MIDI Target Manufacturer(s): Korg
Summary: The Korg 707, released in 1987, has been referred to as a "Multitimbral Yamaha DX27," but the unlike the DX27 the 707 is a keytar: guitar strap buttons, a 49-keyboard, and optional battery power bring FM synthesis to a new way of working. But like all of that 80s tech, the front panel is awkward. That's where Ibo Kai's layout comes in. It's the ridiculously high quality we've come to expect of this Master Layout Designer. He writes that it's "for sound programming. All SINGLE parameters are covered. Only the naming and write process has to be done on the synth itself." As usual, the layout looks great: amazing attention to aesthetics and workflow. And it's in Version 1.5. [As always, be sure to check the release notes on the QA site]
Just finished the layout for my Korg 707. Hope you like it! I tried to make it match the simple straight look of the synth. Unfortunately there are no strap knobs on my iPad...
Hints for using:
- This layout is for sound programming. All SINGLE parameters are covered. Only the naming and write process has to be done on the synth itself.
- Make sure that on the synth EXC is switched to ON (FUNCTION > menu 7). It is set to OFF by default, means whenever you power up the synth.
- I found a strange behaviour here in that my 707 refuses to leave the FUNCTION area back to PROGRAM or PARAMTER, once MIDI Designer (or other remote editors!) are connected. It just stays in FUNCTION. In my set-up the iPad is routed via a DAW in my computer to the synth. So to solve the problem I disconnect the MIDI line in the DAW, switch the Korg back to PROGRAM and then re-connect MIDI. No hassle with cabling, just a few mouse clicks. Afterwards on the synth I can switch between PROGRAM and PARAMETER without problems.
- The Korg must be switched to PARAMETER for sound programming. If switched to PROGRAM it won´t respond to any incoming sysex.
- Before saving the sound on the 707, don´t forget to disable the memory protect, which again is set to ON whenever you power on the 707. FUNCTION > menu 5
EDIT Mar-2015: I did a slight overhaul of the layout. One reason was that by working more in MIDI Designer I learned a lot about all the options and how they can help in the workflow of a layout. And then I remembered Korg´s intention, when they made the 707: they wanted to make using Yamaha´s FM synthesis easier. Therefore I decided to make using my layout easier ;-) I rearranged the positions of controls, switched all envelope (and some other) parameters from rotary controls to sliders, added plus/minus buttons where appropriate, added lines as dividers between groups of controls within one section and over all tried to make the way the synth works easier to understand from the layout. Hope it works for you as well!
Cheers,
Ibo Kai
