Like many MIDI based systems the MA-7 DSP can provide two simultaneous effects. SFX-1: containing a set of basic algorithms for the general reverb and delays category (called Karaoke), and SFX-2: a set of algorithms for the chorus and variation category.
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SFX1
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ROOM1-3 / PLATE / WHITE ROOM / TUNNEL / BASEMENT / KARAOKE1-3 |
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SFX2
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CHORUS1-4 / CELESTE1-4 / FLANGER1-3 / TREMOLO / RING MODULATOR / AUTO PAN / PHASER / DISTORTION / OVER DRIVE / AMP SIMULATOR / STEREO 3BAND EQ / MONO 3BAND EQ / 2BAND EQ / AUTO WAH / PITCH CHANGE / VOICE CANCEL / ENSEMBLE DETUNE / COMPRESSOR / AMBIENCE |
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Default patches are stored in a Library, which can contain up to 100 SFX-1 patches and 270 SFX-2 patches stored in 10 banks. Bank 0 is not editable and user patches can be stored in Banks 1~9.
Allocation of effects:
Typically, the first part of SMAF file composition involves using a midi sequencer. During this stage, 2 effects can be selected directly from the library by double-clicking on the selected effect, (one from the reverb category SFX-1 and the second from the chorus category SFX-2) in order to try them out. They are sent to the hardware by simply clicking on the "send" button.
Once the composition process has moved to the MA-7 software, it is necessary to copy DSP patches from the library to the contents window. From the contents window, Effects can be selected and placed at points during the piece. By the way, if no events are inserted, then the effects in position ID1 on the contents window become the default effects settings.
DSP events (which include a setting from each category – reverb, chorus) can be set, turned off or changed any number of times throughout the piece in the effect track, displayed at the top of the score window of a SMAF file. Right-clicking on the effect track will bring up a selection box from which any effect pasted into the contents window can be selected. Note: It can be useful to have a "No Effect" option pasted into the contents effects if you want to turn off an effect during the composition.
Send levels:
The amount of signal from each track that is sent to the DSP is controlled in the usual way through MIDI data in the track itself - using controllers 91 (reverb) and 93 (chorus) and these can be modified continuously throughout the piece (see example 3). However, it is useful to note that the individual track send levels can also be set, at the head of the piece, using the mixer window. This reduces the need to shuffle back and forth between the MIDI sequencer and the SMAF MA-7 software when you just want to set one send level for each track. Note however, that any continuous data occurring in the midi file will override this mixer setting.
Editing Effects:
The library contains a number of presets for each of the DSP categories, and these cover most standard needs. However, occasionally it may be desirable to create a special effect and there is a simple DSP editor provided for this purpose. Double clicking on an effect, either directly from the library or after it has been pasted into the contents window, will automatically open the editor – here is an example. The parameters available for edit will depend upon the basic algorithm selected; they are simple and self explanatory. After you have modified a parameter setting, you must be click the "Send" button on the Effect Edit in order to hear the changes in the effect.
I recommend editing from the library so that your new DSP patches are readily available for use in other compositions (remember that libraries of voices, effects etc. can be saved independently).
Clicking the "Send" button will allow you to try the effect in real-time from your sequencer, and audition changes to the parameter settings. Clicking OK will store your new settings – don’t forget to name your effects.
