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ToneWorks PXR4 FAQ (frequently asked questions)
1. How many record-able tracks does the PXR4 REALLY have? How many can be played back at a time? 2. What type of data compression/encoding, if any, does it employ? 3. What does “MPEG” stand for? 4. What is the bit rate of the A/D & D/A converters on the PXR4? 5. To what type of media does it record? 6. How much time is available? 7. What if I don’t want to keep buying this media all the time? 8. What computer operating systems currently support the PXR4? 9. How many individual effect processors are there and how can I use them? 10. How many different types of effects are available? 11. How many effect memory locations, preset and user, are there? 12. What does “REMS” stand for? 13. How would I turn on the guitar effects and use the “Rock” preset on an electric guitar. 14. How many different PCM rhythms are included? 15. How do I turn the patterns on, select different patterns, and change their tempo and level? 16. How can I record the drums to a track? 17. How many channels does the on-board mixer have? 18. How would I add chorus on a track that I’ve already recorded, using the internal effects, when all four of my tracks are already recorded? 19. Where the heck are the ‘PAN’ controls? 20. How do I add more bass and treble and less midrange on one track, but I don’t want to EQ the whole mix- help? 21. What are my non-linear editing choices in the PXR4? 22. What is a “Mark”, and how would one use this? 23. What software do I have to buy to make CDs with this little thing, and how expensive is this software? 24. What if you only had thirty seconds of a drum beat, but needed a three minute track right away?
1. How many record-able tracks does the PXR4 REALLY have? How many can be played back at a time? There are four tracks, each with 8 virtual tracks for a total of 32 tracks that can be recorded. Only four tracks at a time can be played back. You have the choice of recording and playing back on channel 1 (A through H), channel 2 (A through H), channel 3 (A through H) and or 4 (A through H). Up to two tracks can be recorded simultaneously. (back to top)
2. What type of data compression/encoding, if any, does it employ? MPEG1-Layer 2 (MP2) (back to top)
3. What does “MPEG” stand for? MPEG stands for Moving Pictures Experts Group, an organization working under the joint direction of the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC). This group devises standards for the coding of moving pictures and audio. Most people use the term "MPEG" to refer to a format for video or audio.
Advantages: MPEG formats allow high-quality audio to be distributed over the Internet with much faster download times than would be required for uncompressed audio. (back to top)
More on MPEG click here.
4. What is the bit rate of the A/D & D/A converters on the PXR4? The PXR4 uses 24 bit A/D and D/A converters with a sampling frequency of 32kHz.
5. To what type of media does it record? SmartMedia (3.3 volt) – 4Mb to 128Mb (back to top)
6. How much time is available?
The time all depends on the size of the card and the resolution of the recording. The higher the quality, the less time you have but the better it will sound.
Hi - For the best audio quality Standard - Normal recording Economy - Interviews, lectures, spoken voice
The supplied 32 mb card with one track recorded:
128 mb card with one track recorded:
(September,2004 - Some stores are now selling 128MB SmartMedia cards for $29.99 and you can find them for even less (if you search the web)
7. What if I don’t want to keep buying this media all the time? If you have a computer (MAC or PC) that has a USB port and a compatible operating system, you can fill up the card, save the data on your computer, erase the card and start over. The limitation would then be the size of the drive on your computer. If the computer has a CD/R drive or equivalent, the data can then be copied or archived. (back to top)
8. What computer operating systems currently support the PXR4? MAC OS 9.0.4 or later. Windows ME, 2000, XP
The Windows 98 drivers are now officially available for FREE http://www.korg.com/service/downloadinfo.asp?DID=322
9. How many individual effect processors are there and how can I use them?
GUITAR – applies guitar/bass type effects to the recording or recorded track If you want to record your guitar as if you are plugged into a multi-effects processor, you would choose the GUITAR effect section. The signal will be recorded with the effect (the amount depends on the mix level of the effect program) allowing the user to use a different effect on a different track or virtual track. If you want to record an instrument WITH a specific effect like distortion, delay, chorus, flange, phaser, tremolo, etc. the GUITAR effect is the best choice. The GUITAR effect is mono-in, mono-out. The effect is inserted immediately after the input.
INSERT – Apply an effect to a stereo input (like a keyboard or stereo microphone) Using the stereo LINE input, the stereo INSERT effect is perfect for stereo signals from a keyboard, mixer or other stereo source. The INSERT effect is Stereo-in, Stereo-out. The effect is inserted immediately after the input.
MASTER – Apply global effects – with a send level for each track – Typically reverb, EQ, etc. You have completed your recording and want to listen to it with reverb. The MASTER effect is the kind of effect that is global where the amount is determined in the mixer “SEND” section, per track. You can have no effect on track 1, a little on track 2, etc. The MASTER effect is Stereo-in, Stereo-out.
FINAL – Mastering effects – All tracks go though for final tweaking – Comp/limiting, EQ, etc. There are no individual track level controls in the FINAL effects. The level controls are in the edit parameters of the FINAL effect (Mix and ProgMVol). The FINAL effect is Stereo-in, Stereo-out.
10. How many different types of effects are available? The PXR4 has 77 different effects types. (back to top)
11. How many effect memory locations, preset and user, are there? The PXR4 has 50 factory presets plus 50 user effect locations for the GUITAR effect types and 50 factory presets plus 50 user effect locations for the INSERT/MASTER/FINAL effect types for a total of 200 (100 factory plus 100 user) presets. (back to top)
12. What does “REMS” stand for? Resonant structure and Electronic circuit Modeling System REMS is the modeling technology developed by KORG to emulate the sound of the original amplifier, preamp, effect processor, speaker cabinet, transistors, instrument bodies, acoustic fields or microphones. (back to top)
13. How would I turn on the guitar effects and use the “Rock” preset on an electric guitar.
1. Hold down the “SHIFT” button and then repeatedly press the “ASSIGN” button to scroll through the effect types listed on the LCD display under the box labeled “EFFECT ASSIGN”. Stop when the “GUITAR” effect type is displayed
2. Release the “SHIFT” button and press the “ASSIGN” button once.
3. Use the DATA Wheel to rotate and find the ROCK preset (location 12).
14. How many different PCM rhythms are included?
Total = 32 metronome patterns plus 55 drum patterns
Beat = 1/4 - 2 metronome types Beat = 2/4 - 2 metronome types Beat = 3/4 - 2 predetermined drum patterns plus 2 metronome types Beat = 4/4 - 48 predetermined drum patterns plus 2 metronome types Beat = 5/4 – 1 predetermined drum pattern plus 2 metronome types Beat = 6/4 - 2 metronome types Beat = 7/4 – 1 predetermined drum pattern plus 2 metronome types Beat = 8/4 - 2 metronome types Beat = 1/8 - 2 metronome types Beat = 2/8 - 2 metronome types Beat = 3/8 - 2 metronome types Beat = 4/8 - 2 metronome types Beat = 5/8 – 2 metronome types Beat = 6/8 - 3 predetermined drum pattern plus 2 metronome types Beat = 7/8 - 2 metronome types Beat = 8/8 - 2 metronome types
15. How do I turn the patterns on, select different patterns, and change their tempo and level? 1. Hold down the “SHIFT” button and then press the “RHYTHM” button.
2. Use the DIAL to change the “oFF” setting to one of the metronome or drum patterns (turn to the right).
3. Use the “CURSOR” key to: Beat - move left one screen Then use Dial to choose from 4/4 to ¾, to 7/8 etc BPM (this is the drum tempo) – move left one more screen Then use Dial to change from 40 BPM to 240 BPM Level – move right to RhythmLv Then use Dial to go from 0 to 50
16. How can I record the drums to a track? It is not possible to record the drums internally to a track without plugging the audio output back into the input to record the drums. The internal rhythm patterns will play in sync with a recording without taking up a track so it is not always necessary to record them. If the user wants to make a stereo mix to be converted to use on the web or in a MPEG player then the drums must be actually recorded to a track. 1. Plug a line cable from the audio output to the line input (stereo or mono mini to stereo or mono mini) – the drums are mono so it won’t matter. 2. Set the “INPUT SELECT” to LINE 3. Set the mixer to Pre (hold down “SHIFT” and then press the MIXER/DISPLAY/WRITE button until the display shows “PRE”) 4. Pick the track where you want to record the drums and activate the track by pushing the corresponding track button. Make sure the track level slider is all the way down (on zero) 5. Follow instructions in #15 to pick the correct pattern 6. Set the tempo and level (in the Rhythm section), watching the display to make sure no clipping occurs. 7. The fader for your activated track will determine your recording level for your drum track. Be careful not to overload the track, it can feedback easily. 8. Activate the RECORD function by pressing the “PLAY” button. 9. If you want to get fancy you can set the effects to INSERT and then pick and edit an INSERT effect. The effect level will be determined in the INSERT effect parameters, not the track send level. You can also change drum programs while you are recording for that “real” feel. 10. Deactivate the record function on the track so that you can play it. 11. Turn off the Rhythm 12. Rewind your track and then hit play.
17. How many channels does the on-board mixer have? The PXR4 is generally considered to have 4 mixer channels, but you can add two more channels by using the SubIn (and stereo input) making the total six. The “SubIn is activated in the SYSTEM section that says “MixerSys”. This way you can mix four recorded tracks with two from the stereo line input. The new inputs will be bussed to the L and R Master outputs. If the input is mono it will be bussed to the L (left) channel. (back to top)
18. How would I add chorus on a track that I’ve already recorded, using the internal effects, when all four of my tracks are already recorded?
To apply a chorus effect on a track I have already recorded 1. Set the effects to MASTER and then pick a chorus effect program like # 72 “St_Chorus”. 2. Hit PLAY so that you can hear your track 3. In the mixer section, set the SEND-L and SEND-R levels for the track you want to effect. 4. Make sure the send levels for all the other tracks are set to 0 and the INPUT is not set to MIC. 5. Set the PAN to “AUTO PAN” by tapping the SYSTEM button until it reads “System” a. Click the CURSOR to the right one click to “MixerSys” b. Click the CURSOR to the right two more times and make sure AutoPan is on. If it is set to oFF turn the dial to the right to turn it on. c. Hit the EXIT button twice to get back to the song 4. Turn on the BOUNCE feature by holding down the SHIFT button and then the “BOUNCE” button to get to 4-2, which is the first option. This called the 4 Track to 2 Track mode. 5. Activate the record track you want to change. 6. Hold down the record button and hit PLAY. The amount of the new effect will be controlled by the channel fader 7. Stop the recording when the song or part is complete. 8. Deactivate the record track and the rewind to the beginning of the song. 9. Go back to the MASTER effect and change it to one of the reverbs. In the MIXER section reset the send levels for each individual track.
Now you have chorus on the one track (that was not there before) and reverb on everything. If I don’t like the results at any point, use the UNDO feature to revert back to a previous state. If you created a copy to work on, you can always revert back to the original. (back to top)
19. Where the heck are the ‘PAN’ controls? “PAN” is short for panorama where a mono signal (or track) can be placed (or panned) anywhere between the left and right outputs. The “PAN” controls are in the Mixer section of the PXR4. To get to the PAN controls: 1. Hit the MIXER button once 2. Cursor down one click to PAN 1 (for Track 1) 3. Use the Dial to set the pan anywhere from L30 (hard left) to R30 (hard right) or in the “cnt” (middle). 4. Cursor to the right for the next track and repeat the process.
20. How do I add more bass and treble and less midrange on one track, but I don’t want to EQ the whole mix- help? You can use a “MASTER” effect with the send levels of your track turned up and all the other send levels turned down. Dial in the 4BandEQ effect and have control over four different frequencies including bass, treble and midrange. This way the only track with the EQ effect will be your track. If you want to actually record the new EQ settings so that you can use the MASTER effect again (like for a reverb) follow the instructions in question # 18. (back to top)
21. What are my non-linear editing choices in the PXR4? Non-linear editing means to edit internally, not copying from one machine to another. In the PXR4 you can internally COPY, PASTE, ERASE, DELETE, EXPAND or COMPRESS a track or tracks. (back to top)
22. What is a “Mark”, and how would one use this? A “MARK” is way of marking a specific location (in time) on a track (or tracks). There are four important places to use “MARKS” when editing. A “MARK” will designate the InTime, OutTime, ToTime and EndTime in a recording so that precise editing can take place. (back to top)
23. What software do I have to buy to make CDs with this little thing, and how expensive is this software? The process of creating audio CDs requires the “CONVERTED” PXR4 tracks to be changed (converted) into WAV files. The native PXR4’s MP2 files can be saved to CD for archiving or playing on an MPEG player. To convert the MP2 files to WAV files you can use one of the free programs like Winamp or Liquidaudio to achieve this. After conversion, the next step is burn the CD. Most computer CD/R and CDR/W drives come with some kind of free CD creation software like Roxio Easy CD Creator. You can purchase full programs for under $99. Free playback and conversion software is available at: http://www.liquidaudio.com/products/liqplayer/ http://www.winamp.com/download/
How do I decode
to .WAV using Winamp?
24. What if you only had thirty seconds of a drum beat, but needed a three minute track right away? You could Mark the thirty second drum recording (clip) and copy it six times to the desired track location.
How do I do this?
1. Listen to the track you want to copy.
2. Mark an “IN” point of your clip by hitting the “STORE MARK” button (just above the fast forward button. You do this by listening to your track and just hitting the “STORE MARK” button.
3. Mark an “OUT” point in your clip at the end of the portion you plan to copy. These are called “Mark Points”. The audio you want to copy will only be between these two points.
4. Press the “SYSTEM” button three times until you see “EditTrk”
5. Curser to the right until you see V-Track (one click)
6. Cursor down to “CpyTrack”
7. Cursor one click to the right and specify your source track (the track you want to copy). The display says “SrcTrk” and a track number will be blinking. Scroll using the “Dial” to find the track you want to copy.
8. Click the Cursor key one more time to the right to set up your “DestTrk” or destination track (where your copy is going to go).
9. Click the Cursor one time to the right to set how many times to copy the track.
10. Click the Cursor key to the right two times to the right until the display reads “InTime”. This is the place where you hit the first Mark point. Turn the Dial to the right until the Mark point shows “1” which should be your first one.
11. Click the Cursor key one more time to the right to see “OutTime”. This is the end of the clip you want to copy. Turn the Dial to the right to find Mark point # 2
12. Click the Cursor key one time to the right to see “ToTime” The last location is the “To” location. This is where your copies will go. You can copy your clip to the beginning (left at 00) which would start right at the beginning of your file (song) or to the same time that your first Mark point signifies (Mark point #1) or another Mark point.
13. Click the Cursor key one more time to “Copy OK?” and the “yes” should be flashing. If all is fine, click the Cursor key one last time to the right and your clip will be copied.
14. To play it just rewind to the beginning of the track (or to the MARK point you specified), turn down all your other level faders and hit PLAY.
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answers)