Features of the X5 Superior Sound with Korg's AI Square Synthesis System The Korg X5 employs Korg’s AI Square Synthesis System for all digital processing. From the tone generator—with its 6MB capacity on the 5X1 and 8MB on the 2SSG)—to the filters, amplifier, and effect units, all audio is handled in the digital domain, which ensures the highest quality sound with absolutely no signal loss or deterioration in audio quality. Based on state-of-art PCM technology, the AI Square Synthesis System is technology developed by Korg to capture the true essence of acoustic sound for use in a tone generator. Since its introduction in Korg’s 01/W series, X2/X3, and i2/i3 synthesizers, the AI Square Synthesis System has received unqualified praise from musicians and artists throughout the world. With the X5, you will enjoy a richness and variety of sounds at a level of audio excellence that meets or exceeds the quality of audio CDs. Multisounds Let You Create an Endless Variety of Sounds The X5 contains 340 built-in Multisounds and the X5D contains 430 built-in Multisounds, which are multi-sampled PCM waveforms. These Multisounds allow you to simulate a range of musical sounds, from drums and percussion to piano, guitar, and trumpet parts. The X5 also features unique Multisounds—such as Synth and SE (Special Effects)—-which provide a wide variety of flexible tools for sound creation. In fact, the X5 can generate a virtually endless variety of sounds. These built-in Multisounds can be played in their unmodified form. They can also be modified to create the sound of various musical instruments, once they pass through a powerful VDF (filter) and VDA (amplifier). You can also add a rich expressiveness to a performance by altering the sound using the key touch velocity, or by adjusting the brightness of the sound or the depth of the vibrato using the modulation wheel. 236 Programs in Banks A and G Bank A contains 100 Programs and Bank G contains 136 General MIDI (GM) compatible Programs. You can store your own Programs in Bank A. Programs comprise the basic sounds of the X5. You can play different Programs in a song by simply switching them; you can even layer them in Combinations. One Hundred Combination Slots Allow for an Endless Variety of Programs Up to 100 Combinations can be stored in the X5. Up to eight Timbres (which are something like a container for sounds) can be assigned to each Program. In Combinations, you can layer or split multiple Programs by setting the Key Window or Velocity Window. Combinations are powerful sound tools, especially for live performance. The Combination types layer, split, and velocity switch provide various sound structures. Drum Kits Support a Variety of Rhythms The provides 215 types and the provides 164 types of very popular drum sounds, including both drum and percussion sounds. You can create two Drum kits by assigning different drum sounds to each key on the keyboard. There are also eight ROM Drum kits available. A Drum kit supports the rhythm of a song. Assigning a different drum sound to each key allows you to create a wide variety of rhythm parts. You can also edit the drum sounds using VDF, VDA, and effect units. Digital Multi-Effects Processors: To Create and Add Dimension to Sounds The X5 contains two independent digital multi-effects processors that can produce various effects such as reverb, delay, EQ, distortion, rotary speaker, etc. These effects are very useful when you want to create a new sound or add dimension to a sound. Some effects are a combination of two effects. Using the X5’s two independent digital multi-effects processors, you can use up to four independent effects simultaneously. The effects processors allow you to apply effects to and edit the sounds directly on the X5, instead of connecting external effects units. Placement settings are useful for processing the sound and adding width or depth to the sound. Each Program and Combination can have its own effect settings. A wide range of scale types for numerous musical genres In addition to the conventional equal temperament and pure temperament forms of tuning, a wide variety of scales is available. These scales include the Werkmeister III, Kimberger III, Arabic, and Indonesian scales. These scales cover a broad range of musical genres, from classical to ethnic music, and prove extremely useful in the creation of high-fidelity simulations of ethnic musical instruments. You can also create your own, original scales. Western music generally uses a twelve-tone equal temperament that allows you to play in any key and to transpose the key easily. However, the X5 provides various scale types that will make the sound of chords and the flow of phrases more beautiful, and that will allow you to perform music of temperaments other than equal temperament, such as the very complicated and subtle temperaments used in many ethnic musical pieces. Multi Mode for CM Since the X5 conforms to the GM (General MIDI) standard in Multi mode, it functions as a tone generator for computer music. You can also use GM songs (performance data designed for a GM tone generator). Using original Programs in Bank A or utilizing Key Window and Velocity Window allows for high-quality ensemble performances. The X5 can be used as a GM tone generator with standard specifications. You can also combine different Programs and play original Programs via a computer. Equipped with a personal computer interface A computer interface is provided which enables direct connection to the serial ports of your personal computer, whether in the Apple Macintosh series or the IBM-PC compatible series. Connection to a computer can be made through either a MIDI connection with a MIDI interface, or through a direct connection using a serial cable. Using the Korg MIDI Driver will allow you to control data transmission from MIDI OUT independently of the X5 tone generator, or to simultaneously control an external MIDI device. Rich, large-scale ensembles with polyphony The X5's 32-voice and the X5D's 64-voice polyphonic capability allows you to create complex ensemble and large-scale orchestral sounds. Combinations of multiple Programs and features in Multi mode will help you achieve such effects. The X5D can simulate a magnificent piano sound, replete with a damper pedal, and ensembles of various instrumental parts without any notes cutting off. Extensive Presets Produce a Wide Range of Truly Practical Sounds The X5 utilizes various Programs, Combinations, and Drum Kits as Preset data. You can load the sounds selected from 100 Programs, 100 Combinations, and 2 Drum Sounds on the and the sounds from 200 Programs, 200 Combinations, and 4 Drum Sounds stored in Presets a and b on the S&Ü®, into the Program or Combination memory for immediate use. The Preset Load operation loads data from all preset sounds to one particular sound slot. The versatile editing functions of the X5 let you create original sounds very easily. On the other hand, it is quite a bit of work to create a good sound from scratch. Given such circumstances, Preset data can be very handy. You can use the data immediately after you load a sound, choosing from a broad selection. You can use Preset data just as it is, without modification. You can also use Preset data as the raw material for sound editing. You may be able to glean a few ideas for sound-making from the Preset sounds.