGSTATION, found on the right side (as you are looking down on the unit with the front of PLUGSTATION facing towards you) The connectors are marked as K1 and K2 respectively.
DIAGRAM 14: Z AND Y BOARDS FITTED TO PLUGSTATION Once fitted, you should re-attached the top case with the screws, re-fit the DATA entry knob (ensuring that you also replace the felt washer), and after checking all is secure, re-connect all of your audio/power and MIDI cables.
DIAGRAM 15: INSERTING THE SW1000XG WITH X BOARD DIAGRAM 16: THE X-BOARD IN CLOSE UP Using the plastic spacers supplied with your PLG cards, carefully attach the KENTON X-BOARD to the side of the SW1000XG, and then attach the PLG interface cable from the SW1000XG PLG interface slot to the interface connector on the KENTON X-BOARD. DIAGRAM 17: X-BOARD FITTED TO SW1000XG Now, being careful to check the orientation, connect the KENTON D-SUB plate connector to the D-SUB connector on the KENTON X-BOARD.
DIAGRAM 18: RIBBON CABLE AND BACKPLATE IN PLACE FOR X-BOARD If you do not have the Y-BOARD or Z-BOARD options fitted to your PLUGSTATION then this is basically all you need to do. (Unless you have the Z-board fitted to PLUGSTATION). Refit your SW1000XG to your PC, and attached the D-SUB backplate to a free backplate slot on your PC, making sure you screw it firmly in place. What is now left for you to connect is the 1.
DIAGRAM 19: CONNECTING THE SERIAL PORT FROM SW1000XG TO THE X-BOARD SERIAL INPUT If you are also using the SW1000XG in conjunction with the Yamaha DS2416 (DSP FACTORY) card, and wish to continue using the interconnect between the SW1000XG and DS2416 card, then you should connect the S THRU connector (Serial thru) to the Serial input connector on the DS2416 as below.
In a typical digital audio system, one device acts as the wordclock master and the other devices act as wordclock slaves, synchronizing to the wordclock master. If the SW1000XG is the only digital audio device in your system, no special wordclock settings are required, as the SW1000XG synchronizes to its own internal wordclock. The SW1000XG card not having a digital input port will always act as a wordclock master running from its internal clock source.
DIAGRAM 20: CONNECTING THE SERIAL THRU TO THE DS2416 CARD The following diagram shows the routing, which a typical system will provide. The routing diagram below features the PLUGSTATION, SW1000XG and DS2416 card. DIAGRAM 21: A TYPICAL CONNECTION FLOWCHART The routing shown here in diagram 21 is only the signal routing OUT of the SW1000XG, and to the PLUGSTATION and DS2416.
USE WITH THE SW1000XG section. However below is just an example of a typical setup with the SW1000XG card. Additional routing options and diagrams are to be found in the “Use with the SW1000XG” chapter, which also covers extra and more complex set-ups with the Yamaha AX16-AT card. NOTE: PLUGSTATION IS INTENDED AS AN EXPANSION UNIT FOR THE SW1000XG, IT IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE WITH DS2416 ON ITS OWN.
HEAT SINK TO THE SW1000XG ON TOP OF A REGULATOR LOCATED TOWARDS THE TOP EDGE OF THE CARD. THE LETTER P APPEARING DENOTED YAMAHA’S MODIFICATION ON THE PRODUCT BOX, AND ALSO ON THE BACK PLATE OF THE CARD (SW1000XG /P). THIS MODIFICATION IS NOT ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED FOR YOU TO USE THE SW1000XG WITH THE KENTON PLUGSTATION BUT IS ADVISABLE ANYWAY. THE HEAT SINK IS AVAILABLE (IF YOU DO NOT HAVE IT ALREADY) FREE OF CHARGE FROM ANY YAMAHA SUBSIDIARY. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT KENTON REGARDING THIS.
Front panel editing The original concept behind the PLUGSTATION was one of a “faceless box”. Designed initially only for use with the SW1000XG it quickly became apparent that offering a limited amount of front panel control, and editing would greatly enhance its appeal. Now, setups could be made and stored in the 64 memory locations, and used for example in a live situation with a keyboard sending program changes out to PLUGSTATION, and calling up various setups.
DATA FILER or computer to record the SYSEX data being sent out). This option is in a different level and will be covered later in this section. The STATUS level as we say, quickly allows you to see some other main parameters for PLUGSTATION, For example, to view the performance memory location (one of 64 memory locations where you can store your PLG card offset parameters, routing and output levels),just use the DATA ENTRY knob clockwise to scroll to the next page from MIDI STATUS menu.
As we said, scrolling the DATA ENTRY knob anti-clockwise from the performance data entry LED menu, will take us back to the MIDI STATUS screen. However, if we now scroll clockwise past the PERFORMANCE DATA ENTRY menu, we can then see the WORDCLOCK source menu. If the optional X-BOARD is fitted to the SW1000XG, and the SW1000XG is working properly, then the wordclock master source will read EXT (External Wordclock).
Note that the small DOT LED is now underneath the CARD label. If we now go into the editing for this card by using a short press on the DATA ENTRY knob, the DOT LED will move to the PARA label, indicating that we are now at PARAMETER level. The editing commands for each PLG card at PARA level are as follows. NOTE: REPEATED PRESSES (SHORT PRESS) ON THE DATA ENTRY KNOB WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH THE VARIOUS PARAMETER OPTIONS, ALTERNATING BETWEEN THE PARAMETER AND THE VALUE IN STEP SEQUENCE ORDER.
PROG – This indicates PROGRAM CHANGE. As with all parameters in this section, pressing once more on the DATA ENTRY knob when this is on screen brings you to the value (VAL) level indicated by the DOT LED moving to be located underneath the VAL label. The value range for this option is 0-127. This is the standard MIDI range for program change messages. This mode accesses the programs in specific banks as defined by the factory voice lists found in the Yamaha PLG card manuals.
PLUGSTATION HAS NO ANALOGUE INPUT STAGE AS THIS WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE MASTER WORDCLOCK BEING SENT FROM THE SW1000XG, AND IN STAND ALONE MODE WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL FROM THE FRONT PANEL. SVOL – This is the INDIVIDUAL PLG CARD BACK TO SW1000XG RETURN PATH VOLUME (PLG card level being sent back via the 44-WAY D-SUB connector to the SW1000XG). This parameter only applies if you are connecting the PLUGSTATION to the SW1000XG via the 44-way D-SUB connector and the XBOARD.
THESE COMMANDS CAN BE SYSEX CONTROLLED, WITH THE SYSEX FOR EACH LEVEL LISTED (ALONG WITH SYSEX FOR ALL OTHER PLUGSTATION PARAMETERS) AT THE BACK OF THIS MANUAL. SPECIFIC PLUGSTATION SUPPORT SOFTWARE SUCH AS XGPAD (WWW.XGPAD.COM) CAN SUPPORT THESE PARAMETERS, AND IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED THAT YOU DOWNLOAD THIS SOFTWARE (OR OTHER SUITABLE APPLICATIONS ON RELEASE) TO SUPPORT CONTROL OF PLG CARD VOLUMES IN PLUGSTATION.
YOPS – THIS IS THE Y-BOARD INDIVIDUAL OUTPUT SELECT OPTION. This parameter is again only effective if you have the optional Y-BOARD fitted to the PLUGSTATION. The parameter allows you to assign each PLG card to a pair of individual outputs on the back of PLUGSTATION. This is useful if you wish to combine the sounds of 2 PLG cards through your mixer, and treat them with the same EQ or effects settings on your external mixer.
PART – Here the part number (which normally corresponds to the MIDI channel) can be set. This is primarily a part assignment function for the SW1000XG part that is being replaced by a PLG card. It can also be used to assign two of the same card to different part numbers (for example 2 PLG150AN cards) to send different data to each.
NOTE: SETTING UP PARAMETERS SUCH AS POLY OVERFLOW MODE FOR THE VL CARD CAN ONLY BE DONE FROM SOFTWARE SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE COMMANDS. FUTURE SOFTWARE EDITORS FOR PLUGSTATION AND PLG CARDS MAY SUPPORT THIS FEATURE. THE PLG150AN CARD SUPPORTS A DIFFERENT METHOD OF VOICE MORPHING TO THE AN1X SYNTHESIZER, AND AS SUCH TWO PLG150AN CARDS CANNOT BE SET UP TO MORPH BETWEEN EACH OTHER USING PLUGSTATION OR INDEED ANY YAMAHA PLG HOSTING DEVICE. P_ID – PLG CARD ID.
nor does it respond over MIDI to avoid confusion with the YVOL or SVOL commands. The controller value range is from 0-127. Also to avoid confusion controllers 32 and 0 are disabled from this menu, this avoids unwanted bank select messages being accidentally sent from here. CVAL – CONTROLLER VALUE. This is the value of the controller data you have just selected. For example, if you have selected controller 74, you can adjust the brightness of a PLG instrument sound.
This is the GLOBAL parameter menu. Pressing the data entry knob for a short press on this item will take you to the main GLOBAL parameters for PLUGSTATION. SVOL – THIS IS THE GLOBAL SW1000XG RETURN PATH VOLUME. Here we can control the master return level volume for the SW1000XG connector (this only applies if you are using the PLUGSTATION in conjunction with the SW1000XG and X-BOARD).
SHLD – SW1000XG HOLD. This menu option allows you to set the PLUGSTATION to wait for SW1000XG wordclock signals if connected on power up. Basically to help PLUGSTATION correctly set its wordclock before startup. If this option is enabled/ON (as it is by default) it will wait on power up until you either press the DATA ENTRY knob to bypass the wordclock wait state and drop to stand alone mode, or will wait until it receives a sync signal from the SW1000XG. The value range for this is ON or OFF.
ZSOP – Z BOARD SW1000XG OUTPUT LEVEL MENU This controls the SW1000XG main output level from the Z-BOARD which defaults to output 1-2 within this menu set. By default the SW1000XG with the ZBOARD fitted will send all of its audio and MIDI parts to the stereo output on the front of SW1000XG, and also to the serial output 1&2 ports on the Serial out connector found on SW1000XG. This when connected to the PLUGSTATION will correspond to the 1&2 outputs found on the Y-BOARD.
SOPS – SW1000XG Output Select. IF the Z-board is fitted this will enable you to select which output the main SW1000XG parts (audio and MIDI) default to. This can be overridden or reset using suitable editing software such as XGPAD, XGEDIT or XGWORKS. Software such as XGEDIT allows you to set up the routing for individual parts (Audio or SW1000 SYNTH) easily by selecting the individual output options (This is covered in great detail in the SW1000XG Advanced Owners Guide which is free from xgfactory.
Pressing the DATA ENTRY button for 2 seconds again will return you to the CARD parameter level. Scrolling clockwise on the DATA ENTRY knob will then take you to the final CARD level menu option. PRGS – PROGRAM STORAGE – This parameter menu option is where PLUGSTATION stores loads and dumps its performance/global memory data. NOTE: YOU CAN SELECT PERFORMANCE MEMORIES FROM THE TOP LEVEL MENU OPTION OR VIA MIDI.
DUNP – SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE DUMP – Stores to external MIDI recorders such as the Yamaha MDF3, or a computer with a suitable MIDI interface fitted all of the settings for each program or GLOBAL parameters. For this to function you should connect a suitable MIDI cable to the MIDI OUT on PLUGSTATION and then to the MIDI IN of the device you are bulking to, as the data cannot be sent back over the SW1000XG 44WAY-DSUB connector.
NOTE 1: SENDING SYSEX SETUPS BACK TO PLUGSTATION IS AS SIMPLE AS JUST LOADING A STORED BULK DUMP MIDI FILE INTO AN APPROPRIATE SEQUENCER, (REMEMBERING TO RUN QUANTISE AND ANY OTHER COMMAND THAT MAY AFFECT THE MIDI STREAM TO OFF), AND PRESSING PLAY. WHEN PLUGSTATION STARTS TO RECEIVE A SYSEX DUMP, THE SCREEN WILL FLICKER INDICATING THAT A BULK DUMP IS COMING IN. WHILST THIS IS HAPPENING YOU SHOULD NOT TOUCH NOR MAKE ANY OTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO PLUGSTATION.
STOR – Stores a global or performance setup to one of 64 locations or stores the GLOBAL settings made (such as YOPL levels for example) (VALUE RANGE 1-64 & GLOBAL). Global will store the current global settings for the unit. NOTE: HOLDING DOWN THE DATA ENTRY BUTTON IN THIS MENU FOR 2 SECONDS WILL DROP THE SCREEN TO THE MAIN STATUS PAGE, BE CAREFUL NOT TO PRESS FOR TOO LONG ON THE STORE PAGE AS THIS WILL HAPPEN AND MAY BE CONFUSING.
KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 48
Use with the SW1000XG Using PLUGSTATION with the SW1000XG offers unprecedented possibilities and routing configurations, and also offers unparalleled audio quality for the SW1000XG card when used with the Z board. This section of the manual will cover some of the possibilities. At the time of writing the first edition of the PLUGSTATION manual, specific software support for PLUGSTATION (www.xgpad.com) was under development. Please check back to the KENTON website and also the Yamaha XGFACTORY.
In this diagram we see that the ADAT output of PLUGSTATION is connected to the ADAT input of a digital mixer, the analogue outputs are also connected to the analogue inputs of the mixer (the same audio is sent from both the ADAT and the analogue ports of PLUGSTATION). The MIDI out of SW1000XG is connected to the MIDI input of the PLUGSTATION, whilst the SPDIF or analogue outputs of the SW1000XG are then also connected to either an SPDIF input or analogue inputs of the same mixer (on different channels).
CHANNEL 1 (TRACK 1) in your sequencer – SW1000XG MIDI OUT (This is being sent to the PLUGSTATION slot 1 if the channel is still set to MIDI channel 1 on PLUGSTATION) – Then select appropriate SYSEX and BANK select MSB & LSB messages to call up a PLG150DX part CHANNEL 2 (TRACK2) in your sequencer - SW1000XG MIDI OUT (This is being sent to the PLUGSTATION slot 2 if set to channel 2 on PLUGSTATION) – Then select appropriate SYSEX, and BANK select MSB & LSB messages to select a PLG150VL part CHANNEL 3(TRACK 3)
In other respects the control is similar to the stand-alone mode control in option 1 (apart from the individual outputs on the PLUGSTATION). In this case, the SW1000XG audio outputs are also (as they would if just one PLG card was fitted) outputting the PLG cards mixed by PLUGSTATION. The only other point of note is that control of the PLG cards (in terms of MIDI program changes and parameter changes) can be done either via the D-SUB connector or from the MIDI IN port.
send the PLG cards out of individual analogue or ADAT optical output ports to a suitable mixing desk. It is good practice not to try and send to both at the same time, as you can get undesired effects such as doubling of sounds, or phasing (the phase offset is minimal but measurable) as you will be sending the same board both out of an ultra clean 24-bit analogue or ADAT port on PLUGSTATION, and also back through the SW1000XG mixer and DSP, and then out of its outputs (analogue or SPDIF).
your own effects processing or EQ via a suitable mixing desk (or by routing it to the DS2416 and AX16AT as shown later). The net result of not fitting the Y-BOARD is that, signals coming back to the SW1000XG from the PLG cards that you may wish to add effects to will result in effects applied to any one board, being applied to all boards and with the same send amounts. This may be okay for some applications, as suitable effects such as Chorus and Reverb can work well on multiple instruments.
PLUGSTATION. This means that you can have 16 discrete channels coming in to the DS2416 mixer (8 from SW1000XG MIDI and Audio on SUB 1-8 of your DS2416 mixer software, and 8 from the PLUGSTATION coming in to your IOA or B inputs from the AX16AT) Pretty amazing isn’t it? You can then still send whatever you wish out of whichever buss of the DS2416 to record your mix of cards, and also send that out via the AX16AT ADAT outs to further mixing or processing on your mixing desk.
PLUGSTATION (In this case the control software you use for SW1000XG would have one of the ports set up to SW1000 MIDI OUT to control the PLUGSTATION parts). The D-SUB would however be required if a PLG100VH was part of this system. 2: The ADAT out of PLUGSTATION (8 channels) is being sent to the AX16AT card ADAT input A, which is then being fed to 8 channels of the DS2416 (set up using appropriate software).
Using as a stand alone modular synth hosting system Now that you have been blown away by the incredible routing and flexibility of what the PLUGSTATION can offer in terms of an expander for the SW1000XG, it is time to move on to what it can offer as a unique modular digital synth hosting device. PLUGSTATION is also one of the first devices, which can act as a modular digital synthesiser.
Now press the DATA ENTRY button again to enter the PLG editing mode, and the screen will display, in order, the MSB, LSB and PROGRAM change needed to correctly call up a sound. To select sounds in a specific bank, you must send a BANK SELECT MSB AND LSB message to the board of your choice first.
You should now be able to hear the sound that is in location 40 of the board you have selected (make sure that a sound exists in the bank MSB, LSB and program location or you will hear nothing!) But how do you get to know which sound is in which location? This is covered in greater detail in the section entitled “Notes on MSB and LSB messages, and how to read the MIDI spec of Yamaha PLG cards” It requires a certain level of understanding of bank messages, as PLUGSTATION is trying to do something which no ot
assigning more than one board to the same output, it is advisable not to set the level to full, as this may result in distortion as the outputs from more than 1 board “summates” and increases the overall output level. The next menu item that is displayed is YBAL, this is the PANNING from Left to Right on the outputs you have selected.
layered a PLG150AN, and PLG150PF card both on channel 1, and you adjust controller 74 for either board, you will find that the controller value will adjust the brightness of both cards at the same time. If you wish to avoid this, then the way to layer sounds will depend on your controller keyboard. Most controller keyboards allow zoning and layering of multiple parts.
Or connection via analogue outputs to the analogue inputs on your mixer These connection diagrams are equally as valid for audio connectivity when using PLUGSTATION in conjunction with the SW1000XG. (Please refer to the “Use with the SW1000XG” section of this manual for more information. Regarding the use of effects. Yamaha hosting devices have different effects for different units (for example the Motif synthesiser effects are different to those found on the MU100R).
1-2 channels, and perhaps leave channels 9-10 relatively dry, and perhaps if your mixer allows, a delay offset to thicken up the sound. USE WITH A HARDWARE SEQUENCER OR CONTROLLER DEVICE (SUCH AS THE KENTON CONTROL FREAK) PLUGSTATION as stand alone tone module host, may also be used with hardware (or indeed software) sequencer applications. You do not have to own an SW1000XG for this to work.
Breath control of the PLG100 and 150VL cards: Whilst the PLUGSTATION like many of the Yamaha PLG hosting devices has no dedicated breath control input, any keyboard that does have a breath control input can act perfectly well with PLUGSTATION over MIDI.
Notes on MSB, LSB and SYSEX The mysteries surrounding MIDI in general normally put people off getting into the heart of what their synth is capable of. In these days of simple to use computer software, we sometimes forget that under the hood so to speak there is a lot going on, and this section aims to show you that it is not all techno “mumbo jumbo”, and that once you get used to it, MIDI programming and understanding the data can be very rewarding.
And as you can see PugOrgn1 is in bank Select MSB 99, LSB 0 and program location 21. So using this information you should be able to access any voice from any PLG card with ease. To be honest though, using a suitable software application such as XGWORKS or XGEDIT may prove to be easier when getting at the sounds.
Okay to do this we would send BANK SELECT MSB = 80 BANK SELECT LSB = 65 Program Change = 7 Very simple when you know how! So now armed with this you should be able to enter and select any voice on any PLG card from the front panel of PLUGSTATION with ease. It is worthwhile keeping your Yamaha PLG manuals to hand to remember which voices are in which location, and also using the performance table in the back of this manual to note down the voices, and board types in each slot.
Before we go into some typed examples we will try to explain the fundamentals of SYSEX data. SYSEX is a way of talking to a PLG card or indeed any MIDI device at one of its most basic levels. The PLG cards and PLUGSTATION are computers, and to talk to a computer you need to learn how to program it. As with computers, application packages are designed to help make things easier to use, and the excellent XGEDIT by Gary Gregson, is one such program that makes things very much easier.
So when you go plugging through the DATA LIST manual for the PLG cards and start to go cross eyed with the barrage of numbers being thrown at you, it’s ok. If you remember the key points that almost every Yamaha PLG unit responds to F0 43 10 ………..ended by F7, and that the bits in the middle can be found in the user manual for every parameter, then your life with SYSEX will be so much more fulfilling.
Technical Support and contact info. Technical support of the KENTON PLUGSTATION is via KENTON Electronics. If you have any questions relating to the firmware, operating system or operation of this product, please contact KENTON via the following methods. KENTON Electronics website will also provide all firmware updates for the PLUGSTATION unit. Firmware updates come in the form of a MIDI file.
Troubleshooting and faq This section is intended to answer the most common questions about PLUGSTATION, and also to provide some important information relating to its master settings, how to run diagnostics, and updating the operating system. Users should proceed with caution on the master settings menu, as this menu is not intended for every day use, but to help KENTON with technical support and troubleshooting. COMMON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. I can hear no sound from the PLG card, what is wrong? A.
The PLG cards as mentioned in many cases do not have effects processing on board. This means that standard XG effects busses such as Chorus, Reverb and Variation, do not work with PLG card outputs coming from the PLUGSTATION Y-BOARD outs. The limitation of the PLG standard, and the SW1000XG interface (being only 2 channels) means that all boards coming back through the SW1000XG will have the same effects applied to them, with the same amount of effect.
A. This is a function, which is only possible via software control. You can adjust programs and basic controllers for each board individually from the front panel, but SYSEX level editing requires specialist software. You will also need to adjust the product ID for each unit if you want to have discrete editing, this is covered in the PLG user manuals, and also can be set from the front panel of PLUGSTATION. Q. Why does performance change take a few seconds to work? A.
If you press the DATA ENTRY button on this screen it will restore the factory default settings of PLUGSTATION and clear all PRGS (performance mode) memories. So as we say PROCEED WITH CAUTION. If you wish to restore the defaults, maybe you should first back up any settings to a suitable MIDI data filer or SYSEX recorder/computer. This is covered in the front panel editing section.
Pressing the DATA ENTRY button on this page, will as we have said show a 4-digit number which is your software revision. The next menu item is LDOS (Load Operating System). This option is to be used with the special OS revision update MIDI files which will be posted on the KENTON website, or will be available on request from KENTON for people without Internet access. This menu will put the PLUGSTATION into a RECEIVE READY mode until the OS dump is sent from an appropriate MIDI DATA filer or Computer.
Useful controllers Below is a useful list of controllers which can be applied to the PLG series synthesiser cards (PLG150DX, AN, VL, PF, XG and PLG100VL,DX) These controllers can be entered from the front panel, and allow some control over the sounds being produced by each PLG card.
The MIDI specification is designed to assist end users who wish to write support software, mixer maps, VST scripts, Logic Environment pages and SONAR panels for PLUGSTATION. Please feel free to use the data in this section to assist you. This MIDI spec is subject to change over time, as new features or adjustments may be made to PLUGSTATION to improve functionality. Newer versions of the spec will be posted to the KENTON website.
Operating system update message Byte valid range description F0h 00h 20h 13h 0Ah dev_num 7Fh - ONLY start sysex KE ID byte #1 KE ID byte #2 KE ID byte #3 product ID device number adr_hi adr_lo 7Fh 7Fh o/s update o/s update len_lsb len_isb len_msb 00-7Fh 00-7Fh 00-03h varies varies varies data … data packed so 7 x 8bit bytes sent as 8 x 7bit bytes first byte (of a group of 8) contains msbs of the following 7 bytes c_sum F7h calculated on packed data only - addition of c_sum produces zero end o
BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE PROG_1+2 000 PROG_1+3 000 ;3 ;default (overwritten) ;4 ;default (overwritten) BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE SVOL_1+0 127 SVOL_1+1 127 SVOL_1+2 127 SVOL_1+3 127 ;plg1 vol to sw1k ;default ;2 ;default ;3 ;default ;4 ;default BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE SBAL_1+0 064 SBAL_1+1 064 SBAL_1+2 064 SBAL_1+3 064 ;plg1 balance to sw1k ;default ;2 ;default ;3 ;default ;4 ;default BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE YVOL_1+0 127 YVOL_1+1 127 YVOL_1+2 127 YVOL_1+3 12
BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE 0 CHAN_1+1 1 CHAN_1+2 2 CHAN_1+3 3 BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE CRDI_1+0 0 CRDI_1+1 0 CRDI_1+2 0 CRDI_1+3 0 BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE CNTN_1+0 074 CNTN_1+1 074 CNTN_1+2 074 CNTN_1+3 074 ;plg1 controller number BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE EEPTBX CNTV_1+0 100 CNTV_1+1 100 CNTV_1+2 100 CNTV_1+3 100 ;plg1 controller value ;2 ;3 ;4 ;plg1 card id ;2 ;3 ;4 ;2 ;3 ;4 ;2 ;3 ;4 ;END ADDRESS ;52 ITEMS ABOVE = 13 x 4 ;the above are sto
BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE EEZTAB BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE BYTE EEGTBX YOPL_1+4 127 YOPL_1+5 127 YOPL_1+6 127 YOPL_1+7 127 ZSFVOL 0 ZSFBAL 64 ZSFRTG 0 ;5 ;6 ;7 ;8 ;sw1000 stereo retn from dspf conn volume ;default ;sw1000 stereo retn from dspf conn balance ;sw1000 stereo retn from dspf conn rt to grp ;END ADDRESS KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 81
Here is a handy performance memory table, please use it to log down your settings for each board and feel free to photocopy it for your own use. To use it, fill in the board type in the SLOT X (Slot Number) column (for example next to SLOT 1 write DX for the PLG150DX) and then for each row with a performance number fill in the program MSB, LSB, PROG NUMBER and OUTPUT.
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 83
44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 KENTON PLUGSTATION USERS MANUAL 84
Basic Specification PLUGSTATION Main Unit Dimensions: 483mm x 44mm x 200mm Weight (Unloaded): 3KG Display: 4 way 7 segment LED display Motorola M56364 DSP 4 Yamaha PLG specification interface connectors with ferrite core shielding. Power Supply 7V, 2.1A (Universal Figure of 8 adapter, cable as per your country of origin) Operating Temperature: 0C to +35C Front Panel Controls Power ON/OFF, DATA ENTRY ROTARY ENCODER with push response Rear Panel SW1000XG 44-WAY D-SUB inter connector 7V DC Input 2.
Recommended website links KENTON are not responsible for the links to sites other than the actual KENTON website, these are links that we suggest you may find useful when using this product. www.KENTON.co.uk - KENTON Electronics website www.xgfactory.com - Official Yamaha SW1000XG support website www.yamahasynth.com - Official Yamaha website for PLG and MSPS cards www.xgpad.com - Editor suitable and recommended for use with PLUGSTATION www.yme.co.uk/yme - Gary Gregsons website.
QUICK GUIDE TO PLUGSTATION COMMANDS: STATUS LEVEL P-XX – (XX is a number between 1-64) : This indicates a Performance value for the Plugstation Performance memory selector EXT – Indicates that Plugstation is running from an external wordclock INT – Indicates that Plugstation is running from an internal wordclock CARD EDIT LEVEL BNTH– Bank select MSB. Allows you to select a Bank MSB message for a specific PLG card BNTL– Bank Select LSB.
P-ID – Selects the PLG ID number for cards (should only be used if multiple cards of the same type are used) CCNO – Selects the controller number being edited for each PLG card CVAL – Sets the amount of the previously selected controller number GLOBAL LEVEL SVOL – Sets the Global SW1000XG return volume for all 4 cards D-NO – Sets the Global Plugstation device number MCH- Sets the Global Midi channel for control of Plugstation SHLD – Sets the SW1000XG wordclock detection “Hold” mechanism on startup YOPL LE
