KENTON CR-68 Drum Machine Instructions
- June 17, 2024
- KENTON
Table of Contents
KENTON CR-68 Drum Machine
Specifications
- Model: Roland CR-68 Drum Machine MIDI Interface
- MIDI Features: Send and receive MIDI note & velocity information, send and receive MIDI clock information
- Default Settings: Receive channel 10 omni off, Transmit channel 10, Stop/start receive enabled
Product Usage Instructions
Programming MIDI Settings
To program the MIDI settings on your CR-68 drum machine:
- Ensure the drum machine is not playing.
- Use the red push button to access programming mode.
- Two modes are available by pushing the red push button.
Setting MIDI Receive Off
You can set the CR-68 to MIDI receive OFF to run in time with MIDI clock but
ignore incoming notes.
Disabling Start/Stop/Continue/Clock Commands
If you want the CR-68 to ignore start, stop, continue, or clock commands:
- Select the disable option in programming mode.
- The CR-68 will not respond to these commands, allowing it to function as a sound module in MIDI clock-driven systems.
MIDI Mapping Mode
I n MIDI mapping mode, you can assign sounds to specific program numbers:
- Program numbers correspond to different sounds.
- You can assign multiple sounds to the same MIDI note, but they will all generate the same note when played.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can I change the transmit channel independently of the receive
channel?
You can change the transmit channel independently of the receive channel by
accessing the programming mode using the red push button on the CR-68 drum
machine.
Can I assign multiple sounds to the same MIDI note?
Yes, you can assign more than one sound to the same MIDI note inMIDI mapping
mode. However, please note that all assigned sounds will generate the same
note when triggered.
These instructions are for CR-68 MIDI retrofit kits produced after 6th July
2017 – Firmware CR682102 or later.
Your CR-68 drum machine is now equipped to send and receive MIDI information.
When turned on the CR-68 will function normally but will also send and receive
MIDI note & velocity information on the channels set in memory. It will also
send and receive MIDI clock information. The velocity data conveys accented or
unaccented note data only.
The factory default settings are:
Receive channel 10 omni off / Transmit channel 10 / Stop/start receive enabled
You can return to the factory default settings at any time by turning the
CR-68 on while holding the red push button pressed. Hold for a couple of
seconds – then release.
If the CR-68 is already playing from its internal clock, then all MIDI clock
commands are ignored. If the CR-68 is stopped, then when a MIDI Start
command is received, the CR-68 will take its timing information from the
MIDI clock source. If the start button on the CR-68 is then pressed, it will
be ignored until a MIDI stop command has been received. (or SPP = zero +
continue – see below)
Many sequencers do not send a MIDI start command and instead send a Song
Position Pointer zero followed by Continue message. This is recognised by the
CR-68 as a MIDI start. Continue messages received at any other time will be
ignored. If however you want Continue messages to be always treated as Start,
this can be selected.
You can make the CR-68 ignore start/stop/continue/clock commands by selecting
it from the programming mode described in the next paragraph, when set to
disable the CR-68 will not respond to start, stop, continue or clock commands,
this is to enable the CR-68 to function as a sound module in systems where
MIDI clock is being used to drive other devices.
You can set the CR-68 to MIDI receive OFF, this will enable the CR-68 to run
in time with MIDI clock, but ignore any incoming notes.
MIDI settings
Using the red push button to program the MIDI settings
Two modes are available by pushing the red push button. Before you do press
the red button however, make sure the CR-68 drum is not playing, otherwise the
results may be unpredictable.
-
SETUP MODE – Setting MIDI channels and assignments (start-stop etc)
Give the red push button a short press (half a second) – then release. Follow this with a note or sequence of notes (on the remote keyboard) as detailed on page 2. After selecting a MIDI channel (receive or transmit) you will be -
automatically returned to playing mode, but after making any other assignments you will need to press the ENTER key (Top C on a 61 note keyboard) to return to playing mode. (N.B. set-ups are stored in non volatile memory).
-
MAPPING MODE – assigning MIDI notes to sounds
Press the red button and hold for about four seconds – then release. Follow this (on the remote keyboard) with a program change number, then any MIDI note. The drum sound specified by that program change number will be mapped to the key you just pressed. You may keep assigning drum sounds to keys in the same fashion (program then key). When you have assigned all the sounds that you want to, press any invalid program change number (12 and above), you will then be automatically returned to normal play mode. On page 3 is a list of which program numbers correspond to what drum sounds.
Note: When in setup and mapping modes the CR-68 will receive on ALL MIDI channels.
-
Above is a list of how program numbers are used in MAPPING MODE. No matter how the sounds are assigned, these program numbers always belong to the same sound. (N.B. this assumes programs start at 1 rather than 0)
-
Any program number above 16 will terminate Mapping mode and return you to normal play mode.
-
You can assign more than one sound to the same MIDI note, all of them if you want, however MIDI out uses the same map, so all sounds would then generate the same note!
-
Assignments are stored in non volatile memory.
-
The CR-68 will always transmit the assigned drum notes as follows:- Normal notes – velocity 64.
Accented notes – velocity 127. Note however that the CR-68 does not distinguish between individual sounds when responding to accent, rather it is the time-slot it happens in. So all sounds produced at that time will be accented or not accented. -
“MIDI CONTINUE” is treated as a “START” command if Song Position Pointer is zero. (default)
If selected, Continue messages can always be treated as Start. -
When running from MIDI clock, variation fill-ins 1 to 7 produce no sound although SD & HT rolls do work as does rhythm A<->B. When running from internal clock these all work as normal.
MIDI CONNECTORS
MIDI IN should be connected to a MIDI OUT or a MIDI THRU similarly MIDI OUT
should be connected only to a MIDI IN and a MIDI THRU should also be connected
only to a MIDI IN.
MIDI OUT is the signal from the synthesizer (or drum machine etc.) that is to
be sent to another instrument. MIDI IN is a received signal that contains MIDI
information from another synth, and MIDI THRU is an exact copy of information
arriving at the MIDI IN socket. This allows several instruments to be
connected together.
If you want to wire your own MIDI cables the following information may be useful.
- Although a 5 pin connector is used, only two connections plus an earth connection are required.
- If you look at the din plug from the wiring side you will see that the pins are numbered. From left to right (or clockwise) these are 1 – 4 – 2 – 5 – 3.
- The pins numbered 1 & 3 are not used.
- The screen (earth) is connected to pin 2 (centre pin)
- Pin 4 of one plug should be connected to pin 4 of the other
- Pin 5 of one plug should be connected to pin 5 of the other
- You should now have a working MIDI lead
- It is preferable to label one end of the cable MIDI IN & the other end MIDI OUT, to avoid confusion.
WARRANTY
All Kenton MIDI Kits come with a 12 month (from purchase date) back to base warranty, (i.e. customer must arrange and pay for carriage to and from Kenton Electronics).
Kenton Electronics Ltd.
Unit 3, Epsom Downs Metro Centre, Waterfield, Tadworth, KT20 5LR, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8544 9200 Fax: +44 (0)20 8544 9300
www.kenton.co.uk
Copyright (c) KENTON Electronics & John Price 1986-2023 f/w 2102 and above