Can I change to the next combi by pressing specific key?

[krslae]

I have been hired to play keyboards on a Dream Theater project where we will be playing through the album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory. For me as a keyboardist, this means plowing through a lot of sounds on my Kronos 88 (and fast as well). For the moment I'm either changing sound on the screen in Set List mode, or I'm using a Korg PS-1 pedal switch to "step" through the programs and combis. I've tried with the pedal for quite a while now, but it seems I can never get used to doing it!

So my question: Is there a way (some MIDI trickery?) to build a combi so that you swtich to the next combi or prorgam by pressing one of the keys on the keyboard, for example C4? That way I can do one of these lead runs on the keyboard, and as soon as I land on C4 it immediately changes to the next program or combi (whatever comes next).

I know this is a weird question, but I hope you know what I mean Thanks!

[enigmahack]

I have been hired to play keyboards on a Dream Theater project where we will be playing through the album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory. For me as a keyboardist, this means plowing through a lot of sounds on my Kronos 88 (and fast as well). For the moment I'm either changing sound on the screen in Set List mode, or I'm using a Korg PS-1 pedal switch to "step" through the programs and combis. I've tried with the pedal for quite a while now, but it seems I can never get used to doing it!

So my question: Is there a way (some MIDI trickery?) to build a combi so that you swtich to the next combi or prorgam by pressing one of the keys on the keyboard, for example C4? That way I can do one of these lead runs on the keyboard, and as soon as I land on C4 it immediately changes to the next program or combi (whatever comes next).

I know this is a weird question, but I hope you know what I mean Thanks!

I'm a *HUGE* fan of Dream Theater, and have also played through the entirety of SFAM, so if you run into sound problems, let me know. I was/am the forum admin for the Jordan Rudess forums as well, and have been using those sounds on the Kurzweil 2600 since 2001.

I might be able to help you

Personally for this kind of thing, I would recommend setlist mode and still use the foot pedal to step through sounds. That way, you could put the entire album from beginning to end in the setlist, regardless whether it's a program or combi, and just jump from sound to sound.

What I can say is that you'll run into performance issues during a few songs such as Fatal Tragedy, Beyond this Life, and Dance of Eternity if you're trying to change sounds with a hand that has to come off the keyboard. I'd personally recommend using the pedal but I'm biased as well.

As far as assigning a switch or some other option to increment through the sounds... I personally don't see a clever way to do that from with the Combi or the Program itself.

It's more of a global option to increment through sounds, though I know that Kurzweil puts both a global option as well as an option from within a "setup" (Combi in Korg vernacular) independently.

[Derek Cook]

Hi, I am not really a DT fan, but if you need to keep both hands on the keys then a foot pedal is the best option and just practice so it become muscle memory. I use a Roland FC300 MIDI foot controller, and would be lost without it!

[krslae]

Thanks for your feedback guys, I guess I will have to get used to the footswitch in setlist mode. Having more of a jazz background I'm not used to switching rapidly between sounds like this I am currently working on Fatal Tragedy, and yes there will be a lot of sounds to play through.

Since you're familar with DT and SFAM specifically, I may ask you this. Is it worth purchasing sound packs that I can import to the Kronos? I'm running into issues when trying to replicate specific sounds and I know there are very specific sound packs such as <a href='https://synthonia.com/marketplace/korg- ... l'>this</a> or <a href='https://www.synthonia.com/marketplace/k ... l'>this</a>. I don't know much abot them though, do they sound good and how complete are they?

[enigmahack]

Thanks for your feedback guys, I guess I will have to get used to the footswitch in setlist mode. Having more of a jazz background I'm not used to switching rapidly between sounds like this I am currently working on Fatal Tragedy, and yes there will be a lot of sounds to play through.

Since you're familar with DT and SFAM specifically, I may ask you this. Is it worth purchasing sound packs that I can import to the Kronos? I'm running into issues when trying to replicate specific sounds and I know there are very specific sound packs such as <a href='https://synthonia.com/marketplace/korg- ... l'>this</a> or <a href='https://www.synthonia.com/marketplace/k ... l'>this</a>. I don't know much abot them though, do they sound good and how complete are they?

There's a couple of perspectives here:

Some of the sounds are hit or miss. Some are 'kindof' close meaning the layman wouldn't be able to tell that it's wrong, just that something isn't totally quite right. SFAM was done almost completely on a Kurzweil 2600 in terms of programming so the fundamentals are going to be completely different.

Some of the samples they're using are ripped from the album or isolate tracks which is a pretty significant copyright issue.

The vocal parts that they used to fill in for "Regression" and such are terrible. There's a BUNCH of sounds that are bad, just very very bad and aren't even close to the album. The Fatal Tragedy 3'rd section is a prime example.

With all of that being said... do you have the time to learn to program everything? If not, this sound pack might be what you need to at least get you through the evening/performances but I would try and swap out the sounds that aren't good as soon as possible.


So... it's up to you. I personally wouldn't touch it, and would program everything myself and spend the time to get it way more authentic to the album. The sitar sound for home is a prime example of something that's just garbage. If you listen to the actual one used by Jordan, it's part of the electric sitar collection by I THINK Spectrasonics. I know it's electric sitar #2 for what that's worth.

Then the other consideration you need to look at is the performance aspect of things. Physically where on the keyboard everything is - it might not be as comfortable for you as it would be elsewhere if you did your own.

And finally, the last of my ramblings: You have no idea how this is going to play live. I don't know the quality of their programming, if the sounds/eq's are balanced or of they just tried to get the sounds together for some sort of sound package. If the quality of their sounds compared to the original are any indication of the quality... I'm willing to bet probably not so much.

Just my thoughts. Again it's a matter of time and so on. What do you have more of? Money or time?

**Ninja edit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbhCIeYannY

This dude is using a Kronos 73, but he's using the Omnisphere engine to trigger their Spectrasonics Sitar sample... Guess which sample pack that came from?

[krslae]

Thanks for your thorough answer!

Tracks ripped straight from the album is not the best way about it, for obvious reasons (I agree)! One place this could be tempting is the first note on Overture 1928 (very iconic and signature), but I'd rather make it myself based on internal programs (if I can ever manage to get that signature sound). I know I don't have time to get the sounds down pat to rehearsals, but I have some months before gigs so it shouldn't be a problem! I know Kronos has the potential to get everything right, but I don't know my own limitations yet

I know Rudess uses a lot of Spectrasonics sounds (Omnisphere in particular) for studio work, but I don't know if he uses the same sounds live.

I think I'll stay away from any sound packs for now, thanks for your honest answer! I know that with enough time I'd be able to make all the sounds good enough!

[enigmahack]

Thanks for your thorough answer!

Tracks ripped straight from the album is not the best way about it, for obvious reasons (I agree)! One place this could be tempting is the first note on Overture 1928 (very iconic and signature), but I'd rather make it myself based on internal programs (if I can ever manage to get that signature sound). I know I don't have time to get the sounds down pat to rehearsals, but I have some months before gigs so it shouldn't be a problem! I know Kronos has the potential to get everything right, but I don't know my own limitations yet

I know Rudess uses a lot of Spectrasonics sounds (Omnisphere in particular) for studio work, but I don't know if he uses the same sounds live.

I think I'll stay away from any sound packs for now, thanks for your honest answer! I know that with enough time I'd be able to make all the sounds good enough!

No problem at all.

If you get stuck making sounds, let me know - I know some of them can be hard to hear what's going on, but I have a bunch of isolated keyboard tracks and such, and should be able to help you pointing in the right direction.

Also, if you get REALLY suck, I also work as a for-hire programmer for the Kronos too. Either way, just let me know and I'll be able to assist you in figuring out the sounds, programs/layouts, effect and anything else you get stuck on with SFAM.

Email me at (dave.champagne and the number 1 at gmail.com)

[Phinnin]

Do what Swimmy Does: (footswitch). She's good:

https://youtu.be/iqU3uMCG8EA