This narrow strip of controls is along the top center area of the Matrix-12's front panel consists of 14 multi-function switches used to perform a variety of functions when using modulation in programming patches. These buttons are used to...
... select any one of the Matrix-12's 27 sources of modulation that are used to affect the sound of a SINGLE PATCH.
... select a numerical amount of modulation that will affect the patch as an alternative to using the PAGE MODIFIER rotary controls.
... select the Primary Page for those functions designated by an "X" that have "more than one" - TRACK X, ENV X, LFO X, RAMP X and ZONE X.
... quickly select Positive (normal) or Negative (inverted) Values for modulation AMOUNTs.
... permit the Quantization of modulation in the patch.
... allow you to Clear or remove an unwanted modulation from a patch.
OPERATION
Modulation Source Select
The row of MODULATION SOURCE Select buttons is where you select one of the Matrix-12's 27 Sources of Modulation in order to program the selected modulation into the Patch.
The MODULATION SOURCE Select buttons are used exclusively in conjunction with SINGLE PATCH Mode when editing SINGLE Patches. Since it is the SINGLE Patches where modulation is used, the MODULATION SOURCE Select operation is only active when you are editing a SINGLE Patch.
Although we will get into detail in Part 3 and Part 4 on how modulation Sources are used in programming Patches, we wanted to mention now that the Matrix-12 will always inform you of the status by lighting the appropriate LED. If the LED next to MODULATION SOURCE SELECT is lit, you know that you are able to select any one of the 27 Sources to introduce into the Patch. If the X SELECT LED is lit, these buttons take on a new personality, as described in the following section.
X Select
"X" parameter selection is used whenever a numeric Value - including positive ("+" button) and negative ("-" button) values - is required or when choosing a Primary "X" Page. This section is actually the Matrix-12's second "Keypad" used for numeric programming values and Page selection while the other one, as we have discovered, is used exclusively to select Patch Numbers.
0 through 9
The 0 through 9 buttons are used to change settings within a Patch just like the six Knobs in the PAGE MODIFIER section. Using X SELECT to set amounts is a faster alternative to spinning the Knobs. They are also used to select the Primary Page for those functions that have "more than one" to choose from (TRACK X, ENV X, LFO X, RAMP X and ZONE X).
"+" and "-"
The "+" and "-" keys are used to invert the Amount value in a Modulation Page. Since the Matrix-12 permits positive and negative modulation amounts, these buttons permit switching from plus to minus and back again easily.
"QUANTIZE" Switch
QUANTIZE is used in Modulation o change the otherwise smooth transitions of the modulation into steps. A sweeping LFO, Envelope or Pitch-Bend Lever (as well as the other Sources) can be made to modulate in discreet steps rather than the normal smooth transition. When a modulation that is routed to the FREQ of the VCOs or the VCF is quantized, the steps are heard in semi-tones.
Quantizing is achieved by selecting the Modulation Page, then selecting the VALUE X amount in the Lower Display so that the number becomes underlined. Pressing QUANTIZE in X SELECT will quantize the modulation and will indicate this by displaying the letter "Q" next to the amount number.
"CLEAR" Switch
CLEAR is a multi-purpose switch that permits removing modulations from a patch or resetting VALUE X amounts to their default settings.
To remove a Modulation, simply press and hold the button beneath its name in the Upper Display. While you are holding this button, press CLEAR and the modulation will be removed from the Patch and will disappear from the displays.
To reset an amount setting, simply select the numerical VALUE X by pressing and holding the button beneath its name in the Upper window. Press CLEAR and the display will change to show its default setting. In most cases the new number displayed will be 0, but you can expect to see a wide variety of defaults depending on what parameter you are cleaning. For example, you can use CLEAR to reset the five POINTs of a Tracking Generator: 0, 15, 31, 47 and 63.
In the section covering the PROGRAMMER, we also mentioned that pressing CLEAR while holding STORE recalls the Matrix-12's Basic patch called OBERHEIM. This action is actually "cleaning" the Patch and is called "Patch Initialize" on many other synthesizers.
CLEAN can also be used to reset all of the Global parameters in SINGLE PATCH Mode. If you have been experimenting in SINGLE PATCH Mode, remember that these settings are not programmable per Patch and will affect all SINGLE Patches Globally. Also, these settings will remain as they are until you change them, even if the Matrix-12 is powered off.
1. Turn the Matrix-12 off.
2. Press and hold the CLEAR button.
3. While you are holding CLEAR, turn the Matrix-12 back on.
4. The displays in the PAGE MODIFIER section of the front panel will read:
RESET MEMORY? (Doesn't AFFECT PATCHES)
YES NO
5. Press the YES button and the Matrix-12 will select SINGLE Patch 00 with the OBERHEIM Basic Patch recalled and the Global parameters will default to the following settings:
MIDI Page Settings:
CHANNEL 1
CTRLS Page:
LEVER 1: BENDER
LEVER 2: 1
PEDAL 1: 1
PEDAL 2: 64
PRESSR: PRESSR
ENABLES Page:
SYSTEMX: Off
ECHO: Off
CONTROLS: Off
PATCH Changes: On
VELOCITY: EXPO 1
PAN Page:
All Voices panned to MID.
VIB Page:
PAGE 1
SPEED: 56
WAVE: TRIANGLE
AMP: 0
PAGE 2
LAG (off)
SPEED = OFF 0 / AMP = LEV 2 +63
VASSIGN
All Voices are assigned to ZONE 1.
ZONE
ZONE 1 will be the only active ZONE. It will default to:
PAGE 1
MODE: ROTATE
LIMITS:
0 TO 127
CHANNEL: OMNI
PAGE 2
MIDI IN MIDI OUT VOICE ROB KEYBOARD
CONTROLLERS
ZONE 2 through 6 are not active and default to:
PAGE 1
MODE: ROTATE
LIMITS: 0 TO 127
CHANNEL: OMNI
PAGE 2
MIDI IN MIDI OUT VOICE ROB KEYBOARD